Patent classifications
G01J2001/4266
Ultraviolet light sensor and method to achieve targeted vitamin D levels
The computer system and computer-implemented method of generating and providing skin care product recommendations to a subject, wherein the method comprises determining, by a computing device, a UV-B exposure of the subject; determining, by the computing device, a vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure; determining, by the computing device, a target vitamin D of the subject; and providing, by the computing device, a skin care product recommendation to the subject when the vitamin D intake due to the UV-B exposure is less than the vitamin D target of the subject.
Systems and methods for array level terrain based backtracking
A system and method for array level terrain based backtracking includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with a rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information, execute a shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker; collect an angle for each tracker in a plurality of trackers in an array; adjust the first angle based on executing the shadow model with the first angle and the plurality of angles associated with the plurality of trackers; transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the adjusted first angle.
Sensor and method for discriminating between wavelength regions using the sensor
A sensor for discriminating between wavelength regions in an electromagnetic spectrum is disclosed. The sensor comprising a substrate, a sensing element supported on a surface of the substrate, and at least one pair of terminal electrodes disposed on the substrate surface in mutually spaced apart and opposing relation, and in electrical contact with the sensing element, wherein the sensing element is responsive to electromagnetic radiation to yield a change in photocurrent measured between the terminal electrodes as a function of an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation impinging thereon, wherein a positive dependency on the intensity corresponds to a first wavelength region and a negative dependency on the intensity corresponds to a second wavelength region.
Z-PLANE IDENTIFICATION AND BOX DIMENSIONING USING THREE-DIMENSIONAL TIME-OF-FLIGHT IMAGING
A sensor system that obtains and processes time-of-flight data (TOF) obtained in an arbitrary orientation is provided. A TOF sensor obtains distance data describing various surfaces. A processor identifies a horizontal Z-plane in the environment, and transforms the data to align with the Z-plane. In some embodiments, the environment includes a box, and the processor identifies a bottom and a top of the box in the transformed data. The processor can further determine dimensions of the box, e.g., the height between the top and bottom of the box, and the length and width of the box top.
PAR sunlight exposure indicator for optimal plant placement
A sunlight exposure indicator device is disclosed that can determine the amount of time (e.g., hours) of PAR sunlight that occurs in a specific area for the optimal growth of a plant, as corresponds to the plant industry common designations of Full Shade, Partial Shade, Partial Sun and Full Sun. These designations can be used to determine plant selection for all types of plants including grasses, shrubs, flowers, vegetables and herbs, and trees. This device utilizes irreversible, slow-reacting, photochromic pigments applied to a substrate. Using multiple instances of this device will allow someone to easily test and accurately determine the amount of PAR sunlight (hours) received during a one-day sunlight cycle in multiple spots simultaneously. The sunlight exposure indicator device is a one-time-use, non-electronic, disposable device.
Controlling transitions in optically switchable devices
This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling transitions in an optically switchable device. In one aspect, a controller for a tintable window may include a processor, an input for receiving output signals from sensors, and instructions for causing the processor to determine a level of tint of the tintable window, and an output for controlling the level of tint in the tintable window. The instructions may include a relationship between the received output signals and the level of tint, with the relationship employing output signals from an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor. In some instances, the controller may receive output signals over a network and/or be interfaced with a network, and in some instances, the controller may be a standalone controller that is not interfaced with a network.
Sky sensor
A sky sensor device for measuring direct normal illuminance (DNE) value is described. One sky sensor device includes a camera sensor to capture a series of images, an illuminance sensor to measure illuminance, and a processing device coupled to the camera sensor and the illuminance sensor. The processing device determines a DNE value using the series of images and the illuminance.
AUTOMOBILE ANTENNA ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRATED PHOTO RADIATION INTENSITY SENSOR
An automobile antenna assembly including a housing adapted for installation on a roof of an automobile, the housing having a base portion and a fin portion extending from the base portion, a radio antenna disposed within the fin portion, and a photo radiation intensity sensor disposed within the base portion, the photo radiation intensity sensor including a first light detecting element located on a first side of the fin portion and a second light detecting element located on a second side of the fin portion opposite the first side, wherein at least a portion of the base portion is translucent for allowing light to be received by the first and second light detecting elements, the fin portion providing a light barrier between the first light detecting element and the second light detecting element.
Automobile antenna assembly with integrated photo radiation intensity sensor
An automobile antenna assembly including a housing adapted for installation on a roof of an automobile, the housing having a base portion and a fin portion extending from the base portion, a radio antenna disposed within the fin portion, and a photo radiation intensity sensor disposed within the base portion, the photo radiation intensity sensor including a first light detecting element located on a first side of the fin portion and a second light detecting element located on a second side of the fin portion opposite the first side, wherein at least a portion of the base portion is translucent for allowing light to be received by the first and second light detecting elements, the fin portion providing a light barrier between the first light detecting element and the second light detecting element.
COMBI-SENSOR SYSTEMS
Certain aspects pertain to a combination sensor comprising a set of physical sensors facing different directions proximate a structure, and configured to measure solar radiation in different directions. The combination sensor also comprises a virtual facade-aligned sensor configured to determine a combi-sensor value at a facade of the structure based on solar radiation readings from the set of physical sensors.