阅读说明：本技术 定位于预给定区域中的通信终端与通信对方站之间的无线数据传输 (Wireless data transmission between a communication terminal located in a predetermined area and a communication partner station ) 是由 A.万德勒 于 2018-05-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于在定位于预给定区域中的通信终端(106)与连接至通信网络(48)的通信对方站(28)之间无线传输数据的系统(18),该系统具有：-布置在所述预给定区域中的照明装置(110、112、114、116),-通信对方站(28),-在所述通信对方站(28)和所述照明装置(110、112、114、116)的传输设施(30、32、34、36)之间的第一无线光学通信连接(40、42、44、46),以及-在所述照明装置(110、112、114、116)的所述传输设施(30、32、34、36)和所述通信终端(106)之间的第二无线通信连接(38)。(The invention relates to a system (18) for the wireless transmission of data between a communication terminal (106) located in a predetermined area and a communication partner station (28) connected to a communication network (48), having: -a lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116) arranged in the predetermined area, -a communication partner station (28), -a first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) between the communication partner station (28) and a transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) of the lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116), and-a second wireless communication connection (38) between the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) of the lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116) and the communication terminal (106).)

1. A lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116) for wireless data transmission between a communication terminal (106) located in a predetermined area and a communication partner station (28) connected to a communication network (48),

it is characterized in that

Lighting installations (20, 22, 24, 26) which can be arranged in the predetermined region, and

a transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) which is arranged in the lighting facility (20, 22, 24, 26) or directly on the lighting facility (20, 22, 24, 26) and is configured to establish a first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) to the communication partner station (28) and a second wireless communication connection (38) to the communication terminal (106) for the transmission of the data.

2. The lighting device as set forth in claim 1,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) has an optical transmitting and receiving unit (100, 102) for establishing the first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) with the communication partner station (28).

3. The lighting device as set forth in claim 2,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the optical transmitting and receiving unit (100, 102) is designed to emit and/or receive light in a frequency range which is individually allocated to the transmission facility.

4. The lighting device according to claim 2 or 3,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the optical transmitting and receiving unit (100, 102) has an optical transmitting element (74, 76) which is designed to emit the light in a directional manner in the direction of the communication partner station (28) in order to establish the first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46).

5. The lighting device as set forth in claim 4,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the optical transmitting and receiving unit (100, 102) is designed to align the optical transmitting element (74, 76) and/or the optical receiving element (70, 72) of the optical transmitting and receiving unit (100, 102) preferably automatically with the communication partner station (28).

6. The lighting device according to claim 4 or 5,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the optical transmitting and receiving unit (100, 102) is configured to focus the emitted light onto a receiving element (58) of the communication partner station (28) assigned to the transmission facility.

7. The lighting device according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) has a near field radio unit for establishing the second wireless communication connection (38) with the communication terminal (106).

8. The lighting device according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) has a further optical transmitting and receiving unit for establishing the second wireless communication connection (38) with the communication terminal (106).

9. The lighting device according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the second wireless communication connection (38) is an optical communication connection, and the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) has an optical light deflecting element (104) for optically connecting the first optical wireless communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) with the second wireless communication connection (38).

10. The lighting device according to one of the preceding claims,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) has a power connection for connecting to a power supply unit of the lighting facility (20, 22, 24, 26).

11. A communication partner station (28) having a fastening device for fixedly arranging the communication partner station (28) and a communication unit (108) connectable with a communication network (48) for establishing a communication connection to at least one lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the communication unit (108) is designed to establish the communication connection as a first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) to a transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) of the at least one lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116).

12. The communication partner station according to claim 11,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the communication unit (108) has, for the transmission facilities (30, 32, 34, 36) of the at least one lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116), an optical transmitting element (50, 52, 54, 56) which can be allocated individually to the transmission facilities (30, 32, 34, 36) and/or an optical receiving element (58) which can be allocated individually to the transmission facilities (30, 32, 34, 36).

13. The communication partner station according to claim 11 or 12,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the communication unit (108) is designed to transmit and/or receive light for a first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) to the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) of the at least one lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116) in a frequency range which is individually allocated to the at least one transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36).

14. Communication partner station according to one of claims 11 to 13,

it is characterized in that

A logging unit configured to receive a start signal emitted by the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) of the at least one lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116) which is individually assigned to the at least one transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36), and to establish the first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) to the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) of the at least one lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116) individually.

15. A method for wireless data transmission between a communication terminal (106) located in a predetermined area and a communication partner station (28) connected to a communication network (48),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

establishing a first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) between the communication partner station (28) and a transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) of a lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116), the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) being arranged in the lighting facility (20, 22, 24, 26) of the lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116) or directly on the lighting facility (20, 22, 24, 26), the lighting facility (20, 22, 24, 26) being arranged in the predetermined area, and

a second wireless communication connection (38) is established between the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) and the communication terminal (106).

