DE102016104484A1 - Lighting device with communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

Communication services of a luminaire with communication device should be provided more reliably. Therefore, a lighting device with a lighting means and a communication device (11) for wireless transmission and / or reception, which is arranged on the lighting means (6, 7), and a power supply device (10), with the lighting means (6, 7) and the communication device (11) can be supplied with power proposed. A buffer means (18) supplies the communication means (11) but not the lighting means (6, 7) with electric power when the power supply means (10) is not supplying power.

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting device with a lighting means, a communication device for transmitting and / or receiving, which is arranged on the lighting means, and a power supply device, with which the lighting means and the communication device can be supplied with power. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for operating a lighting device with a lighting means and a communication device for transmitting and / or receiving, which is arranged on the lighting means, by supplying the lighting means and the communication device with power from a common power supply device.

The so-called "beacon technology" is based on a transmitter-receiver system. A "beacon" is a small, mostly battery-powered transmitter that emits a signal in (definable) time intervals usually on the Bluetooth low-energy standard. The radio signal of each beacon is characterized by a unique identification number (so-called UUID). Beacons can be used to give objects and places digital identification. Objects (where a beacon is installed) and locations (where a beacon is installed, for example, on a wall) can thus be identified by terminals (e.g., smart devices) in the signal field of the beacon.

Beacons can be used to identify a location or to locate it. Placement of one or more beacons in a building area thus creates a kind of radio-based grid in which a smart device can locate itself via the BLE interface (Bluetooth Low Energy) and corresponding algorithms. The individual identification numbers of the installed beacons give a location an identifier with which a smart device can approximately determine the position (basic transmission area of the beacon can be determined). Algorithms on the smart device may determine the positional accuracy, e.g. improve on signal strengths. It is necessary for the smart device to be able to access information in a repository (e.g., on a cloud server) (e.g., identification number and mapping). If a terminal device (for example a smart device) comes within the range of a transmitter, it can detect the identification number and, for example, determine the location via a server query. Among other things, the location algorithms access the received signal strength of the beacons in the vicinity, in particular as an indicator for the distance to the respective beacon.

The present invention is based on the basic invention of installing Beacons in lighting / lighting technology. In particular, the advantage is used that a light installation provides a permanent energy access to provide the beacon with energy. This in turn results in the advantage that the battery of the beacon does not have to be replaced and thus corresponding life cycle costs or processes can be saved. In addition, parameterization of the beacon can be set with higher power consumption without reducing the lifetime of the beacon. Installation processes of beacons and lighting technology can also be standardized. Another advantage is a defined locking position of a beacon transmitter, which is well protected against manipulation. A place can thus be given a clear and secure identifier.

• – Energieversorgung der Lichtinstallation anstatt einer Batterie nutzen, um die Lebenszykluskosten des Beacon zu reduzieren;
• – Energieversorgung der Lichtinstallation nutzen, um die Sendeparameter an den Dienst und nicht an die verfügbare Restenergie beziehungsweise die Parameter der Batterie anzupassen (beispielsweise häufige Sendezyklen erzeugen hohe Genauigkeit der Dienste, jedoch auch höheren Energieverbrauch);
• – Austausch der Batterie konventioneller Beacons birgt Risiken (z.B. im Hinblick auf Fehler in der Handhabung);
• – Vermeidung einer Nicht-Verfügbarkeit der Dienste durch eine unterbrechungsfreie Energieversorgung des Beacon;
• – Installationsort unterhalb der Decke ist ideal für die Signalausbreitung des Beacon;
• – Installationsort unterhalb der Decke macht das Gesamtsystem robuster gegen Störungen/Abschattungen durch Objekte auf Höhe der Flurebene im Gegensatz zu einer Installation des Beacon selbst auf Höhe der Flurebene;
• – Beacon wird vor Manipulation/Fremdzugriff (versehentlich, mutwillig) geschützt;
• – Beleuchtung und Dienste (z.B. Ortungsdienste) werden als Gesamtsystem „aus einer Hand“ angeboten (d.h. Systemlieferant ist auch Dienst-Anbieter);
• – Möglichkeit zur Nutzung des sicheren Kommunikationsnetzwerks der Lichtinstallation, z.B. um den Beacon zu konfigurieren oder Beacons untereinander zu vernetzen;
• – Vereinheitlichung der Installationsprozesse von Beacons und Lichtinstallation;
• – Möglichkeit zur Kopplung zu weiteren Systemelementen der peripheren Gebäudeinfrastruktur über das Kommunikationsnetzwerk der Lichtinstallation, z.B. Elementen der Sicherheitstechnik;
• – optisch ansprechendes System, da der Beacon nicht sichtbar in der Lichtinstallation untergebracht werden kann.

