DEVICE AND MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIC VLC LAMP SELECTION

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The invention falls within the field of telecommunications.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a communication device, a method for pairing such a device with a terminal, a system comprising such a device and a terminal, a terminal of such a system, a computer program for executing such a method, a home screen of such a device, and a central unit of such a device.

[0003] The objects of the invention are intended, for example, to be used in the following environments: offices or counters, including open offices, meeting rooms and lecture halls, public workspaces such as libraries, waiting rooms, vehicles, and payment systems in banks and certain shops. Technique antérieure

[0004] Currently, on the network side, Communicating Light transmitter / receiver devices, based on LED (light-emitting diode) lamps in the light or infrared range for transmission and on infrared-sensitive photoreceptors for reception, are integrated into luminaires in the form of ceiling lights, ceiling tiles, floor lamps or desk lamps.

[0005] These devices sometimes support several simultaneous communication sessions for terminals, mobiles, tablets and PCs, located in the same light flow, and the security of communications lies, at the physical level, in the isolation of the premises and at the communication level, in that of the protocols of the network and higher levels.

[0006] However, there are cases where it is desirable to allow a user to discreetly use a Communicating Light connection in a room where other people are likely to be present.

[0007] An obvious solution is to place the Communicating Light devices, terminal and network, in a container opaque to visible and infrared light, but this is not suitable for terminals with integrated Communicating Light interface, whose screens and keyboards must remain accessible to users.

[0008] Another solution is to use a work surface with a network-integrated communicating light device facing upwards, and to use, on the terminal side, either a communicating light device located on the back, or, for example, for PCs, a reversible communicating light device to face downwards.

[0009] However, this second solution requires, if we want to respect the confidentiality requirements of the exchange at the physical level, that we resolve the following dilemma: The network-side transmission / reception device must be small in size, so as not to exceed the size of the user terminal or, where applicable, its external Communicating Light device, and the network-side transmission / reception device must also be positioned precisely opposite the user terminal or, where applicable, its external Communicating Light device, therefore possibly in a non-ergonomic way, while allowing for small movements. Résumé

[0010] This disclosure improves the situation and aims in particular to resolve this dilemma, by providing the possibility of maintaining the confidentiality of Communicating Light communications (corresponding to free-space optical communication according to the claims) between a network access point and conventional terminals, while allowing the movement of the latter.

[0011] To this end, a communication system is proposed, depending on one aspect, comprising: a home slab comprising a plurality of photoreceptors and a plurality of light sources interfacing with the photoreceptors, the plurality of photoreceptors and the plurality of light sources being adapted for free-space optical communication, and a central unit, connected to the home slab, where the central unit is configured to, when a part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home slab receives a light signal from at least one light source of a free-space optical communication interface of a terminal not paired with the home slab: obtain an initialization signal comprising an identification of said part of the plurality of photoreceptors, select, from among the plurality of light sources of the home slab, a part of the plurality of light sources in the immediate vicinity of said part of the plurality of photoreceptors, on the basis of said identification,to command the transmission of a pairing signal by said part of the plurality of light sources, to obtain a response signal, indicative of a signal emitted by said free-space optical communication interface of said terminal in response to the transmission of the pairing signal and received by said part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home panel, and to command a pairing of said terminal with said part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home panel and with said part of the plurality of light sources of the home panel on the basis of the response signal.

[0012] By "paired terminal" is meant a terminal associated, by a specific configuration of the communication device and / or the terminal, so as to communicate exclusively with a specific area of ​​the home screen.

[0013] This specific area of ​​the home slab, which is thus, reciprocally, paired with the terminal, includes a part of the plurality of photoreceptors and a part of the plurality of light sources of the home slab.

[0014] It is assumed that the terminal's free-space optical communication interface includes at least: a photoreceptor or group of photoreceptors (e.g., a photo or video sensor), and a light source or group of light sources (e.g., a flash).

[0015] It is further presupposed that said light source is adjacent to said photoreceptor, that is to say spaced from said photoreceptor by a distance for example less than 5 cm.

[0016] By "unpaired terminal" is meant a terminal that is not commonly associated, by a specific configuration of the communication device and / or the terminal, so as to communicate exclusively with a specific area of ​​the home screen.

[0017] Thanks to the order to pair said terminal with said part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home slab and with said part of the plurality of light sources of the home slab, the terminal, initially unpaired, becomes paired.

[0018] The terms "a plurality of light sources inter-underlying with the photoreceptors" are to be understood in the manner developed below.

[0019] The photoreceptors of the plurality of photoreceptors are distributed, individually or in groups, in a foreground. For example, if the distribution is uniform, the plurality of photoreceptors forms a photoreceptor array. The photoreceptors of the plurality of photoreceptors are oriented to receive light signals originating from a direction normal to the foreground.

[0020] For example, arbitrarily considering the foreground as horizontal, the photoreceptors are then oriented to receive light signals from a vertical direction, for example from top to bottom.

