JP2017076837A - Optical transmitting/receiving device and optical communication network using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical communication network and an optical transmitting/receiving device for a system, in which a plurality of optical transmitting/receiving devices arranged as repeaters in nearly the same plane in order to form the optical communication network can communicate information with each other, can transmit information from a host terminal to a terminal device placed remotely even if one terminal side optical transmitting/receiving device develops trouble, and can construct a mesh network.SOLUTION: An optical transmitting/receiving device 1 comprises: a detector 2 for receiving signal light transmitted by another optical transmitting/receiving device; a light focusing optical system 4 that is attached to a rotor 6 having a rotation axis X orthogonal to a plane where the optical transmitting/receiving device is placed and that is for focusing the signal light on the detector; and a light-emitting element 5 that is attached to a stationary body separate from the rotor and that is for emitting the signal light to be transmitted to the other optical transmitting/receiving device to a surrounding area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical transmission / reception apparatus as a terminal apparatus for optical communication that performs transmission of centrally managed information using an optical signal, and an optical communication network using the same.

  In general, a network formed by wireless communication is centered on a base station, an access point, and the like, and individual terminals often communicate with them (star network). However, this type of network has the disadvantage that communication is possible only within the reach of radio waves from the access point, and the communication range is fixed.

On the other hand, the above problem does not occur in a form in which a network having a communication function forms a network by transmitting and receiving data to each other, that is, a mesh network. This is because in a mesh network, when data is transmitted to an adjacent communication device, the communication device that has received the data transmits the data to another communication device adjacent to the communication device. This is because each device receives and transmits data, so that the data is carried to the target terminal and the same information is shared among all the communication devices.
Furthermore, the mesh network is based on a state in which there are a plurality of communication device connection partners (other communication devices), and thus exhibits strength against failures. In other words, even if a communication device falls into a communication-disabled state due to a failure, other communication devices can receive data from devices other than the communication-disabled device. This is because it is possible to construct a new communication path without going through the device, and it is carried to the target terminal without any problem.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-153184 (Patent Document 1) describes an information communication method using this mesh network.

  By the way, as a wireless communication method between devices, conventionally, a method using radio waves is generally used. However, with the widespread use of mobile terminals such as smartphones, the amount of radio waves used has increased dramatically, and the radio wave band allocated for communication has disappeared. For this reason, an optical communication network that enables information communication without using radio waves has been developed.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-178393 (Patent Document 2) discloses a technique related to a communication system using such light, and an optical transmission / reception apparatus that performs optical transmission / reception that mutually transmits and receives optical signals is disclosed. Have been described. This optical transmission / reception apparatus has a host-side optical transmission / reception apparatus and one or a plurality of terminal-side optical transmission / reception apparatuses. Information transmission between the host side and the terminal side is performed using optical signals. Send and receive.

However, in the conventional optical transmission / reception device, the terminal side optical transmission / reception device transmits / receives information only to / from the host side connection optical transmission / reception device. That is, the terminal-side device is limited to a single (host-side) transmission / reception device whose information is transmitted. For this reason, when a certain (terminal side) optical transmission / reception device fails, the communication path between the terminal and the information transmission side optical transmission / reception device is interrupted.
Moreover, the light has a strong directivity and is easily shielded by obstacles. For this reason, it is difficult to make a wireless terminal receive a wide range using an optical signal, and there is a limit to the distance for transmitting information from the host-side optical transceiver. For this reason, the space where optical wireless communication can be used is limited to a relatively narrow space such as an office.

Further, in the conventional optical transceiver, when the optical transmission means directed to a certain terminal-side optical transceiver in the host-side optical transceiver is broken, the terminal-side optical transceiver of the optical transmission destination receives signals from other optical transceivers. It cannot be received and the communication path is interrupted. That is, information cannot be transmitted to the final terminal.
For this reason, the optical transmission / reception apparatus cannot transmit information over a relatively wide range or build a mesh network, and has a problem that versatility is poor.

