Device control, and associated units, systems, methods, and devices

Abstract

Various embodiments relate to light control. In some embodiments, a system may include a mobile surveillance unit. The mobile surveillance unit may include a pan tilt (PT) light and at least one camera. The system may also include an application program to at least one of generate, process, determine, or receive data associated with the at least one camera; and control the PT light based on the data. Associated systems, methods, and units are also disclosed.

Description

DEVICE CONTROL, AND ASSOCIATED UNITS, SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICESPRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 779,664, filed March 28, 2025, for “DEVICE CONTROL, AND ASSOCIATED UNITS, SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to device control, and more specifically to controlling a light (e.g., a pan tilt light), and to related units, systems, methods, and devices.BACKGROUND

[0003] Lighting devices (e.g., spotlights, floodlights, and other lights) are commonly used for security, theatrical, and industrial applications where targeted illumination is required. Conventional light systems often lack efficient and precise control mechanisms for dynamically adjusting the light's orientation. Further, some conventional light systems may require manual adjustment or rely on pre-set positions, limiting flexibility and responsiveness.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 depicts an example system including a unit, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0005] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate examples of a unit, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system including a light, a camera, and a computer, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 4 depicts a unit including a head unit, a light, and a number of cameras, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example system including a light and a number of cameras, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.1 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062

[0009] FIG. 6 depicts another example system including a mobile unit, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example method, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates another example system, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Referring in general to the accompanying drawings, various embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated to show example embodiments related to device control, and more specifically to controlling a lighting device (e.g., independent of control of a camera). Yet more specifically, various embodiments relate to controlling a pan tilt (PT) light (e.g., PT spotlight) responsive to detection of an object via a sensor (e.g., a camera). It should be understood that the drawings presented are not meant to be illustrative of actual views of any particular portion of an actual device, system, or structure, but are merely representations which are employed to more clearly depict various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0013] The following provides a more detailed description of the present disclosure and various representative embodiments thereof. In this description, functions may be shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Additionally, block definitions and partitioning of logic between various blocks is exemplary of a specific implementation. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced by numerous other partitioning solutions. For the most part, details concerning timing considerations and the like have been omitted where such details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present disclosure and are within the abilities of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.

[0014] Pan tilt (PT) lights (e.g., PT spotlights) may move both horizontally (pan) and vertically (tilt) to direct its beam in different directions. Some conventional systems include a lighting device that is directly linked (e.g., coupled) to and controlled by an associated camera (i.e., the lighting device points only where the associated camera points). Other conventional systems include a lighting device that is integrated with a camera (i.e., the lighting device and the camera are not physically separate components)2 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062(e.g., a lighting device is attached to a camera). Other conventional systems include a lighting device that requires substantial manual control (i.e., by a human user).

[0015] Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to an independent lighting device (also referred to herein as a “light” or a “light device”), such as a PT light (e.g., spotlight and / or floodlight). In these embodiments, a light (e.g., a PT light), which may be separate from (e.g., physically separate and independent of) a camera, may be controlled (e.g., automatically and without human intervention) independent of the camera (e.g., independent of movement of the camera). More specifically, according to various, a light (e.g., PT light) may be moved separately from a camera and may be programmatically controlled (e.g., without human intervention) (e.g., via an edge device (e.g., a computer (e.g., controller, processor), a camera) based on, for example, analytics detection (e.g., based on computer vision (CV) analytics, and / or in response to sensor data (e.g., sound, image data, video data)). It is noted that, in some embodiments, although a camera may not control a light, the light may be controlled based on a position of the camera, data captured via the camera (e.g., what the camera sees, where the camera detects an object, etc.), and / or analytics, which may or may not be performed by the camera. Further, in some embodiments, although information associated with a camera (e.g., data related to object detection performed via the camera) may be used to control a light, the light and the camera may be moved independently (i.e., it may not be required for the camera and the light to be pointed in the same direction).

[0016] According to various embodiments, control of a lighting device may include control of a position / focus (e.g., via pan and / or tilt) of the lighting device, a beam pattern (e.g., flood, spot, etc.) of the lighting device, a color (e.g., via a number of LEDs) generated by the lighting device, a pattern (e.g., solid, flashing, fading, without limitation) generated by the lighting device, and / or an intensity (e.g., brightness) of light emitted by the camera. Various embodiments may be useful in numerous applications, such as security deterrence, automated lighting, dynamic lighting, and object tracking, among others.

