US20120155056A1 - Light emitting diode backup systems and methods - Google Patents
Light emitting diode backup systems and methods Download PDFInfo
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- US20120155056A1 US20120155056A1 US12/970,715 US97071510A US2012155056A1 US 20120155056 A1 US20120155056 A1 US 20120155056A1 US 97071510 A US97071510 A US 97071510A US 2012155056 A1 US2012155056 A1 US 2012155056A1
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- led
- battery
- leds
- backup
- electrical energy
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- H02J9/00—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting
- H02J9/04—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source
- H02J9/06—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source with automatic change-over, e.g. UPS systems
- H02J9/062—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source with automatic change-over, e.g. UPS systems for AC powered loads
- H02J9/065—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source with automatic change-over, e.g. UPS systems for AC powered loads for lighting purposes
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S362/00—Illumination
- Y10S362/80—Light emitting diode
Definitions
- the illustrative embodiments relate generally to light emitting diodes, and more particularly, to backup systems and methods for light emitting diodes.
- LEDs Light emitting diodes
- LEDs offer several advantages over previous lighting and signaling techniques that have led to their increased usage over time. Indeed, LEDs may now be found in a wide variety of applications and environments, both stationary and movable. Because LEDs depend upon a power source to emit light, LED systems may benefit from the inclusion of backup sources of power. Such backup systems may ensure, for example, that the LEDs continue to emit light even after the LEDs' primary source of power is no longer operational. However, some current LED backup systems may tail to provide customizable, efficient, compact, reliable, or flexible means of LED backup. By way of non-limiting example, current LED backup systems may fail to be integratable with currently-existing LED systems, and may even require the installation of additional LEDs as a source of backup lighting. Current LED backup systems may also suffer from other drawbacks that limit their usefulness or applicability.
- an LED backup system includes an LED backup controller operable to select from a plurality of rower sources to supply electrical energy to a set of LEDs.
- the plurality of power sources includes a primary power source and a battery.
- the LED backup controller adapted to in selective electrical communication with the primary power source via a first electrical path.
- the LED backup controller is adapted to be in electrical communication with the primary power source via a second electrical path.
- the LED backup controller is operable select the battery to supply electrical energy to the set of LEDs in response to a failure of the LED backup controller to electrically communicate with the primary power source via the second electrical path.
- an LED backup system includes an LED backup controller operable to switch between a standard mode and a backup mode for supplying electrical energy to a set of LEDs.
- the LED backup controller is adapted to transmit electrical energy from a primary power source to the set of LEDs in the standard mode.
- the LED backup controller is adapted to be in selective electrical communication with the primary power supply via a first electrical path in the standard mode.
- the LED backup controller is adapted to transmit electrical energy from a battery to the set of LEDs in the backup mode.
- the LED backup controller is adapted to be in electrical communication with the primary power source via a second electrical path.
- the LED backup controller is operable to switch from the standard mode to the backup mode in response to a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy to the LED backup controller.
- the LED backup system also includes a status indicator in electrical communication with the LED backup controller. The status indicator signals a status of the battery.
- a method for providing backup for a set of LEDs includes selectively receiving electrical energy from a primary power source via a first electrical path, and receiving electrical energy from the primary power source via a second electrical path. The method also includes detecting a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy, and switching from a standard mode to a backup mode for providing electrical energy to a set of LEDs in response to detecting the failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy.
- electrical energy supplied to the set of LEDs is receivable from the primary power source.
- the backup mode electrical energy is supplied to the set of LEDs is receivable from a battery.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an LED backup system according to an illustrative embodiment
- FIG. 2 is a schematic, block diagram of an LED backup system according to an illustrative embodiment
- FIG. 3A is a schematic, pictorial representation of an integrated status indicator and test mode switch according to an illustrative embodiment
- FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of a power source switching module
- FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for providing backup for a set of LEDs according to an illustrative embodiment
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for monitoring a second electrical path upon switching to backup mode according to an illustrative embodiment
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for determining, signaling, and/or managing the status of a battery according to an illustrative embodiment
- FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for determining a fault status of the battery according to an illustrative embodiment.
- an illustrative embodiment of an LED backup system 100 includes an LED backup controller 102 that selects from, or switches between, a primary power source 104 and one or more batteries 106 to provide electrical energy to a set of LEDs 108 .
- the term “set” encompasses a quantity of one or more. Unless otherwise indicated, as used herein, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity.
- the LED backup controller 102 is adapted to be in electrical communication, directly or indirectly, with the primary power source 104 via at least two electrical paths: a first electrical path 110 and a second electrical path 112 .
- the LED backup controller 102 may receive, selectively based on a light switch 114 , electrical energy from the primary power source 104 via the first electrical path 110 and transmit this electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 .
- the delivery of electrical energy from the LED backup controller 102 to the set of LEDs 108 may be via a delivery conduit 116 .
- the light switch 114 may be turned on or off to control the flow of electrical energy from the primary power source 114 the LED backup controller 102 via the first electrical path 110 , thus controlling whether the set of LEDs 108 are on or off.
- the LED backup controller 102 may include a power source switching module 118 that selects from, or switches between, the primary power source 104 or the battery 106 to supply electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 .
- the power source switching module 118 may also provide electrical communication between the selected power source (e.g., the primary power source 104 or the battery 106 ) and the set of LEDs 108 .
- the power source switching module 118 may select, the battery 106 to supply electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 , thus switching to backup mode.
- the LED backup controller 102 may receive electrical energy from the battery 106 via a battery conduit 120 and transmit this electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 via the delivery conduit 116 , thus causing the set of LEDs 108 to illuminate.
- the status of electrical communication via the second electrical path 112 provides a basis for switching from the standard mode to the backup mode.
- the power source switching module 118 refrains from switching to backup mode when the LED backup controller 102 fails to receive electrical energy via the first electrical path 110 ; thus, the light switch 114 may be turned off while in standard mode without causing the power source switching module 118 to switch to the battery 106 as the supplier of electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 .
- the second electrical path 112 may include a home run line that runs from an electrical service panel (not shown) to the LED backup controller 102 .
- the home run line in one non-limiting example, may be a direct or dedicated non-switched line that runs from the electrical service panel to the LED backup controller 102 .
