Visible light communication locks

Abstract

This disclosure relates to visible light communication (VLC) for locks. A VLC smart lock apparatus may include a photodetector, a VLC decoder, a controller, a memory, a lock, and/or other components. The photodetector may be configured to receive visible light emitted from a hardware key device. The VLC decoder may be coupled to the photodetector and configured to decode the visible light received by the photodetector to obtain a key code. The memory may be configured to store a preset key code. The controller may be coupled to the VLC decoder, the memory, and the lock. The controller may be configured to unlock the lock when the preset key code is associated with the key code.

1 . A visible light communication (VLC) smart lock apparatus, comprising:
 a photodetector configured to receive visible light emitted from a hardware key device;   a VLC decoder coupled to the photodetector, the VLC decoder configured to decode the visible light received by the photodetector to obtain a key code;   a controller coupled to the VLC decoder;   a memory coupled to the controller, the memory configured to store a preset key code; and   a lock coupled to the controller;   wherein the controller is configured to unlock the lock when the preset key code is associated with the key code;   wherein the key code comprises an identification of the hardware key device, and the controller is configured to unlock the lock when preset key code is associated with the identification of the hardware key device.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hardware key device comprises a smartphone, and the identification of the smartphone is selected from a group consisting of an IMEI number, a MEID number, a product serial number, and a phone number of the smartphone. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hardware key device comprises a first smartphone, and the first smartphone is configured to receive the key code from a second smartphone via wireless communication. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first smartphone is configured to receive the key code from the second smartphone via text messaging. 
     
     
         6 . A visible light communication (VLC) smart lock apparatus, comprising:
 a photodetector configured to receive visible light emitted from a hardware key device;   a VLC decoder coupled to the photodetector, the VLC decoder configured to decode the visible light received by the photodetector to obtain a key code;   a controller coupled to the VLC decoder;   a memory coupled to the controller, the memory configured to store a preset key code; and   a lock coupled to the controller;   wherein the controller is configured to unlock the lock when the preset key code is associated with the key code wherein the hardware key device is configured to obtain biometric information of a user, the key code comprises an identification of the user based on the biometric information of the user, and the controller is configured to unlock the lock when preset key code is associated with an identification of the user.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an input device for inputting the preset key code. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the input device comprises a field programming tool. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an LED configured as a VLC transmitter to emit visible light in accordance with a VLC signal, and a VLC encoder configured to encode the VLC signal. 
     
     
         10 . A visible light communication (VLC) smart lock apparatus, comprising:
 a photodetector configured to receive visible light emitted from a hardware key device;   a VLC decoder coupled to the photodetector, the VLC decoder configured to decode the visible light received by the photodetector to obtain a key code;   a controller coupled to the VLC decoder;   a memory coupled to the controller, the memory configured to store a preset key code; and   a lock coupled to the controller;   wherein the controller, the memory, and the VLC decoder are integrated in an integrated circuit.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the lock is embedded in a door. 
     
     
         12 . A visible light communication (VLC) smart lock apparatus, comprising:
 a photodetector configured to receive visible light emitted from a hardware key device;   a VLC decoder coupled to the photodetector, the VLC decoder configured to decode the visible light received by the photodetector to obtain a key code;   a controller coupled to the VLC decoder;   a memory coupled to the controller, the memory configured to store a preset key code; and   a lock coupled to the controller;   wherein the lock comprises a door lock for a garage, and the hardware key device comprises a light of a car.   
     
     
         13 . A visible light communication (VLC) smart lock apparatus, comprising:
 a photodetector configured to receive visible light emitted from a hardware key device;   a VLC decoder coupled to the photodetector, the VLC decoder configured to decode the visible light received by the photodetector to obtain a key code;   a controller coupled to the VLC decoder;   a memory coupled to the controller, the memory configured to store a preset key code; and   a lock coupled to the controller;   wherein the lock comprises a bicycle lock.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a battery to power the VLC smart lock apparatus and a photovoltaic (PV) panel configured to charge the battery. 
     
     
         15 . An integrated circuit for a visible light communication (VLC) smart lock apparatus, comprising:
 a VLC signal channel configured to receive a digital signal from a photodetector configured to receive visible light emitted from a hardware key device;   a VLC decoder coupled to the VLC signal channel, the VLC decoder configured to decode the digital signal from the photodetector to obtain a key code;   a controller coupled to the VLC decoder; and   a memory coupled to the controller, the memory configured to store a preset key code;   wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the preset key code is associated with the key code.   
     
     
         16 . The integrated circuit of  claim 15 , wherein the key code comprises an identification of the hardware key device, and the preset key code is associated with the identification of the hardware key device. 
     
     
         17 . The integrated circuit of  claim 16 , wherein the hardware key device comprises a smartphone, and the identification is selected from a group consisting of an IMEI number, a MEID number, a product serial number and a phone number of the smartphone. 
     
     
         18 . The integrated circuit of  claim 15 , further comprising an input port for inputting the preset key code. 
     
     
         19 . The integrated circuit of  claim 18 , wherein the preset key code is field programmable. 
     
     
         20 . The integrated circuit of  claim 15 , further comprising an LED configured as a VLC transmitter to emit visible light in accordance with a VLC signal, and a VLC encoder configured to encode the VLC signal. 
     
     
         21 . The integrated circuit of  claim 15 , further comprising the photodetector. 
     
     
         22 . The integrated circuit of  claim 21 , wherein the integrated circuit comprises a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) system, wherein the controller, the memory, and the VLC decoder are fabricated on a first portion of a silicon substrate, and the photodetector is fabricated from silicon or a compound semiconductor island selectively grown on a second portion of the silicon substrate. 
     
     
         23 . The integrated circuit of  claim 22 , wherein the compound semiconductor is GaN. 
     
     
         24 . The integrated circuit of  claim 21 , wherein the integrated circuit is packaged in a System-in-a-Package (SiP) system, wherein the controller, the memory, and the VLC decoder are fabricated on a silicon substrate, and the photodetector is fabricated from a compound semiconductor. 
     
     
         25 . The integrated circuit of  claim 15 , wherein integrated circuit is embedded in a first device in a payment system. 
     
     
         26 . The integrated circuit of  claim 25 , wherein the hardware key device comprises a second device in the payment system.