Abstract: The invention provides a control device for controlling at least one wirelessly connected lighting device within a wireless network, wherein the control device comprises: a transceiver configured to overhear and transmit a message within the wireless network; a light sensor configured to detect a light signal comprising a temporal characteristic that is characteristic for a first artificial light source; a processor operatively coupled to the light sensor and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: determine, based on analyzing said temporal characteristic, a first condition that the light signal belongs to the of artificial light source, and transmit a control message to the at least one wirelessly connected lighting device upon determining said first condition.

Abstract: A method and optical system for preemptively correcting a potential future misalignment of an optical communication beam between a plurality of free space optical (FSO) units or Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) units by intentionally generating predetermined and repetitive motions of the beam path between the units using an adjustment mechanism. In some examples the predetermined motion is a circular motion or a reciprocating and/or translating motion. The predetermined motions can be implemented by an adjustment mechanism which can include a plurality of piezoelectric actuators or one or more MEMS controlled mirrors or micro-lenses.

Abstract: Beam locking for free space optical communication systems using vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser arrays. The method includes: transmitting a communication beam from a light source of a first free space optical unit to a detector arranged proximate to a second FSO unit, the second FSO unit having reflective elements; transmitting one or more alignment beams from the light source to the second FSO unit; reflecting the one or more alignment beams or one or more portions thereof from the one or more reflective elements; detecting the reflected one or more alignment beams or one or more portions thereof at a light sensor; and determining whether the first FSO unit is aligned with the second FSO unit or whether the at least one communication beam is affected by one or more environmental conditions based on the detection of the reflected one or more alignment beams or the one or more portions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an application of a Single Pixel Thermopile (SPT). The invention provides a sensor device comprising a Single Pixel Thermopile and a controller, wherein the Single Pixel Thermopile is configured to monitor a detection region and to measure over time a temperature signal of said detection region; wherein the detection region is bounded by a surface and the Single Pixel Thermopile is oriented at an angle of at least 20 degrees normal to the surface; wherein a projection of the detection region onto the surface renders an elongated detection area with a length axis and a width axis; wherein the controller is configured to: obtain the temperature signal of the detection region; determine a movement characteristic of a person moving across said surface by detecting a pattern in the temperature signal of the detection region; output an output signal configured to control an electrical device upon determining the movement characteristic.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor device for controlling an electrical device, wherein the sensor device comprises a controller and a range sensor; wherein sensor device is configured to be mounted in an orientation relative to gravity; wherein the range sensor is configured to: obtain the orientation of the sensor device relative to gravity; operate in a first detection mode for detecting an object within a first predetermined distance range from the range sensor when the orientation is in a first predetermined orientation; wherein the controller is configured to output a control signal arranged for controlling the electrical device upon the range sensor detecting the object.

Abstract: The invention provides a control device for controlling at least one wirelessly connected lighting device within a wireless network, wherein the control device comprises: a transceiver configured to overhear and transmit a message within the wireless network; a light sensor configured to detect a light signal comprising a temporal characteristic that is characteristic for a first artificial light source; a processor operatively coupled to the light sensor and the transceiver, wherein the processor is configured to: determine, based on analyzing said temporal characteristic, a first condition that the light signal belongs to the of artificial light source, and transmit a control message to the at least one wirelessly connected lighting device upon determining said first condition.

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a payload over an object including a vehicle, the payload, the payload having a first surface, the first surface having a first engagement interface, the object, the object having a second engagement interface arranged to engage with the first engagement interface when the first engagement interface is aligned with the second engagement interface, a first electromagnetic radiation source arranged to generate a first electromagnetic radiation, the first electromagnetic radiation source positioned on the payload or connected to the vehicle, such that the first electromagnetic radiation is arranged to create a first electromagnetic radiation pattern on the object when the payload and the object are aligned.

Abstract: Beam locking for free space optical communication systems using vertical- cavity surface-emitting laser arrays. The method includes: transmitting a communication beam from a light source of a first free space optical unit to a detector arranged proximate to a second FSO unit, the second FSO unit having reflective elements; transmitting one or more alignment beams from the light source to the second FSO unit; reflecting the one or more alignment beams or one or more portions thereof from the one or more reflective elements; detecting the reflected one or more alignment beams or one or more portions thereof at a light sensor; and determining whether the first FSO unit is aligned with the second FSO unit or whether the at least one communication beam is affected by one or more environmental conditions based on the detection of the reflected one or more alignment beams or the one or more portions thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a lift mechanism are provide, the lifting mechanism (100, 200) including a first housing component (102, 202) and a second housing component (104, 204), the second housing component including a plurality of legs (132, 232) arranged to stabilize the lifting mechanism against a surface of an object, and a magnet (134, 234) arranged within the second housing component. The lifting mechanism further includes a first coupling shaft (136, 236) arranged between the first housing component and the second housing component the first coupling shaft arranged to allow for two degrees of rotational freedom of the first housing component with respect to the second housing component.

