A computing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a computing device for determining and transmitting the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode in a space, wherein the space includes at least one optical transmitter arranged for communicating via the optical communication mode; wherein the computing device includes a controller configured to: obtain configuration data characterizing the configuration of the space; obtain illumination data characterizing the at least one optical transmitter; determine the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space based on the configuration data and the illumination data; wherein the computing device includes an output interface configured to: transmit a signal indicating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computing device for determining and communicating the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode in space. The present invention also relates to a system comprising such a computing device and at least one optical transmitter arranged to communicate via the optical communication mode. The present invention also relates to a method for determining and communicating the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode in space; and a corresponding computer program product for use with a computing device. Background Art

[0002] To enable more and more electronic devices such as laptops, tablets and smartphones to connect wirelessly to the Internet, wireless communications are placing unprecedented demands on data rates and link quality, considering the emerging digital revolution associated with the Internet of Things (IoT). These demands continue to increase year by year.

[0003] Radio frequency technologies like Wi-Fi are running out of spectrum to support this revolution. Optical communication modes could offer a solution. Specifically, visible light communication (VLC), and especially Li-Fi, are increasingly in demand due to their ability to support higher data rates across the available bandwidth of the visible, ultraviolet, and / or infrared spectrums. Additional benefits of VLC and / or Li-Fi include data security and the ability to operate safely in areas otherwise susceptible to electromagnetic interference. Therefore, VLC and / or Li-Fi could be very promising new technologies for enabling the next generation of immersive connectivity.

[0004] Visible light communication (VLC) uses intensity-modulated light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs) to transmit data faster than the human eye can see. This technology is sometimes also called coded light or free-space optical communication (FSO). VLC combines lighting and data communications in applications such as lighting, signage, streetlights, vehicle lighting, and traffic signals.

[0005] Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) refers to the technology of transmitting information in the form of a signal embedded in visible, infrared or ultraviolet light emitted by a light source. The signal is embedded by modulating the properties of the light (typically the intensity of the light) according to any of a variety of suitable modulation techniques. For high-speed communication, infrared (IR) is often used instead of visible light communication. Although ultraviolet and infrared radiation are invisible to the human eye, the technology for utilizing these regions of the spectrum is the same, although variations may occur due to wavelength dependence, for example in the case of the refractive index. In many cases, the use of ultraviolet and / or infrared light has an advantage because these frequency ranges are invisible to the human eye. However, ultraviolet frequencies can have high energy levels and may therefore be considered a health hazard in some cases.

[0006] Based on the modulation, the information in the Li-Fi coded light can be detected using any suitable light sensor. For example, the light sensor can be a photodiode. The light sensor can be a dedicated phototube (point detector), an array of phototubes that may have a lens, reflector, diffuser or phosphor converter (for lower speeds), or an array of phototubes (pixels) and a lens for forming an image on the array. For example, the light sensor can be a dedicated phototube included in a dongle that is plugged into a user device (such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop), or the sensor can be multi-purpose and / or dual-purpose, such as an array of infrared detectors originally designed for 3D facial recognition. Either way, this enables an application running on the user device to receive data via light.

[0007] For example, a sequence of data symbols can be modulated onto light emitted by light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes (LDs) faster than the human eye can perceive it. In contrast to radio frequency (RF) communications, Li-Fi typically uses a line-of-sight connection between the transmitter and receiver for optimal performance.

[0008] Li-Fi is typically used to embed signals into the light emitted by a lighting source (e.g., everyday luminaires), such as indoor lighting or outdoor lighting, thereby allowing the use of the lighting from the luminaire as a carrier of information. Thus, the light can include a visible lighting contribution for illuminating a target environment, such as a room (typically the primary purpose of light), as well as an embedded signal for providing information to the environment (typically considered a secondary function of light). In this case, the modulation can typically be performed at a sufficiently high frequency to be beyond human perception, or at least such that any visible temporal light artifacts (e.g., flicker and / or stroboscopic artifacts) are sufficiently weak and unnoticeable at sufficiently high frequencies, or at least tolerable to humans. Thus, the embedded signal does not affect the primary lighting function, i.e., the user only perceives the overall lighting, without being affected by the data modulated into that lighting.

[0009] Wireless optical networks, such as Li-Fi, enable electronic devices like laptops, tablets, and smartphones to connect to the internet wirelessly. While Wi-Fi uses radio frequencies to achieve this, Li-Fi uses the spectrum of light, enabling unprecedented data transmission speeds and bandwidth. The bandwidth of Wi-Fi systems is becoming increasingly limited due to interference caused by neighboring systems and their omnidirectional radiation pattern. Wi-Fi signals are able to pass through walls, ceilings, doors, and other structures, but their bandwidth decreases with the density and number of units used. Li-Fi is becoming increasingly popular as LED lighting systems replace traditional lighting systems. Unlike Wi-Fi, Li-Fi is directional and shielded by light-blocking materials, giving it the potential to support higher-bandwidth communications than Wi-Fi in densely populated areas.

