Smart lamps: device, types and their application

Smart home is a system that makes technology work for you and simplifies life. In order to make your home smart, you either need to radically redo the entire wiring and introduce microprocessor or even microcomputer control systems ... Or go softer, different way, gradually equipping it with smart things. The simplest thing you can do is automate the lighting. This article will discuss how smart lamps help in this and what it is.

What is a smart lamp? The concept of "smart" or "smart" in our time is glued to almost all technology. Progress has come to seemingly such a simple and mundane thing as a light bulb.

What is called a smart lamp? There are two possible answers:

1. A lamp or a full-fledged lamp with additional functions, such as automatic switching on by clap, human presence, in the dark and by the operation of other sensors.

2. A lighting device with a set of sensors and a microcontroller control system that can work automatically or receive commands from a remote control, computer or smartphone.

The first type is not new and refers to ordinary automation, but the second type is often called smart and in such lamps they realize a greater number of functions.

What are they made of and what are they?

Usually, LED lighting fixtures and lamps are referred to as smart lighting devices. In general, a smart lamp consists of:

1. Plastic or aluminum case with fins for cooling.

3. Boards with LEDs.

4. A driver for powering the LEDs.

5. The control board with a microcontroller.

6. The receiver of control signals (radio, bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IR).

7. The circuit includes a set of sensors, among which may be a sensor for light, movement, presence, timers.

This is an approximate design, of course, that in fact it depends on the specific lamp model and functionality.

What functions are there in smart lamps?

Smart lighting features also vary by device model. As a result of market analysis, the most common functions are identified:

1. Communication with a smartphone or computer is via bluetooth or Wi-Fi. For devices running Android or iOS, a proprietary application is provided (each manufacturer has its own). In the case of using Wi-Fi, as a connection, access to a PC is possible through the Web interface.

2. The function of automatically turning on and off the light when you are nearby, or according to a given schedule, or according to other factors.

3. Adjust the brightness of the light. It can shine with the brightness set by you. When you turn it back on, it usually remembers the last settings, if the brightness was not equal to zero.

4. Smooth on and off, as well as a mode for falling asleep. Adjusting the speed of turning the lamp on and off can be done using one of the available programs. The mode for falling asleep is interesting in that it simply very slowly reduces the brightness until it is completely turned off. This happens within half an hour. The developers draw an analogy with a smooth sunset, explaining the benefit of this function by the fact that the body for this period of time is easier to go to sleep than with a sharp blackout.

5. The study of sleep quality. Some models interact with fitness bracelets, such as Jawbone, Xiaomi Mi Band.

6. Voice control. Depending on the complexity of the model, it can receive commands by voice.

Smart lamps are designed to make life easier and more convenient. They will also help save energy. However, this is a dubious saving, because the cost of one smart lamp is in the range of 30-80 dollars.

The advantages of such lamps include all of the above functions, but there are enough shortcomings:

• Cost.

• In the off state, the lamp consumes current for the operation of the receiver and the control system.

• If we take into account the quality of voltage of domestic power grids and its frequent surges, the question arises: "How long can a smart lamp with such power supply last?".The only way out is to put a voltage regulator on the input.

Model Overview

Let's look at a selection of smart lamp models.

Luminous BT Smart Bulb its cost at the time of writing is $ 30, the first thing worth mentioning is an RGB lamp, it can glow with 16 million colors.

Inside are white LEDs and multiple RGB LEDs. It turns out that various elements are responsible for lighting and for decorative color illumination. The lamp power is 12 W, the luminous flux is similar to a 75 W incandescent lamp. It works from a network of 110 or 220V.

What can she do:

• Communication with a smartphone via Bluetooth, works at a distance of up to 40m;

• Supports operating systems Android 4 and above and iOS 6.0 and above. There is a special application for management. It is worth noting, do not try to search in the play market for the application by the name of the lamp, it is called - Magic light BLE

• Light music mode. The application receives sounds through the microphone of the smartphone, and the lamp adjusts to the music, you can first specify the genre of music and the sensitivity of the microphone.

• 20 built-in light control programs, each of them has 31 speed modes.

Lamp INSTEON LED Bulb a little more expensive, at the time of writing, its cost is about $ 40. Its power is 8W, and the luminous flux is similar to a 60W incandescent lamp. Done in a more familiarfor LED lamp housing.

The application is on both Android and iOS.

Its functionality is rather modest, colors cannot be changed, but you can remotely:

• turn on and off;

• change the brightness;

• the last set brightness is remembered (if it was not equal to zero);

• set the schedule for turning on and off the lamp.

• operate using the remote control or from a smartphone.

Saffron drift - It differs significantly from previous models in that it is not remotely controlled, it is quite simple. The manufacturer calls it a "self-diminishing lamp for sleeping."

