AU2010235891B2 - Network enabled light and light socket - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The network enabled light is a plug-in replacement for existing lights. It can be dimmed or turned off or on by wireless network enabled devices such as 5 mobile telephones or laptop computers. It fits into existing light sockets and requires no additional wiring to be installed. It can be controlled by existing wired dimmer circuits or through the wireless network. It uses energy saving light emitting elements such as compact fluorescent or LED. 10 The network enabled light can be dimmed by an existing wired dimmer circuit without needing to be connected to a wireless network enabled device such as mobile telephone or laptop computer. It can also be dimmed by a wireless network enabled device such as mobile telephone or laptop computer whether or not it is connected to an existing wired dimmer circuit. The network enabled light consists of: a mechanical attachment to fit into existing electric light sockets, such as Bayonet style or Edison screw sockets; a light emitting element, such as a Compact Fluorescent tube or Light Emitting Diode(s), able to provide a level of illumination suitable for domestic or 20 commercial lighting; electronic circuitry and a wireless antenna, located within the housing of the mechanical attachment, which control and monitor the application of electrical energy from the light socket to the light emitting element. The network enabled light is able to implement the full internet protocol suite. Figure 2: Block diagram of the Network Enabled Light For purposes of clarity, the "DC Power Supply" connections to the "Transmitter and Receiver", the "Microcontroller", the "Start-up, Control and Dimming Circuit" and the "Dimming Detector Circuit" are not shown. Antenna Transmitter & Receiver Dimming Detector Microcontroller with Circuit memory and time clock, AL_ implementing TCP/IP, Standby power 0 status reporting and light saving control dimming control 235 Start-up, Control and DC Power Dimming Circuit 240 supply 210 Light Emitting Element (LED or Compact Filtering and Line Fluorescent) Conditioning 205 AC mains power from existing light socket 200

Description

NETWORK ENABLED LIGHT AND LIGHT SOCKET This invention relates to the management of domestic and commercial lighting. More particularly, it relates to domestic and commercial lights connected together to form a local network. 5 There are existing compact fluorescent and LED lights for domestic and commercial lighting, which are dimmable by means of a phase-cut or 3-wire circuit. There are also existing systems for the management and remote control of domestic and commercial lighting. (See for example Patents US 6,700,334 B2 and US 7,167,777 B2). Some of these systems are wireless, 10 some are wired, and some are controlled via a network, but they all have deficiencies in one or more of the following ways: - They require alteration to existing electrical wiring or require additional wiring; - They can not be installed in existing lighting circuits which already have 15 phase-cut or 3-wire dimmer controls; - They do not form a network; - They do not transmit their status over the network; - They can not relay information to other lights or devices on the network; - They can not broadcast information to other lights or devices on the 20 network; - They have a limited ability to respond to other devices on the network; - They can not conveniently be controlled by multiple devices; 1 - They do not fit into existing domestic and commercial light sockets; - They do not provide two way communication with the controlling device; - They are not easily scalable, making it inconvenient to add more lights to the existing system. 5 Accordingly, the present invention comprises a wireless network of any number of Network Enabled Lights, Network Enabled Light Sockets or Network Enabled Light Extension Sockets. When IEEE 802.11 and TCP/IP are used as the network communication scheme, the Network Enabled Lights, Network Enabled Light Sockets or 10 Network Enabled Light Extension Sockets may all be controlled through a web browser on a mobile phone or laptop computer. The Network Enabled Light is a plug-in replacement for existing lights. It can be dimmed or turned off or on by wireless network enabled devices such as mobile telephones or laptop computers. It fits into existing light sockets such 15 as Edison Screw or Bayonet, and requires no additional wiring to be installed. It can be controlled by existing wired dimmer circuits or through the wireless network. It uses an energy saving light emitting element, such as compact fluorescent or LED. The Network Enabled Light