Abstract: A lighting device obtains data related to objects and boundaries in an area in the vicinity of the lighting device, and a user wearable device provides a display (e.g. an augmented reality display based on the data related to the objects and the area boundaries) for a user/wearer. The lighting device includes a mapping sensor that collects data related to the objects and boundaries in the area. The user wearable device includes a camera or other optical sensor and wireless communication capability. The user wearable device is provided with mapping data that is presented on a display of the user wearable device. The communications and display capabilities allow the user wearable device to obtain room mapping information related to area in the vicinity of the lighting device in order to provide navigational assistance to a visually impaired person in the area.

Abstract: The examples relate to various implementations to enable simultaneous controllable lighting distribution and a wide angle image light output from areas of a luminaire. An example of such a luminaire includes image light emitters and an array of general illumination light emitters for general illumination. A grid structure that has a supporting grid of rows and columns with intersection points and transparent sections or gaps is used to maintain a spaced arrangement of the general illumination light emitters and the image light emitters. Each of the transparent sections is bounded by individual structural members of the grid meeting at individual intersection points. In a specific example, image light emitters are located at intersection points of the grid structure. The general illumination light emitters are optically coupled for emitting general illumination light through the transparent sections of the grid.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a light waveguide grid including an array of waveguides coupling respective illumination light source emitters of a general illumination device with respective gaps between respective pixel light emitters of an image display device. Each waveguide has a housing that includes an input interface optically coupled to the respective illumination light source emitter to steer illumination lighting from the illumination light source emitter. The housing also includes an output interface opposing the input interface and optically coupled to one or more gaps between pixel light emitters. The housing further includes at least one reflective wall having an internal reflective surface encompassing and extending from the input interface and the output interface. The structure of the waveguide may be optimized and/or additional technologies added to reduce optical losses and improve overall illumination efficiency of the luminaire.

Abstract: A device uses gated retro-reflectors to transmit uplink data in a visible light communication (VLC) system. The gated retro-reflector includes a retro-reflector and a gating shutter between the retro-reflector and a light source. A light sensor receives VLC data at regular intervals in which a light pulse received during one of the intervals represents a first downloaded symbol and absence of a light pulse during another one of the intervals represents a second downloaded symbol. A controller controls the gating shutter to send uplink data from the device responsive to each received VLC light pulse. The controller opens the gating shutter during the reception of a VLC light pulse to upload a first uploaded symbol and closes the gating shutter during the reception of a VLC light pulse to upload a second uploaded symbol.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of lighting devices and other devices that are equipped with a cellular transceiver that is configured to communicate using cellular radio frequency spectrum in both a small-scale cellular network and a large-scale cellular communication network. By utilizing a short-range, low-power cellular transceiver setting, a lighting device facilitates communication, within the space in which the lighting device is installed, of messages between the lighting device and other types of user devices. Such an equipped lighting device may be configured to participate in the generation and delivery of different types of messages, such as data, emergency broadcast information, news and other information. Such a lighting device also may be configured to extend the reach of devices within the space in which the equipped lighting devices are located.

Abstract: An identification marking is incorporated into a light fixture to provide a uniquely identifiable light fixture. The identification marking is humanly imperceptible. Location information for the uniquely identifiable light fixture is obtained by a mobile device after identifying the light fixture based on the identification marking. Location of the mobile device is estimated based on the obtained location information of the uniquely identifiable light fixture.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of optical/electrical devices including a variable TIR lens assembly having a transducer, an optical lens and an electrowetting cell coupled to an exterior wall of the lens. The electrowetting cell contains two immiscible liquids having different optical and electrical properties. One liquid has a high index of refraction, and the other liquid has a low index of refraction. At least one liquid is electrically conductive. A signal causes the high index of refraction and the low index of refraction liquids to assume various positions within the electrowetting cell along the exterior wall. The properties of the optical lens, e.g. its total internal reflectivity, change depending upon the position of the respective liquids along the exterior wall. The light characteristics of the assembly change to produce a light beam over a range of light beam outputs or a field of view over a range of fields of view.

