Abstract: The invention relates to a peripheral device for communicating with a host and for controlling a controlled device, to a system including such peripheral device and at least the controlled device and to a corresponding method including a communication and a controlling. In order to allow for a possibility for upgrading controlled devices with further functionality during their service life at low initial costs or efforts on the side of the controlled devices, it is provided for an interconnection between a portion of the system using a complex standard and another portion of the system not using such standard by means of the peripheral device having a dual purpose, as a peripheral device to the standard compliant host and as a controlling device to the controlled device. In both cases, however, power is provided to the peripheral device from either the host or from the controlled device.

Abstract: A camera-based sensor device (200) and method for use in a controllable lighting system (100). The camera-based sensor device (200) comprises: a communications interface (203); a camera (201) for capturing images of a scene, each image comprising an array of pixels; and a processor (202). The processor (202) is configured to determine at least one light performance indicator, LPI, from an image captured by the camera (201). The LPI is a combined metric derived from a plurality of pixels of the array of pixels in the image. The processor (202) is configured to transmit, via the communications interface (203), the determined at least one LPI to the controllable lighting system (100) for use by the controllable lighting system (100) to make a control decision based on the LPI. The processor (202) does not transmit any of the images of the scene.

Abstract: A method and computer device for determining a spatial luminance distribution over at least one image of a scene illuminated by at least one illuminant (121) are provided. The image comprises RGB channels. A linear combination of the RGB channels is applied to determine the luminance distribution. The linear combination has a set of coefficients comprising a respective coefficient for each of the RGB channels. The coefficients are determined by identifying a spectral power distribution, SPD, of the at least one illuminant and performing a search to determine values of the set of coefficients that minimise a spectral mismatch between: a) the identified SPD weighted by the linear combination; and b) the identified SPD weighted by a luminosity function.

Abstract: A communication system, method and apparatus that enable combined illumination and communication of data (e.g. LiFi) by achieving extended coverage using just three or more channels. The combined illumination and communication system comprises an arrangement of luminaires as a regular Bravais pattern based on a convex quadrilateral unit cell on the ceiling. Using a spatial reuse pattern of at least three optical color channels, full coverage for the users in that space can be achieved. The predetermined reuse pattern is configured so that a first channel and a second channel are distributed over the Bravais pattern and a third channel is used to cover dead spot areas where the coverage areas of the first and second channels contact each other. Interference can be avoided to achieve full contiguous coverage without requiring the luminaires to synchronize or to communicate with each other.

Abstract: A system comprising: a plurality of first devices, each configured to transmit a low-frequency, LF, light signal comprising an identifier of the respective first device, and to transmit and/or receive a high-frequency, HF, light signal comprising data content; and a second device configured to receive a LF light signal from each of the first devices, and to transmit and/or receive a HF light signal from at least one first device, wherein the second device has an adaptable receiving and/or transmitting direction for respectively receiving and/or transmitting the HF light signal, and wherein the second device comprises a controller configured to: based on the identifiers encoded in the LF light signals, determine a position of the second device relative to the first devices and select a first device; and based on the determination, adapt the receiving and/or transmitting direction toward the selected first device.

Abstract: A signal switch comprises a switch arrangement for selectively passing optical wireless communication, OWC, signals received from a plurality of photodetectors for output to an external device. A signal strength detector is arranged to measure a signal strength of OWC signals as passed by the switch arrangement. While an OWC signal received from a first one of the photodetectors with a signal strength is being passed by the switch arrangement, a selection unit controls the switch arrangement to pass a combination of the OWC signal from the first photodetector and the OWC signal from another photodetector, determines a signal strength of the combination of OWC signals, and estimates the signal strength of the OWC signal from the other photodetector based on the signal strength of the OWC signal from the first photodetector and the signal strength of the combination of OWC signals.