JP 2009-153184 A JP 10-178393 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that, in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, it is possible to transmit / receive information to / from the optical transmission / reception apparatus on the terminal side, and one terminal-side optical transmission / reception apparatus has failed. Even in such a case, an optical transmission / reception apparatus capable of transmitting information from a host terminal to a terminal apparatus located remotely and capable of building a mesh network and an optical communication network using the same are provided. That is.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an optical transmission / reception device and an optical communication network according to the present invention are optical transmission / reception devices that are arranged in a plurality of substantially identical planes as repeaters in order to form an optical communication network. The transmission / reception apparatus is attached to a rotating body having a detector for receiving signal light transmitted from another optical transmission / reception apparatus, and a rotation axis orthogonal to a plane on which the optical transmission / reception apparatus is disposed, and the detector A condensing optical system that condenses the signal light, and a light emitting element that is attached to a stationary body separate from the rotating body and emits signal light to be transmitted to another optical transceiver It is characterized by being.

Further, the detector is attached to the rotating body.
In addition, the detector is attached to the stationary body and disposed perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating body, and the rotating body has a reflection that guides light from the condensing optical system to the detector. A mirror is attached.
Further, the detector is attached to the stationary body and is disposed perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating body, and the condensing optical system is a concave mirror.
The optical transceiver includes a controller that processes the signal light received by the detector. When the controller determines that the received signal light is less than or equal to an allowable value, another optical transceiver The condensing optical system is controlled to rotate together with the rotating body so as to receive signal light from the apparatus.
In addition, the optical transmission / reception apparatus includes a terminal transmission unit that transmits information to a portable information terminal.

The optical transceiver is housed in an illumination lamp.
In addition, the information transmitted from the terminal transmission unit to the portable information terminal is formed by light and is superimposed on the illumination light from the illumination lamp.
Further, the light emitting element and the terminal transmission unit are made of LEDs, and the LED is also incorporated in the illumination lamp, and the light emitted from the LEDs in the light emission element, the terminal transmission unit and the illumination lamp has a wavelength. It is characterized by being different.
Further, the information from the terminal transmitter is formed by light emitted from the LED or OEL in the illumination lamp, and the spectrum of the emitted light from the light emitting element and the radiation from the LED or OEL in the illumination lamp. The spectrum of light is different from each other.
Further, in an optical communication network in which the optical transceiver is provided at a plurality of locations in a substantially same plane, the optical axis of light emitted from the light emitting element of the optical transceiver is provided with the detector. Further, the rotating body is orthogonal to the rotation axis.

  According to the optical transmission / reception apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to construct a mesh type network using an optical communication network, which cannot be achieved by a conventional optical transmission / reception apparatus. In other words, it solves the disadvantage that the communication range is fixed, and even when the communication path is interrupted by an obstacle or when the optical transmitter / receiver itself breaks down, a new communication is made with a different optical transmitter / receiver as the connection partner. It is possible to reconstruct the optical communication network by forming a route.

Explanatory drawing explaining the optical communication network of this invention. Schematic (A) and BB arrow line view (B) of the optical transmitter / receiver of this invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an optical transceiver according to the present invention. The flowchart explaining the control flow of the optical transmission / reception apparatus of this invention. Plane explanatory drawing of the communication state of each optical transmission / reception apparatus. Explanatory drawing when communication is interrupted due to a light blocking object between optical transceivers. Explanatory drawing when transmission / reception of one optical transmission / reception apparatus E stops. Explanatory drawing which shows the state after the signal light transmission start of the optical transmitter / receiver E. FIG. Explanatory drawing when one optical transmission / reception apparatus E fails and communication is interrupted. Explanatory drawing in which each of an optical transmitter-receiver rotates and detects a new signal light. Explanatory drawing when an optical transmitter / receiver detects new signal light. Schematic of the other Example of an optical transmitter / receiver. Schematic of the further another Example of an optical transmitter / receiver. An explanatory view of an example of a network using an optical transceiver of the present invention. Explanatory drawing of the specific application example. Explanatory drawing of another Example.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an optical communication network using the optical transceiver of the present invention.
In the optical communication network according to the present embodiment, a plurality of optical transmission / reception devices 1A, 1B, 1C,... Are arranged so as to be exposed in a space forming the optical communication network.
Specific examples of the applicable space include large shopping malls and station premises. A plurality of optical transceivers according to the present invention are arranged along substantially the same plane constituted by the ceiling of such a space.

