Pulsed Light Communication Key

Abstract

A Universal Serial Bus (USB) key may include an optical transceiver having a USB interface for engagement to an electronic device such as a laptop computer or other USB-configured device. The USB key may include a converter or buffering, isolation, modulation or amplification circuitry. The USB key sends and receives data signals which may be carried upon an optical transmission as generated by an LED light source which in turn is in communication with a host device such as a network processor. The USB key may also include operational amplifiers (op-amps) and transistor amplifiers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A light emitting diode (LED) light communication device comprising:
 a portable housing comprising at least one optical transceiver comprising at least one LED and at least one photodetector, said housing further comprising a universal serial bus interface in communication with said at least one optical transceiver,   said universal serial bus interface being constructed and arranged for communication with a universal serial bus receiving port of an electronic device, said universal serial bus interface having an inserted position and a removed position relative to said universal serial bus receiving port,   said optical transceiver being further constructed and arranged for transmission of at least one transmitted light signal and receipt of at least one received light signal, said at least one transmitted light signal and said at least one received light signal each comprising a plurality of rapid flashes of light, said rapid flashes of light having a frequency which is not observable to an individual, wherein said rapid flashes of light are configured for transmission of information or data, said at least one transmitted light signal and said at least one received light signal having a wavelength in the visible spectrum, said at least one received light signal comprising an electronic device identifier.   
     
     
         2 . The LED light communication device of  claim 1 , said optical transceiver further comprising a converter. 
     
     
         3 . The LED light communication device of  claim 2 , said optical transceiver further comprising buffering circuitry. 
     
     
         4 . The LED light communication device of  claim 3 , said optical transceiver further comprising isolation circuitry. 
     
     
         5 . The LED light communication device of  claim 4 , said optical transceiver further comprising modulation circuitry. 
     
     
         6 . The LED light communication device of  claim 4 , said optical transceiver further comprising amplification circuitry. 
     
     
         7 . The LED light communication device of  claim 1 , said at least one optical transceiver further comprising a lens assembly comprising at least one reflective member and at least one lens disposed adjacent to said at least one reflective member. 
     
     
         8 . The LED light communication device of  claim 1 , said at least one optical transceiver further comprising a lens assembly comprising an upper lens, said upper lens comprising an opening. 
     
     
         9 . A light emitting diode (LED) light communication device comprising:
 a housing comprising at least one optical transceiver comprising at least one LED and at least one photodetector, said housing further comprising a universal serial bus interface in communication with said at least one optical transceiver,   said universal serial bus interface being constructed and arranged for communication with a universal serial bus receiving port of an electronic device, said universal serial bus interface having an inserted position and a removed position relative to said universal serial bus receiving port,   said optical transceiver being further constructed and arranged for transmission of at least one transmitted light signal and receipt of at least one received light signal, said at least one transmitted light signal and said at least one received light signal each comprising a plurality of rapid flashes of light said rapid flashes of light having a wavelength in the visible spectrum, said rapid flashes of light having a frequency which is not observable to an individual, wherein said rapid flashes of light are configured for transmission of information or data, said at least one received light signal comprising at least one destination location identifier and an electronic device identifier.   
     
     
         10 . The LED light communication device of  claim 9 , said information or data comprising global positioning system information. 
     
     
         11 . The LED light communication device of  claim 10 , said information or data comprising at least one origin optical transceiver location identifier and at least one intermediate optical transceiver location identifier. 
     
     
         12 . The LED light communication device of  claim 9 , said at least one optical transceiver further comprising a lens assembly comprising at least one reflective member wherein said at least one lens is disposed adjacent to said at least one reflective member. 
     
     
         13 . The LED light communication device of  claim 9 , said at least one optical transceiver further comprising a lens assembly comprising an upper lens, said upper lens comprising an opening. 
     
     
         14 . The LED light communication device of  claim 1 , said information or data comprising global positioning system information. 
     
     
         15 . The LED light communication device of  claim 1 , said information or data comprising at least one origin optical transceiver location identifier and at least one intermediate optical transceiver location identifier.