METHODS OF COMMUNICATION UTILIZING AN LED LAMP

• US 20120321321A1
• Filed: 06/14/2011
• Published: 12/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: CRS Electronic Company Limited
• Original Assignee: CRS Electronic Company Limited
• Inventors: Riesebosch, Scott
• Application Number:
  US13/160,114
• Publication Number:
  US 20120321321A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/118
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/116 Visible light communication

Abstract

Operation of an LED as a light source may be temporarily interrupted to facilitate receipt and/or transmission of optical communications, as well as control of the operation of the LED based thereon.

Claims

1. A method for communication via a light-emitting-diode (LED) assembly comprising at least one LED, the method comprising:

(a) operating the LED assembly as a light source;

(b) temporarily interrupting operation of at least one said LED and, during the temporary interruption, receiving a free-space optical communication; and

(c) taking at least one action based on the communication.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises controlling the LED assembly based on the received optical communication.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the action comprises transmitting information within the communication to at least one node in a network to which the LED assembly is connected.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one said LED receives the optical communication.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the LED assembly comprises a plurality of LEDs, the operation of each of which is interrupted during receipt of the optical communication.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising temporarily interrupting operation of at least one said LED and, during the temporary interruption, transmitting an optical communication.

7. A lighting system comprising:

an LED assembly operable as a light source, the LED assembly comprising at least one LED;

control circuitry for (i) momentarily interrupting operation of at least one said LED as a light source to enable receipt of, during the temporary interruption, a free-space optical communication, and (ii) taking at least one action based on the communication.

8. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein the control circuitry adjusts operation of the LED assembly as a light source based on the received optical communication.

9. The lighting system of claim 7, wherein the control circuitry transmits information within the communication to at least one node in a network to which the LED assembly is connected.