Modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus and system

A modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus and system utilizes standard USB protocol and connections between modules so that different modules can be selected, installed, and changed by a user. The USB-C protocol is preferably used, which may permit bidirectional functionality between connected modules in an apparatus and potentially between separate apparatuses. The USB-PD protocol may also be employed so that a greater range of items can be powered. The apparatus includes a base module, and may include one or more ancillary modules and/or a light-emitting module.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to the provision and connection of lighting and other components, and in particular a modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus and system having Universal Serial Bus (USB) functionality.

BACKGROUND

There is a broad array of choices in lighting products, and it can be difficult and time-consuming for a consumer to identify the best option. Further, if a consumer installs a light that winds up being less than optimal, or if the consumer makes changes to an installed light's environment that render the light less appropriate, there is little choice with standard lighting products but to remove a complete lighting apparatus and replace it with a new one. While there are some modular lighting systems that allow for subsidiary modules to be custom-selected by a user and that have parts which can be changed without replacing an entire apparatus, they use proprietary connections.

Light receptacles are also often positioned in places where a user might wish to employ other items instead of or in addition to lighting such as a wireless communication node (e.g., Wi-Fi), speakers, cameras, or sensors. In order to drive down costs, however, LED light manufacturers have largely standardized light tubes and circuit boards in ways that have limited possible additional features (as well as service life). While some products are available that allow electricity from a conventional light receptacle to be used to power such items, they do not provide a seamless solution that includes lighting and allows a consumer to readily undertake post-installation replacement of parts of an apparatus including with a variety of non-lighting items.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus and system utilizes standard Universal Serial Bus (USB) protocol and connections between modules so that different modules can be selected and installed by product providers and preferably also by consumers. The flexibility and interchangeability of USB connections frees consumers from the proprietary connectors and limited products of existing modular solutions. For example, a consumer may be unhappy with the color, color temperature, color rendering index (CRI), intensity, beam angle, or other aspects of an installed light and wish to change it. In an embodiment, the user can simply remove a LED component or LED module—leaving the rest of the lighting apparatus intact—and replace the component or module with a different one having a more suitable lighting profile.

Likewise, in an embodiment, a consumer can install a module that includes (and/or has external USB connectors for attaching) Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, dimming, camera, sensor, speaker, or other suitable features. This allows such items to be powered from a location that may originally have been designed just for lighting, without the necessity of installing new electrical wiring.

The USB-C protocol is preferably used, providing for the possibility of bidirectional functionality between connected modules in a single location. Depending on the environment, the bidirectionality may also permit communications to be conducted over existing electrical wiring so that various modules at different locations (e.g., in different light receptacles) can coordinate intelligently without the need for wireless communications between them. The USB-Power Delivery (USB-PD) protocol may also be employed to afford increased voltage (beyond the nominal 5 volts of prior USB protocols) so that a greater range of items can be powered.

In one embodiment, the modules include a base module, one or more ancillary modules, and a light-emitting module. In another embodiment, the light-emitting module may be substituted with an ancillary module having a different functionality (e.g., a camera, sensor, speaker, etc.). In another embodiment having a light-emitting module, the ancillary module may be omitted. In another embodiment, the light-emitting module may be configured with a connector for a further module(s) to be connected to the distal end of the light-emitting module, with the light-emitting component being placed on an exterior (e.g., radial) surface of the light-emitting module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of a modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus and system is a platform that can turn any standard light bulb receptacle (socket) into a USB adapter/hub and allow for customizable lights and other devices to be installed as discrete modules using existing electrical infrastructure. The root of system is a base module, which is a discrete module that plugs or screws into an existing light bulb (or other similar) socket, transforms the existing power supply, establishes a USB-compliant apparatus. To enable bidirectional communication between modules and potentially between apparatuses connected to separate sockets, modules preferably meet the USB-C specification, preferably further with USB-PD support so that devices requiring more than 5 volts can be powered.