can be dimmed by an existing wired dimmer 20 circuit without needing to be connected to a wireless device such as a mobile telephone or laptop computer. It can also be dimmed by a wireless device such as a mobile telephone or laptop computer whether or not it is connected to an existing wired dimmer circuit. The Network Enabled Light has a wireless RF transceiver, antenna and a 25 micro-controller located in its base. It is able to relay information to and from other network enabled devices on the wireless network. The Network Enabled 2 Light transmits its status across the network at programmed intervals and includes a programmable clock which may be synchronised to network time. The Network Enabled Light Socket provides similar function to the Network Enabled Light but has no light emitting element itself. It is a replacement for 5 existing light sockets. It utilises the same connection mechanisms as existing lights sockets, such as Edison Screw or Bayonet. Energy saving dimmable lights, such as dimmable compact fluorescent lights or LED lights, will fit into the Network Enabled Light Socket. These lights can then be dimmed or turned off or on by wireless network enabled devices such as mobile telephones or 10 laptop computers, or by existing wired dimmer circuits, in the same manner as the Network Enabled Light above. The Network Enabled Light Socket has a wireless RF transceiver, antenna and a micro-controller located in its base. It is able to relay information to and from other lights or devices on the wireless network. The Network Enabled 15 Light Socket transmits its status across the network at programmed intervals and includes a programmable clock which may be synchronised to network time. The Network Enabled Light Extension Socket provides the same functionality as the Network Enabled Light Socket, except that it fits as an insert between 20 an existing socket and an existing dimmable light. It does not require any new wiring or any change to existing electrical wiring. IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.15.4 are the preferred specifications for implementing network communications with the Network Enabled Lights, Sockets and Extension Sockets, but others may also be used. The Internet 25 Protocol suite is the preferred communications protocol for the network, but others, such as those used by Zigbee, Wibree and Bluetooth, may also be used. The preferred transmission distance is 10 to 100 metres. 3 The Network Enabled Light or the Network Enabled Light Extension Socket may be used in premises where electrical wiring for lights has already been installed.. The Network Enabled Light Socket may be installed in premises requiring new electrical wiring. There would normally be no benefit in inserting 5 a Network Enabled Light into a Network Enabled Light Socket. Figure 8 shows sketches of the three devices. Other domestic or commercial devices, such as wireless network enabled motion detectors or smoke alarms, may be connected to the network. The Network Enabled Light, Light Socket and Extension Socket can be 10 programmed to respond to signals from these other devices to automatically adjust light levels. This facility may be useful, for example, to save energy when no-one is present in a room, or to aid personal safety when a fire alarm is sounded. The system of Network Enabled Lights thereby provides a networked, distributed intelligence for the automation of home and commercial 15 lighting. The Network Enabled Light has the following characteristics: 1. It is a plug-in replacement for existing domestic or commercial lights 2. It fits into existing light sockets 3. It requires no additional wiring 20 4. It requires no change to existing wiring 5. It works as a standard light with standard wiring 6. It works as a dimmable lamp, if existing dimmer wiring is in place 7. It can be controlled by a suitable wireless networked device 4 8. It can be programmed by a suitable wireless networked device 9. It has the states: power on, % dimmed, low power standby, power off 10. It is able to recognises changes to wired dimmer signals and respond to the changes 5 11. It has RF wireless communications, including antenna, built into its base 12. It is able to implement the full internet protocol suite, including packet forwarding and neighbour discovery 13. It forms a local network using wireless communication 14. It relays information to and from other lights or devices on the network 10 15. It transmits its current status (fully on, % dimmed, or in standby) at programmed intervals to the wireless network 16. It provides secure communication over the wireless network 17. It has a unique access code within the wireless network 18. It has a unique address within the wireless network 15 19. It is able to broadcast information across the network 20. It is able to respond to signals across the network 21. It is accessible for command and status monitoring from wireless mobile phones, laptops, personal computers, or other devices on the wireless network. 