[0017] Although various embodiments are described herein with reference to security and / or surveillance systems and / or mobile security and / or mobile surveillance units, the present disclosure is not so limited, and the embodiments may be generally applicable to any system and / or device that may or may not include security and / or surveillance systems and / or units. Further, although some embodiments are disclosed 3 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062with reference to a mobile unit, the disclosure is not so limited, and a person having ordinary skill will understand that various embodiments may be applicable to other systems and devices, such as stationary units (e.g., a unit coupled to a stationary pole (e.g., a light pole), a structure (e.g., of a business or a residence), a tree, etc.).Embodiments of the disclosure will now be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100, according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. System 100, which may include a security and / or surveillance system, includes a unit 102, which may also be referred to herein as, for example, a “mobile unit,” a “mobile security unit,” a “mobile surveillance unit,” a “physical unit,” a “response unit,” a “response device,” an “alert device,” or some variation thereof. As noted above, unit 102 may or may not be a mobile unit.

[0019] According to various embodiments, unit 102 may include one or more sensors (e.g., cameras, weather sensors, motion sensors, noise sensors, chemical sensors, without limitation) 104 and one or more output devices 106 (e.g., lights, speakers, electronic displays, without limitation). For example only, sensors 104 may include one or more cameras, such as thermal cameras, infrared cameras, optical cameras, PTZ cameras, bi-spectrum cameras, any other camera, or any combination thereof. Further, for example only, output devices 106 may include one or more lights (e.g., flood lights, strobe lights (e.g., LED strobe lights), and / or other lights), one or more speakers (e.g., loudspeakers, two-way public address (PA) speaker systems, etc.), any other suitable output device (e.g., a digital display), or any combination thereof. As described more fully herein, in some embodiments, output devices 106 may include one or more pan tilt (PT) lighting devices (also referred to herein as PT lights). In some embodiments, one or more cameras of unit 102 may include analytic capabilities (e.g., powered by edge computing), as will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill. For example, sensors 104 may include one or more cameras made by Axis Communications AB of Lund, Sweden, Bosch Security Systems, Inc. of New York, USA, and other camera manufacturers.

[0020] In some embodiments, unit 102 may also include one or more storage devices 108. Storage device 108, which may include any suitable storage device (e.g., a memory card, hard drive, a digital video recorder (DVR) / network video recorder (NVR), internal flash media, a network attached storage device, or any other suitable electronic storage device), may be configured for receiving and storing data (e.g., video, images,4 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062and / or i-frames) captured by sensors 104. In some embodiments, during operation of unit 102, storage device 108 may continuously record data (e.g., video, images, i-frames, and / or other data) captured by one or more sensors 104 (e.g., cameras, lidar, radar, environmental sensors, acoustic sensors, without limitation) of unit 102 (e.g., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or any other time scenario).

[0021] Unit 102 may further include a computer 110, which may include memory and / or any suitable processor, controller, logic, models (e.g., Al models), and / or other processor-based device known in the art. Unit 102 may also include a communication device (e.g., a modem (e.g., a cellular modem, a satellite modem, a Wi-Fi modem, etc.)) 112 that may comprise any suitable and known communication device, which may be coupled to sensors 104, output devices 106, storage device 108, and / or computer 110 via wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, communication device 112 may include one or more radios and / or one or more antennas. Moreover, although not shown in FIG. 1, unit 102 may include one or more additional devices including, but not limited to, one or more microphones, one or more solar panels, one or more power generators (e.g., fuel cell generators), or any combination thereof.

[0022] System 100 may further include one or more electronic devices 113, which may comprise, for example only, a mobile device (e.g., user device, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, etc.), a desktop computer, or any other suitable electronic device including a display. Electronic device 113 may be accessible to one or more end-users. Additionally, system 100 may include a server 116 (e.g., a cloud server), which may be remote from unit 102. Communication device 112, electronic devices 113, and server 116 may be coupled to one another via a network (e.g., the Internet or other network) 114 and / or one or more other connections.

