초록 ▼

A sensor fixture can be affixed within a wall and powered using the same cable along which data signals are transmitted. A data cable is attached to the fixture, and power for a sensor is isolated from the data signals. The sensor may be used in conjunction with a building automation system in order

A sensor fixture can be affixed within a wall and powered using the same cable along which data signals are transmitted. A data cable is attached to the fixture, and power for a sensor is isolated from the data signals. The sensor may be used in conjunction with a building automation system in order to provide environmental inputs, such as from a motion sensor, a light sensor, and an audio sensor. The sensor may also be combined with LED lights for a combined fixture that lights when sensing motion or other environmental changes, for example.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A sensor and light fixture powered by a data cable, comprising: a housing defining a hollow interior body and defining an opening through which the data cable passes into the fixture, wherein the housing includes an exterior flange positioned to contact an exterior surface of

What is claimed is: 1. A sensor and light fixture powered by a data cable, comprising: a housing defining a hollow interior body and defining an opening through which the data cable passes into the fixture, wherein the housing includes an exterior flange positioned to contact an exterior surface of a generally planar wallboard when the fixture is installed into an aperture within the wallboard, and includes a plurality of flexible barbed members that include surfaces that are spaced away from the exterior flange for engaging the wallboard between the barbed members and the exterior flange, wherein the barbed members are for contacting an interior surface of the wallboard when the fixture is installed, wherein the interior surface is generally parallel to the exterior surface; a circuit board that includes a data cable receptacle for connecting to the data cable, and that includes a plurality of first contacts for electrically coupling to at least a portion of the data cable; an LED cartridge including a plurality of second contacts arranged in a concentric configuration, wherein the second contacts are individually ring-shaped, with respective second contacts for physically contacting corresponding first contacts; and a power circuit receiving input power delivered via the data cable and producing a sensor voltage from the input power; wherein the LED cartridge incorporates a sensor that is powered by the sensor voltage, wherein the LED cartridge includes a plurality of LEDs that are responsive to the sensor, wherein the LED cartridge has a network address for enabling communications through the power circuit between the LED cartridge and at least one LED cartridge and a computer; and a locking ring for engaging the exterior flange to secure the circuit board and the LED cartridge within the hollow interior body. 2. The sensor and light fixture of claim 1, further comprising: a control circuit, wherein the control circuit receives a plurality of control signals via the data cable. 3. The sensor and light fixture of claim 2, wherein the plurality of control signals instruct the control circuit to modify a setting of the sensor. 4. The sensor and light fixture of claim 3, wherein modifying the setting of the sensor comprises modifying a sensitivity of the sensor. 5. The sensor and light fixture of claim 2, wherein: wherein the plurality of LEDs are driven by an LED drive voltage produced by the power circuit and are controlled by the control circuit; and each of the first contacts are arranged in a single linear configuration. 6. The sensor and light fixture of claim 2, wherein the plurality of control signals are stored in a memory, the control signals corresponding to instructions which, when executed by the control circuit, cause the control circuit to: receive a sensor signal from the sensor, and adjust a setting of the plurality of LEDs as a result of the sensor signal being received. 7. The sensor and light fixture of claim 1, wherein the data cable receptacle is one of an RJ-45 data socket and an RJ-45 data plug. 8. The sensor and light fixture of claim 1, wherein the LEDs are generally arranged in a circular configuration, and wherein the sensor is centrally located within the plurality of LEDs. 9. The sensor and light fixture of claim 8, wherein the housing is generally cylindrical in configuration, with the exterior flange being attached to one end of the housing, wherein the opening is on an opposite end of the housing, and wherein the circuit board, the LED cartridge, and the locking ring are generally round in configuration. 10. The sensor and light fixture of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a light sensor. 11. The sensor and light fixture of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a motion sensor. 12. The sensor and light fixture of claim 1, wherein the sensor is operative to sense acoustic vibrations, isolate a beat therefrom, and to modulate operation of at least one light fixture in response to the beat operative to pulse or cycle the at least one light fixture through various colors in response to the beat. 13. The sensor and light fixture of claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes a processing device. 14. The sensor and light fixture of claim 13, wherein the control circuit further includes a network controller and a memory. 