Abstract: A motor vehicle lamp (100), comprising a lamp housing (110) defining an interior compartment (116) and an exterior region (102); a solid-state light source (120) disposed on a first heat sink (150) in thermal communication therewith, the first heat sink (150) being disposed within the interior compartment (116); a second heat sink (170) having an heat-transferring exterior section (178) disposed in the exterior region (102) of the lamp housing (110) and further having a heat-transferring receiver section (176) disposed at least partially within the interior compartment (116); and the first heat sink (150) being in thermal communication with the second heat sink (170) and coupled in displaceable relationship to the second heat sink (170), whereby a position of said solid-state light source (120) is adjustable relative the lamp housing (110).

Abstract: A system and method for determining vehicle position uses light based communication (LBC) signals and a time-of-flight (TOF) pulse. Each vehicle includes a LBC system having light emitting diodes (LEDs) and receiver photodiodes capable of sending and receiving pulsed light binary messages. The LBC system may also include a TOF transceiver for sending and receiving TOF pulses, or the transmitter and receiver diodes may be used to send and receive TOF pulses. Each LBC system has a controller coupled to the transmitter diodes and receiver diodes (and the TOF transceiver when present). The controller includes a processor configured to determine the distance between vehicles. Optical characteristics are used to discern relative angle, a header is used to determine relative orientation, and the time-of-flight is used to determine distance, which together may be used by the processor to determine the relative location between transmitting vehicle and the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: Lighting control interface techniques and corresponding circuitry are provided. The techniques include receiving a first signal potentially representative of a first lighting control signal, and receiving a second signal potentially representative of a second lighting control signal, and determining if either of the first and second signals complies with a first or second lighting control protocol. The lighting control signal may be applied to the same interface connector (regardless of the protocol), thereby eliminating the need for separate dedicated interface connectors. In some cases, the techniques further include determining that a dummy control signal is manifesting in the first and/or second signals, thereby indicating that no lighting control signal is being applied. Depending on the resulting determination, the techniques may include, for example, setting output lighting power according to a pre-established value, or according to the first or second lighting control protocol.

Abstract: A multi string controller with independent current setting for each string is designed for solid state lighting applications. This controller can regulate multiple channels of LEDs. Each string may have a different forward voltage and current setting. A constant buck regulator is also integrated inside this controller to regulate the total current, which is fed into the LED output channels. The circuit also contains a feedback loop in order to precisely control the current passing through each string and is immune to transient conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for resolving the angle of the transmitter and the angle of the receiver when determining vehicle position using light based communication (LBC) signals. Each vehicle includes an LBC system having light emitting diodes (LEDs) and receiver photodiodes capable of sending and receiving pulsed light binary messages. Each LBC system has a controller coupled to the transmitter diodes and receiver diodes. The controller includes a processor configured to resolve the angle of the transmitter and the angle of the receiver. The angle of the receiver may be determined using a single digital message received at a first receiver and a second receiver on a receiving vehicle. The angle of the transmitter may be determined using a first digital message and a second digital message received at a same receiver on the receiving vehicle.

Abstract: Methods for producing wavelength converters are described. The methods include sintering a mixture consisting essentially of first particles and second particles to form a sintered article. In embodiments the first particles consist essentially of particles of ?-SiAlON or precursors thereof, and the second particles consist essentially one or more sintering aids or precursors thereof. In embodiments the sintered article has a density that is greater than or equal to about 90% of a theoretical bulk density of the mixture, and is configured to convert primary light incident thereon to secondary light, wherein the secondary light exhibits a peak with a full width half maximum of greater than 0 to about 60 nanometers (nm) within a wavelength range of about 495 nm to about 600 nm.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include a method for determining the position of a computing device. The method may include obtaining, by the computing device, an image of a subset of luminaries from a plurality of luminaires located in an indoor environment, in which each subset grouping of luminaires in the plurality of luminaires is uniquely identifiable. The computing device may then compare the subset of luminaires to a database storing each uniquely identifiable subset grouping of luminaires in the plurality of luminaires, in which the database includes position information for each luminaire in the plurality of luminaires, and determine the position of the computing device based on the comparison of the subset of luminaries to the database.