[0023] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, unit 102 may be within a first location (a “camera location” or a “unit location”), and server 116 may be within a second location, remote from the first location. In addition, each electronic device 113 may or may not be remote from unit 102 and / or server 116. In some embodiments, unit 102 may be communicatively coupled to another device (e.g., server 116 and / or electronic device 113) via one or more metered (e.g., cellular and / or satellite) connections. Similarly, server 116 may be communicatively coupled to another device (e.g., unit 102 and / or electronic device 113) via one or more metered (e.g., cellular and / or5 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062satellite) connections. As will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the art, system 100 may be modular, expandable, and / or scalable.

[0024] It is noted that control of unit 102, and more specifically control of sensors 104 and output devices 106, and any processing and / or control of associated data, may be performed locally (e.g., via computer 110), remotely (e.g., via server 116, electronic device 113, or other device), or some combination thereof. According to various embodiments, output devices 106 may include or may be coupled to a light (e.g., a PT light), and sensors 104 may include one or more cameras.

[0025] Non-limiting examples of unit 102 are shown in FIGS. 2A-2D. More specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a unit 202, which is a mobile unit including a trailer, a storage box, a mast, and a head unit; FIG. 2B illustrates an example head unit 210 (e.g., of unit 102) including a number of lights (e.g., including a PT light), a number of cameras, and a speaker; FIG. 2C is another depiction of an example head unit 220 (e.g., of unit 102) including a number of lights (e.g., including a PT light), a number of cameras, and a speaker; and FIG. 2D depicts an example head unit 230 including an example PT light 232.

[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a block diagram of an example system 300 including a lighting device (e.g., a PT light) 302, a computer 304 (e.g., computer 110 of FIG. 1), and at least one camera 306. It is noted that camera 306 and lighting device 302 may part of a single unit (e.g., a surveillance unit, such as a mobile surveillance unit) or lighting device 320 may be part of one device (e.g., a unit) and camera 306 may be part of another device (e.g., a camera of a different unit, a wall mount camera, without limitation). According to various embodiments, lighting device 302 may be controlled (e.g., pan, tilt, or otherwise) based on various analytics and / other data captured, determined, generated, received, and / or processed via computer 304, camera 306, another camera, and / or another device (e.g., another sensor, computer, without limitation). For example, in response camera 306 detecting an object (e.g., via object detection technology), a position of the camera and / or the object may be determined (e.g., based on a known direction, field of view, and / or a region of interest (ROI) of camera 306), and lighting device 302 may be configured such that light is emitted from lighting device 302 toward the position of the detected object. For example, a position of the camera and / or the object may be determined based on, for example, a field of view location, image coordinates, a bounding box position, a relative position in a frame, camera-relative coordinates, 3D object location, and / or a direction of 6 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062camera 306. Further, via, for example, object tracker technology, the detected object may be tracked and lighting device 302 may be positioned (e.g., updated) to continue to emit light toward the object as the object is tracked (e.g., as the object moves). For example, a pan 0 position of camera(s) 306 may be calibrated (e.g., at manufacturing time) to a known location. Then using calculations based on the trigonometry of a height of camera(s) 306 and its pan / tilt / zoom positioning a location of the object in three-dimensional space (e.g., coordinates) may be determined. Lighting device 302 may then be focused on the location. The positioning may be updated based on a time interval based on a speed of the object. For example, computer 304 may include a device (e.g., a control board, an I / O module, an I / O board, without limitation) and / or an edge computing module (e.g., including one or more Al models), as described more fully below.

[0027] FIG. 4 depicts a unit 400 including a head unit 401, a lighting device (e.g., a PT light, such as a PT spotlight and / or flood light) 402, and a number of cameras 406. In some embodiments, head unit 401 may include a computer (not shown in FIG. 4) (e.g., computer 304 of FIG. 3) positioned within an interior area of head unit 401. According to various embodiments, based on data (e.g., analytics, position data, sensor data, and / or other data), which may be sensed, generated, determined, and / or processed via camera 406, another camera, and / or a computer (e.g., an Al based processor), lighting device 402 may be controlled. For example, lighting device 402 may be controlled such that light emitted by lighting device 402 may be in a direction of a detected object (e.g., detected by one or more of cameras 406). For example, a direction to emit the light may be determined based a known position of the camera 406 (i.e., where the camera was focused during detection of the object), as will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill and / or a determined position of the object, as will also be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill. In some embodiments, the direction of the emitted light may be updated based on movement of the detected object (e.g., the emitted light may follow the object (e.g., if the object moves)).