20 22. It has a programmable clock which may be synchronised to network time. 5 The Network Enabled Light Socket has the following characteristics: 1. It works as a standard light socket with standard wiring 2. It allows a dimmable light to be dimmed, if existing dimmer wiring is in 5 place 3. It can be controlled by a suitable wireless networked device 4. It can be programmed by a suitable wireless networked device 5. It has the states: power on, % dimmed, low power standby, power off 6. It is able to recognises changes to wired dimmer signals and respond to 10 the changes 7. It has RF wireless communications, including antenna, built into its base 8. It is able to implement the full internet protocol suite, including packet forwarding and neighbour discovery 9. It forms a local network using wireless communication 15 10. It relays information to and from other lights or devices on the network 11. It transmits its current status (fully on, % dimmed, or in standby) at programmed intervals to the wireless network 12. It provides secure communication over the wireless network 13. It has a unique access code within the wireless network 20 14. It has a unique address within the wireless network 6 15. It is able to broadcast information across the network 16. It is able to respond to signals across the network 17. It is accessible for command and status monitoring from wireless mobile phones, laptops, personal computers, or other devices on the wireless 5 network. 18. It has a programmable clock which may be synchronised to network time. The Network Enabled Light Extension Socket has the same characteristics as the Network Enabled Light Socket, except that it requires no changes to existing electrical wiring, nor any new wiring, to install. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows some of the devices that may be connected to the network of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram of a Network Enabled Light of the present invention. 15 Figure 3 is a block diagram of a Network Enabled Light Socket of the present invention. Figure 4 shows the functional components of an example of a circuit for a Network Enabled Light of the present invention. Figure 5 is an example of a circuit diagram of a Network Enabled Light of the 20 present invention, implementing wired phase cut dimming control. Figure 6 is an example of a circuit diagram of a Network Enabled Light of the present invention, implementing 3-wire dimming control. 7 Figure 7 is an example of a circuit diagram of a Network Enabled Light Socket of the present invention, implementing wireless and wired phase cut dimming control of a dimmable light. 5 Figure 8 is a sketch of a Network Enabled Light of the present invention, utilising a compact fluorescent light emitting element; a Network Enabled Light Socket of the present invention; and a Network Enabled Light Extension Socket of the present invention. All are showing a Bayonet style connection. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 10 Figure 1 shows some of the devices that may be connected to the network: three wireless Network Enabled Lights 100, 105 and 110, located at different places throughout the premises, a motion detector 135, a smoke alarm 125, a laptop personal computer 120 and a network enabled mobile phone 115. The laptop 120 or mobile phone 115 may be used to control the networked 15 wireless Network Enabled Lights 100, 105 and 110. The motion detector 135 and fire alarm 125 may have their status relayed through the wireless Network Enabled Lights 100, 105 and 110, and to the laptop 120 and mobile phone 115; and can be used to control the wireless Network Enabled Lights 100, 105 and 110. 20 Figure 2 shows the functional block diagram of a Network Enabled Light. It comprises a light base 200 which fits into an existing light socket, a line filter and conditioning circuit 205, a DC power supply 210, a standby power saving control circuit 215, a dimming detector circuit 220, an RF antenna 225, an RF transmitter and receiver 230, a programmable microcontroller 235, a start-up, 25 control and dimming circuit 240, and a light emitting element 245. 