Power 7 W, shines like a 40 W incandescent lamp. With its modest characteristics, it costs about $ 45-50. The only use case that comes to mind is a lamp on a bedside table or a sconce in the bedroom.

Its control is a combination of the number of times the switch is pressed. That is, to switch modes, you need to turn on the switch:

1 time - bright light;

2 times (repeat turn off and on) - night light mode, soft dim light;

3 times - the “sunset” mode, within 37 minutes the brightness gradually fades, helps the body fall asleep.

LIFX - A smart lamp that will last 25 years, at least as the manufacturer claims. Its power is up to 17W, and the luminous flux is just like that of a 60W incandescent lamp. It costs a lot - $ 100 at the time of writing. The built-in Wi-fi module is needed so that you can control it from your smartphone.

The set of settings is not too different from cheaper lamps:

• This is an RGB lamp, you can customize any color;

• brightness adjustment;

• can turn on and off, as well as change the brightness according to a given schedule, it is useful to remind yourself that it is time to go to bed, for example;

• automatic inclusion of light at the entrance to the room;

• A particularly interesting feature is to send light notifications about messages and calls on a smartphone.

Holi sleepcompanion - a lamp with the function of an alarm clock and a sleep detector, works due to communication with various fitness bracelets and other devices:

• Withings;

• Fitbit;

• JawboneUP;

• And the Netatmo weather station.

It wakes a smooth increase in the brightness of light, the developers believe that this awakening delivers less stress to the body. This is done to simulate the dawn, by the way, the lamp gives out morning light with a bluish tint, and at night with red. You can choose the color of the glow of the lamp. It costs $ 150.

The Sleep360 application also works on devices running Android; at the time of writing, the new version of Android 8.0 and iOS are not supported. Communication is via a Bluetooth connection.

The developers claim that it was designed for NASA. The maximum luminous flux is 600Lm, which is approximately equal to 55-60 watts of an incandescent lamp.

Of interest is her set of sensors, they track:

• temperature

• CO2 level

• humidity;

• Linking to smart bracelets provides data on the phases of sleep and calories burned.

Xiaomi manufacturer is not far behind fashion and has released a lamp Xiaomi (Mi) Yeelight Smart Led Bulb cost about 20 dollars. It can be controlled using the Mi Home app via Wi-fi. There is a version with white light and an RGB lamp, the difference in cost is $ 5. Power 8W, and luminous flux 600 Lm.

Without applications, it works like a regular light bulb. From the application, you can adjust the brightness, set the schedule for automatic inclusion, you can create groups of lamps and turn them on with one click (most of the above lamps have this function).

Mipow Playbulb Lite - lamp and audio speaker in one housing. Total power - 14W, speaker power - 3 watts. Cost - $ 40, RGB LEDs make it possible to choose the color of the glow.

Manufacturer in his commercial Elgato avea bulb declares “Smart lighting is cheap”, however, their product is not cheaper, and in some cases 2-4 times more expensive than analogs, because its cost is $ 60, with a light flux of 430Lm.

Power 7W. Also, like in many others, there is a smart alarm function.The set of functions is similar to the previous one and is displayed in the video.

Philips hue - Smart lamps from a trusted manufacturer of lighting equipment.

A basic set of three bulbs and a control device (in other words, a router) costs $ 250 and $ 85 for each additional lamp. Luminous flux 600 Lm, with a power of 8.5W.

In the application, you can select the glow color, brightness and other modes of operation. Apple owners may be pleased with the ability to control through Siri. See more details here- Philips Smart Lamps

Smart cartridges

To add functions even to an incandescent lamp, you can use a special cartridge. Vocca is a lamp holder with voice control or cotton. For communication, Bluetooth is used. Its cost is $ 60.

Cartridge REDMOND SkySocket 202S It costs only $ 10-15.

Designed for cap E27. You need to install the Ready for sky application on your smartphone, it supports control via Bluetooth or wi-fi. It has support from the mobile operator MTS, tariff MTS telematics. On sale there is a special smartphone Redmond MTS Gateway with a preinstalled application.

This manufacturer has a set of smart technology, with similar features. Feature Set:

• Remote control in the vicinity of the device using Bluetooth;

• Remote control via the Internet using Wi-fi, from anywhere in the world;

• Setting the schedule for turning on and off the light;

• Automatic inclusion of light in the presence of the user.

Each of the socles can be given a name and organize a progressive lighting system for the entire house.

Conclusion from the author

The concept of smart lighting is quite entertaining, but the cost of each lamp, as I see it is overpriced, can be called Xiaomi products and a base from Redmond as really successful solutions.

Most of the functions for saving energy and increasing comfort can be realized using conventional timers and light and motion sensors, which are much cheaper and when you burn a light bulb, you just need to buy any other one from 10 rubles to a couple of hundred.

There are a number of other implementations of smart lighting with lower financial costs, such as light bulbs with a remote control, Wi-fi and radio-controlled relays, and more.