Abstract: A lighting system utilizes intelligent system elements, such as lighting devices, user interfaces for lighting control or the like and possibly sensors. The system also has a data communication network. Some number of the intelligent lighting system elements, including at least two of the lighting devices, also support wireless communication with other non-lighting-system devices at the premises. Each such element has a communication interface system configured to provide a relatively short range, low power wireless data communication link for use by other non-lighting-system devices at the premises in proximity to the respective intelligent system element. Also, in such an element, the processor is configured to control communications via the communication interface system so as to provide access to the data network and through the data network to the wide area network outside the premises for non-lighting related communications of the other non-lighting-system devices.

Abstract: A lighting system utilizes intelligent system elements, such as lighting devices, user interfaces for lighting control or the like and possibly sensors. The system also has a data communication network. Some number of the intelligent lighting system elements, including at least two of the lighting devices, also support wireless communication with non-lighting-system devices at the premises. Each such element has a communication interface system configured to provide a short range, low power wireless data communication link for use by non-lighting-system devices at the premises in proximity to the respective intelligent system element. Also, in such an element, the processor is configured to control communications via the communication interface system so as to provide access to the data network and through the data network to the wide area network outside the premises for non-lighting related communications of the non-lighting-system devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of optical/electrical devices including a variable TIR lens assembly having a transducer, an optical lens and an electrowetting cell coupled to an exterior wall of the lens. The electrowetting cell contains two immiscible liquids having different optical and electrical properties. One liquid has a high index of refraction, and the other liquid has a low index of refraction. At least one liquid is electrically conductive. A signal causes the high index of refraction and the low index of refraction liquids to assume various positions within the electrowetting cell along the exterior wall. The properties of the optical lens, e.g. its total internal reflectivity, change depending upon the position of the respective liquids along the exterior wall. The light detection characteristics of the assembly change to receive an input light beam over a range of inputs or over a range of fields of view.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source, an image sensor, a controller, a memory, and a wireless transceiver. The light source is configured to emit light for general illumination. The image sensor is configured to acquire an image of an area illuminated by the light source. The controller is coupled to control the image sensor and to receive the acquired image of the illuminated area from the image sensor. The controller is configured to operate the wireless transceiver to receive identification information from a wireless device in the illuminated area. The controller is further configured to automatically generate a visual signature based on image information of a person or object, obtained from the image of the illuminated area. The controller also is configured to store the visual signature of the person or object in the memory in association with the wireless device identification information.

Abstract: Examples of a lighting and display type luminaire use relatively transparent lighting devices. In such a luminaire, a light transmissive element of the lighting device is coupled to an output of a display device. For example, an edge lit lighting device includes an optical waveguide and one or more illumination light sources coupled to supply light to/through a surface along an edge or periphery of the waveguide. The waveguide allows emission of illumination light through a front surface. A display is coupled to a back surface of the waveguide. During display operations, the waveguide is sufficiently transparent to allow image display light to pass through the waveguide for emission through the front surface of the waveguide. Another example utilizes a light transmissive OLED (organic light emitting diode) panel as the relatively transparent lighting device.

Abstract: A lighting device includes a light source, an image sensor, a controller, a memory, and a wireless transceiver. The light source is configured to emit light for general illumination. The image sensor is configured to acquire an image of an area illuminated by the light source. The controller is coupled to control the image sensor and to receive the acquired image of the illuminated area from the image sensor. The controller is configured to operate the wireless transceiver to receive identification information from a wireless device in the illuminated area. The controller is further configured to automatically generate a visual signature based on image information of a person or object, obtained from the image of the illuminated area. The controller also is configured to store the visual signature of the person or object in the memory in association with the wireless device identification information.