  The host terminal 20 is a master station for transmitting information to the optical transmission / reception apparatus 1A, and transmits the shared data processed to the optical transmission / reception apparatus (1A) by wired or wireless communication. Of course, this is only an example, and the optical transmission / reception apparatus 1 that is the transmission target of the host terminal 20 may be a plurality of apparatuses. Further, in the figure, there is one host terminal 20, but a plurality of host terminals 20 may be installed.

Here, the optical transmission / reception apparatus 1 that constructs the optical communication network of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The optical transmission / reception device 1 includes a detector 2, a controller 3, a condensing optical system 4, and a plurality of light emitting elements 5 made of, for example, LEDs. In this embodiment, the detector 2, the controller 3, and the condensing optical system 4 are attached to the rotating body 6, and the detector 2 and the condensing optical system 4 are arranged on the same optical axis.

On the other hand, the plurality of light emitting elements 5 are attached to a stationary body 7 separate from the rotating body 6, and as shown in FIG. 2B, this light emitting element 5 has a rotational axis X of the rotating body 6. , The radiation direction is directed outward and is omnidirectionally arranged to radiate signal light to the surroundings, and the emission direction is orthogonal to the rotation axis X of the rotating body 6. That is, the direction that is substantially parallel to the plane on which the plurality of optical transceivers 1 are provided.
And the terminal transmitter 10 which consists of LED, for example is provided in the lower surface of the stationary body 7, and transmits the information contained in the received signal light toward portable information terminals, such as a user's smart phone.

In addition, although the said light emitting element 5 is an example arrange | positioned in FIG. 2, the number is not restricted to this.
In addition, if the light output of the light emitting element 5 is sufficient, it is possible to use a single light emitting element without providing a plurality of light guides and guide the light so as to radiate in a plurality of directions. Any light emission (signal light) from the light emitting element may be emitted in all directions.

The optical transmission / reception device 1 condenses signal light from another optical transmission / reception device by a condensing optical system 4 and irradiates the detector 2 with it. When the controller 3 determines that the light received by the detector 2 is greater than or equal to a certain threshold value, the light emitting element 5 emits light.
As will be described later, when the signal light from a certain optical transmitter / receiver is interrupted for some reason and the signal light received by the detector 2 is below a threshold value, the controller 3 outputs a signal to rotate the rotating body 6. At the same time, the light emission of the light emitting element 5 is stopped.
Due to the rotation of the rotating body 6, the condensing optical system 4 also rotates about the rotation axis X of the rotating body. By searching for signal light from another optical transmitter / receiver by this rotational movement and receiving it, the controller 3 stops the rotation of the rotating body 6 and causes the light emitting element 5 to emit light.

  Returning to FIG. 1, when data is transmitted from the host terminal 20 to the optical transmission / reception device 1 </ b> A, the received optical transmission / reception device 1 </ b> A transmits light by causing the light emitting element 5 to emit light as signal light constituting the data. The signal light is normally configured by replacing data composed of 0/1 with ON / OFF of light, and the signal light is configured by illuminating the light emitting element 5 based on the original data and lighting the signal light. Is emitted as.

It is assumed that the optical transceivers 1B and 1H arranged around the optical transceiver 1A detect and receive the signal light from the optical transceiver 1A. Each of the optical transceivers 1B and 1H that has received the signal light from the optical transceiver 1A also emits signal light having the same pattern by causing the built-in light emitting element to emit light.
Then, when the optical transmission / reception device 1E arranged adjacent to the optical transmission / reception device 1B receives the signal light from the optical transmission / reception device 1B, the signal light is radiated by the light emitting element incorporated therein. Similarly, when the optical transceiver 1C receives signal light emitted from the optical transceiver 1E, the optical transceiver 1C also emits signal light.

As described above, each optical transceiver 1 has both a function of receiving signal light and a function of emitting signal light. Information received as signal light is repeatedly received and transmitted from the adjacent optical transmission / reception apparatus to the optical transmission / reception apparatus ahead.
Then, information is transmitted by signal light from the optical transmission / reception apparatus 1A receiving the information data first to the adjacent optical transmission / reception apparatuses 1B and 1H, and this is repeated. In this manner, as shown in FIG. 1, a network in which the same information is shared by the optical transceivers 1G and 1K located most remotely from the optical transceiver 1A is configured.

