Philips Ethernet-Powered Lighting Transmits Data To Mobile Devices Via Light 104
llebeel writes Philips has shown off its Ethernet-powered connected lighting, which can transmit data to mobile devices through light via embedded code. Arriving in the form of LED "luminaires," Philips' connected office lighting will aim to not only save businesses money on energy costs, but also serve as a means of providing information and data about the general running of a building, transmitted through light, to improve the overall efficiency of business infrastructure. Philips' Onno Willemse said, "Over the light, we can project a code — its number, its IP address, its MAC address — making each fixture unique and recognizable. We can also receive that light on our mobile phones, so if you hold the lens of a mobile device under the luminaire, it actually reads the code and makes a connection to it over WiFi."
Re:1990 called (Score:4, Interesting)
PWM (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:PWM (Score:4, Interesting)
Your "pure" DC likely isn't. DC power supplies for LEDs are generally switch-mode, and thus use PWM/PFM for voltage modulation.
Re:Well, this sounds brilliant... (Score:5, Interesting)
OK.
1) Everybody and there dog has a wireless product, so the spectrum is getting pretty darn crowded. No interference from RF!
2) RF signals easily pass right through your walls where people can capture and examine them. More secure...even adds some obscurity to the mix (for now)
3) Some people claim to be sensitive to RF emissions. They will probably complain about this as well. However, less RF emissions in your workplace.
4) Can route around blockage -- metal walls, etc., -- that might affect RF.
5) Could be more cost effective than wifi, especially for a large building or hotel. Don't know yet.
Great (Score:2, Interesting)
Now I have to worry about buying cheap LED lightbulbs from China trying to root my devices.