[0010] Furthermore, Li-Fi is able to be used in areas susceptible to electromagnetic interference. Consider that it’s not just traditional connected devices that require wireless data these days – today’s TVs, speakers, headphones, printers, virtual reality (VR) goggles and even refrigerators use wireless data to connect and perform basic communications. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Radio frequency-based wireless communication modes (such as Wi-Fi, BLE, or ZigBee) can measure signal strength to determine reception quality, and can subsequently derive bandwidth. However, sufficient signal strength at a specific location may not guarantee bandwidth at that location; as more and more users access this radio frequency-based wireless communication mode at that specific location, the bandwidth for each user may be significantly reduced. Measuring signal strength alone may not provide a correct understanding of bandwidth. This is a significant disadvantage.

[0012] This application demonstrates that these issues with RF-based wireless communication can be addressed by switching to optical communication in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, the shielding and security features of optical communication ensure a one-to-one relationship between transmitted and received light. This means that any optical receiver within the field of view of an optical transmitter can access the bandwidth provided by the transmitter, regardless of the number of optical receivers viewing the transmitter.

[0013] Although optical communication modes (such as, for example, Li-Fi) may have advantages over radio frequency-based communication modes (such as, for example, Wi-Fi), the directional and shielding properties of such optical communication modes may also present disadvantages in that the bandwidth coverage of such optical communication modes in space is not easy to determine.

[0014] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved computing device that at least alleviates the above-mentioned associated problems and disadvantages. In addition, the present invention provides a computing device for determining and transmitting the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode in a space, wherein the space includes at least one optical transmitter arranged for communicating via the optical communication mode; wherein the computing device includes a controller configured to: obtain configuration data characterizing the configuration of the space; obtain lighting data characterizing the at least one optical transmitter; determine the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space based on the configuration data and the lighting data; wherein the computing device includes an output interface configured to: transmit a signal indicating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space. In one embodiment, the optical communication mode can be VLC or Li-Fi.

[0015] Throughout this document, bandwidth coverage may mean the corresponding communication bandwidth achievable at corresponding locations in space. Bandwidth coverage may alternatively be expressed as coverage of bandwidths, or as a distribution of bandwidths, or as a heat map of bandwidth values.

[0016] Throughout this application, the phrase "determining" may be alternatively expressed as "measuring" or "calculating." More specifically, for example, determining characteristics of the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space may be alternatively expressed as measuring or calculating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space. Thus, the controller (of the computing device) may be configured to measure or calculate the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space based on the configuration data and the lighting data.

[0017] Because a computing device according to the present invention obtains configuration data representing a configuration of a space, the configuration of the space including at least one light emitter used for optical communication, and obtains illumination data representing the at least one light emitter, the computing device is able to determine (i.e., calculate) the bandwidth coverage of a corresponding optical communication mode within the space based on the obtained data. Subsequently, an output interface of the computing device is able to transmit a signal indicating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space.

[0018] Thus, the present invention advantageously enables the transmission of the calculated bandwidth coverage of optical communication patterns, which can be a particularly relevant insight in optical communications, for example, enabling the appropriate positioning of optical receivers without requiring real-time measurement of signal strength across the entire space. This is a significant advantage. Furthermore, the transmission of bandwidth coverage may be particularly relevant for Li-Fi.

[0019] For example, various offices may be installed with different kinds of Li-Fi configurations. The present computing device can calculate the Li-Fi bandwidth coverage of any such office with different types of Li-Fi configurations because the computing device only needs the combination of the lighting data and the configuration data.

[0020] The light emitter may alternatively be an optical transceiver. The light emitter may also be a lighting device including a corresponding light emitter. The light emitter may also be an optical beacon. The light emitter may also be a sensor bundle including a light emitter (i.e., a module including at least one sensor, which may additionally include such a light emitter and / or light receiver).

[0021] In a further example: at least one optical transmitter may be in communication and / or connected to a modem. Such a modem may provide optical communications for all optical transmitters in communication and / or connection therewith. Such a modem may therefore be advantageous in situations where multiple optical transmitters are required to provide optical communications in a space. However, such a modem may also be limited in the number of optical transmitters that the modem can accommodate to provide said optical communications. Therefore, since a larger space may require more optical transmitters to (uniformly) provide said optical communications, the optical transmitters may be grouped and equipped with corresponding modems. A disadvantage of such a solution is that the equipment receiving said optical communications may have to deal with interference and switching problems in areas where the optical communications provided by transmitters of one group overlap with optical communications provided by transmitters of another group. Solutions for switching and / or interference may be conceived separately.

[0022] Throughout this application, the phrase "modem" may alternatively be referred to as an optical communication modem, since, as described above, a modem according to the present invention can provide optical communication for all optical transmitters with which it communicates and / or is connected.

[0023] Thus, an additional or alternative object of the present invention may be to provide an improved computing device that can provide insights into how installations of light transmitters and corresponding modems are organized within a space.

[0024] Therefore, in one embodiment, the controller may be configured to determine a requirement parameter for presenting the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space based on configuration data and / or lighting data; wherein the output interface is configured to transmit a signal indicating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space and the requirement parameter. The requirement parameter may be at least one of the following: the number of modems or the grouping of modems. Such an embodiment may be advantageous because, based on the configuration data and / or lighting data, the transmitted signal may also indicate the number of modems or the grouping of modems.

