An improved LED lighting system is provided for overhead ceiling lighting, as well as for other uses. The LED lighting system comprises elongated linear lamps having an LED luminary as a source of illumination and configured to operate as a node of an automated networked lighting system. The linear LED lamps have internal modular network connectors and control components so that they can receive control data and power signals over a single network cable according to a standardized power and data network communications architecture such as Ethernet. The system includes connector assemblies designed to securely mount the networkable linear LED lamps to conventional tube lamp lighting fixtures or to another support housing and to provide integrated power and data connectivity to internal components of the lamps. In one form, the disclosed system includes a network enabled snap-fit connector assembly mounted to a lighting fixture and configured to provide Ethernet power and data connectivity to the lamp. The LED lamps have first and second mechanical connectors at opposite ends of the lamp body, and the snap-fit connectors are configured to secure the lamps to an overhead lighting fixture or other support structure as an incident of the lamp ends moving relative to the mounting connectors in a substantially straight path that is transverse to the length of the body into an engaged position. The snap-fit connectors are also configured to form a network connection with an internal modular network connector associated with the lamp with the lamp mounted in its operative state on a support. In another form, a clipping mechanism is provided for mounting linear networkable LED lamps to an overhead grid ceiling system.

Lighting units, systems, and methods are described herein for determining whether occupancy detections are legitimate or not. Methods and systems are further described herein for powering down a network of power over ethernet (PoE) components.

A system is disclosed for controlling operation of an LED lighting system, including a Power over Ethernet (PoE) LED driver couplable to a PoE switch via a power and communication link. The PoE LED driver includes a microcontroller for controlling an LED driver chip to operate an associated LED lighting fixture. A voltage and current measurement unit is coupled to the microcontroller to receive power from the power and communication link, and to provide signals to the microcontroller. The provided signals can be representative of an input electrical parameter of the power and communication link. The microcontroller is programmed to compare the signals representative of the input electrical parameter against a predetermined value, and command operation of the LED driver chip based on the comparison.

A power and control module for a Power over Ethernet (PoE) light emitting diode (LED) lighting system includes an input channel for receiving PoE input power from a PoE switch, an output channel for providing PoE output power to a plurality of LED light fixtures and a power transfer unit coupled between the input and output channel for providing the PoE input power and/or a secondary input power to the output channel as the PoE output power. A secondary power input unit selectively provides secondary power to the power transfer unit. A processor is controls the power transfer unit to adjust an amount of PoE input power and secondary input power to obtain the PoE output power. Secondary input power can be an emergency power source during line power outages. Secondary input power could be a renewable energy power source used preferentially to the PoE input power when available.

The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus for powering intelligent lighting networks. The power for the intelligent lighting network is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches and/or Mid-Spans, which are conditioned by a powered device to distribute power tuned specifically for each, at least one light emitting diode (LED) fixture. The Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span with associated router and wireless access point can be used to communicate with, and power a sensor network that collects data relevant to the intelligent lighting network. Optionally, the Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span can be used to communicate with, and power a network of sensors that collects data relevant to the space the intelligent lighting network is operating in, or can be used to communicate with and power a network of AC wall plugs that can be turned on and off, and various switches, relays, and PLCs, RFID systems, USB hubs, etc.

A handheld device for grouping a plurality of lighting fixtures is disclosed. In one embodiment, the handheld device includes a communication interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the plurality of lighting fixtures and control circuitry. The circuitry is configured to: effect selection of at least two lighting fixtures of the plurality of lighting fixtures via the communication interface; determine a first group for the at least two lighting fixtures; create first group assignment information for the first group; and send the first group assignment information to each of the at least two lighting fixtures via the communication interface.

The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus for powering intelligent lighting networks. The power for the intelligent lighting network is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches and/or Mid-Spans, which are conditioned by a powered device to distribute power tuned specifically for each, at least one light emitting diode (LED) fixture. The Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span with associated router and wireless access point can be used to communicate with, and power a sensor network that collects data relevant to the intelligent lighting network. Optionally, the Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span can be used to communicate with, and power a network of sensors that collects data relevant to the space the intelligent lighting network is operating in, or can be used to communicate with and power a network of AC wall plugs that can be turned on and off, and various switches, relays, and PLCs, RFID systems, USB hubs, etc.

The present invention relates to a system, method, and apparatus for powering intelligent lighting networks. The power for the intelligent lighting network is supplied by Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) switches and/or Mid-Spans, which are conditioned by a powered device to distribute power tuned specifically for each, at least one light emitting diode (LED) fixture. The Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span with associated router and wireless access point can be used to communicate with, and power a sensor network that collects data relevant to the intelligent lighting network. Optionally, the Power-over-Ethernet switch and/or Mid-Span can be used to communicate with, and power a network of sensors that collects data relevant to the space the intelligent lighting network is operating in, or can be used to communicate with and power a network of AC wall plugs that can be turned on and off, and various switches, relays, and PLCs, RFID systems, USB hubs, etc.

Systems and methods are disclosed for use in conjunction with a standardized electrical connector of a conventional light bulb or tube with one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) electrically coupled to at least one electrical connector compatible with a conventional light connector, wherein the LEDs include at least one multiband-type ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver having one or more optical channels defined using one or more OFDM bands; and a controller coupled to the LEDs, the controller adjusting LED light output and communicating with the optical network using the optical transmitter and receiver. In other embodiments, the LEDs include at least one optical transmitter and receiver optically coupled to an optical network using at least one LED with a first mode to generate light and a second mode to receive optical transmissions using ambient light.

Methods, apparatuses and systems are described herein for harmonizing firmware among lighting units of a lighting system. In some embodiments, a lighting unit controller of a lighting unit may be configured to: broadcast, to a plurality of remote lighting units of the lighting system, data indicative of a version of the firmware used locally; receive, directly or indirectly from at least one remote lighting unit of the lighting system, data indicative of a version of firmware used by the at least one remote lighting unit; determine that the version of firmware used by the at least one remote lighting unit is different from a version of the firmware stored in the memory; and take remedial action to harmonize the firmware stored in the memory with the firmware used by the remote lighting unit.