Directional optical communications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016134367-A1
Application number	US-201314898210-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 1, 2013
Priority date	Jul 1, 2013
Publication date	May 12, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Directional optical communications are provided between devices such as at least one pixel is selected from an array of pixels provided by an image projecting device for emitting light from an emitting device towards a target area of a receiving device. Light is then emitted by the selected at least one pixel towards the target area.

First claim

1 - 23 . (canceled)

24 . A method for providing directional optical communications, comprising
selecting at least one pixel from an array of pixels provided by an image projecting device for emitting light towards a target area of a receiving device, and emitting light by the selected at least one pixel towards the target area.

25 . A method according to claim 24 , wherein the selecting comprises iteratively reducing the number of light emitting pixels of the array of pixels.

26 . A method according to claim 25 , comprising
a) dividing the array of pixels into sub-arrays, b) switching off pixels of a sub-array and emitting light by pixels of another sub-array, c) determining that the receiving device receives light emitted by the pixels of the light emitting array, d) dividing the light emitting sub-array into further sub-arrays, and repeating steps b) to d) until the target area of the receiving device is determined.

27 . A method according to claim 26 , comprising dividing the light emitting array of pixels in two parts in each iteration, and selecting in each iteration the one of the two parts which produces a detectable signal.

28 . A method according to claim 25 , comprising
measuring background light intensity, switching on pixels in a first area of a measurement pattern and measuring received light intensity for the first area, successively switching on at least one second neighbouring area of the measurement pattern and measuring received light intensity for the at least one second area, determining whether any second area has light intensity greater than the light intensity if first area, and in response thereto, if a second area has a greater light intensity, moving the measurement pattern towards such second area, and if no second area has a greater light intensity, determining if the light intensity of the first area is significantly larger than the background light intensity.

29 . A method according to claim 23 , comprising determining based on information of a reduced signal power that the target area is on a boundary between a switched-off sub-array and a light emitting sub-array of pixels.

30 . A method according to claim 23 , comprising selecting the at least one pixel at least in part based on feedback from the receiver device.

31 . A method according to claim 30 , wherein the feedback comprises information on intensity of detected signal transmitted by pixels of the array of pixels.

32 . A method according to claim 24 , comprising emitting the light by one or more light sources of the image projecting device or by at least one additional light source provided in association with the image projecting device.

33 . A method according to claim 24 , wherein the image projecting device produces the pixels by means of at least one of a transmission pixel array, a reflection pixel array, a digital mirror device, and light emitting pixels.

34 . A method according to claim 24 , comprising receiving a beacon from the receiving device and determining the at least one pixel for transmission towards the target area at least in part based on the beacon.

35 . A method according to claim 24 , wherein the communication comprises at least one of communication according to a quantum key distribution protocol and communication of data.

36 . An apparatus for controlling use of an image projecting device for directional optical communications, the apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to select at least one pixel from an array of pixels provided by the image projecting device for emitting light towards a target area of a signal receiving device.

37 . An apparatus for directional optical communications, the apparatus comprising
an image projecting device comprising at least one light source and configured to provide an array of pixels, and a controller configured to control directional emission of light by the pixels of the array to emit light towards a target area of a signal receiving device by selected at least one pixel.

38 . An apparatus according to claim 37 , configured to iteratively reduce the number of light emitting pixels of the array of pixels.

39 . An apparatus according to claim 37 , configured to select the at least one pixel at least in part based on feedback from the receiver device, the feedback comprising information on detected light intensity.

40 . An apparatus according to claim 37 , configured to provide the light by one or more light sources of the image projecting device or by at least one additional light source provided for the communications in association with the image projecting device.

41 . An apparatus according to claim 37 , wherein the image projecting device comprises at least one of a transmission pixel array, a reflection pixel array, a digital mirror device, and light emitting pixels.

42 . An apparatus according to claim 37 , comprising a beacon detector, and configured to determine the at least one pixel for transmission towards the target area at least in part based on a beacon by the receiving device.

43 . An apparatus according to claim 42 , comprising at least one of beam splitter and reflector for guiding the beacon to the detector.

Assignees

• Nokia Technologies Oy

Inventors

• Bitauld David

Classifications

• H04L2209/24

  Key scheduling, i.e. generating round keys or sub-keys for block encryption · CPC title

• H04L9/0855

  involving additional nodes, e.g. quantum relays, repeaters, intermediate nodes or remote nodes · CPC title

• H04B10/1141

  One-way transmission · CPC title

• H04N9/3138

  using arrays of modulated light sources (electroluminescent display devices G09G3/30) · CPC title

• H04B10/116 Primary

  Visible light communication · CPC title