[0025] In one embodiment, the configuration data may include at least one of the following: the location of at least one light emitter in the space; a map of the space; the height of the space; the geometry of the space; the outline of the space; the location of furniture in the space; the location of windows in the space; the location of holes in the space; the location of electronic devices in the space; the location of reflective surfaces in the space; and the location of lighting sources in the space.

[0026] Such parameters can be advantageous in determining the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode within a space. Combinations of such data can be obtained. For example, a map of the space or an outline of the space can provide the boundaries of the bandwidth coverage. For example, the position of at least one light emitter within the space may be particularly relevant to determining the corresponding value of the bandwidth coverage in the space. The position of the at least one light emitter can be provided, for example, in Cartesian (X, Y, Z) coordinates or polar coordinates. The height of the space can alternatively be the height of the space in which the at least one emitter is assembled or installed. For example, the position of windows, reflective surfaces, or lighting sources can also be used to determine the bandwidth coverage, as these parameters may affect the optical link of the optical communication mode and thereby affect the bandwidth coverage.

[0027] The configuration data may alternatively comprise a message or message type of at least one optical transmitter, a connection to at least one optical communication modem within the space.

[0028] In one embodiment, the lighting data may include at least one of the following: the type of at least one light emitter; the positioning of at least one light emitter relative to the lighting device; the directionality of at least one light emitter; the light distribution of at least one light emitter; the cone angle of at least one light emitter; and the intensity level of light emitted by at least one light emitter. Such parameters may be useful in determining the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode within a space. Combinations of such data may be obtained. For example, the type and / or cone angle of at least one light emitter may provide information about the light emitter used and its ability to establish an optical link (and therefore guarantee the expected bandwidth of such a link). Similarly, the lighting data may include the light distribution of the light emitter, such as a Lambertian distribution. The light distribution may, for example, be a Lambertian distribution. For example, the positioning of the respective light emitter relative to the (respective) lighting device may be relevant because the light emitter may be adjacent to or contained within the lighting device, such that the bandwidth of the optical link established by such a light emitter may be affected by its specific positioning relative to the lighting device (or, for example, its housing).

[0029] The lighting data and / or configuration data do not necessarily have to be obtained (e.g., received or retrieved) at a single moment, e.g., some of the mentioned parameters may be obtained together, e.g., some of the mentioned parameters may be obtained separately, e.g., some of the mentioned parameters may already be known in advance by the controller (e.g., stored as parameters or constants in a local and / or external memory operably coupled to the controller).

[0030] In an example, the controller may obtain input data comprising configuration data and lighting data. Thus, both the configuration data and the lighting data may be obtained via a single data transmission of the input data.

[0031] In some aspects, the lighting data can be the result of measurements. For example, the present invention can provide a measurement tool for measuring, for example, the directionality of at least one light emitter, the cone angle of at least one light emitter, and the like. Such measurements, which can define portions of the lighting data, can be stored in a database, such as a local or external database according to the present invention. Thus, by associating such lighting parameters with, for example, the type of light emitter, knowledge of the light emitter type can also allow retrieval of other lighting data parameters for that light emitter.

[0032] In multiple aspects, the controller is configured to determine the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space by selecting a pre-measured bandwidth coverage for a light emitter of at least one light emitter based on illumination data and / or configuration data, and a predetermined bandwidth coverage projected within a map or outline of the space at each corresponding position of the light emitter of the at least one light emitter.

[0033] In addition, in some aspects, the controller is configured to convert the predicted bandwidth coverage into signal strength coverage for corresponding positions having overlap in the predicted bandwidth coverage of at least two corresponding optical transmitters, sum the signal strength coverages into a resulting signal strength coverage, and finally convert (back) the resulting signal strength coverage into a bandwidth coverage according to the present invention (e.g., using correlation).

[0034] For example, this advantageously enables a computing device according to the present invention to obtain a predetermined bandwidth coverage of a single optical transmitter and the installation position of such a single optical transmitter in space, and subsequently calculate the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication module in space. The intermediate conversion to signal strength may be advantageous in enabling the addition of overlapping areas (because simply adding up the bandwidth values ​​is not sufficient, and it may be necessary to convert back and forth to signal strength using correlation to present the correct bandwidth value in such overlapping areas).

[0035] In one embodiment, the controller may be configured to retrieve and / or receive the configuration data and / or the lighting data from a remote server. The computing device may be, for example, a portable user device, which may retrieve and / or receive the configuration data and / or the lighting data from a remote server, for example, based on a request when a user interface element is selected on a user interface of the portable user device. The configuration data and / or the lighting data may be (preliminarily) stored on the remote server, for example, after initialization of the spatial network access, or after installation of at least one lighting device, or after measurement using a measurement tool in a pre-installation phase. The portable user device may communicate with the remote server, for example, via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, VLC, RF, IR, ZigBee, Lo-Ra, etc. The remote server may be expressed as a remote database.

[0036] In an example, at least a portion of the lighting data may be stored on the remote server, while the configuration data may be obtained via user input via a user input device.

[0037] In one embodiment, the computing device may comprise a local memory for storing configuration data and / or said lighting data, and the controller may be configured to retrieve said configuration data and / or said lighting data from the local memory.

