RECEIVER FOR LIGHT TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, LIGHT TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATING A LIGHT TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

Abstract

A receiver for a light transmission system includes a camera having an image sensor, and a light-sensitive area of the image sensor includes a plurality of rows of light-sensitive elements. The image sensor is configured such that the light-sensitive area of the image sensor is scanned row by row or column by column. An attachment element is arranged such that light incident on the light-sensitive area of the image sensor passes through the attachment element beforehand. The attachment element has at least one lenticular region and at least one planar region.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A receiver fora light transmission system, comprising: a camera including an image sensor, a light-sensitive area of the image sensor including a plurality of rows of light-sensitive elements, the image sensor configured to scan the light-sensitive area of the image sensor row-by-row or column-by-column, and an attachment element arranged such that light incident on the light-sensitive area of the image sensor previously passes through the attachment element, the attachment element including at least one lenticular region and at least one planar region.

15. The receiver according to claim 14, wherein the attachment element is foil- or plate-shaped, the lenticular region has an alternating material thickness, and the planar region has a constant material thickness.

16. The receiver according to claim 14, wherein a material thickness of the lenticular region is constant in a preferred direction and is alternating in a transverse direction perpendicular to the preferred direction.

17. The receiver according to claim 14, wherein the attachment element includes a plurality of stripe-shaped lenticular regions a plurality of stripe-shaped planar regions.

18. The receiver according to claim 17, wherein the stripe-shaped lenticular regions are oriented parallel to a transverse direction.

19. The receiver according to claim 14, further comprising an accommodating unit, including a first accommodating element and a second accommodating element movable relative to the first accommodating element, the camera being accommodated in the first accommodating element, and the attachment element being accommodated in the second accommodating element.

20. The receiver according to claim 14, wherein the lenticular region includes a plurality of bumps arranged side by side in a transverse direction.

21. The receiver according to claim 20, wherein the bumps are semicircular-shaped.

22. A light transmission system, comprising: a receiver as recited in claim 14; and a transmitter including at least one controllable light source adapted to emit modulated light in accordance with a predetermined data stream.

23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the attachment element is arranged between the controllable light source and the camera.

24. A method of operating the light transmission system as recited in claim 22, comprising: scanning the light-sensitive area of the image sensor row-by-row or column-by-column; and processing a first image projected through the lenticular region of the attachment element onto the light-sensitive area separately from a second image projected through the planar region of the attachment element onto the light-sensitive area.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the data stream is detected from the first image, according to which the controllable light source of the transmitter emits the modulated light.

26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising detecting an optical image from the second image.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a light transmission system.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view of an attachment element.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the attachment element.

[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates an overall image being projected through the attachment element.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a top view of an attachment element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a light transmission system 10. The light transmission system 10 includes a transmitter 14, which includes a controllable light source 1. The light source 1 is, for example, an LED, a ceiling lamp, or a headlight of a vehicle. The light transmission system 10 further includes a receiver 12.

[0031] The receiver 12 includes a camera 6. The camera 6 includes an image sensor 4. The image sensor 4 has a light-sensitive area comprising a plurality of rows and columns of light sensitive elements. In operation of the camera 6, the light-sensitive area of the image sensor 4 is scanned row by row or column by column. The individual scanned rows are combined to form an overall image. The camera 6 further includes an optical element in the form of an optical lens 8, the lens 8 being arranged in front of the image sensor 4 so that light incident on the light-sensitive area of the image sensor 4 passes through the lens 8 beforehand. The camera 6 also includes a signal electronics system 5, which is used, e.g., for scanning the light-sensitive area of the image sensor 4.

[0032] The receiver 12 also includes an attachment element 3. The attachment element 3 is arranged in front of the image sensor 4 such that light incident on the light-sensitive area of the image sensor 4 passes through the attachment element 3 beforehand. The attachment element 3 is formed in the shape of a relatively thin, light-transmitting film. The attachment element 3 is arranged between the light source 1 of the transmitter 14 and the camera 6.

