Abstract: A system and method evaluate the efficiency of circadian-effective luminaires. Such circadian-effective luminaires affect the master biological clock in the brain, which regulates the daily timings of behavioral activities and physiological functions. Disruption of circadian rhythms can lead to poor performance and poor health, while consistent exposure to bright days and dim nights is necessary for circadian entrainment, and thus for good sleep and good health. The system and method provide a standard test for assessing the efficiency of luminaires for providing circadian-effective light to building occupants. The system and method measure and quantify luminaire efficiency based on the electrical watts needed, termed SOWatt, to reach a circadian stimulus (CS) criterion of 0.3 at the eyes of a standard observer (SO). The system and method can be applied to ceiling mounted, accent, and table-top luminaires.

Abstract: A method of adjusting lighting to reduce sky glow. The method includes the steps of detecting, by a plurality of sensors, an amount of cloud coverage in a region of the troposphere; determining, by a sky glow reduction circuitry, whether the amount of clouds is greater than, less than, or equal to a predetermined cloud coverage threshold; and adjusting, by a light output controller circuitry, a light output of a plurality of light sources to reduce sky glow if the amount of clouds is less than or equal to the predetermined cloud coverage threshold. The adjusting step is at least partially based on a predetermined policy.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a plant health status is described. The apparatus includes a light source positioned relative to the plant and a detector positioned relative to the plant. The light source is configured to emit a white light or an ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet (UV) light corresponds to UV-A and has a wavelength in the range of 340 nanometers (run) to 400 nm. The detector is configured to receive evaluation light. The evaluation light is related to the emitted light and corresponds to a health status of the plant.

Abstract: A Circadian Rhythm Monitoring and Regulation (CMR) system and method that includes: a novel non-obtrusive wearable system for increasing the health and productivity of warfighters or other individuals that are disrupted by excessive, abnormal shifts in work or flights across multiple time zones. The CMR system is based on advanced sensor and software technology and models of human circadian system phototransduction and a circadian stimulator oscillator developed by applicants. It measures circadian misalignment and provides lighting suggestions for circadian rhythm maintenance and realignment.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating adjusting a user's circadian pacemaker are provided, including determining a current circadian pacemaker state of the user, as well as potential future states of the user's circadian pacemaker. The potential future states are related to a target circadian pacemaker state representing a circadian pacemaker goal for the user. This is accomplished on a state-variable plane using vectors. An optimum potential future state is selected as a basis for constructing a light exposure treatment schedule for the user. A light exposure treatment schedule is then constructed and provided to the user to facilitate taking control of the user's circadian pacemaker and manipulating it for benefits such as health and performance benefits.

Abstract: A system for approximating flux density of light on a human retina. A housing has an opening allowing light to pass to inside the housing. A baffle coupled to the housing replicates a facial cutoff function response for the light inside the housing. Two detectors are positioned to detect the light inside the housing. One detector produces a photopic spectral response function of the light inside the housing that approximately replicates a spectral response of the foveal cones in the retina. Another detector produces a scotopic spectral response function of the light inside the housing that approximately replicates a spectral response of rods in the retina. A processor coupled to the detectors calculates a mesopic flux density of the light inside the housing based on the photopic and scotopic spectral response functions.

Abstract: A method of commissioning a switch to control an electric luminaire in an indoor space responsive to signals from a photosensor. A first plurality of sensor signal values is calculated when the photosensor is disposed at a first location within the space. A second plurality of sensor signal values is calculated when the photosensor is disposed at a second location within the space. A first threshold value is calculated for switching on the luminaire when light in the space is less than a first value. A second threshold value is calculated for switching off the luminaire when light in the space is greater than a second value.

Abstract: A method of commissioning a switch to control an electric luminaire in an indoor space responsive to signals from a photosensor. A first plurality of sensor signal values is calculated when the photosensor is disposed at a first location within the space. A second plurality of sensor signal values is calculated when the photosensor is disposed at a second location within the space. A first threshold value is calculated for switching on the luminaire when light in the space is less than a first value. A second threshold value is calculated for switching off the luminaire when light in the space is greater than a second value.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for collecting aggregate information about network traffic, while maintaining processor load relatively constant despite substantial variation in network traffic, and capable of substantially accurate frequency measurement even for relatively infrequent events. A packet monitoring system includes an input port for receiving network packets, a sampling element for selecting a fraction of those packets for review, and a queue of selected packets. The packets in the queue are coupled to a packet-type detector for detecting packets of a selected type; the system applies a measurement technique for determining a frequency measure for those detected packets. The system includes a feedback technique for adaptively altering the sampling rate fraction, responsive to the queue length and possibly other factors, such as processor load or the detected frequency measure.

Abstract: A system for approximating flux density of light on a human retina. A housing has an opening allowing light to pass to inside the housing. A baffle coupled to the housing replicates a facial cutoff function response for the light inside the housing. Two detectors are positioned to detect the light inside the housing. One detector produces a photopic spectral response function of the light inside the housing that approximately replicates a spectral response of the foveal cones in the retina. Another detector produces a scotopic spectral response function of the light inside the housing that approximately replicates a spectral response of rods in the retina. A processor coupled to the detectors calculates a mesopic flux density of the light inside the housing based on the photopic and scotopic spectral response functions.

Abstract: A lighting control system provides a desired illumination level at a task location while saving power. Controlled electric light is produced having an intensity responsive to a control signal. The system comprises at least one light fixture and a photosensor that is configured to provide the control signal to the light fixture. The control signal is responsive to an illumination level at a sensor location and ratios of illumination levels at the sensor location to task location for uncontrolled (e.g., solar) light and controlled electric light. The photosensor has the ability to self-commission. In one embodiment, the photosensor includes a self-powered photocell unit that transmits a wireless sensor signal responsive to the illumination level at the photocell unit. This photocell unit can be moved for use at different locations during photosensor commissioning.

Abstract: A lighting control system provides a desired illumination level at a task location while saving power. Controlled electric light is produced having an intensity responsive to a control signal. The system comprises at least one light fixture and a photosensor that is configured to provide the control signal to the light fixture. The control signal is responsive to an illumination level at a sensor location and ratios of illumination levels at the sensor location to task location for uncontrolled (e.g., solar) light and controlled electric light. The photosensor has the ability to self-commission. In one embodiment, the photosensor includes a self-powered photocell unit that transmits a wireless sensor signal responsive to the illumination level at the photocell unit. This photocell unit can be moved for use at different locations during photosensor commissioning.

Abstract: An anti-theft clip for securing a conventional lock cylinder to a car door and for preventing unwanted tampering with a lever operatively connected to the lock cylinder. The clip includes resilient legs which straddle and hold the lock cylinder. Panels attached to the resilient legs shield the lock cylinder from unwanted tampering.