# US 10,484,762 B2 · Controlled signals using signal guides for sensor devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,484,762 B2 - Document ID: US10484762B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/150,588 - Filed: 2018-10-03 - Published: 2019-01-31 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-14 - Assignees: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Applicants: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited - Inventors: Russell Tyler Martin; Kyle Proctor; Scott David Wegner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10484762B2 ## CPC - G01J 1/0266: {Field-of-view determination; Aiming or pointing of a photometer; Adjusting alignment; Encoding angular position; Size of the measurement area; Position tracking; Photodetection involving different fields of view for a single detector} - G01J 1/0271: {Housings; Attachments or accessories for photometers} - G01J 1/04: Optical or mechanical part {supplementary adjustable parts} - G01J 1/0407: {Optical elements not provided otherwise, e.g. manifolds, windows, holograms, gratings} - G01J 1/06: Restricting the angle of incident light - G02B 6/00: Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings - G08B 21/185: {Electrical failure alarms} - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - F21V 23/0442: {activated by means of a sensor, e.g. motion or photodetectors} - F21V 23/0464: {the sensor sensing the level of ambient illumination, e.g. dawn or dusk sensors} - G02B 6/4298: {coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers} - H04Q 2209/80: Arrangements in the sub-station, i.e. sensing device - H04Q 2209/86: Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device - H05B 47/11: by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light - H05B 47/125: by using cameras - H05B 47/13: by using passive infrared detectors - G01J: MEASUREMENT OF INTENSITY, VELOCITY, SPECTRAL CONTENT, POLARISATION, PHASE OR PULSE CHARACTERISTICS OF INFRARED, VISIBLE OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT; COLORIMETRY; RADIATION PYROMETRY (light sources F21, H01J, H01K, H05B; investigating properties of materials by optical means G01N) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - F21V: FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL ## Abstract A signal guide for a sensor device is disclosed herein. The signal guide can include a base having a first proximal aperture, where the first proximal aperture has a first cross-sectional profile, where the first proximal aperture is configured to be disposed proximate to a first transceiver element of the sensor device. The signal guide can also include a body disposed adjacent to the base, wherein the body comprises a first main channel that adjoins the first proximal aperture. The signal guide can further include a distal end disposed adjacent to the body opposite the base, where the distal end includes a first distal aperture that adjoins the first main channel, where the first distal aperture has a second cross-sectional profile, where the first distal aperture is configured to be disposed proximate to an ambient environment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A signal guide for a sensor device, the signal guide comprising: a base comprising a first proximal aperture, wherein the first proximal aperture has a first cross-sectional profile, wherein the first proximal aperture is configured to be disposed proximate to a first transceiver element of the sensor device; a body disposed adjacent to the base, wherein the body comprises a first main channel that adjoins the first proximal aperture; a distal end disposed adjacent to the body opposite the base, wherein the distal end comprises a first distal aperture that adjoins the first main channel, wherein the first distal aperture has a second cross-sectional profile, wherein the first distal aperture is configured to be disposed proximate to an ambient environment; and at least one gap that traverses at least a portion of the body, wherein the at least one gap is used, in part, to form variations in a first main channel cross-sectional profile of the first main channel, wherein the first proximal aperture, the first main channel, and the first distal aperture form a first continuous channel, wherein the first cross-sectional profile is different than the second cross-sectional profile, and wherein the first continuous channel is configured to transfer signals between the first transceiver element of the sensor device and the ambient environment. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The signal guide of claim 1, wherein the first cross-sectional profile is smaller than the second cross-sectional profile. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The signal guide of claim 1, wherein the first cross-sectional profile comprises a square having a first outer perimeter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The signal guide of claim 3, wherein the second cross-sectional profile comprises a rectangle having a second outer perimeter. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The signal guide of claim 1, wherein the first main channel has the first cross-sectional profile. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The signal guide of claim 1, wherein the main channel has a plurality of third cross-sectional profiles that is different than the first cross-sectional profile and the second cross-sectional profile, wherein the plurality of third cross-sectional profiles is smaller than the second cross-sectional profile and larger than the first cross-sectional profile. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The signal guide of claim 1, further comprising: a second proximal aperture of the base, wherein the second proximal aperture has a third cross-sectional profile, wherein the second proximal aperture is configured to be disposed proximate to a second transceiver element of the sensor device; a second main channel of the body that adjoins the second proximal aperture; and a second distal aperture of the distal end that adjoins the second main channel, wherein the second distal aperture has a fourth cross-sectional profile, wherein the second distal aperture is configured to be disposed proximate to the ambient environment, wherein the second proximal aperture, the second main channel, and the second distal aperture form a second continuous channel, wherein the third cross-sectional profile is different than the fourth cross-sectional profile, and wherein the second continuous channel is configured to transfer signals between the second transceiver element of the sensor device and the ambient environment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The signal guide of claim 7, wherein the at least one gap physically separates the first main channel and the second main channel. