Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to the field of visible light communication, and in particular to a
method and a device for controlling at least one parameter at a controlled device based on
visible light obstruction.
Background of the Invention:
Conventionally, wireless remote control devices (hereinafter also simply called “remote
control devices”) for remotely controlling electronic devices. In these remote control devices,
infrared rays or the like is widely used as a medium through which to transmit operational
information to the electronic devices. In such devices, the remote control device is provided
one or more control buttons for receiving user input, a control circuit is provided to generate
a control signal based on the user input and a transmitter unit is provided for transmitting the
control signal.
Apart from the above, remote control devices comprising touch screen devices are also
available. In such devices one or more icons are displayed on a touch sensitive screen. A
processor is operably connected to the touch sensitive screen for sensing a touch
corresponding to said at least one icon and produce a control signal and a transmitter unit is
provided for transmitting the control signal.
Apart from the above, visible light communication technology which relies upon use of light
rays which are visible to human naked eyes are used for controlling particularly for switching
ON or OFF of electronic devices. However, remote control device based on visible light
communication technology have not been explored to a large extent and presents a lot of
scope as visible light control systems have several advantages in that the visible light energy
is generally, readily available. Production of visible light (in environments where it is not
available) is inexpensive. In addition, since visible light includes a plurality of distinct colors,
the use of visible light control systems permits the implementation of multiple control
functions which are color selective.
Objects of the Invention:
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a controlling method for controlling at
least one parameter at a controlled entity based on visible light obstruction.
3
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a controlling device for controlling at
least one parameter at a controlled entity based on visible light obstruction.
Summary of the Invention:
Thus, the present invention provides a controlling method comprising detecting, at a
controlling entity, obstruction in visible light received by a visible light receiver array
comprising plurality of photo detectors. The control entity determines an amount of
obstruction or an amount of non-obstruction, and generates a control signal corresponding to
the same. A transmitter unit provided with the control entity then sends the control signal thus
generated to a controlled entity. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a mapping is
provided between the controlling entity and the controlled entity such that a control signal
generated by the controlling entity is able to control at least one parameter at the controlled
entity.
Implementing the method described above, a controlling device is provided comprising a
visible light receiver array comprising plurality of photo detectors. The visible light receiver
array is provided such that it receives visible light. A detection element is provided in
operational interconnection with the visible light receiver array for detecting obstruction in
visible light received by the visible light receiver array. A determining element is further
provided so as to be in operational interconnection with the detection element for determining
an amount of obstruction or an amount of non-obstruction. The controlling device is further
provided with a control signal generating element for generating a control signal based on the
amount of obstruction or the amount of non-obstruction. Further, a transmitting element is
provided for providing the control signal to the controlled entity.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular
description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof,
which is illustrated in the appended figures. It is appreciated that these figures depict only
typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its
scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail
with the accompanying figures.
Brief Description of Figures:
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better
understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the
4
accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures,
wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates flow chart of a controlling method in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a controlling device in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of a network implementing the method of controlling
allocation of bandwidth available with a bandwidth providing device in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of controlling the obstruction in respect of the
controlling device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 illustrates an obstruction map as generated for the example shown in figure 4;
Figure 6 illustrates an outcome of the aforesaid method which results in reserving certain
amount of bandwidth in respect of a first bandwidth receiving device as per the example
shown in figure 4;
Figure 7 illustrates a method for adjusting the threshold value in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of controlling the obstruction in respect of the
controlling device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 9 illustrates an obstruction map as generated for the example shown in figure 8; and
Figure 10 illustrates a schematic diagram of controlling the obstruction in respect of the
controlling device in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention such
that bandwidths for three bandwidth receiving devices can be controlled.
Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for
simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow
charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve
understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction
of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the
figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that
are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure
the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having
benefit of the description herein.
5
Detailed Description:
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference
will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be
used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of
the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated
system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein
being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not
intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language
means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,
appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar
language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a
non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not
include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such
process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or
components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the
existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other
components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or
additional structures or additional components.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention
belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not
intended to be limiting.
6
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the
accompanying figures.
Now referring to figure 1, there is illustrated a controlling method (100) for controlling an
entity (hereinafter controlled entity), said method comprising:
detecting (101), at a controlling entity, obstruction in visible light received by a visible light
receiver array, said visible light receiver array comprising plurality of photo detectors;
determining (102), by the controlling entity, an amount of obstruction or an amount of nonobstruction;
generating (103), by the controlling entity, a control signal based on the amount of
obstruction or the amount of non-obstruction; and
providing (104), by the controlling entity, the control signal to a controlled entity.
