Scanning unknown objects using optical signals

Abstract

A method for scanning an unknown object in a spatial volume may include transmitting, by a communication device, a tracking signal to a known object located in the spatial volume during a first time period. The method may also include receiving, by the communication apparatus, a reflected signal during the first time period, wherein the reflected signal is a reflection of a tracking signal originating from a reflective device of the known object. The method may also include transmitting, by the communication device, a scan signal during the second time period, the scan signal scanning the volume of space for the unknown object.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to tracking objects, and more particularly, to systems, methods, and devices for scanning unknown objects using light signals. Background Art

[0002] Light Fidelity (LiFi) and other optical communication technologies can be used to locate one or more objects in a spatial volume. However, these optical communication technologies may have difficulty tracking objects in terms of their movement within the spatial volume. In addition, when there are multiple objects to be tracked simultaneously, the available bandwidth of the optical communication technology may become limited. Sometimes, the additional dynamics of additional (unknown) objects entering the spatial volume complicate the tracking process. Summary of the invention

[0003] In general, in one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for scanning an unknown object in a spatial volume. The method may include transmitting, by a communication device, a tracking signal to a known object located in the spatial volume during a first time period of a cycle, wherein the known object was tracked in a previous cycle. The method may also include receiving, by the communication device, a reflection signal during the first time period, wherein the reflection signal is a reflection of a tracking signal of a reflection device originating from the known object. The method may also include using the communication device to determine, based on information obtained from the first reflection signal, a position and path of the known object in the spatial volume. The method may also include transmitting, by the communication device, a scanning signal during a second time period of the cycle, the scanning signal scanning the spatial volume for the unknown object.

[0004] In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a communication device for scanning an unknown object in a spatial volume. The communication device may include a transmitter configured to send a plurality of tracking signals and a plurality of scanning signals into the spatial volume. The communication device may also include a receiver configured to receive a plurality of reflection signals, wherein the plurality of reflection signals are reflections of a plurality of tracking signals and a plurality of scanning signals originating from a first plurality of reflection devices of a plurality of known objects and a second reflection device of an unknown object in a plurality of cycles. The communication device may also include a controller communicatively coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the controller is configured to control the transmitter to send a tracking signal in each of the plurality of cycles to track a known object in the spatial volume during a first time period of one of the plurality of cycles. The controller may also be configured to use information obtained from the reflection signal received by the receiver to determine a position and path of a known object in the spatial volume in a first time period of the cycle. The controller may also be configured to control the transmitter to send a scanning signal during a second time period of the cycle to scan the spatial volume for an unknown object.

[0005] These and other aspects, objects, features and embodiments will be apparent from the following description and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The accompanying drawings illustrate only example embodiments and therefore should not be considered to limit the scope, as the example embodiments may allow other equally effective embodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, instead emphasis is placed on clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, some dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help convey these principles visually. In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals represent similar or corresponding, but not necessarily identical, elements.

[0007] Figure 1 A block diagram of a system according to certain example embodiments is shown.

[0008] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Detector.

[0009] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 Block diagram of a communication device.

[0010] Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 A block diagram of a controller of a communication device.

[0011] Figure 5 A computing device is shown in accordance with certain example embodiments.

[0012] Figure 6 A flow chart of a method for tracking multiple objects in a volume of space is shown, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

[0013] Figures 7 to 10 A block diagram of a system for tracking a known object in a volume of space during a period is shown, in accordance with certain example embodiments.

[0014] Fig.11 and Fig.12 According to some example embodiments, a method for Figures 7 to 10 Scanning unknown objects in a volume of space during a period of Figures 7 to 10 Block diagram of the system.

[0015] Fig.13 According to some example embodiments, Figures 7 to 12 A graph of the light signal emitted during the period captured in .

[0016] Fig.14 A method for tracking one of the known objects in the volume of space during a subsequent cycle is shown in accordance with certain example embodiments. Figures 7 to 11 Block diagram of the system.

[0017] Fig.15 According to some example embodiments, Fig.14 Block diagram of a system for scanning a portion of a volume of space to locate a new known object during the subsequent cycle.

[0018] Fig.16 A method for scanning a volume of space for unknown objects during a subsequent cycle is shown in accordance with certain example embodiments. Fig.14 Block diagram of the system.

[0019] Fig.17 According to some example embodiments, Figures 14 to 16 A graph of the light signal emitted during subsequent cycles captured in . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In general, example embodiments provide systems, methods, and devices for scanning unknown objects using optical signals. Example embodiments may provide several benefits. Such benefits may include, but are not limited to, more accurate collection, interpretation, and use of data, use of existing lighting systems and / or other systems (e.g., security systems, fire protection systems), user control, and increased energy and storage efficiency. Example embodiments may be used with new communication devices having optical communication capabilities, or with existing communication devices that are modified to accommodate example embodiments.

[0021] The example communication device (including its components) can be made of one or more of several suitable materials to allow the electrical device to meet certain standards and / or regulations while also maintaining operational proficiency. Examples of such materials may include, but are not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, fiberglass, glass, plastic, polymer, ceramic, and rubber. The National Electrical Code (NEC), the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) are examples of entities that set standards and / or regulations that can be applied to the example communication device. The use of the example embodiments described herein satisfies (and / or allows the communication device to meet) such standards and / or regulations when applicable.

[0022] In the foregoing figures showing example embodiments of scanning unknown objects using light signals, one or more components shown may be omitted, repeated, and / or replaced. Therefore, the example embodiments of scanning unknown objects using light signals should not be considered to be limited to the specific arrangements of components shown in any of the figures. For example, features shown in one or more figures or described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment associated with a different figure or description.

[0023] If a component in a figure is described but not explicitly shown or labeled in the figure, the label used for the corresponding component in another figure can be inferred for that component. Conversely, if a component in a figure is labeled but not described with respect to the figure, the description of such component can be substantially the same as the description of the corresponding component in another figure. The numbering scheme used for various components in the figures herein is such that each component is a three-digit or four-digit number, and the corresponding components in the other figures have the same last two digits.

[0024] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated, a statement that a particular embodiment (e.g., as shown in the figures herein) does not have a particular feature or component does not mean that such embodiment cannot have such feature or component. For example, for the purposes of current or future claims herein, a feature or component described as not included in the example embodiments shown in one or more specific figures can be included in one or more claims corresponding to the one or more specific figures herein.

[0025] An example embodiment of scanning an unknown object using a light signal will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example embodiment of scanning an unknown object using a light signal is shown. However, scanning an unknown object using a light signal can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the scope of scanning an unknown object using a light signal is fully conveyed to those of ordinary skill in the art. For consistency, similar but not necessarily identical elements (sometimes also referred to as components) in the various figures are represented by similar reference numerals.

[0026] Terms such as "first", "second", "above", "below", "inside", "outside", "distal", "proximal", "end", "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "side", "left", "right", "front", "rear", and "inside" when present are used only to distinguish one component (or a part of a component or a state of a component) from another component. Such terms are not meant to express a preference or a particular orientation. Such terms are not meant to limit embodiments in which optical signals are used to scan unknown objects. In the following detailed description of example embodiments, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be implemented without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features are not described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

[0027] Figure 1 A block diagram of a system 100 is shown, in accordance with certain example embodiments. Figure 2 Shows Figure 1Detector 185-1. Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 170 - 1 is a block diagram of a communication device 170 - 1 . Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 1 is a block diagram of the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1. Figures 1 to 4 , the system 100 includes an optional network manager 180, one or more users 150 (which may include one or more user systems 155), one or more known objects 175 (e.g., known object 175-1, known object 175-N), optionally one or more unknown objects 176 (unknown object 176-1, unknown object 176-M), and one or more communication devices 170 (e.g., communication device 170-1, communication device 170-N).

[0028] Known objects 175 , unknown objects 176 , and at least a portion of communication devices 170 are located in the spatial volume 109 . Figures 1 to 4 The components shown in are not exhaustive, and in some embodiments, Figures 1 to 4 One or more components shown in FIG. 1 may not be included in system 100. Any component of system 100 may be discrete or combined with one or more other components of system 100. For example, sensor device 360 ​​may be a separate component of system 100 that is communicatively coupled to communication device 170.

[0029] The known object 175 may be a person, item, entity, and / or other thing located in the spatial volume 109. The known object 175 may have been previously identified, for example, identified during the current cycle or the previous cycle. Therefore, the known object 175 is referred to as a "known object" in this article because it has been identified and tracked. Being identified may include or refer to being tracked and / or learning or determining the location and / or path information of the corresponding object. Examples of objects 175 may include, but are not limited to, consumers, employees, inventory items, a piece of furniture, a vehicle (e.g., a forklift), a production tool / machine (e.g., an electronic screwdriver), medical equipment (e.g., surgical equipment, monitoring equipment), a pallet, a robot, and a piece of office equipment (e.g., a laptop, a phone). The known object 175 may be stationary or mobile in the spatial volume 109. If the known object 175 is moving, the movement of the known object 175 may be at any rate (e.g., random, constant), in any direction (e.g., constant, random), and for any amount of time. The system 100 has any number of known objects 175. In this case, there are N known objects 175.

[0030] Similarly, unknown object 176 can be a person, article, entity and / or other thing located in spatial volume 109. However, unknown object 176 has not been identified yet and will be identified in one cycle, the next cycle or a subsequent cycle. Therefore, unknown object 176 is referred to as "unknown object" in this article because it has not been identified yet. Being identified can include or refer to being tracked and / or learning or determining the location and / or path information of the corresponding object. Examples of unknown object 176 can include but are not limited to consumers, employees, inventory items, a piece of furniture, a vehicle (e.g., a forklift), a production tool / machine (e.g., an electronic screwdriver), medical equipment (e.g., surgical equipment, monitoring equipment), a pallet, a robot, and a piece of office equipment (e.g., a laptop computer, a phone). Unknown object 176 can be stationary or mobile in spatial volume 109. If unknown object 176 is moving, the movement of unknown object 176 can be at any rate (e.g., random, constant), in any direction (e.g., constant, random), and for any amount of time.

[0031] In other words, from a tracking perspective, the known object 175 and the unknown object 176 are substantially identical to one another, except that the unknown object 176 has not yet been identified by the communication device 170 and, therefore, cannot yet be tracked by the communication device 170. The system 100 has any number of unknown objects 176. In this case, there are M unknown objects 176. As defined herein, a known object 175 refers to an identification by the controller 304 that a particular known object 175 is present in the volume of space 109 without necessarily knowing the identity of the known object 175. Additionally, as defined herein, an unknown object 176 refers to an identification by the controller 304 that a particular unknown object 176 was not previously known to be present in the volume of space 109. When an unknown object 176 is discovered during scanning of the volume of space 109, the identity of the unknown object 176 may or may not be determined.