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the wireless data transmission via the first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) is done in a frequency range individually allocated to the transmission facilities (30, 32, 34, 36).

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

data transmitted via the first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) is encrypted with an encryption assigned to the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36).

18. The method according to one of claims 15 to 17,

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) registers with the communication partner station (28) with an individual identification for establishing the first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46).

19. A system (18) for wireless data transmission between a communication terminal (106) located in a predetermined area and a communication partner station (28) connected to a communication network (48),

it is characterized in that

The lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116) according to claims 1 to 10, being arranged in the predefined area,

communication partner station (28) according to claim 11 to 14,

a first wireless optical communication connection (40, 42, 44, 46) between the communication partner station (28) and the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) of the lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116), and

a second wireless communication connection (38) between the transmission facility (30, 32, 34, 36) of the lighting device (110, 112, 114, 116) and the communication terminal (106).

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a lighting device for wirelessly transmitting data between a communication terminal located in a predetermined area and a communication partner station connected to a communication network. Furthermore, the invention relates to a communication partner station having a fastening device for fixedly arranging the communication partner station and a communication unit connectable to the communication network for establishing a communication connection to at least one lighting device. The invention further relates to a method for the wireless transmission of data between a communication terminal located in a predetermined area and a communication partner station connected to a communication network. Finally, the invention also relates to a system for the wireless transmission of data between a communication terminal located in a predetermined area and a communication partner station connected to a communication network.

Background

Lighting devices, communication partners, general methods and also general systems of the general type are well known in the art, so that no separate written evidence is required for this purpose. The system is used for establishing a communication connection between the communication terminal and the communication partner station, so that data can be transmitted, in particular to the communication network. For this purpose, for example, WLAN routers may be provided in the prior art. The communication terminal is preferably a mobile communication terminal which is in particular connected in a wireless communication manner with the communication partner station. Such a communication terminal may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a PDA, etc. In addition, however, the communication terminal may also be a computer, for example a PC, in particular a desktop PC. The communication partner station is preferably a device adapted to exchange data with the communication terminal. Therefore, in the simplest case, the communication partner station may also be a communication terminal as explained above, or may also be a PC or the like. In addition, however, the communication partner station may also be another data technology facility, for example comprising a memory unit for storing data. In particular, the communication partner station includes a communication unit which itself is connected to a communication network such as the internet, an intranet, or the like. Thus, the communication partner station may be, for example, a gateway or the like.

The invention relates in particular to the following problems: how a wireless communication connection can be established between a communication terminal and a communication partner station, in particular a communication network connected to the communication partner station.

With the increasing demand for being able to achieve high data rates and the increasing use of electrically available services, a high increase is expected, in particular for mobile data rates. The available technologies, in particular those based on WLAN or mobile radio communication standards, can contribute to this only to a very limited extent or already partly reach the technical capacity limit. In the field of mobile radio communication, it has become customary in this respect to provide additional transmitting stations and to allocate these more finely. However, this requires a significant technical and capital investment.

In the building field, retrofitting can be achieved, in particular for existing buildings that require laying of corresponding wired communication paths, e.g. based on ethernet or the like. In addition, new technologies such as power over ethernet may be used in new buildings where both power and data can only be transmitted via a single line connection.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention is based on the object of improving the capacity of wireless communication in a simple manner.

As a solution, with the invention, a lighting device, a communication partner station, a method and a system according to the independent claims are proposed.

Further advantageous embodiments are obtained on the basis of the features of the dependent claims.

With regard to the generic lighting device, it is proposed in particular by the invention that the lighting device has a lighting facility, which can be arranged in the predetermined region, and a transmission facility, which is arranged in the lighting facility or directly on the lighting facility and is designed to establish a first wireless optical communication connection to the communication partner station and a second wireless communication connection to the communication terminal for transmitting the data.

With regard to the universal communication partner station, it is particularly proposed that the communication unit is designed to establish the communication connection as a first wireless optical communication connection to the transmission facility of the at least one lighting device.

With regard to the general method, it is particularly proposed that the method comprises the following steps:

-establishing a first wireless optical communication connection between the communication partner station and a transmission facility of a lighting device, the transmission facility being arranged in or directly on a lighting facility of the lighting device, the lighting facility being arranged in the predetermined area; and

-establishing a second wireless communication connection between the transmission facility and the communication terminal.

With regard to the generic system, it is proposed in particular that the system has a lighting device according to the invention, a communication partner station according to the invention, a first wireless optical communication connection between the communication partner station and a transmission facility of the lighting device, and a second wireless communication connection between the transmission facility of the lighting device and the communication terminal, which are arranged in the predetermined area.

The invention makes it possible to create additional capacity in a simple manner by, for example, integrating a transmission facility in an already existing lighting facility, thereby forming a lighting device capable of providing a corresponding communication path. Improved data transmission is thereby achieved without the need to lay additional wired connections.

