Abstract: Location-based systems, such as a Real-time Location System (RTLS), are used to locate and track assets such as equipment, people, etc. In order to accomplish high accuracy in determining locations of assets (112-118), the information sent to the location server (108) from sensors (134, 138) should be accurate, relevant, sufficient, and timely. The limitations of a low bandwidth network between the sensors and the location server may pose challenges to reliably determining locations of assets. This invention is related to a hybrid lighting and location system (100), which involves the use of a system control device (106) and lighting devices (102, 104) that may include integrated sensors, transceivers, etc. Different embodiments are disclosed on apparatus, methods and systems to resolve the potential network congestion in such a hybrid system.

Abstract: A system can include a first electrical device having a first controller that includes a first transceiver, where the first transceiver sends a first signal using a first communication protocol. The system can also include a second electrical device that includes a second controller having a second transceiver, where the second transceiver receives the first signal, measures a first strength of the first signal, generates a first table that includes the first strength and a first ID of the first electrical device, and sends a second signal using a second communication protocol. The user system can also include a gateway that receives the second signal, where the second signal includes the first strength and the first ID of the first electrical device. The gateway can also determine a first location of the first electrical device using the first strength and the first ID of the first electrical device.

Abstract: A system for simultaneous control of a subset of nodes in a wireless network includes a network controller and a plurality of nodes that are communicatively coupled to the network controller. The network controller transmits a custom Zigbee unicast message to a node of the subset of nodes that is assigned as a point guard node upon receiving an instruction to control one or more nodes of the subset of nodes. The point guard node receives the custom Zigbee unicast message and generates an InterPAN broadcast message based on a payload of the custom Zigbee unicast message. The point guard node broadcasts the InterPAN broadcast message as a one hop broadcast message to all the nodes in the radio range of the point guard node. The receiving nodes whose identifiers are present in the payload of the InterPAN broadcast message act on the instruction to change a status thereof.

Abstract: A system can include a first electrical device disposed within a volume of space. The system can also include a user system disposed in the volume of space. The user system can broadcast a first initiation signal in the volume of space. The user system can also receive, in response to the first initiation signal, a first response signal from the first transceiver of the first electrical device, where the first response signal includes a first identification of the first electrical device. The user system can further measure at least one parameter associated with the first response signal. The user system can also determine whether the at least one parameter is within a range of acceptable values. The user system can further assign the first electrical device to a first group when the at least one parameter is determined to be within a range of acceptable values.

Abstract: A system can include a first electrical device having a first sensor device, where the first sensor device is configured to measure a first parameter used in operating the first electrical device, where the first sensor device is further configured to detect a first condition that is unrelated to operating the first electrical device, where the first condition is created by a trigger device controlled by a user, where the first sensor device, upon detecting the first condition, broadcasts a first communication that includes a first identification of the first sensor device. The system can also include a gateway communicably coupled to the first electrical device, where the gateway receives the first communication from the first electrical device, where the gateway assigns the first electrical device to a first group based on the first identification of the first sensor device.

Abstract: A system can include a first electrical device having a first sensor device, where the first sensor device is configured to measure a first parameter used in operating the first electrical device, where the first sensor device is further configured to detect a first condition that is unrelated to operating the first electrical device, where the first condition is created by a trigger device controlled by a user, where the first sensor device, upon detecting the first condition, broadcasts a first communication that includes a first identification of the first sensor device. The system can also include a gateway communicably coupled to the first electrical device, where the gateway receives the first communication from the first electrical device, where the gateway assigns the first electrical device to a first group based on the first identification of the first sensor device.

Abstract: A system can include a first electrical device disposed within a volume of space. The system can also include a user system disposed in the volume of space. The user system can broadcast a first initiation signal in the volume of space. The user system can also receive, in response to the first initiation signal, a first response signal from the first transceiver of the first electrical device, where the first response signal includes a first identification of the first electrical device. The user system can further measure at least one parameter associated with the first response signal. The user system can also determine whether the at least one parameter is within a range of acceptable values. The user system can further assign the first electrical device to a first group when the at least one parameter is determined to be within a range of acceptable values.

Abstract: A system can include a first electrical device having a first controller that includes a first transceiver, where the first transceiver sends a first signal using a first communication protocol. The system can also include a second electrical device that includes a second controller having a second transceiver, where the second transceiver receives the first signal, measures a first strength of the first signal, generates a first table that includes the first strength and a first ID of the first electrical device, and sends a second signal using a second communication protocol. The user system can also include a gateway that receives the second signal, where the second signal includes the first strength and the first ID of the first electrical device. The gateway can also determine a first location of the first electrical device using the first strength and the first ID of the first electrical device.

Abstract: A system for simultaneous control of a subset of nodes in a wireless network includes a network controller and a plurality of nodes that are communicatively coupled to the network controller. The network controller transmits a custom Zigbee unicast message to a node of the subset of nodes that is assigned as a point guard node upon receiving an instruction to control one or more nodes of the subset of nodes. The point guard node receives the custom Zigbee unicast message and generates an InterPAN broadcast message based on a payload of the custom Zigbee unicast message. The point guard node broadcasts the InterPAN broadcast message as a one hop broadcast message to all the nodes in the radio range of the point guard node. The receiving nodes whose identifiers are present in the payload of the InterPAN broadcast message act on the instruction to change a status thereof.

Abstract: A multi-network gateway device includes a lighting network interface circuit configured to communicate with lighting devices using first wireless signals compliant with a first communications standard. The gateway device further includes a location-based network interface circuit configured to communicate with asset tags using second wireless signals compliant with a second communications standard that is different from the first communications standard. The gateway device also includes a processor configured to control the lighting network interface circuit to transmit a lighting control command based on identification information received wirelessly by the location-based network interface circuit.