[0032] Each known object 175 has a detector 185 coupled to, integrated with, or otherwise affixed to the known object 175. For example, in this case, detector 185-1 is coupled to known object 175-1, and detector 185-N is coupled to known object 175-N. As in this example, each known object 175 may have a single detector 185. In alternative embodiments, a known object 175 may have multiple detectors 185. Detectors 185 may have any of a number of forms, including, but not limited to, an integrated device that is part of the surface of a known object 175, a label affixed to a known object 175, and a badge worn by a known object 175.

[0033] Detector 185 of known object 175 can have any of several configurations. For example, detector 185 can be configured to receive optical signals in the form of tracking signal 158 and / or in the form of scanning signal 159 for tracking, scanning, communication, and / or other suitable purposes. As another example, detector 185 can be configured to receive and manipulate optical signals in the form of tracking signal 158 for alignment or positioning. Figure 2 An example of a detector 185-1 is shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the detector 185-1 has a detector body 287 (e.g., configured to receive optical signals in the form of tracking signals 158 and / or in the form of scanning signals 159, configured to receive other types of optical communication signals) having a substantially circular top surface. Surrounding the detector body 287 of the detector 185-1 is a reflector 286 (e.g., configured to receive and manipulate optical signals in the form of tracking signals 158 and / or in the form of scanning signals 159 for alignment, positioning, discovery, etc.), which also has a substantially circular top surface.

[0034] Each unknown object 176 has a detector 186 coupled to, integrated with, or otherwise affixed to the unknown object 176. For example, in this case, detector 186-1 is coupled to unknown object 176-1, and detector 186-M is coupled to unknown object 176-M. As in this example, each unknown object 176 can have a single detector 186. In alternative embodiments, the unknown object 176 can have multiple detectors 186. The detector 186 can have any of a number of forms, including but not limited to an integrated device that is part of the surface of the unknown object 176, a label affixed to the unknown object 176, and a badge worn by the unknown object 176.

[0035] Detector 186 for unknown object 176 can have any of a number of configurations. For example, detector 186 can be configured to receive light signals in the form of tracking signal 158 and / or in the form of scanning signal 159 for tracking, scanning, communication, and / or other suitable purposes. Detector 186 can be configured substantially the same as detector 185 for known object 175. In this way, Figure 2 The example of detector 185-1 shown in FIG. 1 may be equally applicable to detector 186. As described below, when unknown object 176 is detected, communication device 170 reclassifies unknown object 176 and associated detector 186 as known object 175 and associated detector 185.

[0036] The reflector 286 may be configured to reflect light signals in the form of tracking signals 158 and / or in the form of scanning signals emitted by the communication device 170 back in substantially the same direction as the received light signals as reflected signals 157. In addition to or as an alternative to the reflector 286, the detector 185-1 (and therefore also the detector 186) may be or include some other component with reflective properties that is configured to reflect light signals in the form of tracking signals 158 and / or in the form of scanning signals 159 as reflected signals 157. In alternative embodiments, the detector 185-1 (and therefore also the detector 186) may include multiple reflectors 286 that are located in different positions relative to the detector body 287.

[0037] The network manager 180 is a device or component that controls all or a portion of the system 100, which includes a communication device 170 that is communicatively coupled to the network manager 180 via one or more communication links 105. The network manager 180 may include a controller (e.g., similar to the controller 304 of the communication device 170) and an optional user interface. In this case, the controller of the network manager 180 may include some or all of the same components and / or perform some or all of the same functions as the controller 304 of the communication device 170. The network manager 180 (or its components) may be located in or near the spatial volume 109. In addition, or as an alternative, the network manager 180 (or its components) may be located remotely (e.g., in the cloud) from the spatial volume 109. The network manager 180 may be referred to as any of a number of other names, including, but not limited to, a master controller, an enterprise manager, and a network controller.

[0038] The user 150 may be anyone who interacts directly or indirectly with the network manager 180, the communication device 170, and / or any other component of the system 100. Examples of the user 150 may include, but are not limited to, business owners, engineers, company representatives, consultants, contractors, security entities, and manufacturers' representatives. The user 150 may use one or more user systems 155 that may include a display (e.g., a GUI). Examples of the user system 155 may include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, a smart watch, an electronic tablet, a laptop computer, and a desktop computer. The user system 155 of the user 150 may interact with (e.g., send data to, obtain data from) the network manager 180, the communication device 170, and / or any other component of the system 100 via an application interface and using the communication link 105. The user 150 may also interact directly with the network manager 180, the communication device 170, and / or any other component of the system 100 through a user interface (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen).

[0039] Interactions between each communication device 170 (including its components), the user 150 (including any associated user system 155), the network manager 180, and other components of the system 100 can be performed using communication links 105. Each communication link 105 can include wired (e.g., Category 1 cable, Category 2 cable, electrical connector, power line carrier, RS485) and / or wireless (e.g., line of sight, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, visible light communication, cellular network, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WirelessHART, ISA100) technology. The communication link 105 can transmit signals (e.g., optical signals 158, reflected signals 157, radio frequency signals) including any type of data (e.g., communication, control, location, update) between each communication device 170 (including its components, such as the controller 304 and sensor device 360), the user 150 (including any associated user system 155), the network manager 180, and any other component of the system 100.

[0040] Each example communication device 170 is configured to transmit an optical signal 158 and receive a reflected signal 157 within an optical signal range 107. The optical signal range 107 can be defined by an angle 103, the starting point of which is at the communication device 170 (or a portion thereof). The optical signal range 107 (and therefore the angle 103) can be fixed or adjustable (e.g., by a controller 304 of the communication device 170, as described below). Each optical signal range 107 is at least partially located within a spatial volume 109. The optical signal range 107 can correspond to a portion (e.g., a partial portion, an entire portion) of the spatial volume 109. In some cases, the communication device 170 is stationary within the spatial volume 109. In an alternative case, the communication device 170 is mobile or movable within the spatial volume 109.

[0041] If the detector 185 of the known object 175 (e.g., the detector 185-1 of the known object 175-1, the detector 185-N of the known object 175-N) is within the optical signal range 107 (e.g., the optical signal range 107-1) of the communication device 170 (e.g., the communication device 170-1), and if the detector 185 of the known object 175 is within the line of sight of the communication device 170, the detector 185 of the known object 175 and the communication device 170 may transmit tracking signals 158, scanning signals 159, and reflection signals 157 between each other. In this case, the known object 175-1 and the known object 175-N are within the optical signal range 107-1 of the communication device 170-1.

[0042] Similarly, if the detector 186 of the unknown object 176 (e.g., the detector 186-1 of the unknown object 176-1, the detector 186-M of the unknown object 176-N) is within the optical signal range 107 (e.g., the optical signal range 107-1) of the communication device 170 (e.g., the communication device 170-1), and if the detector 186 of the unknown object 176 is within the line of sight of the communication device 170, the detector 186 of the unknown object 176 and the communication device 170 may transmit the scanning signal 159 and the reflection signal 157 between each other. In this case, the unknown object 176-1 and the unknown object 176-M are within the optical signal range 107-1 of the communication device 170-1.

[0043] In this case, Figure 1 At the time point captured in , the detector 185-N of the known object 175-N begins to send the reflection signal 157-1 (as a reflection of the tracking signal 158 (similar to the tracking signal 158-1) or the scanning signal 159 previously sent by the communication device 170-1) to the communication device 170-1, and the communication device 170-1 begins to send the light signal in the form of the tracking signal 158 to the detector 185-1 of the known object 175-1. In addition, the detector 186-1 of the unknown object 176-M has sent the reflection signal 157-2 (as a reflection of the scanning signal 159 (similar to the scanning signal 159-1) previously sent by the communication device 170-1) to the communication device 170-1, and the communication device 170-1 has sent the light signal in the form of the scanning signal 159 to the detector 186-1 of the unknown object 176-1.

[0044] In this example, the communication device 170-1 has an optical signal range 107-1 defined by an angle 103-1, and the communication device 170-N has an optical signal range 107-N defined by an angle 103-N. In some cases, when there are multiple communication devices 170 in the system 100, the optical signal range 107 of one communication device 170 may overlap with the optical signal range 107 of at least one adjacent communication device 170. Alternatively, when the system 100 has multiple communication devices 170, there may be no overlap between any adjacent optical signal ranges 107. The angle 103 of one optical signal range 107 may be the same as or different from the angle 103 of one or more other optical signal ranges 107 in the system 100.

[0045] The communication device 170 may include one or more of several components. For example, Figure 3As shown in , the communication device 170 may include a housing 389, in which or on which a power supply 313, one or more receivers 373, one or more transmitters 324, a controller 304, an optical device 374, and one or more sensor devices 360 are already disposed. In certain example embodiments, each communication device 170 may also send and / or receive signals that are not optical signals. Examples of such other types of signals may include, but are not limited to, radio frequency signals (e.g., using WiFi). When the system 100 includes multiple communication devices 170, the configuration of one communication device 170 may be the same or different from that of one or more other communication devices 170.

[0046] The communication device 170 may be an independent device (eg Figure 1 ). Alternatively, the communication device 170 can be integrated with another electrical device (e.g., a luminaire, a control switch, a security camera, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a wall switch). When the communication device 170 is integrated with a luminaire, the luminaire can include a lamp, a lighting device and / or a lighting system. The primary purpose of the luminaire is to provide overall illumination for the spatial volume 109. The luminaire can be of any type, including but not limited to recessed luminaires (e.g., down-mounted luminaires), chandeliers, table lamps, troffers, emergency luminaires, illuminated exit signs, parking lot luminaires, street lamps, sidewalk luminaires, and ceiling fan lamps. The luminaire can use any type of lighting technology, including but not limited to light emitting diodes (LEDs), incandescent lamps, halogen lamps, fluorescent lamps, and sodium vapor lamps.