- the second electrical path 112 or borne run line, may fail to transmit electrical energy to the LED backup controller 102 , thus causing the power source switching module 118 to switch to backup mode. Because the second electrical path 112 , as opposed to the first electrical path 110 , is monitored, the power source switching module 118 may be prevented from switching to backup mode when the light switch 114 is turned off.
- the LED backup controller 102 may also include a backup driver 122 .
- the backup driver 122 may receive electrical energy from the battery 106 and provide an electric current to the set of LEDs 108 during backup mode.
- a set of driver settings 125 may be programmed, or otherwise stored, in the LED backup controller 102 and used by the backup driver 122 to determine certain LED illumination parameters during backup mode, including brightness and length of illumination time.
- the driver settings 125 may be defined prior to installation of the LED backup controller 102 with the set of LEDs 108 , or may be dynamically determined by the user 124 , or any other person, during operation of the LED backup system 100 .
- the driver settings 125 that determine the brightness and period of time of illumination of the set of LEDs 108 during backup mode may be based on the power, or strength or output, of battery 106 used in the LED backup system 100 (e.g., the milliampere-hours, the ampere-hours, the discharge curve, the voltage, etc. of the battery 106 ), or the load of the set of LEDs 108 at any particular brightness, or a combination of both.
- the driver settings 125 may also be based a user-preferred LED brightness or length of illumination time during backup mode.
- the backup driver 122 may drive the brightness of the set of LEDs 108 (e.g., one-third brightness, half brightness, etc.) based on the power of the battery 106 and the required load of the set of LEDs 108 to allow for a 90 minutes backup time.
- the LED backup system 100 may be used with a wide variety of different batteries and LEDs.
- the backup driver 122 also allows for a wide variety of LED briqhtnesses (e.g., one-third brightness, half brightness, etc.) and backup illumination times (e.g., 90 seconds, 90 minutes, 1 day, 1 week, etc.) during backup mode based on user preference or other factors.
- LED briqhtnesses e.g., one-third brightness, half brightness, etc.
- backup illumination times e.g., 90 seconds, 90 minutes, 1 day, 1 week, etc.
- the driver settings 125 may be determined or altered by a user, including via software prior to or after installation of the LED backup controller 102 .
- the LED backup controller 102 may determine the driver settings 125 based on known or detected specifications of system components (e.g., power of the battery 106 , load of the set of LEDs 108 , desired backup illumination time, etc.)
- the driver settings 125 may also be determined using any industry standard (e.g. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards, government standards, etc.) or any commercial standard.
- UL Underwriters Laboratories
- the backup driver 122 may vary the brightness of the set of LEDs 108 during backup mode by varying the electric current, or current type, being delivered to the set of LEDs 103 .
- the DC signals sent to the set of LEDs 103 by the backup driver 122 may be controlled by pulse width modulation, in square-wave form, constant, or any form of current capable of illuminating the set of LEDs 108 .
- the backup driver 122 may also be used to provide current to the set of LEDs 108 during standard mode.
- the primary power source 104 may be any power source capable of supplying electrical energy.
- the primary power source 104 may be a power source that provides electricity to a home, office, building, structure, or any other environment in which the set of LEDs 108 or the LED backup system 100 may be used.
- Other non-limiting examples of the primary power source 104 include a generator, an alternator, etc.
- the primary power source 104 may also be a wall outlet, or other type of electrical outlet.
- the power source switching module 118 may include one or more devices that allow the LED backup controller 102 to switch between, or select from, two or more power sources (e.g., the primary power source 104 and the battery 106 ) as the supplier of electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 .
- the power source switching module 118 may include a contactor, a contactor relay, a power relay, or other switching circuitry that is able to switch between receiving electrical energy from the primary power source 104 or the battery 106 .
- switching may also be performed using a semiconductor switching device. Additional details regarding an embodiment of a power source switching module 118 that utilizes a particular type of contactor is shown below in FIG. 3B . Indeed, the examples of electrical devices that may be used to switch between power sources are numerous.
- the first electrical path 110 may include a utility, or utility input, line.
- the first electrical path 110 may include any number of electrical conduits capable of transmitting electrical energy.
- the first and second electrical paths 110 and 112 may run in parallel with one another.
- the LED backup system 100 may be implemented as open voltage or line voltage systems.
- the first electrical path 110 may also include an LED driver 126 .
- the LED driver 126 may provide an electrical current to the set of LEDs 108 via the LED backup controller 102 when the LED backup controller 102 selects the primary power source 104 to supply electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 (standard mode).
- the LED driver 126 may include an AC/DC converter, and may, depending on the embodiment, be either integrated with or separate from the LED backup controller 102 .
- the LED backup controller 102 including the battery 106 as necessary, may be installed with an already-existing LED driver 126 and set of LEDs 108 .
- the illustrative embodiments may be flexibly installed with existing LED lighting systems and provide customizable backup LED illumination based on a wide variety of factors, including those described above. Further, the illustrative embodiments may be installed in existing LED lighting systems without the need for additional illuminating LEDs, as some current systems require.
- the LED backup system 100 may also include an LED driver monitor (not shown) that monitors whether the LED driver 126 is operational. In this embodiment, if the LED driver monitor determines that the LED driver 126 has ceased to be operational, the power source switching module 118 may switch to backup mode.
- the LED driver monitor may include a monitor point before and a monitor point after the LED driver 126 on the first electrical path 110 ; in this embodiment, if the monitor points show a voltage difference from a predetermined voltage, then the LED driver 126 may be determined to be non-operational and the power source switching module 118 may switch to backup mode.
- the customizability of the LED backup controller 102 allows for its usage with a wide variety of battery and LED types.
- the set of LEDs 108 may include any number of LEDs capable of emitting light of any color.
- the set of LEDs 108 may also include an LED engine of any type.
- the LED backup system 100 is also compatible with a wide variety of battery types.
- Non-limiting examples of the battery 106 include, but are not limited to, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, etc. Also, the battery 106 may include multiple batteries.
- the LED backup controller 102 may selectively receive electrical energy from the primary power source 104 via the first electrical path 110 . This selective receiving of the electrical energy from the primary power source 104 via the first electrical path 110 may be due to the light switch 114 , which may be switched on or off without causing the power source switching module 118 to switch to backup mode.