Preferably, the aforesaid method can be adopted for controlling at least one parameter at the
controlled entity.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, detecting obstruction in visible light can be performed
by detecting (105) a change in an amount of current produced by the visible light receiver
array.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, determining an amount of obstruction can be
performed in any one of the following mechanisms:
 determining a number of photo detectors producing electricity below a threshold
value (106);
 preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array and generating an
approximate percentage of obstruction based on the obstruction map (108); or
 preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array and generating an
approximate ratio of obstruction to non-obstruction based on the obstruction map
(110).
In a preferred aspect of the invention, determining an amount of non-obstruction can be
performed in any one of the following mechanisms:
 determining a number of photo detectors producing electricity above a threshold value
(107);
7
 preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array and generating an
approximate percentage of non-obstruction based on the obstruction map (109); or
 preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array and generating an
approximate ratio of non-obstruction to obstruction based on obstruction map.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, the process of obstruction map of the visible light
receiver array comprises:
detecting the photo detectors producing electricity above a threshold value; and
detecting the photo detectors producing electricity below the threshold value.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, the threshold value of current as is required to be
produced by a photo detector (or a group of photo detectors) can be varied by varying
sensitivity of the photo detectors for light detection.
The control signal can thus be based on:
 an approximate ratio of obstruction to non-obstruction;
 an approximate ratio of non-obstruction to obstruction;
 an approximate percentage of obstruction; or
 an approximate percentage of non-obstruction.
In a preferred aspect of the invention, the control signal is an electronic representation of a
value between 0 to 100%.
Now referring to figure 2, there is provided a controlling device (200) comprising:
a visible light receiver array (201) comprising plurality of photo detectors;
a detection element (202) being in operational interconnection with the visible light receiver
array for detecting obstruction in visible light received by the visible light receiver array;
a determining element (203) being in operational interconnection with the detection element
for determining an amount of obstruction or an amount of non-obstruction;
a control signal generating element (204) being in operational interconnection with the
determining element for generating a control signal based on the amount of obstruction or the
amount of non-obstruction; and
a transmitting element (205) being in operational interconnection with the control signal
generating element and a controlled entity for providing the control signal to the controlled
entity.
8
Without wanting to be limited to the particular aspect, the method of the present invention
can be applied for controlling allocation of available bandwidth in a network comprising a
bandwidth providing device and a first bandwidth receiving device. In such a case, the
method the first bandwidth receiving device can be configured to produce a control signal
that will function as a request for allocation of bandwidth to the first device. Thus, in the
aforesaid scenario, the method can be said to comprise of:
 detecting, at the first bandwidth receiving device, obstruction in visible light received
by a visible light receiver array, said visible light receiver array comprising plurality
of photo detectors;
 determining, by the first bandwidth receiving device, an amount of obstruction or an
amount of non-obstruction;
 generating, by the first bandwidth receiving device, a bandwidth allocation signal
based on the amount of obstruction or the amount of non-obstruction; and
 providing, by the first bandwidth receiving device, the bandwidth allocation signal to
a bandwidth providing device for controlling allocation of available bandwidth.
Considering the above mentioned preferred aspect the controlling device can be in the form
of a bandwidth receiving device and can comprise:
a visible light receiver array comprising plurality of photo detectors;
a detection element being in operational interconnection with the visible light receiver array
for detecting obstruction in visible light received by the visible light receiver array;
a determining element being in operational interconnection with the detection element for
determining an amount of obstruction or an amount of non-obstruction;
a control signal generating element being in operational interconnection with the determining
element for generating a bandwidth allocation signal based on the amount of obstruction or
the amount of non-obstruction; and
a transmitting element being in operational interconnection with the control signal generating
element and a bandwidth providing device for providing the bandwidth allocation signal to
the bandwidth providing device.
In case the network comprises at least one further bandwidth receiving device and wherein
bandwidth allocation signal is for controlling allocation of the available bandwidth to the first
9
bandwidth receiving device, the same can also function to define the control signal for
bandwidth allocation to such further bandwidth requiring device(s).
By way of a non-limiting example, in case control signal is an electronic representation of a
value between 0 to 100% and if the control signal acts as a request for allocation of
bandwidth to the first device, a remaining value, which can be calculated as Available
bandwidth – Allocated bandwidth, can be allocated to one or more further devices that form
part of the network.
In addition to the above, each of the first bandwidth receiving device and said at least one
further bandwidth receiving device can be allocated priority value.