The communication partner station is preferably arranged in an optical line of sight distance from the transmission facility, so that data transmission can be provided via a wireless optical communication connection. Therefore, no cabling or the like is required in this respect. By arranging the transport facility of the lighting device preferably simultaneously in or on the lighting facility of the lighting device, for example by integrating the transport facility in a housing of the lighting facility or the like, it is preferably also not necessary to provide the transport facility with its own devices which should be installed in a predetermined location in the predetermined area.

In addition, this embodiment makes it possible to supply electrical energy from the lighting installation to the transmission installation, so that an own power supply for the transmission installation can be saved. This also has the following advantages: no separate wiring is required for the power supply of the transmission facility. Especially in indoor areas, luminaires are provided as powered and evenly distributed data nodes in order to be able to integrate the transmission facilities.

The first wireless optical communication connection is in particular a communication connection which is designed as a short-range communication connection. For this reason, it is particularly suitable for use inside buildings, i.e. in indoor areas. The short-range communication link is characterized in that it is designed for a communication range of a few meters, for example in the range of approximately 0 to 25 meters, preferably in the range of 0.5 to 15 meters.

The transmission facility is preferably arranged on the lighting facility in such a way that it is within an optical line of sight distance from the communication partner station. A direct wireless optical communication connection can thereby be established between the transmission facility and the communication partner station. In addition, however, the transmission facility can also be retrofitted to form a lighting device if a lighting facility is already present.

The first wireless optical communication connection itself may be realized by using light, in particular infrared light, ultraviolet light, etc., preferably outside the human visible light range. In this case, the transmission facility and preferably also the communication partner station are arranged such that the first optical wireless communication connection is substantially free of interference by persons located or staying in the predetermined area. It is therefore particularly preferred to arrange the lighting installation on the ceiling of a room in which the predefined area is at least partially located. The predetermined area can thus be determined by the lighting device, in particular its lighting means, preferably by the position of the transport means.

Likewise, the communication partner station is preferably arranged in an upper region of the room, for example in an upper region of a wall of the room or likewise on a ceiling, so that a largely interference-free first wireless optical communication connection can be realized. However, it can also be provided that the communication partner station is arranged in a suitable manner, for example on a tower, a pole or another component, so that a substantially undisturbed optical line of sight to the transmission facility can be achieved. The invention is therefore particularly advantageously suitable for use in closed rooms of buildings, for example in lobbies, meeting rooms and the like. In addition, however, the invention can equally well be used in a predetermined outdoor area, which is illuminated, for example, by means of a lighting installation. This can be done, for example, in waiting areas at train stations or the like. The transmission facility can also be arranged in a lighting facility for constructing the lighting device. The communication partner station can be positioned on an outer wall of, for example, a station building or the like, so that an undisturbed optical line of sight can be achieved.

The communication partner station is preferably a communication facility which in turn is connected to a communication network, such as the internet, a corporate intranet, or the like. For this purpose, the communication partner station preferably has a communication connection end, whereby the possibility is provided of coupling a communication terminal, which is communicatively connected to the transmission facility via a second wireless communication connection, to the communication network via the communication partner station. In this case, it has proven advantageous if very high data rates can be achieved with the first wireless optical communication connection on account of the physical properties. A communication connection with a high data rate can thus be provided both to a single communication terminal and when a plurality of communication terminals are to be connected. In addition, the invention is of course also suitable for communicatively coupling more than one lighting device or transmission facility with the communication partner station via the first optical wireless communication connection and in this way approximates the provision of an own communication network in a predetermined room.

It can of course be provided that for each lighting device or transmission facility, a separate communication partner station is provided which is assigned to the lighting device or transmission facility. However, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if a plurality of lighting devices or transmission facilities can jointly use a communication partner station, in particular if they are used for connecting to a communication network. In this connection, the communication partner station may be constructed as a gateway or include a gateway.

With the invention it is thus possible in a simple manner to provide or improve existing communication possibilities in existing rooms or outdoor areas. By e.g. being able to arrange the transmission facilities in or on existing lighting facilities to form lighting devices, no additional modification or provision of a separate wired communication infrastructure is required. In this case, only the transmission facility is correspondingly arranged on the lighting facility. Accordingly, a corresponding communication partner station is provided which can provide a connection to the communication network, such as the internet, even if the communication partner station can itself be a communication terminal or another data technology facility, such as a data memory, depending on the situation itself.

The transport facility may comprise its own housing or mounting frame or the like. Preferably, however, the transport facility is only equipped with fastening means which allow to fix the transport facility on or in or integrated into the lighting facility. The fastening means may for example be formed by a fastening clip, which may be connected to the housing or frame of the lighting fixture with clips and/or screws or the like. Thereby, the lighting device can be formed in a simple manner.

