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Philips Ethernet-Powered Lighting Transmits Data To Mobile Devices Via Light

Posted by Soulskill on from the build-it-now-figure-out-why-later dept.

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."

20 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. Oh dear god by nctritech · · Score: 2

    This is surely the rise of the machines! THEY'RE IN THE LIGHTS!!! D:

    1. Re:Oh dear god by CanHasDIY · · Score: 3, Funny

      "Why is it so hot in here? The thermostat must be becoming sentient; Oh God - this is how Maximum Overdrive started!"

      -- Sterling Archer

      --
      An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  2. 1990 called by Animats · · Score: 4, Insightful

    1990 called. It wants its IR LAN back.

    1. Re:1990 called by nctritech · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I'll see that and raise you a photophone. ;)

    2. Re:1990 called by k3vlar · · Score: 2

      oblig. http://xkcd.com/875/

      --
      Unlike porn, which yada yada rimshot hey-ooh!
  3. Well, this sounds brilliant... by gweilo8888 · · Score: 2

    ...if you're a lighting manufacturer wanting to lock customers into your products. What, pray tell, is the *real*-world advantage for the customers, though? Because I'm struggling to see anything this provides which couldn't be done better using a different technique.

    Yet another Slashvertisement for a pointless invention.

    1. Re:Well, this sounds brilliant... by transporter_ii · · Score: 4, 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.

      --
      Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, religion destroys spirituality
  4. PWM by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Peppered with PWM to give you a headache? Well, the frequency is probably so high that it won't be an issue, but I still prefer my room lighting LEDs with pure DC.

    1. Re:PWM by thebigmacd · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Your "pure" DC likely isn't. DC power supplies for LEDs are generally switch-mode, and thus use PWM/PFM for voltage modulation.

  5. What is old is new again by djupedal · · Score: 2

    30 years ago we proved you could video-capture 9600-baud modem lamp pulses to transfer/sniff data using light. This is just a variation on that practice.

    1. Re:What is old is new again by schlachter · · Score: 2

      200 yrs ago we proved electric cars were viable (http://inventors.about.com/od/estartinventions/a/History-Of-Electric-Vehicles.htm)
      2000 yrs ago we proved steam engines worked (http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-technology/ancient-invention-steam-engine-hero-alexandria-001467)

      This doesn't diminish the significance of it as a useful product.

      --
      My God can beat up your God. Just kidding...don't take offense. I know there's no God.
  6. Cool! by Type44Q · · Score: 4, Informative

    "802.11e" - "e" for epilepsy.

  7. IPv6 by johnrpenner · · Score: 2

    if every lightbulb is going to have an IP address — they better be using IPv6.. ;-]

    2cents
    j

    1. Re:IPv6 by sjames · · Score: 2

      Nah, they'll just NAT the NATTED NAT and run it all through NAT.

  8. Options by bugs2squash · · Score: 2

    It would have been interesting to see the light itself powered using PoE and have it forward the LAN traffic optically. Presumably the LED itself can cycle on and off and be a receiver during the off period, or be coupled with a separate optical receiver for the return path. I see that now IT security needs to be more involved with the lighting management !

    --
    Nullius in verba
  9. How about no? by GenaTrius · · Score: 2

    Lights should illuminate things. Refrigerators should refrigerate things. Stoves should heat things, air conditioners should cool your air to a certain temperature, and coffee makers should make you coffee. They don't really need to do anything else. They don't all need Twitter accounts. I don't want my workplaces' lights to talk to my cell phone and tell some server somewhere where I was and what I was doing. That is a.) creepy and b.) almost certainly pointless.

  10. Great by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Now I have to worry about buying cheap LED lightbulbs from China trying to root my devices.

    1. Re:Great by bugs2squash · · Score: 2

      Or anything that can see light through the office window.

      --
      Nullius in verba
  11. Everything old is new again,,, by aklinux · · Score: 2

    This idea was being bounced around back in the 80's. Wouldn't be surprised if someone with a good collection of Byte Magazine from back then could find mention of it.

  12. My evil plan by ClickOnThis · · Score: 2

    Hemisphere-wide communication by strobing The Sun!! Mwahahahahaha...

    Of course, the latency sucks (9 min both ways) but I'm working on it.

    'Scuse me, I'm off to Kickstarter...

    --
    If it weren't for deadlines, nothing would be late.