In a preferred aspect, the bandwidth allocation signal for controlling allocation of the
available bandwidth to said first bandwidth receiving device and said at least one further
bandwidth receiving device is in accordance with allocated priority.
In the following paragraphs, the functioning of the method for the purposes of allocation of
bandwidth available with a bandwidth providing device that forms part of a network is
illustrated.
Now referring to figure 3, there is illustrated a network (300) which comprises a bandwidth
providing device (301), a first bandwidth receiving device (302) and a second bandwidth
receiving device (303). A first user operating the first bandwidth receiving device is
interested in reserving at the bandwidth providing device certain amount of available
bandwidth. Thus, as illustrated by action 1a, the user obstructs visible light received by a
visible light receiver array forming part of the first bandwidth receiving device. The first
bandwidth receiving device determines an amount of obstruction or an amount of nonobstruction
(as illustrated in actions 1b and 1d) and generates a control signal. The first
bandwidth receiving device can adopt any of the method as illustrated and described with
respect to figure 1 for the aforesaid purpose. Additionally, the user at the first bandwidth
receiving device can adjust threshold value of current which is taken into consideration while
determining an amount of obstruction (as illustrated in action 1c). The control signal is sent to
the bandwidth providing device as illustrated by action 2 to enable the bandwidth providing
device to internally reserve resources as per the control signal (as illustrated by action 3) and
finally, allocate the requested bandwidth to the first bandwidth receiving device (as illustrated
10
by action 4a). The bandwidth providing device may further allocate a remaining part of the
available bandwidth to the second bandwidth requesting device (303) (as illustrated by action
4b).
Referring to figure 4, illustrates a first mechanism for controlling the obstruction in respect of
the controlling device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the
embodiment, the obstruction is based on the area of photo detector which is not able to
receive the light (or receives less amount of light). As further illustrated in figure 4, in order
to provide assistance to user to determining the amount of obstruction, a real time visual
indicator (401) for indicating an amount of obstruction can be displayed on a display device
associated with the first bandwidth receiving device. While in figure 4 the visual indicator is
shown as a graduated scale, other forms can be adopted.
As mentioned above, the first bandwidth receiving device can determine an amount of
obstruction using any of a plurality of methods. Especially, it has been found that for the
purposes of determining an amount of obstruction, a route involving preparing an obstruction
map can be beneficial. In particular, the method can involve preparing an obstruction map of
the visible light receiver array and generating an approximate percentage of obstruction based
on the obstruction map. In an alternative, the method can involve preparing an obstruction
map of the visible light receiver array and generating an approximate ratio of obstruction to
non-obstruction based on the obstruction map. In this regard, figure 5, illustrates a sample
obstruction map (500) as may be prepared which shows the photo detectors that are
obstructed by “X” (501) and shown the photo detectors that are non-obstructed as “O” (502).
Once the bandwidth providing device allocates the requested bandwidth to the first
bandwidth receiving device, as illustrated in figure 6, an indication (601) to the extent is
displayed on a display device associated with the first bandwidth receiving device.
Now referring to figure 7, reference numeral 700 illustrates an action taken by the first user to
adjust sensitivity of the photo detectors. The aforesaid action results in adjusting of the
threshold current level which is taken into consideration for categorizing a particular photo
detector as producing current or as NOT producing current. In this regard, it must be noted
that it is not essential that the amount of current produced by a photo detector which is
obstructed is zero. It is also not essential that two photo detectors which are obstructed will
produce same amount of current (or for that matter two photo detectors which are non11
obstructed will produce same amount of current). Thus, current level can be set at a pre-set
value and the user can at any point of time, change the threshold value to suit the amount of
light received by the visible light receiver array. The impact of the user adjusting the
sensitivity is illustrated in graph 701, which shows the amount of current produced by
photodiode-1 (702), photodiode-2 (703), photodiode-3 (704) and photodiode-4 (705) over a
period of time. It can be seen that since the amount of current produced by photodiode-1
(702) and photodiode-2 (703) is above the threshold value (706), the same are taken as light
receiving photo diodes. On the other hand, the amount of current produced by photodiode-3
(704) and photodiode-4 (705) is below the threshold value (706), the same are taken as light
obstructed photo diodes.