8 The light base 200 fits into an existing standard light socket. It provides AC power to the light. The line filter and conditioning circuit 205 functions to ensure the light complies with the relevant standards governing power factor and the radiation 5 or conduction of electromagnetic interference (EMI). It also ensures that a phase-cut dimmer, if it is connected in the existing domestic or commercial wiring, will continue to operate correctly. The DC power supply 210 provides the necessary regulated DC voltages to the other components in the light. For purposes of clarity, the connections 10 between the DC power supply and the "Transmitter and Receiver", the "Microcontroller", the "Start-up, Control and Dimming Circuit" and the "Dimming Detector Circuit" are not shown. The standby power saving control circuit 215 ensures that the light uses minimal power when its dimming status has been set to 0% light output. The 15 microcontroller 235 in conjunction with the start-up, control and dimming circuit 240 controls the operation of the standby power saving control circuit. The dimming detector circuit 220 detects any dimming control signal sent over the existing wiring. This may be from a phase-cut dimming controller or through a 3-wire dimming controller. The dimming detector circuit 220 20 converts this dimming control signal into a form suitable for the microcontroller 235. The RF antenna 225 transmits and receives RF wireless signals from the wireless network and the Transmitter and Receiver 230 inside the light. The RF antenna 225 is sufficiently small to fit inside the base of the light. 25 9 The Transmitter and Receiver 230 condition signals received from the RF antenna 225 into a form suitable for the microcontroller 235, and condition and transmit signals to the RF antenna 225 from the microcontroller 235. The microcontroller 235 provides a dimming control signal to the start-up, 5 control and dimming circuit 240, provides the communication protocol for communicating over the wireless network, runs a real time clock, synchronises the real time clock to the network time clock, transmits the light status over the network at programmed intervals, receives signals for controlling the lamp brightness over the network, responds to signals from the 10 dimming detector circuit 220, responds to queries about the light's current status, relays information to other devices on the wireless network, keeps an up-to-date table in its memory of its neighbours on the network, and manages the standby power saving control circuit 215. The start-up, control and dimming circuit 240 manages the level of light output 15 from the light emitting element 245. It also provides protection, start up and shut down circuitry to maximise the working lifespan of the light emitting element 245. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a Network Enabled Light Socket. It draws AC power fromstandard electrical lighting wiring 300, and has as its 20 components a Filtering and Line Conditioning Circuit 305, a DC Power Supply 310, a Standby Power Saving circuit 315, a Dimming Detector Circuit 320, a Network Antenna 325, a Network Transmitter & Receiver 330, a Microcontroller 335, a Start-up, Control and Dimming Circuit 340, and a connection (eg, Edison Screw or Bayonet) 345 to a dimmable light. 25 The standard electrical wiring for lighting 300 provides the Network Enabled Light Socket with AC power. 10 The Filtering and Line Conditioning Circuit 305 functions to ensure the RF wireless Status Restore Device complies with relevant standards governing power factor and the radiation or conduction of electromagnetic interference (EMI). 5 The DC Power Supply 310 provides the necessary regulated DC voltages to the other components in the RF wireless Status Restore Device. For purposes of clarity, the "DC Power Supply" connections to the "Transmitter and Receiver", the Microcontroller", the "Start-up, Control and Dimming Circuit" and the "Dimming Detector Circuit" are not shown. 10 The standby power saving control circuit 315 ensures that the light uses minimal power when its dimming status has been set to 0% light output. The microcontroller 335 in conjunction with the start-up, control and dimming circuit 340 controls the operation of the standby power saving control circuit. The dimming detector circuit 320 detects any dimming control signal sent over 15 the existing wiring. This may be from a phase-cut dimming controller or through a 3-wire dimming controller. The dimming detector circuit 320 converts this dimming control signal into a form suitable for the microcontroller 335. The RF antenna 325 transmits and receives RF wireless signals from the 20 wireless network and the Transmitter and Receiver 330 inside the socket. The RF antenna 325 is sufficiently small to fit inside the base of the socket. The Transmitter and Receiver 330 condition signals received from the RF antenna 325 into a form suitable for the microcontroller 335, and condition and transmit signals to the RF antenna 325 from the microcontroller 335. 