[0021] The light sources of the plurality of light sources are distributed, individually or in groups. For example, if the distribution is carried out at a uniform interval, the plurality of light sources forms a light source array. The light sources of the plurality of light sources are oriented to emit light signals in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0022] Taking the previous example where the first horizontal plane and the photoreceptors are oriented to receive light signals from top to bottom, the light sources are then oriented to emit light signals in a vertical direction from bottom to top.

[0023] In one embodiment, the light sources of the plurality of light sources can be distributed, individually or in groups, in the foreground.

[0024] Alternatively, the light sources of the plurality of light sources can be distributed, individually or in groups, in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The position of each light source or group of light sources in the second plane can then be approximated by the orthogonal projection of their position in the first plane.

[0025] The light sources are "inter-underlying with the photoreceptors" in that the reception panel can be subdivided in the foreground into a plurality of zones, each comprising: a part of the plurality of photoreceptors, and a part of the plurality of light sources or the orthogonal projections in the foreground of the positions of a part of the plurality of light sources.

[0026] For example, photoreceptors can form an array of individual photoreceptors or an array of groups of photoreceptors, and light sources can form an array of individual light sources, or an array of groups of light sources, intertwined with the array of individual photoreceptors or groups of photoreceptors.

[0027] Thus, each area of ​​the home screen thus defined can be simultaneously paired to a distinct terminal and form a separate Communicating Light communication channel.

[0028] The initialization signal obtained by the central processing unit is a signal that allows the central processing unit to: to identify that a terminal capable of communicating by Communicating Light is positioned relative to the home slab in such a way as to exchange information by Communicating Light with at least some of the light sources and photoreceptors present on the home slab, and, above all, to identify, among the plurality of light sources on the home slab, the part of the plurality of light sources capable of transmitting information to the terminal thus positioned, and to identify, among the plurality of photoreceptors present on the home slab, the part of the plurality of photoreceptors capable of receiving information emitted by the terminal thus positioned.

[0029] Thus, the central unit detects the photoreceptor(s) receiving the initialization signal and can, for example, evaluate the positioning of the terminal relative to the home screen based on the transmitted initialization signal.

[0030] Furthermore, the portion of the plurality of light sources capable of transmitting information to the terminal thus positioned can be selected, individually or in groups, and controlled to emit the pairing signal.

[0031] Furthermore, the portion of the plurality of photoreceptors capable of receiving information emitted by at least one light source of the terminal thus positioned can be selected, individually or in groups, and controlled to receive the response signal.

[0032] Selecting, from the plurality of light sources on the home screen, a part of the plurality of light sources in the immediate vicinity of said part of the plurality of photoreceptors is equivalent to addressing the light source(s) in the immediate vicinity of the photoreceptor(s) receiving the initialization signal.

[0033] The pairing signal emitted by the selected portion of the plurality of light sources enables communication with the terminal.

[0034] In particular, the pairing signal emitted by the home screen controlled by the central unit allows a terminal capable of communicating via Smart Light to receive this signal: to detect a communication device, more specifically to identify that the terminal is positioned to exchange information by communicating light with this communication device, and to receive instructions specifying communication methods, such as pairing methods, with this communication device.

[0035] The response signal received by the home screen and transmitted to the central processing unit allows the central processing unit to: to obtain confirmation of receipt by the terminal of a pairing signal previously emitted by the home screen, and, possibly: to obtain an identification, or a configuration indication, of the terminal, to obtain a configuration indication of the terminal, and / or to confirm or correct a previous evaluation of the positioning of the terminal relative to the home screen, and / or to evaluate a transmission quality of the pairing signal, and / or to obtain instructions specifying communication methods, such as pairing methods, with the terminal.

[0036] The communication system may also include a modem connected to the central unit, the modem being configured to: receive the command to emit a pairing signal by the central unit, command the emission of the pairing signal by said part of the plurality of light sources of the home slab, and receive the pairing command by the central unit.

[0037] Thus, it is possible to form a free-space optical communication channel dedicated to pairing one or more terminals to a corresponding part of the home panel, independently of the transmission of information to or from a wide area network.

[0038] The communication device may further include a network gateway connected to the central processing unit, the network gateway being configured, when network communication between said peered terminal and the network gateway is authorized by the central processing unit, to: form a physical free-space optical communication channel between said part of the plurality of photoreceptors and said paired terminal, and establish communication between the physical free-space optical communication channel and a wide area network (WAN).

[0039] Thus, it is possible to form a physical optical communication channel in free space, communicating with a wide area network, independently of a channel dedicated to pairing one or more terminals to a corresponding part of the home panel.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the pairing signal is emitted in a first wavelength band and the physical free-space optical communication channel is active in a second wavelength band, the first and second wavelength bands being mutually exclusive.

[0041] The existence of two separate free-space optical communication channels between the two entities, the receiving slab and the terminal, instead of a single common channel, presents the following advantages: a security advantage, by preventing the transmission of pairing-related information to a wide area network, especially if the modem and network gateway are two separate pieces of equipment and if the wavelength bands used by the two channels are mutually exclusive, and an advantage in terms of communication fluidity, because pairing information transiting on the dedicated free-space optical communication channel for pairing does not substantially have an undesirable effect on data transfer through the physical free-space optical communication channel communicating with the wide area network, and vice versa.

