Abstract: A rectifying circuit is provided, which includes a first channel circuit, a comparator circuit, and a second channel circuit. The first channel circuit rectifies a first input signal using a transistor that is coupled between an input of the first channel circuit and a node. The comparator circuit is coupled with the transistor and controls it based on a difference between a representative voltage of the first input signal and a representative voltage of the node. The second channel circuit rectifies a second input signal using a diode coupled between an input of the second channel circuit and the node. The transistor may be a first MOSFET and the comparator circuit may be coupled with the first MOSFET by way of a second MOSFET. The second MOSFET controls the first MOSFET and is itself controlled by the comparator circuit.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for mobile transport systems configured to determine vehicle positions within an area using light-based communication signals. The system includes a plurality of luminaires located in an area and configured to transmit luminaire position data recognizable by a sensor disposed on a vehicle. The sensor receives an image of a luminaire including a light-based communication signal encoded with luminaire position data. Luminaire position data can be combined with luminaire layout information to determine a known location of the luminaire. A vehicle position relative to the known luminaire location can be determined based on mathematical relationships. Vehicle orientation relative to the area can be determined based an asymmetric fiducial pattern or multiple known luminaire locations. The system can combine a vehicle position relative to a known luminaire location with vehicle orientation relative to the area to determine a vehicle position relative to the area.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for measuring an amount of flicker produced by a light source. In one embodiment, a flicker measuring device includes a photo sensor to measure the amount of light produced by the light source, a dedicated processor to receive and process data from the photo sensor, a memory bus coupled to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and to a first memory, and a direct memory access (DMA) bus coupled to the ADC and to a second memory. In another embodiment, a flicker measuring system uses a light sensor, an associated circuit and a portable computing device (PCD), such as a smart phone, to measure an amount of flicker produced by a light source by sending an electrical signal from the light source and associated circuit via an audio output to an audio sub-system of the PCD, so that the PCD may calculate the flicker value.

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 connector release tool (100) includes a shaft (102) having a proximal end (104) defining a handle (106) and an operative distal end (108) defining a shroud portion (110). The shroud portion (110) includes sidewalls (112) extending away from the distal end (108) and terminating at a datum surface (114) and a channel (116) defined therebetween. The shroud portion (110) further includes a plurality of contact pins (118) extending away from the distal end (108) and into the channel (116) of the shroud portion (110), each contact pin (118) adapted to engage an associated push-button connector of a terminal block (20) and allow removal of one or more wires (24) coupled to the terminal block (20).

Abstract: A connected lighting fixture network system has a plurality of multi-channel lighting fixtures that communicate over a network. Each lighting fixture (device) may access a plurality of services that reside within an application layer of the device, or on a server accessible to the device. A controller is coupled to the device and configured to send query and command messages to the device and to receive reply messages from the device. A query message from the controller can request information about the device. In response to receiving the reply message, the controller can generate a command message and send the command message to the device. The services available to the device may include network discovery, device health, device status, software versioning, and lighting command and control.

Abstract: A connected lighting fixture network system has a plurality of multi-channel lighting fixtures. Each lighting fixture (device) has a plurality of services that reside within an application layer of the device. A controller is coupled to the device and configured to send query and command message to the device and to receive reply messages from the device. One service available to the device is a lighting command and control service. The device is configured to receive a query message from the controller. The controller is configured to generate a lighting control and command message, which can include a channel illumination field (CIF) and an illumination payload. The CIF indicates the channels of the device to be commanded based on the status of the channels received in the first reply message. The illumination payload indicates the intended illumination level for the corresponding channel.

Abstract: Metalenses and technologies incorporating the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the metalenses are in the form of a hybrid multiregion collimating metalens that includes a first region and a second region, wherein the hybrid multiregion collimating metalens is configured to collimate (e.g., visible) light incident thereon. In some instances the first region includes an array of first unit cells that contain subwavelength spaced nanostructures, such that the first region functions as a subwavelength high contrast grating (SWHCG), whereas the second region includes an array of second unit cell, wherein the array of second unit cells includes a near periodic annular arrangement of nanostructures such that the second region approximates the functionality of a locally periodic radial diffraction grating. Lighting devices including such metalenses are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for making a flexible laminated circuit board using a metal conductor onto which a SMD may be attached. Conductive metal strips may be laminated to form a flexible substrate and the metal strips may then be perforated for the placement of LED package leads. The LED packages may be attached to the conductive strips using solder or a conductive epoxy and the upper laminate layer may include perforations exposing portions of the metal strips for the attachment of the LED packages. Alternatively, strings of LED packages may be fabricated by attaching LED packages to conductive strips and these strings may be laminated between flexible sheets to form a laminated LED circuit. Plastic housings may aid in attaching the LED packages to the conductive strips. The plastic housings and/or the laminate sheets may be made of a reflective material.