An overview of potential uses of beacons in lighting technology offers the following list:

• - Use the power supply of the light installation instead of a battery to reduce the life cycle cost of the beacon;
• - Use the power supply of the light installation to adapt the transmission parameters to the service and not to the available residual energy or the parameters of the battery (for example frequent transmission cycles generate high accuracy of the services, but also higher energy consumption);
• - Replacing the battery of conventional beacons poses risks (eg with regard to errors in handling);
• - avoidance of non-availability of the services by an uninterruptible power supply of the beacon;
• - Location below the ceiling is ideal for signal propagation of the beacon;
• - Place of installation below the ceiling makes the whole system more robust against disturbances / shadows caused by objects at the level of the corridor level, in contrast to an installation of the beacon itself at the level of the corridor level;
• - Beacon is protected against manipulation / external access (accidental, wanton);
• - Lighting and services (eg location services) are offered as a one-stop system (ie system supplier is also a service provider);
• - possibility to use the secure communication network of the light installation, eg to configure the beacon or to network beacons with each other;
• - standardization of the installation processes of beacons and light installation;
• - Possibility of coupling to other system elements of the peripheral Building infrastructure via the communication network of light installation, eg elements of safety technology;
• - visually appealing system, as the beacon can not be placed visible in the light installation.

A beacon may be arranged in or on an electrical lighting device. The beacon communicates with a terminal (e.g., smart device). The beacon is optionally connected via a communication connection with other beacons or with infrastructure elements.

Within an area, people and devices may be challenged to navigate, navigate, and locate and use other local digital services (e.g., apps or app features, Google Maps, Lightify Light Control). The light installation with integrated beacon in one area becomes a location or orientation system for these useful potentials. With the thus realizable self-location of the terminal services can now be provided, such as navigation or the provision of location-specific information.

One aspect of beacon technology is the ability to configure typical parameters such as signal strength and beacon transmission interval. With different configurations different application scenarios can be supported individually. If a high quality of service (accurate localization at short intervals) is required (such as in indoor navigation), e.g. configure very short transmission intervals.

Currently, batteries are used to power the beacons. The need to change these batteries in regular cycles, results in a high cost and correspondingly high life cycle costs for the beacon.

High service quality - such as high positioning accuracy, long range, short transmission interval - requires a relatively large amount of energy at the transmitter module, so that the battery of a battery-powered beacon must be replaced after a short time (for example, after one month).

Each replacement of a battery also carries the risk that the functionality of the positioning system is adversely affected by small change in position or incorrect handling of the beacon. If necessary, there is also the risk that the operator (for example, a supermarket owner) is unaware of the energy shortage of the beacon or does not find the beacon if sufficient residual energy is no longer available.

The services of the beacon (e.g., navigation) should be permanently available to the user. This requires an uninterruptible power supply.

The installation / installation of the beacons on / in or as part of the light installation or a light source (hereinafter also summarized as lighting device) would allow compared to a battery-powered beacon to use the power supply of the light installation (eg ballast of the lighting device) for the power supply of the beacon and Thus, the battery of the beacon to substitute and counteract the associated problems (see above).

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a lighting device with communication device, the latter to provide their service more reliable.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a lighting device according to claim 1 or claim 2. In addition, the object is achieved by a method according to claim 11. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

Accordingly, according to the present invention, a lighting device is provided with a lighting means (eg light-emitting diode, light-emitting diode module) and a communication device for wireless transmission and / or reception, which is arranged in or on the lighting means. The communication device is preferably a beacon for the acoustic or electromagnetic transmission of preferably location-specific information. In addition, the lighting device has a power supply device with which the lighting means and the communication device can be supplied with power. Typically, the power supply is a ballast. Because the communication device can also use the power supply of the lighting device, battery operation of the communication device is not necessary. Advantageously, the lighting device additionally has a buffer device (energy buffer store) which is designed to supply the communication device, but not the lighting device, with electric current when the power supply device does not supply any current. This results in the advantage that the communication device can continue to be operated via the buffer device, even if the light source is switched off. The lighting device will thus continue to provide the services of the communication device or the beacon, too if it does not light up. If necessary, lighting would at most be a signaling LED of the communication device.