[0038] In one embodiment, the controller can be configured to receive the configuration data and / or the lighting data from a sensor device and / or a user input device. In a system comprising a computing device and such a user input device, the user input device can transmit the lighting data and / or the configuration data to the computing device via a wired or wireless connection, for example when a user selects a user input element in a user interface of the user input device. The data can, for example, be input by a user or measured using a sensor associated with the user input device. In another embodiment, the sensor device can include at least one of the following: a camera, a PIR sensor, a microwave sensor, a LIDAR sensor, and / or a range sensor.

[0039] In one embodiment, the output interface may include a display, wherein the controller is configured to display the signal on the display. The display may be, for example, a touch screen display. The display may be referred to as a user interface.

[0040] In an example, the controller may be configured to display at least a portion of the signal on the display.In an example, the controller may be configured to display a representation of the signal on the display.

[0041] In a further example, the computing device may further include an optical communication module, wherein when the controller establishes an optical communication link between the optical communication module and a corresponding optical transmitter, a signal may be displayed on the display. This is particularly advantageous because, when the optical communication link is established, the computing device may display bandwidth coverage within the space to facilitate correct positioning and / or orientation of the optical transceiver of the computing device. Thus, in such an example, the computing device may be, for example, a portable user device.

[0042] In one embodiment, the output interface may comprise a transmitter, wherein the controller may be configured to transmit the signal to the user equipment via the transmitter.

[0043] In one embodiment, the controller can be configured to receive an output file from a lighting design application, wherein the output file includes configuration data and / or the lighting data. The lighting design application can be, for example, DIALux or a similar CAD-based lighting design application. The lighting design application can also be described as an interior (architectural) design application. The output file can be, for example, a layout file, such as one exported from DIALux. A layout file can thus be imported. The user can digitally input the layout file.

[0044] Furthermore, in optical communications, it can be difficult to simultaneously obtain light emitted by multiple optical transmitters. Therefore, as previously discussed, determining bandwidth coverage within a space can be advantageous when considering optical communication modes. Therefore, in one embodiment, the configuration data may include a map of the space; wherein the signal may include a format having representations of bandwidth coverage values ​​within the space for optical communication modes represented in the map of the space. The map may alternatively be, for example, an outline of the space, or an indication of the geometry of the space.

[0045] In one embodiment, the light emitter of the at least one light emitter may be asymmetrically positioned within the respective lighting device; and wherein the lighting data may include the positioning of the respective light emitter relative to the respective lighting device.

[0046] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved system according to the present invention that at least alleviates the aforementioned problems and disadvantages. To this end, the present invention further provides a system for determining and communicating the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode in space, wherein the system comprises: a computing device according to the present invention, and at least one optical transmitter arranged to communicate via the optical communication mode. Thus, the advantages and / or embodiments applicable to the computing device according to the present invention can be applied mutatis mutandis to the system according to the present invention.

[0047] In one embodiment, the system includes a user device; wherein the user device is configured to transmit lighting data and / or configuration data to a computing device; wherein the computing device is configured to transmit a signal indicating a bandwidth coverage of a light communication pattern within a space to the user device. This is advantageous because the user device does not need to convert the signal into a bandwidth coverage because the computing device has already determined the bandwidth coverage in a format that the user device can easily use to present the bandwidth coverage of the light communication pattern within the space (e.g., on a user interface (e.g., a display) of the user device).

[0048] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method for determining and transmitting the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode in a space, which at least alleviates the above-mentioned problems and disadvantages. To this end, the present invention provides a method for determining and transmitting the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode in a space, wherein the space includes at least one optical transmitter arranged for communicating via the optical communication mode; wherein the method comprises: obtaining configuration data characterizing the configuration of the space; obtaining illumination data characterizing the at least one optical transmitter; determining the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space based on the configuration data and the illumination data; and transmitting a signal indicating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space. Thus, the advantages and / or embodiments applied to the computing device according to the present invention can be applied to the method according to the present invention with necessary modifications.

[0049] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved method for storing predicted bandwidth coverage of light emitters in a database, wherein the method comprises: obtaining lighting data and / or configuration data associated with at least one light emitter; moving a measurement tool relative to the at least one light emitter within a space; the measurement tool measuring the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode of the at least one light emitter within the space; and storing the measured bandwidth coverage in association with the obtained lighting data and / or configuration data in the database. These steps of the method may be schematically depicted in the boxes indicating these steps.

[0050] The lighting data and / or configuration data may be obtained, for example, by user input. The measuring tool may be, for example, a portable device. The measuring tool may be, for example, a light receiver.

[0051] For example, before installing light emitters in an office, a light receiver can be moved spatially relative to at least one of the light emitters. Lighting data (e.g., the type of at least one emitter, for example, but not limited to this, is merely an example) and configuration data (e.g., the height of at least one emitter, for example, but not limited to this, is merely an example) can be provided by user input. The measured bandwidth coverage for that particular emitter and installation height can be stored in a database. A computing device according to the present invention can retrieve or receive the pre-measured bandwidth coverage from the database. The database can be, for example, a local database or an external database, such as a server or cloud.