- the LED backup controller 102 may also receive electrical energy from the primary power source 104 via the second electrical path 112 . The LED backup controller 102 may be able to detect whether the second electrical path 112 is transmitting electrical energy.
- the power source switching module 118 may switch from standard mode to backup mode so that the battery 106 , instead of the primary power source 104 , provides electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 via the LED backup controller 102 .
- the backup driver 122 may provide electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 from the battery 106 to cause the set of LEDs 108 to have any brightness for any period of time, and the brightness and period of time may be in accordance with the driver settings 125 .
- the LED backup controller 102 may also include a battery charger 128 . If, at any time, the LED backup controller 102 determines that the battery 106 is not fully charged or charged to a predetermined, or preferred, level, the battery charger 128 may provide electrical energy to charge the battery 106 via a charging conduit 130 . In one example, the battery charger 128 may charge the battery 106 when switching back to standard mode, regardless of whether the backup mode was in effect for the full predetermined period of backup time. Depending on the embodiment, the battery conduit 120 may be the same as or separate from the charging conduit 130 . The battery charger 128 may charge the battery 106 at any rate, including a rate in conformity with any industry or commercial standard.
- the LED backup controller 102 may include a status monitor 132 that monitors the battery 106 or any other component of the LED backup system 100 .
- the status monitor 132 may determine whether the battery 106 is fully charged or at a predetermined charge level, in which case the battery 106 may be determined to have a fully charged status.
- the status monitor 132 may determine whether the battery 106 is currently being charged by the battery charger 128 , in which case, the battery 106 may be determined to have a charging status.
- the status monitor 132 may determine whether a fault or battery failure has occurred within the battery 106 . Such a battery failure may be determined in a variety of ways.
- the status monitor 132 includes a battery temperature monitor 134 that is in electrical communication with a temperature sensor 136 adjacent or abutting the battery 106 .
- the temperature sensor 136 may be any device capable of sensing or detecting a heat or temperature of one or more cells of the battery 106 , including, but not limited to, a thermistor, a resistor, etc.
- the battery temperature monitor 134 may determine that the battery 106 has a battery fault status if the temperature of the battery 106 exceeds a predetermined threshold.
- the predetermined threshold may be, for example, a temperature above which the battery 106 may be determined to be defective or dangerous.
- the temperature sensor 136 may also be used to determine whether the battery 106 is fully charged by, for example, determining if the temperature of the battery 106 exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold after a predetermined or expected charge time of the battery 106 .
- the status monitor 132 may include a charge fault monitor 138 .
- the charge fault monitor 138 may determine whether the battery 106 has reached a predetermined charge level within a predetermined period of time. If the battery charger 128 is unable to charge the battery 106 to the predetermined charge level within the predetermined period of time, the status monitor 132 may determine that the battery 106 is faulty, and declare a battery fault status.
- the predetermined charge level used by the charge fault monitor 138 may be, for example, a full charge or a float voltage charge. The predetermined charge level, furthermore, may or may not be the charge capacity of the battery 106 .
- the predetermined period of time used by the charge fault monitor 138 may be any period of time (e.g., minutes, 45 minutes, 90 minutes, one etc.), and may, in one example, be in conformity with any industry or commercial standard(s).
- the LED backup controller 102 may instruct the battery charger 128 to cease charging the battery 106 .
- the LED backup system 100 may also include a status indicator 140 that is in electrical communication with the status monitor 132 and signals the status of the battery 106 as determined by the status monitor 132 .
- the status indicator 140 may signal whether the battery 106 has a fully charged status, a charging status, a battery fault status, or any other status.
- the status indicator 140 may be any type of indicator capable of signaling the battery status to the user 124 .
- the status indicator 140 may be an LED or other lighting source, a speaker or sound-emitting device, or a messaging system (e.g., e-mail, SMS, etc.) that alerts the user 124 of the battery status.
- the status indicator may continuously emit light when the battery 106 is fully charged, slowly flash when the battery 106 is charging, and quickly flash when a battery fault status has been declared by the status monitor 132 .
- the status monitor 132 may also include a backup test module 142 that initiates, upon selection of a test mode switch 144 by the user 124 , a test mode.
- the power source switching module 118 may switch from standard mode to backup mode for a predetermined test period of time, thereby allowing the user 124 to test whether the LED backup system 100 is functioning properly in backup mode.
- the test period of time during which the test mode may be implemented may vary depending on the embodiment (e.g., 90 seconds, 90 minutes, one day, etc.).
- the LED backup controller 102 may include a line monitor 146 that monitors the second electrical path 112 at or during a predetermined elapsed time (e.g., 90 seconds, 5 minutes, 90 minutes, 1 day, etc.) after the LED backup controller 102 switches to the battery 106 to supply electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 . If, at the predetermined elapsed time after switching to backup mode, the line monitor 146 detects that the second electrical path 112 has resumed transmitting electrical energy from the primary power source 104 , the power source switching module 118 may switch from backup mode back to standard mode to resume supplying the set of LEDs 108 with electrical energy from the primary power source 104 .
- a predetermined elapsed time e.g. 90 seconds, 5 minutes, 90 minutes, 1 day, etc.
- the line monitor 146 may continuously monitor the second electrical path 112 during the predetermined elapsed time after switching to backup mode. If, upon switching back to standard mode, status monitor 132 determines that the battery 106 is not fully charged or at a predetermined charge level, the battery charger 128 may charge the battery 106 and the status indicator 140 may signal a battery charging status.
- FIG. 3A an illustrative embodiment of the status indicator 240 integrated with the test mode switch 244 is shown. Elements of FIG. 3A that are analogous to elements in FIGS. 1 and 2 have been shown by indexing the reference numerals by 100.
- the integrated device shown in FIG. 3A which may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to any part of the LED backup system 100 described in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a status of the battery may be signaled to the user 224 while providing the user 224 with the ability to press the test mode switch 244 to initiate test mode.
- the integrated device shown in FIG. 3A acts as both the status indicator 240 and the test mode switch 244 . In other embodiments, however, the test mode switch 244 and the status indicator 240 may be separate devices.
