APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AMBIENT LIGHT MEASUREMENT BY A SOLID STATE LIGHT BULB

摘要

A method for a light bulb or fixture to emit light and measure ambient light. The method includes driving solid state light sources, such as LEDs, in the bulb with a cyclical signal to repeatedly turn the solid state light sources off and on, where the light sources are turned off and on at a rate sufficient for the bulb to appear on. The method also includes measuring ambient light via a light sensor in or on the bulb during at least some times when the light sources are off, and outputting a signal related to the measured ambient light. The ambient light level signal can be used to control when the light bulb is on and an intensity of light output by the bulb.

主权项

1. A method for a light fixture to emit light and measure ambient light, comprising steps of:
driving a solid state light source in the light fixture with a cyclical signal to repeatedly turn the solid state light source off and on, wherein the solid state light source is turned off and on at a rate sufficient for the light fixture to appear on; measuring an ambient light level via a light sensor in or on the light fixture during at least some times when the solid state light source is off; outputting a signal related to the measured ambient light level; and receiving programming signals via the light sensor for use in controlling the driving of the solid state light source, wherein the receiving step comprises detecting via the light sensor a particular series of light pulses as communication data instead of the ambient light level.