The second wireless communication connection is used to establish a communication connection between the lighting device or transmission facility and the communication terminal. Preferably, the communication connection is also a short-range communication connection which allows a communication terminal located in the predetermined area to make a communication connection with the transmission facility. The predefined area is thus determined in particular by the position of the lighting device or the transmission facility and their transmission and/or reception characteristics. Preferably, the predefined region substantially corresponds to a region illuminated by means of a lighting device of the lighting apparatus in a predetermined lighting operation. It is thus directly visible to the user of the communication terminal how far the predefined area extends, so that the user can suitably select his dwell position in the predefined area in order to be able to ensure a reliable communication connection to the lighting device or transmission facility.

It can of course also be provided that, in the case of a plurality of lighting devices or transmission facilities, which can be arranged, for example, on the same lighting facility or else on different, preferably adjacently arranged lighting facilities, an overlap of the predefined regions can occur, so that the communication terminal can establish a communication connection not only to a single lighting device or transmission facility but also to two or more lighting devices or transmission facilities depending on the overlap of the respective predefined regions.

The invention has therefore proved to be particularly advantageous for use in enclosed rooms, in which a work table, such as a desk or the like, is illuminated, for example by means of a ceiling lamp. By arranging the lighting device or the transmission facility on the respective lighting facility, a second wireless communication connection can be established in a simple manner, in particular when the luminaire is mounted on a ceiling. By this embodiment, it is further achieved that: the second wireless communication connection can also be configured essentially as a short-range radio connection and essentially undisturbed.

According to one development, the transmission facility has an optical transmitting and receiving unit for establishing a first wireless optical communication connection with the communication partner station. A special type of communication connection can thereby be provided, which can be constructed cost-effectively and/or energy-effectively and at the same time allows high data transmission rates. In addition, special components and assemblies suitable for correspondingly high data transmission rates may be used, for example based on the optical fidelity technology (Li-Fi) system. Preferably, the communication partner station has a correspondingly matched optical transmitting and receiving unit.

The optical transmitting and receiving unit is advantageously configured to emit and/or receive light in a frequency range which is individually allocated to the transmission facility. In particular, light having a color individually assigned to the transmission facilities may be emitted and/or received. In this way, not only a particularly reliable, in particular interference-free, communication connection can be achieved, but also a plurality of transmission facilities can be connected to a communication partner station and/or vice versa, preferably with a separate first wireless optical communication connection. It can thus be provided that in the case of a plurality of transmission facilities, each transmission facility is assigned its own individually allocated frequency range. By thus communicating in the respective frequency ranges, the communication partner station can select with which of these transmission facilities it remains in communication connection. This can, of course, also be arranged in reverse, depending on the situation, for example when a transmission facility maintains a first wireless optical communication connection to more than one unique communication partner station. It can then be provided here that the communication partner station is selected accordingly by selecting the respective frequency range by the transmission facility. Such an embodiment has proven to be advantageous in particular when the communication partner station is used as a relay station in order to be able to communicatively couple other transmission facilities that would otherwise not be within the communication range, for example, because a wireless optical communication connection is not possible for reasons of obstacles or the like.

The optical transmitting and receiving unit preferably has an optical transmitting element which is designed to emit light in a directional manner in the direction of the communication partner station in order to establish the first wireless optical communication connection. For this purpose, the transmitting element can have a suitable light source, for example a light-emitting diode, a laser diode, a combination circuit thereof or the like, which can be modulated depending on the data to be transmitted. Additionally, the transmitting element may also include optical elements such as mirrors, prisms, lenses, combinations thereof, and the like. This allows light to be emitted in the direction of the communication partner station, so that it can be used as completely as possible for the communication connection. In this way, it is not necessary to illuminate a spatial region that is not located in the direction of the communication partner station with light of the transmitting element. This naturally also applies, depending on the circumstances, to the opposite case, i.e. the communication partner station has a corresponding transmitting and receiving unit with an optical transmitting element.

It is furthermore proposed that the optical transmitter and receiver unit is designed such that the optical transmitter element and/or the optical receiver element of the optical transmitter and receiver unit is preferably automatically aligned with the communication partner station. This embodiment has proved to be particularly advantageous for installing a system according to the invention. If, for example, the transmission facility is subsequently fixed to the lighting facility and one or more corresponding communication partner stations are installed, the azimuth angle into which the light is to be emitted can be set, in particular due to the respective arrangement, so that a first wireless optical communication connection to the communication partner station can be established. For this purpose, one or more light deflecting elements may be provided which are mechanically movable with respect to the transmitting element, or a light source may also be provided which is mechanically movable with respect to the transmitting element. It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the transport facility has a control unit which allows the alignment to be carried out at least partially automatically. Thus, for example, it can be provided that an azimuth angle is predefined and then implemented by automatically adjusting the transmitting element. The light receiving element may be formed, for example, by a photodiode, a photoresistor, a phototransistor or also by another photosensitive member.

According to one development, the optical transmitting and receiving unit is designed to focus the emitted light onto a receiving element of the communication partner station assigned to the transmission facility. This allows the first optical wireless communication connection to be realized with a particularly low energy input. This makes it possible to achieve a high efficiency of the communication connection.