- one illustrative embodiment of the power source switching module 218 may include a contactor 250 that switches between, or selects from, the primary power source and battery as supplier of electrical energy to the set of LEDs.
- the contactor 250 has an arm 251 that is movable (as shown by arrow 252 ) between two or more positions so that electrical or physical contact ma be made with either the first electrical path 210 or the second electrical path 212 .
- the contactor 250 When in standard mode, the contactor 250 may electrically communicate with the first electrical path 210 to selectively transmit electrical energy from the primary power source to the set of LEDs.
- the contactor 250 When in backup mode, the contactor 250 may electrically communicate with the second electrical path 212 to transmit electrical energy from the battery to the set of LEDs. It will be appreciated that numerous devices or techniques may be used in lieu of or in addition to the contactor 250 to switch between standard mode and backup mode.
- an illustrative embodiment of a process for providing backup for a set of LEDs which may be implemented by the LED backup controller 102 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , includes receiving electrical energy from a primary power source via a second electrical path (step 301 ). If a light switch, located on a first electrical path, is turned off (step 303 ), the process refrains from switching from a standard mode to a backup mode for providing electrical energy to a set of LEDs (step 305 ). The process then proceeds to step 311 .
- the process receives electrical energy from the primary power source via a first electrical path (step 307 ).
- the process transmits electrical energy from the primary power source to the set of LEDs (step 309 ).
- the process determines whether a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy has been detected (step 311 ). If the process determines that a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy has not been detected, the process returns to step 303 . If the process determines that a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy has been detected, the process switches from the standard mode to the backup mode for providing electrical energy to the set of LEDs (step 313 ).
- an illustrative embodiment of a process for monitoring a second electrical path upon switching to backup mode includes switching from the standard mode to the backup mode for providing electrical energy to a set of LEDs (step 401 ).
- the process waits an elapsed time after switching from the standard mode to the backup mode (step 403 ).
- the process determines whether a resumption of transmission of electrical energy by the second electrical path has been detected (step 405 ). If the process determines that a resumption of transmission of electrical energy by second electrical path has not been detected, the process determines whether to continue monitoring the second electrical path (step 407 ).
- the process may wait an additional elapsed time (step 409 ). The process may then return to step 405 . Returning to step 407 , if the process determines not to continue monitoring the second electrical path, the process may then terminate.
- step 405 if the process determines that the resumption of transmission of electrical energy by the second electrical path has been detected, the process switches from the backup mode to the standard mode for providing electrical energy to the set of LEDs (step 411 ). The process may then determine whether the battery is fully charged (step 413 ). If the process determines that the battery is not fully charged, the process may charge the battery (step 415 ). Returning to step 413 , if the process determines that the battery is fully charged, the process may then terminate.
- an illustrative embodiment of a process for determining, signaling, and/or managing the status of the battery includes determining whether a fault in the battery has been detected (step 501 ). If the process determines that a fault in the battery has been detected, the process signals a battery fault status using the signal indicator (step 503 ). The process may then determine whether charge is being supplied to the battery (step 505 ). If the process determines that charge is being supplied to the battery, the process ceases supplying charge the battery (step 507 ). The process may then terminate. Returning to step 505 , if the process determines that charge is not being supplied to the battery, the process may then terminate.
- the process may determine whether the battery is fully charged (step 509 ). If the process determines that the battery is fully charged, the process signals a fully charged status using the signal indicator (step 511 ). Returning to step 509 , if the process determines that the battery is not fully charged, the process may determine whether the battery is charging (step 513 ). If the process determines that the battery is charging, the process may signal a charging status using the signal indicator (step 515 ). Returning to step 513 , if the process determines that the battery is not charging, the process may return to step 501 to continue monitoring the status of the battery.
- an illustrative embodiment of a process for determining a fault status of the battery includes determining whether the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold (step 601 ). If the process determines shat the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the process determines that the battery has a battery fault status (step 603 ). Returning to step 601 , if the process determines that the battery temperature does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the process may determine whether the battery fails to reach a predetermined charge level within a predetermined period of time (step 605 ).
- the process may determine that the battery has a battery fault status (step 603 ).
- the process may then terminate.
- each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified function or functions.
- the function or functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures.
- two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.
Abstract
Description
- The illustrative embodiments relate generally to light emitting diodes, and more particularly, to backup systems and methods for light emitting diodes.
- Light emitting diodes (LEDs) offer several advantages over previous lighting and signaling techniques that have led to their increased usage over time. Indeed, LEDs may now be found in a wide variety of applications and environments, both stationary and movable. Because LEDs depend upon a power source to emit light, LED systems may benefit from the inclusion of backup sources of power. Such backup systems may ensure, for example, that the LEDs continue to emit light even after the LEDs' primary source of power is no longer operational. However, some current LED backup systems may tail to provide customizable, efficient, compact, reliable, or flexible means of LED backup. By way of non-limiting example, current LED backup systems may fail to be integratable with currently-existing LED systems, and may even require the installation of additional LEDs as a source of backup lighting. Current LED backup systems may also suffer from other drawbacks that limit their usefulness or applicability.
- According to an illustrative embodiment, an LED backup system includes an LED backup controller operable to select from a plurality of rower sources to supply electrical energy to a set of LEDs. The plurality of power sources includes a primary power source and a battery. The LED backup controller adapted to in selective electrical communication with the primary power source via a first electrical path. The LED backup controller is adapted to be in electrical communication with the primary power source via a second electrical path. The LED backup controller is operable select the battery to supply electrical energy to the set of LEDs in response to a failure of the LED backup controller to electrically communicate with the primary power source via the second electrical path.
- According to another illustrative embodiment, an LED backup system includes an LED backup controller operable to switch between a standard mode and a backup mode for supplying electrical energy to a set of LEDs. The LED backup controller is adapted to transmit electrical energy from a primary power source to the set of LEDs in the standard mode. The LED backup controller is adapted to be in selective electrical communication with the primary power supply via a first electrical path in the standard mode. The LED backup controller is adapted to transmit electrical energy from a battery to the set of LEDs in the backup mode. The LED backup controller is adapted to be in electrical communication with the primary power source via a second electrical path. The LED backup controller is operable to switch from the standard mode to the backup mode in response to a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy to the LED backup controller. The LED backup system also includes a status indicator in electrical communication with the LED backup controller. The status indicator signals a status of the battery.
