Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for augmenting global positioning system (GPS)-based navigation via light-based communication (LCom). In accordance with some embodiments, a light-sensing device, such as a camera or an ambient light sensor configured as described herein, may be used to detect an LCom signal transmitted by a local LCom-enabled solid-state luminaire. The LCom signal may include data about the location of the transmitting luminaire, and in some cases that location data may be used, for example, in computing the amount of time that it would take to navigate indoors to the luminaire's location. In some instances, GPS data also may be considered to calculate the total trip duration for an entire trip, including time spent indoors and outdoors. In some other cases, the location data and, if available, GPS data may be used, for example, in computing an automotive navigation route.

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: Methods and systems are described for sampling an LCOM message and accurately reconstructing the entire LCOM message using a light receiver (e.g., digital camera) of a typical mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile computing device. These including receiving segments of an LCOM signal from at least two repetitions of the LCOM signal. The location of each segment within the LCOM signal is identified and each segment is stored in a corresponding location in a buffer configured to have a length equal to the LCOM signal. The buffer is a ring buffer, in some embodiments.

Abstract: Light-based communication (LCom) techniques are disclosed for decoding LCom signals using a sub-raster line sampling process. In accordance with an embodiment, a system is provided that is configured to sub-sample each raster line to capture data at a much faster sampling rate, which in turn allows for longer LCom messages and faster response time. The sub-sampling of the raster lines can be carried out in a rolling shutter mode. Without such sub-sampling of the raster lines, decoding the LCom signals may be effectively limited by the raster line frequency, given that the raster line sampling rate is tied to the horizontal resolution of the camera. However, by sub-sampling the raster lines as provided herein, the sampling rate can be a combination of horizontal and vertical pixels which represents a substantial improvement over standard raster line based rolling shutter modes.

Abstract: Light-based communication (LCom) techniques are disclosed for adaptively adjusting the baud rate of a luminaire to optimize the LCom signal transmitted for an intended receiver device. The adaptive baud rate can be adjusted by a process that includes, for example: determining decoding parameters of the receiver device, the device including a camera for receiving LCom signals, and a display. The process further includes calculating a baud rate suitable for the receiver device based on the decoding parameters, and causing the baud rate to be set at the luminaire. The process may further include at least one of: verifying the baud rate at the receiver device; adjusting the decoding parameters of the receiver device if baud rate cannot be adjusted to meet a current configuration of decoding parameters; and prompting a user to rotate receiver device to improve orientation of the luminaire with respect to a raster direction of the camera.

Abstract: Multiple panel luminaires for light-based communication (LCom) and related techniques of use are disclosed. Each luminaire panel may comprise at least one solid-state light source, where the light sources are configured to output light. The luminaire may also include at least one modulator configured to modulate the light output of the light sources to allow for emission of LCom signals. The luminaire may also include a controller configured to synchronize timing of the LCom signals. In some cases, one panel may be configured to emit an LCom signal that is the inverse or duplicate of the LCom signal emitted from another panel. Panel signal inversion may be used to maintain a relatively constant level of light output from the luminaire and/or to create a virtual fiducial to provide orientation information. Using a multiple panel luminaire to transmit data may also result in improved data transmission rates and transmission reliability.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for sampling an LCOM message signal at a rate less than the Nyquist rate (i.e., an “alias frequency”) and accurately reconstructing the entire LCOM message using a light receiver (e.g., digital camera) of a typical mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile computing device. The described methods and system take advantage of the repetition of LCOM signals, sampling an LCOM signal at a frequency less than the Nyquist frequency over at least two repetitions of a signal waveform, thereby collecting sufficient samples to accurately reconstruct the signal. The samples of each successive signal waveform repetition are offset from one another so that different points on the waveform are sampled, thus facilitating reconstruction of the signal.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling a system including one or more light-based communication (LCom)-enabled luminaires. In some cases, the system may include: one or more LCom-enabled luminaires; a light sensor configured to detect LCom signals emitted from the luminaires; a computing device operatively coupled to the light sensor and configured to decode data from the LCom signals; and a controller configured to control the light output from at least one of the luminaires. The techniques may include calibrating, detecting, or otherwise setting up the system, such that the computing device knows at least one of the unique identification and position of each luminaire in the system. Once the initial set up is completed, the system can be controlled in a number of ways, such as manually or automatically controlling the light output from the luminaires for various applications, such as providing ambient light that complements video or audio content.

