Universal retrofit light mounting box with audio/video functions

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11258932-B1
Application number	US-202016875608-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	May 15, 2020
Priority date	May 15, 2020
Publication date	Feb 22, 2022
Grant date	Feb 22, 2022

Abstract

A universal light mounting box for retrofit is described. The retrofit light mounting box attaches to a junction box and receives electrical power from the junction box cables. The mounting box includes a canopy housing and a camera housing to provide wireless communication of both audio and video capabilities for the area around the junction box while also providing controlled power to a light fixture which is attached to the mounting box. A depending camera housing provides both audio and video signals which can be transmitted from the retrofit canopy housing electronics to a user's device.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A universal retrofit light mounting box, comprising:
a canopy housing affixed to a junction box mounting plate and a fixture mounting plate, the canopy housing having a central aperture at least partially covered by the fixture mounting plate;
the canopy housing having an electronic housing and a depending control cable extending from the canopy housing to a camera housing;
the canopy housing operably affixable to a junction box by the junction box mounting plate;
the canopy housing attachable to an external luminaire by the fixture mounting plate;
the canopy housing having a front surface, the fixture mounting plate adjacent the front surface, the canopy housing having a back surface, the junction box mounting plate adjacent the back surface;
the camera housing having at least a camera, a speaker, and a microphone in electronic communication with a controller;
the controller further in electronic communication with a communication module, at least one trigger device, at least one switch operable to control power to the external luminaire;
a first electrical connector connected to a power source; and
a second electrical connector providing switched output power to the external luminaire.

2. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second electrical connector is a reusable quick connect connector.

3. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 2 , wherein said reusable quick connect connector is a plug connector.

4. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 2 , wherein said reusable quick connect connector is a rotational connector.

5. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the communication module, camera housing, trigger device, controller is remote from said canopy housing by wired or wireless connection.

6. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the controller has a microprocessor and an associated storage device.

7. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the communication module receives instructions from an external server.

8. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 7 , wherein the communication module communicates through a router, the router sending and receiving data to the external server.

9. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the switched output power is switched electrical connection to the external luminaire, the switched output power further controlling illumination intensity of the external luminaire in addition to the switched output power, the illumination intensity being at least a first illumination intensity, a second illumination intensity when the external luminaire is illuminated.

10. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit data to a remote device through the communication module.

11. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to modify electrical power to the second electrical connector in response to receiving a signal from the at least one trigger device in response to a triggering event.

12. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the controller adjusts the illumination intensity of the external luminaire in response to receiving a signal from the at least one trigger device in response to a triggering event.

13. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to close the at least one switch upon a predetermined condition.

14. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the at least one trigger device is at least one of a motion sensor, door contact sensor, pressure sensor, break beam sensor, sound activated sensor, mail box alert, garage door sensor, and light switch.

15. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are attached to a threaded connector operable to be in electrical contact with a screw in electrical socket and which is operable to receive a threaded bulb.

16. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the controller receives a triggering event from the at least one trigger device and transmits over the communication module a signal to a remote device with triggering event data including a unique trigger device identifier.

17. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 16 , the remote device is configured to control the at least one trigger device using the unique trigger device identifier.

18. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive a triggering event from the at least one trigger device and transmit over the communication module to a server, wherein the server is operable to receive a triggering event data, determine a remote device associated with a user account stored in the server, and push a notification to the remote device.

19. The universal retrofit light mounting box of claim 18 , the remote device is configured to control the at least one trigger device through the server.

20. A universal retrofit light mounting box, comprising:
a canopy housing having a junction box mounting plate and a fixture mounting plate;
the canopy housing having a sealed electronic housing and a depending control cable extending from the canopy housing to a camera housing;
wherein the junction box mounting plate is attachable to an external junction box;
the fixture mounting plate is attachable to an external luminaire;
the canopy housing having a front surface, the fixture mounting plate adjacent the front surface;
the canopy housing having a back surface, the junction box mounting plate adjacent the back surface;
the camera housing having at least a camera, a speaker, and a microphone in electronic communication with a controller in the canopy housing sealed electronic housing;
the controller further in electronic communication with a communication module, at least one trigger device, and at least one switch operable to control power to the external luminaire;
a first electrical connector connected to a power source; and
a second electrical connector providing switched output power to the external luminaire.

21. A universal retrofit light mounting box, comprising:
a canopy housing having a junction box mounting plate and a fixture mounting plate;
the canopy housing having a sealed electronic housing and a depending control cable extending from the canopy housing to a camera housing;
wherein the junction box mounting plate is attachable to an external junction box;
the fixture mounting plate is attachable to an external luminaire;
the canopy housing having a front surface, the fixture mounting plate adjacent the front surface;
the canopy housing having a back surface, the junction box mounting plate adjacent the back surface;
the camera housing having at least a camera, a speaker, and a microphone in electronic communication with a controller in the canopy housing sealed electronic housing;
an electrical cord extending from the canopy housing to a screw-in socket element, the screw-in socket element having a threaded light bulb screw-in receiving socket;
the controller further in electronic communication with a communication module, at least one trigger device, and at least one switch operable to control power to the external luminaire;
a first electrical connector connecte

Assignees

• Heathco Llc

Inventors

• Tylicki Scott Blaise

Classifications

• H04N23/51

  Housings · CPC title

• H04N23/66

  Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices · CPC title

• H04N23/56 Primary

  provided with illuminating means · CPC title

• H04N23/60

  Control of cameras or camera modules · CPC title

• F21W2121/004

  mounted on the exterior of houses or other buildings to illuminate parts thereof · CPC title