- According to another illustrative embodiment, a method for providing backup for a set of LEDs includes selectively receiving electrical energy from a primary power source via a first electrical path, and receiving electrical energy from the primary power source via a second electrical path. The method also includes detecting a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy, and switching from a standard mode to a backup mode for providing electrical energy to a set of LEDs in response to detecting the failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy. In the standard mode, electrical energy supplied to the set of LEDs is receivable from the primary power source. In the backup mode, electrical energy is supplied to the set of LEDs is receivable from a battery.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an LED backup system according to an illustrative embodiment; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic, block diagram of an LED backup system according to an illustrative embodiment; -
FIG. 3A is a schematic, pictorial representation of an integrated status indicator and test mode switch according to an illustrative embodiment; -
FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of illustrative, non-limiting embodiment of a power source switching module; -
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a process for providing backup for a set of LEDs according to an illustrative embodiment; -
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for monitoring a second electrical path upon switching to backup mode according to an illustrative embodiment; -
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process for determining, signaling, and/or managing the status of a battery according to an illustrative embodiment; and -
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for determining a fault status of the battery according to an illustrative embodiment. - In the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described herein, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in limiting sense, and the scope of the illustrative embodiments are defined only by the appended claims.
- Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , an illustrative embodiment of anLED backup system 100 includes anLED backup controller 102 that selects from, or switches between, aprimary power source 104 and one ormore batteries 106 to provide electrical energy to a set ofLEDs 108. As used herein, the term “set” encompasses a quantity of one or more. Unless otherwise indicated, as used herein, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity. TheLED backup controller 102 is adapted to be in electrical communication, directly or indirectly, with theprimary power source 104 via at least two electrical paths: a firstelectrical path 110 and a secondelectrical path 112. When theLED backup controller 102 is in standard mode, theLED backup controller 102 may receive, selectively based on alight switch 114, electrical energy from theprimary power source 104 via the firstelectrical path 110 and transmit this electrical energy to the set ofLEDs 108. The delivery of electrical energy from theLED backup controller 102 to the set ofLEDs 108 may be via adelivery conduit 116. When in the standard mode, thelight switch 114 may be turned on or off to control the flow of electrical energy from theprimary power source 114 theLED backup controller 102 via the firstelectrical path 110, thus controlling whether the set ofLEDs 108 are on or off. - The
LED backup controller 102 may include a powersource switching module 118 that selects from, or switches between, theprimary power source 104 or thebattery 106 to supply electrical energy to the set ofLEDs 108. The powersource switching module 118 may also provide electrical communication between the selected power source (e.g., theprimary power source 104 or the battery 106) and the set ofLEDs 108. In one embodiment, if theLED backer controller 102 detects a failure to electrically communicate with theprimary power source 104 via the secondelectrical path 112, the powersource switching module 118 may select, thebattery 106 to supply electrical energy to the set ofLEDs 108, thus switching to backup mode. In backup mode, theLED backup controller 102 may receive electrical energy from thebattery 106 via abattery conduit 120 and transmit this electrical energy to the set ofLEDs 108 via thedelivery conduit 116, thus causing the set ofLEDs 108 to illuminate. - In one illustrative embodiment, the status of electrical communication via the second
electrical path 112, as opposed to the firstelectrical path 110, provides a basis for switching from the standard mode to the backup mode. In this embodiment, the powersource switching module 118 refrains from switching to backup mode when theLED backup controller 102 fails to receive electrical energy via the firstelectrical path 110; thus, thelight switch 114 may be turned off while in standard mode without causing the powersource switching module 118 to switch to thebattery 106 as the supplier of electrical energy to the set ofLEDs 108. - One possible cause for a failure receive electrical energy via the second
electrical path 112, resulting in a switch to backup mode, may be a failure of theprimary power source 104. In one example, the secondelectrical path 112 may include a home run line that runs from an electrical service panel (not shown) to theLED backup controller 102. The home run line, in one non-limiting example, may be a direct or dedicated non-switched line that runs from the electrical service panel to theLED backup controller 102. Thus, if a power failure occurs to the building or other environment in which theLED backup system 100 resides, the secondelectrical path 112, or borne run line, may fail to transmit electrical energy to theLED backup controller 102, thus causing the powersource switching module 118 to switch to backup mode. Because the secondelectrical path 112, as opposed to the firstelectrical path 110, is monitored, the powersource switching module 118 may be prevented from switching to backup mode when thelight switch 114 is turned off. - The
LED backup controller 102 may also include abackup driver 122. In one embodiment, thebackup driver 122 may receive electrical energy from thebattery 106 and provide an electric current to the set ofLEDs 108 during backup mode. A set ofdriver settings 125 may be programmed, or otherwise stored, in theLED backup controller 102 and used by thebackup driver 122 to determine certain LED illumination parameters during backup mode, including brightness and length of illumination time. Thedriver settings 125 may be defined prior to installation of theLED backup controller 102 with the set ofLEDs 108, or may be dynamically determined by theuser 124, or any other person, during operation of theLED backup system 100. - In one non-limiting example, the
driver settings 125 that determine the brightness and period of time of illumination of the set ofLEDs 108 during backup mode may be based on the power, or strength or output, ofbattery 106 used in the LED backup system 100 (e.g., the milliampere-hours, the ampere-hours, the discharge curve, the voltage, etc. of the battery 106), or the load of the set ofLEDs 108 at any particular brightness, or a combination of both. Thedriver settings 125 may also be based a user-preferred LED brightness or length of illumination time during backup mode. For example, if a backup illumination time of 90 minutes is desired, thebackup driver 122, as determined by thedriver settings 125, may drive the brightness of the set of LEDs 108 (e.g., one-third brightness, half brightness, etc.) based on the power of thebattery 106 and the required load of the set ofLEDs 108 to allow for a 90 minutes backup time. Such flexibility in adapting to various powers and loads of batteries and LEDs, respectively, allow theLED backup system 100 to be used with a wide variety of different batteries and LEDs. Thebackup driver 122 also allows for a wide variety of LED briqhtnesses (e.g., one-third brightness, half brightness, etc.) and backup illumination times (e.g., 90 seconds, 90 minutes, 1 day, 1 week, etc.) during backup mode based on user preference or other factors. - The