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The signal guide of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises at least one positioning element that is configured to position the first proximal aperture in a particular location relative to the first transceiver element of the sensor device. ### Claim 10 A sensor device subassembly, comprising: a first sensor device comprising a first transceiver element; and a signal guide disposed adjacent to the first transceiver element, wherein the signal guide comprises: a base comprising a first proximal aperture, wherein the first proximal aperture has a first cross-sectional profile, wherein the first proximal aperture is disposed proximate to the first transceiver element of the first sensor device; a body disposed adjacent to the base, wherein the body comprises a first main channel that adjoins the first proximal aperture; a distal end disposed adjacent to the body opposite the base of the signal guide, wherein the distal end comprises a first distal aperture that adjoins the first main channel, wherein the first distal aperture has a second cross-sectional profile, wherein the first distal aperture is configured to be disposed proximate to an ambient environment; and at least one gap that traverses at least a portion of the body, wherein the at least one gap is used, in part, to form variations in a first main channel cross-sectional profile of the first main channel, wherein the first proximal aperture, the first main channel, and the first distal aperture form a first continuous channel, wherein the first cross-sectional profile is different than the second cross-sectional profile, and wherein the first continuous channel transfers a first plurality of signals between the first transceiver element of the first sensor device and the ambient environment. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The sensor device subassembly of claim 10, wherein the first plurality of signals comprises a light wave that is received by the first transceiver element of the first sensor device from the ambient environment through the first continuous channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The sensor device subassembly of claim 11, wherein the light wave originates from a field of angular distribution in the ambient environment, wherein the field of angular distribution is defined by the second cross-sectional profile of the first distal aperture and the first cross-sectional profile of the proximal aperture of the first continuous channel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The sensor device subassembly of claim 12, wherein the field of angular distribution is further defined by a plurality of third cross-sectional profiles of the main channel of the first continuous channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The sensor device subassembly of claim 10, further comprising: a second sensor device comprising a second transceiver element; and a second continuous channel of the signal guide, wherein the second continuous channel is disposed adjacent to the second transceiver element, and wherein the second continuous channel comprises: a second proximal aperture disposed in the base, wherein the second proximal aperture has a third cross-sectional profile, wherein the second proximal aperture is disposed proximate to the second transceiver element of the second sensor device; a second main channel of the body that adjoins the second proximal aperture; and a second distal aperture of the distal end adjoins the second main channel opposite the second proximal aperture, wherein the second distal aperture has a fourth cross-sectional profile, wherein the second distal aperture is configured to be disposed proximate to the ambient environment, wherein the third cross-sectional profile is different than the fourth cross-sectional profile, and wherein the second continuous channel transfers a second plurality of signals between the second transceiver element of the second sensor device and the ambient environment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The sensor device subassembly of claim 14, wherein the second plurality of signals comprises a light wave that is sent by the first transceiver element of the sensor device to the ambient environment through the first continuous channel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The sensor device subassembly of claim 15, wherein the light wave is delivered to a field of angular distribution in the ambient environment, wherein the field of angular distribution is defined by the second cross-sectional profile of the first distal aperture and the first cross-sectional profile of the proximal aperture of the first continuous channel. ### Claim 17 A system comprising: a sensor device comprising at least one transceiver element; a signal guide disposed adjacent to the at least one transceiver element, wherein the signal guide comprises: a base comprising a proximal aperture, wherein the proximal aperture has a first cross-sectional profile, wherein the proximal aperture is disposed proximate to the at least one transceiver element of the sensor device; a body disposed adjacent to the base, wherein the body comprises a main channel that adjoins the proximal aperture; a distal end disposed adjacent to the body opposite the base of the signal guide, wherein the distal end comprises a distal aperture that adjoins the main channel, wherein the distal aperture has a second cross-sectional profile; and at least one gap that traverses at least a portion of the body, wherein the at least one gap is used, in part, to form variations in a first main channel cross-sectional profile of the first main channel; and an operational device comprising an aperture, wherein the distal end of the signal guide is disposed adjacent to the aperture and is exposed to an ambient environment, wherein the proximal aperture, the main channel, and the distal aperture form a continuous channel between the ambient environment and the at least one transceiver element of the sensor device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the operational device is a light fixture, and wherein the aperture traverses a trim of the light fixture. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the body of the signal guide further comprises at least one positioning element that orients the first proximal aperture in a particular location relative to the first transceiver element of the sensor device, wherein the at least one positioning element abuts against at least one selected from a group consisting of the sensor device and a component on a circuit board on which the sensor device is disposed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the operational device is controlled using the sensor device based on at least one signal transmitted through the continuous channel of the signal guide.