According to an alternative variant, the lighting device also has a lighting means, a communication device for wireless transmission and / or reception, which is arranged on the lighting means, and a power supply device, with which the lighting means and the communication means are supplied with power. In addition, the communication device has an antenna which is arranged so that its main emission direction coincides with the main emission direction of the luminous means. This has the advantage that it can be recognized immediately during installation, where the communication device and in particular the beacon mainly radiates. In this way, a reliable operation of the communication device can be ensured.

In a particular embodiment, the lighting means may have a light emitting diode board equipped with light emitting devices and the communication device have its own communication board, which is arranged on the same side as the light emitting diodes on the light source board, wherein the two boards have a predetermined board distance to each other. This arrangement has the advantage that the lamp board, which is often coated with aluminum, less disturbs the communication signals of the communication device.

In addition, the communication device can be electrically connected in parallel to the light-emitting diodes. This has the advantage that the supply of the communication device can be done very easily. In particular, no complex circuit for the supply of the communication device is necessary.

The lighting device can be designed as a double ended lamp, in particular as a T5 or T8 LED tube. Such tubes are also referred to as "retro-fit tubes", as they fit into common lampholders corresponding fluorescent tubes.

Such a double capped lamp or T5 or T8 tube has cap-shaped terminal sockets at both ends. In LED operation, however, the two sockets are no longer both used for the power supply. Rather, only a single one of the two sockets is used to feed power into the tube or the ballast. The other connection socket is usually electrically unused or has at best Durchleitfunktion. Therefore, it is favorable to arrange the communication device on that of the two terminal socket, which does not serve for the power supply of the lighting device. As a result, it can be avoided that electrical or magnetic fields which arise during the supply to the electrically used connection socket interfere with the communication of the communication device.

According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the connection socket, which does not serve to supply power to the lighting device, is cap-shaped, and the communication device is dimensioned or arranged in the cap-shaped connection socket such that it does not have a straight line between an edge of the cap-shaped connection socket and an edge one of the connection socket nearest LED light of the bulb cuts. This means that at best the cap-shaped connection base shades the light source or the light emitting diodes, but not the communication device accommodated therein. With this geometry, a beam which is shadowed by the communication device would be shaded anyway by the terminal socket, which does not serve to power the lighting device. The communication device therefore has no shading effect on the light source. In an alternative approach, the communication device may also be arranged such that it is arranged outside a nominal emission cone of each light-emitting diode of the light-emitting means.

The communication device can be applied to the light source by means of a contact strip, e.g. plugged or soldered, be. Such a contact strip allows for a simple installation. On the other hand, the body of the contact strip can also be used as a spacer at the same time. This distance may be advantageous as far as the influencing of the communication signals of the communication device by the illuminant board is concerned.

According to a further embodiment, the buffer device can be arranged in a region of the luminous means which is the coolest in continuous operation of the luminous device. In the case of a T8 LED tube, for example, the ballast is typically arranged on the one connection base which serves to supply power to the lighting device. During operation, it generates heat as well as the LEDs on the top of the light emitting diode board. In this case, the cheapest and coolest location for the buffer device in the region of the second terminal socket, which does not serve for the power supply of the lighting device and in particular there on the side facing away from the light emitting diodes back of the light emitting diode board. Such cool places ensure the highest possible life of the Buffer device and in particular a rechargeable battery.

Preferably, the lighting device has a ballast, in which a charging circuit for the buffer device is integrated. This has the advantage that the more complex electronics for power supply in a device, namely the ballast, is summarized.

The above object is also achieved by a method for operating a lighting device with a lighting means and a communication device for transmitting and / or receiving, which is arranged on the lighting means, by supplying the lighting means and the communication device with power from a common power supply device. In this case, the supply of the communication device, but not of the lighting means, is carried out with electric current from the buffer device of the lighting device when the power supply device supplies no current. The buffer device is thus provided exclusively for the communication device for the uninterruptible power supply, but not for the lighting means, although the communication device is powered by the latter or the associated ballast when the lighting device is switched on.

The inventive method can be further developed with the functional features of the lighting device according to the invention, which were presented above in connection with the lighting device.

The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 a perspective view of a T8 LED tube;

2 a sectional view of a portion of the tube of 1 in the longitudinal direction;

3 a view rotated 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the tube;

4 a cross-sectional view through the tube on the terminal socket; and

5 the basic structure of a lighting device with external elements.

The embodiments described in more detail below represent preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that the individual features can be realized not only in the described feature combinations, but also in isolation or in other technically meaningful combinations of features.