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: Programmable drivers (or power supplies) for solid state light sources are disclosed, on which output regulation is improved to expand the dimming range to 1% and reduce and/or remove flicker. Additional fault conditions are set up to avoid latching, and thus provide for a controllable restart feature. Such drivers include an isolated half bridge resonant converter with an improved control approach designed to regulate very low current though primary side in a feed-forward loop. Such drivers include both digital and analog loops that improve the performance in steady state and/or during transients, particularly for a lighting load, in comparison to a single full digital control.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to operate a luminaire so as to reduce glare experience by an occupant within an area illuminated by a luminaire. The luminaire includes individually operated light sources. An image capture device is deployed for capturing an image of an area. Operatively coupled to the luminaire and the image capture device is a computing system. The computing is configured to reduce glare by adjusting a light intensity of a light source of the luminaire. These adjustments are based on, for example, a position of an occupant within the area and a direction in which the occupant is facing relative to the luminaire, and/or a position of an indirect glare source.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein include a light-based communication system. The system includes a plurality of luminaires, in which each of the plurality of luminaires is configured to transmit light-based communication (LCom) signals, and a server communicatively coupled to the plurality of luminaires. The server is configured to assign an identifier to each of the plurality of luminaires, transmit the assigned identifier to each of the plurality of luminaires, in which each of the plurality of luminaires transmits the assigned identifier via LCom signals, rotate, in response to receiving a trigger signal, the assigned identifier for each of the plurality of luminaires, and transmit the rotated identifier to each of the plurality of luminaires, in which each of the plurality of luminaires transmits the rotated identifier via LCom signals.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include methods and systems for commissioning and authenticating devices for joining a local network that improve the security of the network and make it more difficult for unauthorized devices to gain access to the network. In some examples, communication channels that have a more limited range and direction as compared to radio frequency communication are employed for exchanging information to join the network, such as cryptographic keys. The communication channels may include acoustic or optical channels. In some examples, techniques for deriving temporary and/or dynamic keys are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for projecting visible cues to assist with light-based communication (LCom), the visible cues referred to herein as visual hotspots. The visual hotspots can be projected, for example, using a luminaire that may be LCom-enabled. The visual hotspots may be projected onto the floor of an area including an LCom system. The visual hotspots can be used for numerous benefits, including alerting a potential user that LCom is available, educating the user about LCom technology, and assisting the user in using the LCom signals available in the area. The visual hotspots may include images, symbols, cues, characters (e.g., letters, words, numbers, etc.), indicators, logos, or any other suitable content. In some cases, the visual hotspots may be interactive, such that a user can scan the hotspot to cause an action to occur (e.g., launch an application or website).

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: Systems, methods, and software for determining whether or not a monitored space is occupied by one or more humans and/or animals. In some embodiments, one or more radio-frequency (RF) receivers monitor(s) one or more RF frequencies for changes in received signal strength that may be due to changes in occupancy of the space being monitored. The received signal strength is analyzed using nonparametric online change-point detection analysis to determine change-points in the received signal(s). One or more statistical measures of the received signal(s), such as mean and variance, are used in conjunction with the change-point detection to determine a probability that the occupancy of the monitored space has changed. In some embodiments, additional sensors and/or machine learning can be used to enhance the performance of the disclosed occupancy-detection methodologies.

Abstract: A projection headlamp (12) has a reflector (28) reflecting light emitted from a light engine (20); a projector lens (30) projecting reflected light from the reflector (28); and a shutter (22) disposed between light engine (20) and projector lens (30), the shutter (22) having an upper edge (44) defining a cut-off to generate a low beam pattern by obscuring a portion of the projector lens (30) from the reflected light and to selectively emit the reflected light through the projector lens (30) in a low-beam light distribution pattern. The shutter (22) further includes a partially light-transmissive shutter bump (56) extending above the upper edge (44) which attenuates light emitted from the projector lens (30) in a predefined area of the low-beam pattern. Light intensity at the 0.86D, 3.5L NHTSA test point (112) is attenuated to below maximum photometric intensity (12,000 candela), avoiding glare.