Abstract: An optical data transmission system and method employs positive only data modulation, with an offset applied to the positive modulated values before generating modulated drive current signals for a light emitting component. The offset is such that the minimum drive current falls in a range where the electron-to-photon efficiency of the light emitting component is substantially constant. The drive current thus falls in a more linear part of its current vs. intensity characteristic. This reduces distortion and hence enables increased data rate.

Abstract: An LED module (200) comprising: a first set of LEDs (D1) for emitting illumination to illuminate an environment, arranged within a first circuit path; a second set of one or more LEDs (D2) for emitting light, arranged within a second circuit path; both the first and second sets being powered by a portion of the power received via a same pair of input terminals, and the first circuit path being longer than the second circuit path; and filter circuitry (206, 208) arranged to filter a modulation in the power received via the terminals, the filtering comprising allowing a component of the modulation at a predetermined modulation frequency to be passed only to the second set of LEDs (D2) and not the first set (D1), thereby causing a corresponding signal to be embedded in the light emitted by the second set but not in the illumination emitted by the first set.

Abstract: An uplink subsystem for use in an illumination system arranged for optical communication as well as the illumination system, the system comprising a downlink subsystem and the uplink subsystem. The uplink subsystem comprises sensors (e.g. infrared sensor) embedded in each luminaire in the group. The uplink subsystem also comprises a demodulator, and a distribution network for supplying the signals sensed to an adaptor to combine instances of the sensed uplink signal in a manner that takes into account a Time Division Medium Access scheme and a demodulator to demodulated the combined signal. The system further comprising a downlink subsystem that in turn comprises a modulator for generating a modulated waveform, and an optical fiber distribution network to distribute the modulated waveform to each luminaire in a group. Each such luminaire generates a drive current for driving a lighting element of that luminaire to emit light.

Abstract: An LED module (200) comprising: a first set of LEDs (D1) for emitting illumination to illuminate an environment, arranged within a first circuit path; a second set of one or more LEDs (D2) for emitting light, arranged within a second circuit path; both the first and second sets being powered by a portion of the power received via a same pair of input terminals, and the first circuit path being longer than the second circuit path; and filter circuitry (206, 208) arranged to filter a modulation in the power received via the terminals, the filtering comprising allowing a component of the modulation at a predetermined modulation frequency to be passed only to the second set of LEDs (D2) and not the first set (D1), thereby causing a corresponding signal to be embedded in the light emitted by the second set but not in the illumination emitted by the first set.

Abstract: According to a concept of the invention, there is proposed a communication interface that enables communication and power transfer between a luminaire and a connectable module. The communication interface comprises a driver circuit which generates an AC power supply for a primary winding, the primary winding being magnetically couplable to a secondary winding for powering the connectable module. A data sensing arrangement is adapted to detect a variation in the voltage/current of the primary winding which has been induced by the secondary winding. A control arrangement selectively couples a first and second DC input, upon which the AC power supply is based, together or to a common voltage.

Abstract: An uplink subsystem for use in an illumination system arranged for optical communication as well as the illumination system, the system comprising a downlink subsystem and the uplink subsystem. The uplink subsystem comprises sensors (e.g. infrared sensor) embedded in each luminaire in the group. The uplink subsystem also comprises a demodulator, and a distribution network for supplying the signals sensed to an adaptor to combine instances of the sensed uplink signal in a manner that takes into account a Time Division Medium Access scheme and a demodulator to demodulated the combined signal. The system further comprising a downlink subsystem that in turn comprises a modulator for generating a modulated waveform, and an optical fiber distribution network to distribute the modulated waveform to each luminaire in a group. Each such luminaire generates a drive current for driving a lighting element of that luminaire to emit light.

Abstract: An RF controlled lighting unit is provided, suitable for connection to at least one of a dimmer for adjusting a phase cut angle of input mains voltage in accordance with an adjustable dimming level or an electronic switch for selecting between on- and off-states. The lighting unit includes a solid state light source; a radio circuit for receiving a wireless control signal; a rectifier circuit for rectifying the input mains voltage received from the electronic switch or the dimmer; a first power converter for driving the solid state light source in response to the rectified input mains voltage and delivering power to the radio circuit; and a second power convertor for delivering power to the radio circuit when the rectified input mains voltage becomes inadequate for the first power converter due to the phase-cut angle of the rectified input mains voltage or the off-state of the electronic switch.

