Method and Apparatus to Facilitate Controlling Lighting As Pertains to a Self-Storage Facility

Abstract

Upon automatically detecting a predetermined event (such as, but not limited to, detecting a particular end user of the self-storage facility, public-safety personnel, or other authorized person), these teachings provide for responsively automatically identifying a particular one of the self-storage units and then automatically controlling lighting at the self-storage facility to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct the person to the identified self-storage unit.

1 . A method comprising:
 at a self-storage facility having a plurality of self-storage units that are each accessible via a corresponding movable barrier, wherein access to given ones of the self-storage units by corresponding end users is controllable by the end user:
 automatically detecting a predetermined event; 
 in response to detecting the predetermined event, automatically identifying a particular one of the self-storage units to provide an identified self-storage unit; 
 automatically controlling lighting at the self-storage facility to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined event comprises detecting a particular end user of the self-storage facility. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein detecting the particular end user comprises receiving at least one credential as corresponds to the particular end user. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the credential comprises at least one of:
 a Personal Identification Number (PIN) number;   a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag;   a wirelessly transmitted signal;   a biometric identifier.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein automatically identifying a particular one of the self-storage units to provide an identified self-storage unit comprises identifying a self-storage unit that is assigned to the particular end user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the predetermined event comprises detecting public-safety personnel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein:
 identifying a self-storage unit that corresponds to an end user who is presently visiting the self-storage facility comprises identifying each self-storage unit that corresponds to an end user who is presently visiting the self-storage facility to provide a plurality of identified self-storage units; and   automatically controlling lighting at the self-storage facility to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit comprises controlling the lighting to uniquely denote corresponding paths to each of the plurality of identified self-storage units.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein automatically controlling lighting at the self-storage facility to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit comprises causing at least some lights, other than those lights that serve to illuminate the particular path, to be at least dimmed to thereby contribute to highlighting the particular path. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein automatically controlling lighting at the self-storage facility to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit comprises causing at least some lights to specifically provide light that serves to illuminate the particular path to thereby contribute to highlighting the particular path. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein automatically controlling lighting at the self-storage facility to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit comprises modifying brightness levels of at least some lights. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein modifying brightness levels of at least some lights comprises switching the at least some lights on and off. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein modifying brightness levels of at least some lights comprises modifying the brightness levels of the at least some lights in a sequential pattern. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein modifying the brightness levels of the at least some lights in a sequential pattern comprises modifying the brightness levels of the at least some lights in a sequential pattern that leads the end user to the identified self-storage unit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein automatically controlling lighting at the self-storage facility to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit comprises using an automatically moving light to denote the particular path. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 automatically providing an audible message in conjunction with uniquely denoting the particular path.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the audible message comprises stored content that provides instructions regarding use of the lighting to follow the particular path. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 automatically detecting a second event;   in response to detecting the second event, automatically illuminating at least some perimeter security lighting for the self-service facility.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the second event comprises an approach of a vehicle to the self-storage facility. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 in response to detecting the second event, automatically illuminating an entry access control interface for the self-storage facility.   
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 at a self-storage facility having a plurality of self-storage units that are each accessible via a corresponding movable barrier, wherein access to given ones of the self-storage units by corresponding end users is controllable by the end user:
 automatically detecting a predetermined event; 
 in response to detecting the predetermined event, automatically adjusting lighting at the self-storage facility to an intermediate level between ordinary fully on and ordinary fully off. 
   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the predetermined event is a time of day. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  further comprising:
 detecting a second predetermined event;   overriding the response in response to detecting the second predetermined event.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein overriding the response comprises increasing intensity of the lighting. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the second predetermined event comprises a presence of an end user. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein detecting the second predetermined event comprises detecting the presence of the end user by at least one of:
 a motion detecting camera;   a passive infrared detector;   an active photobeam system;   sound detection;   an ultrasound-based motion detector.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the predetermined event is an end user being present. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26  wherein automatically detecting the predetermined event comprises detecting the end user being present by at least one of:
 detecting when the end user accesses a point of entry to the self-storage facility;   detecting a presentation of at least one credential as corresponds to the end user at a point of entry to the self-storage facility;   a motion detecting camera;   a passive infrared detector;   an active photobeam system;   sound detection;   an ultrasound-based motion detector.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26  wherein automatically adjusting lighting at the self-storage facility to an intermediate level comprises increasing lighting intensity. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the predetermined event is an end user being present. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein detecting a predetermined event comprises detecting an end user's presence by at least one of:
 detecting the end user accessing a point of entry to the self-storage facility;   detecting a presentation of at least one credential by the end user at a point of entry to the self-storage facility;   use of a motion detecting camera;   use of a passive infrared detector;   use of a active photobeam system;   use of sound detection;   use of an ultrasound-based motion detector.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein automatically adjusting lighting at the self-storage facility to an intermediate level comprises increasing lighting intensity. 
     
     
         32 . A method comprising:
 at a self-storage facility having a plurality of self-storage units that are each accessible via a corresponding movable barrier, wherein access to given ones of the self-storage units by corresponding end users is controllable by the end user:
 automatically detecting a predetermined event; 
 in response to detecting the predetermined event, automatically adjusting the lighting at the self-storage facility from an intermediate level of intensity to a higher level of intensity. 
   
     
     
         33 . An apparatus comprising:
 at a self-storage facility having a plurality of self-storage units that are each accessible via a corresponding movable barrier, wherein access to given ones of the self-storage units by corresponding end users is controllable by the end user:
 a lighting-control interface that is operably coupled to self-storage facility lighting; 
 a controller operably coupled to the lighting-control interface, wherein the controller is configured to:
 automatically detect a predetermined event; 
 in response to detecting the predetermined event, automatically identify a particular one of the self-storage units to provide an identified self-storage unit; 
 automatically control the self-storage facility lighting to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit. 
 
