Optical broadcast communication

• US 6,014,236 A
• Filed: 02/04/1997
• Issued: 01/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Flaherty, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLEN, THOMAS J
• Application Number:
  US08/794,508
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: 359/118, 359/136, 359/142, 359/143, 359/148, 359/152, 359/173, 359/174, 359/179, 359/355, 359/356, 370/315, 370/445, 375/219, 375/211
• US Class Current: 398/66
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/114 Indoor or close-range type systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/40 Transceivers

Abstract

An optical transceiver for transceiving optical signals in an optical LAN includes a first transceiver that detects and transmits the optical signals, a second transceiver that detects and transmits the optical signals, a control coupled to the first and second transceivers, the control transferring information carried by the optical signals between the transceivers, a power storage coupled to the control, and to the transceivers, and a photovoltaic cell coupled to the power storage for replenishing its power.

Claims

1. Apparatus for transceiving optical signals in an optical LAN comprising:

a first transceiver that detects and transmits the optical signals;

a second transceiver that detects and transmits the optical signals;

a control coupled to the first and second transceivers, the control transferring information carried by the optical signals between the transceivers;

a power storage coupled to the control, and to the transceivers; and

a photovoltaic cell coupled to the power storage for replenishing its power. wherein at least one of the transceivers further comprises a hemispherical lens that includes an optical filter.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the transceivers further comprises a turret lens.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein both of the transceivers further comprise a turret lens.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the transceivers is directional.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the transceivers is movable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the transceivers is directional and movable.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the transceivers is movable through substantial portions of a hemisphere.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the optical signals are in the infrared.

9. Apparatus for transceiving optical signals in an optical LAN comprising:

a first transceiver that detects and transmits the optical signals;

a second transceiver that detects and transmits the optical signals;

a control coupled to the first and second transceivers the control transferring information carried by the optical signals between the transceivers;

a power storage coupled to the control and to the transceivers; and

a photovoltaic cell coupled to the power storage for replenishing its power, wherein at least one of the transceivers further comprises two detectors that detect optical signals at two respective wavelengths.

10. Apparatus for transceiving optical signals in an optical LAN comprising:

a first transceiver that detects and transmits the optical signals;

a second transceiver that detects and transmits the optical signals;

a control coupled to the first and second transceivers, the control transferring information carried by the optical signals between the transceivers;

a power storage coupled to the control, and to the transceivers; and

a photovoltaic cell coupled to the power storage for replenishing its power, wherein at least one the transceivers further comprises two transmitters that transmit optical signals at two respective wavelengths.

11. Apparatus for forming an optical LAN comprising:

an optical hub, the optical hub capable of sending and receiving optical signals;

an optical mobile end station, the optical mobile end station capable of sending and receiving optical signals; and

an optical transceiver, the optical transceiver including a first transceiver that detects and sends the optical signals from and to the optical hub, a second transceiver that transmits and receives the optical signals to and from the optical mobile end station, a control coupled to the first and second transceivers, the control transferring information carried by the optical signals between the two transceivers, a power storage coupled to the control, and to the transceivers, and a photovoltaic cell coupled to the power storage for replenishing its power, wherein at least one of the transceivers further comprises a hemispherical lens that includes an optical filter.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one the transceivers further comprises a turret lens.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein both of the transceivers further comprise a turret lens.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one the transceivers is directional.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one the transceivers is movable.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one the transceivers is directional and movable.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one the transceivers is movable through substantial portions of a hemisphere.

18. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one the transceivers further comprises two detectors that detect optical signals at two respective wavelengths.

19. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein at least one the transceivers further comprises two transmitters that transmit optical signals at two respective wavelengths.

20. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the optical signals are in the infrared.