In some instances, it may be felt that the first mechanism for controlling obstruction (as
illustrated in figure 4 and described above) may not be user friendly and in such case, an
alternative method for controlling obstruction, as illustrated in figure 8 can be followed. In
the alternative mechanism, the user can after creating an obstruction, move the same in a
particular direction to increase or decrease the amount of obstruction. Particularly, as shown
in figure 8 (which shows a human hand as an object that creates the obstruction), the hand is
dragged (801) in a direction so as to increase or decrease the amount of obstruction. Similar
to that figure 4, the real time visual indicator (802) indicates the amount of obstruction (as
interpreted by the determining element (203) that determines the amount of obstruction). A
sample obstruction map (900) as may be prepared for the scenario depicted in figure 8 is
illustrated in figure 9, which shows the photo detectors that are obstructed by “X” (901) and
shown the photo detectors that are non-obstructed as “O” (902).
While figure 3 illustrated the working of the invention in a network comprising two
bandwidth receiving devices, there can be instances where the number of bandwidth
receiving devices can be more than 2 and it is required to allocate the bandwidth to such
multiple deices. Now referring to figure 10, there is illustrated a method for simultaneously
allocating bandwidth to 3 connected devices (Device A, Device B and Device C). As
illustrated in figure 10, an obstruction of certain amount of area is created such that it is offset
from a right-side corner of the visible light receiver array and offset from left-side corner of
the visible light receiver array. In this case, the number of light receiving photo diodes
starting from the left-side corner to the beginning of the light obstructed photo diodes is
calculated (or obtained from the obstruction map) and a control signal on the basis of the
12
same is generated and is allocated to Device A. The control signal corresponding to Device B
is generated on the basis of the number of light obstructed photo diodes. The control signal
corresponding to Device C is generated on basis of number of light receiving photo diodes
starting from the end of the light obstructed photo diodes to the right-side corner of the
visible light receiver array.
By way of a non-limiting example, in case if there are four connected devices whose
bandwidth allocation is to be controlled, the same can still be done simultaneously, for
example by creating two obstructions that spaced away from each other. For example, a hand
obstruction in the form of “V” shaped can be formed such that it is offset from both the rightside
corner and the left side corner of the visible light receiver array and the mechanism as
described with reference to figure 10 can be adopted for generating control signals for
controlling allocation to the four connected devices.
There can be instances, wherein a network comprising three or more devices, a control signal
for allocation of bandwidth to a particular device is received. In such a case, the device from
which the control signal is received can be treated as ADMIN device and the bandwidth
requested can be allocated or reserved for the ADMIN deice. In such a scenario, the
remaining bandwidth can be then made available to the two or remaining devices and
allocation of bandwidth between these two or more devices can be made, for example, based
on priority allocated to such two or more devices or any other technique for bandwidth
sharing.
While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on
account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various
working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive
concept as taught herein.
The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the
art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a
single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple
functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the
manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be
implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed.
13
Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the
other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.
Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences
in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at
least as broad as given by the following claims.
14
We Claim:
1. A controlling method comprising:
detecting, at a controlling entity, obstruction in visible light received by a visible light
receiver array, said visible light receiver array comprising plurality of photo detectors;
determining, by the controlling entity, an amount of obstruction or an amount of nonobstruction;
generating, by the controlling entity, a control signal based on the amount of
obstruction or the amount of non-obstruction; and
providing, by the controlling entity, the control signal to a controlled entity.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein detecting obstruction in visible light
comprises detecting a change in an amount of current produced by the visible light
receiver array.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining an amount of obstruction
comprises determining a number of photo detectors producing electricity below a
threshold value.
4. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the threshold value can be varied by
varying sensitivity of the photo detectors for light detection.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining an amount of non-obstruction
comprises determining a number of photo detectors producing electricity above a
threshold value.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining an amount of obstruction
comprises preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array and
generating an approximate percentage of obstruction based on the obstruction map.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining an amount of non-obstruction
comprises preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array and
generating an approximate percentage of non-obstruction based on the obstruction
map.
15
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining an amount of obstruction
comprises:
preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array; and
generating an approximate ratio of obstruction to non-obstruction based on the
obstruction map.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining an amount of non-obstruction
comprises:
preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array; and
generating an approximate ratio of non-obstruction to obstruction based on
obstruction map.
10. The method as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, wherein preparing obstruction map of
the visible light receiver array comprises:
detecting the photo detectors producing electricity above a threshold value; and
detecting the photo detectors producing electricity below the threshold value;
11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control signal is based on an
approximate ratio of obstruction to non-obstruction.
12. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control signal is based on an
approximate ratio of non-obstruction to obstruction.
13. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control signal is based on an
approximate percentage of obstruction.
14. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control signal is based on an
approximate percentage of non-obstruction.
15. The method as claimed in any of claims 13 or 14, wherein the control signal is an
electronic representation of a value between 0 to 100%.
