Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100125907 | UPnP CDS USER PROFILE - In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a hierarchy of authentication folders configured in a control directory server (CDS) of a Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) network, a personal identification number (PIN) code associated with a user and comprising of identifiers, and non-public media content organized in the CDS to provide selective service to users, where the non-public media content is made accessible to the user when the user is authenticated with a selection of the hierarchy of authentication folders. | 05-20-2010 |
20100131613 | MEDIA SHARING NETWORK - A computer-readable medium has a computer program stored thereon. The computer program senses the presence of a physical medium loaded on a media-sharing network and senses the presence of metadata and content on the physical medium. The computer program wraps the metadata and the content in a container. The container includes the location of the metadata and the location of the content. The computer program assembles the container such that it is recognized as a virtual physical medium on the media sharing network and such that it enables playback of the content by control commands compatible with a media sharing protocol. | 05-27-2010 |
20110095687 | Modular Networked Light Bulb - Various methods of manufacturing a lighting apparatus and embodiments of a modular networked lighting apparatus are disclosed. One method defines a mechanical form factor with a minimum set of electrical connections for a networking module, builds a subassembly of the networked lighting apparatus, the subassembly comprising attachment points compatible with the mechanical form factor for the networking module and contacts for the minimum set of electrical connections for the networking module, installs a networking module into the subassembly of the networked lighting apparatus, the networking module compatible with a selected networking protocol for the networked lighting apparatus, completes the final assembly of the networked lighting module, and marks the networked lighting apparatus to indicate the selected networking protocol for the networked lighting apparatus. In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may function without the networking module installed. One embodiment of the modular, networked light bulb has means for supporting and holding an electronics module conforming with a predetermined form factor in place, and means for allowing the electronics module to control at least a brightness level of the at least one LED. The modular networked light bulb may have a networked controller conforming with the predetermined form factor used as the electronics module. The networked controller is able to connect to a network and may be positioned and held by the means for supporting and holding an electronics module. | 04-28-2011 |
20110098953 | Networked Device with Power Usage Estimation - A method and apparatus for a networked device to estimate its own power or energy usage, and report it over a network is disclosed. The method of reporting energy usage status by the networked device comprises receiving a power usage status request from a network, retrieving a set of power usage data from a non-volatile memory located within the networked device, the power usage data having been previously stored in the non-volatile memory, calculating a best estimate of the energy usage status on the set of power usage data retrieved from the non-volatile memory, and sending the best estimate of the energy usage status over the network as a reply to the power usage status request. A log of time spent in the different operating conditions by the networked device may be maintained, and the best estimate of the energy usage status calculated based on both the set of power usage data and the log of time spent in the different operating conditions. The networked device disclosed comprises, means for connecting to a network, means for storing a set of power usage data, and means for calculating a best estimate of the energy usage status based on the set of power usage data. An energy usage status request is received from the network and the best estimate of the energy usage status is sent in a response message over the network. The networked device may be a networked light bulb. | 04-28-2011 |
20110163668 | Power Failure Reporting in a Networked Light - Power is stored in a networked light allowing the networked light to send a message over the network providing information that the networked light is turning off if external power is no longer available. | 07-07-2011 |
20110299854 | Light Bulb with IR Transmitter - A lighting module is disclosed that integrates a controller capable of receiving data from a source outside of the module, and then sending out an IR command to control a consumer electronics component based on the data received. The lighting module could be light bulb, a lighting fixture, a subcomponent of a lighting apparatus, or any other apparatus that incorporates both an illumination source and the controller for receiving data and sending out the IR command for controlling consumer electronics. | 12-08-2011 |
20120013238 | Electrically Controlled Glass in a Lamp - An apparatus for generating light may be comprised of a light source with a lens interposed in a light path from the light source. The lens may be comprised of two or more sections wherein at least one section may be comprised of smart glass. Electrical circuitry may be configured to control a transparency state of the smart glass lens sections. Another embodiment may have two reflectors wherein one of the reflectors may be interposed between the light source and the other reflector and may be comprised of smart glass with a transparent state and a reflective state so that two different reflection patterns may be created. A method for illumination wherein at least one area's illumination is controlled by a section of smart glass is also disclosed. | 01-19-2012 |