FIG. 3 is a block for explaining an example of the optical transmission / reception apparatus of the present invention.
The optical transmission / reception apparatus 1 includes a controller 3 that determines and processes the light received by the detector 2, and the controller 3 includes a determination unit 31 and a control unit 32. The controller 3 is connected to a light emitting element driving unit 51 that controls turning on and off of the rotating body 6 (condensing optical system 4) and the light emitting element 5.
When the detector 2 receives signal light from another optical transmission / reception device and the determination unit 31 of the controller 3 determines that the signal light is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 32 causes the rotating body 6, that is, condensing optics. While the rotation of the system 4 is stopped, the light emitting element drive unit 51 emits light from the light emitting element 5.
Further, when the signal light received by the detector 2 falls below the threshold value, the control unit 32 rotates the rotating body 6 and the condensing optical system 4 and turns off the light emitting element 5.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for explaining the control flow.
When the driving of the optical transceiver 1 is started (start), the light emitting element 5 is turned off at the initial setting position, and the rotating body 6 rotates (S1).
When the condensing optical system 4 that rotates together with the rotating body 6 receives the signal light from another optical transmission / reception device, this signal light is sent to the detector 2, and this detector 2 detects the signal light and detects it. The value is converted into a current value and sent to the determination unit 31 in the controller 3 (S2).
Here, the determination part 31 compares with the preset threshold value (S3).
If it is determined that the intensity (illuminance) of the received light (detection light) is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the data is transmitted to the control unit 32, the rotation of the rotating body 6 is stopped, and the light emitting element 5 emits light (S4).
The state in which the light emitting element 5 emits light and the rotating body 6 is stopped is a normal function state, and the light receiving state of the signal light by the detector 2 is continuously determined in this normal state.

  On the other hand, when the current value of the signal light received by the detector 2 is determined to be less than the threshold value by the determination unit 31 of the controller 3, the light emitting element 5 is turned off and the rotating body 6 is rotated (S1). The signal light reception by the detector 2 → the determination of the signal light (S3) by the controller 3 (determination unit 31) is repeated. This process is continued until the signal light received by the detector 2 is determined to be greater than or equal to the threshold value by the determination unit 31, the light emitting element 5 emits light, and the rotating body 6 stops (S4).

Thus, in each optical transmission / reception apparatus 1, light emission of the light emitting element 5 and detection of the signal light of the detector 2 are performed, and the other light that the detector 2 of the certain optical transmission / reception apparatus 1 has received so far is received. When the signal light from the transmission / reception device cannot be received, the rotating body 6 is rotated and the determination is repeated until signal light from another optical transmission / reception device is received.
When the signal light is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the light emitting element 5 emits light, and the rotating body 6 is in a normal functional state, the information included in the signal light is transmitted from the terminal transmission unit (LED) 10 to the user. Sent to a portable information terminal.

  The determination of the light receiving state of the signal light is not limited to the above method. For example, regarding the operation of the rotating body 6, the data of the signal light received at each rotational position while rotating the condensing optical system 4 with the rotating body 6. (Current value) and its position data may be stored. That is, when the rotating body 6 makes one rotation from the rotation start position, the condensing optical system 4 can be moved to a position where the maximum signal light data (current value) is obtained. In this case, since the amount of light at that position is maximum, stable signal light (data) reception is possible.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining in plan the communication state of each optical transceiver shown in FIG.
It is an example of the network structure at the time of using the optical transmission / reception apparatus of this invention as a repeater, The connection state between optical transmission / reception apparatuses in a certain time, and the signal detection direction of each optical transmission / reception apparatus are also shown collectively. A communication path for directly transmitting and receiving signal light is indicated by a straight arrow. Further, the detector of each optical transmission / reception device is denoted by reference numeral 101, and the traveling direction of light emitted from the light emitting element (s) of each optical transmission / reception device is indicated by a broken line 102.

  The optical transmitter / receiver A connected to the host terminal 20 converts information transmitted from the host terminal 20 into signal light, and turns on the light emitting element. In this example, all the six light emitting elements 5 of the optical transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. 2 are turned on, and signal light is transmitted (radiated) in all six directions, including directions toward the optical transmission / reception apparatuses B and H. To do.