16. A method of controlling allocation of available bandwidth in a network comprising a
bandwidth providing device and a first bandwidth receiving device, comprising:
16
detecting, at the first bandwidth receiving device, obstruction in visible light received
by a visible light receiver array, said visible light receiver array comprising plurality
of photo detectors;
determining, by the first bandwidth receiving device, an amount of obstruction or an
amount of non-obstruction;
generating, by the first bandwidth receiving device, a bandwidth allocation signal
based on the amount of obstruction or the amount of non-obstruction; and
providing, by the first bandwidth receiving device, the bandwidth allocation signal to
a bandwidth providing device for controlling allocation of available bandwidth.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein detecting obstruction in visible light
comprises detecting a change in an amount of current produced by the visible light
receiver array.
18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein determining an amount of obstruction
comprises determining a number of photo detectors producing electricity below a
threshold value.
19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein determining an amount of nonobstruction
comprises determining a number of photo detectors producing electricity
above a threshold value.
20. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein determining an amount of obstruction
comprises preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array and
generating an approximate percentage of obstruction based on obstruction map.
21. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein determining an amount of nonobstruction
comprises preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array
and generating an approximate percentage of non-obstruction based on obstruction
map.
22. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein determining an amount of obstruction
comprises preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array and
generating an approximate ratio of obstruction to non-obstruction based on
obstruction map.
17
23. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein determining an amount of nonobstruction
comprises preparing an obstruction map of the visible light receiver array
and generating an approximate ratio of non-obstruction to obstruction based on
obstruction map.
24. The method as claimed in any of claims 20 to 23, wherein preparing obstruction map
of the visible light receiver array comprises:
detecting the photo detectors producing electricity above a threshold value; and
detecting the photo detectors producing electricity below the threshold value;
25. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the bandwidth allocation signal is based
on an approximate ratio of obstruction to non-obstruction.
26. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the bandwidth allocation signal is based
on an approximate ratio of non-obstruction to obstruction.
27. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the bandwidth allocation signal is based
on an approximate percentage of obstruction.
28. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the bandwidth allocation signal is based
on an approximate percentage of non-obstruction.
29. The method as claimed in any of claims 27 or 28, wherein the bandwidth allocation
signal is an electronic representation of a value between 0 to 100% corresponding to
the bandwidth allocation to the first bandwidth receiving device.
30. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein bandwidth allocation signal is for
controlling allocation of the available bandwidth to the first bandwidth receiving
device.
31. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the network further comprises at least
one further bandwidth receiving device and wherein bandwidth allocation signal is for
controlling allocation of the available bandwidth to said at least one further bandwidth
receiving device.
32. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the network further comprises at least
one further bandwidth receiving device and wherein bandwidth allocation signal is for
18
controlling allocation of the available bandwidth to said first bandwidth receiving
device and said at least one further bandwidth receiving device are allocated priority
value.
33. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein bandwidth allocation signal for
controlling allocation of the available bandwidth to said first bandwidth receiving
device and said at least one further bandwidth receiving device is in accordance with
allocated priority.
34. A method of controlling at least one parameter, said method comprising:
detecting an obstruction in visible light received by a visible light receiver array, said
visible light receiver array comprising plurality of photo detectors;
determining an amount of obstruction or an amount of non-obstruction;
generating a control signal based on the amount of obstruction or the amount of nonobstruction;
and
providing the control signal so as to control at least one parameter.
35. A controlling device comprising:
a visible light receiver array comprising plurality of photo detectors;
a detection element being in operational interconnection with the visible light receiver
array for detecting obstruction in visible light received by the visible light receiver
array;
a determining element being in operational interconnection with the detection element
for determining an amount of obstruction or an amount of non-obstruction;
a control signal generating element being in operational interconnection with the
determining element for generating a control signal based on the amount of
obstruction or the amount of non-obstruction; and
a transmitting element being in operational interconnection with the control signal
generating element and a controlled entity for providing the control signal to the
controlled entity.
36. A bandwidth receiving device comprising:
a visible light receiver array comprising plurality of photo detectors;
19
a detection element being in operational interconnection with the visible light receiver
array for detecting obstruction in visible light received by the visible light receiver
array;
a determining element being in operational interconnection with the detection element
for determining an amount of obstruction or an amount of non-obstruction;
a control signal generating element being in operational interconnection with the
determining element for generating a bandwidth allocation signal based on the
amount of obstruction or the amount of non-obstruction; and
a transmitting element being in operational interconnection with the control signal
generating element and a bandwidth providing device for providing the bandwidth
allocation signal to the bandwidth providing device.