Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include arrays of motion sensors that may be used to monitor a space to determine occupancy characteristics of the space, such as whether or not the space is occupied and the number of people located within the space. The array of motion sensors may be operatively connected to one or more building system components, such as lighting and HVAC equipment and can be used for adjusting an operating condition of the building system component based on whether a space is occupied.

Abstract: An assessment device for a lighting system, the device comprising: an input terminal which corresponds to an output terminal of a driver; an output terminal which corresponds to an input terminal of a light engine; a voltage regulator configured to provide power to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller is configured to sample an LED+ line voltage and an LED? line voltage with respect to a ground; and wherein the device is independent of the driver and the light engine.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for measuring an amount of flicker produced by a light source. In one embodiment, a flicker measuring device includes a photo sensor to measure the amount of light produced by the light source, a dedicated processor to receive and process data from the photo sensor, a memory bus coupled to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and to a first memory, and a direct memory access (DMA) bus coupled to the ADC and to a second memory. In another embodiment, a flicker measuring system uses a light sensor, an associated circuit and a portable computing device (PCD), such as a smart phone, to measure an amount of flicker produced by a light source by sending an electrical signal from the light source and associated circuit via an audio output to an audio sub-system of the PCD, so that the PCD may calculate the flicker value.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include arrays of motion sensors that may be used to monitor a space to determine occupancy characteristics of the space, such as whether or not the space is occupied and the number of people located within the space. The array of motion sensors may be operatively connected to one or more building system components, such as lighting and HVAC equipment and can be used for adjusting an operating condition of the building system component based on whether a space is occupied.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for measuring an amount of flicker produced by a light source. In one embodiment, a flicker measuring device includes a photo sensor to measure the amount of light produced by the light source, a dedicated processor to receive and process data from the photo sensor, a memory bus coupled to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and to a first memory, and a direct memory access (DMA) bus coupled to the ADC and to a second memory. In another embodiment, a flicker measuring system uses a light sensor, an associated circuit and a portable computing device (PCD), such as a smart phone, to measure an amount of flicker produced by a light source by sending an electrical signal from the light source and associated circuit via an audio output to an audio sub-system of the PCD, so that the PCD may calculate the flicker value.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an occupancy monitoring system. The occupancy monitoring system includes a thermal sensor configured to monitor a gate (e.g., entry way) to a space. The thermal sensor includes a pixel array that generates a pixel value for each pixel in the pixel array, and the pixel value corresponds to a quantity of heat or thermal information detected by a pixel. The occupancy monitoring system acquires pixel values for the pixels of the pixel array. The occupancy monitoring system determines whether there is a change in occupancy of the space based on changes to a first region (or first pixel cluster) of the pixel array and a second region (or second pixel cluster) of the pixel array over time. The occupancy monitoring system may adjust lighting, temperature, and/or security systems for the space as the occupancy changes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an occupancy monitoring system. The occupancy monitoring system includes a thermal sensor configured to monitor a gate (e.g., entry way) to a space. The thermal sensor includes a pixel array that generates a pixel value for each pixel in the pixel array, and the pixel value corresponds to a quantity of heat or thermal information detected by a pixel. The occupancy monitoring system acquires pixel values for the pixels of the pixel array. The occupancy monitoring system determines whether there is a change in occupancy of the space based on changes to a first region (or first pixel cluster) of the pixel array and a second region (or second pixel cluster) of the pixel array over time. The occupancy monitoring system may adjust lighting, temperature, and/or security systems for the space as the occupancy changes.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a microcontroller and program logic that calculates the operational age of a light engine that includes a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series. The program logic uses changes in transition voltage to calculate the operational age of a light engine. Changes in forward voltage across the light engine are used to detect sudden catastrophic failure of individual light emitting diodes. In response to the sudden catastrophic failure of one of the light emitting diodes, the program logic adjusts the power provided to the light engine based on the calculated operational age of the light engine. For example, the operational age of the light engine may be compared with a warrantied lifespan, and the power may be adjusted to increase the likelihood of compliance with the warranty.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include arrays of motion sensors that may be used to monitor a space to determine occupancy characteristics of the space, such as whether or not the space is occupied and the number of people located within the space. The array of motion sensors may be operatively connected to one or more building system components, such as lighting and HVAC equipment and can be used for adjusting an operating condition of the building system component based on whether a space is occupied.

Abstract: A luminaire includes a microcontroller and program logic that calculates the operational age of a light engine that includes a plurality of light emitting diodes connected in series. The program logic uses changes in transition voltage to calculate the operational age of a light engine. Changes in forward voltage across the light engine are used to detect sudden catastrophic failure of individual light emitting diodes. In response to the sudden catastrophic failure of one of the light emitting diodes, the program logic adjusts the power provided to the light engine based on the calculated operational age of the light engine. For example, the operational age of the light engine may be compared with a warrantied lifespan, and the power may be adjusted to increase the likelihood of compliance with the warranty.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include arrays of motion sensors that may be used to monitor a space to determine occupancy characteristics of the space, such as whether or not the space is occupied and the number of people located within the space. The array of motion sensors may be operatively connected to one or more building system components, such as lighting and HVAC equipment and can be used for adjusting an operating condition of the building system component based on whether a space is occupied.

