Infrared data communication system
First Claim
1. A communication system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in the infrared frequency range across a communication barrier to the passage of infrared energy comprising:
- first station means functionally disposed on one side of the communication barrier to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals in the infrared range;
second station means functionally disposed on another side of said communication barrier to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals in the infrared range;
third station means functionally disposed on the said one side of the communication barrier to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals in the infrared range;
repeater means disposed relative to said barrier to transmit and receive infrared electromagnetic signals form and to said first, second and third station means, said repeater means comprising;
first relay means positioned on the one side of said barrier to transmit and receive infrared elecrromagnetic signals to and from said first and third station means, the distance between said first station means and said first relay means being greater than the distance between said third station means and said first relay means;
second relay means positioned on the other side of said barrier to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals to and from said second station means;
electrical means to provide electrical communication between said first and second relay means; and
said first relay means comprising a plurality of receiver elements and a plurality of irradiator elements configured in an array for receiving and transmitting infrared electromagnetic signals over a substantial solid angle, a first and a second of said receiver elements having receiving windows encompassing unequal solid angles with the receiver element sensitivity per unit of solid angle of said windows being inversely related to the size of the solid angle, said first station means being functionally located within the lesser receiver element solid angle and said third station menas being functionally located within the greater receiver element solid angle, and a first and a second of said irradiatior elements having emitting beams encompassing unequal solid angles with the emitting power density of said beams being inversely related to the size of the beam solid angles, said first station means being functionally located within the lesser irradiator element solid angle and the third station means being functionally located within the greater irradiator element solid angle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An infrared data repeater adapted for providing communication of infrared signals across an infrared transmission barrier comprises a pair of relay units mounted at opposite ends of a housing. The housing may be mounted in the wall of a building. Arrays of receiver and transmitter elements of the relay units are configured to provide communication over substantial solid angles. The relay units may be selectively directionally orientated. The elements define different effective pre-established solid angles of reception and transmission. The elements are arranged so that there is an inverse relationship between the solid angle and the distance between the element and a corresponding infrared receiver or transmitter.
178 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A communication system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals in the infrared frequency range across a communication barrier to the passage of infrared energy comprising:
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first station means functionally disposed on one side of the communication barrier to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals in the infrared range; second station means functionally disposed on another side of said communication barrier to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals in the infrared range; third station means functionally disposed on the said one side of the communication barrier to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals in the infrared range; repeater means disposed relative to said barrier to transmit and receive infrared electromagnetic signals form and to said first, second and third station means, said repeater means comprising; first relay means positioned on the one side of said barrier to transmit and receive infrared elecrromagnetic signals to and from said first and third station means, the distance between said first station means and said first relay means being greater than the distance between said third station means and said first relay means; second relay means positioned on the other side of said barrier to transmit and receive electromagnetic signals to and from said second station means; electrical means to provide electrical communication between said first and second relay means; and said first relay means comprising a plurality of receiver elements and a plurality of irradiator elements configured in an array for receiving and transmitting infrared electromagnetic signals over a substantial solid angle, a first and a second of said receiver elements having receiving windows encompassing unequal solid angles with the receiver element sensitivity per unit of solid angle of said windows being inversely related to the size of the solid angle, said first station means being functionally located within the lesser receiver element solid angle and said third station menas being functionally located within the greater receiver element solid angle, and a first and a second of said irradiatior elements having emitting beams encompassing unequal solid angles with the emitting power density of said beams being inversely related to the size of the beam solid angles, said first station means being functionally located within the lesser irradiator element solid angle and the third station means being functionally located within the greater irradiator element solid angle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An infrared data repeater comprising:
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infrared receiver means to receive infrared electromagnetic signals, said receiver means comprising a plurality of photodetector elements each having a receiving window encompassing a pre-established solid angle with at least two of said solid angles being unequal and the sensitivity per unit solid angle of said photodetector elements being inversely related to the size of the respective window solid angles, said plurality of receiving elements being arranged so that said windows overlap and combine to encompass a substantial solid angle; infrared transmitter means to transmit infrared electromagnetic signals, said transmitter means comprising a plurality of photoemitter elements each generating an emitting beam encompassing a pre-eestablished solid angle with at least two of said beam solid angles being unequal and the emitter power density of said photoemitter elements being inversely related to the size of the respective beam solid angles, said plurality of emitter elements being arranged so that said beam angles overlap and combine to encompass a substantial solid angle; electrical circuit means connecting said infrared receiver and transmitter means so that infrared electromagnetic signals received by said receiver means are electrically communicated for re-transmission by said transmitter means; and housing means to at least partially enclose said electrically circuit means and to mount said infrared receiver and transmitter means in spaced relationship. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An infrared data repeater comprising:
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receiver means for receiving infrared frequency electromagnetic signals, said receiver means comprising a plurality of photodetector elements each having a receiving window encompassing a pre-established solid angle with at least two of said solid angles being unequal, said plurality of photodetector elements being arranged so that said windows overlap and combine to encompass a substantial solid angle; transmitter means for generating and emitting infrared frequency electromagnetic signals, said transmitter means comprising a plurality of photoemitter elements each generating an emitting beam encompassing a pre-established solid angle with at least two of said beam solid angles being unequal, said plurality of emitter elements being arranged so that said beam angles overlap and combine to encompass a substantial solid angle; means electrically coupling said infrared receiver and transmitter means so that data modulated on infrared signals received by said receiver means is electrically communicated to said transmitter means for re-transmission; and housing means at least partially enclosing said coupling means for mounting said infrared receiver and transmitter means in spaced relationship, said receiver means and said transmitter means each comprising a head having a generally spherical section shaped mounting means for mounting said elements and a turret for receiving said head with said head being angularly positionable relative to said turret.
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Specification