   
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the predetermined event comprises a presence of a particular end user of the self-storage facility. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein the controller is configured to detect the predetermined event by detecting presentation of at least one credential as corresponds to the particular end user. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 35  wherein the credential comprises at least one of:
 a Personal Identification Number (PIN) number;   a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag;   a wirelessly transmitted signal;   a biometric identifier.   
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 34  wherein the controller is configured to automatically identify a particular one of the self-storage units to provide an identified self-storage unit by identifying a self-storage unit that is assigned to the particular end user. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the predetermined event comprises a presence of public-safety personnel. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 38  wherein the controller is configured to:
 identify a self-storage unit that corresponds to an end user who is presently visiting the self-storage facility by identifying each self-storage unit that corresponds to an end user who is presently visiting the self-storage facility to provide a plurality of identified self-storage units; and   automatically control the self-storage lighting to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit by controlling the lighting to uniquely denote corresponding paths to each of the plurality of identified self-storage units.   
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the controller is configured to automatically control the self-storage lighting to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit by causing at least some lights, other than those lights that serve to illuminate the particular path, to be at least dimmed to thereby contribute to highlighting the particular path. 
     
     
         41 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the controller is configured to automatically control the self-storage facility lighting to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit by causing at least some lights to specifically provide light that serves to illuminate the particular path to thereby contribute to highlighting the particular path. 
     
     
         42 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the controller is configured to automatically control the self-storage facility lighting at the self-storage facility to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit by modifying brightness levels of at least some lights. 
     
     
         43 . The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein the controller is configured to modify brightness levels of at least some lights by switching the at least some lights on and off. 
     
     
         44 . The apparatus of  claim 42  wherein the controller is configured to modify brightness levels of at least some lights by modifying the brightness levels of the at least some lights in a sequential pattern. 
     
     
         45 . The apparatus of  claim 44  wherein the controller is configured to modify the brightness levels of the at least some lights in a sequential pattern by modifying the brightness levels of the at least some lights in a sequential pattern that leads the end user to the identified self-storage unit. 
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the controller is configured to automatically control self-storage facility lighting to uniquely denote a particular path, from amongst a plurality of candidate paths, to thereby direct an end user to the identified self-storage unit by using an automatically moving light to denote the particular path. 
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the controller is configured to automatically provide an audible message in conjunction with uniquely denoting the particular path. 
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 47  wherein the audible message comprises stored content that provides instructions regarding use of the lighting to follow the particular path. 
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 33  wherein the controller is configured to:
 automatically detect a second event;   in response to detecting the second event, automatically illuminate at least some perimeter security lighting for the self-service facility.   
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein the second event comprises an approach of a vehicle to the self-storage facility. 
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 49  wherein the controller is configured to, in response to detecting the second event, automatically illuminate an entry access control interface for the self-storage facility. 
     
     
         52 . A apparatus comprising:
 at a self-storage facility having a plurality of self-storage units that are each accessible via a corresponding movable barrier, wherein access to given ones of the self-storage units by corresponding end users is controllable by the end user:
 a lighting-control interface that is operably coupled to self-storage facility lighting; 
 a controller operably coupled to the lighting-control interface, wherein the controller is configured to:
 automatically detect a predetermined event; 
 in response to detecting the predetermined event, automatically adjust the self-storage facility lighting to an intermediate level between ordinary fully on and ordinary fully off. 
 
   
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 52  wherein the predetermined event is a time of day. 
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 52  wherein the controller is configured to:
 detect a second predetermined event;   override the response in response to detecting the second predetermined event.   
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the controller is configured to override the response by increasing intensity of the lighting. 
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of  claim 54  wherein the second predetermined event comprises a presence of an end user. 
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 56  wherein the controller is configured to detect the second predetermined event by detecting the presence of the end user by at least one of:
 a motion detecting camera;   a passive infrared detector;   an active photobeam system;   sound detection;   an ultrasound-based motion detector.   
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 52  wherein the predetermined event is an end user being present. 
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 58  wherein the controller is configured to automatically detect the predetermined event by detecting the end user being present by at least one of:
 detecting when the end user accesses a point of entry to the self-storage facility;   detecting a presentation of at least one credential as corresponds to the end user at a point of entry to the self-storage facility;   a motion detecting camera;   a passive infrared detector;   an active photobeam system;   sound detection;   an ultrasound-based motion detector.   
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 58  wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust lighting at the self-storage facility to an intermediate level by increasing lighting intensity. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 52  wherein the predetermined event is an end user being present. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 61  wherein the controller is configured to detect a predetermined event by detecting an end user's presence by at least one of:
 detecting the end user accessing a point of entry to the self-storage facility;   detecting a presentation of at least one credential by the end user at a point of entry to the self-storage facility;   use of a motion detecting camera;   use of a passive infrared detector;   use of a active photobeam system;   use of sound detection;   use of an ultrasound-based motion detector.   
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 61  wherein the controller is configured to automatically adjust the self-storage facility lighting to an intermediate level by increasing lighting intensity. 
     
     
         64 . A apparatus comprising:
 at a self-storage facility having a plurality of self-storage units that are each accessible via a corresponding movable barrier, wherein access to given ones of the self-storage units by corresponding end users is controllable by the end user:
 a lighting-control interface that is operably coupled to self-storage facility lighting; 
 a controller operably coupled to the lighting-control interface, wherein the controller is configured to:
 automatically detect a predetermined event; 
 
   in response to detecting the predetermined event, automatically adjust the lighting at the self-storage facility from an intermediate level of intensity to a higher level of intensity.