driver settings 125 may be determined or altered by a user, including via software prior to or after installation of theLED backup controller 102. In another embodiment, theLED backup controller 102 may determine thedriver settings 125 based on known or detected specifications of system components (e.g., power of thebattery 106, load of the set ofLEDs 108, desired backup illumination time, etc.) Thedriver settings 125 may also be determined using any industry standard (e.g. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards, government standards, etc.) or any commercial standard. - The
backup driver 122 may vary the brightness of the set ofLEDs 108 during backup mode by varying the electric current, or current type, being delivered to the set of LEDs 103. In one non-limiting embodiment, the DC signals sent to the set of LEDs 103 by thebackup driver 122 may be controlled by pulse width modulation, in square-wave form, constant, or any form of current capable of illuminating the set ofLEDs 108. In another embodiment, thebackup driver 122 may also be used to provide current to the set ofLEDs 108 during standard mode. - The
primary power source 104 may be any power source capable of supplying electrical energy. For example, theprimary power source 104 may be a power source that provides electricity to a home, office, building, structure, or any other environment in which the set ofLEDs 108 or theLED backup system 100 may be used. Other non-limiting examples of theprimary power source 104 include a generator, an alternator, etc. Theprimary power source 104 may also be a wall outlet, or other type of electrical outlet. - The power
source switching module 118 may include one or more devices that allow theLED backup controller 102 to switch between, or select from, two or more power sources (e.g., theprimary power source 104 and the battery 106) as the supplier of electrical energy to the set ofLEDs 108. In one non-limiting example, the powersource switching module 118 may include a contactor, a contactor relay, a power relay, or other switching circuitry that is able to switch between receiving electrical energy from theprimary power source 104 or thebattery 106. In another embodiment, switching may also be performed using a semiconductor switching device. Additional details regarding an embodiment of a powersource switching module 118 that utilizes a particular type of contactor is shown below inFIG. 3B . Indeed, the examples of electrical devices that may be used to switch between power sources are numerous. - In one embodiment, the first
electrical path 110 may include a utility, or utility input, line. The firstelectrical path 110 may include any number of electrical conduits capable of transmitting electrical energy. Also, in one non-limiting embodiment, the first and secondelectrical paths LED backup system 100 may be implemented as open voltage or line voltage systems. - The first
electrical path 110 may also include an LED driver 126. The LED driver 126 may provide an electrical current to the set ofLEDs 108 via theLED backup controller 102 when theLED backup controller 102 selects theprimary power source 104 to supply electrical energy to the set of LEDs 108 (standard mode). The LED driver 126 may include an AC/DC converter, and may, depending on the embodiment, be either integrated with or separate from theLED backup controller 102. In one example implementation of the illustrative embodiments, theLED backup controller 102, including thebattery 106 as necessary, may be installed with an already-existing LED driver 126 and set ofLEDs 108. Thus, the illustrative embodiments may be flexibly installed with existing LED lighting systems and provide customizable backup LED illumination based on a wide variety of factors, including those described above. Further, the illustrative embodiments may be installed in existing LED lighting systems without the need for additional illuminating LEDs, as some current systems require. - In one non-limiting embodiment, the
LED backup system 100 may also include an LED driver monitor (not shown) that monitors whether the LED driver 126 is operational. In this embodiment, if the LED driver monitor determines that the LED driver 126 has ceased to be operational, the powersource switching module 118 may switch to backup mode. By way of non-limiting example, the LED driver monitor may include a monitor point before and a monitor point after the LED driver 126 on the firstelectrical path 110; in this embodiment, if the monitor points show a voltage difference from a predetermined voltage, then the LED driver 126 may be determined to be non-operational and the powersource switching module 118 may switch to backup mode. - The customizability of the
LED backup controller 102 allows for its usage with a wide variety of battery and LED types. The set ofLEDs 108 may include any number of LEDs capable of emitting light of any color. The set ofLEDs 108 may also include an LED engine of any type. TheLED backup system 100 is also compatible with a wide variety of battery types. Non-limiting examples of thebattery 106 include, but are not limited to, nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium ion batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, etc. Also, thebattery 106 may include multiple batteries. - In embodiment of the operation of the
LED backup system 100, theLED backup controller 102 may selectively receive electrical energy from theprimary power source 104 via the firstelectrical path 110. This selective receiving of the electrical energy from theprimary power source 104 via the firstelectrical path 110 may be due to thelight switch 114, which may be switched on or off without causing the powersource switching module 118 to switch to backup mode. TheLED backup controller 102 may also receive electrical energy from theprimary power source 104 via the secondelectrical path 112. TheLED backup controller 102 may be able to detect whether the secondelectrical path 112 is transmitting electrical energy. If theLED backup controller 102 detects a failure of the secondelectrical path 112 to transmit electrical energy, which may, e.g., be caused by a power failure of theprimary power source 104, the powersource switching module 118 may switch from standard mode to backup mode so that thebattery 106, instead of theprimary power source 104, provides electrical energy to the set ofLEDs 108 via theLED backup controller 102. Once the powersource switching module 118 switches to the backup mode, thebackup driver 122 may provide electrical energy to the set ofLEDs 108 from thebattery 106 to cause the set ofLEDs 108 to have any brightness for any period of time, and the brightness and period of time may be in accordance with thedriver settings 125. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , theLED backup controller 102 may also include abattery charger 128. If, at any time, theLED backup controller 102 determines that thebattery 106 is not fully charged or charged to a predetermined, or preferred, level, thebattery charger 128 may provide electrical energy to charge thebattery 106 via a chargingconduit 130. In one example, thebattery charger 128 may charge thebattery 106 when switching back to standard mode, regardless of whether the backup mode was in effect for the full predetermined period of backup time. Depending on the embodiment, thebattery conduit 120 may be the same as or separate from the chargingconduit 130. Thebattery charger 128 may charge thebattery 106 at any rate, including a rate in conformity with any industry or commercial standard. - In one embodiment, the
LED backup controller 102 may include astatus monitor 132 that monitors thebattery 106 or any other component of theLED backup system 100. For example, thestatus monitor 132 may determine whether thebattery 106 is fully charged or at a predetermined charge level, in which case thebattery 106 may be determined to have a fully charged status. In another example, thestatus monitor 132 may determine whether thebattery 106 is currently being charged by thebattery charger 128, in which case, thebattery 106 may be determined to have a charging status. - In one embodiment, the
