Passive light-based data communication

• US 9,373,019 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2014
• Issued: 06/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2014
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: OSRAM Sylvania Inc. (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Spaulding, Jeremy, Jessen, Karlin
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, SEUNG H
• Application Number:
  US14/459,362
• Publication Number:
  US 20160048716A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462.01, 235/462.12
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/041 Constructional details G06K19/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06065 the marking being at least partially represented by holographic means holographic marking in general, see G06K19/16
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1439 including a method step for retrieval of the optical code
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for light-based communication using a passive light-reflective device having specially coded reflective or printed optics. The optics can be mounted to an object and configured to reflect light such that a receiver is able to receive the reflected light. The optics are further configured to alternatively display a number of different patterns that change as the receiver moves with respect to the optics, thus causing the receiver to receive an apparent stream of modulated light, which represents coded information that can be decoded into meaningful information. The optics can be mounted to a traffic control or other roadside device. As a vehicle approaches and passes the traffic control device, light reflects off of the optics in a series of patterns. This reflected light can be received by the vehicle and processed to relay the information to the operator or on-board vehicle system.

Claims

1. A data communication system comprising:

a receiver configured to individually detect each of a plurality of different light patterns reflected off of a passive light-reflective device as the receiver changes position relative to the passive light-reflective device wherein the passive light-reflective device is a static pattern, each of the light patterns representing a different piece of encoded information; and

a processor operatively connected to the receiver, the processor configured to decode the encoded information of each of the plurality of different light patterns into a single message.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to decode the encoded information based at least in part on an order in which the light patterns are detected.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to decode the encoded information based at least in part on a rate at which the light patterns are detected.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to decode the encoded information only while the rate is within a range of predetermined threshold rates.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to decode the encoded information only while the receiver is in motion relative to the passive light-reflective device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the light patterns is static.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the light patterns forms at least a portion of a bar code.

8. A message receiving system comprising:

means for detecting each of a plurality of light patterns emanating from a passive light-reflective device as the receiver changes position relative to the passive light-reflective device, each of the light patterns representing a different piece of encoded information wherein the passive light-reflective device has a constant, static pattern; and

a processor operatively connected to the means, the processor configured to decode the encoded information of each of the plurality of different light patterns into a single message.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to decode the encoded information based at least in part on an order in which the images are detected.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to decode the encoded information based at least in part on a rate at which the light patterns are detected.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to decode the encoded information only while the rate exceeds a predetermined threshold rate.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to decode the encoded information only while the receiver is in motion relative to the passive light-reflective device.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the light patterns forms at least a portion of a bar code.