Abstract: The systems and method disclosed herein include a LCom-enabled luminaire configured to transmit a maintenance trigger encoded in an LCom signal in response to detecting an error or maintenance condition in the LCom-enabled luminaire, receive an access request, transmit maintenance information in response to the access request, and receive correction information to correct the error or maintenance condition. The systems and methods further include a receiver device configured to receive the maintenance trigger, generate the access request based on the maintenance trigger, transmit the access request to the LCom-enabled luminaire, receive maintenance information in response to the access request, and transmit control commands based on the maintenance information.

Abstract: A lighting device for communication with a mobile terminal, comprising: a lighting means, and an electronic operating device for operating the lighting means, a data storage unit, in which a first key is stored in a memory area reserved therefor, an encryption unit configured to read out the first key from the reserved memory area and, in accordance with a specifiable encryption operation, to convert measurement value data and/or identification data intended for transfer to the mobile terminal into a message encrypted by means of the first key, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the encrypted message to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: The systems and method disclosed herein include a LCom-enabled luminaire configured to transmit a maintenance trigger encoded in an LCom signal in response to detecting an error or maintenance condition in the LCom-enabled luminaire, receive an access request, transmit maintenance information in response to the access request, and receive correction information to correct the error or maintenance condition. The systems and methods further include a receiver device configured to receive the maintenance trigger, generate the access request based on the maintenance trigger, transmit the access request to the LCom-enabled luminaire, receive maintenance information in response to the access request, and transmit control commands based on the maintenance information.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an actual position of a portable device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a two-tier triangulation and wireless beacon-enabled luminaire detection approach is implemented. An estimated position of a device is determined using wireless (e.g., wireless beacon) triangulation based on a signal parameter of a signal received from a wireless access point. The field of view of the portable device may be used to estimate positions of luminaires proximate the portable device. The actual position of the luminaires may be determined from the estimated position by querying a database. A second triangulation may be performed using the known position of the luminaires to determine the position of the portable device with respect to the actual position of the luminaire.

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: Various implementations disclosed herein include a method of providing indoor navigation services. The method may include transmitting, via light-based communication (LCom) signals by each of a first plurality of luminaires, identifiers assigned to each of the plurality of luminaires, and transmitting, via LCom signals by a second plurality of luminaires, mapping information associating the identifiers of each of the first plurality of luminaires with a location of each of the first plurality of luminaires. The first plurality of luminaires may transmit the LCom signals towards the ground of an indoor environment while the second plurality of luminaires may transmit the LCom signals towards the ceiling of the indoor environment and are reflected downwards.

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 building monitoring system includes a plurality of image capture devices deployed to obtain images of target building systems, the target building systems being associated with optical landmarks visible by the image capture devices. A plurality of audio beacons are configured to output audio landmarks. A plurality of audio capture devices are deployed to obtain sound clips of the target building systems, each sound clip of the target building systems including at least one of the audio landmarks from the audio beacons. A data analysis system is configured to receive the images of the target building systems and identify each target building system from at least one of the optical landmarks and the audio landmarks.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an actual position of a portable device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a two-tier triangulation and wireless beacon-enabled luminaire detection approach is implemented. An estimated position of a device is determined using wireless (e.g., wireless beacon) triangulation based on a signal parameter of a signal received from a wireless access point. The field of view of the portable device may be used to estimate positions of luminaires proximate the portable device. The actual position of the luminaires may be determined from the estimated position by querying a database. A second triangulation may be performed using the known position of the luminaires to determine the position of the portable device with respect to the actual position of the luminaire.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include a method of providing indoor navigation services. The method may include transmitting, via light-based communication (LCom) signals by each of a first plurality of luminaires, identifiers assigned to each of the plurality of luminaires, and transmitting, via LCom signals by a second plurality of luminaires, mapping information associating the identifiers of each of the first plurality of luminaires with a location of each of the first plurality of luminaires. The first plurality of luminaires may transmit the LCom signals towards the ground of an indoor environment while the second plurality of luminaires may transmit the LCom signals towards the ceiling of the indoor environment and are reflected downwards.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for identifying and controlling light-based communication (LCom)-enabled luminaires. In some cases, the techniques include a luminaire communicating its ID to a computing device via one or more LCom signals. In some cases, a user may be able to aim a rear-facing camera of a smartphone at the luminaire desired to be controlled. Once the luminaire is in the field of view of the camera, the ID of the luminaire can be determined using one or more LCom signals received from the luminaire. The ID of the luminaire may be, for example, its internet protocol (IP) address or media access control (MAC) address or another unique identifier. Once a luminaire has been identified, commands can be issued to the luminaire to adjust one or more characteristics of the light output, such as changing the dimming percentage of the light output.

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: 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 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: 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: 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 lighting device for communication with a mobile terminal, comprising: a lighting means, and an electronic operating device for operating the lighting means, a data storage unit, in which a first key is stored in a memory area reserved therefor, an encryption unit configured to read out the first key from the reserved memory area and, in accordance with a specifiable encryption operation, to convert measurement value data and/or identification data intended for transfer to the mobile terminal into a message encrypted by means of the first key, and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the encrypted message to the mobile terminal.

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: 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).