Abstract: Disclosed are examples of lighting devices and other devices that are equipped with a cellular transceiver that is configured to communicate using licensed cellular radio frequency spectrum in both a small-scale cellular network and a large-scale cellular communication network. By utilizing a short-range, low-power cellular transceiver setting, a lighting device facilitates communication, within the space in which the lighting device is installed, of messages between the lighting device and other types of user devices. Such an equipped lighting device may be configured to participate in the generation and delivery of different types of messages, such as data, emergency broadcast information, news and other information as well extend the reach of devices within the space in which the equipped lighting devices are located.

Abstract: A system for modulating passive optical lighting or natural light for visible light communication (VLC) in a non-enclosed space to obtain precise location information or broadband data transmission. The system includes an optical modulator having a framing structure that is at least substantially transmissive with respect to visible light and that has a modulating layer attached thereon.

Abstract: A device uses gated retro-reflectors to transmit uplink data in a visible light communication (VLC) system. The gated retro-reflector includes a retro-reflector and a gating shutter between the retro-reflector and a VLC light source. A light sensor receives VLC data at regular intervals in which a light pulse received during one of the intervals represents a first downloaded symbol and absence of a light pulse during another one of the intervals represents a second downloaded symbol. A controller controls the gating shutter to send uplink data from the device responsive to each received VLC light pulse. The controller opens the gating shutter during the reception of a VLC light pulse to upload a first uploaded symbol and closes the gating shutter during the reception of a VLC light pulse to upload a second uploaded symbol.

Abstract: A lighting device utilizes physical or virtual separation of elements within the lighting device to isolate a first portion of data for delivery to a first data network from a second portion of data for delivery to a second data network. The first portion of data relates to a first signal generated responsive to a first sensed condition. The second portion of data may relate to the first signal or to a second signal generated responsive to the first sensed condition or a second sensed condition. The lighting device utilizes a first communication interface to deliver the first portion of data to the first data network and a second communication interface to deliver the second portion of data to the second data network.

Abstract: A lighting device obtains data related to objects and boundaries in an area in the vicinity of the lighting device, and a user wearable device provides a display (e.g. an augmented reality display based on the data related to the objects and the area boundaries) for a user/wearer. The lighting device includes a mapping sensor that collects data related to the objects and boundaries in the area. The user wearable device includes a camera or other optical sensor and wireless communication capability. The user wearable device is provided with mapping data that is presented on a display of the user wearable device. The communications and display capabilities allow the user wearable device to obtain room mapping information related to area in the vicinity of the lighting device in order to provide navigational assistance to a visually impaired person in the area.

Abstract: A cellular electrowetting array, e.g. for a luminaire, includes a liquid container having opposing transparent windows. The container contains conductive and non-conductive liquids. A grid wall extends from one of the windows at least partially across the interior volume of the container toward the opposite window. The grid wall divides the interior volume into cellular fluidic optics, each containing some conductive liquid and some non-conductive liquid. The individual cells may be square, although other shapes may be used. A first electrode electrically connects to the grid wall; and a second electrode contacts the conductive liquid. System examples combine such an electrowetting array with a positive or negative lens array, e.g. optically coupled to one of the windows of the array. The electrowetting array or a system combining that array with another lens array may be utilized in a luminaire, e.g. to provide a tunable distribution of the general illumination output.

Abstract: A plurality of networked lighting devices are deployed in a parking garage. The lighting devices each have a display, a controllable general illumination light source, and an occupancy sensor. When a user enters the parking garage in a vehicle, the display of lighting devices outputs directional arrows and communicates with other lighting devices to direct the user to a vacant parking space (e.g., displays green). In response to detecting that the vehicle has parked in a parking space, the display output is adjusted (e.g., displays red) and the general illumination light source is changed to a different lighting state. Hence, when the user pulls into the parking space, illumination lighting is activated to a brighter setting. The illumination lighting is adjusted to the brighter setting as the user approaches other lighting devices, for example, when approaching an elevator or later re-approaches the vehicle to provide a feeling of safety.