Patent Publication Number: US-9412253-B2

Title: System for detecting and analyzing motion for pattern prediction and associated methods

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/936,654titled System for Detecting and Analyzing Motion for a Pattern Prediction and Associated Methods filed Feb. 6, 2014, the content of which is incorporated by in its entirety herein by reference, except to the extent disclosure therein is inconsistent with disclosure herein. This application is also related to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/924,435 titled Luminaire for Performing Distributed Computing and Associated Methods filed Jan. 7, 2014, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/464,345 titled Occupancy Sensor and Associated Methods filed May 4, 2012, U.S. Pat. No. 8,818,202 titled Wavelength Sensing Lighting System and Associated Methods for National Security Application filed May 23, 2013, U.S. Pat. No. 8,674,608 titled Configurable Environmental Condition Sensing Luminaire, System and Associated Methods filed Feb. 23, 2013, U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,457 titled Motion Detection System and Associated Methods Having At Least One LED of a Second Set of LEDS to Vary its Voltage filed Jan. 11, 2013, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/464,292 titled Intelligent Security Light and Associated Methods filed May 4, 2013, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/208,370 titled Method for Controlling Blood Glucose Levels and Digestion Cycles filed Mar. 13, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/923,924 titled Luminaire for Varying Biologically-Adjusted Illumination According to a User-Controllable Circadian Pattern and Associated Systems and Methods filed Jan. 6, 2014, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/948,185 titled System for Dynamically Adjusting Circadian Rhythm Responsive to Scheduled Events and Associated Methods filed Mar. 5, 2014, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/315,660 titled Tunable LED Lamp for Producing Biologically-Adjusted Light and Associated Methods filed Jun. 26, 2014, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/055,591 titled Physical Activity Tracking and Rewards Allocation System filed Mar. 31, 2011, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety except to the extent disclosures therein are inconsistent with disclosures herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring the movement patterns of an individual and identifying deviations therefrom. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Current methods of monitoring an individual within a monitored environment are heavily dependent upon, first, electronic devices including expensive imaging devices with sufficient resolution to distinguish motion by the monitored individual, and, second, usually require significant human interaction in the monitoring of the individual. Moreover, these systems often require separate installation from other electrical systems of the facility in which they are being installed. Moreover, where the facility is being retrofitted, such an installation can be costly. It is advantageous for a monitoring system to integrate with existing infrastructure of the facility, such as, for example, the lighting system. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a monitoring system that does not rely on imaging technology, reduces human interaction in monitoring, and reduces the extent to which retrofitting is needed. 
     This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With the above in mind, embodiments of the present invention are related to a method for monitoring patterns of movement using a lighting system comprising a plurality of luminaires in communication with a server. The method may comprise the steps of detecting occupancy within a vicinity of at least one of the luminaires of the plurality of luminaires, defined as a detected occupancy, receiving the detected occupancy from the at least one luminaire at the server, and determining if the lighting system is presently operating in a pattern. Upon a determination that the lighting system is presently operating in a pattern, the method may comprise performing the steps of determining if the detected occupancy complies with the pattern defining a pattern compliance and updating a pattern status responsive to the pattern compliance. Additionally, upon a determination that the lighting system is not presently operating in a pattern, the method may comprise performing the steps of recording the detected occupancy to a record, determining if a pattern is identifiable responsive to the detected occupancy defining a pattern identification, and at least one of setting a system pattern and performing an action responsive to the pattern identification. 
     In some embodiments, upon a determination that the pattern status is not in compliance with the pattern compliance, the method may comprise performing the step of updating the pattern status to reflect noncompliance with the pattern. 
     In some embodiments, upon a determination that the pattern status is in compliance with the pattern compliance, the method may comprise performing the steps of updating the pattern status to reflect compliance with the pattern, detecting occupancy within the vicinity of the at least one luminaire, defined as a subsequent detected occupancy, receiving the subsequent detected occupancy from the at least one luminaire at the server, determining if the subsequent detected occupancy complies with the pattern defining a subsequent pattern compliance, and at least one of updating the pattern status and performing an action responsive to the subsequent pattern compliance. Furthermore, responsive to the subsequent pattern compliance indicating compliance with the pattern, the method may comprise the step of updating the pattern status to reflect compliance with the pattern of the subsequent pattern compliance. 