[0028] As noted herein, lighting device 402 may be programmatically controlled (e.g., via an edge device (e.g., a computer (e.g., controller, processor) and / or a camera) based on, for example, analytics (e.g., based on computer vision (CV) analytics and / or any model (e.g., Al model), in response to sensor data (e.g., sound, image data, video data, and / or other sensor data), and / or in response to other data). More specifically, for example, movement (e.g., pan and / or tilt), patterns, intensity, and / or color of lighting 7 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062device 402 may be controlled responsive to a detected object. More specifically, based on a position of a camera that detected the object, a pan and / or a tilt of lighting device 402 may be controlled. Further, based on and / or responsive to the detected object, a lighting pattern, intensity of emitted light, and / or a color of emitted light may be controlled.

[0029] Further, in some embodiments, movement (e.g., pan and / or tilt), patterns, intensity, and / or color of lighting device 402 may be controlled manually (e.g., via a user device (e.g., a smartphone, personal computer (PC), a system, a server, etc.). For example, a user, who may be remote from lighting device 402, may control lighting device 402 via a user device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, laptop, desktop, without limitation). It is noted that lighting device 402 may be controlled independent of control of camera 406. For example, lighting device 402 may be moved independent of any movement of camera 406.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example system 500, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure. System 500 includes a light (e.g., a PT light) 502, a number of cameras 504, a device (e.g., control board, VO module, I / O device (e.g., I / O board), without limitation) 506, and a module 508, which may include, for example, one or more analytics devices (e.g., for computer vision analytics), one or more Al models, other suitable models and / or systems, or any combination thereof. More specifically, for example, module 508 may include an edge computing module, such as a system-on-module (SOM) configured for edge Al and / or robotics applications. As a non-limiting example, module 508 may include an Al computing system made by Vecow Co., Ltd.

[0031] For example, device 506 and module 508 may collectively be referred to herein as a “control system.” Further, for example, light 502 may include an Arges® remote spotlight made by Whelen Engineering Company, Inc. of Chester, Connecticut.

[0032] In some examples, a unit (e.g., a surveillance unit) may include at least a portion of system 500. More specifically, for example, a surveillance unit (e.g., a mobile surveillance unit) may include lighting device 502, one or more of cameras 504, and EO device 506. Further, module 508 may exist on a unit (e.g., the surveillance unit), a server (e.g., a cloud server, such as server 116 of FIG. 1), or a portion of module 508 may exist on a unit and a portion of module 508 may exist on a server (e.g., a cloud server).

[0033] According to various embodiments, device 506 may be coupled to light 502 via a controller area network (CAN) bus 510 and a power connection 512. Further, EO device 506 may be communicatively coupled to module 508 via an Ethernet8 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062connection 514. Each camera 504 may be communicatively coupled to module 508 via an Ethernet connection 516. VO device 506 may be configured to control when light 502 does or does not have power. According to various embodiments, VO device 506 may be configured to disable power (e.g., temporarily) provided to light 502 (e.g., to reset light 502) via power connection 512.

[0034] Generally, in response to a camera (e.g., camera 504-2) detecting an object (e.g., a car, a human, an animal, without limitation), a position (e.g., a FOV) of camera 504-2 may be determined (e.g., via module 508 and / or camera 504-2). In other words, it may be determined (e.g., based on any known method) where camera 504-2 is focused (e.g., where was camera 504-2 “looking” while the object was detected). Further, based on the position (e.g., FOV) of camera 504-2, light 502 may be configured (e.g., moved via pan and / tilt functionality) such that light may be emitted from light 502 toward the detected object (i.e., toward the direction where the object was detected). For example, responsive to detection of an object, light 502 may pan to a center of the FOV of camera 504-2, which detected the object, and possibly triggered an alert.

[0035] More specifically, according to various embodiments, at least one of camera 504 may detect an object. Further, responsive to detection of the object, position information of camera 504 may be determined (e.g., via camera 504 and / or module 508). For example, module 508 may request and / or receive the position information from camera 504 via connection 516. For example, the position information may be based on a calibrated, initial location of camera 504 and a formula related to a current position of camera 504. Determining a position and / or a FOV of camera may be carried out by any known and suitable method. For example, a FOV of camera 504 may be determined via calibration during manufacturing and then determining position data via an API of camera 504 and / or via analytics of module 508.