It is further proposed that the transmission facility has a near field radio unit for establishing a second wireless communication connection with the communication terminal. In this way, a close-range communication connection to the communication terminal can be established in a simple manner. For the second wireless communication connection, suitable radio standards may be used, such as WLAN, bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. This has the advantage that existing communication terminals which are usually already designed for the use of such standards can be coupled in a simple manner in terms of communication technology. No new technology needs to be set for the communication terminal. In addition, since the near field radio unit is part of the transmission facility, in particular integrated in the transmission facility, it is also possible to supply electrical energy to the near field radio unit via the transmission facility at the same time, so that separate power supply connections can be saved. This has the advantage that the investment can be reduced with respect to the installation of the system according to the invention.

Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the transmission facility has an optical communication unit for establishing a second wireless communication connection with the communication terminal. The second wireless communication link can therefore alternatively or additionally also be designed as an optical communication link, for example, similar to the first wireless optical communication link. In this case, however, it is necessary that the communication terminal likewise has a transmitting and receiving unit suitable for this, so that the second wireless communication connection can be set up in a corresponding optical manner. For this purpose, the optical communication unit may be configured accordingly in the same manner as the optical transmitting and receiving unit. Of course, the optical communication unit may also be combined with a near field radio unit in order to be able to provide the second wireless communication connection with a communication spectrum as wide as possible. Thereby, a large number of different communication terminals can be provided with a coupling of communication technologies.

It is further proposed that the second wireless communication connection is an optical communication connection and that the transmission facility has an optical light deflecting element for optically connecting the first wireless optical communication connection to the second wireless communication connection. This embodiment allows a particularly simple transmission facility to be implemented, i.e. because data conversion within the transmission facility for coupling two communication connections can be saved. It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the transmission means are coupled to two communication connections by means of the optical light-deflecting element, which may be formed, for example, by a mirror, a lens, a prism, a combination thereof or the like. This embodiment also has the following advantages: which, depending on the embodiment, does not even need its own power supply at all, since it can consist of passive components only. Of course, it is also possible to provide an optical amplification element or the like that allows optical amplification of a signal corresponding to data obtained via one of the two communication connections and emission again via the other of the two communication connections. In this case, of course, a power supply is required in order to be able to supply the energy required for this.

The transmission facility preferably has a power connection for connection to a power supply unit of the lighting facility. In this way, the transmission facility can be coupled in terms of power supply, for example, to an already existing power supply for the lighting facility. In this case, therefore, there is no need to provide a separate power supply for the transmission facility.

It is further proposed that the communication unit for the transmission facility of the at least one lighting device has an optical transmitting element which can be assigned individually to the transmission facility and/or an optical receiving element which can be assigned individually to the transmission facility. It can be provided that the transmitting element is aligned with the transmission facility assigned to it, so that preferably only the light emitted from the transmitting element can be received by the transmission facility. It has proven to be particularly advantageous if the transmitting element is designed to focus the emitted light onto the assigned transport facility. A corresponding function can also be provided for the optical receiving element. Thus, for example, it can be provided that the optical receiving element has a preferential receiving direction which is aligned with the assigned transmission facility. This can be done, for example, by means of light deflecting means (e.g. lenses, prisms, mirrors, etc.). Preferably, the optical receiving element is aligned such that it can receive light substantially only from the assigned transmission facility.

Thereby providing a selective first wireless optical communication connection for each existing transmission facility. Thus, the channel capacity of the first wireless optical communication connection need not be shared by multiple transmission facilities. This makes it possible to achieve a high data rate between the communication partner station and the transmission facility.

It is further proposed that the communication unit is configured to transmit and/or receive light for a first wireless optical communication connection to the transmission facility of the at least one lighting device in a frequency range individually assigned to at least one transmission facility. Thereby, a selective communication channel between each of the plurality of transmission facilities and the counterpart station can be realized. Separate communication channels can thus be realized between the communication partner station and the transmission facilities, which communication channels can operate substantially, in particular, independently of one another. This assignment can be done first by manual adjustment or also automatically, for example by the communication partner station transmitting the respective frequency range to the transmission facility.

According to an embodiment, the communication partner station has a registration unit which is designed to receive a start signal, which is emitted by the transmission facility of the at least one lighting device and is individually assigned to at least one transmission facility, and to establish a first wireless optical communication connection to the at least one transmission facility in a personalized manner. Thus, according to this embodiment, only the first wireless optical communication connection may need to be provided as desired. It is not necessary to maintain the first wireless optical communication connection when no data transmission is taking place. In addition, such an extension can be used to provide additional transmission facilities in a simple manner and enable a personalized first wireless optical communication connection to be established accordingly. For this purpose, a corresponding login protocol may be provided, which makes it possible to automatically connect the transmission facility to the communication partner station.

It is furthermore proposed that the wireless transmission of data via the first wireless optical communication connection is carried out in a frequency range which is individually allocated to the transmission facility. Thereby selectivity in terms of the communication channel can be achieved.