     Additionally, responsive to the subsequent pattern compliance indicating noncompliance with the pattern, the method may comprise performing the steps of determining if a threshold number of noncompliant subsequent pattern compliances has been reached defining a compliance threshold indication, updating the pattern status to reflect noncompliance with the pattern of the subsequent pattern compliance responsive to the compliance threshold indication indicating the threshold number of noncompliant subsequent pattern compliances has not been reached, and performing an action responsive to the compliance threshold indication indicating the threshold number of noncompliant subsequent pattern compliances has been reached. Furthermore, performing the action may comprise at least one of providing an alert, sending a message, placing a telephone call, sending a message to a monitoring service, providing a visual or auditory signal at either of the space associated with the lighting system and a location remote thereto. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further comprise the steps of, responsive to the subsequent pattern compliance indicating compliance with the pattern, updating the pattern status to reflect compliance with the pattern of the subsequent pattern compliance, and responsive to the subsequent pattern compliance indicating noncompliance with the pattern, performing the steps of determining if a threshold number of noncompliant subsequent pattern compliances has been reached defining a compliance threshold indication, updating the pattern status to reflect noncompliance with the pattern of the subsequent pattern compliance responsive to the compliance threshold indication indicating the threshold number of noncompliant subsequent pattern compliances has not been reached, and performing an action responsive to the compliance threshold indication indicating the threshold number of noncompliant subsequent pattern compliances has not been reached. Additionally, the method may further comprise iteratively performing precedent steps until at least one of the subsequent pattern compliance indicates compliance with the pattern and the compliance threshold indication indicates the threshold number of noncompliant subsequent pattern compliances has been reached. 
     In some embodiments, responsive to the pattern identification indicating a pattern is identifiable, the method may comprise performing the step of setting a system pattern such that the lighting system can be determined to be in a pattern. Additionally, responsive to the pattern identification indicating a pattern is non-identifiable, the method may comprise performing the steps of detecting occupancy at a luminaire, defined as a subsequent detected occupancy, receiving the subsequent detected occupancy from the luminaire at the server, recording the subsequent detected occupancy to the record, determining if a pattern is identifiable responsive to the subsequent detected occupancy defining a subsequent pattern identification, and at least one of setting the system pattern and performing an action responsive to the subsequent pattern identification. 
     In some embodiments, the method may further comprise the steps of, responsive to the subsequent pattern identification indicating a pattern is identifiable, performing the step of setting a system pattern such that the lighting system can be determined to be in a pattern, and responsive to the subsequent pattern identification indicating a pattern is non-identifiable, performing the steps of determining if a threshold number of non-identifiable subsequent pattern identifications has been reached, defining an identification threshold indication, responsive to the identification threshold indication indicating the threshold number of non-identifiable subsequent pattern identifications has been reached, performing an action, and responsive to the identification threshold indication indicating the threshold number of non-identifiable subsequent pattern identifications has not been reached, iteratively receiving subsequent occupancy detections, recording subsequent occupancy detections, and determining subsequent pattern identifications until at least one of a subsequent pattern identification indicates a pattern is identifiable and the identification threshold indication indicates the threshold number of non-identifiable subsequent pattern identifications has been reached. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a lighting device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an environmental schematic view of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention positioned within a structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the invention. 
     In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilled in the art should note that directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” and other like terms are used for the convenience of the reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in the art should notice this description may contain other terminology to convey position, orientation, and direction without departing from the principles of the present invention. 
     Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the art should note that quantitative qualifying terms such as “generally,” “substantially,” “mostly,” and other terms are used, in general, to mean that the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes a majority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of these terms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and the meaning may be expressly modified. 
     An embodiment of the invention text, as shown and described by the various figures and accompanying text, provides a system for detecting and analyzing patterns of motion using lighting devices. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a schematic representation of a lighting device  100  of an embodiment of the present invention is depicted. The lighting device  100  may include a power circuit  110 , a driver circuit  120  and a light source  130 . The power circuit  110  may be configured to be positioned in electrical communication with an external power source. For example, the power circuit  110  may be configured to be positioned in electrical communication with an external power supply. Moreover, the power circuit  110  may be positioned in electrical communication with at least one of the driver circuit  120  and the light source  130 . Additionally, the power circuit  110  may be configured to receive electrical power having characteristics, such as voltage levels and current type, of a first type and conditioning the electrical power to the suitable for use by the various elements of the lighting device  100 . For example, the power circuit  110  may be configured to receive AC electrical power of any standard AC power transmission voltage range and configured to deliver DC electrical power within the range from 1 V to 20 V to the various electrical elements of the lighting device  100 . 