The modules are electrically connected with USB connectors, and preferably also have physical connectors that press-fit or interlock together. The system preferably allows modules to be “daisy-chained” in a customizable fashion so that a user can replace and remove a module to better meet existing needs or to meet new needs. Modules that can be incorporated may include one or more of an array of functionalities such as lighting (preferably LED), light guides, Wi-Fi, bluetooth, speakers, cameras, microphones, sensors, processing centers (e.g., AI), etc. Each module may have one function, or multiple functions may be combined in a single module. For example, a module having Wi-Fi functionality may also include a microphone and processing circuitry such that a user can communicate with the module and provide instructions or information that may be used in home automation or programming, etc. Or a module primarily intended as a speaker may also include an LED for a better aesthetic. The ultimate mix of uses that a given user may adopt is essentially unlimited, but examples include surround sound, security systems, home automation systems, and of course lighting. The advantages over prior means of implementing such functions may include significantly reduced initial cost and increased convenience of installation for some functions, lower cost of replacement, and an ability to rapidly and economically modernize and update a space.

A modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus and system according to an embodiment of the invention utilizes the USB protocol and connections between modules that can be removed and replaced with other modules by a user after installation.FIGS. 1-12depict various modular lighting and ancillary component apparatuses and parts thereof. One or more of such apparatuses together may, in an embodiment, form a modular lighting and ancillary component system.

Referring first toFIG. 1, an embodiment of a modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus10is depicted that includes a base module20, ancillary module30, light-emitting module40, and bulb50, each being unconnected but connectable to each other. The base module20comprises a power connector21(e.g., a standard screw connector for an AC electrical lighting receptacle such as A19), a base module body22, and a female USB connector23. The ancillary module30comprises a male USB connector31, ancillary module body32, and a female USB connector33. The light-emitting module40comprises a male USB connector41, light-emitting module body42, and a diffuser46over which bulb50can be seated. The USB connector orientations could be the reverse of that depicted (i.e., males switched with females and vice versa) or otherwise differently arranged. Also, an adapter could be inserted into a female USB connector that converts it to a male connector. The USB connectors (and those of the embodiments described below) preferably meet the USB-C specification.

FIG. 2shows the functional design of an embodiment of a base module20utilizing USB-C functionality. The base module20comprises USB connectors21and23, a DC power supply24, and USB-C PHY circuitry25. As the apparatus preferably meets the USB-PD specification, the DC power supply24, USB-C PHY circuitry25, and USB connector23are each shown connected by two different lines, one being +5V for USB Vbus and the other being +12V/+20V for USB-PD support. Current flow is limited to 3 amps, but the higher voltages of USB-PD allow for the powering of devices with higher power requirements.

FIG. 3shows the functional design of an embodiment of an ancillary module30compatible with the base module20ofFIG. 2and having Wi-Fi functionality. The ancillary module30comprises USB connectors31and33and USB-C PHY circuitry34, and a microcontroller35and Wi-Fi-interface36. Such an ancillary module30may allow the module to join a local network, communicate with controllers, and/or send control information directly to LED bulbs or other devices that are connected as part of the apparatus10.

FIG. 4shows the functional design of an embodiment of a light-emitting module40compatible with the modules20and30ofFIGS. 2 and 3and having light-emitting diodes (LEDs)45. The light-emitting module40further comprises a USB connector41, a microcontroller43, and power FETs (field effect transistors)44. A range of single-color and color-configurable LEDs45may be used, and dimming and color-configuration (e.g., via a Wi-Fi link) may be supported. Configuration settings are preferably retained through power cycles (e.g., in non-volatile memory), and simple on/off control is preferably also supported.

FIG. 5depicts an embodiment of a modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus10′ similar to that ofFIG. 1, but with the modules connected and including an ancillary module30′ having Wi-Fi functionality and another ancillary module30″ having USB hub functionality. The modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus10′ further comprises a power connector21(e.g., an A19screw connector), a base module body22, a light emitting module40and diffuser46and bulb50. External ancillary components can (as shown) be connected to the ancillary module30″, such as speakers61, sensors62(e.g., for home automation), and a camera63. The ancillary module30″ provides a USB compliant hub to connect external peripherals to the power and Wi-Fi systems of the apparatus. The USB controller preferably is USB-C and is aware of device power consumption and may for example be configured to reduce power to one or more ancillary devices in favor of lighting, or vice versa. The ancillary module30″ preferably acts as a tunnel for data from each attached device to a system controller (not shown) via the Wi-Fi link.