Abstract: A luminaire for disinfecting a target surface includes a disinfecting light source, a non-disinfecting light source, a beam angle adjustor, a motion sensor, and a distance sensor. The radiance of the disinfecting light is calculated based on detected distance to a target surface and beam angle, and may be selected to achieve a predetermined irradiance of the target surface. If no motion is detected by the motion sensor then the disinfecting light source is set to ON and the non-disinfecting light source is set to OFF. If motion is detected and a beam intercept is not detected by the distance sensor then the disinfecting light source is set to DIM and the non-disinfecting light source is set to ON. If motion is detected and a beam intercept is detected then the disinfecting light source is set to OFF and the non-disinfecting light source is set to ON.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein includes a method for operating lighting fixtures in horticultural applications. The method may include receiving a user input of a desired irradiance for a first color channel of one or more lighting fixtures that irradiates a plant bed, in which each of the one or more lighting fixtures comprises at least one light emitting diode (LED) array, determining, for each of the one or more lighting fixtures, a PWM setting of the first color channel such that each of the one or more lighting fixtures irradiate the plant bed at the desired irradiance based on calibration data stored in each of the one or more lighting fixtures, and applying, to each of the one or more lighting fixtures, the determined PWM setting of the first color channel.

Abstract: Enclosures with grommetless strain relief are provided, each including a base and a cover. The base has a bottom and four sidewalls arranged to provide an open box-like structure. A first of the sidewalls of the base is configured with a wire routing slot at its perimeter. The cover has a top and four sidewalls arranged to provide an open box-like structure configured to couple with the base, so as to provide a strain relief for an electrical wire passing through the wire routing slot. The wire is pressed against a length of the first sidewall of the base by a first sidewall of the cover. The enclosure may include other features, such as rounded edges in the wire routing path, a wire guide and/or strap to inhibit wire movement between the first sidewalls, and/or one or more locking mechanisms configured to secure the cover to the base.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for programming a luminaire position for light-based communication (LCom) luminaires within an array of luminaires using position information provided by passing mobile computing devices. This position information can be received as, for example, as a specific coordinate (e.g., x-y coordinates of a grid-based map) or as movement data of the mobile computing device relative to an initial known reference location. The disclosed techniques can be used, for example, to reduce the time, labor, and expense associated with programming and re-programming a luminaire with a luminaire position, and to increase the flexibility of navigation system installations. In some cases, the disclosed techniques can be used, for example, to improve the precision of a luminaire position programmed into a newly installed luminaire.

Abstract: A solid state light source driver circuit that operates in either a buck convertor or a boost convertor configuration is provided. The driver circuit includes a controller, a boost switch circuit and a buck switch circuit, each coupled to the controller, and a feedback circuit, coupled to the light source. The feedback circuit provides feedback to the controller, representing a DC output of the driver circuit. The controller controls the boost switch circuit and the buck switch circuit in response to the feedback signal, to regulate current to the light source. The controller places the driver circuit in its boost converter configuration when the DC output is less than a rectified AC voltage coupled to the driver circuit at an input node. The controller places the driver circuit in its buck converter configuration when the DC output is greater than the rectified AC voltage at the input node.

Abstract: A controller dynamically identifies a switching frequency based power converter output load condition, input voltage, and/or temperature. The controller updates the operating switching frequency to the identified target switching frequency when the identified switching frequency is sufficiently different than a current operating switching frequency of the power converter. In this respect, switching frequency may be dynamically controlled to strike a balance between avoiding saturation of inductive elements and efficient operation of a power converter. A controller may also dynamically control switching frequency by having a thermo resistor incorporated into circuitry that determines switching frequency such that an increase in temperature beyond the threshold temperature directly causes a decrease in switching frequency.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for establishing communication between light-based communication (LCom) luminaires within a navigation array of luminaires and mobile computing devices having varying components and processes using an encoding scheme received from passing mobile computing devices. The encoding scheme is a set of rules for encoding and generating a visible-light communication (VLC) signal so that the mobile computing device may recognize VLC signals broadcast by the luminaire. In accordance with some embodiments, the disclosed techniques can be used, for example, to accommodate future computing devices that may incorporate different camera technologies and different processing algorithms to process waveforms in the VLC signals.

