Talking Lights in Sin City

Darash Desai,Anne Morelli,Brede Wegener,Will Yoon

Smart Lighting ChallengeBoston University

Capabilities and MarketsLocalization ServicesLighting Wireless Data Comm

Novelty

Banks Casinos Warehouse

Military Hospitals

Office MuseumsMotor

Vehicles

Airports Residential

CFL WiFi RFID

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The Market

$1.2 BillionProfit 

$0.5 ‐ $9 BillionConstruction Costs

~30% spent on decorations

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Applications

HospitalityGeneral Lighting

Personnel & Asset TrackingSecurity

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Product

Application Software

OS Software

Hardware (LED Light Fixtures)

• Plug‐and‐play light fixtures• Host controller (command center)• Ethernet‐connected light (one per room)

EthernetCommand Center

• Addresses plug‐and‐play nodes• Data routing• Provides library for application software to easily interface hardware

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Implementation Strategy

Casino Implementation

Employee Applications

Gambler Applications

Management Applications

Talking LEDsOperating Software

Where’s the bathroom?Empty drink locations Light intensity and high‐roller management

Talking LEDsHardware

Software Apps

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NoveltyIt’s not that new of an idea.

SummaryMarket Applications• Profit: $1.2B (Las Vegas 2007)

• Construction cost: $0.5 – $9B  per casino

• Decorations/equipment: ~30% of construction costs

• High construction and turnover rate of casinos

• Security

• Personnel/asset tracking

• Lighting!

• Hospitality

The Pros The Cons• Secure

• Cost-efficient lighting

• Novelty

• Line-of-sight data transmission

• Existing solutions in place

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