System and method of extending the communication range in a visible light communication system
First Claim
1. A visible light communication system comprising:
- a remote control device comprising a camera and a light source configured to generate visible light, wherein the remote control device is configured to transmit a first communication message through free space via the light source using visible light, and wherein the first communication message comprises a broadcast message; and
a plurality of lighting fixtures including a first lighting fixture that comprises a first photo-detector and a first light source configured to generate visible light, and a second lighting fixture that comprises a second photo-detector and a second light source configured to generate visible light,wherein the first lighting fixture is configured to;
turn off the first light source and receive the first communication message from the remote control device via the first photo-detector; and
responsive to receiving the first communication message;
retransmit the first communication message through free space via the first light source using visible light to the second lighting fixture;
determine an identifier assigned to the first lighting fixture; and
transmit a second communication message via the first light source using visible light to the remote control device, wherein the second communication message comprises the identifier assigned to the first lighting fixture;
wherein the second lighting fixture is configured to;
turn off the second light source and receive the first communication message from the first lighting fixture via the second photo-detector; and
responsive to receiving the first communication message;
determine an identifier assigned to the second lighting fixture; and
transmit a third communication message through free space via the second light source using visible light to the remote control device, wherein the third communication message comprises the identifier assigned to the second lighting fixture; and
wherein the remote control device is further configured to;
receive via the camera the second communication message from the first lighting fixture and the third communication message from the second lighting fixture; and
transmit a fifth communication message via the light source of the remote control device using visible light to the first lighting fixture, wherein the fifth communication message comprises an address based on the identifier assigned to the first lighting fixture.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system, remote control device and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a visible light communication system comprising a remote control device and a plurality of controlled devices. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the visible light communication system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A visible light communication system comprising:
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a remote control device comprising a camera and a light source configured to generate visible light, wherein the remote control device is configured to transmit a first communication message through free space via the light source using visible light, and wherein the first communication message comprises a broadcast message; and a plurality of lighting fixtures including a first lighting fixture that comprises a first photo-detector and a first light source configured to generate visible light, and a second lighting fixture that comprises a second photo-detector and a second light source configured to generate visible light, wherein the first lighting fixture is configured to; turn off the first light source and receive the first communication message from the remote control device via the first photo-detector; and responsive to receiving the first communication message; retransmit the first communication message through free space via the first light source using visible light to the second lighting fixture; determine an identifier assigned to the first lighting fixture; and transmit a second communication message via the first light source using visible light to the remote control device, wherein the second communication message comprises the identifier assigned to the first lighting fixture; wherein the second lighting fixture is configured to; turn off the second light source and receive the first communication message from the first lighting fixture via the second photo-detector; and responsive to receiving the first communication message; determine an identifier assigned to the second lighting fixture; and transmit a third communication message through free space via the second light source using visible light to the remote control device, wherein the third communication message comprises the identifier assigned to the second lighting fixture; and wherein the remote control device is further configured to; receive via the camera the second communication message from the first lighting fixture and the third communication message from the second lighting fixture; and transmit a fifth communication message via the light source of the remote control device using visible light to the first lighting fixture, wherein the fifth communication message comprises an address based on the identifier assigned to the first lighting fixture. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 26, 27)
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20. A method for communicating on a visible light communication system that comprises:
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a remote control device comprising a camera and a light source configured to generate visible light, and a plurality of lighting fixtures including a first lighting fixture that comprises a first photo-detector and a first light source configured to generate visible light, and a second lighting fixture that comprises a second photo-detector and a second light source configured to generate visible light, the method comprising; transmitting, by the remote control device, a first communication message to the first lighting fixture, wherein the first lighting fixture is located within range of the remote control device, wherein the first communication message is transmitted through free space via the light source of the remote control device using visible light, and wherein the first communication message comprises a broadcast message; turning off, by the first lighting fixture, the first the light source and receiving the first communication message from the remote control device via the first photo-detector; responsive to receiving the first communication message; retransmitting, by the first lighting fixture, the first communication message through free space via the first light source using visible light to the second lighting fixture, wherein the second lighting fixture is located outside of the range of the remote control device; determining, by the first lighting fixture, an identifier assigned to the first lighting fixture; and transmitting, by the first lighting fixture, a second communication message via the first light source using visible light to the remote control device, wherein the second communication message comprises the identifier assigned to the first lighting fixture; turning off, by the second lighting fixture, the second light source and receiving the first communication message from the first lighting fixture via the second photo-detector; and responsive to receiving the first communication message; determining, by the second lighting fixture, an identifier assigned to the second lighting fixture; and transmitting, by the second lighting fixture, a third communication message through free space via the second light source using visible light to the remote control device, wherein the third communication message comprises the identifier assigned to the second lighting fixture; and receiving, by the remote control device via the camera, the second communication message from the first lighting fixture and the third communication message from the second lighting fixture; and transmitting, by the remote control device, a fifth communication message via the light source of the remote control device using visible light to the first lighting fixture, wherein the fifth communication message comprises an address based on the identifier assigned to the first lighting fixture. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29)
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Specification