[0047] When the communication device 170 is a stand-alone device, the communication device 170 may include a housing 389. The housing 389 may include at least one wall forming a cavity. In some cases, the housing 389 may be designed to comply with any applicable standards so that the communication device 170 can be located in a specific environment of the spatial volume 109. The housing 389 of the communication device 170 may be used to house one or more components of the communication device 170. In alternative embodiments, any one or more of these or other components of the communication device 170 may be disposed on the housing 389 and / or away from the housing 389. For example, the transmitter 324 (or a portion thereof) may be disposed on the housing 389 of the communication device 170 or integrated with the housing 389 of the communication device 170.

[0048] The power supply 313 of the communication device 170 receives power from a power source (e.g., an AC mains) and manipulates (e.g., transforms, rectifies, inverts) the power to provide manipulated power to one or more other components of the communication device 170 (e.g., receiver 373, controller 304), wherein the manipulated power is of a type (e.g., AC, DC) and level (e.g., 12V, 24V, 120V) that can be used by the other components of the communication device. The power supply 313 may include one or more of a number of single or multiple discrete components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors, transformers), and / or a microprocessor. The power supply 313 may include a printed circuit board on which the microprocessor and / or one or more discrete components are located. In some cases, the power supply 313 itself may be or include a power source to provide signals to other components of the communication device 170. For example, the power supply 313 may be or include an energy storage device (e.g., a battery). As another example, the power supply 313 may be or include a local photovoltaic power system.

[0049] The transmitter 324 of the communication device can transmit optical signals in the form of tracking signals 158 (e.g., for tracking, for communication) and / or in the form of scanning signals 159 (e.g., for discovery, for communication). In some cases, the transmitter 324 can also be used to transmit other types of signals (e.g., radio frequency signals). The transmitter 324 can use wired and / or wireless technology. The transmitter 324 can be configured in such a way that the optical signals (and / or other types of signals) in the form of tracking signals 158 and / or in the form of scanning signals 159 are transmitted to sources (e.g., detectors 185, detectors 186) located within the optical signal range 107 and within the line of sight of those sources. The transmitter 324 can be controlled in such a way (e.g., by the controller 304) that one or more parameters (e.g., direction, diameter, emission time, movement, duration) of the optical signals in the form of tracking signals 158 and / or in the form of scanning signals 159 can be set or adjusted, whether before or during a specific emission of the optical signals.

[0050] Transmitter 324 may include any number of components for transmitting optical signals (e.g., tracking signal 158, scanning signal 159), including but not limited to light sources (e.g., LEDs, lasers), modulators, pivot devices, switches, filters, and reflectors. When transmitter 324 also transmits other types of signals (e.g., radio frequency signals), transmitter 324 may include other components, such as an antenna. Transmitter 324 may use one or more of any number of suitable communication protocols when transmitting optical signals.

[0051] The receiver 373 of the communication device receives the reflected signal 157 (e.g., for tracking), which is a reflection of the optical signal 158. In some cases, the receiver 373 can also be used to receive other types of signals (e.g., radio frequency signals). The receiver 373 can use wired and / or wireless technology. The receiver 373 can be configured in such a way that the reflected signal 157 (and / or other types of signals) are received from sources (e.g., detectors 185, detectors 186) within the optical signal range 107 and within the line of sight of those sources. The receiver 373 can be controlled in such a way (e.g., by the controller 304) that the reflected signal 157 can be received in such a way that the characteristics of the reflected signal 157 are optimized.

[0052] Receiver 373 may include any number of components for receiving reflection signal 157, including but not limited to photodetectors, light collectors, pivot devices, switches, and filters. Receiver 373 may include other components, such as an antenna. Receiver 373 may use one or more of any number of suitable communication protocols when receiving reflection signal 157.

[0053] The optical device 374 of the communication device 170 can be or include one or more of several components configured to manipulate the optical signal sent by the transmitter 324 (e.g., in the form of the tracking signal 158, in the form of the scanning signal 159) and / or the reflected signal 157 received by the receiver 373. Examples of components of the optical device 374 can include, but are not limited to, lenses, light guides, mirrors, and prisms. One or more components of the optical device 374 can be fixed (e.g., in terms of position, in terms of function). Alternatively, one or more components (or portions thereof) of the optical device 374 can be adjusted (e.g., by the controller 304).

[0054] Each sensor device 360 ​​of the communication device 170 includes one or more sensors that measure one or more parameters (e.g., signal strength, signal amplitude, angle of arrival, angle of departure, temperature, humidity, voltage, current, etc.). The parameters can be associated with the light signal 158 and / or the reflected signal 157. Examples of sensors of the sensor device 360 ​​can include, but are not limited to, temperature sensors, pressure sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, capacitive sensors, magnetic sensors, microphones, voltmeters, ammeters, and cameras. The sensor device 360 ​​can be a stand-alone device, or can be integrated with another component of the system 100 (e.g., the communication device 170).

[0055] The controller 304 of the communication device 170 may coordinate and / or control other components of the communication device 170 (e.g., power supply 313, receiver 373, sensor device 360, transmitter 324, optical device 374). The controller 304 of the communication device 170 may include one or more of several components. For example, Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the components of the controller 304 may include, but are not limited to, a control engine 406, a communication module 408, a timer 410, a power module 412, a storage library 430, a hardware processor 420, a memory 422, a transceiver 424, an application interface 426, and an optional security module 428. The controller 304 of the communication device 170 may correspond to the following reference Figure 5 Describe the computer system.

[0056] As a specific example, the controller 304 may instruct the transmitter 324 to send one or more optical signals 158 into a portion of the spatial volume 109. The instructions provided by the controller 304 may include one or more of several parameters associated with the optical signal (e.g., in the form of a tracking signal 158, in the form of a scanning signal 159), including but not limited to intensity, diameter, time amount, direction, and movement over time. As another example, the controller 304 may instruct the receiver 373 to capture the reflected signal 157 directed from the detector 185. In addition, the controller 304 can extract information from the reflected signal 157 received by the receiver 373 to determine the location and path of each known object 157 (and to a lesser extent, each unknown object 176) in the portion of the spatial volume 109 (i.e., in the optical signal range 107). These determinations allow the controller 304 to track each known object 175 and identify each unknown object 176 in the portion of the spatial volume 109.

[0057] In an embodiment, each communication device 170 may be located in a predetermined position and / or a fixed position within the spatial volume 109. The network manager 180 may be aware of the predetermined position and / or the fixed position of each communication device 170. The network manager 180 may use the position of the communication device 170 in the spatial volume 109, and information obtained from the reflected signals 157 received from the detectors 185 and 186 at various points in time, to identify the position of the known objects 175, identify any unknown objects 176 within the portion of the spatial volume 109 at a point in time, and track the movement (e.g., speed, direction, pauses, inactivity) of the known objects 175 over a period of time.

[0058] Alternatively, as in the case of free space optics (FSO), the communication device 170 (or a portion thereof) may be in motion when optical signals (e.g., in the form of tracking signals 158, in the form of scanning signals 159) are sent by the communication device 170 and / or when the reflected signals 157 are received by the communication device 170. In this case, the position of the communication device 170 at a certain point in time may be ascertained in real time (e.g., calculated position, measured position), so that the position and path of each known object 175 in the spatial volume 109 may be determined in real time, and the entire spatial volume 109 (or at least within the optical signal range 107 of the communication device 170) is completely covered by each cycle of the scanning signal 159, so that unknown objects 176 may be identified.

[0059] The repository 430 of the controller 304 may be a permanent storage device (or collection of devices) that stores software and data used to help the controller 304 communicate with the users 150 (including associated user systems 155), the network manager 180, and the controller 304 of other communication devices 170 (if any) within the system 100. In one or more example embodiments, the repository 430 stores one or more protocols 432, one or more algorithms 433, and stored data 434. The protocol 432 of the repository 430 may be any procedure (e.g., a series of method steps) and / or other similar operating procedures that the control engine 406 of the controller 304 follows based on certain conditions at a point in time.

[0060] The protocols 432 may include any of a number of communication protocols for sending and / or receiving data between the controller 304 of the network manager 180, the user 150 (including the associated user system 155), and the communication device 170. Such a protocol 432 for communication may be a time synchronization protocol. Examples of such time synchronization protocols may include, but are not limited to, the Highway Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) protocol, the Wireless HART protocol, and the International Society of Automation (ISA) 100 protocol. In this way, one or more protocols 432 may provide a security layer for data transmitted within the system 100. Other protocols 432 for communication may be associated with the use of optical communications, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, VLC, cellular networks, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), and Bluetooth.

[0061] The algorithm 433 can be any formula, mathematical model, prediction, simulation, and / or other similar tool used by the control engine 406 of the controller 304 to derive a computational conclusion. For example, one or more algorithms 433 can be used to determine where the known object 175 is to be projected at a future point in time (e.g., in the next cycle) within the spatial volume 109. As another example, one or more algorithms 433 can be used to determine the speed at which the known object 175 is moving in the spatial volume 109 based on data received by the receiver 373 of the communication device 170. As yet another example, one or more algorithms 433 and / or one or more protocols 432 can be used to identify an unknown object 176 in the spatial volume 109, reclassify the unknown object 176 as a known object 175, and establish how a series of tracking signals 158 can be used to track the most recently classified known object 175 within the spatial volume 109.

[0062] The stored data 434 may be any data associated with the communication device 170, known objects 175, unknown objects 176, the volume of space 109, the user 150 (including any associated user system 155), data received and / or derived from the reflected signal 157 (and / or other types of signals received by the receiver 373), thresholds, tables, results of previously run or calculated algorithms 433, updates to the protocol 432, user preferences, and / or any other suitable data. Such data may be any type of data, including, but not limited to, historical data, current data, and future data (e.g., predictions). The stored data 434 may be associated with some time measurement derived, for example, from the timer 410.

[0063] Examples of repository 430 may include, but are not limited to, a database (or databases), a file system, cloud-based storage, a hard drive, flash memory, some other form of solid-state data storage, or any suitable combination thereof. According to some example embodiments, repository 430 may be located on multiple physical machines, each storing all or a portion of protocol 432, algorithm 433, and / or stored data 434. Each storage unit or device may be physically located in the same or different geographic locations.

[0064] The repository 430 may be operably connected to the control engine 406. In one or more example embodiments, the control engine 406 includes functionality to communicate with the users 150 (including associated user systems 155), other communication devices 170, known objects 175 (including detectors 185 for those known objects 175), unknown objects 176 (including detectors 186 for those unknown objects 176), and a network manager 180 in the system 100. More specifically, the control engine 406 sends information to and / or receives information from the repository 430 in order to communicate with the users 150 (including associated user systems 155), other communication devices 170, known objects 175 (including detectors 185 for those known objects 175), unknown objects 176 (including detectors 186 for those unknown objects 176), and the network manager 180. As described below, in certain example embodiments, the repository 430 may also be operably connected to the communication module 408.

