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US 8,274,649 B2Granted
Failure detection in lighting systems
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsRick A. Hamilton, II, Paul A. Moskowitz, Brian M. O'Connell, Clifford A. Pickover, Keith R. Walker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for continuous monitoring of a light bulb or group of light bulbs. The light emission of a light bulb is compared with known emission failure values for similar types of light bulbs, and a determination of a near failure status for the bulb is made.
Claims20
A method for predicting a light source failure, comprising:
- receiving a light emission from a light source;
- separating the light emission into a light spectrum having separate spectral components;
- determining an intensity of the light spectrum;
- determining a light bulb type of the light source;
- comparing the intensity of the light spectrum with an intensity value of a failed light source having the same bulb type as the light source;
- and
- providing an indication of failure when the intensity of the light spectrum is within a threshold value of the intensity value of the failed light source.
4 more elements
An apparatus for predicting a light source failure, comprising:
- a light socket;
- a failure detection circuit electrically coupled to the light socket, the failure detection circuit having a sensor and at least one failure indicator;
- a memory storing a plurality of intensity failure values for a plurality of light bulb types;
- and
- a processor for comparing a light intensity value measured by the sensor with an intensity failure value, the processor further activating the at least one failure indicator.
2 more elements
A self-failure predicting light bulb, comprising:
- a base;
- a lamp bulb electrically coupled to the base;
- a housing electrically coupled to the base;
- an optical sensor placed adjacent to the housing and configured to measure an intensity of light from the lamp bulb;
- a failure indicator placed adjacent to the housing for providing an indication of failure;
- and
- a failure detection circuit placed within the housing, the failure detection circuit having a processor and a memory,
- the memory configured to store an intensity failure value,
- the processor for comparing a light intensity value measured by the sensor with an intensity failure value, the processor further activating the at least one failure indicator.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.