[0042] It may be provided that the paired terminal and / or central unit is further configured to periodically confirm the pairing.

[0043] In one embodiment, the central unit is further configured so that the terminal is paired with said part of the plurality of light sources: periodically issue a command to emit a confirmation signal, the confirmation signal being identical to the pairing signal and emitted by said part of the plurality of light sources.

[0044] Thus, upon receiving the confirmation signal, the terminal receives confirmation that the free-space optical communication channel is active. In response to receiving the confirmation signal, the terminal can emit a confirmation response signal to confirm to the central processing unit that the free-space optical communication channel has not changed.

[0045] Thus, it is possible to confirm, both to the paired terminal and to the central unit, whether the position of the paired terminal relative to the home screen is unchanged so that the paired terminal is still able to communicate through the physical channel in Communicating Light.

[0046] It may also be provided that the terminal is unpaired if the central unit does not receive at least one response signal to a confirmation after a predetermined period of time.

[0047] In one embodiment, the central unit is further configured so that the terminal is paired with said part of the plurality of light sources: periodically issue a command to emit a displacement detection signal, the detection signal being identical to the pairing signal and emitted by an unpaired part adjacent to said part of the plurality of light sources of the home slab.

[0048] Thus, upon receiving the movement detection signal, the terminal receives confirmation that the free-space optical communication channel is active. In response to receiving the movement detection signal, the terminal can emit a response signal, which can be interpreted by the central processing unit as an indication that the terminal has been moved on the surface of the docking station.

[0049] It can therefore be anticipated that the central unit will be configured to: obtain a response signal to the displacement detection signal received by an unpaired portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home slab adjacent to the portion of the plurality of photoreceptors paired with the terminal, identify said unpaired portion of the plurality of photoreceptors, select an unpaired portion of the plurality of light sources of the home slab on the basis of said identification, and modify the pairing of the terminal on the basis of said unpaired portion of the plurality of photoreceptors and said unpaired portion of the plurality of light sources, so as to keep the free-space optical communication channel active.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the central unit is further configured so that the terminal is paired with said part of the plurality of light sources: command the emission of a modified pairing signal, different from the pairing signal and emitted by an unpaired part of said part of the plurality of light sources of the home slab.

[0051] Thus, the reception panel can be subdivided into a plurality of parts, each comprising a part of the plurality of photoreceptors and a part of the plurality of light sources.

[0052] In addition, each part of the home screen can be controlled separately to emit a different pairing signal.

[0053] Thus, each part of the home slab can be simultaneously paired with a different terminal, forming a communication channel via communicating light that can be established in different ways, so that the data exchanged between each paired terminal and the corresponding part of the home slab cannot be intercepted by an exchange of position of two terminals relative to the home slab.

[0054] Another aspect of the invention is a method for pairing a terminal with a home slab comprising a plurality of photoreceptors and a plurality of light sources interfacing with the photoreceptors, the plurality of photoreceptors and the plurality of light sources being adapted for free-space optical communication, the method comprising, when a part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home slab receives a light signal from at least one light source of a free-space optical communication interface of the terminal and the terminal is not paired with the home slab: obtain an initialization signal including an identification of said part of the plurality of photoreceptors, select, from among the plurality of light sources of the home slab, a part of the plurality of light sources in the immediate vicinity of said part of the plurality of photoreceptors, on the basis of said identification, command an emission of a pairing signal by said part of the plurality of light sources, obtain a response signal, indicative of a signal emitted by said free-space optical communication interface of said terminal in response to the emission of the pairing signal and received by said part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home slab, and command a pairing of said terminal to said part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home slab and to said part of the plurality of light sources of the home slab on the basis of the response signal.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the terminal further comprising a processing circuit connected to at least one photoreceptor and to said at least one light source, the method further comprises: to control, by the processing circuit, the emission of the light signal by said at least one light source of the terminal, to obtain, by the processing circuit, the pairing signal by said at least one photoreceptor of the terminal, and to control, by the processing circuit, the emission of the response signal in response to the pairing signal.

[0056] Another aspect of the invention is a system comprising the aforementioned device and a terminal comprising a free-space optical communication interface.

[0057] According to one embodiment of such a system, the central unit is further configured so that the terminal is paired with said part of the plurality of light sources: periodically issue a command to emit a displacement detection signal, the detection signal being identical to the pairing signal and emitted by an unpaired part adjacent to said part of the plurality of light sources of the home slab.

[0058] Another aspect of the invention is a terminal for the aforementioned system, the terminal comprising: a processing circuit comprising a processor connected to a memory, and a free-space optical communication interface, connected to the processing circuit, comprising at least one photoreceptor and at least one light source, the processing circuit being configured for: command the emission of a light signal by said at least one light source, obtain a pairing signal by said at least one photoreceptor, and command the emission of a response signal in response to the pairing signal.