20120014086 | Emitting Light Using Multiple Phosphors - A method and apparatus for generating different spectral compositions of light is disclosed. The method comprises generating light at a wavelength, using an LED in some embodiments, and optically coupling the generated light to a first phosphor in a first operating mode and optically coupling the generated light to a second phosphor in a second operating mode. Several different embodiments of optically coupling the phosphors to the light source are disclosed. The first phosphor emits light with a first spectral characteristic when irradiated by the light at the wavelength and the second phosphor emits light with a second spectral characteristic when irradiated by the light at the wavelength. | 01-19-2012 |
20120060044 | POWER NODE WITH NETWORK SWITCH - A power node provides energy management and network expansion features in a networked data communications and control environment that may be utilized in an energy management system implementing a method of managing energy. Network expansion may be provided by integrating a networking bridge from a power line network to one or more wired network ports or a wireless network. The power outlet on the power node providing power to a device may be identified and associated with information about the device. | 03-08-2012 |
20120070153 | Noise Detector in a Light Bulb - Noise may be received through a microphone included in a lighting apparatus. The noise may then be analyzed to determine if a human being may have been the source of the noise, and a message sent over a network alerting other devices that a human-caused noise was detected. | 03-22-2012 |
20120137010 | PROVIDING SERVER IDENTIFICATION TO A CLIENT - A request for a server identifier is responded to with one of two different server identifiers. A remote server identifier is provided if the remote server is available and a local server identifier is provided if the remote server is not available. A networked device may provide the server identifier in a networked system. | 05-31-2012 |
20120146505 | LIGHT WITH CHANGEABLE COLOR TEMPERATURE - Color temperature of a lighting apparatus that includes a first LED that emits a white light with a first color temperature and a second LED that emits a white light with a second color temperature is managed. The two LEDs are connected in parallel anode to cathode so that current flowing in one direction turns on the first LED and current flowing in the opposite direction turns on the second LED. A controller manages a duty cycle of an alternating current flowing through the two LEDs to control the color temperature and/or the brightness of the lighting apparatus. | 06-14-2012 |
20120169511 | Multi-Mode Display - A networked display has multiple modes of operation. In the first operating mode, the display receives and shows information related to charging an electric vehicle. In a second mode of operation, the display receives and shows information related to home energy usage. Other operating modes may also be supported. | 07-05-2012 |
20120187835 | Modular Networked Light Bulb - Various methods of manufacturing a lighting apparatus and embodiments of a modular networked lighting apparatus are disclosed. One method defines a mechanical form factor with a minimum set of electrical connections for a networking module, builds a subassembly of the networked lighting apparatus, the subassembly comprising attachment points compatible with the mechanical form factor for the networking module and contacts for the minimum set of electrical connections for the networking module, installs a networking module into the subassembly of the networked lighting apparatus, the networking module compatible with a selected networking protocol for the networked lighting apparatus, completes the final assembly of the networked lighting module, and marks the networked lighting apparatus to indicate the selected networking protocol for the networked lighting apparatus. In some embodiments, the lighting apparatus may function without the networking module installed. One embodiment of the modular, networked light bulb has means for supporting and holding an electronics module conforming with a predetermined form factor in place, and means for allowing the electronics module to control at least a brightness level of the at least one LED. The modular networked light bulb may have a networked controller conforming with the predetermined form factor used as the electronics module. The networked controller is able to connect to a network and may be positioned and held by the means for supporting and holding an electronics module. | 07-26-2012 |
20120280832 | Smart Meter Emulation - Pulses, including electrical waveforms, emitted light, and light reflected by a moving mechanical device, that are emitted by a standard utility meter may be received. A device may be controlled to vary its usage of the utility and that may be used to determine a usage per pulse. The usage per pulse information may be used to convert a pulse rate from a meter to emulate the pulse rate from another meter. Information about the other meter and/or services offered by the other meter may be provided to allow for emulation of the other meter. | 11-08-2012 |
