Flourescent lamp with integral proximity sensor for building energy management

A method of implementing a fluorescent lamp sensor system comprising:

• providing a plurality of bulbs;
• providing a plurality of electrodes electromagnetically coupled to said bulbs;
• providing a balanced differential circuit for measuring changes in electric fields produced by said bulbs in front of said electrodes, said balanced differential circuit includes a symmetric current source associated with alternating the surface potential of said bulbs;
• providing a current mode detection circuit for detecting the current associated with the capacitive effects of the balanced differential circuit;
• and
• providing a synchronous detection circuit for isolating the capacitive effects of the symmetrical current source from stray signals that differ in either frequency or phase.

A method of performing the operations of a fluorescent lamp sensor system comprising:

• providing a plurality of bulbs;
• providing a plurality of electrodes electromagnetically coupled to said bulbs;
• measuring changes in electric fields produced by said bulbs in front of said electrodes using a symmetric current source associated with alternating the surface potential of said bulbs;
• detecting the current associated with the capacitive effects of the balanced differential circuit;
• and
• isolating the capacitive effects of the symmetrical current source from stray signals that differ in either frequency or phase.

A lighting system comprising:

• a plurality of fluorescent lamp structures being positioned to provide lighting in an enclosed space;
• and
• a plurality of detection structures comprising a selective number of said fluorescent lamp structures to detect whether an occupant is within said enclosed space, each of he detection structures comprising:
• a balanced differential circuit for measuring changes in electric fields produced by said occupant, said balanced differential circuit includes a symmetric current source associated with alternating the surface potential of bulbs associated with each of said detection structures;
• a current mode detection circuit for detecting the current associated with the capacitive effects of the balanced differential circuit;
• and
• a synchronous detection circuit for isolating the capacitive effects of the symmetrical current source from stray signals that differ in either frequency or phase;
• wherein
• the intensity of the fluorescent lamp structures are increased from its initial point of intensity when an occupant has been detected by said detection structures.