Abstract: A system and method for performing free space optical communication with a plurality of streetlamp assemblies. The method includes transmitting a light beam from a first free space optical (FSO) unit of a first streetlamp assembly to a second FSO unit of a second streetlamp assembly along a transmission path. A transmission error is detected while transmitting the light beam along the transmission path. A location of one or more smart minors is obtained. An alternate transmission path is determined from the first FSO unit to the second FSO unit or a third FSO unit. The alternate transmission path includes a reflection of the light beam from the one or more smart minors. The first FSO unit is oriented with respect to the alternate transmission path. The light beam is transmitted from the first FSO unit along the alternate transmission path.

Abstract: A method of tracking a target including detecting and localizing an incident in a first area using a first sensor system; determining a target within a plurality of targets associated with the incident in the first area; and tracking the target from the first area to a second area using a second sensor system. The method further includes collecting unique identifiers for the plurality of targets using wireless packet analyzers and determining a digital identity of the target in the first area based on a correlation between the tracking of the target and the unique identifiers collected by the first and second wireless packet analyzers.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein relate to adjusting parameters that impact reliability of free space optics (“FSO”) between stationary fixtures. In various embodiments, a street lamp FSO system may include: motion sensor(s) (104, 204) to detect motion at location(s) of a street lamp (210); local FSO component(s) (108, 208) for deployment on the street lamp; and logic (102) to: receive first samples indicative of first motion of a first portion of the street lamp relative to abase (214) of the street lamp from the motion sensor(s); analyze the first samples to generate and store a reference motion profile for future use; receive second samples indicative of second motion of the street lamp from the motion sensor(s); compare the second samples with the reference motion profile; and based on the comparison, take action(s) to maintain a FSO communication beam between the local FSO component(s) and a remote FSO component.

Abstract: A system and method for performing free space optical communication with a plurality of streetlamp assemblies. The method includes transmitting a light beam from a first free space optical (FSO) unit of a first streetlamp assembly to a second FSO unit of a second streetlamp assembly along a transmission path. A transmission error is detected while transmitting the light beam along the transmission path. A location of one or more smart minors is obtained. An alternate transmission path is determined from the first FSO unit to the second FSO unit or a third FSO unit. The alternate transmission path includes a reflection of the light beam from the one or more smart minors. The first FSO unit is oriented with respect to the alternate transmission path. The light beam is transmitted from the first FSO unit along the alternate transmission path.

Abstract: An electronic device is configured to determine a first location of a first device (12) and a second location of a second device (14). The first location and the second location are obtained using a beacon, e.g. satellite, navigation system. The electronic device is further configured to determine first constellation information representing a beacon, e.g. satellite, constellation used for obtaining the first location and second constellation information representing a beacon, e.g. satellite, constellation used for obtaining the second location, determine whether the first constellation information and the second constellation information match, and determine and use a distance between the first location and the second location if the first constellation information and the second constellation information are determined to match. This distance can be used to determine pole tilt, for example.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for identifying when one or more components of a luminaire (114) in a network of luminaires has malfunctioned as a result of an electrical event (112), and determining how neighboring luminaires (106) have been affected. An electrical event such as an overvoltage or transient can damage component(s) of luminaires that are closest to a point of origin of the electrical event. However, luminaires located further away from the point of origin can also be affected. Estimating such damage can be useful for planning maintenance of the luminaires and/or their components. Furthermore, when luminaires are equipped with the ability to collect data (220) related to electrical events, such as lightning strikes, their collected data can be provided as a service for assessing damage to nearby connected devices, and predicting future electrical events.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate to systems, methods, and apparatuses for estimating luminaire lifetimes using extrapolated sensor data. During a lifetime of a luminaire (108), a sensor (206) of the luminaire can become inoperable well before the entire luminaire becomes inoperable. In order to estimate when the luminaire will become inoperable, sensor data (504) should be continually tracked even after the sensor fails. In order to continue obtaining sensor data after the sensor fails, the sensor data can be extrapolated based on a correlation between previously received sensor data and other environmental data. The extrapolated sensor data can be tracked after the sensor becomes inoperable so that estimates of luminaire lifetime can be more accurate, compared to not having any sensor data. In this way, maintenance of luminaires can be scheduled according to predictions of luminaire lifetimes, rather than the occurrence of a luminaire failure.

Abstract: A method (500) for monitoring rotation of a lighting unit (200) includes the steps of: providing (510) a lighting unit comprising a sensor (32), a controller (22), a first gear (212) configured to rotate the lighting unit about a first axis, and a second gear (214) configured to rotate about a second axis, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis; rotating (520) one of the first and second gears, wherein the rotation causes rotation of the lighting unit about the first axis from a first position to a second position; generating (530), by the sensor in response to rotation of the second gear, sensor data; and translating (540), by the controller, the sensor data into information about rotation of the first gear.