[0052] Thus, the method of storing the predicted bandwidth coverage of optical transmitters in a database advantageously allows the use of said predicted bandwidth coverage in a computing device (which is capable of transmitting a signal indicative of the bandwidth coverage of an optical communication pattern within a space) to design a sophisticated optical communication configuration within a space (e.g., an office) or to check the performance of such a configuration.

[0053] The present invention also relates to a computer program product. Therefore, the present invention provides a computer program product for a computing device, the computer program product comprising a computer program code for executing the method(s) according to the present invention when the computer program product is run on a processing unit of the computing device. Therefore, various aspects of the present invention can be implemented in a computer program product, which can be a collection of computer program instructions stored on a computer-readable storage device that can be executed by a computer. The instructions of the present invention can be any interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs) or Java classes. The instructions can be provided as complete executable programs, partial executable programs, modifications (e.g., updates) to existing programs, or extensions (e.g., plug-ins) to existing programs. In addition, partial processing of the present invention can be distributed on multiple computers or processors.

[0054] As described above, the light emitter may also be a lighting device including a corresponding light emitter. Therefore, in some aspects, the present invention may provide: a computing device for determining and transmitting a bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode within a space, wherein the space includes at least one lighting device, the at least one lighting device including a corresponding light emitter, the light emitter being arranged to communicate via the optical communication mode; wherein the computing device includes a controller configured to: obtain configuration data representing a configuration of the space; obtain lighting data representing the at least one lighting device; determine the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space based on the configuration data and the lighting data; wherein the computing device includes an output device configured to: transmit a signal indicating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space.

[0055] In other aspects, the present invention provides a computing device for determining and transmitting demand parameters of an optical communication mode in a space, wherein the space includes at least one light emitter arranged to communicate via the optical communication mode; wherein the computing device includes a controller configured to: obtain configuration data characterizing the configuration of the space; and / or obtain lighting data characterizing the at least one light emitter; determine the demand parameters of the optical communication mode in the space based on the configuration data and the lighting data (respectively); wherein the computing device includes an output interface configured to: transmit a signal indicating the demand parameters of the optical communication mode in the space. Thus, the demand parameter can be at least one of the following: the number of modems, the grouping of modems. Thus, the advantages and / or embodiments applied to the computing device according to the first purpose of the present invention can be applied to the computing device according to other aspects of the present invention with necessary modifications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] The invention will now be further elucidated with the aid of the accompanying schematic, non-limiting drawings:

[0057] Figure 1 A system according to the invention is schematically depicted, the system comprising a computing device according to the invention;

[0058] Figure 2 A system according to the invention is schematically depicted, the system comprising a computing device according to the invention;

[0059] Figure 3 schematically depicts a user interface according to the present invention;

[0060] Figure 4 Schematically depicting Li-Fi bandwidth coverage according to the present invention;

[0061] Figure 5 The method according to the invention is schematically depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments of the invention set forth herein; rather, these embodiments of the invention are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, unless otherwise specifically indicated, the same reference numerals represent the same or similar components having the same or similar functions.

[0063] Figure 1By way of non-limiting example, a system 100 according to the present invention is schematically depicted. System 100 includes a computing device 10 according to the present invention. System 100 is embodied within a space 20. Space 20 is an indoor office, but could be any other indoor or outdoor space. Space 20 includes a plurality of lighting devices 21, 22, and 23. A first lighting device 21, a second lighting device 22, and a third lighting device 23 are each mounted on the ceiling of space 20. Computing device 10 is a portable user device carried by user 1 present in space 20.

[0064] The computing device 10 is configured to determine (or alternatively, calculate) and transmit a bandwidth coverage 14 (information) of an optical communication mode within a space 20. The optical communication mode is Li-Fi. That is, each of the plurality of lighting devices 21, 22, 23 includes a respective light emitter 211, 221, 231 arranged for communication via Li-Fi.

[0065] In alternative embodiments, the lighting device may be omitted and the space may instead include a standalone light emitter, as it is not necessary to embed the light emitter in a lighting device such as a luminaire.

[0066] Compared to the corresponding light emitters 221, 231 of the second and third lighting devices 22, 23, the light emitter 211 of the first lighting device 21 has a wider cone angle and its coverage area covers a larger portion of the space 20. In addition, the light emitter 211 of the first lighting device 21 is located in the middle relative to the first lighting device (i.e., for example, in the middle of its respective housing). The corresponding light emitters 221, 231 of the second and third lighting devices 22, 23 are asymmetrically positioned within (the housings of) the corresponding lighting devices 22, 23.

[0067] The specific positioning of a light emitter within a lighting device affects the beaconing characteristics of the light emitter and thereby the bandwidth that the light emitter can achieve in operation.

[0068] Still refer to Figure 1 , the computing device 10 comprises a controller 11 and an output interface 12 (operably coupled to the controller 11). The output interface 12 is a touch-sensitive display. Thus, the output interface 12 can also serve as a user input device having a user interface. Such a user interface can be mutatis mutandis and, by way of non-limiting example, Figure 3Schematically depicted in . The computing device 10 further comprises a local memory 13 for storing a database having a plurality of configuration data and a database having a plurality of lighting data. The controller 11 is arranged for displaying a representation of the plurality of configuration data to the user 1 via the output device at a certain moment, and is arranged for displaying a representation of the plurality of lighting data to the user 1 via the output device at a certain moment. The controller 11 is further configured to receive a user input instructing the user 1 to select configuration data from the indicated plurality of configuration data and / or to select lighting data from the indicated plurality of lighting data. The user input is received by the touch-sensitive display. Thus, by means of such user input, the controller 11 obtains configuration data characterizing the configuration of the space 20, and the controller 11 obtains lighting data characterizing the corresponding light emitters of the three lighting devices 21, 22, 23. In the example, the user input may comprise a drag and drop action.