     The driver circuit  120  may be positioned in electrical communication with the light source  130 . Additionally, the driver circuit  120  may be configured to control the operation of the light source  130 . In some embodiments, the driver circuit  120  may include a controller  122  and a memory  124  positioned in electrical communication with the controller  122 . The controller  122  may be any device capable of performing data processing functions, including, but not limited to, a central processor (CPU), microcontroller, a gate array, a system-on-a-chip, a general purpose processing element, or a collection of electronic component capable of processing data. 
     The memory  124  may include volatile and/or non-volatile memory modules. Volatile memory modules may include random access memory, which may temporarily store data and code being accessed by the controller  122 . The non-volatile memory may include flash based memory, which may store a computerized program to be executed by the controller  122 . Furthermore, the memory  124  may include transitory and/or non-transitory memory modules. The memory  124  may also be configured to store data collected by the lighting device  100 , additional details about which are provided hereinbelow. 
     The light source  130  may be any device that is operable to emit light. In some embodiments, the light source  130  may comprise a plurality of LEDs. The plurality of LEDs may be operable to emit light having varying characteristics, including, but not limited to, brightness, chromaticity, color rendering index, and the like. More specifically, the light source  130  may be operable by the driver circuit  120  so as to emit light having any of the aforementioned varying characteristics. More information regarding the operation of the light source  130  may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/737,606 titled Tunable Light System and Associated Methods filed Jan. 9, 2013, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/311,300 titled and Tunable LED Lamp for Producing Biologically-Adjusted Light filed Dec. 5, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. 
     In some embodiments, the lighting device  100  may further comprise a network interface device  140 . The network interface device  140  may be positioned in electrical communication with the driver circuit  120 . The network interface device  140  may be configured to communicate across a network  150  so as to transmit and/or receive instructions and/or data related to the lighting device  100  across the network  150 . The network interface device  140  may be configured to connect to the network  150  using any proprietary or standard connection protocol examples of protocols include, but are not limited to, 802.3 Ethernet, 802.11 Wi-Fi, 802.15.1 Bluetooth, 802.15.4 low rate personal area network (PAN) environments, packet switching wide area networks (WAN), cellular networks, and the like. Moreover, the network interface device  140  may be configured to communicate across a mesh network, where the mesh network comprises two or more lighting devices  100  positioned in communication with each other across the network  150 . More information regarding the network  150  will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     In some embodiments, the lighting device  100  may further comprise a sensor  160 . The sensor  160  may be configured to detect the presence or absence of a target within its field of view. A “target” may be understood to mean an object for which the lighting device  100  is configured to detect the movement/occupancy thereof. The target may be any object, including, but not limited to, persons, animals, or mechanical devices. Moreover, in some embodiments, the sensor  160  may be configured to determine whether a target is moving or is stationary. The sensor  160  may be any electrical device capable of achieving such function, including, but not limited to, motion detectors, cameras, acoustic detectors, and the like. 
     In some embodiments, where the light source  130  comprises a plurality of LEDs, the sensor  160  may be embodied by the light source  130  whereby the light source  130  is configured to operate so as to achieve the target detection described hereinabove. More details regarding the operation of the light source  130  and its capacity may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/901,169 titled Wavelength Sensing Lighting System and Associated Methods for National Security Application filed May 23, 2013 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/739,665 titled Motion Detection System and Associated Methods filed Jan. 11, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference hereinabove. 
     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the driver circuit  130  may be carried by a radio logic board, and that the lighting device  100  may include an antenna coupled to the radio logic board. The antennal may, for example, be used to transmit a signal that caries data. The radio logic board may be separated from heat producing elements of the luminaire by a buffer distance. The buffer distance is a distance suitable to facilitation reduction of attenuation of the signal. Additional details and illustrations of the radio logic board, as well as the buffer distance where the radio logic board is positioned, are set forth in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/486,314 titled WIRELESS LIGHTING DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS filed on May 15, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a lighting system  200  according to an embodiment of the invention will now be discussed. The lighting system  200  may comprise a server  210 , a network communication device  220 , and a network of lighting devices  230 . The server  210  may be positioned in electrical communication with the network communication device  220 . Additionally, the plurality of lighting devices  230  may be positioned in electrical communication with the network medication device  220 . The plurality of lighting devices  230  may each be provided by a lighting device as described hereinabove. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, the server  210  may be positioned in communication with a network  240  via the network communication device  220 . The network  240  may be a wide area network (WAN) or the Internet. Additionally, in some embodiments, the network communication device  220  may be configured to communicate with each lighting device  230  of the plurality of lighting devices  230  across the network  240 . Furthermore, the server  210  may be positioned in communication with a pattern database  250 . Additional details regarding the pattern database  250  will be discussed hereinbelow in greater detail. Additionally, in some embodiments, the server may be positioned in communication with additional types of networks, including, but not limited to, telecommunication networks, telephone networks, cellular communication networks, local area networks (LAN), and the like. 