[0065] In certain example embodiments, the control engine 406 of the controller 304 controls the operation of one or more components (e.g., the communication module 408, the timer 410, the transceiver 424) of the controller 304. For example, the control engine 406 can activate the communication module 408 when the communication module 408 is in a "sleep" mode and when the communication module 408 needs to transmit data received from another component in the system 100 (e.g., the detector 185 of the known object 175). The control engine 406 of the controller 304 can obtain information (e.g., the strength of the reflected signal 157 received from the detector 185, the angle of arrival of the reflected signal 157 received by the receiver 373), which can be used to locate and / or track one or more known objects 175 and identify one or more unknown objects 176 in the volume of space 109 over a period of time (e.g., one cycle, multiple cycles).

[0066] As another example, the control engine 406 may have (as data 434 stored in the repository 430) a three-dimensional layout of the entire spatial volume 109 (or a portion thereof) that includes the precise location of each object detector 185 (and therefore each known object 175) and a plan for scanning the spatial volume 109 using one or more scanning signals 159. The control engine 406 may use this information, along with one or more protocols 432 and / or one or more algorithms 433, to analyze the location, trajectory, pace, and / or other characteristics of each detector 185 (and therefore each known object 175) within the spatial volume 109 at a particular point in time. In some cases, the control engine 406 may use one or more protocols 432 and / or one or more algorithms 433 to determine whether the failure to receive a reflected signal 157 from the reflector 286 of the detector 185 during a portion of a cycle was due to the light signal 158 falling entirely on the detector body 287 of the detector 185, rather than missing the detector 185 entirely. As yet another example, the control engine 406 may use information associated with the one or more reflection signals 157 , the one or more protocols 432 , and / or the one or more algorithms 433 to identify one or more unknown objects 176 in the volume of space 109 .

[0067] The control engine 406 of the controller 304 of the communication device 170 can generate and process data associated with the reflected signals 157, control signals, communication signals, and / or other types of signals sent to and received from: the user 150 (including the associated user system 155), other communication devices 170, the network manager 180, the detector 185, and the detector 186. The control engine 406 can control one or more receivers 373, one or more transmitters 324, and / or one or more optical devices of the communication device 170. In some embodiments, the control engine 406 of the controller 304 can communicate with one or more components of a system external to the system 100. For example, the control engine 406 can interact with an inventory management system by ordering a replacement for a receiver 373 that is no longer functioning properly. In this way, the controller 304 is able to perform several functions beyond what can reasonably be considered routine tasks.

[0068] In certain example embodiments, the control engine 406 may include an interface that enables the control engine 406 to communicate with other communication devices 170, detectors 185, detectors 186, network managers 180, and users 150 (including associated user systems 155). For example, if the user system 155 operates under IEC standard 62386, the user system 155 may have a serial communication interface that transmits data to the controller 304 via the communication link 105. In this case, the control engine 406 may also include a serial interface to enable communication with the user system 155. Such an interface may operate in conjunction with or independently of the protocol 432 used to communicate between the controller 304 and the users 150 (including corresponding user systems 155), other communication devices 170, network managers 180, detectors 185, and detectors 186.

[0069] The control engine 406 (or other components of the controller 304) may also include one or more hardware components and / or software elements to perform its functions. Such components may include, but are not limited to, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter (UART), a serial peripheral interface (SPI), a direct-connect capacitor (DAC) storage device, an analog-to-digital converter, an inter-integrated circuit (I2C), and a pulse width modulator (PWM).

[0070] When the control engine 406 communicates with the user system 155, other communication devices 170, network manager 180, detector 185, and detector 186 (e.g., sends signals to or receives signals from the user system 155, other communication devices 170, network manager 180, detector 185, and detector 186), the communication module 408 of the controller 304 determines and implements the communication protocol used (e.g., protocol 432 from repository 430). In some cases, the communication module 408 accesses stored data 434 to determine which communication protocol to use to communicate with another component of the system 100. In addition, the communication module 408 can identify and / or interpret the communication protocol of the communication received by the controller 304 so that the control engine 406 can interpret the communication. The communication module 408 can also provide one or more of a number of other services related to data sent from and received by the controller 304. Such services may include, but are not limited to, data packet routing information and procedures to follow in the event of data disruption.

[0071] The timer 410 of the controller 304 can track clock time, time intervals, time amounts, and / or any other time measurement. The timer 410 can also count the number of times an event occurs, whether or not time-related. Alternatively, the control engine 406 can perform the counting function. The timer 410 is capable of tracking multiple time measurements simultaneously. The timer 410 can track time periods based on instructions received from the control engine 406, based on instructions received from the user 150, based on instructions programmed in software for the controller 304, based on some other condition, or based on some other component, or based on any combination thereof. In certain example embodiments, the timer 410 can provide a timestamp for each reflection signal 157 that reflects off the detector 185 or the detector 186.

[0072] The power module 412 of the controller 304 receives power from the power supply of the communication device 170 and manipulates (e.g., transforms, rectifies, inverts) the power to provide manipulated power to one or more other components of the controller 304 (e.g., timer 410, control engine 406), wherein the manipulated power is of a type (e.g., AC, DC) and level (e.g., 12V, 24V, 120V) that can be used by the other components of the controller 304. The power module 412 may include one or more of a number of single or multiple discrete components (e.g., transistors, diodes, resistors, transformers), and / or a microprocessor. The power module 412 may include a printed circuit board on which the microprocessor and / or one or more discrete components are located. In some cases, the power module 412 may include one or more components that allow the power module 412 to measure one or more power elements (e.g., voltage, current) delivered to and / or sent from the power module 412. In addition, or as an alternative, the power module 412 itself may be or include a power source to provide signals to other components of the controller 304. For example, power module 412 may be or include an energy storage device (eg, a battery). As another example, power module 412 may be or include a local photovoltaic power system.

[0073] According to one or more example embodiments, the hardware processor 420 of the controller 304 executes software, algorithms, and firmware. Specifically, the hardware processor 420 can execute software on the control engine 406 or any other part of the controller 304, as well as software used by the user 150 (including the associated user system 155), the network manager 180, the other communication devices 170, the known object 175 (including the associated detector 185) and / or the unknown object 176 (including the associated detector 186). In one or more example embodiments, the hardware processor 420 can be an integrated circuit, a central processing unit, a multi-core processing chip, a SoC, a multi-chip module including multiple multi-core processing chips, or other hardware processors. The hardware processor 420 can be referred to by other names, including but not limited to a computer processor, a microprocessor, and a multi-core processor.

[0074] In one or more example embodiments, the hardware processor 420 executes software instructions stored in the memory 422. The memory 422 includes one or more cache memories, main memory, and / or any other suitable type of memory. The memory 422 may include volatile and / or non-volatile memory. According to some example embodiments, the memory 422 is located within the controller 304 separately from the hardware processor 420. In some configurations, the memory 422 may be integrated with the hardware processor 420.

[0075] In some cases, hardware processor 420 (or a portion thereof) may be dedicated or designed for a particular application. For example, hardware processor 420 may be or include an artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) vector processor. As another example, in the case where communication device 170 (or a portion thereof) moves while communication device 170 transmits tracking signal 158 and / or scanning signal 159 and / or while communication device 170 receives reflection signal 157, hardware processor 420 may be or include a floating point unit (FPU).

[0076] In certain example embodiments, the controller 304 does not include a hardware processor 420. In this case, the controller 304 may include, for example, one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), one or more integrated circuits (ICs). The use of FPGAs, IGBTs, ICs, and / or other similar devices known in the art allows the controller 304 (or portions thereof) to be programmable and to function according to certain logic rules and thresholds without the use of a hardware processor. Alternatively, FPGAs, IGBTs, ICs, and / or similar devices may be used in conjunction with one or more hardware processors 420.

[0077] The transceiver 424 of the controller 304 can send and / or receive control and / or communication signals. Specifically, the transceiver 424 can be used to transmit data between the controller 304 and the user 150 (including the associated user system 155), other communication devices 170, the network manager 180, and the object 175 (including the associated detector 185). The transceiver 424 can use wired and / or wireless technology. The transceiver 424 can be configured in such a way that the control and / or communication signals sent and / or received by the transceiver 424 can be received and / or sent by another transceiver that is part of the user system 155, another communication device 170, the network manager 180, the known object 175 (including the associated detector 185) and / or the unknown object 176 (including the associated detector 186).

[0078] The transceiver 424 can send and / or receive any of a number of signal types, including but not limited to radio frequency signals. When the transceiver 424 uses wireless technology, the transceiver 424 can use any type of wireless technology to send and receive signals. Such wireless technology can include but is not limited to Wi-Fi, Zigbee, VLC, cellular networks, BLE, UWB, and Bluetooth. The transceiver 424 can use one or more of any number of suitable communication protocols (e.g., ISA100, HART) when sending and / or receiving signals.

[0079] Optionally, in one or more example embodiments, the security module 428 protects the interaction between the controller 304, the user 150 (including the associated user system 155), the other communication devices 170, the network manager 180, the known objects 175 (including the associated detectors 185), and the unknown objects 176 (including the associated detectors 186). More specifically, the security module 428 authenticates the communication from the software based on the security key that verifies the identity of the communication source. For example, the user software can be associated with the security key so that the software of the user system 155 can interact with the controller 304. In addition, the security module 428 can limit the receipt of information, the request for information, and / or the access to information.

[0080] According to one or more example embodiments, the user 150 (including the associated user system 155), other communication devices 170, the network manager 180, known objects 175 (including the associated detectors 185), and unknown objects 176 (including any associated detectors 186) may interact with the controller 304 of the communication device 170 using the application interface 426. Specifically, the application interface 426 of the controller 304 receives data (e.g., information, communications, instructions, firmware updates) from and sends data (e.g., information, communications, instructions) to: the user system 155 of the user 150, the other communication devices 170, the network manager 180, the known objects 175 (including the associated detectors 185), and / or the unknown objects 176 (including any associated detectors 186).

[0081] Examples of application interface 426 may be or include, but are not limited to, an application programming interface, a keyboard, a network service, a data protocol adapter, some other hardware and / or software, or any suitable combination thereof. Similarly, in certain example embodiments, user system 155 of user 150, other communication device 170, network manager 180, known object 175 (including associated detector 185), and / or unknown object 176 (including any associated detector 186) may include an interface (similar to application interface 426 of controller 304 of communication device 170) to receive data from controller 304 and send data to controller 304.