[0069] That is, user 1 inputs (at least) a selection of geometric features of space 20. This geometric feature can be, for example, a map or outline indicating the boundaries and geometry of space 20 (or, for example, the position of furniture within said space 20) (or, for example, the position of windows within said space). User 1 inputs (at least) the position of lighting devices 21, 22, 23 within space 20 (or, for example, the position of lighting devices within said space relative to furniture, without requiring an absolute reference to said space). This information constitutes configuration data.

[0070] Alternatively, some configuration data can be pre-stored as constant values ​​in local memory, and the controller can retrieve the partial configuration from the local memory. For example, the height of a room can be a pre-defined constant, or the layout of the room can be pre-stored in the local memory. Thus, for such data, constants and / or pre-defined values, such as standard room heights, can be initially used, and the initial data can be overruled if, for example, no further user input is present.

[0071] Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the user (at least) inputs the type of at least one light emitter 211, 221, 231 (or alternatively, the types of three lighting devices). This information constitutes the lighting data. However, this is not required, as the type of at least one light emitter or at least one lighting device may alternatively be a predefined constant that can be retrieved, for example, from local storage 13 or alternatively from a remote server (not depicted); alternatively, the lighting data may be received from a sensor device (not depicted).

[0072] The configuration data according to the invention and the lighting data according to the invention are then used by the controller 11 to determine the bandwidth coverage 14 of the optical communication pattern within the space 20 .

[0073] Since the configuration data and / or lighting data can also include other parameters, as described earlier in this application, the bandwidth coverage can be determined more and more accurately. For example, the configuration data can also alternatively include the height of the room.

[0074] Still refer to Figure 1 The output interface 12 of the computing device 100 transmits a signal indicative of the determined bandwidth coverage 14 of the optical communication pattern within the space via a display signal. For example, the signal may be converted and visualized as a heat map of bandwidth values ​​within the representation of the space.

[0075] Alternatively, in an embodiment, the controller determines a desired parameter for the optical communication mode within the space based on the configuration data and / or the lighting data. The computing device transmits a signal via the output interface indicating the desired parameter for the optical communication mode within the space. This desired parameter may be the number of modems required. Thus, the signal may indicate the number of modems required.

[0076] Here, additionally but not necessarily, the computing device 10 may include a positioning sensor for determining the location 16 of the computing device in the space 20 (such as, for example, via GPS), which location 16 may then be visualized together with the bandwidth coverage 14 .

[0077] Thus, without having to measure signal strength values ​​within the space 20, the user 1 can advantageously obtain the bandwidth coverage of Li-Fi within the space 20, which can become increasingly accurate by taking into account more parameters of the configuration data and / or the lighting data.

[0078] In an alternative example, instead of the user selecting the configuration data and / or lighting data as described above, the configuration data and / or lighting data may be obtained from a sensor device. For example, the computing device or another electronic device may include a camera for capturing a record (e.g., an image) of the space. Image analysis may then be performed to detect (or: derive, or: determine, or: measure) for example the outline of the room, the position of light emitters and / or lighting devices within the room, the position of lighting devices and / or the position of light emitters within the room relative to furniture, the height of the room, the type of lighting devices in the room, etc. These detected parameters may then form the configuration data and / or lighting data. The controller of the computing device may therefore receive or retrieve (part or all of) the configuration data and / or lighting data from such a sensor device.

[0079] In an alternative example, instead of the user selecting the configuration data and / or lighting data as described above, the configuration data and / or lighting data may be obtained from a building management system or a remote server (e.g., in part or in whole), which may already include at least in part the configuration data and / or lighting data. For example, during initialization of the space being brought online, the building management system may already be populated with relevant data for use with the present invention.

[0080] Alternatively, in a further embodiment, the computing device may include an optical communication module. The optical communication module may operate on Li-Fi. According to the present invention, the signal indicating the determined bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space may be displayed on the display only when the controller establishes an optical communication link between the optical communication module and the corresponding optical transceiver of the lighting device. Therefore, each time the user establishes an optical communication link in the space, the display may indicate the Li-Fi bandwidth coverage in the space, so that the user may (tend to) position and / or orient the computing device accordingly to achieve the best guaranteed bandwidth.

[0081] Figure 2 By way of non-limiting example, a system 200 according to the present invention is schematically depicted. System 200 includes a computing device 30 according to the present invention. The system is partially envisioned within a space 40, which is an indoor office. Space 40 includes two light emitters 41 and 42 mounted to the ceiling of space 40. Light emitters 41 and 42 are identical and are configured to communicate with a portable user device 50 via Li-Fi. Alternatively, this optical communication may be performed via VLC.

