Abstract: An automated camera system and method are provided that are configured to search for an object emitting or reflecting a certain wavelength of light. The camera can be infrared, electro-optical, or otherwise. Image processing software is configured to isolate pixel groups in each image, wherein those pixel groups fit a wavelength or color patterns of an object being searched. The system also includes processing methods for determining the relative location of the object (GPS or other) based upon the location of the camera and the field of view of the camera. Materials can also be used to tag the object so that the object is easier to find in adverse lighting conditions. Alternatively, the tag can be a wavelength that only one group of searchers knows about, and hence the object can remain relatively hidden from others. The system can be readily mounted in an aircraft or other vehicle so that large areas can be scanned and searched.

Abstract: A buoy, and systems and methods for rescuing people isolated on large bodies of water are disclosed. The buoy includes a remotely activatable device that is activatable when a signal is received from a remote source. The activatable device may be a signaling device, or an assistance device that is deployable by the buoy to assist in rescuing a person. A marine communication system formed by a number of spaced apart rescue buoys is also provided. A message or key other information can be transmitted to every buoy in the network via communication with just one buoy. The methods for rescuing people isolated on large bodies of water involve providing the network of communication buoys that can receive communications from the isolated person's personal communication device, and then transmit a signal to remotely activate an activatable device in a buoy to assist in the rescue of the person.

Abstract: A component that can be detachably fitted to a watercraft to shift the center of buoyancy of the watercraft and render the watercraft self-righting. The component uses quick release attachment and detachment fixtures so that a person can easily remove the component and thereby free-up space for passengers on the watercraft. The component includes a non-inflatable buoyant structure made of a buoyant material or materials arranged into a buoyant configuration. A watercraft with the detachable component is also disclosed, as is a method for converting a non-self-righting watercraft into a self-righting watercraft.

Abstract: A composite lighting apparatus and methods for inhibiting the optical imaging of subcutaneous veins. In an embodiment, the lighting apparatus includes a first narrow light emitter and a second narrow light emitter. When the first narrow light emitter and the second narrow light emitter are energized then a composite light is emitted that is characterized by a cyanosis observation index (COI) value of greater than four (4.0) and has a correlated color temperature (CCT) of between about 2000° K to about 50,000° K that is one of on the blackbody locus or near the blackbody locus. In some implementations, the first narrow light emitter may emit a blueish light and may have a peak wavelength in the range of about four hundred forty nanometers (440 nm) to about four hundred and sixty nanometers (460 nm).

Abstract: An aquatic rescue vehicle formed by adding directional and speed controls to a watercraft along with an autonomous control system to guide the vehicle to specified waypoints is disclosed. The rescue vehicle includes search devices such as a radio direction finder (RDF) and an infrared sensor (or camera) to be used to narrow the search for an isolated person (IP). The rescue vehicle may be discharged from a larger watercraft or an airplane and autonomously set out on its rescue mission. The vehicle may first navigate to a designated waypoint near an IP, and then use signals gathered from the RDF and infrared sensor to finally locate, assist, and retrieve the IP. The vehicle also includes a self-righting mechanism so that the vehicle can complete its mission even under the most adverse conditions.

Abstract: A method of determining the location of an object in a camera field of view is disclosed. The method may utilize a camera system that includes a digital video camera and a computer that runs image analysis software for analyzing images received from the camera. The image analysis software is configured to isolate pixel groups in each image. The method includes the steps of locating an object in the camera's field of view in which the object is represented by a set of pixels; identifying the centroid of the set of pixels representing the object; and calculating the location of the object relative to the camera based upon known parameters including the focal plane and camera lens location.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting component which may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) or laser diode (LD) for generating at least one of blue light or ultraviolet light. A fluoride phosphor matrix may be included, which may be consolidated into a phosphor ceramic structure including at least one of a transparent fluoride ceramic structure or a translucent fluoride ceramic structure, and positioned adjacent to the LED or LD. The phosphor ceramic structure generates at least one of red or orange light when irradiated by the light emitted from the LED or LD. The phosphor ceramic structure exhibits reduced thermal quenching relative to a fluoride particulate structure irradiated by the LED or LD.

Abstract: A lighting device is presented. The lighting device includes an LED light source; and a red/far-red emitting phosphor radiationally coupled to the LED light source, wherein the red/far-red emitting phosphor comprises a host material activated with an activator ion, and wherein the activator ion comprises at least one of Sm2+ and Mn2+. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A coated phosphors that include a shell comprising a first Mn4+ doped phosphor of formula I Ax[MFy]:Mn4+??I directly disposed on a core comprising a second phosphor. The second phosphor is a material other than a compound of formula I or formula II Ax[MFy]??II wherein A is, independently at each occurrence, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is, independently at each occurrence, Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Hf, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MFy] ion; and y is 5, 6 or 7.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus such as a lighting apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least one LED (or OLED) module, configured to generate a visible light such as white light, and at least one component such as optical component comprising a compound consisting essentially of the elements neodymium (Nd) and fluorine (F), and optionally including one or more other elements. The lighting apparatus is configured to provide a desired light spectrum by filtering the generated visible light using the compound. The at least one component can comprise a NdFxOy compound with values of x and y determining a content ratio F/O, which may be adjusted during manufacturing of the NdFxOy compound to provide desired output light parameters of the apparatus including at least a desired output light spectrum realized by filtering the generated visible light using the NdFxOy compound.

