Modular Lighting and Ancillary Component Apparatus and System

Abstract

A modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus and system utilizes standard USB protocol and connections between modules so that different modules can be selected, installed, and changed by a user. The USB-C protocol is preferably used, which may permit bidirectional functionality between connected modules in an apparatus and potentially between separate apparatuses. The USB-PD protocol may also be employed so that a greater range of items can be powered. The apparatus includes a base module, and may include one or more ancillary modules and/or a light-emitting module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus comprising:
 a) a base module including USB circuitry and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the base module including a power connector, and the second end of the base module having a USB connector;   b) at least one ancillary module including USB circuitry and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the ancillary module having a USB connector connectable to the USB connector of the base, and the second end of the ancillary module including a USB connector;   c) a light-emitting module including USB circuitry and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the light-emitting module having a USB connector connectable to the USB connector of the second end of the ancillary module, and the light-emitting module including a light-emitting component.   
     
     
         2 . The modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base module includes a DC power supply and the power connector is configured to mate with a conventional AC electric lighting receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the USB circuitry and the USB connectors of the base module, ancillary module, and light-emitting module meet a USB-C specification. 
     
     
         4 . The modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the USB circuitry of one or more modules in the modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus supports a USB Power Delivery (PD) specification. 
     
     
         5 . The modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting component is at the second end of the light-emitting module. 
     
     
         6 . The modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a light treatment component connectable to the modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus, wherein the light treatment component comprises one or more of: a light guide, a light diffuser, a bulb, and a heat dissipation component. 
     
     
         7 . The modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the module includes a physical connector configured to physically connect with an ancillary module or a light-emitting module so as to prevent rotation of the ancillary module or light-emitting module relative to the base module. 
     
     
         8 . The modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the physical connector is a press-fit connector. 
     
     
         9 . A modular lighting and ancillary component system comprising: two or more bases each including USB circuitry and each having a first end and a second end, the first end of each base module including a power connector configured to mate with a conventional electric lighting receptacle, and the second end of each base module having a USB connector and configured to mate with a separate module having a USB connector, wherein the bases are configured to communicate with each other over existing wiring when the bases are installed in lighting receptacles that are joined by the existing wiring, and configured to communicate with a separate module when the separate module is connected to the base module. 
     
     
         10 . The modular lighting and ancillary component system of  claim 9 , further comprising two or more light-emitting modules, each lighting module associated with a specific base, each light-emitting module including USB circuitry and having a first end and a second end, the first end of each light-emitting module having a USB connector, and each light-emitting module including a light-emitting component. 
     
     
         11 . The modular lighting and ancillary component system of  claim 9 , further comprising two or more ancillary modules, each ancillary module associated with a specific base, each ancillary module including USB circuitry and having a first end and a second end, the first end of each ancillary module having a USB connector and the second end of each ancillary module having a USB connector. 
     
     
         12 . The modular lighting and ancillary component system of  claim 9 , wherein the USB circuitry and USB connector meet a USB-C specification. 
     
     
         13 . The modular lighting and ancillary component system of  claim 9 , wherein each base module includes a physical connector configured to physically connect with an ancillary module or a light-emitting module so as to prevent rotation of the ancillary module or light-emitting module relative to the base module. 
     
     
         14 . The modular lighting and ancillary component system of  claim 13 , wherein the physical connector is a press-fit connector. 
     
     
         15 . A base module for use in a modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus including an ancillary module including USB circuitry and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the ancillary module having a USB connector and the second end of the ancillary module having a USB connector, the modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus further including a light-emitting module including USB circuitry and having a first end and a second end, the first end of the light-emitting module having a USB connector connectable to the USB connector of the second end of the ancillary module and the second end of the light-emitting module including a light-emitting component, wherein: the base module includes USB circuitry and has a first end and a second end, the first end of the base module including a power connector, and the second end of the base module having a USB connector connectable to the USB connector of the first end of the ancillary module. 
     
     
         16 . The base module of  claim 15 , wherein the base module includes a DC power supply and the power connector is configured to mate with a conventional AC electric lighting receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . The base module of  claim 15 , wherein the USB circuitry and the USB connectors of the base module, ancillary module, and light-emitting module meet a USB-C specification. 
     
     
         18 . The base module of  claim 17 , wherein the USB circuitry of one or more modules in the modular lighting and ancillary component apparatus supports a USB Power Delivery (PD) specification. 
     
     
         19 . The base module of  claim 15 , wherein the base module includes a physical connector configured to physically connect with an ancillary module or a light-emitting module so as to prevent rotation of the ancillary module or light-emitting module relative to the base module. 
     
     
         20 . The base module of  claim 19 , wherein the physical connector is a press-fit connector.