25 The microcontroller 335 provides a dimming control signal to the start-up, control and dimming circuit 340, provides the communication protocol for communicating over the wireless network, runs a real time clock, 11 synchronises the real time clock to the network time clock, transmits the light status over the network at programmed intervals, receives signals for controlling the light's brightness over the network, responds to signals from the dimming detector circuit 320, responds to queries about the light's current 5 status, relays information to other devices on the wireless network, keeps an up-to-date table in its memory of its neighbours on the network, and manages the standby power saving control circuit 315. The start-up, control and dimming circuit 340 manages the level of light output from the dimmable light inserted in the socket. 10 The Standard connection (eg, Edison Screw or Bayonet) 345 provides the means to connect a standard dimmable light to the Network Enabled Light Socket. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a circuit for a Network Enabled Light of the present invention. The actual circuit is shown in Figure 5. 15 AC Mains 405 supplies power to the Bridge Rectifier and Bulk DC Supply 415, through EMI Filter 410. The AC Mains 405 may be phase cut by a "phase-cut" dimmer circuit in the existing wiring of domestic or commercial lighting. The EMI Filter 410 blocks switching noise generated by the Network Enabled Light. The Bridge Rectifier and Bulk DC Supply 415 full wave rectifies the AC 20 line voltage (typically 120V/6OHz or 240V/5OHz, and may be phase-cut) then peak charges a capacitor to produce a smooth DC bus voltage (typically between 1 OOV and 320V). The Standby Power Control 418 allows the Network Enabled Light to be put into power saving mode at the control of the Microcontroller, ADC & DAC 455. 25 In this mode the Network Enabled Light typically consumes less than 1 % of its fully operational power consumption. 12 The Half Bridge & Ballast Control 420 converts the DC to a high frequency 50% duty-cycle square wave voltage (typically 1 OOV peak-to-peak, up to 320V peak-to-peak, 30 kHz to 70 kHz) and provides control signals to manage the Compact Fluorescent Lamp Element 430. The Tank Circuit 425 is driven by 5 the square wave voltage from the Half Bridge & Ballast Control 420 and filters it to produce a sinusoidal current and voltage at the Compact Fluorescent Lamp Element 430. The Tank Circuit 425 and the Phase Cut Continuous Current Circuit 445 ensure that the Network Enabled Light draws sufficient current throughout the 10 period of the mains AC cycle (typically 16mS to 20mS) so that when a triac in an existing wired phase-cut dimmer is fired, it will remain on until the end of the cycle. This is accomplished by drawing a series of current pulses from the AC Mains 405, through the Tank Circuit 425 at the at the half bridge operating frequency, and smoothing the current through the Phase Cut Continuous 15 Current Circuit 445. This ensures that the Network Enabled Light works correctly when connected to an existing wired phase-cut dimmer. During pre-ignition of the lamp, the Tank Circuit 425 is a series resonant circuit with a high Q factor. After ignition and during running, the Tank Circuit 425 is a series-L, parallel R-C circuit, with a Q factor somewhere between a 20 high and a low level, depending on the lamp dimming level. When the network enable light is first turned on, the Half Bridge & Ballast Control 420 sweeps the half bridge frequency from the maximum frequency down towards the resonant frequency of the Tank Circuit 425. The lamp filaments of the Compact Fluorescent Lamp Element 430 are preheated as 25 the frequency decreases and the lamp voltage and load current increase. The frequency keeps decreasing until the lamp voltage exceeds the ignition voltage threshold and the Compact Fluorescent Lamp Element 430 ignites. Once ignited, the Compact Fluorescent Lamp Element 430 current is controlled such that it runs at the required power and brightness level. 