In one exemplary embodiment, a communication device for wireless transmission and / or reception is arranged in or on a luminaire or a luminous means. The communication device can be designed, for example, as a beacon or beacon and send location-specific information acoustically or electromagnetically. The electrical energy is supplied to the communication device via a power supply device (for example ballast), which also supplies the light source with energy. At the same time, at least one energy buffer (e.g., battery, capacitor) is part of the overall "lighting device" system. This power latch provides the necessary power to the communication device in operation when power is interrupted by the power supply of the light source (e.g., in the case of the light being off and not emitting light).

This results in various design options for the arrangement of the communication device within the lighting device. It is of particular advantage if the radiation of the signal (for example radio signal) of the communication device takes place in the direction of the light emitted by the luminous means. For this purpose, the communication device or the beacon should have an antenna with a targeted radiation characteristic. Now, if the bulb and the communication device radiate in the same direction, it is easy for the installer to align the communication device during the installation ideal, since he also aligns the bulb and thereby see the radiation. In particular, the communication device should also not be arranged on a rear side of a light-emitting diode board, since the light-emitting diode board would worsen the emission characteristic of the communication device.

Also, it should come by the communication device to no optical shading of the light emitted by the light source (eg LED module). This is achieved for example by the fact that the communication device is cleverly accommodated in a connection socket of the lighting device, which is associated with 2 will be explained in more detail.

Furthermore, the communication device should be positioned in the lighting device such that negative influences by the electromagnetic field of the power supply of Lighting device (eg 230V AC voltage, 50-60 Hz) are largely avoided on the circuit (EMC).

Furthermore, it would be beneficial if the energy cache (s), i. the buffering means, e.g. a battery, spatially separated from the LED modules to keep the thermal load as low as possible or to allow optimal cooling and thus prevent premature aging.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the energy buffer, i. the buffering device, so in the overall system, i. the lighting device is housed, that a simple interchangeability or disassembly is guaranteed.

One way in which no consuming energy converter is needed, the electrical connection of the device is parallel to an LED unit or a group of LEDs or possibly to an LED carrier module.

A concrete example of a specific arrangement of the system elements within the overall system "lighting device" is in connection with the 1 to 4 shown. The described arrangement can be used for lighting devices (eg T8 LED tube, but also, for example, T5 LED tube or other double ended lamps), which have a one-sided, eg downwardly directed main emission direction of the light. The main emission direction results from the nominal cones of the light emission of each individual LED. The 1 shows a T8 tube, as it is known from fluorescent tubes. In retro-fit design, it is equipped with LEDs. It has at its ends in each case a cap-shaped connection socket 1 respectively 2 each with two connecting pins 3 . 4 , which usually make the electrical connection to the lamp socket in two-socket lamps. While the connecting pins were formerly necessary for fluorescent tubes on both sides, in an LED tube only two connecting pins are either on the terminal base 1 or on the opposite terminal socket 2 necessary for the electrical supply of the tube.

Like the longitudinal section of 2 shows closer, is the connection socket 1 (as well as the connection socket 2 ) cap-shaped or cup-shaped and closes the glass tube 5 at their respective front side. Inside the glass tube 5 runs in the longitudinal direction of a light bulb board 6 , She carries LEDs at regular intervals 7 on their top. Perpendicular to this top results in a radiation direction 8th the LEDs 7 , Each LED has it 7 a nominal emission cone 9 mainly in the direction of the main emission direction 8th ,

On the back of the bulb board 6 can components 10 a ballast, which may also be part of the LED tube, that is, the lighting device may be arranged. Inside the end cap 1 or in the area of the end cap 1 there is a communication device in the form of a beacon 11 , The arrangement of the beacon 11 is chosen so that it is not in the nominal emission cone 9 the nearest LED 7 protrudes. This means that the beacon 11 no shading of the LEDs or the bulb causes. Even cheaper is if the beacon does not have a straight line 12 protrudes, which is defined by a point on the edge (at the opening) of the cap-shaped terminal socket 1 and a dot on the LED 7 , the end cap or the connection socket 1 is closest. This applies to all straight lines, each one point on the connection socket 1 and a dot on the LED 7 have. This ensures that the beacon 11 no greater shading caused than the terminal socket 1 ,

The communication device can therefore be arranged as an electronic module in / on or as part of the electronic LED module, ie the lighting device. In the advantageous form, as well as in 2 is shown, is the communication device or the beacon 11 on the LED emission side of the LED circuit board, ie the illuminant board 5 , appropriate. This arrangement ensures that the radiation of the signals by the communication device (eg radio signals of the beacon 11 by means of an antenna 13 ) in the same direction 8th for the optical emission of the LED modules.

