Abstract:
Techniques are disclosed for enhancing indoor navigation using light-based communication (LCom). In some cases, an LCom-enabled luminaire configured as described herein may acquire user data from a local computing device and relay it to a server that tracks and analyzes the data to assess statistics for the luminaire's local spatial environment. The disclosed luminaire may receive from a local computing device a request for indoor navigation to a target of interest, such as a remote computing device. The luminaire may relay that request to a downstream luminaire, which delivers the request to the target. The target may respond with data that allows for tracking of its location and indoor navigation thereto, regardless of whether that target is moving or stationary. In a network of such luminaires, data distribution via inter-luminaire communication may be provided, for example, via an optical interface or other wired or wireless communication.
Abstract:
Techniques are disclosed for detecting stationary presence using IR sensor data. A number of IR images may be captured based on IR sensor data and these IR images may be averaged over various time intervals to calculate a number of average IR frames. The difference between these average IR frames provides a delta frame. A mask frame may be calculated as the summation of delta frames over time, and the value of the mask frame may be used to detect a stationary human presence even when no delta value is calculated. Alternatively, the mask frame may be used to calculate a background frame that represents the IR signature of stationary or cyclical objects within the scanned area that are not intended to trigger the presence detection system. A stationary presence may be determined by subtracting the background frame from a current average IR frame.
Abstract:
Techniques are provided for bi-directional communication between a power supply and one or more light engines (and/or other lighting system components) via the existing power lines so that no additional communication wires are needed. In particular, the power supply can transmit information by modulating its output (voltage or current) and the light engine (or other lighting componentry, such as a sensor) can communicate back by modulating how much power it draws from the power supply. Any suitable type of modulation scheme can be used, and a master-slave arrangement can be used to control the bi-directional communication if so desired, so as to avoid multiple devices communicating over the power line communication channel at the same time. Other embodiments allow a multiple simultaneous communications over the power line communication channel.
Abstract:
Embodiments are disclosed for driving a multi-color solid state light source luminaire so as to maintain a color point as temperature varies within a given range. An array of solid state light sources includes two or more strings and is driven by a single constant current source. The array is topologically arranged to allow for control of the division of current between the strings of solid state light sources. In one such current-sharing scenario, the duty cycle of a switching control signal corresponds directly to the proportion of current that flows in one of two distinct strings of solid state light sources. Thermal feedback is used to control the duty cycle. In this way, the amount of current that flows in both strings may be adjusted as temperature changes.
Abstract:
A conductor pad (102-1,..., 102-n) and a flexible circuit (100) including a conductor pad are provided. The conductor pad includes a first contact region (125), a second contact region (130), and a body portion (110) configured to establish a conductive path between the first contact region and the second contact region. The body portion includes a perimeter edge having at least a first convex segment and a second convex with a first non-convex segment disposed between the first convex segment and the second convex segment. A method of constructing a flexible circuit to facilitate roll-to-roll manufacturing of the flexible circuit is also provided.
Abstract:
A lighting device (100) including one or more solid state light sources (192) providing air cooling of the electronic driver (190) is disclosed. The driver (190) receives power and provides it to the light source(s). The device also includes a first (102) and a second (106) housing. The first housing (102) contains, at least in part, the driver (190), and includes a support (104) having an exterior (118) and an interior (119), that provides mechanical support to the second housing (106) connected thereto. The interior (119) includes a first opening (108). The second housing (106) is a heat sink for the device. The second housing (106) has an interior portion (142), with a second opening (109) corresponding to the first opening (108), and an exterior portion (140), having a plurality of external openings (110, 120). Air entering an external opening (110, 120) is able to mix with air in the first housing (102) by flowing through the first opening (108) and the corresponding second opening (109), which cools the electronic driver (190).
Abstract:
Techniques are disclosed for providing a stable output voltage in switching mode power supplies (SMPS). An SMPS includes a switching converter for powering a load, a passive startup circuit for initially providing an internal voltage supply for powering switching electronics when the mains is turned on, and a feedback circuit providing the internal voltage supply once the switching converter starts switching. The SMPS also includes a decoupling circuit that decouples or otherwise isolates the gain of the passive startup circuit from the feedback circuit, so as to prevent false dynamic overvoltage protection triggers. The decoupling circuit is implemented, for instance, with the addition of two or three passive components, such as a diode and a capacitor, or a diode, a capacitor, and a resistor. Preventing false triggering of the dynamic overvoltage protection in turn provides a more stable output voltage from the SMPS.
Abstract:
A power supply system providing communication from a master module to at least one slave module via transients, to alter operation of a load, is provided. The master module output a supply voltage that is either a normal supply voltage or a reduced supply voltage. The outputted supply voltage depends on input corresponding to a communication to be sent to the slave module to alter operation of the load of the slave module. The slave module receives the supply voltage and interprets the received supply voltage, which may vary between the normal and reduced supply voltages, to determine what the communication from the master module is. The slave module then uses information from the communication to appropriately alter operation of its load.
Abstract:
An edge-lit light panel (1) is disclosed, which includes a generally planar, transparent light guide (2). Light, such as from one or more solid state light source arrays (7), is coupled into the light guide (2) through its lateral edge, and propagates generally laterally within the light guide (2) via total internal reflection. A diffuser (6) is attached to the front or rear face of the light guide (2), such as by lamination. The diffuser (6) may have a refractive index matched to that of the light guide. The light guide (2) may have one or more concave features on its lateral edge to reduce reflection losses at high angles of incidence. The concave features may include a single, one- dimensional groove that includes all the solid state light sources along a particular straight edge of the light panel, or may include a series of concave dimples, with one dimple for each solid state light source.
Abstract:
A luminaire (12a) includes a fixture (28a) to be generally received in a recess (16) of a support surface (14a). A plurality of light engines (30) are disposed within the fixture (28a). The light engines (30) each have at least one light source. A heat flange (32a) disposed about a distal end region of said fixture (28a). The heat flange (32a) having a hollow, generally frustum shape with a cross-section extending generally radially outwardly beyond said fixture (28a)and extending away from said distal end region of said fixture (28a). The hollow shape provides a flange cavity (62) for housing of driver (48) or other components for the light engines (30).