ENERGY EFFICIENT LIGHT
An intelligent light, such as a solar or photocell light, is provided. The intelligent light includes a photocell that is in communication with a power source. The photocell receives and converts light energy into electrical energy to charge the power source. A processor is in communication with the photocell. A light source is in communication with the processor. The processor determines an amount of energy charged in the power source and operates the light source as a function of the determined amount of energy.
1 . An intelligent light fixture comprising:
a photovoltaic cell in communication with a power source, the photovoltaic cell receives and converts light energy into electrical energy to charge the power source;
a processor in communication with the photovoltaic cell; and
a light source in communication with the processor,
wherein the processor determines an amount of energy charged in the power source and operates the light source as a function of the determined amount of energy.
2 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the light source is within a housing, the housing configured to be placed in an outdoor environment.
3 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the processor determines the amount of energy charged based on a charging current provided by the photovoltaic cell.
4 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 1 , wherein the processor operates the light source to set a brightness level.
5 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 4 , wherein the processor maintains the brightness level by using a pulse width modulated signal.
6 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 4 , wherein the processor maintains the brightness level by setting a duty cycle of an output signal.
7 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 4 , wherein the processor maintains the brightness level by intermittently switching a power supply on and off, the power supply connected with the light source.
8 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 4 , wherein the brightness level changes in relation to a time of day.
9 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 8 , wherein the brightness level is linearly adjusted from a high level and lowered over time to a low level.
10 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 8 , wherein the brightness level is step-wise adjusted from a high level and lowered over time to a low level.
11 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 4 , wherein the brightness level changes in relation to a day of a week.
12 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 4 , wherein the brightness level increases as a detected amount of ambient light increases.
13 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 4 , wherein the brightness level decreases as a detected amount of ambient light decreases.
14 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 1 , further comprising logic stored in a memory that is operative to cause the processor to indicate a health of the power source.
15 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 14 , further comprising logic stored in a memory that is operative to disable the light source when the health of the power source is below a threshold.
16 . An intelligent light fixture comprising:
a power source in communication with a processor; and
a light source in communication with the processor,
wherein the processor determines an amount of energy stored in the power source and operates the light source as a function of the determined amount of energy.
17 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 16 , wherein the light source is within a housing, the housing configured to be placed in an outdoor environment.
18 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 16 , wherein the processor operates the light source to set a brightness level.
19 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 16 , further comprising logic stored in a memory that is operative to cause the processor to indicate a health of the power source.
20 . The intelligent light fixture of claim 19 , further comprising logic stored in a memory that is operative to cause the processor to disable the light source when the health of the power source is below a threshold.