Boston University

Hartford Fire Insurance Compnay

Thomas Dc Little

Michael Gingrave

David J Bishop

Matthias Imboden

John J Anthony

Hany Elgala

Robert Cornelis Wagenaar

Jessica Morrison

Jimmy Chau

An optical wireless communications receiver includes a set of photodetectors and signal processing circuitry that receive and process optical communications signals to generate receive data. The receiver includes a spatial light modulator (SLM) and associated SLM controller. The SLM receives an incident optical communications signals from remote optical transmitters and selectively directs the received optical communications signals to the photodetectors to realize an SLM pattern according to SLM control signals from the SLM controller. A system controller establishes the SLM pattern and communicates a description of it to the SLM controller for use in generating the SLM control signals. The receiver may be used in a variety of applications, including so-called visible-light communications or VLC, in which data is transmitted over an optical link using light in the visible spectrum.

Visible-light communications receiver

The invention provides a device comprising a movable micromirror adapted to receive light from one or more light source(s) and manipulate the reflected light. The micromirror can be actuated electrothermally. In particular, the micromirror is adapted to do at least one of: (a) tipping along a first axis; (b) tilting along a second axis; (c) changing focal length (i.e., varifocal mode); and (d) elevating (i.e., piston mode). The invention also provides a system comprising at least one device comprising a movable micromirror and at least one light source. The invention can be used in smart lighting applications.

MEMS devices for smart lighting applications

An optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (O-OFDM) system with pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming includes a driver responsive to one or more predetermined dimming set points configured to generate PWM signals having a predetermined duty cycle and configured to supply current to one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). An O-OFDM generator responsive to the one or more predetermined dimming set points and digital data is configured to generate digital inverted O-OFDM signals during on-states of the PWM signals and non-inverted O-OFDM signals during off-states of the PWM signals according to the predetermined duty cycle and convert the digital inverted O-OFDM signals and the digital non-inverted O-OFDM signals to analog output O-OFDM signals. A combiner circuit responsive to the current from the driver and the analog output O-OFDM signals is configured such that the analog output O-OFDM signals modulate the current to the one or more LEDs to provide a high capacity visible light communication link

Optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (O-OFDM) system with pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming

Systems and methods are discussed for providing a sensor enhanced employee safety evaluation system. Systems that monitor and assess employee lifting behavior are employed at the workplace of an insured entity. Data from the lift monitoring systems are processed to obtain a safety evaluation. Based on the safety evaluation, the insurance provider can adjust the terms of the insurance policy to accurately reflect the risks associated with the insured entity. Feedback based on the safety evaluation is also provided to the insured entity and the employees of the insured entity to promote improvements in safe behavior.

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Newton, MA, United States of America

Thomas Dc Little