     The network of lighting devices  230  may comprise a plurality of luminaires configured to detect motion and/or occupancy within a field of view  232  of the luminaires. More specifically, each lighting device of the network of lighting devices  230  may be configured to detect motion and/or occupancy within the field of view  232  associated with a lighting device of the network of lighting devices  230 , and may additionally be configured to communicate such detection. The detection may be communicated across the network  240 . In some embodiments, the detection may be communicated across a mesh network  240 ′, whereby each lighting device of the network of lighting devices  230  functions as a node in the mesh network  240 ′. In some embodiments, the detection may be communicated across the network  240  and be received by a server  210 . While a mesh network  240 ′ is discussed and shown in  FIG. 2 , it is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention that a hub-and-spoke network, whereby each lighting device of the network of lighting devices  230  is in communication with at least one of the server  210  and the network communication device  220  and not in communication with another lighting device of the network of lighting devices  230 . Additionally, hybrid networks of mesh and hub-and-spoke configurations are contemplated and included within the scope of the invention, including the ability to transition between the two. 
     The location of each lighting device  230  of the network of lighting devices  230  may be selected so as to advantageously include within the field of view  232  of the luminaire  232  a desired monitored space. The desired monitored space may depend upon the nature of the monitoring to be performed. In some embodiments, a residential monitoring may be desired, whereby the movement patterns of a person or persons within a residence any monitored. Accordingly, the network of lighting devices  230  may be positioned so as to include within their respective fields of view  232  a substantial portion of the interior space of the residents that is occupied by the person or persons. A residential embodiment is exemplary only, and it is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention that the network of lighting devices  230  described herein may be deployed in any area, including, but not limited to, commercial spaces, retail spaces, outdoor spaces, or any other space where patterned motion and/or occupancy may occur and may be desired to be monitored. Accordingly, the system  200  may be deployed in a space where motion and/or occupancy have a degree of predictability. 
     For example, and with reference to retail spaces, it may be desirous for motion of consumers to be detected and monitored. More particularly, it may be desirous to determine where consumer traffic patterns are located within a retail space to be in position on various items within the retail space. The present invention advantageously allows for monitoring of such consumer traffic patterns. 
     When a lighting device  230  transmits an indication of detection of motion and/or occupancy, such a transmission may include an indication of the location of the lighting device  230 . This may be accomplished by including an identifier the transmission that may indicate from which luminaire the communication is transmitted from. Additionally, the server  210  may be configured to associate a location with each lighting device  230  of the network of lighting devices  230 . The location may correspond to a location of the transmitting lighting device  230  within a structure or area containing the network of lighting devices  230 . Accordingly, when the server  210  receives an indication of motion and/or occupancy, it may interpret the identifier included with the transmission to identify the location in which motion and/or occupancy was detected. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments, each lighting device  230  may include a global positioning system (GPS) device configured to provide a location of the lighting device  230 . The location may be in any format, including, but not limited to, latitude/longitude. Accordingly, the lighting device  230  may transmit the location received from the GPS device to the server  210 . Additionally, the server  210  may be configured to associate the location received from the transmitting lighting device  230  with a location within the area being monitored. 
     The server  210  may include a memory  260 . The memory  260  may have stored thereon one or more patterns  270 . A pattern  270  may be defined as an anticipated series or sequence of detections. Moreover, a pattern  270  may be defined as an anticipated series or sequence of detections within a given time period. Additionally, a pattern  270  may be defined as an anticipated series or sequence of detections at a given time of day or within a range of time during a period of the day. 