In the example of 2 owns the communication device or the beacon 11 a separate communication board 14 , This is, for example, a so-called breakout board. On this board, the components of the communication device are arranged. In the sketch of 2 is for the sake of clarity as the only component on the communication board 14 the antenna 13 the beacon 11 shown. This is preferably designed so that the radiated signal 15 has a Hauptabstrahlrichtung, the direction of radiation 8th the LEDs 7 equivalent. The antenna 13 on the communication board 14 is also opposite in 90 degrees around the longitudinal axis 2 rotated view of 3 inside the cap-shaped connection socket 1 to recognize. Also 4 , which represents a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tube, gives the antenna 13 on the communication board 14 again.

A preferred embodiment provides for the electrical contacting of the communication device or the beacon 11 (in the special case of the communication board 14 ) on the illuminant board 6 by means of a contact strip 16 to realize. This contact strip 16 In addition to electrical contacts has a body that serves as a spacer, so that the communication board 14 from the light bulb board 6 has a predetermined distance. The communication board 14 Can also be on a connecting pen holder 17 for the connecting pins 3 and 4 be supported, which in turn on the light source board 6 is arranged. In addition, however, other electrical contacting solutions, such as flex conductors, cables, insulation displacement connection, crimp connection, spring contacts, pin header and so on are also possible. In any case, the power supply of the communication device by the ballast (components 10 ) or by an energy buffer 18 ,

If the external power supply of the lighting device is not available, for example when the light is switched off (eg with sufficient daylight), the communication device or the beacon receives 11 the necessary supply energy via the at least one energy buffer 18 which represents a buffer device. This is advantageously on the back (that is, the LEDs 7 opposite side) of the lamp board 6 placed. This results in the benefit that the energy cache 18 (eg a rechargeable battery) as far as possible thermally from the heat-generating LED modules or LEDs 7 is decoupled and thus an optimal working temperature is guaranteed.

The charge of the energy buffer 18 takes place via a charging circuit not shown in the figures. This can be accommodated in various system elements of the overall system, namely:

• - On or as part of the electronic module on which the LEDs are housed (eg light-emitting circuit board 6 )
• - as part of the electronic ballast (components 10 ) of the lighting device,
• - on a separate board, or
• - As part of the electronic module of the communication device or the beacon 11 ,

Since the communication device in the example of 1 to 4 on the side or in the end region of the tube 5 is arranged, which leads no voltage, interference of the communication device by an EM field (EMC), triggered by the power supply of the lamp (eg 230V, 50 Hz) are avoided.

Due to the asymmetrical arrangement of the communication device within the lighting device on the side at which there is no voltage applied to the LED illuminant, there may also be advantages in the pattern recognition in the context of the identification of lighting installations or communication devices.

To ensure a symmetrical arrangement and thus a symmetrical radiation characteristic, two communication devices (e.g., two beacon modules) can be accommodated within a lighting device. The accommodation can be e.g. take place in the two base areas of a light source.

5 schematically represents various concepts for the construction of a lighting device with peripheral devices. A light source 20 or a light installation or a luminaire, is in physical connection PV1 with a communication device or a beacon 11 , In addition, the bulb is 20 in physical connection PV2 with the energy buffer 18 , Preferably, this energy buffer is located on the back of the lamp board 6 or PL, the part of the bulb 20 is. In addition, an electronic ballast ECG is part of the bulb 20 (compare components 10 from 2 ), and it is in communication connection KV1 with the lighting board PL.

In a power transmission channel EK1, energy is transferred from the electronic ballast ECG to the lamp board EL. The electronic ballast ECG receives energy from an energy interface ES of the light source via a power transmission channel EK2 20 , An external network N (eg AC, 230V) supplies energy via a power transmission channel EK3 to the energy interface ES of the light source 20 , Furthermore, the electronic ballast ECG of the bulb provides 20 via a power transmission channel EK4 energy to a charging circuit LS of the communication device or the beacon 11 , In addition, bidirectionally via a power transmission channel EK5 between the energy buffer 18 and the charging circuit LS of the beacon 11 be transmitted.

Of the LEDs or LED modules of the bulb 20 Light L is emitted. Beyond that stands the Beacon 11 via a wireless communication link KV2 with a terminal E in conjunction.

