METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DATA TRANSMISSION AND COMMUNICATION USING IMPERCEPTIBLE DIFFERENCES IN VISIBLE LIGHT

• US 20140099107A1
• Filed: 10/09/2013
• Published: 04/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BOOZ Allen & Hamilton Incorporated (BOOZ Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: BOOZ Allen & Hamilton Incorporated (BOOZ Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: RAVICH, Vadim, Linn, Andrew, Steinhardt, Allan O.
• Granted Patent: US 9,917,644 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/11 Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/114 Indoor or close-range type systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1141 One-way transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1143 Bidirectional transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1149 Arrangements for indoor wireless networking of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/116 Visible light communication

Abstract

An exemplary system for communicating data includes a light source that emits light and a processing device that receives and encodes data into a communication signal. A modulator modulates light emitted by the light source, wherein the modulation is imperceptible to the human eye, and the modulated light includes the encoded data. The modulation of the transmitted light is imperceptible to a human eye. A receiving device receives the modulated light and processes the light to decode the encoded signal and obtain the data.

Claims

1. A lighting system for data communication, comprising:

a light source configured to emit light;

a processing device configured to receive data for communication and generate a signal encoded with the received data; and

a modulator configured to modulate light emitted by the light source, wherein the modulation is imperceptible to the human eye, and the modulated light includes the encoded data.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the processing device includes a user interface.

3. The lighting system of claim 2, wherein the processing device is includes at least one of a computer, smart phone, and a display.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the processing device is a reading device configured to read communicated data.

5. The lighting system of claim 4, wherein the processing device is configured to read data communicated by contact or contactless.

6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the received data is authentication information.

7. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the light source is a solid-state light source.

8. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the light source is an incandescent light, iridescent light, halogen lamp, fluorescent lamp, a light-emitting electrochemical cell, or an infrared lamp.

9. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the light source emits visible or invisible light.

10. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the modulator is configured to modulate light emission using data security encryption.

11. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the modulator is configured to control the light source to emit light including the data received for communication.

12. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the modulator is configured to perform high speed modulation of the light source for on/off switching, emission of light pulses, light spectrum switching, and light brightness control.

13. A lighting system for communicating data, comprising:

an input device configured to receive data for communication;

an encoding device configured to generate a signal encoded with the received data;

a light source configured to emit light;

a modulator configured to modulate light emitted by the light source, wherein the modulation is imperceptible to the human eye, and the modulated light includes the encoded data;

a receiver configured to receive the modulated light including the encoded data and convert the received light to a current signal;

a decoding device configured to obtain the encoded data from the current signal, decode the encoded data, and perform and identification or authentication based on the decoded data; and

an interface configured to generate an output based on a result of the identification or authentication.

14. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured to perform full duplex communication.

15. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the system is configured to perform half duplex communication.

16. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the light source emits invisible light.

17. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the modulator is configured to modulate light emission using data security encryption.

18. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the modulator is configured to control the light source to emit light including the data received for communication.

19. The lighting system of claim 13, wherein the modulator is configured to perform high speed modulation of the light source for on/off switching, emission of light pulses, light spectrum switching, and light brightness control.

20. The lighting system of claim 13, comprising:

a filter for filtering noise from the received modulated light based on ambient light or light from external sources.

21. The lighting system of claim 20, comprising:

an amplifier for amplifying the current signal.

22. A method for communicating data using light, comprising:

inputting, by a processing device, data to be communicated;

encoding, by the processing device, the data to be communicated into a signal;

transmitting light via a light source;

modulating, using an optical or electrical signal modulator, the transmitted light to transmit the encoded signal, wherein the modulation of the transmitted light is imperceptible to a human eye;

receiving, by a receiving device, the modulated light;

identifying, based on imperceptible changes in the modulated light, the encoded signal; and

decoding the signal to obtain the encoded data.

23. The method of claim 22, comprising:

filtering the received light or resulting converted signal from the light to reduce noise from external light sources.

24. The method of claim 23, comprising:

amplifying the filtered light prior to obtaining the encoded signal.