     The server  210  may be configured to record onto the memory  260  detections received from the network of lighting devices  230 . Additionally, the server  210  may be configured to determine new patterns  270  from detections recorded onto the memory  260 . Furthermore, the server  210  may be configured to modify existing patterns  270  from detections recorded onto the memory  260 . Further, in some embodiments, the server  210  may be configured to identify a potential pattern  270  from detections recorded on the memory  260  perform a search on a connected pattern database as described hereinabove. Accordingly, the pattern database may include a repository of patterns that may be common to various monitoring systems. Moreover, these patterns may be accessible by the server  210 . Additionally, the pattern database may include the capability for the patterns to be searched by the server  210 . The server  210  may further be configured to retrieve a pattern  270  from the pattern database that may conform to the identified potential pattern. The retrieved pattern  270  may then be stored on the memory  260 . Furthermore, the retrieved pattern  270  may be modified so as to conform to and better represent and anticipate the pattern identified by the server  210 . 
     Additionally, at least one of the server  210  and the lighting devices of the network of lighting devices  230  may be configured to differentiate objects detected within the field of view as being a target or a non-target. More specifically, one of the server  210  and the lighting devices of the network of lighting devices  230  may include logic to differentiate between targets (e.g., humans or vehicles) and non-targets (e.g., stationary inanimate objects, moving inanimate objects, animals). More information regarding target/non-target differentiation may be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/715,085 titled Sustainable Outdoor Lighting System for Use in Environmentally Photo-Sensitive Area filed Dec. 14, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, except to the extent disclosure therein is inconsistent with disclosure herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention is now discussed. Starting at Block  300 , a luminaire of the plurality of luminaires may detect motion and/or occupancy at Block  305 . At Block  310  the luminaire that detected motion and/or occupancy at Block  305  may transmit the detection across the network. The network may be any network described herein. At Block  315  the server may receive the detection and record the detection in a log of detections. The log of detections may be a sequential listing of the detection made by the plurality of luminaires of the system for a given time period, such as, for example, a 24-hour period. As described hereinabove, the log of detections may be written to and stored upon a memory associated with the server. 
     At Block  320 , the server may determine if the system is presently in a pattern. This may be understood to mean that prior to the detection of movement/occupancy at Block  305 , a previous movement/occupancy or series thereof had been detected, and a pattern identified therefrom, as will be described in greater detail hereinbelow. 
     If, at Block  320 , it is determined that the system is not presently in a patter, then at Block  325  the server may begin a record. The record may be a series of detections recorded on memory in communication with the server as described hereinabove. At Block  330 , the server may compare the record with a list of all known patterns and determine if a pattern is identifiable from the record. The patterns may be stored on the memory of the server, or may be stored in a pattern database that is accessible by the server as described hereinabove. 
     If at Block  330  it is determined that a pattern is identifiable from the record, then the server may set the system pattern at Block  335 , meaning that the system is now presently in a patter as described hereinabove. The method may then end at Block  399 . If, however, at Block  330  it is determined that a pattern is not identifiable from the record, the system may proceed to Block  330  where the serve may receive a subsequent detection as described in Blocks  305 - 315 . At Block  345  the server may again attempt to determine if a pattern is identifiable from the record as updated at Block  330 . If at Block  345  a pattern is identifiable, then the system pattern may be set at Block  350 , and the method may end at Block  399 . 
     If, however, at Block  345  it is determined that a pattern is not identifiable, the server may determine at Block  355  if a threshold number of detections has been reached. More specifically, the server may determine if a threshold number of detections have been added to the record. The threshold number may be any number of detections as determined by a user of the system. If the server determines the threshold number of detections has not been reached, the system may return to Block  340  and receive the next detection and record that detection. This may continue until either a pattern is identifiable at Block  345 , or until the threshold number of detections is reached at Block  355 . If it is determined that the threshold number of detections has been reached at Block  355 , the system may perform an action at Block  360 . Upon performance of the action, the method may end at Block  399 . 
     The nature of the action performed may vary. In some embodiments, the action may include providing an alert. The alert may take many forms, including, but not limited to sending a message via text message, email, or telephone call to a designated person or device. Additionally, the alert may include them in an alert message to a monitoring service. In some embodiments, the alert may involve contacting emergency services. Additionally, the action may include providing a visual or auditory signal at a location either within the space being monitored by the system or, in some embodiments, a location remote from the monitored space. Accordingly, the server may be positioned in communication with a network that renders operable to various types of actions disclosed herein. 
