Infrared data communications

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the entire target area is not modified to substantially alter the infrared reflective characteristics.

Claim 4

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first transmitter means further comprises: a. one or more infrared LEDs for forming an infrared radiation signal; and b. a transmitter lens for passing and focusing said infrared radiation.

Claim 5

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first receiver means further comprises: a. a receiver lens for passing and focusing said infrared radiation; and b. an infrared receptor for transforming said infrared radiation into an electronic signal.

Claim 6

The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said receptor comprises a PIN diode.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the diffuse reflecting surface comprises an acoustical ceiling tile.

Claim 8

The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a second receiver means positioned at said first location and a second transmitter means positioned at said second location wherein said first transmitter means and said second receiver means are combined into a first transceiver means and said second transmitter and said first receiver are combined into a second transceiver means.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each said first transceiver means and said second transceiver each direct infrared radiation to or receives infrared radiation from a position which is approximately the same location on the reflecting surface.

Claim 10

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of transceivers is divided into first and second groups with the focusing means of one group focused on a first common area of the inner surface of the enclosure and the focusing means of the other group focused on a second common area of the interior of the enclosure where said enclosure has an unmodified diffusing surface.

Claim 11

A communication network for interconnecting a plurality of pieces of computer equipment including computers, computer terminals, printers, and computer peripherals to communicate an electronic signal representing information between said pieces of computer equipment where said network is located within an enclosure, comprising: a. a diffuse reflecting surface which is not modified to alter its infrared reflective characteristics formed on a small portion of an inner surface of the enclosure for receiving infrared radiation impinging thereon and for reflecting infrared radiation therefrom; b. a plurality of modulators, a first of said modulators being coupled to a first piece of computer equipment, for modulating a first electronic signal representing information received from said first piece of computer equipment to produce a first modulated electronic signal; c. a plurality of infrared transmitters, a first of said transmitters being coupled to said first modulator for transforming said first modulated electronic signal into an infrared radiation signal, each of said transmitters having a path transparent to said infrared radiation signal to said reflecting surface where said infrared radiation is diffusely reflected and being focused on the diffuse reflecting surface; d. a plurality of infrared receivers having a line of sight path from said surface, said receivers being focused to receive the infrared radiation reflected from the diffuse reflecting surface and for forming a second modulated electronic signal; e. a plurality of demodulators, each of said demodulators coupled to each of said infrared receivers and also coupled to each of said computers, each of said demodulators for receiving said second modulated electronic signal and for demodulating it to form a second electronic signal representing said information; and f. means for transmitting said second electronic signal to a second piece of computer equipment.

Claim 12

A communication network for interconnecting a plurality of pieces of computer equipment including computers, computer terminals, printers, and computer peripherals to communicate an electronic signal representing information between said pieces of computer equipment where said network is located within an enclosure, comprising: a. a diffuse reflecting surface which is not modified to alter its infrared reflective characteristics formed on a small portion of an inner surface of the enclosure for receiving infrared radiation impinging thereon and for reflecting infrared radiation therefrom; b. a plurality of modulators, a first of said modulators being coupled to a first piece of computer equipment, for modulating a first electronic signal representing information received from said first piece of computer equipment to produce a first modulated electronic signal; c. a plurality of infrared transmitters, a first of said transmitters being coupled to said first modulator for transforming said first modulated electronic signal into an infrared radiation signal, each of said transmitters having a path transparent to said infrared radiation signal to said reflecting surface where said infrared radiation is diffusely reflected and being focused on the diffuse reflecting surface; d. a plurality of infrared receivers having a line of sight path from said surface, said receivers being focused to receive the infrared radiation reflected from the diffuse reflecting surface and for forming a second modulated electronic signal; e. a plurality of demodulators, each of said demodulators coupled to each of said infrared receivers and also coupled to each of said computers, each of said demodulators for receiving said second modulated electronic signal and for demodulating it to form a second electronic signal representing said information; and f. means for transmitting said second electronic signal to a second piece of computer equipment.

Claim 13

The communication medium according to claim 10 wherein each infrared receiver further comprises a lens for focusing said infrared radiation which is reflected.

Claim 14

The communication medium according to claim 11 wherein each infrared receiver further comprises a filter for excluding unwanted radiation.

Claim 15

The communication medium according to claim 10 wherein each infrared transmitter further comprises a lens for focusing said infrared radiation signal.

Claim 16

The apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the plurality of transceivers is divided into first and second groups with the focusing means of the first group focused on said same small portion of the inner surface of the enclosure and the focusing means of the second group focused on a different small portion of the inner surface of the enclosure where said enclosure has an unmodified diffusing surface.

Claim 19

The method according to claim 15 wherein the step of receiving further comprises: a. passing and focusing said infrared radiation through a second lens; and b. transforming said infrared radiation into an electronic signal using an infrared receptor.

Claim 20

The method according to claim 16 wherein said receptor comprises a PIN diode.

Claim 21

The method according to claim 15 wherein the diffuse reflecting surface comprises a member of the group consisting of an acoustical ceiling tile, plaster, plasterboard or wood.

Claim 22

The method according to claim 15 wherein the step of transmitting further comprises: a. activating one or more infrared LEDs for forming an infrared radiation signal; and b. passing and focusing said infrared radiation through a first lens.

Claim 23

The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the plurality of transceivers is divided into first and second groups with the focusing means of the first group focused on said same small portion of the inner surface of the enclosure and the focusing means of the second group focused on a different small portion of the inner surface of the enclosure where said enclosure has an unmodified diffusing surface.

Claim 26

The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the plurality of transceivers is divided into first and second groups with the focusing means of the first group focused on said same small portion of the inner surface of the enclosure and the focusing means of the second group focused on a different small portion of the inner surface of the enclosure where said enclosure has an unmodified diffusing surface.