[0033] The camera 6 of the receiver 12 is, for example, part of a cell phone or smartphone. The receiver 12 optionally also includes an accommodating unit. The accommodating unit is, for example, a case including a first accommodating element and a second accommodating element. For example, the second accommodating element can be moved, e.g., pivoted, relative to the first accommodating element. The cell phone with the camera 6 is accommodated in the first accommodating element, and the attachment element 3 is accommodated in the second accommodating element. The attachment element 3 is thus movable—for example, pivotable or displaceable—relative to the camera 6. If data transmission via the system 10 is not desired, the attachment element 3 may be removed from the camera 6, and the camera may capture a complete optical image without the attachment element 3.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a top view of an attachment element 3. The attachment element 3 has a plurality of stripe-shaped lenticular regions 31 and a plurality of stripe-shaped planar regions 32. The stripe-shaped lenticular regions 31 and planar portions 32 are oriented parallel to a transverse direction Q, and perpendicular to a preferred direction V.

[0035] The lenticular regions 31 of the attachment element 3 are formed such that light passing through the lenticular regions 31 is refracted relatively strongly. For example, a light beam originating from a point light source 1 is imaged in the form of a luminous stripe. Light passing through the lenticular regions 31 of the attachment element 3 generates a first image on the light-sensitive area of the image sensor 4. The first image is blurred due to the relatively strong refraction of the light.

[0036] The planar regions 32 of the attachment element 3 are formed such that light passing through the planar regions 32 penetrates the attachment element 3 at least approximately in a straight line, i.e., is not or only insignificantly refracted. Light passing through the planar regions 32 of the attachment element 3 generates a second image on the light-sensitive area of the image sensor 4. The second image is a sharp optical image.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a section through the attachment element 3. The illustrated section extends in the transverse direction Q through one of the stripe-shaped planar regions 32. The illustrated section through the attachment element 3 extends at right angles to the preferred direction V.

[0038] The planar region 32 of the attachment element 3 has an at least approximately constant material thickness. Thus, light penetrates the planar region 32 at least approximately in a straight line and is not or only insignificantly refracted.

[0039] The lenticular region 31 of the attachment element 3 has an alternating material thickness. The lenticular region 31 has a plurality of bumps 35, which are arranged adjacent to one another in the transverse direction Q. The bumps 35 are semicircular in shape. The bumps 35 can also have other shapes. The material thickness of the lenticular region 31 is thus alternating in the transverse direction Q. The material thickness of the lenticular region 31 is constant in the preferred direction V. Light incident on the lenticular region 31 is thus refracted to different degrees depending on the location of incidence.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows an overall image being projected through the attachment element 3. The overall image includes a first image generated by light passing through the lenticular regions 31 of the attachment element 3. The overall image also includes a second image generated by light passing through the planar regions 32 of the attachment element 3. The transmitter 14 generating the overall image is, e.g., a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle has two light sources 1 which are arranged as headlights. The two light sources 1 should be regarded as approximately punctiform.

[0041] The light emitted by the light sources 1, which is incident at right angles on a lenticular region 31 of the attachment element 3, is refracted and imaged in the form of a luminous stripe. The luminous stripes generated by the two light sources extend in the direction of the lenticular regions 31, i.e., in the transverse direction Q. Lenticular regions 31, on which no light from the light sources 1 incides at right angles, generate stripes of significantly lower brightness which also extend in the transverse direction Q. Thus, the first image has two luminous stripes and a plurality of dark stripes.

[0042] The light emitted by the remaining parts of the transmitter 14, which is incident at right angles on a planar region 32 of the attachment element 3, penetrates the attachment element 3 at least approximately in a straight line. This results in a stripe-shaped second image. The second image is a sharp optical image. The second image shows the transmitter 14 only partially. Nevertheless, the transmitter 14, e.g., e a motor vehicle, is clearly recognizable.

[0043] FIG. 5 is a top view of an attachment element 3. The attachment element 3 has exactly one lenticular region 31 and exactly one planar region 32. The lenticular region 31 and the planar region 32 are each rectangular in shape and have approximately equal surfaces.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0044] 1 light source [0045] 3 attachment element [0046] 4 image sensor [0047] 5 signal electronics system [0048] 6 camera [0049] 8 lens [0050] 10 system [0051] 12 receiver [0052] 14 transmitter [0053] 31 lenticular region [0054] 32 planar region [0055] 35 bump [0056] Q transverse direction [0057] V preferred direction