[0082] In some cases, user system 155 of user 150, one or more other communication devices 170, network manager 180, known objects 175 (including associated detectors 185), and / or one or more unknown objects 176 (including any associated detectors 186) may include a user interface. Examples of such user interfaces may include, but are not limited to, a graphical user interface, a touch screen, a keyboard, a monitor, a mouse, some other hardware, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0083] In certain example embodiments, the controller 304 of the communication device 170, the user 150 (including the associated user system 155), other communication devices 170, the network manager 180, the known objects 175 (including the associated detectors 185), and the unknown objects 176 (including any associated detectors 186) may use their own systems or share a system. Such a system may be in the form of or include an Internet-based or intranet-based computer system capable of communicating with various software. The computer system includes any type of computing device and / or communication device, including but not limited to the controller 304. Examples of such a system may include but are not limited to a desktop computer with a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet or an intranet access, a laptop computer with a LAN, a WAN, the Internet or an intranet access, a smart phone, a server, a server farm, an Android device (or equivalent), a tablet computer, a smart phone, and a personal digital assistant (PDA). Such a system may correspond to the following reference Figure 5 Describe the computer system.

[0084] In addition, as described above, such a system can have corresponding software (e.g., user software, sensor software, controller software, network manager software). According to some example embodiments, the software can be executed on the same or separate devices (e.g., servers, mainframes, desktop personal computers (PCs), laptops, PDAs, televisions, cable boxes, satellite boxes, phone booths, phones, mobile phones, or other computing devices) and can be coupled to wired segments and / or wireless segments via communication networks (e.g., the Internet, intranets, extranets, LANs, WANs, or other network communication methods) and / or communication channels. The software of one system can be part of, or operate separately but in combination with, the software of another system within the system 100.

[0085] The example communication device 170 in the spatial volume 109 can be located in any one or more of a number of environments. Examples of such environments can include, but are not limited to, indoors, outdoors, convention centers, retail stores (e.g., grocery stores, furniture stores, convenience stores), office spaces, conference rooms, factory floors, parks, and farmers markets, any of which can be climate controlled or non-climate controlled. The example communication device can be integrated with or integrated into any of a number of different structures. Such structures can include, but are not limited to, ceilings, floors, poles, I-beams, drywall, wood columns, trees, walls, and building facades.

[0086] Figure 5One embodiment of a computing device 518 is shown that implements one or more of the various techniques described herein and that represents, in whole or in part, elements described herein according to certain example embodiments. For example, the controller 304 of the communication device 170 (including its components, such as the control engine 406, the hardware processor 420, the storage repository 430, the power module 412, and the transceiver 424) can be considered to be a computing device 518. The computing device 518 is an example of a computing device and is not intended to suggest any limitation on the scope of use or functionality of the computing device and / or its possible architecture. The computing device 518 should also not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement on any one component or combination of components shown in the example computing device 518.

[0087] The computing device 518 includes one or more processors or processing units 514, one or more memory / storage components 515, one or more input / output (I / O) devices 516, and a bus 517 that allows the various components and devices to communicate with each other. The bus 517 represents any one or more of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The bus 517 includes wired and / or wireless buses.

[0088] The memory / storage component 515 represents one or more computer storage media. The memory / storage component 515 includes volatile media (such as random access memory (RAM)) and / or non-volatile media (such as read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, optical disks, magnetic disks, etc.). The memory / storage component 515 includes fixed media (e.g., RAM, ROM, fixed hard drive, etc.) and removable media (e.g., flash memory drive, removable hard drive, optical disk, etc.).

[0089] One or more I / O devices 516 allow user 150 to input commands and information to computing device 518, and also allow information to be presented to user 150 and / or other components or devices. Examples of input devices 516 include, but are not limited to, keyboards, cursor control devices (e.g., mice), microphones, touch screens, and scanners. Examples of output devices include, but are not limited to, display devices (e.g., monitors or projectors), speakers, output to a lighting network (e.g., DMX cards), printers, and network cards.

[0090] Various techniques are described herein in the general context of software or program modules. Generally, software includes routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. Implementations of these modules and techniques are stored on or transmitted across some form of computer-readable media. A computer-readable medium is any available one or more non-transitory media that can be accessed by a computing device. By way of example and not limitation, a computer-readable medium includes a "computer storage medium."

[0091] "Computer storage media" and "computer-readable media" include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, computer-recordable media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium for storing the desired information and accessible by a computer.

[0092] According to some example embodiments, the computer device 518 is connected to a network (not shown) (e.g., a LAN, a WAN such as the Internet, a cloud, or any other similar type of network) via a network interface connection (not shown). Those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many different types of computer systems (e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers, personal media devices, mobile devices (such as cellular phones or personal digital assistants), or any other computing system capable of executing computer-readable instructions), and in other example embodiments, the aforementioned input and output devices take other forms now known or later developed. In general, the computer device 518 includes at least the minimum processing, input, and / or output devices necessary to practice one or more embodiments.

[0093] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in certain example embodiments, one or more elements of the aforementioned computer device 518 are located at a remote location and connected to other elements via a network. In addition, one or more embodiments are implemented on a distributed system having one or more nodes, wherein each part of the implementation (e.g., user system 155, communication device 170, network manager 180) is located on a different node within the distributed system. In one or more embodiments, a node corresponds to a computer system. Alternatively, in some example embodiments, a node corresponds to a processor with an associated physical memory. In some example embodiments, the node corresponds to a processor with a shared memory and / or resource instead.

[0094] Figure 6A flowchart 698 of a method for scanning an unknown object in a volume of space is shown according to certain example embodiments. Although the various steps in the flowchart 698 are presented sequentially, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that some or all of these steps may be performed in a different order, may be combined or omitted, and some or all of these steps may be performed in parallel. In addition, in one or more example embodiments, one or more steps shown in the example method may be omitted, repeated, and / or performed in a different order.

[0095] In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the method may include Figure 6 Therefore, the specific arrangement of the steps should not be interpreted as limiting the scope. In addition, in some example embodiments, a specific computing device (such as the above reference Figure 5 The computing device discussed) can be used to perform Figure 6 Any of the functions performed below by controller 304 may involve the use of one or more protocols 432 , one or more algorithms 433 , and / or stored data 434 .

[0096] Figure 6 The methods shown in are merely examples of what can be performed using the example systems described herein. Figure 6 In addition to the methods shown in Figure 6 In addition to the methods shown in , the system for scanning an unknown object in a volume of space may use other methods to perform other functions. To help illustrate Figure 6 The method shown in Figures 7 to 15 . Figures 7 to 10 A block diagram of a system for use as part of an example for tracking a known object in a volume of space during a period is shown, in accordance with certain example embodiments. Fig.11 and Fig.12 A method for scanning a volume of space for an unknown object during the period is shown in accordance with certain example embodiments. Figures 7 to 10 Block diagram of the system. Fig.13 According to some example embodiments, Figures 7 to 12 A graph of the light signal emitted during the period captured in .

[0097] Fig.14 A method for tracking one of the known objects in the volume of space during a subsequent cycle is shown in accordance with certain example embodiments. Figures 7 to 12 Block diagram of the system. Fig.15 According to some example embodiments, Fig.14 Block diagram of a system for scanning a portion of a volume of space to locate a new known object during the subsequent cycle. Fig.16A method for scanning a volume of space for unknown objects during a subsequent cycle is shown in accordance with certain example embodiments. Fig.13 Block diagram of the system. Fig.17 According to some example embodiments, Figures 14 to 16 A graph of the light signal emitted during the period captured in .

[0098] refer to Figures 1 to 17 ,exist Figure 6 The method shown in flowchart 698 of begins at a start step and proceeds to step 681 where a cycle is initiated. A controller (e.g., controller 304) of a communication device (e.g., communication device 170-1) may initiate a cycle using measurements from one or more sensor devices 360, one or more algorithms 433, and / or one or more protocols 432. A cycle refers to the completion of a combination of a scanning protocol (using one or more scanning signals 159) and a tracking protocol (using tracking signals 158) implemented by the communication device 170. A cycle can be or include a period of time (e.g., 10 seconds, 10 milliseconds, 9 nanoseconds), the number of contacts with the detector 185 of each known object 175 in the spatial volume 109 (or a portion thereof (e.g., portion 107-1)), the completion of a complete or partial movement path (e.g., a circle, an ellipse, a line, a square, a hexagon, a spiral, an irregular closed shape, an irregular open shape) of the tracking signal 158 directed to each or a selected number of known detectors 185 (and therefore also known objects 175) in the portion 107 of the spatial volume 109, the number of scans of the spatial volume, and / or some other factor. The movement path of the optical signal 158 can be established, maintained, modified, canceled and / or changed by the controller 304 of the communication device 170. More information about cycles and portions thereof is discussed below.

[0099] Initiating a cycle may include using a timer 410. Initiating a cycle may include defining one or more of several characteristics of the cycle, the scanning signal 159, and / or the tracking signal 158. Examples of such characteristics may include, but are not limited to, a start time for the cycle, a number of known objects 175 to be tracked within the optical signal range 107 within the spatial volume 109 (also referred to as a portion 107 of the spatial volume 109), a total duration of the cycle, a scanning path followed by the scanning signal 159, a diameter of the scanning signal 159, a moving path of the tracking signal 158 for each known object 175, a number of interruptions in the moving path of the tracking signal 158 for each known object 175, a duration of each interruption in the moving path of the tracking signal 158 for each known object 175, a number of tracking signals 158 sent to known objects 175 during the cycle, and a distribution of tracking signals 158 sent to known objects 175 during the cycle. The duration of a cycle may be constant or adjusted (e.g., by the controller 304) from one cycle to the next.

[0100] In step 682, the known objects 175 in the spatial volume 109 are tracked using the tracking signals 158 for a portion of the cycle. Each known object 175 is tracked using one or more tracking signals 158. The controller 304 of the communication device 170 may track the known objects 175 in the spatial volume 109 using one or more protocols 432 and / or one or more algorithms 433. Any one of a number of different tracking techniques may be implemented using any one or more of the number of protocols 432. For example, the controller 304 may cause the transmitter 324 of the communication device 170 to send the tracking signals 158 toward a particular known object 175 (e.g., object 175-1) along changing positions within a portion of the spatial volume 109 (e.g., the light signal range 107-1). The changing positions correspond to a portion (e.g., a segment) of the moving path (e.g., a circle, an ellipse, a square, a random shape or segment, a line) of the light signal. Figures 7 to 10 Each shows a time snapshot of that step in the method.