Abstract: A method of Light-based Communication (LCom) using camera frame-rate based light modulation is provided. The method includes receiving light having modulated light properties that vary at a first frequency from a LCom-enabled luminaire by an image capture device using a global shutter image capture process, comparing light properties received at the image capture device over sequential image capture instances, and determining, from the compared light properties, data encoded by the modulated light.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for augmenting light-based communication (LCom) receiver positioning using, for example, an inertial navigation system (INS). An LCom receiver INS may utilize one or more on-board accelerometers and gyroscopic sensors to calculate, via dead reckoning, the position, orientation, and velocity of the receiver. In this manner, the receiver can calculate its relative position using the INS based on a reference point or location. In some cases, the receiver may also or alternatively determine its location or position using a global positioning system (GPS), Wi-Fi-based positioning system (WPS), or some other suitable positioning system. When no LCom signals are in the FOV of the receiver and/or the link is lost to other positioning systems, the receiver INS may be used to augment the receiver positioning. In some cases, the INS mode may run parallel to other positioning techniques to continuously calculate the relative position of the receiver.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for navigating an area with multi-panel luminaires configured to display fiducial patterns. In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of luminaires located in an area and configured to display one or more fiducial patterns recognizable by a mobile computing device. The luminaire includes a plurality of panels, each panel associated with one or more solid-state light sources. The luminaire also includes at least one driver configured to control the light sources to transmit light through the plurality of panels at varying light intensities to display a fiducial pattern and configured to detect errors in the display of the fiducial pattern.

Abstract: A space-efficient Printed Circuit Board (PCB)-based inductor includes a first set of inductor turns formed on the printed circuit board and arranged to form a first toroidal end section, a second set of inductor turns formed on the printed circuit board and arranged to form a first cylindrical side section, a third set of inductor turns formed on the printed circuit board and arranged to form a second toroidal end section, and a fourth set of inductor turns formed on the printed circuit board and arranged to form a second cylindrical side section. The first toroidal end section, first cylindrical side section, second toroidal end section, and second cylindrical side section are connected in series.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for enhancing indoor navigation using light-based communication (LCom). In some embodiments, an LCom-enabled luminaire configured as described herein may include access to a sensor configured to detect a given hazardous condition. In response to detection of a hazard, the LCom-enabled luminaire may adjust its light output, transmit an LCom signal, or both, in accordance with some embodiments. A given LCom signal may include data that may be utilized by a recipient computing device, for example, in providing emergency evacuation routing or other indoor navigation with hazard avoidance, emergency assistance, or both. In a network of such luminaires, data distribution via inter-luminaire communication may be provided, in accordance with some embodiments, via an optical interface or other wired or wireless communication means. In some cases, the network may include a luminaire that is not LCom-enabled yet still configured for inter-luminaire communication.

Abstract: A luminaire having an electronically adjustable light beam distribution is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments, the disclosed luminaire includes a housing, for example, of hemi-cylindrical, oblate hemi-cylindrical, oblong elliptical, or polyhedral shape. The disclosed luminaire also includes a plurality of solid-state light sources arranged over its housing, in accordance with some embodiments. The one or more solid-state emitters of a given solid-state light source may be addressable individually and/or in one or more groupings, in some embodiments. As such, the solid-state light sources can be electronically controlled individually and/or in conjunction with one another, providing for highly adjustable light emissions from the host luminaire, in accordance with some embodiments. One or more heat sinks may be mounted on the housing to assist with heat dissipation for the solid-state light sources.