[0059] Thus, the terminal is configured to transmit signals to the communication device of the aforementioned system that can be interpreted by the central unit of the communication device to allow the pairing of the terminal.

[0060] Another aspect of the invention is a computer program comprising instructions for implementing the aforementioned pairing process, when said instructions are executed by a processor.

[0061] Another aspect of the invention is a mounting plate for the aforementioned device, the mounting plate comprising: a plurality of photoreceptors oriented to receive light signals from a first direction normal to a plane, a plurality of light sources, inter-underlying with the photoreceptors, oriented to emit light signals in a second direction opposite to said first direction, and a communication interface with a central unit comprising a processor connected to a memory.

[0062] Thus, when the terminal is positioned in relation to the plurality of photoreceptors and the plurality of light sources, it is possible to initiate the aforementioned pairing process and then establish a free-space optical communication channel between the terminal and the host slab, this channel communicating with a wide area network.

[0063] Another aspect of the invention is a central unit of the aforementioned device, the central unit comprising a processor connected to a memory and to at least one communication interface with a home screen, said home screen comprising a plurality of photoreceptors and a plurality of light sources interfacing with the photoreceptors, the plurality of photoreceptors and the plurality of light sources being adapted for free-space optical communication, the central unit being configured so that, when a part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home screen receives a light signal from at least one light source of a free-space optical communication interface of a terminal not paired with the home screen: obtain an initialization signal including an identification of said part of the plurality of photoreceptors, select, from among the plurality of light sources of the home slab, a part of the plurality of light sources in the immediate vicinity of said part of the plurality of photoreceptors, on the basis of said identification, command an emission of a pairing signal by said part of the plurality of light sources, obtain a response signal, indicative of a signal emitted by said free-space optical communication interface of said terminal in response to the emission of the pairing signal and received by said part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home slab, and command a pairing of said terminal to said part of the plurality of photoreceptors of the home slab and to said part of the plurality of light sources of the home slab on the basis of the response signal. Brève description des dessins

[0064] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below and analyzing the attached drawings, on which: Fig. 1 [ Fig. 1 ] schematically represents the elements of a communication device according to a mode of implementation. Fig. 2 [ Fig. 2 ] schematically represents the elements of a communication device according to a mode of implementation. Fig. 3 [ Fig. 3 ] schematically represents a reception slab and a terminal according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 [ Fig. 4 ] shows a terminal positioned opposite a reception panel in such a way as to allow pairing according to an embodiment. Fig. 5 [ Fig. 5 ] shows a movement of a paired terminal relative to a home tile according to an embodiment. Fig. 6 [ Fig. 6 ] shows two terminals positioned opposite a reception panel in such a way as to allow simultaneous pairing of the two terminals according to an embodiment. Fig. 7 [ Fig. 7 ] schematically represents a pairing process according to one embodiment. Fig. 8 [ Fig. 8 ] schematically represents the architecture of a router according to one embodiment. Fig. 9 [ Fig. 9 ] schematically represents the architecture of a router according to one embodiment. Fig. 10 [ Fig. 10 ] schematically represents the elements of a communication device according to a mode of implementation. Fig. 11 [ Fig. 11 ] schematically represents the elements of a communication device according to a mode of implementation. Description des modes de réalisation

[0065] The drawings and description below contain, for the most part, elements of a definite nature. They may therefore not only serve to better explain this disclosure, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0066] Reference is now being made to the [ Fig. 1 ], which schematically represents the elements of an example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0067] Reference is also made to the [ Fig. 3 ] which schematically represents an example of a home screen for such a communication device and an example of a terminal capable of communicating with such a communication device.

[0068] The term "terminal" can refer, for example, to a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. The term "terminal" can also refer to a peripheral device that can be connected to such a device or to a computer.

[0069] In the context of the invention, the terminal is equipped with a Communicating Light communication interface which can be integrated into the terminal or be in the form of a separate device.

[0070] The communication device includes a reception panel 2 which can be integrated, fixed, or simply placed on a surface of a work surface 1. Said surface of the work surface 1 can, for example, correspond to an orientable part of the work surface 1 so as not to necessarily correspond to the same plane as a main surface of the work surface 1.

[0071] Without limitation, work surface 1 may refer to, for example, a table, a shelf, a desk or a wall element, and may be located, for example, in an office, a meeting room, an amphitheater, a workspace, a library, a waiting room, a vehicle, etc.

[0072] The reception slab 2 can be designed to include a surface intended to accommodate a terminal 21, or at a minimum to accommodate the communication interface of terminal 21.

[0073] The landing slab 2 can be designed so that a terminal 21, or the communication interface of terminal 21, placed on a surface of the landing slab 2, is held there by the effect of gravity.

[0074] Thus, for example, the receiving slab 2 can be designed so that said surface of the receiving slab is horizontal when the receiving slab 2 is placed on a surface of a worktop 1.

[0075] Alternatively, the docking slab 2 can be designed so that said surface is inclined when the docking slab 2 is arranged on a surface of a work surface 1. In such a case, the docking slab 2 further includes a retainer for holding the terminal 21, or its communication interface, in a given position on said surface.