It is further proposed to encrypt data transmitted via the first wireless optical communication connection using an encryption assigned to the transmission facility. This embodiment allows not only that selectivity with respect to data transmission can be achieved, but also that, if the data transmitted by the communication partner station can be received by a plurality of transmission facilities, it can be ensured that only the transmission facility having the corresponding decryption possibility can use the transmitted data. These data are then substantially unusable for further transmission facilities.

It is further proposed that the transmission facility for establishing the first wireless optical communication connection uses an individual identification for registering with the communication partner station. The individual identification may be contained, for example in the form of data, in a start signal which is separately assigned to the transmission facility. The individual identification is a unique identification which is preferably only granted to a unique transmission facility. In this way, any assembled transmission facility and communication partner station or another location associated with the information can be identified.

Drawings

Further advantages and features can be obtained from the following description of embodiments on the basis of the figures. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like features and functions.

Fig. 1 shows, in a schematic perspective view, a communication system for a room of a building, which communication system has four lighting devices, each having a lighting facility and a transmission facility according to the invention, and a communication partner station according to the invention, which communication partner station is arranged on a wall of the room;

fig. 2 shows a schematic enlarged perspective view of a part of fig. 1, wherein two of the lighting devices are in communicative connection with the communication partner station and the communication partner station has, for each transmission facility, a photodiode assigned to that transmission facility as a transmitting element;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic as in FIG. 2, but with a multiple access solution provided therein;

fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram as in fig. 2, but in which parallel communication from the communication partner station to the transmission facilities over different frequency ranges is provided, and a multiple access solution is provided for one data transmission from the transmission facilities to the communication partner station;

fig. 5 shows a schematic diagram as in fig. 4, but in which a bidirectional parallel communication over different frequency ranges is provided;

fig. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a selection unit for selecting a predefined frequency range;

fig. 7 shows a schematic view as in fig. 1, wherein the transport facility comprises a light deflecting element.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a room 10 of a building, not further shown, comprising an approximately rectangular floor surface 108, at each outer edge of which a wall, for example a wall 16, is arranged. Opposite the floor surface 108, the room 10 has a ceiling 12 closed with walls 16. In the wall 16, an access opening with a door 14 is provided closable.

On the ceiling 12, four lighting devices 110, 112, 114, 116 with corresponding lighting installations 20, 22, 24, 26 are arranged on the indoor side, which are not described in further detail. The lighting devices 20, 22, 24, 26 each have at least one light-emitting means with which light can be emitted into the room 10 during a predetermined lighting operation. The room 10 can thus be illuminated in a predeterminable manner. The lighting fixtures 20, 22, 24, 26 can be controlled by means of light controllers, not further shown. The lighting means 20, 22, 24, 26 are supplied with electrical energy via the light controller, so that the lighting device can realize a defined lighting function by converting electrical energy into light. For this purpose, each of the lighting devices 20, 22, 24, 26 comprises a ballast, not shown in detail, by means of which the supplied electrical energy is converted in a manner suitable for the lighting means. As the light emitting device, an incandescent lamp, a light emitting diode, or the like may be provided in addition to the gas discharge lamp. Due to the arrangement of the lighting devices 110, 112, 114, 116 or the lighting fixtures 20, 22, 24, 26, the lighting fixtures 20, 22, 24, 26 emit their light in a direction downwards towards the floor surface 108.

The room 10 further comprises a communication system 18, which communication system 18 is used for wirelessly connecting a communication terminal, such as a desktop PC 106, which is only exemplarily shown, arranged in the room 10 to a communication network 48, in the present case the internet. For this purpose, each of the lighting fixtures 20, 22, 24, 26 has a Lighting Com Unit (LCU) 30, 32, 34, 36 as a transmission fixture, which in the present case is fastened directly to the respective lighting fixture 20, 22, 24, 26 and in this case to the respective housing.

In the embodiment according to fig. 1, it is provided that each LCU30, 32, 34, 36 comprises its own WLAN unit for providing a wireless short-range radio connection as a second wireless communication connection 38, by means of which the communication terminal 106 can enter the communication connection wirelessly. The communication system 18 also comprises a communication partner station in the form of a Wall Com Unit (WCU) 28, which is positionally fixedly secured in an upper region of the Wall 16, significantly above the door 14, by means of fastening means, not further shown. The WCU28 is communicatively connected to a communications network 48 (here the internet) via a connection not shown in fig. 1 as will also occur below. In addition, the WCU28 is connected to the power supply line 68 (fig. 2) of the power supply of the building (not shown).