[0101] Specifically, Figure 7 Shows that at the beginning of the cycle Figure 1 A top view of portion 797 of system 100 is shown. Figure 7 The portion 797 of the system shown in FIG. 1 includes the communication device 170-1, the known object 175-1, the known object 175-2, and the known object 175-3 in the spatial volume 109, and the spatial volume 109 coincides with the optical signal range 107-1 of the communication device 170-1. Figure 7At the time point captured in , there is no unknown object 176. Known object 175-1 includes detector 185-1, known object 175-2 includes detector 185-2, and known object 175-3 includes detector 185-3. Known object 175-1, known object 175-2, and known object 175-3 fall within optical signal range 107-1 within spatial volume 109 (also referred to as portion 107-1 of spatial volume 109).

[0102] Figures 8 to 10 A method for tracking a known object in a volume of space 109 is shown in accordance with some example embodiments. Figure 1 Specifically, Figure 8 shows that during the same period Figure 7 At a time point after the time point shown in Figure 1 Portion 897 of system 100. Figure 8 The communication device 170-1 is shown using a transmitter (e.g., transmitter 324) to send a tracking signal 858 (substantially similar to the tracking signal 158 discussed above) to the detector 185-1 of the known object 175-1. The tracking signal 858 has a diameter when contacting the detector 185-1, which means that the periphery 867 of the tracking signal 858 is broadcast at an angle 863, which is centered on the center point at which the tracking signal 858 is aimed. For a given diameter of the tracking signal 858, the greater the vertical distance between the communication device 170-1 and the detector 185-1, the smaller the angle 863.

[0103] In some cases, one or more optical devices 374 can be used to make these adjustments to the tracking signal 858. In the event that the tracking signal 858 contacts the reflective component of the detector 185-1 (e.g., the reflector 286), the receiver of the communication device 170-1 (e.g., the receiver 373) receives the reflected signal from the detector 185-1 (similar to the reflected signal 157 discussed above), and the information associated with such reflected signal (e.g., signal strength, angle of arrival) can be used to track the object 175-1 (e.g., determine the current location of the object 175-1, determine the movement path of the object 175-1). The controller of the communication device 170-1 can adjust the angle 863 (and therefore the diameter), the intensity, the movement path, the duration, the number of times transmitted to the object 175-1 in a cycle, and / or any other characteristics of the tracking signal 858 within and / or between cycles.

[0104] Fig. 9 shows that during the same period Figure 8 At a time point after the time point shown in Figure 1 Part 997 of system 100. Specifically, Fig. 9The communication device 170-1 is shown transmitting a tracking signal 958 (substantially similar to the tracking signal 158 discussed above) to the detector 185-2 of the known object 175-2 using a transmitter (e.g., transmitter 324), which may be a transmitter associated with the detector 185-2. Figure 8 Tracking signal 958 has a diameter when contacting detector 185-2, meaning that periphery 967 of tracking signal 958 is broadcast at an angle 963 centered about the center point at which tracking signal 958 is aimed. Angle 963 of tracking signal 958 may be the same as or different from angle 863 of tracking signal 858.

[0105] In some cases, one or more optical devices 374 may be used to make these adjustments to tracking signal 958. In the event that tracking signal 958 contacts a reflective component (e.g., retroreflector 286) of detector 185-2, a receiver (e.g., receiver 373) of communication device 170-1 receives a reflected signal (similar to reflected signal 157 discussed above) from detector 185-2, which may be Figure 8 The same receiver used in the embodiment of the present invention, and information associated with such reflected signals (e.g., signal strength, angle of arrival) can be used to track object 175-2 (e.g., determine the current location of object 175-2, determine the movement path of object 175-2). The controller of communication device 170-1 can adjust the angle 963 (and therefore the diameter), strength, movement path, duration, number of transmissions to object 175-1 in a cycle, and / or any other characteristics of tracking signal 958 within and / or between cycles.

[0106] Fig.10 shows that during the same period Fig. 9 At a time point after the time point shown in Figure 1 Part 1097 of system 100. Specifically, Fig.10 The communication device 170-1 is shown transmitting a tracking signal 1058 (substantially similar to the tracking signal 158 discussed above) to the detector 185-3 of the known object 175-3 using a transmitter (e.g., transmitter 324), which may be a transmitter associated with the detector 185-3. Fig. 9 Tracking signal 1058 has a diameter when contacting detector 185-3, meaning that an outer periphery 1067 of tracking signal 1058 is broadcast at an angle 1063 that is centered about the center point at which tracking signal 1058 is aimed. Angle 1063 of tracking signal 1058 may be the same as or different from angle 863 of tracking signal 858 and angle 963 of tracking signal 958.

[0107] In some cases, one or more optical devices 374 may be used to make these adjustments to tracking signal 1058. In the event that tracking signal 1058 contacts a reflective component (e.g., retroreflector 286) of detector 185-3, a receiver (e.g., receiver 373) of communication device 170-1 receives a reflected signal (similar to reflected signal 157 discussed above) from detector 185-3, which may be Fig. 9 The same receiver used in the communication device 170-1, and information associated with such reflected signals (e.g., signal strength, angle of arrival) can be used to track the object 175-3 (e.g., determine the current location of the object 175-3, determine the movement path of the object 175-3). The controller of the communication device 170-1 can adjust the angle 1063 (and therefore the diameter), strength, movement path, duration, number of transmissions to the object 175-1 in a cycle, and / or any other characteristics of the tracking signal 1058 within and / or between cycles.

[0108] In step 683, a scanning signal 159 is emitted to search for the unknown object 176 throughout the spatial volume 109 during another portion of the cycle. The scanning signal 159 is used to search for the location and path and / or other properties of the unknown object 176 in the spatial volume 109. The scanning signal 159 may be different from the tracking signal 158. For example, the tracking signal 158 is used to track or locate a known object 175 that was previously tracked in a previous cycle, and the scanning signal 159 is used to search for an unknown object 176 that has not yet been tracked, identified, or recognized by the communication device 170. The scanning signal 159 may have different properties (e.g., diameter, beam angle, angle, intensity, perimeter) than the tracking signal 158. The scanning signal 159 may have one or more properties that are similar or identical to the tracking signal 158. The scanning signal 159 for finding the unknown object 176 in the spatial volume 109 may be sent by the controller 304 of the communication device 170 using one or more protocols 432 and / or one or more algorithms 433. The scanning signal 159 may have any of several paths (e.g., patterns) implemented in conjunction with the diameter of the scanning signal 159 to provide complete coverage within the spatial volume 109. The path followed by the scanning signal 159 may result in one or more overlapping or repeated coverages within the spatial volume 109 in some cases.

[0109] The path of the scanning signal 159 determined by the controller 304 of the communication device 170 can be based on one or more of several factors. For example, the path of the scanning signal 159 can be based on the location and / or movement of the known objects 175. In this case, as a specific example, when two known objects 175 are located at opposite ends near the periphery of the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109, the path of the scanning signal 159 can have a starting point and an end point at the approximate locations of the two known objects 175. As another example, the path of the scanning signal 159 determined by the controller 304 of the communication device 170 can be limited to scanning along the perimeter of the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109 (avoiding the middle of the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109) because the moving unknown object 176 observed by the communication device 170 from the ceiling typically (e.g., based on historical data stored by the communication device 170) first enters the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109 that is at the periphery.

[0110] The scanning signal 159 may be transmitted by the same transmitter 324 of the communication device 170 that transmitted the tracking signal 158. Alternatively, a different transmitter 324 of the communication device 170 may transmit the scanning signal 159 relative to the transmitter 324 that transmitted the one or more tracking signals 158. As the scanning signal 159 moves along its path within the volume of space 109, the reflected signal 157 is received by a receiver 373 (e.g., the same receiver 373 of the communication device 170 that received the reflected signal 157 in step 682, a different receiver 373 of the communication device 170 than the receiver 373 that received the one or more reflected signals 157 in step 682).

[0111] exist Fig.11 and Fig.12 An example of step 683 is shown in FIG. Fig.11 According to some example embodiments, Figures 8 to 10 A point in time during a period of which it is a part Figure 1 Part 1197 of system 100. In particular, Fig.11 Path 1156 is shown along which a scanning signal 1159 propagates through the volume of space 109 when scanning the unknown object 176. The scanning signal 1159 can be substantially the same as the scanning signal 159 discussed above. In this case, the scanning signal 1159 is substantially the same as the scanning signal 159 discussed above with respect to FIG. Figures 8 to 10The diameter of the tracking signal discussed has a significantly larger diameter (and therefore also has a larger angle 1163 formed by the periphery 1167 of the scanning signal 1159). The larger diameter of the scanning signal 1159 can help to find unknown (e.g., new, lost) objects 176 more quickly. In order to keep the diameter of the scanning signal 1159 substantially constant along the entire path 1156, the angle 1163 can be continuously adjusted by the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 as needed. In some cases, one or more optical devices 374 can be used to make these adjustments to the scanning signal 1159.

[0112] In this case, the path 1156 of the scanning signal 1159 is "S" shaped, and the diameter of the scanning signal 1159 is such that each point within the entire spatial volume 109 receives the scanning signal 1159 at least once. As a result, the detectors 185 (in this case, detectors 185-1, 185-2, and 185-3) of the known objects 175 (in this case, known objects 175-1, 175-2, and 175-3) receive the scanning signal 1159, and thus the receiver (e.g., receiver 373) of the communication device 170-1 receives the reflection signal 157 generated by the scanning signal 1159 from each detector 185.

[0113] Based on the path and location of each known object 175 as determined by the controller of the communication device 170-1 (e.g., controller 304) when tracking the known objects 175 using the tracking signal 158, the controller can determine when the reflected signal 157 generated from the scanning signal 1159 originates from the known object 175 rather than the unknown object 176. For example, when the scanning signal 1159 propagates downward from its starting point (e.g., Fig.11 ), the scanning signal 1159 hits the detector 185-2 of the known object 175-2.