[0036] Further, module 508, which may include one or more Al models, may determine a desired position of light 502 based on the position information of camera 504. Further, module 508 may convey a first signal (e.g., a light control message), which may be indicative of the desired position of light 502, to VO device 506 via connection 514. In response to receipt of the first signal from module 508, VO device 506 may convey, via bus 510, a second signal (e.g., a control signal), which may be received at light 502. It is noted that VO device 506 may be configured to receive a control signal (e.g., from module 508 via Ethernet 514) in one format and convey another control signal 9 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062(e.g., to light 502) in another format (e.g., via CAN bus 510). In response to the second signal, light 502 may adjust its position such that light may be emitted from light 502 toward the detected object. According to some embodiments, light 502 may be positioned (i.e., in a desired position) prior to light 502 emitting light. Thus, in these embodiments, upon the light being activated (i.e., to emit light), the emitted light will shine on the detected object. In other embodiments, light 502 may emit light and subsequently light 502 may be moved such that the emitted light is in a direction of the detected object.

[0037] FIG. 6 depicts another example system 600 including a unit 602, in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosure. Unit 602 (e.g., unit 102 of FIG.1, unit 400 of FIG. 4, or another unit) may be configured to be positioned in an environment (e.g., a parking lot, a retail location, a roadside location, a construction site, a concert venue, a sporting venue, a school campus, without limitation). In some embodiments, unit 602 may include one or more sensors 604 (e.g., cameras (e.g., camera 306 / 406 / 504), weather sensors, motion sensors, noise sensors, without limitation) and one or more output devices 606 (e.g., lights (e.g., lighting devices 302 / 402 / 502) speakers, electronic displays, without limitation).

[0038] In some embodiments, unit 602 may include a mobile unit. In these and other embodiments, unit 602 may include a portable trailer 608, a storage box 610, and a mast 612 coupled to a head unit (also referred to herein as a “live unit,” an “edge device,” or simply an “edge”) 614, which may include (or be coupled to) for example, one or more batteries, one or more cameras, one or more lights, one or more speakers, one or more microphones, and / or other input and / or output devices. According to some embodiments, a first end of mast 612 may be proximate storage box 610 and a second, opposite end of mast 612 may be proximate, and possibly adjacent, head unit 614. More specifically, in some embodiments, head unit 614 may be coupled to mast 612 at an end opposite an end of mast 612 proximate storage box 610.

[0039] In some examples, unit 602 may include one or more primary batteries (e.g., within storage box 610) and one or more secondary batteries (e.g., within head unit 614). In these embodiments, a primary battery positioned in storage box 610 may be coupled to a load and / or a secondary battery positioned within head unit 614 via, for example, a cord reel.

[0040] In some embodiments, unit 602 may also include one or more solar panels 616, which may provide power to one or more batteries of unit 602. More specifically,10 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062according to some embodiments, one or more solar panels 616 may provide power to a primary battery within storage box 610. Although not illustrated in FIG. 6, unit 602 may include one or more other power sources, such as one or more generators (e.g., fuel cell generators) (e.g., in addition to or instead of solar panels). In some embodiments, unit 602 may be configured to connect to shore power (e.g., unit 602 may be coupled to a power outlet). As will be appreciated, unit 602 may include one or more controllers / computers (e.g., computer 110 of FIG. 1) (e.g., within head unit 614) including one or more operating systems. For example, unit 602 may include at least a portion of system 500 of FIG. 5, in accordance with various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method 700. Method 700 may be arranged in accordance with at least one embodiment described in the disclosure. Method 700 may be performed, in some embodiments, by a device or system, such as system 100 (see FIG. 1), unit 202 of FIG. 2A, system 300 (see FIG. 3), system 400 (see FIG. 4), system 500 (see FIG. 5), system 600 (see FIG. 6), or another device or system. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation.

[0042] Method 700 may begin at block 702, wherein data is received, processed, determined, and / or sensed, and method 700 may proceed to block 704. For example, the data may be received, processed, determined, and / or sensed via a camera, received, processed, determined, and / or sensed via another device (e.g., processor and / or one or more models (e.g., Al models or otherwise)), and / or received, processed, determined, and / or sensed from another device (e.g., a sensor and / or any other data source). For example, the data may be, or may be related to, position information of a camera that detected an object.

[0043] At block 704, a light (e.g., a PT light) may be controlled based on the data. For example, if an object (e.g., a human is detected via a camera), the light may be positioned such that light may be emitted (e.g., via light 502 of FIG. 5) toward the object (i.e., if the object is stationary or moving). For example, the light may be controlled independently from control of a camera that detected an object.