In the embodiment according to fig. 1, it is provided that each of the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 is communicatively connected to the WCU28 via a respective first wireless optical communication connection 40, 42, 44, 46. In the present case, the first wireless optical communication connection 40, 42, 44, 46 is formed on the basis of Li-Fi (optical fidelity technology) and represents a method of optical data transmission over short distances that is optically equivalent to a standard WLAN implemented in radio technology. The LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 are communicatively connected with the WCU28 via first wireless optical communication connections 40, 42, 44, 46. By arranging the communication system 18 below the ceiling but in an adjacent area of the ceiling 12, the first wireless optical communication connections 40, 42, 44, 46 are substantially undisturbed, thereby enabling reliable data transfer between the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 and the WCU 28.

In the present case, the WCU28 is implemented in the manner of a gateway so that optically received data can be converted and forwarded to the connected internet accordingly and vice versa. These are likewise provided for the transmission facilities 30, 32, 34, 36 in this embodiment, which establish the coupling of the first wireless optical communication connections 40, 42, 44, 46 with the respective second wireless communication connection 38.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic part of the communication system 18 according to fig. 1, with which the functionality according to another embodiment is represented in detail. In this embodiment, the WCU28 is connected to the internet via a data line to the communications network 48. The WCU28 receives electrical energy for proper operation from a building power supply, not shown further, via power supply lines 68. The WCU28 also includes light emitting diodes 50, 52, 54, 56 as transmit elements, wherein each of the light emitting diodes 50, 52, 54, 56 is assigned to one of the existing LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36, respectively, for transmitting data from the WCU28 to the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36. They are accordingly aligned in terms of light emission.

Only two LCUs, LCU30 and LCU 32, are shown in FIG. 2. The LCU30 has a transmit and receive unit 100 which itself includes a photodiode 70 for receiving data from the WCU 28. By means of the photodiode 70, an optical signal transmitted from the light emitting diode 50 of the WCU28 via the optical channel 60 may be received and the data contained in said optical signal may be determined. Accordingly, the transmitting and receiving unit 100 includes, as a transmitting element, a light emitting diode 74 by means of which an optical signal for transmitting data from the LCU30 to the WCU28 can be emitted. To this end, the WCU28 includes a photodiode 58 as a receiving element.

The optical signal transmitted from the light emitting diode 74 via the optical channel 64 may be received by the photodiode 58 of the WCU28 and the data contained in the optical signal may be determined. The data is then correspondingly converted and transmitted via a data line to the communication network 48, i.e. the internet.

The situation is similar with respect to the second LCU 32, depending on the circumstances, the second LCU 32 including a transmitting and receiving unit 102 having a photodiode 72 as a receiving element and a light emitting diode 76 as a transmitting element. The light emitting diode 52 of the WCU28 is connected with the photodiode 72 via an optical communication channel as the optical channel 62. A wireless optical communication channel 66 is correspondingly provided by which light is transmitted from the light emitting diode 76 to the photodiode 58 of the WCU 28. The optical channels 60, 64 form a first one of the first wireless optical communication connections 40 and the optical channels 62, 66 form a second one of the first wireless optical communication connections 42. The other two LCUs 34, 36 are connected to the WCU28 in a corresponding manner, with each of the light emitting diodes 54, 56 assigned to a respective LCU 34, 36.

In the present embodiment, it is provided that the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 are assigned their own identifiers ID1, ID2, ID3, ID 4. Provision is made for the respectively assigned identification to be transmitted at least at the beginning of the light emission and, if appropriate, also during the further light emission, so that the assignment of data is effected.

According to a further development, the light-emitting diodes 74, 76 of the LCUs 30, 32 are aligned such that the light emitted by them is focused onto the photodiode 58 of the WCU 28. Accordingly, light emitting diodes 50, 52 are provided focused on the respectively assigned photodiodes 70, 72 of the LCUs 30, 32. This allows interference-free data transmission.

Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a communication system, such as the communication system 18 of fig. 1, wherein a multiple access solution is provided for bidirectional data transmission via a first wireless optical communication connection 40, 42, 44, 46 between the WCU28 and the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36, in contrast to the embodiment according to fig. 1. Multiple-Access (Multiple-Access) represents in communication engineering a series of methods for dividing the transmission capacity of a data transmission system between stations connected to said data transmission system. For the present embodiment, the multiple access may be implemented in different ways, for example as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), where data is transmitted in blocks according to a time division multiplexing method. Besides, a token method or also a Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) method may be provided. Further, a code multiplexing method such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) or the like may also be set. There is also a possibility that spatial multiplexing is set in the manner of Spatial Division Multiple Access (SDMA) or the like. In the embodiment according to fig. 3, in contrast to the embodiments according to fig. 1 and 2, therefore, only a single light-emitting diode 78 is also provided as a common transmitting element in the WCU28, by means of which light-emitting diode 78 the first wireless optical communication connection 40, 42, 44, 46 can be established in common.

Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a communication system 18 according to the invention, which is based on the embodiment according to fig. 3, so that supplementary reference is made to the relevant implementation. In this embodiment, a multiple access solution is provided for communication from the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 to the WCU 28. For the reverse communication path, i.e., from the WCU28 to the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36, parallel communication based on using light in frequency ranges individually allocated to respective ones of the transmission facilities 30, 32, 34, 36 is instead provided. Accordingly, light emitting diodes 78 are provided as transmitting elements in the WCU28, wherein each light emitting diode 78 emits light in said individually assigned frequency range. Other boundary conditions correspond to those already explained in the preceding exemplary embodiments, so that supplementary reference is made to the relevant implementation.

