Receivers for optical narrowcasting

• US 9,917,643 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2017
• Issued: 03/13/2018
• 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): DOBSON, DANIEL G
• Application Number:
  US15/636,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20170302374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 258 Days
• 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 handheld digital device, comprising:

a receiver, the receiver comprising;

a lenslet array including a plurality of lenslets, each of the plurality of lenslets including a first side and a second side, the first side being convex;

an optical detector array including a plurality of optical detectors, each optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors positioned in a focal plane of the plurality of lenslets, each of the lenslets positioned to concentrate flux collected over the first side of the lenslet array received from a field of view (FOV) onto at least one optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors;

a signal amplifier coupled to the optical detector array and configured to amplify signals received from the optical detector array to create an amplified signal; and

a format converter configured to convert an optical format of the amplified signal to a digital signal,

wherein the lenslet array, an optical filter on a side of the lenslet array opposite the optical detector array, or a transparent substrate on a side of the lenslet array opposite the optical detector array is visible on a surface of the handheld digital device.

2. The handheld digital device of claim 1, wherein an entrance pupil of each lenslet in the lenslet array is a square, 2.75 mm or less on a side.

3. The handheld digital device of claim 1, wherein the width from one of the optical detectors of the plurality of optical detectors to an apex of the closest lenslet of the plurality of lenslets is 4 mm or smaller.

4. The handheld digital device of claim 1, the receiver further comprising:

a filter coupled to the optical detector array, wherein the filter is configured to filter signals received from the optical detector array; and

a port configured to output the digital signal.

5. The handheld digital device of claim 1, wherein each optical detector can detect an optical signal in the 10 nm to 10⁶ nm spectrum.

6. The handheld digital device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is a multi-channel receiver and each optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors is dedicated to receive flux within an optical waveband of a corresponding channel of the multi-channel receiver.

7. The handheld digital device of claim 1, further comprising:

a spectral filter configured to reduce levels of out-of-band flux incident on at least one optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors.

8. The handheld digital device of claim 1, wherein the handheld digital device is a smartphone.

9. The handheld digital device of claim 1, further comprising:

an imaging lens; and

a second optical detector array in a focal plane of the imaging lens, the imaging lens and the second optical detector array capable of receiving at least one optical beacon from at least one transmitter.

10. The handheld digital device of claim 1, wherein the lenslet array is visible on the surface of the handheld digital device.

11. The handheld digital device of claim 1, further comprising:

the optical filter, wherein the optical filter is an on a side of the lenslet array opposite the optical detector array, and wherein the optical filter is visible on the surface of the handheld digital device.

12. A receiver, comprising:

a lenslet array including a plurality of lenslets, each of the plurality of lenslets including a first side and a second side, the first side being convex;

an optical detector array including a plurality of optical detectors, each optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors positioned in a focal plane of the plurality of lenslets, each of the lenslets positioned to concentrate flux collected over the first side of the lenslet array received from a field of view (FOV) onto at least one optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors;

a signal amplifier coupled to the optical detector array and configured to amplify signals received from the optical detector array to create an amplified signal; and

a format converter configured to convert an optical format of the amplified signal to a digital signal,

wherein the receiver is a multi-channel receiver and each optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors is dedicated to receive flux within an optical waveband of a corresponding channel of the multi-channel receiver.

13. The receiver of claim 12, wherein an entrance pupil of each lenslet in the lenslet array is a square, 2.75 mm or less on a side.

14. The receiver of claim 12, wherein the width from one of the optical detectors of the plurality of optical detectors to an apex of the closest lenslet of the plurality of lenslets is 4 mm or smaller.

15. The receiver of claim 12, further comprising:

a filter coupled to the optical detector array, wherein the filter is configured to filter signals received from the optical detector array; and

a port configured to output the digital signal.

16. The receiver of claim 12, wherein each optical detector can detect an optical signal in the 10 nm to 10⁶ nm spectrum.

17. The receiver of claim 12, wherein the receiver is a multi-channel receiver and each optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors is dedicated to receive flux within an optical waveband of a corresponding channel of the multi-channel receiver.

18. The receiver of claim 12, further comprising a spectral filter configured to reduce levels of out-of-band flux incident on at least one optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors.

19. The receiver of claim 12, further comprising:

an imaging lens; and

a second optical detector array in a focal plane of the imaging lens, the imaging lens and the second optical detector array capable of receiving at least one optical beacon from at least one transmitter.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the receiver is a multi-channel receiver and each optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors is dedicated to receive flux within an optical waveband of a corresponding channel of the multi-channel receiver.

20. A method, comprising:

coupling a handheld digital device case with a digital device, the handheld digital device case including a lenslet array, an optical detector array, and a signal amplifier coupled to the optical detector array, wherein the lenslet array, an optical filter on a side of the lenslet array opposite the optical detector array, or a transparent substrate on a side of the lenslet array opposite the optical detector array is visible on a surface of the handheld digital device case;

collecting an optical signal from an optical transmitter by the lenslet array, wherein the lenslet array includes a plurality of lenslets, each of the plurality of lenslets including a first side and a second side, the first side being convex;

concentrating, by the lenslet array, the optical signal to the optical detector array, the optical detector array including a plurality of optical detectors, each optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors positioned in a focal plane of the plurality of lenslets, each of the lenslets concentrating flux collected over the first side of the lenslet array received from a field of view (FOV) onto at least one optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors;

generating a detector signal by the optical detector array in response to the concentration of the optical signal;

amplifying the detector signal by the signal amplifier to create an amplified signal;

converting the amplified signal from an optical format to a digital signal; and

providing the digital signal to the digital device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the width from one of the optical detectors of the plurality of optical detectors to an apex of the closest lenslet of the plurality of lenslets is 4 mm or smaller.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein an entrance pupil on each lenslet in the lenslet array is a square, 2.75 mm or less on a side.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein each optical detector can detect the optical signal in the 10 nm to 10⁶ nm spectrum.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

reducing, by a spectral filter, levels of out-of-band flux incident on at least one optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein the handheld digital device case is a smartphone case.

27. A method, comprising:

collecting an optical signal from an optical transmitter by a lenslet array including a plurality of lenslets, each of the plurality of lenslets including a first side and a second side, the first side being convex;

concentrating, by the lenslet array, the optical signal to an optical detector array including a plurality of optical detectors, each optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors positioned in a focal plane of the plurality of lenslets, each of the lenslets concentrating flux collected over the first side of the lenslet array received from a field of view (FOV) onto at least one optical detector of the plurality of optical detectors;

generating a detector signal by the optical detector array in response to the concentration of the optical signal;

amplifying and filtering the detector signal by a signal amplifier and filter coupled to the optical detector array to create an amplified signal;

converting the amplified signal from an optical format to a digital signal;

providing the digital signal to a digital device; and

controlling direction of the lenslet array and the optical detector array with a tilt actuator.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

controlling, by a processor, the tilt actuator based on transmitter position information calculated by the processor using a position of a beacon received at one location on at least one beacon detector.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein an entrance pupil of each lenslet of the plurality of lenslets is approximately a 2.75 mm square with a lens thickness at the center of approximately 1.85 mm.