  When the signal light indicated by reference numeral 111 from the optical transmission / reception apparatus A is detected by the detector 101 of the optical transmission / reception apparatus B, the optical transmission / reception apparatus B takes in the information and converts it into signal light to emit light emitting elements. Let At this time, the signal light from the optical transceiver B is transmitted (radiated) in all six directions including the directions of the optical transceivers A, E, and C.

  At the same time, the signal light indicated by reference numeral 112 from the optical transmission / reception apparatus A is detected by the detector 101 of the optical transmission / reception apparatus H. The optical transmitter / receiver H captures the information, converts it into signal light, and causes the light emitting element to emit light. At this time, the signal light is transmitted (radiated) in all six directions including the directions of the optical transceivers A, E, and I in FIG.

Thus, the signal light (111, 112) from the optical transceiver A is sent to the optical transceivers B and H, and the optical transceivers B and H cause the light emitting elements to emit light based on the signal light.
By transmitting, receiving, and transmitting signal light one after another, a network is configured from the optical transmission / reception apparatus A as a data transmission source to a remote optical transmission / reception apparatus, and information is transmitted. Information is transmitted to the transmission / reception apparatus G or further to the optical transmission / reception apparatus ahead.

Hereinafter, a description will be given of a case where transmission / reception of signal light between optical transmission / reception devices is interrupted.
FIGS. 6 to 8 are examples in which communication is interrupted due to an intervening object between the optical transceivers.
In this example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the optical transmission / reception apparatus B and the optical transmission / reception apparatus E are shielded from light and the optical transmission / reception apparatus E cannot receive the signal light 113 from the optical transmission / reception apparatus B.
When the optical transmitter / receiver E becomes in a state where the signal light 113 cannot be detected by the detector, the light emitting element stops lighting, and at the same time, the rotating body (condensing optical system) is rotated so that the other optical transmitter / receiver The detection of the signal light is started.
At this time, the light emission of the light emitting element of the optical transmitter / receiver E is stopped, so that the signal lights 114 and 115 in FIG. Therefore, the optical transmission / reception device C and the optical transmission / reception device I are also in a state where the signal light cannot be detected, and similarly to the optical transmission / reception device E, the operation of turning off the light emitting element and rotating the rotating body is started. . Similarly, the optical transmission / reception devices F, D, G, and J connected to the optical transmission / reception devices C and I lose the signal light and are disconnected from the communication.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 7, in the optical transceivers A, B, and H, the operation that maintains the normal communication connection state is continued, but the optical transceiver E that has lost communication rotates the rotating body. The detection of another signal light is newly started.
Similarly, in the other optical transmission / reception apparatuses C, D, F, G, I, and J, when signal light can no longer be detected, light emission of the light emitting element is stopped and rotation of the rotating body is started.
When the optical transmission / reception device E detects a new signal light 116 from the optical transmission / reception device A, the rotation of the rotating body is stopped, and the light emitting element emits light based on the information of the signal light.
As a result, the optical transceiver E establishes a new communication connection relationship with the optical transceiver A.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state after the optical transmission / reception apparatus E has started transmission of signal light.
The optical transmission / reception device E receives the signal light 116 from the optical transmission / reception device A, stops the rotation of the rotating body, emits light from the light emitting element, and emits light in six directions.
In the adjacent optical transmission / reception apparatus C in which communication with the optical transmission / reception apparatus E is interrupted, when the signal light 117 from the optical transmission / reception apparatus B, for example, is detected as new signal light, the rotation of the rotating body is stopped, and the signal light When reception is established, the light emitting element emits light, and signal light is transmitted (radiated) in a plurality of directions.
Similarly, when the optical transmission / reception devices F, I, D, G, and J newly detect signal light from other optical transmission / reception devices, the rotation of the rotator is stopped and the light emitting element is caused to emit light. Is sent in multiple directions.
Thus, a new communication network as shown in FIG. 8 is constructed.

9 to 11 are examples in which the optical transmission / reception device has failed for some reason, and communication between the optical transmission / reception devices has been interrupted.
In this example, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical transmission / reception device E has failed and cannot receive the signal light from the optical transmission / reception device B connected to the optical transmission / reception device E. Assume that no light emission is possible.
In either case, the light emitting elements of the optical transmission / reception device E stop emitting light, the signal lights 114 and 115 disappear, and the optical transmission / reception devices C and I are disconnected from the optical transmission / reception device E.

Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the optical transmission / reception apparatuses F, D, G, and J that have been connected to the optical transmission / reception apparatuses C and I are also disconnected in a chain.
In this way, the optical transceivers C, F, D, G, I, and J that have lost communication connection rotate the rotating body (condensing optical system) to newly detect signal light from other optical transceivers. Start.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11, the optical transmission / reception device that has detected the detectable signal light, for example, the optical transmission / reception device C that has received the signal light 117 from the optical transmission / reception device B, stops rotating and causes the light emitting element to emit light. Signal light in multiple directions.
Thereby, the optical transmitter / receiver F around it increases the number of connectable optical transmitter / receivers to increase the possibility of communication connection, and as a result, for example, is connected to the optical transmitter / receiver C. Furthermore, the communication with the optical transmission / reception apparatuses D and G ahead can be recovered.
As described above, even if the optical transmission / reception device E fails for some reason, each optical transmission / reception device can appropriately change the direction of the condensing optical system, and therefore receives one of signal lights from a plurality of directions. It is possible to bypass the failed optical transceiver E and reconstruct a new communication path.

In the embodiment of the optical transmitter / receiver 1 of FIG. 2 described above, the detector 2 is attached to the rotating body 6, but it may be attached to the stationary body 10 side. This embodiment is shown in FIGS.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the detector 2 and the controller 3 are attached to the stationary body 7. A reflecting mirror 8 is disposed on the optical axis of the condensing optical system 4 of the rotating body 6.
The light collected by the condensing optical system 4 in response to the signal light from the other optical transmitting / receiving devices in the surroundings is reflected by the reflecting mirror 8 and is collected and incident on the detector 2 on the stationary body 7. .

FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment. The condensing optical system 4 is constituted by a concave mirror 9 attached to a rotating body 6.
The signal light is reflected and collected by the concave mirror 9 and is incident on the detector 2 on the stationary body 7.

Hereinafter, an example of forming an optical communication network using the optical transmission / reception apparatus of the present invention as a repeater will be described with reference to FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG.
A case will be described as an example in which information on the degree of congestion (waiting time) of each store is exchanged at a restaurant floor such as a department store or a large shopping mall, and the information is transmitted to the user's portable information terminal.
As shown in FIG. 14, an illumination lamp 40 for illuminating the floor is attached to the ceiling of the restaurant floor, and the optical transceiver 1 of the present invention is accommodated in the illumination lamp 40. . Of course, it is also possible to arrange it separately from the illumination lamp 40.

The light emitting element 5 in the optical transmission / reception apparatus 1 is comprised from LED, and the terminal transmission part 10 can also be comprised from LED similarly. Furthermore, the illumination lamp 40 can also be comprised from LED. The terminal transmission light from the terminal transmission unit 10 is preferably emitted by being superimposed on the illumination light of the illumination lamp 40.
In this case, the information communication light from the light emitting element 5, the terminal transmission light from the terminal transmission unit 10, and the illumination light from the illumination lamp 40 preferably use light of different wavelengths.
The optical transceiver 1 emits information communication light in a specific wavelength band as signal light from the light emitting element in a direction substantially parallel to the ceiling and omnidirectionally. Is received.

As shown in detail in FIG. 15, each optical transmission / reception apparatus 1 sharing the information transmits the information from the terminal transmission unit 10, and the smartphone of the user M in the vicinity of the optical transmission / reception apparatus 1. Is sent to the portable information terminal S to display the information.
In the host terminal 20 shown in FIG. 1, congestion status (waiting time) and the like are input from each store at regular intervals, and such information is displayed on the portable information terminal S.