[0044] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method 700 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the operations of method 700 may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined operations and actions are only provided as examples, and some of the operations and actions may 11 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062be optional, combined into fewer operations and actions, or expanded into additional operations and actions without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiment. For example, method 700 may include one or more acts wherein an object is detected. Further, method 700 may include one or more acts wherein a detected object is tracked, and in this example, the light may follow the detected, tracked object.

[0045] FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 that may be used to implement embodiments of the disclosure. System 800 may include a computer 802 that comprises a processor 804 and memory 806. For example only, and not by way of limitation, computer 802 may include a workstation, a laptop, or a hand-held device such as a cell phone or a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server (e.g., server 116), computer 110 (see FIG. 1), or any other processor-based device known in the art. In one embodiment, computer 802 may be operably coupled to a display (not shown in FIG. 8), which presents images to the user via a GUI. As will be appreciated, computer 802 may include one or controllers including one or more operating systems, which may be configured and / or updated in accordance with various embodiments disclosed herein.

[0046] Generally, computer 802 may operate under control of an operating system 808 stored in memory 806, and interface with a user to accept inputs and commands and to present outputs through a GUI module 810. Although GUI module 810 is depicted as a separate module, the instructions performing the GUI functions may be resident or distributed in the operating system 808, a program 812, or implemented with special purpose memory and processors. Computer 802 may also implement a compiler 814 that allows a program (e.g., code) 812 written in a programming language to be translated into processor 804 readable code. After completion, program 812 may access and manipulate data stored in memory 808 of computer 802 using the relationships and logic that are generated using compiler 814.

[0047] Further, operating system 808 and program 812 may include instructions that, when read and executed by computer 802, may cause computer 802 to perform the steps necessary to implement and / or use various embodiments of the disclosure. Program 812 and / or operating instructions may also be tangibly embodied in memory 806 and / or data communications devices, thereby making a computer program product or article of manufacture according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As such, the term “program” as used herein is intended to encompass a computer program accessible from any computer readable device or media. Program 812 may exist on an electronic device 12 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062(e.g., electronic device 113; see FIG. 1), a server (e.g., server 116; see FIG. 1), a mobile unit (e.g., mobile unit 102; see FIG. 1), and / or another device. Furthermore, portions of program 812 may be distributed such that some of program 812 may be included on a computer readable media within an electronic device (e.g., electronic device 113), some of program 812 may be included on a computer readable media on a server (e.g., server 116), some of program 812 may be included on a computer readable media on a surveillance unit (e.g., unit 102), and / or some of program 812 may be included on a computer readable media on another device. In some embodiments, program 812 may be configured to run on electronic device 113, server 116, unit 102, another computing device, or any combination thereof. As a specific example, program 812 may exist on server 116 and / or unit 102 and may be accessible to a user via electronic device 113.

[0048] In accordance with common practice, the various features illustrated in the drawings may not be drawn to scale. The illustrations presented in the disclosure are not meant to be actual views of any particular apparatus (e.g., circuit, device, system, etc.) or method, but are merely idealized representations that are employed to describe various embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus, the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus (e.g., circuit, device, or system) or all operations of a particular method.

[0049] Terms used herein and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).

[0050] Additionally, if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or 13 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062“an” (e.g., “a” and / or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. As used herein, “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0051] In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, it is understood that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” or “one or more of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended to include A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together, etc. For example, the use of the term “and / or” is intended to be construed in this manner.

[0052] Further, any disjunctive word or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” should be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

[0053] As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a degree of variance, such as within acceptable tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least 90.0 percent met, at least 95.0 percent met, at least 99.0 percent met, at least 99.9 percent met, or even 100.0 percent met.

[0054] As used herein, the term “approximately” or the term “about,” when used in reference to a numerical value for a particular parameter, is inclusive of the numerical value and a degree of variance from the numerical value that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand is within acceptable tolerances for the particular parameter. For example, “about,” in reference to a numerical value, may include additional numerical values within a range of from 90.0 percent to 110.0 percent of the numerical value, such as within a range of from 95.0 percent to 105.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 97.5 percent to 102.5 percent of the numerical value, within a range of 14 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062from 99.0 percent to 101.0 percent of the numerical value, within a range of from 99.5 percent to 100.5 percent of the numerical value, or within a range of from 99.9 percent to 100.1 percent of the numerical value.