FIG. 6depicts an embodiment of a modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus10A similar to that ofFIG. 1, including a power connector (e.g., a standard screw connector)21and a base module body22, but with the modules connected and including a light-emitting module40A having two ends each with a USB connection (not shown), an ancillary module30′ having Wi-Fi functionality, and an ancillary module64including a speaker connected to the light-emitting module40A. As the light-emitting module40A is configured with USB connectors at each end, it is configured to emit light sideways through diffuser46A and bulb50A.

In some circumstances it is possible to sense the properties of the modified AC waveform produced by a conventional residential light dimmer, and control the brightness of a digital bulb accordingly. These common dimmers are built around a triac, which gates each cycle of the AC waveform by a voltage threshold to vary the power transferred to the load. (The technique is similar to pulse-width modulation for DC circuits). In an embodiment, the dimming technique widely used in LED bulbs of analyzing the incoming AC waveform to detect properties of the wave shape and produce an appropriate scaling value can be employed.FIG. 7shows the functional design of an embodiment of a base module20B having dimmer functionality. The base module20B comprises a power connector21, a female USB connector23, a DC power supply24, USB-C PHY circuitry25, a microcontroller71, and an AC waveform detector70. The microcontroller71is preferably configured so that the dimmer is partially on before the bulb control circuitry powers up, and to ensure sufficient power is available for the LED before it is illuminated. (LED lighting requiring a fraction of the power of conventional incandescent bulbs, however, the latter condition would be satisfied for most of the dimmer's potential operating range).

Referring toFIGS. 8-11, another embodiment of a modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus10C is shown. InFIG. 8, the base module20C, ancillary module30C, light-emitting module40C, and bulb50C are shown connected. The base module20C in this embodiment includes a power connector21C (e.g., a standard screw connector), a base module body22C, and a status light indicator26that may be lit by an internal LED or LEDs of different colors.

With the parts shown disconnected inFIGS. 9 and 10it can be seen that the base module20C also includes a male press-fit connector28having nubs29and a female USB connector23C. Any other suitable type of physical connector can be used (e.g., a threaded a locking ring, etc.) in place of the press-fit connector28as long it prevents rotation of the USB connector23C of the base module20C with respect to the USB connector31C of the ancillary module30C (or other module) when the two are connected. As seen inFIG. 10, the base module20C further includes USB-C PHY circuitry25C.

In this embodiment the ancillary module30C comprises a female press-fit connector79, a microphone37, a male press-fit connector38having nubs39, and a female USB connector33C. Referring toFIG. 10, the ancillary module30C also includes Wi-Fi circuitry and transceiver/USB-C PHY circuitry34C.

The light-emitting module40C of this embodiment comprises two discrete parts: first, a light-emitting module body42C including a silicone outer coating47, a male USB connector41C, a female press-fit connector51(seen best inFIG. 11) configured to engage the male press-fit connectors28and38of the ancillary module30C and base module20C, a female press-fit connector48, and a female USB connector49; and second, a LED circuit board80having a male USB connector81and LEDs82. The open end of the diffuser46C press-fits into female press-fit connector48and the open end of the bulb50C press fits over silicone outer coating47.

FIG. 12depicts a combination of four modules consisting of an LED coupling module40D, an LED module80D, a light guide module46D, and a camera module30D. The LED coupling module40D includes a male USB connector41D and female press-fit connector42D, a female USB connector43D and female press-fit connector48D configured to receive the end of light guide module46D, USB circuitry44D, and an outer silicone coating45D. The LED module80D includes a male USB connector81D, an LED circuit board82D and LEDs83D. In this embodiment, the LED module80D and the light guide module46D connect to the distal end of the LED coupling module40D. The light guide module46D, which may be made of a suitable polymer, includes a male press-fit connector47D and a female USB connector49D. The camera module30D includes a male USB connector31D and a female press-fit connector32D, camera circuitry35D, and camera sensor36D.

Using various modules, a user can for example build up a lightbulb from scratch for whatever purpose is desired, and may change modules to readily adjust the lightbulb's characteristics without replacing the entire apparatus. As another example, for a bedside lamp, a user may decide to combine a base module with a USB hub module (e.g., for charging devices like a smartphone), add a speaker module (e.g., to listen to music while going to sleep), and a Wi-Fi module with circuitry that can turn the speaker on in the morning, and finally a light-emitting (e.g., LED) module, a light guide module, and a bulb.

Those in the art will understand that a number of variations may be made in the disclosed embodiments, all without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined solely by the appended claims.