Communication interface device for a solid-state luminaire

Abstract

A device is disclosed for providing a communication interface for a solid-state luminaire. The disclosed device may be configured, for example, as a dongle to be electrically coupled with power lines between a driver and solid-state light source. The device may draw power from the power lines, while also adjusting and, if desired, monitoring current going to the light source. In some embodiments, the device splits current received from the driver into a first portion that is returned to the driver or consumed within the device and a second portion that is time-modulated and delivered to the light source. In some other embodiments, the device provides a time-varying impedance in series with the driver, reducing current received by the light source in a time-modulated manner. In either case, the device optionally may be configured to cause the light source to output a pulsing light signal encoded with data.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.