[0055] Additionally, the use of the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are not necessarily used herein to connote a specific order or number of elements. Generally, the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., are used to distinguish between different elements as generic identifiers. Absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific order, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific order. Furthermore, absence a showing that the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., connote a specific number of elements, these terms should not be understood to connote a specific number of elements.

[0056] The embodiments of the disclosure described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings do not limit the scope of the disclosure, which is encompassed by the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Any equivalent embodiments are within the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, various modifications of the disclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, such as alternative useful combinations of the elements described, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. Such modifications and embodiments also fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents.15 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed:

1. A system, comprising:a mobile surveillance unit, comprising:a pan tilt (PT) light; andat least one camera; andan application program to:at least one of generate, process, determine, or receive data associated with the at leastone camera; andcause the PT light to be controlled based on the data.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the data is related to at least one of a field of view (FOV) of the at least one camera or a region of interest (ROI) of the at least one camera during a time in which the at least one camera detected the object.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile surveillance unit includes an edge computing module including at least a portion of the application program.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the application program comprises at least one artificial intelligence (Al) model.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a control system including at least a portion of the application program, the control system coupled to:the at least one camera via at least one Ethernet connection; andthe PT light via a controller area network (CAN) bus.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the control system includes an input / output (EO) board coupled to an artificial intelligence (Al) module via a second Ethernet connection, the EO board coupled to the PT light via the CAN bus and the Al module coupled to the at least one camera via the at least one Ethernet connection.16 Atty Docket No.: 54541-000627. A method of operating a mobile surveillance unit, comprising: detecting an object via a sensor of a mobile surveillance unit;determining data associated with the sensor in response to detection of the object; and controlling a direction of a light of the mobile surveillance unit based on the data.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein detecting the object via the sensor comprising detecting the object via a camera.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein determining data comprises determining a position of the camera.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the position of the camera comprises determining at least one of a field of view (FOV) or region of interest (RO I) of the camera.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein controlling the direction of the light comprises:generating a control signal based on the position of the camera; andconveying the control signal to the light for controller movement thereof.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:tracking the object; andadjusting the direction of the light based on the tracking of the object.

13. A system, comprising:a pan tilt (PT) lighting device;an input / output (I / O) device communicatively coupled to the PT lighting device via a controllerarea network (CAN) bus;at least one camera to detect an object; andan edge computing module including at least one artificial intelligence (Al) model and17 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062communicatively coupled to the I / O device via a first Ethernet connection and the at least one camera via at least one second Ethernet connection;wherein responsive to detection of the object, and based on field of view (FOV) information forthe at least one camera at a moment in which the object was detected, a control signal is conveyed from the VO device to the PT lighting device to position the lighting device to emit light at or near the object.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the edge computing module is configured to receive the FOV information and determine a desired position of the PT lighting device to emit the light at or near the object.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the edge computing module is configured to convey a signal to the VO device indicative of the desired position, wherein the VO generates the control signal responsive to receipt of the signal.

16. A system, comprising:a camera to detect an object;a pan tilt (PT) light;at least one artificial intelligence (Al) model communicatively coupled to the camera and to:receive position information of the camera responsive to detection of the object;determine a desired position of the PT light based on the position information ofthe camera; andconvey a first signal indicative of the desired position; and an input / output (VO) device communicatively coupled to each of the Al model and the PT lightand configured to receive the signal and convey a second signal to the PT light; wherein the PT light is positioned responsive to receipt of the second signal such that lightemitted from the PT is directed toward the object.18 Atty Docket No.: 54541-0006217. The system of claim 16, further comprising an edge computing module including the Al model.

18. A surveillance unit, comprising:a camera;a lighting device; anda control system communicatively coupled between the camera and the lighting device; wherein responsive to detection of an object via the camera, and based a position of the camera,the control system is configured to send a control signal to the lighting device for positioning the lighting device to emit light toward or near the object.

19. The surveillance unit of claim 18, wherein the control system comprises at least one artificial intelligence (Al) model configured to determine a desired position of the lighting device based on a position of the camera.

20. The surveillance unit of claim 18, wherein the control system further comprises an input / output (I / O) board coupled between the lighting device and the Al model.19 Atty Docket No.: 54541-00062

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