[0076] Such a restraint may include a sensor, for example a weight sensor, to detect the presence of one or more terminals 21 or communication interfaces of said terminals 21 on said surface, and possibly to identify a terminal, a terminal type, a terminal model, a terminal communication interface type or a terminal communication interface model, by comparison with an associated weight indication in a database of said terminal, terminal type, terminal model, terminal communication interface type or terminal communication interface model.

[0077] The communication device may also include a mounting system for the terminal 21 or its communication interface. For example, such a mounting system may be provided as part of the docking panel 2.

[0078] The home screen comprises a plurality of light sources 2a. The communication interface of terminal 21 comprises at least one light source 21a.

[0079] It is understood that the light sources 2a, 21a are: communicating, in that they can transmit signals, controllable, in that said signals can be emitted in response to a received command, and addressable in that they have, individually or in groups, both a proper address such as a MAC address and a dedicated physical port.

[0080] Light sources 2a, 21a can be located in direct line of sight or visible via an optical tunnel and can consist, for example, of individual LEDs, or of groups of LEDs forming a screen.

[0081] The home panel includes a plurality of photoreceptors 2b. The communication interface of terminal 21 includes at least one photoreceptor 21b.

[0082] It is understood that photoreceptors 2b, 21b are also controllable and addressable individually or in groups.

[0083] Photoreceptors 2b and 21b can be located in direct line of sight or be accessible via an optical tunnel and can be individual photoreceptors or form groups of photoreceptors, each group constituting a sensor, such as a photo or video optical sensor. Thus, for example, terminal 21 can be equipped with an optical sensor as a "photoreceptor" 21b.

[0084] The light sources 2a, 21a can be designed to emit in at least one wavelength band, which may belong, for example, to the visible spectrum and / or the infrared spectrum. At least one light source 21a of the terminal 21 is configured to communicate via light waves with at least some of the plurality of photoreceptors 2b of the docking panel 2. Furthermore, at least some of the plurality of light sources 2a of the docking panel 2 is configured to communicate via light waves with at least one photoreceptor 21b of the terminal 21.

[0085] It may also be provided for the activation of the plurality of photoreceptors 2b and / or the plurality of light sources 2a of the reception slab in response to a detection by the weight sensor of the presence of a terminal 21 or its communication interface on said surface.

[0086] Thus, the plurality of photoreceptors 2b and / or the plurality of light sources 2a of the landing slab 2 do not need to be activated permanently, which provides the economic and ecological advantages associated with minimizing energy consumption.

[0087] The light sources 2a are interposed, individually or in groups, with the photoreceptors 2b so that the home screen can be subdivided into zones, each zone comprising a portion of the plurality of light sources 2a and a portion of the plurality of photoreceptors 2b. Thus, it is possible, for each zone of the home screen, to pair a terminal with such a zone.

[0088] In the example embodiment shown on the [ Fig. 3 ], the light sources 2a and the photoreceptors 2b are distributed so as to form a matrix network comprising a network of light sources intertwined with a network of photoreceptors.

[0089] Other distributions, homogeneous or inhomogeneous, of light sources 2a and / or photoreceptors 2b are possible.

[0090] Alternatively, if we now refer to the [ Fig. 10 ], the photoreceptors 2b can belong to a photo or video sensor 25b. This sensor can be placed behind a semi-transparent LED screen 25a comprising the light sources 2a.

[0091] The communication device may include a router 4, light sources 2a, and photoreceptors 2b, individually or in groups. The router 4 directs the signals to a specific light source 2a or part of the screen, and accepts signals from a specific photoreceptor 2b or part of the photo or video sensor, directing them to a modem or another device.

[0092] The communication device includes a central unit 5 comprising at least one memory and a processor connected to the memory and to at least one communication interface (for example the router 4) with the docking plate 2. The central unit 5 can further be associated, for example integrated, with the work surface 1.

[0093] The memory of the central processing unit 5 stores a series of instructions allowing the central processing unit 5, when executed by the processor, to select a portion of the plurality of light sources 2a and / or a portion of the plurality of photoreceptors 2b. An example of implementing such a selection is software enabling the central processing unit 5 to control the router 4.

[0094] The central unit 5's memory also stores a series of instructions enabling the central unit 5, when the instructions are executed by the processor, to communicate via a physical channel in Communicating Light with a partner pairing application hosted by terminal 21.

[0095] The central unit can be connected to a network gateway 3 allowing interfacing between the Communicating Light network and at least one external LAN / WAN network, for example internet access for Communicating Light terminals.

[0096] The central unit can be connected to a modem 6 for pairing between a part of the plurality of light sources 2a and a part of the plurality of photoreceptors 2b, on the one hand, and terminal 21, on the other hand.

[0097] Reference is now also being made to the [ Fig. 8 ] which is a schematic diagram representing the connections and operation of a router of a communication device according to an example implementation.

[0098] In this example, the home panel 2 includes an array of ten LEDs as light sources 2a and an array of ten discrete photodiodes as photoreceptors 2b.