A further embodiment for the communication system 18 follows from fig. 5. The embodiment according to fig. 5 is based on the embodiment according to fig. 4, wherein it is provided in a related manner that parallel communication is set up bidirectionally, that is to say both for data transmission from the WCU28 to the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 and for data transmission from the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 to the WCU 28. Accordingly, the light-emitting diodes 74, 76 in the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 are also configured for corresponding light emission in the frequency range assigned to the respective LCU30, 32, 34, 36. The same applies to the receiving side, and the photodiodes 70, 72 serve as receiving elements. A correspondingly matched design is also provided in the WCU28, which WCU28 likewise has light-emitting diodes 78 emitting light in the respective frequency range, while the photodiodes 58 are designed for a corresponding reception in said respective frequency range. Thus, communications of the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 and the WCU28 may be accomplished independently of one another.

In order to be able to distinguish the respective frequency ranges, provision can be made for a corresponding optical unit 80 (fig. 6), which may comprise, for example, a prism or the like, to be provided on the receiving side. Thereby, the incident light 82 may be divided into different frequency ranges, so that frequency ranges 84, 86 are available at the exit side. It can thus be provided that only light from the frequency range 86 is fed to further processing, since this light corresponds to the individually assigned frequency range. The further frequency range is then ignored. The optical unit 80 may be provided for both the WCU28 and the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36, respectively, so as to be able to separate the received light. In addition, it is of course also possible to use laser diodes as transmitting elements and to align the laser diodes with the respectively assigned receiving elements. This makes it possible, of course, to achieve particularly high data rates with little interference. However, the installation effort is high, since a corresponding alignment of the laser is required.

A further advantageous embodiment of the communication system 18 follows from fig. 7, wherein this embodiment is based on the embodiment according to fig. 1. In contrast to the embodiment according to fig. 1, LCUs 90, 92, 94, 96 are provided, each having an optical unit 104. The first wireless optical communication connection 88 from the WCU28 is deflected and coupled to the second wireless communication connection 98 by means of the optical unit 104. In the simplest case, the optical unit 104 may be formed by a mirror, a lens, a prism, a combination thereof, or the like. In this case, the LCUs 90, 92, 94, 96 do not require a power source, as they are designed only as passive elements. Furthermore, it is of course also possible to provide signal amplification and/or conditioning of the LCUs 90, 92, 94, 96, which then of course also require a corresponding power supply. However, in contrast to the embodiment according to fig. 1, in the embodiment according to fig. 7 the communication terminal 106 is then required to be designed to be able to establish an optical communication connection. Thus, near field radio units as provided in the LCUs 30, 32, 34, 36 according to fig. 1 may be saved.

Although only one WCU is provided for only one room in the previous embodiment, two or more WCUs may be provided, of course. The WCUs may then also be coupled to each other in a communication technology.

With the invention it is therefore also possible to install a communication infrastructure, such as the communication system 18, particularly afterwards, preferably in a building. The invention has proven to be advantageous even for newly built buildings, since no complex installations for communication technology have to be considered. The invention has proved to be particularly advantageous when using Li-Fi or the like. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Likewise, the invention can of course also be used in predetermined outdoor areas, such as for example places of parties or the like.

These examples are merely illustrative of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the invention. Thus, of course, the transmission facility and the communication partner station may be constructed to be largely variable without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the effects and advantages described for the lighting device or the transmission facility according to the invention also apply for the communication partner station according to the invention, for the lighting facility connected to the transmission facility, for the system or the communication system and for the method according to the invention and vice versa. Correspondingly, device features may also be expressed as method features and vice versa.

List of reference numerals

10 Room

12 ceiling

14 doors

16 wall

18 communication system

20 Lighting installation

22 Lighting installation

24 Lighting installation

26 Lighting installation

28 WCU

30 LCU

32 LCU

34 LCU

36 LCU

38 communication connection

40 communication connection

42 communication connection

44 communication connection

46 communication connection

48 communication network

50 light emitting diode

52 light emitting diode

54 light emitting diode

56 light emitting diode

58 photodiode

60 optical channel

62 optical channel

64 optical channels

66 communication channel

68 power supply circuit

70 photodiode

72 photodiode

74 light emitting diode

76 light emitting diode

78 light emitting diode

80 optical unit

82 light

84 frequency range

86 frequency range

88 communication connection

90 LCU

92 LCU

94 LCU

96 LCU

98 communication connection

100 transmitting and receiving unit

102 transmitting and receiving unit

104 optical unit

106 communication terminal

108 floor surface

110 lighting device

112 illumination device

114 lighting device

116 an illumination device.