[0082] Computing device 30 is outside space 40 and communicates over the Internet (initially via Wi-Fi and via a modem (not depicted) and subsequently via a wired connection through the modem) with a portable user device 50. Portable user device 50 is carried by user 2 and runs an application that enables such communication with computing device 30. Computing device 30 is here a remote server.

[0083] The computing device 30 is configured to determine and transmit the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in space ( Figure 2 Not explicitly depicted in, but for example in Figure 4 ). Therefore, the optical communication mode is Li-Fi. Furthermore, computing device 30 includes a controller 31 and an output interface 32 (operably coupled to controller 31). Output interface 32 is an internet transceiver for establishing an internet connection. Alternatively, the output device may be a Bluetooth transmitter, a Wi-Fi transmitter, a ZigBee transmitter, a DALI transmitter, an IR transmitter, an RF transmitter, a VLC transmitter, or the like.

[0084] The controller 31 is configured to receive user input from the portable user device 50. The user input may be provided via a user interface. Such a user interface may be mutatis mutandis, by way of non-limiting example, Figure 3 . Here, the user input comprises part of the configuration data according to the present invention and part of the lighting data. That is, the user input specifies the outline of the space 40 and the positions of the light emitters 41, 42 within the outline of the space 40. This constitutes part of both the configuration data and the lighting data (i.e., lighting data, since the user input indicates the presence of light emitters rather than, for example, luminaires).

[0085] The controller 31 obtains configuration data and / or (optionally) other parts of the lighting data from a local memory 33 included in the computing device 30. This part of the data is predefined and stored in the local memory 33, such as the height of the space 40 and the (e.g. average) optical characteristics of the optical transceivers.

[0086] Still refer to Figure 2 , the controller 31 determines the Li-Fi bandwidth coverage within the space 40 based on the obtained configuration data and lighting data. The output interface 32 then transmits a signal indicating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space 40 to the portable user device 50 (by sending or allowing the portable user device 50 to retrieve it).

[0087] Here, the signal comprises a format having a representation of a value of the Li-Fi bandwidth coverage within the space 40 , the value being represented in an outline (or alternatively a map) of the space 40 .

[0088] Figure 3 By way of non-limiting example, a user interface 500 for selecting configuration data and lighting data is schematically depicted. User interface 500 can be displayed on a user device, such as a portable user device, such as a smartphone with a touch-sensitive display. User interface 500 relates to the configuration of a space and the characteristics of a lighting device, including an optical transceiver, within the space. Alternatively, the lighting device and / or optical transceiver can be a light emitter.

[0089] The user interface includes a first selection element 501 related to the presence and type of furniture within the space. This first selection element 501 is therefore named "Desk Arrangement." Because the space may be an office space, and because such an office space may include various types of furniture, this first selection element 501 may be valuable in characterizing the configuration of the space. The relative positions of lighting fixtures and associated optical transceivers (or transmitters) may be related to this furniture or desk arrangement.

[0090] The first selection element 501 provides the option of selecting a table arrangement of four different types of furniture within the space. The user can select a single circular conference room table, two adjacent rectangular tables, four adjacent rectangular tables arranged in a 2x2 square, or six adjacent rectangular tables arranged in a 2x3 rectangle. The table arrangement can determine how lighting devices including optical transceivers are positioned relative to each other, thereby indirectly determining the position of such lighting devices (and associated optical transceivers) in space (i.e., thus defined relative to the table(s) rather than absolutely in spatial coordinates).

[0091] The user interface 500 includes a second selection element 502 associated with and named as a lighting arrangement. Such a second selection element 502 may be valuable in characterizing the configuration of the space. Still referring to Figure 3 Since the table arrangement is depicted as being selected as six tables, the second selection element 502 provides two options for selecting a lighting arrangement. That is, four lights in a 2x2 arrangement above the table, or six lights in a 2x3 arrangement above the table. Alternatively, when a single conference room table arrangement is selected, options include a single light located in the center of the conference room table arrangement, or two lights in a 2x1 matrix located above the center of the conference room table arrangement.

[0092] The user interface 500 includes a third selection element 503 that is related to transceiver placement and is named transceiver placement. Such a third selection element 503 can be valuable in characterizing the properties of the lighting fixture within the space. Therefore, the third selection element 504 provides part of the lighting data. That is, the specific positioning of the optical transceiver within the lighting fixture affects the beacon characteristics of the optical transmitter and, thereby, the bandwidth that the optical transmitter can guarantee during operation. Still referring to Figure 3 , a third selection element 503 provides the option of selecting four different types of transceiver placement options, such as inside or outside a lighting device (eg, a luminaire).

[0093] The user interface 500 includes a fourth selection element 504. The fourth selection element 504 is the ceiling height, i.e., the placement height of the lighting device according to the present invention. The fourth selection element 504 provides the option of setting the ceiling height to 2.5 meters or 3.5 meters. The ceiling height is part of the configuration data.

[0094] The user interface 500 may alternatively include additional selection elements that may be related to other parameters mentioned in this application when discussing configuration data and / or lighting data. The selection elements may be sliders and / or pop-up windows. The selection elements may be displayed as a list on the user interface or on a spatial map on the user interface. The user interface may also include buttons for confirming a selection and / or transmitting the selection (i.e., data) to a controller of the computing device. Other types of user interfaces may be similarly envisioned, and the present invention is not limited to the above examples.

