Failure detection in lighting systems

1. 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.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light emission is received from one of a group consisting of an incandescent bulb, a fluorescent bulb, and light-emitting diode.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light emission is separated using one of a group consisting of a diffraction grating, a prism, and a filter.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intensity of the light spectrum is compared with a known failure intensity provided by a bulb manufacturer.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intensity of the light spectrum is compared with a stored intensity value of a previously failed light bulb.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intensity of the light spectrum is compared with an average intensity value of a plurality of previously failed light bulbs.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the light emission is received at a hand-held device.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indication of failure is provided on a hand-held device.

9. 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.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the at least one failure indicator is an audible indicator.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the at least one failure indicator is a visible indicator.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising a wireless communication means for receiving or transmitting data from a remote location.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to block electrical flow from the light socket to a light bulb.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the failure detection circuit is encased within a housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the failure detection circuit is powered by one of a group consisting of a battery and a solar cell.

17. 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.

18. The self-failure predicting light bulb of claim 17 , wherein the processor is configured to blink the lamp when the light intensity value is within a threshold value of the intensity failure value.

19. The self-failure predicting light bulb of claim 18 , wherein the threshold value is a percentage of the intensity failure value.

20. The self-failure predicting light bulb of claim 17 , wherein the at least one failure indicator is configured to emit an audible indication selected from a group consisting of a monotone signal, a chirping sound, a recorded voice alert, and a musical tone.