Abstract: A method includes mixing a first fluoride phosphor powder that is doped with tetravalent manganese with a treatment solution for a designated period of time, stopping the mixing to allow the fluoride phosphor powder to settle, removing at least some liquid that has separated from the first fluoride phosphor powder, repeating (a) the mixing, (b) the stopping of the mixing, and (c) removing at least some of the liquid during one or more additional cycles, and obtaining a second fluoride phosphor powder following the repeating of the mixing, the stopping of the mixing, and the removing of at least some of the liquid. The second fluoride phosphor powder includes a reduced amount of the manganese relative to the first fluoride phosphor powder.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus such as a lighting apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least one LED (or OLED) module, configured to generate a visible light such as white light, and at least one component such as optical component comprising a compound consisting essentially of the elements neodymium (Nd) and fluorine (F), and optionally including one or more other elements. The lighting apparatus is configured to provide a desired light spectrum by filtering the generated visible light using the compound. The at least one component can comprise a NdFxOy compound with values of x and y determining a content ratio F/O, which may be adjusted during manufacturing of the NdFxOy compound to provide desired output light parameters of the apparatus including at least a desired output light spectrum realized by filtering the generated visible light using the NdFxOy compound.

Abstract: A lighting device is presented. The lighting device includes an LED light source; and a red/far-red emitting phosphor radiationally coupled to the LED light source, wherein the red/far-red emitting phosphor comprises a host material activated with an activator ion, and wherein the activator ion comprises at least one of Sm2+ and Mn2+. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lighting component which may comprise a light emitting diode (LED) or laser diode (LD) for generating at least one of blue light or ultraviolet light. A fluoride phosphor matrix may be included, which may be consolidated into a phosphor ceramic structure including at least one of a transparent fluoride ceramic structure or a translucent fluoride ceramic structure, and positioned adjacent to the LED or LD. The phosphor ceramic structure generates at least one of red or orange light when irradiated by the light emitted from the LED or LD. The phosphor ceramic structure exhibits reduced thermal quenching relative to a fluoride particulate structure irradiated by the LED or LD.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus such as a lighting apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least one LED (or OLED) module, configured to generate a visible light such as white light, and at least one component such as optical component comprising a compound consisting essentially of the elements neodymium (Nd) and fluorine (F), and optionally including one or more other elements. The lighting apparatus is configured to provide a desired light spectrum by filtering the generated visible light using the compound. The at least one component can comprise a NdFxOy compound with values of x and y determining a content ratio F/O, which may be adjusted during manufacturing of the NdFxOy compound to provide desired output light parameters of the apparatus including at least a desired output light spectrum realized by filtering the generated visible light using the NdFxOy compound.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining particles of a phosphor precursor of formula Ax[MFy]:Mn4+, reducing sizes of the particles of the phosphor precursor by wet milling the particles and annealing the particles that are wet milled by contacting the particles with a fluorine-containing oxidizing agent. Additionally, a manganese doped complex fluoride phosphor prepared by this method is provided. A lighting apparatus and backlight device that include manganese-doped phosphor prepared by this method also are provided.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus such as a lighting apparatus, the apparatus comprising at least one LED (or OLED) module, configured to generate a visible light such as white light, and at least one component such as optical component comprising a compound consisting essentially of the elements neodymium (Nd) and fluorine (F), and optionally including one or more other elements. The lighting apparatus is configured to provide a desired light spectrum by filtering the generated visible light using the compound. The at least one component can comprise a NdFxOy compound with values of x and y determining a content ratio F/O, which may be adjusted during manufacturing of the NdFxOy compound to provide desired output light parameters of the apparatus including at least a desired output light spectrum realized by filtering the generated visible light using the NdFxOy compound.

Abstract: A process for preparing a Mn+4 doped phosphor of formula I Ax[MFy|:Mn+4??I includes gradually adding a first solution to a second solution and periodically discharging the product liquor from the reactor while volume of the product liquor in the reactor remains constant; wherein A is Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MFy] ion; and y is 5, 6 or 7. The first solution includes a source of M and HF and the second solution includes a source of Mn to a reactor in the presence of a source of A.

Abstract: A coated phosphors that include a shell comprising a first Medoped phosphor of formula I Ax[MFy]:Mn4+??I directly disposed on a core comprising a second phosphor. The second phosphor is a material other than a compound of formula I or formula II Ax[MFy]??II wherein A is, independently at each occurrence, Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, or a combination thereof; M is, independently at each occurrence, Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Hf, Y, La, Nb, Ta, Bi, Gd, or a combination thereof; x is the absolute value of the charge of the [MFy] ion; and y is 5, 6 or 7.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus that includes a light source and a phosphor composition radiationally coupled to the light source is presented. The phosphor composition includes a first phosphor that includes a phase of general formula (I): L3ZO4(Br2-nXn):Eu2+ wherein 0?n?1; L is Zn, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, or combinations thereof; Z is Si, Ge, or a combination thereof; and X is F, Cl, I, or combinations thereof.