     Returning to Block  320 , if it is determined that the system is presently in a pattern, then at Block  365  the server may determine if the detection received at Block  315  complies with the pattern within which the system is presently in. The analysis of determining compliance of the detection with the pattern may be determined by factoring in of a number of elements, including preceding detections, the present status/position of the pattern, and anticipated detections. Anticipated detections may be an anticipated movement and/or occupancy of a target by a luminaire. It is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention that the pattern may be, in some embodiments, the detection of motion and/or occupancy of a target by a luminaire at a specific location. In other embodiments, the pattern may be simply a level of activity as determined by the detection of motion, and/or the detection of occupancy of a target by two or more luminaires that may be interpreted to indicate motion of the target. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a detection may be non-compliant with a pattern where no motion is detected, or where a target is detected to occupy a single location for a length of time that does not comply with the pattern the system is presently in. 
     If at Block  365  it is determined the detection received at Block  315  complies with the pattern, the server may update the pattern status at Block  370  to reflect the compliance. Updating the pattern status, similar to determining compliance, depends on a number of factors. In some embodiments, updating the pattern status may be advancing the pattern such that a determination of compliance of the next received detection may be determined based on criteria similar or identical to the criteria used in the determination made at Block  365 , or the criteria may be different. In some embodiments, updating the pattern status may include indicating that the pattern has reached its termination point, in which case the system will no longer presently be in a pattern, and a new pattern will possibly be identified upon the next detection. 
     If at Block  365  it is determined that the detection received at Block  315  does not comply with the pattern, the server may update the pattern status at Block  375  to reflect the non-compliance. More specifically, the server may indicate that the previous detection deviated from the pattern. At Block  380 , the server may receive the next detection as described in Blocks  305 - 315 . At Block  385 , the server may determine if the detection received at Block  380  complies with the pattern, as updated at Block  375 . In some embodiments, the determination of compliance at Block  385  may be an analysis similar or identical to the analysis performed at Block  365 , or the analysis may be different. Any difference between the analyses performed at Blocks  365  and  385  may be due, at least in part, to the update to the pattern performed at Block  375 . 
     If it is determined at Block  385  that the detection received by the server at Block  380  complies with the pattern, the server may update the pattern status at Block  390 , and the method may end at Block  399 . 
     If it is determined at Block  385  that the detection received by the server at Block  380  does not comply with the pattern, the server may determine at Block  395  if a threshold number of detections has been reached. This determination may be similar to that performed at Block  355 , with the distinction that instead of determining if the record includes the threshold number of detections, the server will analyze the pattern status. The pattern status may include an indication as to the number of non-compliant detections received, which may be added to the status when the pattern status is updated at Block  375 . The threshold number of Block  395  may be any number of detections, and may be set by a user of the system. Additionally, the threshold number of Block  395  may be the same as the threshold number for Block  355 , or it may be different. 
     If it is determined at Block  395  that the threshold number of detections has not been reached, the system may return to Block  375  wherein the pattern status may be updated to include the determination of non-compliance made at Block  385 . The method may then continue to Block  380  with the receipt of the next detection by the server, and the determination of whether the next detection complies with the pattern at Block  385 . This cycle may continue until it is determined either that at Block  385  the detection complies with the pattern, or it is determined at Block  395  that the threshold number of detections has been reached. If it is determined at Block  395  that the threshold number of detections has been reached, the server may perform an action at Block  396 . The action performed at Block  396  may be any action as described hereinabove. Moreover, the action performed at Block  396  may be the same as the action performed at Block  360 , or it may be different. Additionally, in some embodiments, that nature of the action performed at Blocks  360  and  396 , respectively, may convey differing meanings. The differing meanings may reflect the difference in how the actions came to be performed, those differences being the inability of the system to identify a pattern, and the deviation of a target from a pattern. Once the action has been performed at Block  396 , the method may end at Block  399 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an environmental schematic view of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention positioned within a structure is presented. In the depicted embodiment, a network  400  comprising a plurality of lighting devices  402  is shown installed in an environment. While the present depiction is of an office-type environment, it is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention that the network  400  may be positioned in any environment, including residences, individual or community, commercial settings, retail settings, and industrial settings. 
     As discussed hereinabove, the network  400  may additionally include a server  404 . In the present embodiment, the server  404  may integrally include a networking device configured to communicate with the plurality of lighting devices  402 . The server  404  may have direct communication with each lighting device  402  of the plurality of lighting devices  402 , or communication may be accomplished via a mesh networking configuration. 