[0114] Because the communication device 170-1 is tracking the known object 175-2 and thus knows the approximate location of the known object 175-2, when the scanning signal 1159 hits the location in the volume of space 109 where the communication device 170-1 predicts that the detector 185-2 is located, the communication device 170-1 expects the reflected signal 157 from the detector 185-2 of the known object 175-2. If the reflected signal 157 is received by the communication device 170-1 when the scanning signal 1159 is at or near this location, the communication device 170-1 knows that the reflected signal 157 did not originate from the unknown object 176.

[0115] Fig.12 Shows Figure 1 The system 100 is directed towards Fig.11109. In this case, the scanning signal 1159 is directed toward the detector 186-1 of the unknown object 176-1 in the volume of space 109. The detector 186-1 then generates a reflection signal (e.g., reflection signal 157) from the scanning signal 1159. Because the controller of the communication device 170-1 did not expect such a reflection signal based on tracking performed in other parts of the cycle, the reflection signal is attributed to the unknown object 176-1.

[0116] In step 684, a determination is made as to whether any unknown objects 176 were encountered in the search. In other words, a determination is made as to whether any reflected signals (e.g., reflected signals 157) received during the transmission of the scanning signal 1159 through its path 1156 were not expected. This determination may be made by the controller 304 of the communication device 170 using one or more protocols 432 and / or one or more algorithms 433. If any unknown objects 176 were encountered in the search, the process proceeds to step 688. If no unknown objects 176 were encountered in the search, the process proceeds to step 689.

[0117] In step 688, the unknown object 176 encountered in step 683 is added to the list of known objects 175 in the next (subsequent) cycle. Using one or more algorithms 433 and / or one or more protocols 432, the controller 304 of the communication device 170 can add the unknown object 176 to the list of known objects 175. In essence, the controller 304 converts the classification of the unknown object 176 into a known object 175. As a result, the new known object 175 can be tracked in subsequent cycles. The list of known objects 175 can take many forms. For example, the list of known objects 175 can be a table maintained as stored data 434 in the repository 430 of the controller 304.

[0118] When the unknown object 176 is converted to a known object 175, information associated with the scan signal 159 and the reflected signal 157 received from the unknown object 176 can be used to track the new known object 175 in subsequent cycles. For example, the controller 304 of the communication device 170 can determine where the scan signal (e.g., scan signal 1159) was located in the path (e.g., path 1156) when the communication device 170 received the resulting reflected signal 157.

[0119] In step 689, a determination is made as to whether the cycle is complete. The determination as to whether the cycle is complete may be made by the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 using one or more algorithms 433, one or more protocols 432, and / or measurements from one or more sensor devices 360. One or more of several factors may help determine whether a cycle is complete. Examples of these factors may include, but are not limited to, the passage of time, whether reflected signals (e.g., reflected signals 157) have been received from all known objects 175 in the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109, and the number of reflected signals 157 received from each known object 175 in the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109. If the cycle is complete, the process proceeds to step 692. If the cycle is not complete, the process proceeds to step 691.

[0120] Fig.13 According to some example embodiments, a Figures 8 to 12 1392 of optical signals (eg, tracking signal 858, tracking signal 958, tracking signal 1058, scanning signal 1159) emitted during a period of time captured in FIG. Figures 1 to 13 , Fig.13 The diagram 1392 shows the Figures 8 to 12 1 (e.g., transmitter 324) of communication device 170-1 is distributed over the course of a cycle (time 1349). During the cycle, three tracking signals 158 (including tracking signal 858) are directed to detector 185-1 of known object 175-1, seven tracking signals 158 (including tracking signal 958) are directed to detector 185-2 of known object 175-2, three tracking signals 158 (including tracking signal 1058) are directed to detector 185-3 of known object 175-3, and one scanning signal 1159 is used to scan spatial volume 109.

[0121] When the tracking signal 158 is directed to one detector 185 (e.g., detector 185-1) but not to another detector 185 (e.g., detector 185-2), there is no overlap between the two. In addition, there is a negligible time gap when the tracking signal transitions from one detector 185 to another detector 185. In addition, there is no overlap and a negligible time gap between the last tracking signal 158 and the scanning signal 1159. In an alternative embodiment, there may be multiple scanning signals 159 during the cycle. In addition, the scanning signal 159 may be sent at any other time 1349 during the cycle except for the last moment of the cycle. Each tracking signal 158 transmitted to the detector 185-1 and the detector 185-3 is transmitted for approximately the same duration. The duration of the tracking signal 158 transmitted to the detector 185-2 is approximately 50% less than the amount of time 1349 that each tracking signal 158 is directed to the detector 185-1 and the detector 185-3.

[0122] The amount of time 1349 that the scanning signal 1159 is transmitted may be longer than the amount of time 1349 that any tracking signal 158 is transmitted. The amount of time 1349 that the scanning signal 1159 is transmitted may be based on one or more of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the number of known objects 175 in the spatial volume 109, whether one or more known objects 175 are moving or stationary within the spatial volume 109, the method used to track the known objects 175, the size of the spatial volume 109 (or portion 107-1 thereof), and the data rate of the optical link.

[0123] In step 691, the known objects 175 in the volume of space 109 are tracked for the duration of the cycle using the tracking signal 158. This step is substantially the same as 682 discussed above. When step 691 is completed, the process proceeds to step 692, where a determination is made as to whether the method should continue with a new cycle. The determination as to whether the method should continue with a new cycle can be made by the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 using one or more algorithms 433, one or more protocols 432, and / or measurements from one or more sensor devices 360. The determination can be based on one or more of several factors, including the factors listed above with respect to step 681, whether any unknown objects 176 have been detected in the most recent cycle, and whether any known objects 175 remain in the portion 107-1 of the volume of space 109.

[0124] In some cases, if it is determined that the method should continue with a new cycle, the controller 304 can adjust (e.g., increase, decrease) the amount of time that the cycle lasts. For example, if the controller 304 determines that a plurality of known objects 175 in the volume of space 109 are moving at a faster pace than previously measured and / or predicted, the controller 304 can increase the amount of time in a cycle so that tracking signals in a greater number of movement paths of shorter duration can be directed to the detector 185 of the known object 175. If the method should continue with a new cycle, the process can return to step 681. If the method should not continue with a new cycle, the process can return to the end step.

[0125] exist Fig.14 and Fig.15 An example of how the method can continue a new cycle is shown in FIG. Fig.14 According to some example embodiments, Figures 8 to 12 a point in time during a subsequent cycle of which it is a part Figure 1 1497 of the system 100. In this case, Fig.14 The communication device 170-1 is shown transmitting a tracking signal 1458 (substantially similar to the tracking signal 158 described above) to the detector 185-4 (which was classified as the detector 186-1 in the previous cycle) of the known object 175-4 (which was classified as the unknown object 176-1 in the previous cycle) using a transmitter (e.g., transmitter 324), which may be a transmitter that is similar to the transmitter 1458 described above. Figures 9 to 12 Tracking signal 1458 has a diameter when contacting detector 185-4, which means that the periphery 1467 of tracking signal 1458 is broadcast at an angle 1463, which is centered on the center point at which tracking signal 1458 is aimed. Angle 1463 of tracking signal 1458 can be compared with the above reference Figures 8 to 10 The angles of the tracking signals described may be the same or different.

[0126] In some cases, one or more optical devices 374 may be used to make these adjustments to tracking signal 1458. In the event that tracking signal 1458 contacts a reflective component (e.g., retroreflector 286) of detector 185-4, a receiver (e.g., receiver 373) of communication device 170-1 receives a reflected signal (similar to reflected signal 157 discussed above) from detector 185-4, which may be Figures 8 to 10The same receiver used in the transmission of the reflected signal 1458 may be used to track the object 175-4 (e.g., determine the current location of the object 175-4, determine the movement path of the object 175-4). The controller of the communication device 170-1 may adjust the angle 1463 (and therefore the diameter), the strength, the movement path, the duration, the number of transmissions to the object 175-1 in the cycle, and / or any other characteristics of the tracking signal 1458 within and / or between cycles.

[0127] In some example embodiments, instead of Fig.14 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 may send the tracking signal 1458 in the cycle immediately following the cycle in which the unknown object 176 is found in the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109. Fig.14 One or more second scanning signals are sent during the captured period in an attempt to find a new known object 175-4 in the approximate area of ​​the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109 where the unknown object 176 was detected. The use of the second scanning signal can also be useful when the unknown object 176 continues to move within the spatial volume 109 after being detected.

[0128] For example, Fig.15 , the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 uses a second scanning signal 1559 that follows a path 1556 that is disposed in an approximate area within the portion 107-1 of the volume of space 109 where the unknown object 176 is detected. The diameter of the second scanning signal 1159 is smaller than the diameter of the scanning signal 1156. The diameter of the second scanning signal 1159 may be larger than the diameter of the tracking signal 1458, the same as the diameter of the tracking signal 1458, or smaller than the diameter of the tracking signal 1458, in which case the diameter of the second scanning signal 1159 is larger than the diameter of the tracking signal 1458 and smaller than the diameter of the scanning signal 1156.

[0129] like Fig.15, the path 1556 of the second scanning signal 1559 is focused on the lower right portion of the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109. Characteristics of the path 1556 of the second scanning signal 1559 can be substantially the same as corresponding characteristics of the path 1156 of the scanning signal 1159. When the known object 175-4 is detected as the second scanning signal 1559 is transmitted along the path 1556 (e.g., continuously, in discrete increments), the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 can determine (e.g., based on the diameter of the second scanning signal 1559, based on the perceived movement of the known object 175-4) whether to have another iteration of the second scanning signal (e.g., using a smaller diameter for subsequent scanning signals, using a path covering an even smaller area within the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109) to further ascertain the location of the known object 175-4, or to use a tracking signal (such as described above). Fig.14 tracking signal 1458) to track the known object 175-4.

[0130] In certain example embodiments, when an unknown object 176 is discovered within the area of ​​the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109, the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 may decide to continue sending the second scanning signal 1559 to locate the new known object 175-4. As part of this process, the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 may adjust the diameter of the second scanning signal 1559, set the path 1556 that the second scanning signal 1559 travels, generate multiple iterations of the second scanning signal 1559, and / or make other determinations about locating the known object 175-4 before tracking the known object 175-4. In some cases, the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 may initially identify a plurality of areas within the portion 107-1 of the spatial volume 109 where the new known object 175-4 may be located, and send one or more second scanning signals 1559 to each of these areas in order to more quickly locate the known object 175-4.

