Visible Light Communication Devices Ready For Commercialization

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Outstanding Technology has developed two commercial products using visible light communication technology, using LED lights to transmit data. These are a location service for smartphones, called the Commulight System, and a visible light transceiver, the TR01.

The Commulight System consists of a receiver that plugs into a smartphone or tablet, and LED lights with a built-in transmitter. The receiving device obtains IDs emitted by the LED lights, enabling it to download content relevant to the user's location. The receiver is available in two types, one that connects via USB, and one that connects via the headphone jack.

"The most obvious application for this system is guiding visitors in galleries and museums. For example, when the user stands in front of an exhibit, the smartphone can show a guide to that exhibit. The system can also be used for stores in a building, point campaigns, and coupons for events."

"Positioning services using indoor GPS and wireless communication already exist. But with those services, the ability to specify a location is only approximate. Commulight enables very high-precision positioning services, within, say, a 50-cm circle."

Using light from LEDs instead of radio signals also makes it possible to communicate in tunnels and factories, where radio reception can be difficult.

The visible light transceiver includes an LED light source for transmission, and a high-sensitivity optical receiver, making two-way audio communication possible.

"Ordinary transceivers can't be used in some environments. Radio reception is limited by space constraints, so it's not possible in narrow tunnels, for example. But using light enables communication as long as the light can be seen. Conversely, with radio signals, sometimes you can't communicate even if you can see each other. Also, if we make the equipment waterproof, which we haven't done yet, this system can also be used underwater."

See for yourself:

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*by andreascy*

MOTOROLA ATRIX™ HD on AT&T : Vehicle Navigation Dock

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

The new MOTOROLA ATRIX™ HD not only has the looks that turns heads, but also the brains to take you to the top of the charts. 

This phone is remarkably thin but is made with DuPont™ KEVLAR® fiber on back and scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® Glass display on front, with a splash-guard coating all around for a durable build that puts your mind at ease.

AT&T’s latest offering, the Motorola Atrix HD, is clearly part of the Android camp, where from this Sunday onwards, it will be made available in all AT&T channels for $99.99 and a new two-year agreement.

Owners of the Motorola Atrix HD might find the smartphone to be worth their while thanks to the pre-loaded SMARTACTIONS, which is a free app from Motorola which actually suggests ways to automatically change your phone’s settings throughout the day in order to let you fall into a comfortable routine.

For instance, should you place the Motorola ATRIX HD in the Vehicle Navigation Dock accessory and enable Drive Smart, it will automatically send the handset into vehicle mode, reading out any of your text messages, in addition to sending auto-replies to incoming calls and texts while delivering turn-by-turn navigation. Learn about this on the video below!

The ATRIX HD claims to be "Slimmer", "Smarter" and "Stronger" than ever before. You can find the full specifications about the device, that will be available exclusively from AT&T here.

*by andreascy*

NICT and Fujitsu Introducing Indoor Guidance System for the Blind using a Smartphone and UWB

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

NICT and Fujitsu as presented by DigInfoTV are working together to develop a real-time indoor guidance system for the blind. As GPS cannot be used to get positional data indoors, the system uses a smartphone and Ultra Wide Band (UWB) transmission technology to get accurate real-time position information.

Impulse radio UWB technology uses extremely short nanosecond long pulses to get positioning information. Base stations are used to track the position of the user and their target point, with positioning accuracy within 30cm.

This positioning data is then sent to the smartphone and displayed using a mapping application, with real-time audio instructions describing the direction and distance to the target.

"Here, we're using six base stations, and this system has a positioning range of about 10 m. The user handset measures distance while communicating with each of the six base stations. The distance data obtained is collected by the control device, which calculates the position. The result of the calculation is sent to the user handset over UWB."

"This system has a variety of applications. In particular, one is inventory management. In big warehouses, there's a great need to find out where things are and where to take them. We've had inquiries from various businesses, so we're also considering applications like that."

*by andreascy*