[0099] The array of ten discrete photodiodes is intertwined with the array of ten LEDs.

[0100] Router 4 includes: a photodiode mixer 19, configured to receive a stream 9b of modulated electrical signals from the photodiodes 2b and indicators of light signals received by the photodiodes 2b, a signal adder 17 configured to receive from the photodiode mixer 19 a stream of modulated electrical signals, selected by the mixer 19 from the stream 9b, and destined for a Communicating Light to LAN / WAN modem 3, a modulating electrical signal shaping module 14 destined for the Communicating Light to LAN / WAN modem 3, a signal adder 18 configured to receive from the photodiode mixer 19 a stream of modulated electrical signals, selected by the mixer 19 from the stream 9b, and destined for a pairing modem 6, a modulating electrical signal shaping module 15 destined for the pairing modem 6.

[0101] Router 4 also includes a 20-LED fan / duplicator configured for: receive from the Communicating Light modem to LAN / WAN 3 an analog data exchange stream 8 in LAN / WAN access, receive from the pairing modem 6 an analog data exchange stream 12 in pairing, receive from the central unit 5 a digital command stream 11, and emit a modulated current stream 9a to the LEDs 2a on the basis of the analog data exchange stream 8 in LAN / WAN access, the analog data exchange stream 12 in pairing and the digital command stream 11.

[0102] When a serial / parallel converter 16 receives a configuration command from the router 4 on its serial interface, it splits the command into two components, one for a mixer / duplicator 20 of the LEDs and the other for a mixer 19 of the photodiodes.

[0103] For the LED switcher / duplicator 20, it can be planned to use the values ​​of two bits of the command, hereafter "bit d" and "bit e", to select the type of signals to be emitted by the LEDs 2a. Thus, it can be planned that if bit d is 1, the LEDs 2a associated with outputs f0 to f9 whose bit is 1 will be used for LAN / WAN access, and if bit e is 1, the LEDs 2a associated with outputs f0 to f9 whose bit is 1 will be used for pairing communication.

[0104] For the photodiode mixer, it can be planned to rely on the values ​​of two bits of the command, hereinafter "bit a" and "bit b", for the interpretation of the signals received by the photodiodes 2b. Thus, it can be planned that if bit a is 1, the photodiodes associated with inputs c0 to c9 whose bit is 1 will be used for LAN / WAN access, and if bit b is 1, the photodiodes associated with inputs c0 to c9 whose bit is 1 will be used for pairing communication.

[0105] For its part, here, the central unit 5 proceeds where appropriate by bursts of two messages, the first concerning for example bits b and e with a selection of photodiodes and LEDs for pairing communication, and the second concerning for example bits a and d with a selection of photodiodes and LEDs for LAN / WAN access communication, while ensuring no duplication in these selections.

[0106] The use and operation of the device described above can, for example, be described as follows, with reference to the [ Fig. 7 ].

[0107] The Communicating Light interface occupies an arbitrarily large portion of the workspace and is initially in the following state: standby on the light source side 2a, and in permanent or periodic listening on all photoreceptors 2b.

[0108] The user positions the Communicating Light interface of their terminal on the arbitrarily large part of the workspace that allows for Communicating Light communication, opposite it, as represented for example on the [ Fig. 4 ].

[0109] The user launches on his terminal 21 the ad hoc pairing application App Appair, which commands the emission, by at least one light source 21a, of a light initialization signal SIGN INIT in that it allows to initialize a contact with the communication device.

[0110] For example, the SIGN INIT initialization light signal can carry a sequence of pairing requests associated with an identifier (e.g., a MAC address) specific to terminal 21.

[0111] The central unit 5 of the communication device receives and decodes these successive requests and determines SELEC REC which of the photoreceptors 2b or of the pixels of the optical sensor receives the initialization light signal SIGN INIT, if necessary by selecting them successively one by one or group by group SCAN.

[0112] The central unit 5 then commands in return the emission of SIGN APPAIR signals by successively selecting one by one or group by group the LEDs 2a or emission pixels, and by inserting for example in these responses the individual or group address (for example a MAC address) of the LEDs and pixels concerned.

[0113] In the example above, where the initialization light signal carries a sequence of pairing requests, the pairing signals emitted by the LEDs 2a each carry a response to a received pairing request. It is possible to include in these responses, for example, the individual or group address (e.g., a MAC address) of the LEDs and pixels involved.

[0114] The mobile terminal pairing application 21 receives REC APPAIR one or some of the pairing signals emitted by the LEDs 2a via its Communicating Light interface, in particular via at least one photoreceptor 21b, and sends REP APPAIR via this interface to the communication device application, in a pairing message, the address or addresses received (e.g. MAC addresses).

[0115] Communication device 2 can then: decode this pairing message, determine on this basis SELEC EM the LEDs 2a whose pairing signals have been correctly received and sent back by terminal 21, and thus control ROUT EM REC the routing of the modulations and demodulations of Communicating Light to and from the LAN / WAN network for only the LEDs, pixels and photoreceptors concerned.

