An apparatus and method allow end users to interactively create complex lighting patterns by remote control. Applications include decorative lighting, landscape lighting, signage, or advertising platforms. A lighting control system can be equipped with sensors that can receive remote control signals from a variety of different sources, and route the control signals to modulate receptacles coupled to different lighting circuits, thereby independently controlling multiple light arrays to achieve separate light patterns, or to coordinate different lighting effects. The control signals can independently energize localized groups of lamps to provide enhanced lighting effects, while using significantly less wire material. Interactive remote control can be provided via a mobile computing device such as a smart phone running a customized program. In one embodiment, the remote control device communicates selections to a Bluetooth-equipped speaker to produce sound-controlled lighting effects.

Systems and methods are disclosed for use in conjunction with a standardized electrical connector of a conventional light bulb or tube with one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) electrically coupled to at least one electrical connector compatible with a conventional light connector, wherein the LEDs include at least one multiband-type ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver having one or more optical channels defined using one or more OFDM bands; and a controller coupled to the LEDs, the controller adjusting LED light output and communicating with the optical network using the optical transmitter and receiver. In other embodiments, the LEDs include at least one optical transmitter and receiver optically coupled to an optical network using at least one LED with a first mode to generate light and a second mode to receive optical transmissions using ambient light.

Methods, apparatuses and systems are described herein for harmonizing firmware among lighting units of a lighting system. In some embodiments, a lighting unit controller of a lighting unit may be configured to: broadcast, to a plurality of remote lighting units of the lighting system, data indicative of a version of the firmware used locally; receive, directly or indirectly from at least one remote lighting unit of the lighting system, data indicative of a version of firmware used by the at least one remote lighting unit; determine that the version of firmware used by the at least one remote lighting unit is different from a version of the firmware stored in the memory; and take remedial action to harmonize the firmware stored in the memory with the firmware used by the remote lighting unit.

This disclosure describes, in part, voice-controlled light switches that act as voice-controlled endpoints at which users may provide voice commands. These light switches may physically couple to a power source, as well as to one or more appliances. The light switches may include physical switches to selectively provide power to the appliances, either in a binary fashion (on or off) or along of spectrum of positions. In either instance, the appliances coupled to the light switches may include lights, electrical outlets, home appliances (e.g., dishwashers, washing machines, etc.), factory machinery, or any other device that receives electrical power.

Lighting units, lighting systems, and methods are described herein for automatic and decentralized commissioning of a replacement lighting unit (140, 150, 250). In various embodiments, a replacement lighting unit may receive, from one or more remote lighting units over one or more communication networks, one or more identifiers associated with the one or more remote lighting units. The replacement lighting unit may also receive, from at least one of the one or more remote lighting units over the one or more communication networks, the lighting operation parameters associated with an inoperative lighting unit. The replacement lighting unit may then selectively energize one or more light sources (258) associated with the replacement lighting unit to emit light having one or more properties indicated in the lighting operation parameters associated with the inoperative lighting unit.

Networked intelligent lighting devices may utilize visual light communication to perform autonomous neighbor discovery, for example, as part of a map generation process. Individually, each intelligent lighting device within an installation transmits a series of packets via visual light communication for receipt by one or more of the other intelligent lighting devices. Receiving intelligent lighting devices record the number of received packets from each transmitter. Records of numbers of received packets are conveyed via a data communication network to a centralized process. The centralized process utilizes the conveyed records to determine neighbor relationships between lighting devices, for example to generate a map of devices as located within the installation.

Lighting units, systems, and methods are described herein for determining whether occupancy detections are legitimate or not. Methods and systems are further described herein for powering down a network of power over ethernet (PoE) components.

A surgical headlight system includes an adjustable headband, a light assembly mounted to the headband, a motor assembly mounted to the headband and the light assembly, and electronic controller having a wireless transceiver therein, a power control circuit for varying electrical power delivered to a light source of the light assembly, a power source in electrical communication with the light assembly, the motor assembly, and the wireless transceiver, and a sterilizable wireless controller configured to transmit instructions to the wireless transceiver, the instructions causing the electronic controller to one or more of actuate at least one motor of the motor assembly to alter an orientation of the light assembly, adjust a diameter of an aperture of the light assembly, adjust a spacing between one or more condensing lenses and an objective lens, or operate the power control circuit to increase or decrease electrical power delivered to the light source.

Hazardous or dangerous conditions may be monitored. A mode may be set to a state indicative of the condition being present. It may then be determined that the hazardous or dangerous condition has eased. An indication of the hazardous or dangerous condition easing may be output in response to the determination. Such an indication may be output as synthesized speech.

Wireless signal light systems for vehicles, including wireless illuminated gear and clothing, are provided. In an example system, a wireless transmitter is communicatively coupled to a motorcycle or other vehicle. Receivers in illuminated articles, such as helmet, backpack, jacket, vest, race suit, gloves, boots, and other gear receive signaling information from the transmitter, such as left and right turn signaling and braking of the motorcycle or vehicle. Colored LEDs or other lighting in the illuminated articles mirror the signaling of the motorcycle or vehicle. Left and right gloves and boots may have respective left and right LED turn signal indicators. A pushbutton on each illuminated article synchs the article with the signaling system of the vehicle. The illuminated articles and can sense an emergency through position or by separation from the vehicle and activate emergency flashers, sound, and emergency contacts through a phone. The system batteries also have hazard protection.