13 To dim the light, the frequency of the Half Bridge & Ballast Control 420 is increased, causing the gain of the Tank Circuit 425 to decrease therefore to decrease the current through the Compact Fluorescent Lamp Element 430. A 5 closed loop feedback circuit, consisting of the Current Sense 435 and the Summing Circuit 440, is used to measure this current while the Half Bridge & Ballast Control 420 regulates it to the dimming reference level by continuously adjusting the half bridge operating frequency. The dimming reference level is set by the Microcontroller, ADC & DAC 455, 10 according to the AC voltage wave-shape from an existing wired phase-cut dimmer as provided by the Phase Cut Detector 450, or according to the control signal from the RF Antenna 465 and RF Wireless transceiver 460. The Low Voltage DC Supply 470 provides a DC voltage supply suitable for the Microcontroller, ADC & DAC 455 and the RF Wireless transceiver 460, 15 derived from the Bridge Rectifier and Bulk DC Supply 415. In comparing Figure 2 and Figure 4: o The functions of the light base 200 are provided by AC Mains 405. o The functions of the conditioning circuit 205 are provided by EMI Filter 410 the Phase Cut Continuous Current Circuit 445. 20 o The functions of the DC power supply 210 are provided by the Bridge Rectifier and Bulk DC Supply 415 and the Low Voltage DC Supply 470. o The functions of the standby power saving control circuit 215 are provided by the Standby Power Control 418. o The functions of the dimming detector circuit 220 are provided by the 25 Phase Cut Detector 450. 14 o The functions of the RF antenna 225 are provided by the RF Antenna 465. o The functions of the RF transmitter and receiver 230 are provided by the RF Wireless transceiver 460. o The functions of the programmable microcontroller 235 are provided by the 5 Microcontroller, ADC & DAC 455. o The functions of the start-up, control and dimming circuit 240 are provided by are provided by the Half Bridge & Ballast Control 420, the Tank Circuit 425, the Current Sense 435 and the Summing Circuit 440. o The functions of the light emitting element 245 are provided by the 10 Compact Fluorescent Lamp Element 430. Figure 5 shows an example circuit for the Network Enabled Light. In this example, the network connectivity and microcontroller are provided by a WiFi 802.11 module and antenna. The light emitting element is a compact fluorescent tube. The light can also be dimmed by means of an existing wired 15 "phase-cut" dimmer circuit from a 240 V 50 Hz AC supply. In comparing Figure 4 and Figure 5: o The functions of the AC Mains 405 are provided by the Phase cut 240V AC and 240V AC neutral 501. o The functions of the EMI Filter 410 are provided by resistors 501, 503 and 20 506, capacitors 504 and 505 and inductor 502. Resistor 503 also provides a discharge path, for safety if the wireless Network Enabled Light is removed from its socket. Resistor 501 also limits inrush current. o The functions of the Bridge Rectifier and Bulk DC Supply 415 are provided by bridge rectifier 507 and bulk capacitor 511.

o The functions of the Standby Power Control 418 are provided by resistors 565 and 567 and transistors 566 and 568. The transistors are controlled by the microprocessor in IC 563. Turning them off removes power from the lamp control IC 525. 5 o The functions of the Half Bridge & Ballast Control 420 are provided by several groups of components: - Resistors 512, 513, 514 and 515 and capacitors 516 and 517 provide a filtered supply voltage from the DC bus to the lamp control IC 525. - IC 525, capacitors 520, 521, 523 and 528, resistors 524, 529 and 531 10 provide a high frequency square wave drive to the half bridge of FETs 530 and 533. - Resistors 532 and 538 provide circuit protection and safety by detecting if the compact fluorescent lamp element 545 has failed or been removed - if so, IC 525 shuts down. 15 - Capacitor 535, diode 537 and zener 536 are configured as a charge pump driven by the half bridge FETs 530 and 533 to supply DC power to IC 525 once this IC has become functional after initial power on. Zener 536 ensures the voltage from the charge pump does not become excessive. 20 - IC 525 is an IRS2530D manufactured by International Rectifier. It provides the controls necessary for driving a compact fluorescent lamp element and includes a number of circuit protection elements. A detailed description of its operation is available from the data sheet, at www.irf.com 25 o The functions of the Tank Circuit 425 are provided by inductor 524 and capacitor 540. 16 o The functions of the Compact Fluorescent Lamp Element 430 are provided by lamp element 545, capacitor 539 (which blocks DC from the lamp element), inductors 541 and 544 and capacitors 542 and 543, which provide heater currents to the lamp filaments (inductors 541 and 544 are 5 magnetically coupled to the primary inductor 534). o The functions of the Current Sense 435 are provided by resistor 546. o The functions of the Summing Circuit 440 are provided by IC 525, capacitor 526 and resistor 527. o The functions of the Phase Cut Continuous Current Circuit 445 are 10 provided by capacitor 550, inductor 502 and diode 551. Capacitor 550 is charged and discharged (via the bridge rectifier 507 and diode 551) between the Phase Cut 240V AC input and the high frequency voltage of the tank circuit of inductor 534 and capacitor 540. This causes high frequency current pulses to be drawn from the Phase Cut 240V AC input, 15 and smoothed by inductor 502, ensuring that current is drawn continuously through any triac that may be part of an existing wired phase-cut dimmer. o The functions of the Phase Cut Detector 450 are provided by the voltage divider of resistors 560 and 561, while IC 563 is protected from over voltage to its input by zener 562. 