Abstract: An assessment device for a lighting system, the device comprising: an input terminal which corresponds to an output terminal of a driver; an output terminal which corresponds to an input terminal of a light engine; a voltage regulator configured to provide power to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller is configured to sample an LED+ line voltage and an LED? line voltage with respect to a ground; and wherein the device is independent of the driver and the light engine.

Abstract: A controller for accessing a network of lighting system devices, the controller comprising: a communication subsystem configured to allow the controller to be identified as a node on the network, and to communicate according to a first protocol with at least one of said lighting system devices on the network; wherein the controller is configured to detect the presence of a Master lighting system device on the network via the first protocol; wherein the controller is configured to assume a role based on the detection.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for measuring an amount of flicker produced by a light source. In one embodiment, a flicker measuring device includes a photo sensor to measure the amount of light produced by the light source, a dedicated processor to receive and process data from the photo sensor, a memory bus coupled to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and to a first memory, and a direct memory access (DMA) bus coupled to the ADC and to a second memory. In another embodiment, a flicker measuring system uses a light sensor, an associated circuit and a portable computing device (PCD), such as a smart phone, to measure an amount of flicker produced by a light source by sending an electrical signal from the light source and associated circuit via an audio output to an audio sub-system of the PCD, so that the PCD may calculate the flicker value.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for assessing the conditions of LEDs and power supplies of solid state lighting systems. The techniques can be used, for example, to measure the capacitance of an output capacitor C in a switch-mode power supply (SMPS), and to measure the condition of the LEDs being driven by that power supply. In some cases, this assessment can be implemented in a lighting controller that controls the lighting system, which may be configured to simultaneously determine C and the conditions of LEDs. In one example case, the techniques can be implemented, for instance, in a micro-controller operating the lighting system. A lighting system implementing the techniques can be periodically assessed so as to provide real-time diagnostic capability. Numerous example embodiments of SMPS LED lighting systems will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

Abstract: An optoelectronic component device includes a first group of optoelectronic components including at least one first optoelectronic component, wherein the at least one first optoelectronic component provides electromagnetic radiation of a first color valence, a second group of optoelectronic components including at least one second optoelectronic component, wherein the at least one second optoelectronic component provides electromagnetic radiation of a second color valence, and a phase dimmer, wherein the phase dimmer is designed in such a way that a first operating mode and a second operating mode are provided, wherein the phase dimmer actuates the first and the second group of optoelectronic components in such a way that, in the first operating mode, a first array of optoelectronic components of the optoelectronic component device is energized and, in the second operating mode, a second array of optoelectronic components of the optoelectronic component device is energized.

Abstract: Solid state lighting systems are disclosed for providing uniform brightness of LEDs serially connected in a string. In some embodiments, the LEDs can be powered directly from the mains such that no switch-mode power supply or the output storage elements associated therewith are needed. In some such cases, a linear regulator and switches can be used to control the current through the LEDs to provide uniform brightness. Other embodiments can be used with a switch-mode based driver topology and/or storage elements coupled in parallel with clusters of the LEDs. In any such cases, control logic (e.g., microcontroller or other suitable controller) can be used to control the switches accordingly to provide uniform brightness, and in some cases, to mitigate the implications of having no SMPS output storage element. In some embodiments, the switching pattern provided by the control logic is random, although other switching patterns can be used.

Abstract: An optoelectronic component device includes a first group of optoelectronic components including at least one first optoelectronic component, wherein the at least one first optoelectronic component provides electromagnetic radiation of a first color valence, a second group of optoelectronic components including at least one second optoelectronic component, wherein the at least one second optoelectronic component provides electromagnetic radiation of a second color valence, and a phase dimmer, wherein the phase dimmer is designed in such a way that a first operating mode and a second operating mode are provided, wherein the phase dimmer actuates the first and the second group of optoelectronic components in such a way that, in the first operating mode, a first array of optoelectronic components of the optoelectronic component device is energized and, in the second operating mode, a second array of optoelectronic components of the optoelectronic component device is energized.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for assessing the conditions of LEDs and power supplies of solid state lighting systems. The techniques can be used, for example, to measure the capacitance of an output capacitor C in a switch-mode power supply (SMPS), and to measure the condition of the LEDs being driven by that power supply. In some cases, this assessment can be implemented in a lighting controller that controls the lighting system, which may be configured to simultaneously determine C and the conditions of LEDs. In one example case, the techniques can be implemented, for instance, in a micro-controller operating the lighting system. A lighting system implementing the techniques can be periodically assessed so as to provide real-time diagnostic capability. Numerous example embodiments of SMPS LED lighting systems will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

Abstract: Solid state lighting systems are disclosed for providing uniform brightness of LEDs serially connected in a string. In some embodiments, the LEDs can be powered directly from the mains such that no switch-mode power supply or the output storage elements associated therewith are needed. In some such cases, a linear regulator and switches can be used to control the current through the LEDs to provide uniform brightness. Other embodiments can be used with a switch-mode based driver topology and/or storage elements coupled in parallel with clusters of the LEDs. In any such cases, control logic (e.g., microcontroller or other suitable controller) can be used to control the switches accordingly to provide uniform brightness, and in some cases, to mitigate the implications of having no SMPS output storage element. In some embodiments, the switching pattern provided by the control logic is random, although other switching patterns can be used.