Abstract: The invention provides a current modulating circuit, for example for use in a driving circuit for driving a lighting load such as an LED arrangement. A current modulating element is provided in series with the lighting load, and modulates the current based on a data input signal. A feedback system controls the current modulating element, and it has a first feedback control path which uses a voltage across the current modulating element, and a second feedback control path which uses the data input signal. The voltage feedback is used to maintain the overall current equal to the current output from a driver. The difference in current is taken up by a capacitor at the output of the driver.

Abstract: A controller for granting a user input device control of a controllable device including a receiver arranged for receiving a first sound signal recorded within a first time frame by a first sound sensor and receiving a second sound signal recorded within a second time frame by a second sound sensor located at the user input device. The controller further includes a processor arranged for determining a level of similarity between the first sound signal and the second sound signal. The processor is further arranged for granting the user input device control of the controllable device if a sufficient level of similarity has been determined. This enables the controller to determine if the user input device is in the same space as the first sound sensor, and it allows the creation of a control space of the controllable device based on the characteristics of the first sound sensor.

Abstract: Remote controllers, positioning systems, and methods configured for the efficient assignment of addresses in a coded lighting positioning system are proposed. Particularly, a proposed remote controller comprises a receiver for receiving coded light from a light source in a coded lighting positioning system, where the coded light comprises an initial light source identifier of the light source. The remote controller also comprises a processing unit for assigning a modified light source identifier to the light source based on the received coded light, and a transmitter for transmitting the modified light source identifier to the light source. The modified light source identifier is a locally unique identifier used to provide positional information.

Abstract: According to a concept of the invention, there is proposed a communication interface that enables communication and power transfer between a luminaire and a connectable module. The communication interface comprises a driver circuit which generates an AC power supply for a primary winding, the primary winding being magnetically couplable to a secondary winding for powering the connectable module. A data sensing arrangement is adapted to detect a variation in the voltage/current of the primary winding which has been induced by the secondary winding. A control arrangement selectively couples a first and second DC input, upon which the AC power supply is based, together or to a common voltage.

Abstract: The invention provides a current modulating circuit, for example for use in a driving circuit for driving a lighting load such as an LED arrangement. A current modulating element is provided in series with the lighting load, and modulates the current based on a data input signal. A feedback system controls the current modulating element, and it has a first feedback control path which uses a voltage across the current modulating element, and a second feedback control path which uses the data input signal. The voltage feedback is used to maintain the overall current equal to the current output from a driver. The difference in current is taken up by a capacitor at the output of the driver.

Abstract: A biometric verification device is arranged to compare a reference hash with a verification bit string obtained from a biometric. The biometric verification device includes a candidate bit string generator arranged to generate candidate bit strings from the verification bit string and error probabilities; a hash unit arranged to apply a cryptographic hash function to the generated candidate bit strings to obtain candidate hashes; and a comparison unit arranged to verify if a candidate hash generated by the hash unit matches a reference hash.

Abstract: An RF controlled lighting unit is provided, suitable for connection to at least one of a dimmer for adjusting a phase cut angle of input mains voltage in accordance with an adjustable dimming level or an electronic switch for selecting between on- and off-states. The lighting unit includes a solid state light source; a radio circuit for receiving a wireless control signal; a rectifier circuit for rectifying the input mains voltage received from the electronic switch or the dimmer; a first power converter for driving the solid state light source in response to the rectified input mains voltage and delivering power to the radio circuit; and a second power convertor for delivering power to the radio circuit when the rectified input mains voltage becomes inadequate for the first power converter due to the phase-cut angle of the rectified input mains voltage or the off-state of the electronic switch.