FIG. 16 shows still another embodiment. In this example, terminal transmission light is constituted by illumination light.
In this embodiment, the light source of the illumination lamp 40 is composed of an LED or an OEL (organic EL), and these illumination LED or illumination OEL also serves as the terminal transmitter 10 in the optical transceiver 1, and The signal light is configured by blinking.
That is, information transmitted from the terminal transmission unit 10 toward the portable information terminal S is formed by light from the illumination lamp (LED or OEL) 40, and terminal transmission light (signal light) for forming information. Illuminates the floor.
The light emitting element 5 in the optical transmitter / receiver 1 is made of an LED. The spectrum of the information communication light formed by the light from the light emitting element (LED) 5 and the spectrum of the terminal transmission light for illumination (radiated light from the LED or OEL) are different from each other. Even if the light for floor illumination and the light from the light emitting element 5 are superimposed or mixed, when the signal light is processed in the detector 2 or the portable information terminal S, the signal light composed of a predetermined spectrum light is detected. Therefore, the update of information is not stagnated or mixed.

  In the above description, store information in a shopping mall is taken as an example, but the application is not limited to this, and it is used for train arrival / departure information, delay information, etc. within a station premises. You can also.

As described above, an optical transmission / reception device as a repeater for forming an optical communication network according to the present invention is attached to a detector and a rotating body for receiving signal light from other optical transmission / reception devices. A light-collecting optical system for condensing signal light on the detector and a light-emitting element that is attached to a separate stationary body and emits signal light to be transmitted to other optical transceivers to the surroundings. The communication network is configured between the optical transmission / reception apparatuses, and the information is shared, so that the user can immediately and accurately know this information at any location by the portable information terminal.
Even if one of the optical transceivers becomes unable to receive the signal light due to a failure or interruption of the optical communication path, the optical communication network is temporarily broken, and other light that can be used immediately. There is also an effect that a new optical communication network can be constructed over time by detecting a transmission / reception device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical transmitter / receiver 2 Detector 3 Controller 31 Determination part 32 Control part 4 Condensing optical system 5 Light emitting element 51 Light emitting element drive part 6 Rotating body 7 Stationary body 8 Reflecting mirror 9 Concave mirror (Condensing optical system)
10 Terminal Transmitter 20 Host Terminal 40 Lighting Lamp S Mobile Information Terminal M User

Claims (11)

A plurality of optical transmission / reception devices arranged in substantially the same plane as repeaters to form an optical communication network,
Each optical transceiver is
A detector for receiving signal light transmitted from another optical transceiver; and
A condensing optical system that is attached to a rotating body having a rotation axis that is orthogonal to a plane on which the optical transceiver is disposed, and that collects signal light on the detector;
A light emitting element that is attached to a stationary body separate from the rotating body and emits signal light to be transmitted to another optical transmitting and receiving device;
An optical transmission / reception apparatus comprising:   The optical transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detector is attached to the rotating body. The detector is attached to the stationary body and arranged perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating body;
The optical transmitting / receiving apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a reflection mirror that guides light from the condensing optical system to the detector is attached to the rotating body. The detector is attached to the stationary body and arranged perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating body;
The optical transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condensing optical system is a concave mirror. The optical transceiver includes a controller that processes the signal light received by the detector,
The controller rotates the condensing optical system together with the rotating body so as to receive the signal light from another optical transmission / reception device when the received signal light is determined to be equal to or less than an allowable value. 5. The optical transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical transmission / reception apparatus is controlled.   The optical transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical transmission / reception apparatus includes a terminal transmission unit that transmits information toward a portable information terminal.   The optical transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the optical transmission / reception apparatus is accommodated in an illumination lamp.   8. The optical transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 7, wherein information transmitted from the terminal transmission unit to the portable information terminal is formed by light and is superimposed on illumination light from the illumination lamp. The light emitting element and the terminal transmission unit are made of LED, and the LED is also incorporated in the illumination lamp,
The optical transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the emitted light from the LEDs in the light emitting element, the terminal transmission unit, and the illumination lamp all have different wavelengths. The information from the terminal transmitter is formed by light emitted from the LED or OEL in the illumination lamp,
The optical transmission / reception apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a spectrum of emitted light from the light emitting element and a spectrum of emitted light from an LED or OEL in the illumination lamp are different from each other. An optical communication network using the optical transceiver according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The optical transceiver is provided at a plurality of locations in substantially the same plane,
An optical communication network, wherein an optical axis of light radiated from the light emitting element of the optical transmission / reception apparatus is orthogonal to the rotation axis of the rotating body provided with the detector.

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