20120280833 | Smart Meter Emulation - Pulses, including electrical waveforms, emitted light, and light reflected by a moving mechanical device, that are emitted by a standard utility meter may be received. A device may be controlled to vary its usage of the utility and that may be used to determine a usage per pulse. The usage per pulse information may be used to convert a pulse rate from a meter to emulate the pulse rate from another meter. Information about the other meter and/or services offered by the other meter may be provided to allow for emulation of the other meter. | 11-08-2012 |
20120312874 | Network Inclusion of a Networked Light Bulb - A unique identifier may be stored in an RFID chip, a bar code, or other methods of passive storage associated with the networked light bulb. The unique identifier may be accessed while the light bulb is unpowered and before the light bulb is put into service. Information is stored in a database that identifies an association between the unique identifier and a particular network. If the light bulb is put into service, the light bulb may send the unique identifier over the network. A device may receive the unique identifier and query the database for information related to the unique identifier. If the unique identifier is associated with the particular network that the light bulb is connected to, the light bulb may be added as an authorized node on the particular network. | 12-13-2012 |
20130020943 | Power Failure Reporting in a Networked Light - Power is stored in a networked light allowing the networked light to send a message over the network providing information that the networked light is turning off if external power is no longer available. | 01-24-2013 |
20130063317 | Antenna Integrated into Optical Element - An antenna is integrated with an optical element, such as a lens, a collimator, a diffuser, a reflector, or some other part that allows at least some light to pass through or reflects light. In some embodiments, the antenna is molded into the optical element. In other embodiments, the antenna is printed on, or attached to, the surface of the optical element. The antenna may be formed from a transparent or a non-transparent conductor, depending on the embodiment. | 03-14-2013 |
20130162166 | Modular Networked Light Bulb - A modular light emitting apparatus includes a light emitting device, a connector to couple to an AC power source, circuitry on a first electronics module to drive the light emitting device, and a support structure arranged to position and hold a second electronics module that conforms to a predetermined form factor. | 06-27-2013 |
20130214699 | Dual-Mode Dimming of a Light - Various methods and apparatus for controlling brightness of a light emitting apparatus include controlling a brightness of a light emitting device based on a brightness value, receiving a message over a network, and detecting a modulation of a power input of the light emitting apparatus. The brightness value is changed based on both the message and the modulation. | 08-22-2013 |
20130253925 | Speech Recognition in a Lighting Apparatus - Acoustic energy is received at a lighting apparatus to create acoustic data, and speech recognition is performed on the acoustic data to determine one or more words. A message based on the acoustic data is sent across a network from the lighting apparatus. | 09-26-2013 |
20130311114 | Networked Device with Power Usage Estimation - A request for energy usage status is received by a networked device over a network. A set of power usage data is retrieved from a non-volatile memory located within the networked device. The set of power usage data, which includes information related to power usage of the networked device, was previously stored in the non-volatile memory in advance of positioning the networked device for normal use. A best estimate of the energy usage status of the networked device is calculated based, at least in part, on the set of power usage data retrieved from the non-volatile memory without measuring electrical parameters of a power source of the networked device during normal use. The best estimate of the energy usage status is then sent by the networked device over the network as a reply to the energy usage status request. | 11-21-2013 |
20140055283 | MULTIPLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE METER READING PROBES - A characteristic of a first utility meter is detected with a first probe head, and a characteristic of a second utility meter is detected with a second probe head. The characteristic of the first utility meter is dependent on a usage of a first utility metered by the first utility meter, and the characteristic of the second utility meter is dependent on a usage of a second utility metered by the second utility meter. Information related to the characteristic of the first utility meter is communicated from the first probe head to a communication unit, and information related to the characteristic of the second utility meter is communicated from the second probe head to the communication unit. A message is also sent from the communication unit indicating the usage of the first utility or the usage of the second utility. | 02-27-2014 |
20150048162 | Network Inclusion of a Networked Light Bulb - A unique identifier may be stored in an RFID chip, a bar code, or other methods of passive storage associated with the networked light bulb. The unique identifier may be accessed while the light bulb is unpowered and before the light bulb is put into service. Information is stored in a database that identifies an association between the unique identifier and a particular network. If the light bulb is put into service, the light bulb may send the unique identifier over the network. A device may receive the unique identifier and query the database for information related to the unique identifier. If the unique identifier is associated with the particular network that the light bulb is connected to, the light bulb may be added as an authorized node on the particular network. | 02-19-2015 |