15. The sensor and light fixture of claim 14, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processing device which, when executed, cause the processing device to: receive a sensor signal from the sensor; and transmit a communication to a remote device via the network controller, wherein the communication is based on the sensor signal. 16. A method for utilizing a data cable to both power and control a sensor and light fixture, the method comprising: providing a housing that defines a hollow interior body and that defines an opening for accessing the interior body, wherein the housing includes an exterior flange positioned to contact an exterior surface of a wallboard when the fixture is installed into an aperture within the wallboard, and wherein the housing includes a plurality of integral flexible barbed members that include surfaces for contacting an interior surface of the wallboard when the fixture is installed; passing an end of the cable through the opening into the hollow interior body; providing a circuit board that includes a data cable receptacle for connecting to the data cable, and that includes a plurality of first contacts for electrically coupling to at least a portion of the data cable; providing an LED cartridge that includes a plurality of second contacts arranged in a concentric configuration, wherein the second contacts are individually ring-shaped; physically contacting the LED cartridge with the circuit board, so that respective second contacts couple electrically with corresponding first contacts, and so that the second contacts maintain physical and electrical contact respectively with the first contacts, regardless of a rotational orientation of the LED cartridge relative to the circuit board; inserting the circuit board and the LED cartridge into the hollow interior body of the housing; placing the housing into the aperture in the wallboard, and engaging the wallboard between the barbed members and the exterior flange of the housing; installing a locking ring onto the exterior flange, so as to secure the LED cartridge and the circuit board within the hollow interior body; receiving electrical power and a plurality of control signals from the data cable, wherein the control signals include at least one instruction; isolating the electrical power from the plurality of control signals; converting the electrical power to a sensor voltage and a light emitting diode (LED) drive voltage, wherein the LED cartridge is powered by the LED drive voltage and wherein the LED cartridge has a network address for enabling communications through a power circuit between the LED cartridge and other LED cartridges and a computer; and adjusting a sensitivity setting of an environmental sensor based on the instruction, wherein the sensor is shielded from the LED cartridge, and wherein the sensor is powered by the sensor voltage. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the environmental sensor is a light sensor. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the environmental sensor is a motion sensor. 19. A building automation component, comprising: a housing that defines a hollow interior body and that defines an opening through which a RJ-45 data cable passes into the interior body, wherein the housing includes an exterior flange positioned to contact an exterior surface of a generally planar wallboard when the component is installed into an aperture within the wallboard, and wherein the housing includes a plurality of integral flexible barbed members that include surfaces that are spaced away from the exterior flange for engaging the wallboard between the barbed members and the exterior flange, wherein the barbed members are for contacting an interior surface of the wallboard when the component is installed, wherein the interior surface is generally parallel to the exterior surface; a circuit board that includes an RJ-45 data cable receptacle for connecting to the data cable, and that includes a plurality of first contacts for electrically coupling to at least a portion of the data cable; a power circuit, wherein the power circuitry receives input power delivered via the RJ-45 data cable and produces a sensor voltage from the input power; a motion sensor, powered by the sensor voltage; a control circuit, wherein the control circuit receives a plurality of control signals via the RJ-45 data cable; an LED cartridge including a network address for enabling communications through the power circuit between the LED cartridge and at least one LED cartridge and a computer, and further including a plurality of second contacts arranged in a concentric configuration, wherein the second contacts are individually ring-shaped, and wherein the second contacts are spring-loaded telescoping contacts for holding the LED cartridge, with respective second contacts physically contacting corresponding first contacts; wherein the circuit board and the LED cartridge are enclosed within the hollow interior body and the sensor is shielded from the LED cartridge; and a locking ring installed onto the exterior flange, so as to secure the LED cartridge and the circuit board within the hollow interior body. 20. The building automation component of claim 19, wherein the housing is generally cylindrical in configuration, with the exterior flange attached to one end of the housing, wherein the opening is on an opposite end of the housing, and wherein the circuit board, the LED cartridge, and the locking ring are generally round in configuration.