status monitor 132 may determine whether a fault or battery failure has occurred within thebattery 106. Such a battery failure may be determined in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, thestatus monitor 132 includes a battery temperature monitor 134 that is in electrical communication with atemperature sensor 136 adjacent or abutting thebattery 106. Thetemperature sensor 136 may be any device capable of sensing or detecting a heat or temperature of one or more cells of thebattery 106, including, but not limited to, a thermistor, a resistor, etc. In monitoring the temperature of thebattery 106 using thetemperature sensor 136, the battery temperature monitor 134 may determine that thebattery 106 has a battery fault status if the temperature of thebattery 106 exceeds a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be, for example, a temperature above which thebattery 106 may be determined to be defective or dangerous. In another embodiment, thetemperature sensor 136 may also be used to determine whether thebattery 106 is fully charged by, for example, determining if the temperature of thebattery 106 exceeds a predetermined temperature threshold after a predetermined or expected charge time of thebattery 106. - In another embodiment, the
status monitor 132 may include acharge fault monitor 138. Thecharge fault monitor 138 may determine whether thebattery 106 has reached a predetermined charge level within a predetermined period of time. If thebattery charger 128 is unable to charge thebattery 106 to the predetermined charge level within the predetermined period of time, thestatus monitor 132 may determine that thebattery 106 is faulty, and declare a battery fault status. The predetermined charge level used by thecharge fault monitor 138 may be, for example, a full charge or a float voltage charge. The predetermined charge level, furthermore, may or may not be the charge capacity of thebattery 106. The predetermined period of time used by thecharge fault monitor 138 may be any period of time (e.g., minutes, 45 minutes, 90 minutes, one etc.), and may, in one example, be in conformity with any industry or commercial standard(s). - Either or both of the battery temperature monitor 134 or the
charge fault monitor 138 may be included in the status monitor 132 to determine whether thebattery 106 is suffering from a fault. If thebattery 106 is determined to have a battery fault status, theLED backup controller 102 may instruct thebattery charger 128 to cease charging thebattery 106. In one embodiment, theLED backup system 100 may also include astatus indicator 140 that is in electrical communication with thestatus monitor 132 and signals the status of thebattery 106 as determined by thestatus monitor 132. For example, thestatus indicator 140 may signal whether thebattery 106 has a fully charged status, a charging status, a battery fault status, or any other status. - The
status indicator 140 may be any type of indicator capable of signaling the battery status to theuser 124. For example, thestatus indicator 140 may be an LED or other lighting source, a speaker or sound-emitting device, or a messaging system (e.g., e-mail, SMS, etc.) that alerts theuser 124 of the battery status. By way of specific non-limiting example, in the embodiment in which the status indicator is an LED, thestatus indicator 140 may continuously emit light when thebattery 106 is fully charged, slowly flash when thebattery 106 is charging, and quickly flash when a battery fault status has been declared by thestatus monitor 132. - The status monitor 132 may also include a
backup test module 142 that initiates, upon selection of atest mode switch 144 by theuser 124, a test mode. In test mode, the powersource switching module 118 may switch from standard mode to backup mode for a predetermined test period of time, thereby allowing theuser 124 to test whether theLED backup system 100 is functioning properly in backup mode. The test period of time during which the test mode may be implemented may vary depending on the embodiment (e.g., 90 seconds, 90 minutes, one day, etc.). - In one embodiment, the
LED backup controller 102 may include aline monitor 146 that monitors the secondelectrical path 112 at or during a predetermined elapsed time (e.g., 90 seconds, 5 minutes, 90 minutes, 1 day, etc.) after theLED backup controller 102 switches to thebattery 106 to supply electrical energy to the set ofLEDs 108. If, at the predetermined elapsed time after switching to backup mode, theline monitor 146 detects that the secondelectrical path 112 has resumed transmitting electrical energy from theprimary power source 104, the powersource switching module 118 may switch from backup mode back to standard mode to resume supplying the set ofLEDs 108 with electrical energy from theprimary power source 104. Theline monitor 146, in another embodiment, may continuously monitor the secondelectrical path 112 during the predetermined elapsed time after switching to backup mode. If, upon switching back to standard mode, status monitor 132 determines that thebattery 106 is not fully charged or at a predetermined charge level, thebattery charger 128 may charge thebattery 106 and thestatus indicator 140 may signal a battery charging status. - Referring to
FIG. 3A , an illustrative embodiment of thestatus indicator 240 integrated with thetest mode switch 244 is shown. Elements ofFIG. 3A that are analogous to elements inFIGS. 1 and 2 have been shown by indexing the reference numerals by 100. In the integrated device shown inFIG. 3A , which may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to any part of theLED backup system 100 described inFIGS. 1 and 2 , a status of the battery may be signaled to theuser 224 while providing theuser 224 with the ability to press thetest mode switch 244 to initiate test mode. Thus, the integrated device shown inFIG. 3A acts as both thestatus indicator 240 and thetest mode switch 244. In other embodiments, however, thetest mode switch 244 and thestatus indicator 240 may be separate devices. - Referring to
FIG. 3B , one illustrative embodiment of the powersource switching module 218 may include acontactor 250 that switches between, or selects from, the primary power source and battery as supplier of electrical energy to the set of LEDs. Thecontactor 250 has anarm 251 that is movable (as shown by arrow 252) between two or more positions so that electrical or physical contact ma be made with either the firstelectrical path 210 or the secondelectrical path 212. When in standard mode, thecontactor 250 may electrically communicate with the firstelectrical path 210 to selectively transmit electrical energy from the primary power source to the set of LEDs. When in backup mode, thecontactor 250 may electrically communicate with the secondelectrical path 212 to transmit electrical energy from the battery to the set of LEDs. It will be appreciated that numerous devices or techniques may be used in lieu of or in addition to thecontactor 250 to switch between standard mode and backup mode. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , an illustrative embodiment of a process for providing backup for a set of LEDs, which may be implemented by theLED backup controller 102 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , includes receiving electrical energy from a primary power source via a second electrical path (step 301). If a light switch, located on a first electrical path, is turned off (step 303), the process refrains from switching from a standard mode to a backup mode for providing electrical energy to a set of LEDs (step 305). The process then proceeds to step 311. - Returning to step 303, if the light switch is turned on, the process receives electrical energy from the primary power source via a first electrical path (step 307). The process transmits electrical energy from the primary power source to the set of LEDs (step 309). The process determines whether a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy has been detected (step 311). If the process determines that a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy has not been detected, the process returns to step 303. If the process determines that a failure of the second electrical path to transmit electrical energy has been detected, the process switches from the standard mode to the backup mode for providing electrical energy to the set of LEDs (step 313).