20 o The functions of the Microcontroller, ADC & DAC 455, the RF Wireless transceiver 460 and the RF Antenna 465 are provided by IC 563 and IC 564. IC 563 is an intelligent WiFi module, WISMC01, produced by EZURiO and Laird Technologies. It includes a WiFi transceiver and antenna, and an ARM7 processor with 16MB of RAM and 64MB of flash memory 25 running the wireless drivers, TCP/IP stack, web server and script interpreter. It is programmable and has analog and digital inputs and digital outputs. IC.564 is an AD8400 digital potentiometer, produced by Analog Devices. It converts a serial digital signal input to an analog voltage output. 17 o The functions of the Low Voltage DC Supply 470 are provided by IC 570, zener 584, opto-isolator 585, FET 572, resistors 586 and 573, transformer 574, diode 580, capacitors 581, 583, 575 and 571. IC 570 is an NCP1200 off-line switch-mode power supply controller, produced by ON 5 Semiconductor www.onsemi.com. This circuit is configured as a high efficiency fly-back converter, supplying 4.3 V DC at 0.6 A. Figure 6 shows another example circuit for the Network Enabled Light. In this example, the RF wireless network connectivity and microcontroller are again provided by a WiFi 802.11 module and antenna and the light emitting element 10 is a compact fluorescent tube. But in this case the light can also be dimmed by means of an existing wired "3-wire" dimmer circuit from a 120 V 60 Hz AC supply. In comparing Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6: o The functions of the AC Mains 405 are provided by the 3-wire lamp base 15 600. o The functions of the EMI Filter 410 are provided by resistor 601, capacitors 602 and 603. Resistor 601 also limits inrush current. o The functions of the Bridge Rectifier and Bulk DC Supply 415 are provided by diodes 606, 607, 608, and 609 and capacitors 604 and 605 configured 20 as a voltage doubler, and filter capacitor 611 and inductor 610. o The functions of the Phase Cut Continuous Current Circuit 445 are not required. o The functions of the Phase Cut Detector 450 are provided by resistors 660, 661, 662, 665, 666 and 667, capacitor 668, zener 669 and transistors 663 25 and 664. As the switch position in the existing 3-wire dimmer is changed for each dim setting, the circuit detects the change in voltage settings 18 through the voltage divider formed by resistors 665, 666, 662 and 667 with transistors 663 and 664 and zener diode 669. Capacitor 668 filters the signal to IC 563. All other components in Figure 6 are identical to those in Figure 5. 5 Figure 7 shows an example circuit for a Network Enabled Light Socket of the present invention, implementing wireless and wired phase cut dimming control of a dimmable light. In this example, the network connectivity and microcontroller are provided by a WiFi 802.11 module and antenna. The light inserted into the socket can also 10 be dimmed by means of an existing wired "phase-cut" dimmer circuit from a 240 V 50 Hz AC supply. In comparing Figure 3 and Figure 7: o The functions of the standard electrical lighting wiring 300 are provided by the Phase cut 240V AC in and 240V AC neutral. 15 o The functions of the Filtering and Line Conditioning Circuit 305 are provided by resistors 701, 703 and 706, capacitors 704 and 705 and inductor 702. Resistor 703 also provides a discharge path, for safety if the wireless Network Enabled Light is removed from its socket. Resistor 701 also limits inrush current. 20 o The functions of the DC Power Supply 310 are provided by bridge rectifier 707 and bulk capacitor 711, IC 770, zener 784, opto-isolator 785, FET 772, resistors 786 and 773, transformer 774, diode 780, capacitors 781, 783, 775 and 771. IC 770 is an NCP1200 off-line switch-mode power supply controller, produced by ON Semiconductor www.onsemi.com. This 25 circuit is configured as a high efficiency fly-back converter, supplying 4.3 V DC at 0.6 A. 19 o The functions of the Standby Power Saving circuit 315 are provided by resistors 765 and 767, transistor 766 and opto-isolated triac 710. The transistor and triac are controlled by the microprocessor in IC 763. Turning them off removes power from the dimmable lamp connected to the socket. 