Transmitters for optical narrowcasting

• US 9,912,412 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2017
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aron Surefire, LLC
• Original Assignee: SureFire LLC (Surefire Holdings LLC)
• Inventors: Shatz, Narkis E., Bortz, John C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bello, Agustin
• Application Number:
  US15/497,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20170230118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 315 Days
• Field of Search: 398118-131
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 13/0015 characterised by the lens design
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0009 having refractive surfaces only
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0023 at least one surface having optical power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/009 for use with infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 19/0095 for use with ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/60 Editing figures and text; Combining figures or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2200/04 involving 3D image data
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/70 Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras camera calibration G06T7/80
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 in augmented reality scenes
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• 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 10/116 : Visible light communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/50 : Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/516 : Details of coding or modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/5162 : Return-to-zero modulation schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/541 : Digital intensity or amplitude modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/60 : Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/615 : Arrangements affecting the optical part of the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/616 : Details of the electronic signal processing in coherent optical receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/66 : Non-coherent receivers, e.g. using direct detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/697 : Arrangements for reducing noise and distortion
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/23 : Indication means, e.g. displays, alarms, audible means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 : with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/737 : Characterised by transmission of electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. infrared waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4126 : The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/62 : Control of parameters via user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/69 : Control of means for changing angle of the field of view, e.g. optical zoom objectives or electronic zooming
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/71 : Circuitry for evaluating the brightness variation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/272 : Means for inserting a foreground image in a background image, i.e. inlay, outlay
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/22 : Adaptations for optical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 : for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 : Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 : Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Systems and methods for optical narrowcasting are provided for transmitting various types of content. Optical narrowcasting content indicative of the presence of additional information along with identifying information may be transmitted. The additional information (which may include meaningful amounts of advertising information, media, or any other content) may also be transmitted as optical narrowcasting content. Elements of an optical narrowcasting system may include optical transmitters and optical receivers which can be configured to be operative at distances ranging from, e.g., 400 meters to 1200 meters. Moreover, the elements can be implemented on a miniaturized scale in conjunction with small, user devices such as smartphones, thereby also realizing optical ad-hoc networking, as well as interoperability with other types of data networks. Optically narrowcast content can be used to augment a real-world experience, enhance and/or spawn new forms of social-media and media content.

Claims

1. A transmitter comprising:

a data-format converter configured to convert data to an optical format for optical transmission;

a light source;

a light source driver configured to receive data from the data-format converter and control the light source to transmit the converted data;

a collimator rotationally symmetric about an optical axis substantially centered on a light-emitting element of the light source, the collimator comprising a body between a circular entrance pupil and a circular exit pupil, wherein the collimator is positioned to receive light from the light source through the circular entrance pupil and emit the light from the circular exit pupil, wherein the body comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a first body between a circular first entrance pupil and a circular first exit pupil, the first body having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first entrance pupil and greater than a diameter of the first exit pupil, and wherein the second portion comprises a second body between a circular second entrance pupil and a circular second exit pupil, the second entrance pupil coupled to the first exit pupil; and

a pair of lenslet arrays positioned in front of an exit pupil of the collimator wherein the pair of lenslet arrays are homogenizers to improve uniformity of light output from an exit pupil of the collimator.

2. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the body of the collimator comprises a reflective inner surface rotationally symmetric about the optical axis, wherein the reflective inner surface is reflective in an optical waveband of the light source.

3. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the data-format converter is configured to convert data to a return-to-zero on-off-keying (RZ-OOK) format or a non-return-to-zero on-off keying (NRZ-OOK) format.

4. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the data-format converter is configured to incorporate transmit and receive first-in-first-outs (FIFOs) to prevent overflow errors.

5. The transmitter of claim 1, wherein the pair of lenslet arrays are identical Kö

hler homogenizers.

6. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the pair of lenslet arrays are positioned parallel to each other in front of an exit pupil of the collimator, each of the pair of lenslet arrays being separated from each other by a distance equal to a focal length of each of the lenslets of the pair of lenslet arrays.

7. The transmitter of claim 1 wherein the first portion of the collimator has a length from the circular first entrance pupil to the first exit pupil that is 10 mm or less, and wherein the second portion of the collimator has a length from the second entrance pupil to the second exit pupil that is 13 mm or less.

8. The transmitter of claim 1 further comprising a digital device that is coupled to the data-format converter, the digital device being configured to provide data to be transmitted as a modulated optical beam by the transmitter.

9. The transmitter of claim 1, where an optical intensity output produced at any given time by the transmitter as a function of a horizontal and a vertical angular coordinate has a root-mean-square (RMS) non-uniformity of 5% or less within a polygonal angular region.

