Non-visible communication systems

• US 6,954,591 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Philips Lighting BV (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Billie L. Bentzen, Deron Jackson, Elmer C. Lupton, George B. Hovorka, Steven B. Leeb
• Inventors: Leeb, Steven B., Lupton, Elmer C., Hovorka, George B., Jackson, Deron, Bentzen, Billie L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCAL, LESLIE C
• Application Number:
  US10/161,458
• Publication Number:
  US 20030035177A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 359144-149, 359/172, 398/172, 398/185, 398/115, 398/106, 398/127, 398/112
• US Class Current: 398/115
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1143 Bidirectional transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/116 Visible light communication

Abstract

Network for transmitting and using electromagnetic radiation for two or more functionally different useful purposes. Such a network may be comprised of a signal source apparatus to provide information, an electromagnetic radiation generator capable of being modulated for providing electromagnetic radiation, electronic circuitry for modulating the electromagnetic radiation generator, medium through which the electromagnetic radiation passes and is transmitted, a receiver apparatus for receiving and demodulating the modulated electromagnetic radiation, a first user means for processing and making use of the information to achieve a useful functional purpose, and second user means for achieving a useful functional purpose from said radiation said useful functional purpose being different from the purpose of said first user means.

Claims

1. A network comprising:

a signal source apparatus to provide information;

an electromagnetic radiation generator capable of being modulated for providing electromagnetic radiation not visible to the human eye;

a connection means for connecting the signal source apparatus to the electromagnetic radiation generator;

electronic circuitry for modulating the electromagnetic radiation;

a medium through which the electromagnetic radiation passes and is transmitted;

a receiver apparatus for receiving and demodulating the modulated electromagnetic radiation;

a first user means for processing and making use of the information to achieve a first useful functional purpose; and

a second user means for achieving a second useful functional purpose from said non-visible radiation, said useful functional purpose being different from the purpose of said first user means,

wherein the modulation and use of the network for the first useful functional purpose does not significantly interfere with achieving the second useful functional purpose and the modulation and use of the network for the second useful functional purpose does not significantly interfere with achieving the first useful functional purpose,

wherein the electromagnetic radiation is used simultaneously to achieve the first useful functional purpose and the second useful functional purpose, and

wherein the electromagnetic radiation is selected from the group consisting of infrared radiation and ultraviolet radiation.

2. The network of claim 1, wherein the useful functional purpose of either the first user means or the second user means comprises communication.

3. The network of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is infrared radiation.

4. The network of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is ultraviolet radiation.