5 o The functions of the Dimming Detector Circuit 320 are provided by the voltage divider of resistors 760 and 761, and the microcontroller of IC 763, which is protected from over voltage to its input by zener 762. IC 763 examines the wave shape of the signal at its ADC input to obtain any phase cut dimming signal that may be provided by an existing wired phase 10 cut dimmer. o The functions of the Network Antenna 325, Network Transmitter & Receiver 330, and Microcontroller 335 are provided by IC 763. IC 763 is an intelligent WiFi module, WISMC01, produced by EZURiO and Laird Technologies. It includes a WiFi transceiver and antenna, and an ARM7 15 processor with 16MB of RAM and 64MB of flash memory running the wireless drivers, TCP/IP stack, web server and script interpreter. It is programmable and has analog and digital inputs and digital outputs. o The functions of the Start-up, Control and Dimming Circuit 340 are provided by IC 763 and resistors 765 and 767, transistor 766 and opto 20 isolated triac 710. IC 763 turns triac on at appropriate times to provide phase cut 240V AC to the dimmable light connected to the Network Enabled Light Socket. The amount of phase cut depends on the control signals from the Network Transmitter & Receiver 330 and the Dimming Detector Circuit 320. 25 o The functions of the connection (eg, Edison Screw or Bayonet) 345 to a dimmable light is provided by the Phase cut 240V AC out and 240V AC neutral. 20 Figure 8 Shows (805) a sketch of a Network Enabled Light of the present invention, utilising a compact fluorescent light emitting element; (810) a Network Enabled Light Socket of the present invention; and (815) a Network Enabled Light Extension Socket of the present invention. All are showing a 5 Bayonet style connection. All show an x-ray view of the electronic components, printed circuit boards, connecting wires, microcontroller, transmitter, receiver and antenna located inside the base of each device. 21

Claims (10)

1. A light illuminating globe remotely controllable and/or dimmable by a wireless enabled device, said globe adapted to fit into existing mains powered electric light sockets with no requirement to change existing electrical wiring of said light socket, wherein said globe includes: a structural configuration portion so as to fit into existing electric light sockets; a light emitting element able to provide illumination; a circuit including a wireless antenna for communication with the wireless enabled device wherein said circuit is able to control and monitor the application of electrical energy from the light socket to the light emitting element; and wherein the circuit includes means to recognise changes to existing wired phase-cut or 3-wire dimmer signals and an ability to translate such changes to said light emitting element

2. The globe as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the circuit is adapted to implement the full internet protocol, including packet forwarding and neighbour discovery; provides secure wireless communication; and provides the light with a unique access code and a unique IP address within any wireless network of which it forms a part.

3, The globe of claim 2 wherein the circuit includes means to detect AC mains power loss and to restore light status on restoration of AC mains power.

4, The globe of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the circuit consists of a line filter and conditioning circuit, a DC power supply, a dimming 22 detector circuit, a standby power saving control circuit, an RF antenna, an RF transmitter and receiver, a programmable microcontroller, a start-up, control and dimming circuit for the control of the lighting element.

5, The globe of claim 1 wherein the wireless antenna is located within the housing of the mechanical attachment,

6. The globe of claim 1 wherein the light socket is a Bayonet style or Edison screw socket.

7. The globe of claim 1 suitable for domestic and/or commercial lighting purposes, which is network enabled and can be remotely monitored, remotely programmed

8. The globe of claim 1 wherein the globe works as a standard light with standard wiring, or as a dimmable lamp if existing dimmer wiring is in place, and can also be controlled by wireless RF signals. The light has the internal states of: power fully on, percentage dimmed, low power standby, power off.

9. The globe of claim 1 wherein the wireless enable device includes a laptop or desktop personal computer or mobile telephone,

10. The globe of claim 1 wherein the light emitting element is a Compact Fluorescent tube or Light Emitting Diode(s) 23