[0116] The other communication elements are therefore no longer used for the Communicating Light connection.

[0117] The pairing application of terminal 21 can then open the Communicating Light communication channel to the network, and open a LAN / WAN COM communication session with the network, using for example a protocol such as IEEE 802.11bb or IEEE 802.15.7.

[0118] In some embodiments, in parallel, at arbitrary intervals, the terminal pairing application re-emits pairing request messages,

[0119] In some embodiments, in parallel, according to another arbitrary periodicity, the application of the work plan tests the neighboring Communicating Light elements by repeating the pairing request detection sequence, which ensures a local and rapid handover, because it is processed at the lowest level (short circuit), in case of movement such as represented for example on the [ Fig. 5 ] of the terminal or its interface in Communicating Light on the work surface, by changing the work surface side of the LEDs, pixels and photoreceptors ensuring light communication.

[0120] In some embodiments, in parallel, according to another arbitrary periodicity, the work plan application tests neighboring Communicating Light elements by repeating the pairing request detection sequence to ensure at the local level the possible presence, as represented for example on the [ Fig. 6 ], from another Communicating Light terminal on the work surface, carrying another identifier for its pairing application.

[0121] Thus, the active part of the work surface that alone provides the light emission can remain hidden by the terminal placed on this work surface, while continuing even when it is moved, which provides the double advantage of confidentiality at the physical level of communication and of not dazzling users when they have to work in a dark or night environment.

[0122] In some embodiments, the hardware and software driver devices for the photo / video sensor and the semi-transparent LED screen can be integrated into a single piece of equipment, such as a common nano-computer like a Raspberry Pi or an Arduino.

[0123] In certain embodiments, the application managing the Communicating Light network interface may, if it receives signals from the terminal on several of its photoreceptors, limit the use of its reception and demodulation resources for the communication session between the terminal and the network to a reduced number of these photoreceptors, chosen to be located as close as possible to the center of gravity of the photoreceptors concerned.

[0124] In some alternative or complementary embodiments to the previous one, the application managing the Communicating Light network interface may, if it receives signals from the terminal on several of its photoreceptors, limit the use of its reception and demodulation resources for the communication session between the terminal and the network to a reduced number of these photoreceptors, chosen to receive a higher light power than the others.

[0125] In certain embodiments, the application managing the Communicating Light network interface may, if it receives information from the terminal that it is receiving a signal from several of its photoemitters, LEDs or screen pixels, limit the use of its transmission and modulation resources for the communication session between the terminal and the network to a reduced number of these photoemitters, chosen to be located as close as possible to the center of gravity of the photoemitters concerned.

[0126] In some embodiments, the application managing the Communicating Light network interface may host a lookup table associating in the same map (topology) the photo-emitting and photo-receiving elements that it manages, allowing it to limit its emissions from the pairing sequence to only the LEDs or screen pixels topologically associated with the photo-receivers receiving a signal from the terminal.

[0127] In some embodiments, pairing requests will be made by the work surface, and responses by the terminal, for example upon detection of a contact on the work surface (by the terminal, by the user).

[0128] In some embodiments, the user will be able to directly adjust the value of the surface area of ​​the luminous communication zone of the work surface, either by a control device located on it, or via a control accessible on the user interface of the terminal pairing application.

[0129] In some embodiments, the light power used for the pairing procedure may advantageously be reduced compared to that required to communicate with the LAN / WAN network, so as not to dazzle users.

[0130] In some embodiments, the light frequency used for the pairing procedure may advantageously be different (red or infrared for example) from that required to communicate with the LAN / WAN network, so as not to dazzle or disturb users.

[0131] In some embodiments, the pairing modems 3 and LAN / WAN 6 can be combined into a single piece of equipment supporting both functions.

[0132] In certain embodiments, as illustrated in [ Fig. 2 ], [ Fig. 9 ] And [ Fig. 11 ], the modem 3 supporting pairing and the central unit 5 can be combined into a single piece of equipment supporting these two functions.

[0133] In some embodiments, the pairing procedure can be accelerated by proceeding in several steps, rather than by proceeding by a global scan of all LEDs, photodiodes or pixels: the addresses (MAC for example) will thus be variable and assigned to groups of these elements, smaller and smaller at each step of the process for which only the "responding" elements are selected, until down to the appropriate elementary level, for example that of an LED and a discrete photodiode, or a small group of pixels.

[0134] This disclosure is not limited to the examples described above in support of the figures, which are only presented as examples to facilitate understanding of the invention, but encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may consider in the context of the protection sought.