[0095] Figure 4 By way of non-limiting example, a bandwidth coverage 600 of an optical communication mode within a space 601 is schematically depicted. The optical communication mode is Li-Fi. Figure 4 Bandwidth coverage is calculated for a single conference room table arrangement with four luminaires arranged in a 2x2 matrix above the table; an optical transceiver located inside the luminaire (i.e., pointing toward the center of the table); and where the luminaire is located at a ceiling height of 2.5 meters. Bandwidth coverage 600 is thus indicated by contour lines 602, 603, and 604, which indicate bandwidth ranges.

[0096] Such bandwidth coverage 600 may be derived from a signal according to the present invention, wherein the signal includes a format having a representation of the bandwidth coverage values ​​of the optical communication mode within the space represented in a map of the space. Such bandwidth coverage 600 may be displayed, for example, on a user interface of a portable user device or computing device, or on a computer.

[0097] Figure 5 A method 700 according to the present invention is schematically depicted. The method determines and transmits a bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode within a space, wherein the space includes at least one optical transmitter arranged to communicate via the optical communication mode. The method comprises a step 701 of acquiring configuration data characterizing a configuration of the space; and a step 702 of acquiring illumination data characterizing the at least one optical transmitter. The method comprises a step 703 of transmitting a signal indicating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space. Alternative steps corresponding mutatis mutandis to the embodiments of the computing device according to the present invention are envisioned.

Claims

1. A computing device for determining and communicating a bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode within a space, wherein the space comprises at least one optical transmitter arranged to communicate via the optical communication mode; The computing device includes a controller configured to: - obtaining configuration data characterizing the configuration of said space; - obtaining illumination data characterizing said at least one light emitter; - calculating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space based on the configuration data and the lighting data; The computing device includes an output interface, wherein the output interface is configured to: - transmitting a signal indicative of said bandwidth coverage of said optical communication mode within said space.

2. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to: - determining requirement parameters for presenting the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space based on the configuration data and / or the lighting data; The output interface is configured as follows: - transmitting a signal indicating the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode in the space and indicating the demand parameter; The demand parameter is at least one of the following: the number of optical communication modems, and the grouping of optical communication modems.

3. The computing device of claim 1 , wherein the configuration data comprises at least one of: a position of the at least one light emitter in the space; a map of said space; the height of the space; the geometry of the space; the outline of said space; the position of the furniture in the space; the location of the windows in the space; the location of the hole in the space; the location of the electronic device in the space; the position of the reflecting surface in said space; The location of the lighting source in the space.

4. The computing device of claim 2, wherein the configuration data comprises at least one of: a position of the at least one light emitter in the space; a map of said space; the height of the space; the geometry of the space; the outline of said space; the position of the furniture in the space; the location of the windows in the space; the location of the hole in the space; the location of the electronic device in the space; the position of the reflecting surface in said space; The location of the lighting source in the space.

5. The computing device of any preceding claim, wherein the lighting data comprises at least one of: a type of the at least one light emitter; the positioning of the at least one light emitter relative to the lighting device; the directionality of the at least one light emitter; a light distribution of the at least one light emitter; a cone angle of the at least one light emitter; an intensity level of light emitted by the at least one light emitter.

6. The computing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the optical communication mode is VLC or Li-Fi.

7. The computing device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller is configured to retrieve and / or receive the configuration data and / or the lighting data from a remote server.

8. A computing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the computing device includes a local memory for storing the configuration data and / or the lighting data, and the controller is configured to retrieve the configuration data and / or the lighting data from the local memory.

9. The computing device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller is configured to receive the configuration data and / or the lighting data from a sensor device and / or a user input device.

10. The computing device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the controller is configured to receive an output file of a lighting design application, wherein the output file of the lighting design application comprises the configuration data and / or the lighting data.

11. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the computing device comprises an optical communication module, wherein the output interface comprises a display, and wherein the controller is configured to display the signal on the display when the controller establishes an optical communication link between the optical communication module and the corresponding optical transmitter.

12. The computing device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the output interface comprises a transmitter, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the signal to a user device via the transmitter.

13. The computing device of claim 11 , wherein the configuration data comprises a map of the space; wherein the signal comprises a format having a representation of a value of a bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space represented in a map of the space.

14. A computing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a light emitter of the at least one light emitter is asymmetrically positioned within a corresponding lighting device; and wherein the lighting data includes a positioning of the corresponding light emitter relative to the corresponding lighting device.

15. A system for determining and communicating bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode in space, wherein the system comprises: - A computing device according to any one of the preceding claims, and - at least one optical transmitter arranged for communicating by said optical communication mode.

16. A method of determining and communicating bandwidth coverage of an optical communication mode within a space, wherein the space comprises at least one optical transmitter arranged to communicate via the optical communication mode; The method comprises: - obtaining configuration data characterizing the configuration of the space; - acquiring illumination data characterizing said at least one light emitter; - determining the bandwidth coverage of the optical communication mode within the space based on the configuration data and the lighting data; - transmitting a signal indicative of said bandwidth coverage of said optical communication mode within said space.

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