     Each of the lighting devices  402  of the plurality of lighting devices  402  may be configured to detect motion and/or occupancy within a field of view of the lighting device  402 . The field of view of the lighting device may be determined by consideration of a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the means for accomplishing motion and/or occupancy detection, such as a video sensor, reverse-biased LEDs, acoustic detectors, and any other detection device disclosed herein, as well as environmental factors, including obstructions and other types of interference. In the present embodiment, fields of view  406  of some of the plurality of lighting devices  402  are depicted. The fields of view  406  are illustrative only and do not limit the fields of view, in terms of shape, size, or orientation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a first lighting device  402 ′ may have associated therewith a first field of view  406 ′, a second lighting device  402 ″ may have associated therewith a second field of view  406 ″, and a third lighting device  402 ′″ may have associated therewith a third field of view  406 ′″. In some embodiments, as in the present embodiment, the lighting devices  402 ′,  402 ″,  402 ′″ may be positioned such that their associated fields of view  406 ′,  406 ″,  406 ′″ may overlap with at least one other field of view associated with a lighting device. Such positioning may provide for continuous monitoring of motion and/or occupancy of a target by the network  400 . It is contemplated and included within the scope of the invention that such overlapping coverage is not necessary and not integral with the invention. In some embodiments, where there is not overlapping fields of view  406 ′,  406 ″,  406 ′″ of the plurality of lighting devices  402 ′,  402 ″,  402 ′″, the server  404  may be configured to infer the position of a target within the network  400  based upon the last detection of motion and/or occupancy of the target by one lighting device  402  of the network and the gap between the detecting lighting device  402  and lighting devices  402  adjacent thereto. 
     As described hereinabove, the network  400  may be configured to detect a pattern of a target  408  within view of the network  400 . More specifically, the server  404  may be configured to analyze a series of detections of motion and/or occupancy received from the plurality of lighting devices  402  and determine a pattern of motion therefrom. In the present embodiment, a first lighting device  402 ′ may detection the motion and/or occupancy of the target  408  at a first position  410 ′ within the field of view  406 ′ associated with the first lighting device  402 ′. The first lighting device  402 ′ may transmit an indication of the detection to the server  404 . Subsequently, a second lighting device  402 ″ may detect the motion and/or occupancy of the target  408  at a second position  410 ″ within the field of view  406 ″ associated with the second lighting device  402 ″. The second lighting device  402 ″ may transmit an indication of the detection to the server  404 . Subsequently, a third lighting device  402 ′″ may detect the motion and/or occupancy of the target  408  at a third position  410 ′″ within the field of view  406 ′″ associated with the third lighting device  402 ′″. The third lighting device  402 ′″ may transmit an indication of the detection to the server  404 . Upon receiving each of the indications of transmission from the first, second, and third lighting devices  402 ′,  402 ″,  402 ′″, the server  404  may attempt to determine a pattern of movement/occupancy of the target  408  according to the method described in  FIG. 3 . 
     In some embodiments, the server may identify a single pattern matching the sequence of detections received from the lighting devices  402 ′,  402 ″,  402 ′″, and may predict the next detection to be received from a fourth lighting device  402 ″″. In some embodiments, the server  404  may identify two or more potential patterns matching the sequence of detections received from the lighting devices  402 ′,  402 ″,  402 ′″, and may predict the next detection from two or more lighting devices  402 ″″,  402 ′″″. 
     Additionally, the server  404  may be unable to determine a pattern matching the sequence of detections received from the lighting devices  402 ′,  402 ″,  402 ′″, and if a threshold number of non-identifiable detections has been reached, the server may perform an action as described hereinabove, including, but not limited to, broadcasting an alert at one or more of a warning light  412  and a speaker  414 , and transmitting an alert to an electronic device  416 . 
     As described hereinabove, a user of the network  400  may configured the network to perform an action. The configuration of the network  400  may be accomplished by any means known in the art, including, but limited to, configuration using a computerized device  418  in electrical communication with the server  404 . In some embodiments, the computerized device  418  may be a terminal of the server  404 . In some embodiments, the computerized device  418  may be a personal computer, smartphone, tablet computer, or other consumer product positioned in communication with the server  404  across a network, such as, for example, the Internet. Any means or method of communicating with the server  404  so as to set and/or execute the actions to be performed are contemplated and included within the scope of the invention. 
     Similarly, a user may be able to use the computerized device  418  to set or adjust the threshold levels described in  FIG. 3  above. 
     Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problems not discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan. 
     While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.