10. A transmitter comprising:

a light source; and

a collimator, comprising;

a first portion rotationally symmetric about an optical axis substantially centered on a light-emitting element of the light source, the first portion comprising a body between a circular first entrance pupil and a circular first exit pupil, the body having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first entrance pupil and greater than a diameter of the first exit pupil; and

a second portion rotationally symmetric about an optical axis substantially centered on a light-emitting element of the light source, the second portion comprising a flared body between a circular second entrance pupil and a circular second exit pupil, the second entrance pupil coupled to the first exit pupil, a diameter of the second exit pupil being greater than the diameter of the body of the first portion, wherein the collimator is positioned to receive light from the light source through the first entrance pupil and emit the light from the second exit pupil.

11. The transmitter of claim 10, further comprising:

a data-format converter configured to convert data to an optical format for optical transmission; and

a light source driver configured to receive data from the data-format converter and control the light source to transmit the converted data.

12. The transmitter of claim 11, wherein the body of the first portion and the body of the second portion each comprise a reflective inner surface, the reflective inner surface being reflective in an optical waveband of the light source.

13. The transmitter of claim 11 wherein the data-format converter is configured to convert data to a return-to-zero on-off-keying (RZ-OOK) format or a non-return-to-zero on-off keying (NRZ-OOK) format.

14. The transmitter of claim 11 wherein the data-format converter is configured to incorporate transmit and receive first-in-first-outs (FIFOs) to prevent overflow errors.

15. The transmitter of claim 11 further comprising a pair of lenslet arrays positioned in front of the second exit pupil of the collimator wherein the pair of lenslet arrays are identical homogenizers to improve uniformity of light output from the second exit pupil of the collimator.

16. The transmitter of claim 15 wherein the pair of lenslet arrays are positioned parallel to each other in front of the second exit pupil of the collimator, each of the pair of lenslet arrays being separated from each other by a distance equal to a focal length of each of the lenslets of the pair of lenslet arrays.

17. The transmitter of claim 11 wherein the first portion of the collimator has a length from the circular first entrance pupil to the first exit pupil that is 10 mm or less.

18. The transmitter of claim 11 wherein the second portion of the collimator has a length from the second entrance pupil to the second exit pupil that is 13 mm or less.

19. The transmitter of claim 11 further comprising a digital device that is coupled to the data-format converter, the digital device being configured to provide data to be transmitted as a modulated optical beam by the transmitter.

20. A system, comprising:

a plurality of transmitters, each of the plurality of transmitters comprising;

a data-format converter configured to convert data to an optical format for optical transmission;

a light source;

a light source driver configured to receive data from the data-format converter and control the light source to transmit the converted data;

a collimator rotationally symmetric about an optical axis substantially centered on a light-emitting element of the light source, the collimator comprising a body between a circular entrance pupil and a circular exit pupil, wherein the collimator is positioned to receive light from the light source through the circular entrance pupil and emit the light from the circular exit pupil, wherein the body comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a first body between a circular first entrance pupil and a circular first exit pupil, the first body having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first entrance pupil and greater than a diameter of the first exit pupil, and wherein the second portion comprises a second body between a circular second entrance pupil and a circular second exit pupil, the second entrance pupil coupled to the first exit pupil; and

one or more lenslet arrays positioned in front of an exit pupil of the collimator wherein the one or more lenslet arrays are homogenizers to improve uniformity of light output from an exit pupil of the collimator.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a digital device that is simultaneously coupled to each of the plurality of transmitters, the digital device being configured to provide data to be transmitted as a modulated optical beam by each of the plurality of transmitters.

22. The system of claim 21 where an optical intensity output produced at any given time by each of the plurality of transmitters as a function of a horizontal and a vertical angular coordinate has a root-mean-square (RMS) non-uniformity of 5% or less within a polygonal angular region, wherein sizes and shapes of each of the polygonal angular regions are identical, and wherein a mean optical intensity produced at a given time by each of the plurality of transmitters within the respective polygonal angular region is approximately equal to a mean optical intensity produced at a same time by each of the plurality of transmitters within each of their respective polygonal angular regions.

23. A collimator, comprising:

a first portion comprising a reflective inner surface configured to be rotationally symmetric about an optical axis substantially centered on a light-emitting element of a light source, the first portion comprising a body between a circular first entrance pupil and a circular first exit pupil, the body having a diameter greater than a diameter of the first entrance pupil and greater than a diameter of the first exit pupil; and

a second portion comprising a reflective inner surface configured to be rotationally symmetric about an optical axis substantially centered on a light-emitting element of the light source, the second portion comprising a flared body between a circular second entrance pupil and a circular second exit pupil, the second entrance pupil coupled to the first exit pupil, a diameter of the second exit pupil being greater than the diameter of the body of the first portion, wherein the collimator is configured to receive light from the light source through the first entrance pupil and emit the light from the second exit pupil.

24. The collimator of claim 23, wherein the reflective inner surface of the first portion and the reflective inner surface of the second portion are reflective in an optical waveband of the light source.

25. The collimator of claim 24, wherein the first portion has a length from the circular first entrance pupil to the circular first exit pupil that is 10 mm or less.

26. The collimator of claim 25, wherein the second portion has a length from the circular second entrance pupil to the circular second exit pupil that is 13 mm or less.