- Referring to
FIG. 5 , an illustrative embodiment of a process for monitoring a second electrical path upon switching to backup mode, which may be implemented by theLED backup controller 102 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , includes switching from the standard mode to the backup mode for providing electrical energy to a set of LEDs (step 401). The process waits an elapsed time after switching from the standard mode to the backup mode (step 403). The process determines whether a resumption of transmission of electrical energy by the second electrical path has been detected (step 405). If the process determines that a resumption of transmission of electrical energy by second electrical path has not been detected, the process determines whether to continue monitoring the second electrical path (step 407). If the process determines to continue monitoring the second electrical path, the process may wait an additional elapsed time (step 409). The process may then return to step 405. Returning to step 407, if the process determines not to continue monitoring the second electrical path, the process may then terminate. - Returning to step 405, if the process determines that the resumption of transmission of electrical energy by the second electrical path has been detected, the process switches from the backup mode to the standard mode for providing electrical energy to the set of LEDs (step 411). The process may then determine whether the battery is fully charged (step 413). If the process determines that the battery is not fully charged, the process may charge the battery (step 415). Returning to step 413, if the process determines that the battery is fully charged, the process may then terminate.
- Referring to
FIG. 6 , an illustrative embodiment of a process for determining, signaling, and/or managing the status of the battery, which may be implemented by theLED backup controller 102 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , includes determining whether a fault in the battery has been detected (step 501). If the process determines that a fault in the battery has been detected, the process signals a battery fault status using the signal indicator (step 503). The process may then determine whether charge is being supplied to the battery (step 505). If the process determines that charge is being supplied to the battery, the process ceases supplying charge the battery (step 507). The process may then terminate. Returning to step 505, if the process determines that charge is not being supplied to the battery, the process may then terminate. - Returning to step 501, if the process determines that a fault in the battery has not been detected, the process may determine whether the battery is fully charged (step 509). If the process determines that the battery is fully charged, the process signals a fully charged status using the signal indicator (step 511). Returning to step 509, if the process determines that the battery is not fully charged, the process may determine whether the battery is charging (step 513). If the process determines that the battery is charging, the process may signal a charging status using the signal indicator (step 515). Returning to step 513, if the process determines that the battery is not charging, the process may return to step 501 to continue monitoring the status of the battery.
- Referring to
FIG. 7 , an illustrative embodiment of a process for determining a fault status of the battery, which may be implemented instep 501 ofFIG. 6 , includes determining whether the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold (step 601). If the process determines shat the battery temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the process determines that the battery has a battery fault status (step 603). Returning to step 601, if the process determines that the battery temperature does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the process may determine whether the battery fails to reach a predetermined charge level within a predetermined period of time (step 605). If the process determines that the battery does fail to reach a predetermined charge level within the predetermined period of time, the process may determine that the battery has a battery fault status (step 603). Returning to step 605, if the process determines that the battery does not fail to reach a predetermined charge level within a predetermined period of time, the process may then terminate. - The flowcharts and block diagrams in the different depicted embodiments illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of some possible implementations of apparatus, methods and computer program products. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified function or functions. In some alternative implementations, the function or functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved.
- Although the illustrative embodiments described herein have been disclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be appreciated that any feature that is described in a connection to any one embodiment may also be applicable to any other embodiment.
Claims (40)
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US9035494B2 (en) * | 2013-03-07 | 2015-05-19 | Man-D-Tec, Inc. | Elevator interior illumination |
US9791117B2 (en) * | 2013-04-02 | 2017-10-17 | Thomas & Betts International Llc | Emergency lighting fixture with remote control |
US10274150B2 (en) * | 2014-10-10 | 2019-04-30 | Revolution Lighting Technologies, Inc. | LED luminaire with integrated battery backup |
US9917474B2 (en) | 2015-11-20 | 2018-03-13 | General Electric Company | Systems for providing emergency power during a power interruption |
CN106922069B (en) * | 2015-12-25 | 2023-05-16 | 四川新力光源股份有限公司 | Power failure prevention lamp box |
US10333341B2 (en) * | 2016-03-08 | 2019-06-25 | Ledvance Llc | LED lighting system with battery for demand management and emergency lighting |
US11310880B2 (en) | 2017-05-26 | 2022-04-19 | Savant Technologies Llc | LED battery backup lamp |
CN111063310A (en) * | 2020-01-07 | 2020-04-24 | 业成科技(成都)有限公司 | Display and brightness adjusting method thereof |
US11482881B2 (en) | 2020-04-10 | 2022-10-25 | Electronic Controls, Inc. | Emergency power for a facility |
CN114024360A (en) * | 2020-07-16 | 2022-02-08 | 标准产品公司 | Device for extending standard light fixtures without batteries for emergency lighting |
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DE4211230C2 (en) * | 1992-04-03 | 1997-06-26 | Ivoclar Ag | Rechargeable light curing device |
ATE488833T1 (en) * | 2003-09-15 | 2010-12-15 | Menachem Korall | INTERNALLY LIGHTED SIGN |
US20050157482A1 (en) * | 2004-01-16 | 2005-07-21 | Tsai-Cheng Hsu | Non-interruption light source |
US7771087B2 (en) * | 2006-09-30 | 2010-08-10 | Ruud Lighting, Inc. | LED light fixture with uninterruptible power supply |
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