[0131] Fig.16 Shows Figure 1 The system 100 is in relative Fig.14 portion 1697 at a subsequent point in time in a subsequent cycle as shown in . In this case, Fig.16 Path 1656 is shown along which a subsequent cycle of scanning signal 1659 propagates through volume 109 when scanning unknown object 176. Scanning signal 1659 may be substantially the same as scanning signal 159 discussed above. In this case, relative to Fig.11The diameter and angle 1163 of the tracking signal 1159 of FIG. 1154 are such that the scanning signal 1659 has a similar diameter (and therefore also an angle formed by the periphery of the scanning signal 1659 along the entire path 1656). To keep the diameter of the scanning signal 1659 substantially constant along the entire path 1656, the controller 304 of the communication device 170-1 can continuously adjust the angle as needed. In some cases, one or more optical devices 374 can be used to make these adjustments to the scanning signal 1659.

[0132] In this case, the path 1656 of the scanning signal 1659 is "S" shaped, and the diameter of the scanning signal 1659 is such that each point within the entire spatial volume 109 receives the scanning signal 1659 at least once. As a result, the detectors 185 (in this case, detectors 185-1, 185-2, 185-3, and 185-4) of the known objects 175 (in this case, known objects 175-1, 175-2, 175-3, and 175-4) receive the scanning signal 1659, and thus the receiver (e.g., receiver 373) of the communication device 170-1 receives the reflection signal 157 generated by the scanning signal 1659 from each detector 185.

[0133] Based on the path and location of each known object 175 as determined by the controller of the communication device 170-1 (e.g., the controller 304) when tracking the known objects 175 using the tracking signal 158, the controller can determine when the reflected signal 157 generated from the scanning signal 1659 originates from the known object 175 instead of the unknown object 176. For example, when the scanning signal 1659 propagates downward from its starting point (e.g., Fig.11 ), the scanning signal 1659 hits the detector 185-2 of the known object 175-2. During this period, there is no unknown object, and therefore all reflected signals 157 received during the transmission of the scanning signal 1659 by the communication device 170-1 are expected because they originate from the detector 185 of the known object 175.

[0134] Fig.17 According to some example embodiments, a Figures 14 to 16 1792 is a graph of optical signals (eg, tracking signals 158 (including tracking signals 1458) and scanning signals 1659) emitted during a period of time captured in FIG. Figures 1 to 17 , Fig.17 The diagram 1792 shows that Figures 7 to 161 (e.g., transmitter 324) of communication device 170-1 is distributed over the course of a subsequent cycle (time 1749). During the subsequent cycle, two tracking signals 158 are directed to detector 185-1 of known object 175-1, eight tracking signals 158 are directed to detector 185-2 of known object 175-2, three tracking signals 158 are directed to detector 185-3 of known object 175-3, four tracking signals 158 (including tracking signal 1458) and / or second scanning signals (including scanning signal 1556) are directed to detector 185-4 of known object 175-4, and one scanning signal 1659 is used to scan spatial volume 109.

[0135] When the tracking signal 158 and / or the second scanning signal is directed to one detector 185 (e.g., detector 185-1) but not another detector 185 (e.g., detector 185-2), there is no overlap between the two. In addition, there is a negligible time gap when the tracking signal and / or the second scanning signal 1556 transitions from one detector 185 to another detector 185. In addition, there is no overlap and a negligible time gap between the last tracking signal 158 and the scanning signal 1659. In an alternative embodiment, there may be multiple scanning signals 1659 and / or second scanning signals 1556 within the cycle. In addition, the scanning signal 1659 may be transmitted at any other time 1749 during the cycle except for the last moment of the cycle. Each tracking signal 158 transmitted to the detector 185 of the known object 175 is transmitted for approximately the same duration.

[0136] In this example, the amount of time 1749 that the scanning signal 1659 is transmitted is longer than the amount of time 1749 that any tracking signal 158 and the second scanning signal 1556 (if any) are transmitted, but in alternative embodiments, the amount of time 1749 that the scanning signal 1659 is transmitted may be less than or have the same duration as the amount of time 1749 that any tracking signal 158 is transmitted. The amount of time 1749 that the scanning signal 1659 is transmitted may be based on one or more of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the number of known objects 175 in the spatial volume 109, whether one or more known objects 175 are moving or stationary within the spatial volume 109, the method used to track the known objects 175, the size of the spatial volume 109 (or portion 107-1 thereof), whether sufficient communication bandwidth exists for the known objects 175 (which allows more time to be spent in the period of discovering the unknown device 176), and the data rate of the optical link.

[0137] Example embodiments may be used to scan unknown objects in a spatial volume in real time. Example embodiments may be implemented on existing systems (e.g., lighting systems) within a spatial volume with little to no modification to the electrical equipment of such existing systems. Example embodiments may be implemented with new installations of electrical equipment and with easy installation, modification, or replacement of electrical equipment. Example embodiments also provide several other benefits. Such other benefits may include, but are not limited to, ease of use, improved accuracy and efficiency, lower power and bandwidth requirements, and compliance with industry standards and regulations.

[0138] Although the embodiments described herein are made with reference to the example embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the example embodiments described herein are not limited to any specific discussed applications, and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Based on the description of the example embodiments, those skilled in the art will remind themselves of the equivalents of the elements shown therein, and those skilled in the art will remind themselves of the ways in which other embodiments are constructed using the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the example embodiments is not limited herein.

Claims

1. A method (698) for scanning an unknown object (176) in a volume of space (109), the method comprising: transmitting, by a communication device (170), a tracking signal (158, 858) to a known object (175-1) located in the volume of space during a first time period of a cycle, wherein the known object was tracked in a previous cycle and wherein the unknown object is to be identified in the cycle; receiving, by the communication device during the first time period, a reflection signal (157), wherein the reflection signal is a reflection of the tracking signal originating from a reflection device (185-1) of the known object; using the communication device, determining a position and a path of the known object in the volume of space based on information obtained from the first reflected signal; and A scanning signal (159, 1159, 1559) is emitted by the communication device during a second time period of the cycle, the scanning signal (159, 1159, 1559) scanning the spatial volume for the unknown object, wherein the scanning signal is used to search for a position and a path of the unknown object, and wherein the path of the scanning signal is based on a position or a path of a known object in the spatial volume.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A second reflection signal (157) is received by the communication device during the second time period, wherein the second reflection signal is a reflection of the scanning signal originating from a second reflection device (186) of the unknown object.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: Prior to a subsequent cycle, the unknown object is reclassified as a second known object.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: A second scanning signal (1559) is transmitted by the communication device (170) to an area within the spatial volume during a first time period of the subsequent cycle, wherein the unknown object is detected within the area during a second time period of the cycle.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: transmitting, by the communication device (170), a second tracking signal to a known object located in the volume of space during a first time period of the subsequent cycle; receiving, by the communication device during a first time period of the subsequent cycle, a third reflected signal (157), wherein the third reflected signal is a reflection of the second tracking signal originating from a reflecting device of the known object; using the communication device, determining a position and a path of the known object in the volume of space based on second information obtained from the third reflected signal; transmitting, by the communication device, a third tracking signal to a second known object located in the volume of space during a second time period of the subsequent cycle; receiving, by the communication device during a second time period of the subsequent cycle, a fourth reflected signal (157), wherein the fourth reflected signal is a reflection of the third tracking signal originating from a reflecting device of the second known object; and Using the communication device, a position and a path of the second known object in the spatial volume are determined based on third information obtained from the fourth reflected signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: A second scanning signal is transmitted by the communication device during a third time period of the subsequent cycle, the second scanning signal scanning the volume of space for a second unknown object.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein emitting a scanning signal comprises directing the scanning signal to varying successive locations within the volume of space during the second time period.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the communication device during the second time period, a second reflected signal (157), wherein the second reflected signal is a reflection of the tracking signal originating from a reflecting device of the known object; determining, based on information obtained from the first reflected signal, that the second reflected signal originates from a reflecting device of the known object; and Failure to classify the known object as an unknown object.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracking signal and the scanning signal are transmitted from a common transmitter of the communication device.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: While emitting the scanning signal during the second time period, an angle defined by a perimeter of the scanning signal is adjusted so that the scanning signal has a substantially constant diameter when contacting the known object in the volume of space and a surface on which the unknown object is located.

11. A communication device (170-1) for scanning an unknown object (176) in a volume of space (109), the communication device comprising: a transmitter (324) configured to transmit a plurality of tracking signals (158) and a plurality of scanning signals (159) into the volume of space; a receiver (373) configured to receive a plurality of reflection signals (157), wherein the plurality of reflection signals are reflections of a plurality of tracking signals and a plurality of scanning signals originating from a first plurality of reflection devices (185) of a plurality of known objects (175) and a second reflection device (186) of an unknown object (176) over a plurality of cycles, wherein the known objects were tracked in a previous cycle and wherein the unknown objects are to be identified in the cycle; and a controller (304) communicatively coupled to the transmitter and the receiver, wherein the controller is configured to, in each of the plurality of cycles: - controlling the transmitter to send a tracking signal to track a known object in the volume of space during a first time period of one of the plurality of cycles, - using information obtained from the reflected signal (157) received by the receiver, determining the position and path of the known object in the volume of space during a first time period in the cycle, and -Control the transmitter to send a scanning signal (1159) to scan the spatial volume for the unknown object during a second time period of the cycle, wherein the scanning signal is used to search for the position and path of the unknown object, and wherein the path of the scanning signal is based on the position or path of a known object in the spatial volume.

12. The communication device according to claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to: Receiving a second reflected signal by the receiver; determining that the second reflected signal originates from a reflector of the known object using information obtained from the reflected signal and second information obtained from the second reflected signal; Receiving a third reflected signal by the receiver; and Using third information obtained from the third reflection signal, it is determined that the third reflection signal originates from the unknown object.

13. The communication device according to claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to: Prior to commencing a subsequent cycle in the plurality of cycles, the unknown object is reclassified as a second known object.

14. The communication device according to claim 12, further comprising: A sensor device (360) is communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the sensor device is configured to measure parameters associated with the plurality of reflected signals, wherein the parameters measured by the sensor device are used to track the known objects and discover unknown objects in the volume of space.

15. The communication device according to claim 11, further comprising: An optical device (374) communicatively coupled to the controller, wherein the optical device is configured to manipulate a scanning signal sent by the transmitter into the volume of space so that a width of the scanning signal has a substantially constant diameter when contacting a surface in the volume of space on which the unknown object is located.

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