Claims

1. Communication device comprising: - a docking panel (2) comprising a plurality of photoreceptors (2b) and a plurality of light sources (2a) interjacent with the photoreceptors, the plurality of photoreceptors and the plurality of light sources being suitable for free-space optical communication, and - a system unit (5), connected to the docking panel, the system unit being configured, when a portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the docking panel receives a light signal from at least one light source of a free-space-optical-communication interface of a terminal (21) not paired with the docking panel: - to obtain an initialization signal comprising an identification of said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors, - to select, among the plurality of light sources of the docking panel, a portion of the plurality of light sources in immediate proximity to said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors, based on said identification, - to command emission of a pairing signal by said portion of the plurality of light sources, - to obtain a response signal indicative of a signal emitted by said free-space-optical-communication interface of said terminal in response to the emission of the pairing signal and received by said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the docking panel, - to command pairing of said terminal to said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the docking panel and to said portion of the plurality of light sources of the docking panel based on the response signal, and - the system unit further being configured, once the terminal has been paired with said portion of the plurality of light sources, to command emission of a signal dedicated to re-evaluation of the position of the terminal with respect to the docking panel.

2. Communication device according to the preceding claim, comprising a modem (6) connected to the system unit, the modem being configured: - to receive the command for the system unit to emit a pairing signal, - to command said portion of the plurality of light sources of the docking panel to emit the pairing signal, and - to receive the command for the system unit to pair.

3. Communication device according to either of the preceding claims, comprising a network gateway (3) connected to the system unit, the network gateway being configured, when network communication between said paired terminal and the network gateway is permitted by the system unit: - to form a physical free-space-optical-communication channel between said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors and said paired terminal, and - to set up a communication between the physical free-space-optical-communication channel and a wide-area network (WAN).

4. Communication device according to any of the preceding claims, the system unit further being configured to periodically generate a command to emit a confirmation signal, the confirmation signal being identical to the pairing signal and being emitted by said portion of the plurality of light sources.

5. Communication device according to any of the preceding claims, the system unit further being configured to periodically generate a command to emit a movement-detection signal, the detection signal being identical to the pairing signal and being emitted by an unpaired portion adjacent to said portion of the plurality of light sources of the docking panel.

6. Communication device according to any of the preceding claims, the system unit further being configured to command emission of a modified pairing signal, different from the pairing signal and emitted by an unpaired portion of said portion of the plurality of light sources of the docking panel.

7. Communication device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pairing signal is emitted in a first wavelength band and the physical free-space-optical-communication channel is active in a second wavelength band, the first and the second wavelength bands being mutually exclusive.

8. Method for pairing a terminal to a docking panel comprising a plurality of photoreceptors and a plurality of light sources interjacent with the photoreceptors, the plurality of photoreceptors and the plurality of light sources being suitable for free-space optical communication, the method comprising, when a portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the docking panel receives a light signal from at least one light source of a free-space-optical-communication interface of the terminal and when the terminal is unpaired with the docking panel: - to obtain an initialization signal comprising an identification of said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors, - to select, among the plurality of light sources of the docking panel, a portion of the plurality of light sources in immediate proximity to said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors, based on said identification, - to command emission of a pairing signal by said portion of the plurality of light sources, - to obtain a response signal indicative of a signal emitted by said free-space-optical-communication interface of said terminal in response to the emission of the pairing signal and received by said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the docking panel, - to command pairing of said terminal to said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the docking panel and to said portion of the plurality of light sources of the docking panel based on the response signal, and the method further comprising, once the terminal has been paired with said portion of the plurality of light sources, commanding emission of a signal dedicated to re-evaluation of the position of the terminal with respect to the docking panel.

9. Pairing method according to the preceding claim, the terminal further comprising a processing circuit connected to at least one photoreceptor (21b) and to said at least one light source (21a), the method further comprising: - commanding, by means of the processing circuit, emission of the light signal by said at least one light source of the terminal, - obtaining, by means of the processing circuit, the pairing signal with said at least one photoreceptor of the terminal, and - commanding, by means of the processing circuit, emission of the response signal in response to the pairing signal.

10. System comprising a device according to any of Claims 1 to 7 and a terminal (21) comprising a free-space-optical-communication interface.

11. Computer program containing instructions for implementing the pairing method according to either of Claims 8 and 9 when said instructions are executed by a processor.

12. System unit (5) of a device according to any of Claims 1 to 7, the system unit comprising a processor connected to a memory and to at least one communication interface enabling communication with a docking panel (2), said docking panel comprising a plurality of photoreceptors (2b) and a plurality of light sources (2a) interjacent with the photoreceptors, the plurality of photoreceptors and the plurality of light sources being suitable for free-space optical communication, the system unit being configured, when a portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the docking panel receives a light signal from at least one light source of a free-space-optical-communication interface of a terminal (21) not paired with the docking panel: - to obtain an initialization signal comprising an identification of said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors, - to select, among the plurality of light sources of the docking panel, a portion of the plurality of light sources in immediate proximity to said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors, based on said identification, - to command emission of a pairing signal by said portion of the plurality of light sources, - to obtain a response signal indicative of a signal emitted by said free-space-optical-communication interface of said terminal in response to the emission of the pairing signal and received by said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the docking panel, - to command pairing of said terminal to said portion of the plurality of photoreceptors of the docking panel and to said portion of the plurality of light sources of the docking panel based on the response signal, and the system unit being configured, once the terminal has been paired with said portion of the plurality of light sources, to command emission of a signal dedicated to re-evaluation of the position of the terminal with respect to the docking panel.