Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying projected image onto a surface to create an active augmented reality environment may include a lighting device and a controller. The controller may receive information, such as a user input or sensor information, and determine one or more projection properties for the lighting device. The lighting device may receive a control signal from the controller and adjust one or more parameters in order to project the image onto the surface in accordance with a desired user input and the sensor information.

Abstract: An electronic circuit to capture legacy lock controller pulses and reduce the energy consumed. The legacy pulse is captured, converted to power to power the circuit and the direction of the pulse—polarity—is determined. A substitute pulse is created at lower power and sent to a motor actuator in the lock. The total power consumed is substantially reduced by reducing the duration and voltage of the pulse. In the preferred design, the circuit also detects control voltages for solenoid locks and produces suitable control signals for a motor actuator.

Abstract: An electronic circuit to capture legacy lock controller pulses and reduce the energy consumed. The legacy pulse is captured, converted to power to power the circuit and the direction of the pulse—polarity—is determined. A substitute pulse is created at lower power and sent to a motor actuator in the lock. The total power consumed is substantially reduced by reducing the duration and voltage of the pulse. In the preferred design, the circuit also detects control voltages for solenoid locks and produces suitable control signals for a motor actuator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a signaling device includes an audio device that generates either or both an audible output such as a tone and a voice. The output is based upon a status level. The signaling device further includes a light emitting diode (LED) strobe that illuminates in a variety of colors, where the illumination of a specific color is based upon the status level.

Abstract: A visual indicator includes a solar panel, a rechargeable battery operatively connected to the solar panel for charging the rechargeable battery with power from the solar panel, a light emitting diode (LED) operatively connected to the rechargeable battery to emit light, and a controller operatively connected to the rechargeable battery and the LED to control operating characteristics of the LED. A method of operating a visual sensor includes recharging a battery from a solar panel, emitting light with a light emitting diode (LED) from power provided by the battery, sensing ambient light conditions proximate to the visual sensor, varying an intensity of light emitted from the LED based on the sensed ambient light conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus in a spatially distributed, multicomponent audio system uses an ultrasonic test signal for function assurance. The signal is detected in multiple signal routing devices within the audio system. Each device is equipped with a sensor that detects the test signal. A centralized polling station receives a test report from a device and generates a status report. The testing can be performed at scheduled intervals or by operator command. The results can be displayed graphically where the public address system supports this, and can include alerting processes in event of a fault.

Abstract: An explosion-proof industrial signaling device. The explosion-proof industrial signaling device having an explosion-proof housing and a single module with the capability of emitting different colored lights to indicate the operating condition of a machine. The emitted light can be steady or flashing, and controlled by an external PLC or an onboard microprocessor. The PLC or microprocessor interprets incoming information and causes the color of the light or its flashing pattern to change accordingly. The light source maybe an LED.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a signaling device includes an audio device that generates either or both an audible output such as a tone and a voice. The output is based upon a status level. The signaling device further includes a light emitting diode (LED) strobe that illuminates in a variety of colors, where the illumination of a specific color is based upon the status level.

Abstract: A master controller for medical staff management indicators has a central data collection and display facility located at a nurse's station or equivalent facility and includes any number of satellite devices located in examining rooms or the equivalent. Each satellite can respond to master controller polling by sending one of a multiplicity of possible messages that are received and processed to generate a displayed satellite status summary at the nurse's station. Interconnection between the nurse's station and the satellites preferably uses a single twisted pair of wires in a bus configuration compatible with bus standard RS-485. Data rates and message structure are selectable according to system size, environmental noise, and data confidence requirements.

Abstract: A display system includes a dome light with a data receiver, a user control station with a data transmitter, a power supply furnishing low-voltage AC power to the control station, and a two-wire interconnecting cable between the transmitter and receiver can provide an essentially unlimited number of distinct lamp control functions rather than being limited to the number possible in a switch-per-lamp system. Using a digital message, the receiver can identify separate commands for a large number of indicators in the dome light assembly. By using the same two-wire interconnecting cable both for power and for data transmission, interconnection complexity can be minimized without limiting flexibility. For example, it is possible with this system to replace a dome light assembly with a different one that features additional lamps without needing to rewire the installation.

Abstract: A communication system and method of communicating are provided. The communication system includes an intercom unit having a housing, a plurality of lights attached to the housing, a speaker connected to the housing, a microphone connected to the housing and an activator connected to the housing and configured to activate the microphone. The system further includes a controller configured to communicate with the intercom unit and at least one additional intercom unit. A method of communicating includes sending an audio signal over an intercom system wherein the intercom system, comprises a plurality of intercom units having a plurality of signal lights connecting the signal lights to sensors associated with the equipment that is not associated with the intercom system and configuring the signal lights to indicate operating characteristics of the equipment and controlling the intercom system with the controller.

Abstract: A digitally enabled speaker amplifier system not only offers substantial numbers of analog loudspeaker outputs in response to a command to emit a selected tone or alarm signal but also supports regionalized and unit-by-unit control of the selected signals. The functionality disclosed herein further allows external command signals to configure a master system panel that controls the speaker amplifier system.

Abstract: A software-based initialization method allows a user to initialize a speaker amplifier system panel rapidly and reliably. An inventive routine uses a personal computer to generate the command sequences required for a master system panel and any number of satellite and extended satellite system panels configured at user option, allowing previously determined features of the speaker amplifier system to be accommodated without reference to procedure charts or lookup tables. The improved method reduces training time and avoids error-prone manual initialization procedures.

Abstract: A programmable logic controller (PLC) having an audio generator operably connected to the PLC is configured to output an audio signal generated by the audio generator. A method of generating an audio tone and/or prerecorded voice includes interfacing control circuitry with a programmable logic controller and an audio generator, generating an audio signal with the audio generator, and outputting the audio signal from the programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A programmable event driver/interface can respond to external inputs. A combined hardware/software interface allows for direct communication with individual annunciators and dynamic grouping of annunciators by zone. Events originating outside the system can be looked for at a selectable rate, announced, and monitored as separate annunciator operations.

Abstract: A programmable event driver/interface has timekeeping and scheduling functions and tone and voice capabilities. A software-based interface allows for direct communication with individual annunciators and dynamic grouping of annunciators by zone. System state of health can be ascertained periodically for each annunciator, displayed in a visual summary, stored, and time tagged. Both tones and audio signals such as voice and radio can be commanded to be output by individual annunciators as well as by zones and by all annunciators at once. Schedules, including time-of day, day-of week, and date for annunciator outputs can be programmed for any or all annunciators.

Abstract: A restroom maintenance alert system and method for signaling when a restroom needs service includes a signaling device, an actuator located in a public restroom and configured to communicate with a signaling device to activate the signaling device, and instructions located on at least one of or on or near the actuator and directed to a restroom patron to actuate the actuator if the restroom needs service. The signaling device is located outside the public restroom. The method for signaling the restroom needs service includes providing the actuator in a restroom, instructing a restroom patron to activate the actuator if the restroom needs service, and activating a signaling device when the activator is activated.

Abstract: A restroom maintenance alert system and method for signaling when a restroom needs service includes a signaling device, an actuator located in a public restroom and configured to communicate with a signaling device to activate the signaling device, and instructions located on at least one of or on or near the actuator and directed to a restroom patron to actuate the actuator if the restroom needs service. The signaling device is located outside the public restroom. The method for signaling the restroom needs service includes providing the actuator in a restroom, instructing a restroom patron to activate the actuator if the restroom needs service, and activating a signaling device when the activator is activated.