Abstract: Multiple panel luminaires for light-based communication (LCom) and related techniques of use are disclosed. Each luminaire panel may comprise at least one solid-state light source, where the light sources are configured to output light. The luminaire may also include at least one modulator configured to modulate the light output of the light sources to allow for emission of LCom signals. The luminaire may also include a controller configured to synchronize timing of the LCom signals. In some cases, one panel may be configured to emit an LCom signal that is the inverse or duplicate of the LCom signal emitted from another panel. Panel signal inversion may be used to maintain a relatively constant level of light output from the luminaire and/or to create a virtual fiducial to provide orientation information. Using a multiple panel luminaire to transmit data may also result in improved data transmission rates and transmission reliability.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for selective use of light-sensing devices in light-based communication (LCom). In accordance with some embodiments, the disclosed techniques can be used, for example, in determining how and when to utilize a given light-sensitive device, such as a camera or an ambient light sensor, of a receiver device for purposes of detecting the pulsing light of LCom signals transmitted by an LCom-enabled luminaire. In accordance with some embodiments, determination of whether to utilize only a camera, only an ambient light sensor, or a combination thereof in gathering LCom data may be based, in part or in whole, on factors including time, location, and/or context. In some cases, improvements in system resource usage may be realized using the disclosed techniques.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining a light-based communication (LCom) receiver position. The techniques can be used to determine the position of a receiver relative to a specific luminaire within the field of view (FOV) of the receiver camera. The relative position may be calculated by determining the distance and the orientation of the receiver relative to the luminaire. The distance relative to the luminaire may be calculated using the observed size of the luminaire in an image generated by the receiver camera, the image zoom factor, and actual geometry of the luminaire. The orientation relative to the luminaire may be determined using a fiducial associated with the luminaire that can be used as an orientation cue. Once the position of a receiver relative to a luminaire is determined, the absolute position of the receiver may be calculated using the absolute position of the luminaire.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing proper raster line alignment of a camera or other light-sensing device of a receiver device relative to a transmitting light-based communication (LCom)-enabled luminaire to establish reliable LCom there between. In accordance with some embodiments, proper alignment can be provided automatically (e.g., by the receiver device and/or other suitable controller). In accordance with some embodiments, proper alignment can be provided by the user. In some instances in which a user is to be involved in the alignment process, the receiver device may be configured, for example, to instruct or otherwise guide the user in the process of properly aligning the receiver device relative to a given transmitting LCom-enabled luminaire.

Abstract: A fragrance delivery system for a mobile robot. A fragrance containment and attachment device for a mobile robot allowing the robot to expel a fragrance in the space or region in which the robot is in operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated back and forth by an operator during use to print an image. An inkjet printhead of the printer has a plurality of fluid firing actuators arranged in a substantial column. A controller communicates with the printhead to identify active actuators given to fire at a particular time during use to print the image. However, to prevent unsightly print quality from occurring during overlapping adjacent print swaths, for example, certain of the identified actuators are prevented from firing. Especially, actuators in the column further from a center of the column fire less frequently than those closer to the center. A position sensor is also used to locate the printhead relative to the image. The controller correlates the position to the printhead and actuators and fires the active actuators or not.

Abstract: A media pick method includes receiving an initiation signal, causing a media pick system to complete a series of wait, forward move and reverse move pick actions, and causing the media pick system to complete the last of the series of forward move pick actions in conjunction with a feed roll motor's de-skew move. Reversing a direction of a pick motor enables a gear train to reset and allow momentum to build before engaging the paper on a second forward pick try. Repeats of pick pulses applies a proper balance of shear and normal forces on media.

Abstract: Method of printing from a printer, where the printer includes one or more maintenance firings from a printhead nozzle. Formatting a print job to be printed in determining which nozzles on a printhead require maintenance during printing of the print job. Modifying the formatted print job to include one or more maintenance firings for the nozzles requiring maintenance.

Abstract: A method and system for auto-routing signals including receiving an incoming call from a sender, determining whether the incoming call includes data signals, and toggling between a fax mode and a voice mode based upon the determining step, wherein the fax mode includes receiving the data signals and the voice mode includes simulating a ring tone to the sender and routing the incoming call to at least one downstream device.

Abstract: A method for controlling the media feed of a print media sheet in an imaging apparatus having a media feed roller includes selecting between using absolute positioning of the media feed roller and relative positioning of the media feed roller for various media feed roller moves.

Abstract: A speed mode for a printer (1) which has a pivotally mounted autocompensating system (19) mounted at an intermediate position in paper guide (17). That system (19) is driven by a motor (40) through a slip drive (70, 72, 74). The motor also drives paper feed system (15). When the motor turns in a direction to feed by system (15), the intermediate system is moved away from the paper guide. In basic operation, when a sheet (5) reaches a position to be fed by the intermediate system, the motor is reversed, and the intermediate system pivots against the paper for moving it further through the paper guide. In the speed mode the intermediate system is not employed and all of the feed is by the system at the tray. Since this will not feed shorter sheets, preferably the speed mode must be positively invoked, as by operator input or definitive information in the header of a print job.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the absence of print media in an imaging device, such as a printer. The printer includes a print mechanism, a media tray for supplying sheets of print media to the printer, and a pick mechanism for moving the sheets of print media from the media tray to the print mechanism. The pick mechanism includes a pick roller, a pick motor that rotates the pick roller, and a controller in communication with the pick motor. Rotating the pick roller when there are no sheets of print media in the media tray causes the pick motor to stall. The controller produces a signal when the motor stalls indicating to the user that the printer is out of print media. A rotational position encoder coupled to the pick mechanism and in communication with the controller can be used to provide pick motor stall detection.