In this concept, the communication device or the beacon 11 as electronic assembly on the same side of the illuminant board 6 or PL arranged as the light-emitting LED modules or LEDs. The communication device has a charging circuit LS, which is the loading and unloading of the energy buffer 18 controls.

The electrical contacting of the communication device to the light source 20 or to the electronic ballast ECG also takes place in this concept, for example via a Kontaktierungsleiste. Likewise, here too, the energy buffer 18 be placed on the back of the light-emitting plate PL, to protect it from thermal stresses.

Alternatively, the charging circuit is according to another concept in the electronic ballast ECG of the bulb 20 , Accordingly, there is not the power transmission channel EK5 of 5 but a power transmission channel EK6, in 5 indicated by dashed lines. It is also bidirectional.

The great advantage is that the beacon is battery independent and thus is no longer limited in terms of power supply in the application time. An expensive battery replacement is eliminated because of the power supply of the beacon via e.g. the ballast. This results in a reduction in the life cycle cost of the beacon.

It is also advantageous that the services of the beacon are made available without interruption. A high quality of services in accordance with the requirements can be guaranteed. A faulty replacement of the battery is not necessary. This results in a resource-saving use of the beacon technologies.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 2

connection Ockel

3, 4

connecting pin

5

tube

6

Lamp board

7

LEDs

8th

main radiation

9

Nominalabstrahlkegel

10

components

11

Beacon

12

Just

13

antenna

14

communication board

15

signal

16

Contact strip

17

Connecting pin holder

18

Storage of energy

20

Lamp

e

terminal

ECG

ballast

EK1

Energy transmission channel

EK2

Energy transmission channel

EK3

Energy transmission channel

EK4

Energy transmission channel

EK5

Energy transmission channel

ek6

Energy transmission channel

IT

Power interface

IV

Information processing device

KV1

communication link

KV2

communication link

LS

charging circuit

N

power supply

PL

Lamp board

Claims (11)

Lighting device with - a light bulb ( 20 ), - a communication device ( 11 ) for wireless transmission and / or reception, which in or on the light source ( 20 ), and - a power supply device, with which the lighting means ( 20 ) and the communication device ( 11 ) can be supplied with power, characterized by - a buffer device ( 18 ), which is adapted to the communication device ( 11 ) but not the bulb ( 20 ) to supply with electric power when the power supply device does not provide power. Lighting device according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the communication device ( 11 ) an antenna ( 13 ), which is arranged so that its main radiation direction with the main radiation direction ( 8th ) of the illuminant ( 20 ) matches. Lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lighting means ( 20 ) one with light emitting diodes ( 4 ) equipped illuminant board ( 6 ) and the communication device ( 11 ) own communication board ( 14 ), which on the same side as the light-emitting diodes ( 7 ) on the illuminant board ( 16 ), and wherein the two boards have a predetermined board distance to each other. Lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the communication device ( 11 ) electrically parallel to the light emitting diodes ( 7 ) is switched.  Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed as a double ended lamp. Lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the communication device ( 11 ) on that of two connection sockets ( 1 . 2 ) is arranged, which does not serve for the power supply of the lighting device. Lighting device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the terminal socket ( 1 ), which does not serve for the power supply of the lighting device, is cap-shaped, and the communication device ( 11 ) dimensioned or in the cap-shaped terminal socket ( 1 ) is arranged so that it does not have a straight line ( 12 ) between an edge of the cap-shaped terminal socket ( 1 ) and an edge of a terminal closest to the terminal LED ( 7 ) of the illuminant ( 20 ) cuts. Lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication device ( 11 ) using a contact strip 16 ) on the bulb ( 20 ) is applied. Lighting device according to claim 1 or one of the claims dependent thereon, wherein the buffer device ( 18 ) in a region of the illuminant ( 20 ) is arranged, which is the coolest in continuous operation of the lighting device. Lighting device according to claim 1 or one of the dependent claims, comprising a ballast (ECG) into which a charging circuit (LS) for the buffer device ( 18 ) is integrated. Method for operating a lighting device with a light source ( 20 ) and a communication device ( 11 ) for transmitting and / or receiving, which are connected to the light source ( 20 ) is arranged by - supplying the light source ( 20 ) and the communication device ( 11 ) with power from a common power supply device, characterized by - supplying the communication device ( 11 ) not the bulb ( 20 ) with electric power from a buffer device ( 18 ) of the lighting device when the power supply device is not supplying power.

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