Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for gesture-based control techniques for lighting systems. In some cases, the lighting system may include a camera and/or other suitable componentry to interpret gestures made by a user for controlling light output. In some such cases, the gesture performed and/or the location of the gesture may determine how the light output is controlled. In some cases, the gestures may be performed by moving a mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or dedicated light controller device. In some such cases, sensors included in or otherwise operatively coupled to the computing device (gravitational sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopic sensors, etc.) may be used to detect the movement of the device and the related gestures. The gestures may be used to navigate a user interface that allows a user to control light output by adjusting different attributes of the light output, such as light intensity and color.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for gesture-based control techniques for lighting systems. In some cases, the lighting system may include a camera and/or other suitable componentry to interpret gestures made by a user for controlling light output. In some such cases, the gesture performed and/or the location of the gesture may determine how the light output is controlled. In some cases, the gestures may be performed by moving a mobile computing device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or dedicated light controller device. In some such cases, sensors included in or otherwise operatively coupled to the computing device (gravitational sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopic sensors, etc.) may be used to detect the movement of the device and the related gestures. The gestures may be used to navigate a user interface that allows a user to control light output by adjusting different attributes of the light output, such as light intensity and color.

Abstract: A luminaire having a plurality of power sockets arranged over its housing is disclosed. In some embodiments, the luminaire includes a driver operatively coupled with all (or some sub-set) of the power sockets and configured to control the light output of a modular solid-state light source operatively interfaced therewith. In some such embodiments, the luminaire also includes a power-line communication (PLC) module configured to output a PLC signal utilized by the driver in controlling the modular light source's output. In some other embodiments, the modular light source includes the driver, which may utilize a PLC signal, a command signal received from a remote source, or both, in controlling light output. In some cases, the modular solid-state light sources may allow the luminaire to produce a target light beam distribution utilizing a minimal or otherwise reduced quantity of such light sources, reducing cost and difficulty of installation and commissioning.

Abstract: A light fixture and method for producing downward-propagating illumination are disclosed. A downward-facing panel may produce diffuse light. The panel may be generally flat and may have an indentation, where the indentation may have a lining that also produces diffuse light. The panel and the lining may have essentially the same luminance, so that the indentation may be less visible for orientations other than directly below the indentation. The fixture may have a downlight recessed into the indentation, which may produce a directional beam that emerges downward from within the indentation. The directional beam may have a brightness controllable separately from the diffuse light, such as a dedicated dimmer switch. The indentation may be at the center of the panel. The panel may be incorporated into a ceiling tile, and may be bundled as part of a kit that can also include ceiling tiles with panels that don't have a downlight.

Abstract: A luminaire having a plurality of power sockets arranged over its housing is disclosed. In some embodiments, the luminaire includes a driver operatively coupled with all (or some sub-set) of the power sockets and configured to control the light output of a modular solid-state light source operatively interfaced therewith. In some such embodiments, the luminaire also includes a power-line communication (PLC) module configured to output a PLC signal utilized by the driver in controlling the modular light source's output. In some other embodiments, the modular light source includes the driver, which may utilize a PLC signal, a command signal received from a remote source, or both, in controlling light output. In some cases, the modular solid-state light sources may allow the luminaire to produce a target light beam distribution utilizing a minimal or otherwise reduced quantity of such light sources, reducing cost and difficulty of installation and commissioning.

Abstract: A light fixture may include LEDs that each emits light into a particular zone on a lens, where each zone has its own focal properties. Each LED may be grouped into one (or more) subset(s) that corresponds to the zone(s) struck by its emitted light. The LEDs may be selectively electrically controllable, so that the amount of light transmitted through each zone may be controllable by the electrical control system of the fixture. Because light transmitted through different zones emerges from the fixture having different widths, the electrical control system can directly control the amount of light emerging at each width. By mixing relatively narrow light with relatively wide light in the proper proportions, the electrical control system of the fixture may produce light having any desired angular profile between “narrow” and “wide”.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for integrating lighting into a dropped/suspended ceiling. In some cases, a light source (e.g., light emitting diodes, laser diodes, etc) can be operatively coupled with the support grid/matrix of a drop ceiling. In some instances, the light source can be mounted on the underside of a drop ceiling T-frame and configured to emit/direct light sideways and/or downward from the ceiling. In some other instances, the light source can be mounted on an interior portion of a T-frame and configured to emit/direct light: (1) into an adjacent lightguide configured to direct the light downward from the ceiling; and/or (2) onto an adjacent reflective ceiling tile configured to direct the light downward from the ceiling. Some such lighting fixtures can be configured to be substituted for a standard or custom drop ceiling tile.

Abstract: A light fixture may include LEDs that each emits light into a particular zone on a lens, where each zone has its own focal properties. Each LED may be grouped into one (or more) subset(s) that corresponds to the zone(s) struck by its emitted light. The LEDs may be selectively electrically controllable, so that the amount of light transmitted through each zone may be controllable by the electrical control system of the fixture. Because light transmitted through different zones emerges from the fixture having different widths, the electrical control system can directly control the amount of light emerging at each width. By mixing relatively narrow light with relatively wide light in the proper proportions, the electrical control system of the fixture may produce light having any desired angular profile between “narrow” and “wide”.

Abstract: A light fixture and method for producing downward-propagating illumination are disclosed. A downward-facing panel may produce diffuse light. The panel may be generally flat and may have an indentation, where the indentation may have a lining that also produces diffuse light. The panel and the lining may have essentially the same luminance, so that the indentation may be less visible for orientations other than directly below the indentation. The fixture may have a downlight recessed into the indentation, which may produce a directional beam that emerges downward from within the indentation. The directional beam may have a brightness controllable separately from the diffuse light, such as a dedicated dimmer switch. The indentation may be at the center of the panel. The panel may be incorporated into a ceiling tile, and may be bundled as part of a kit that can also include ceiling tiles with panels that don't have a downlight.