Systems, Methods, and Devices for Infrared Communications

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for infrared (IR) communications in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a first infrared (IR) device configured for real time mapping comprises: a mapping module; a communication module; an IR receiver configured to receive an IR signal transmitted from at least one second IR device; a processor operatively connected to the mapping module, communication module, and IR receiver; and memory storing a program comprising instructions that cause the first IR device to: capture map data using the mapping module; transmit a request for an IR signal using the communication module; scan for IR signals using the IR receiver; receive an IR signal, from the at least one second IR device, using the IR receiver; and validate the at least one second IR device to a location by mapping the received IR signal to a position on the map data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A first infrared (IR) device configured for IR communications, the first IR device comprising:
 an IR receiver configured to receive an IR signal transmitted from at least one second IR device;   a processor operatively connected to the IR receiver; and   memory storing a program comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the IR device to:
 scan using the IR receiver; 
 receive the IR signal, from the at least one second IR device, using the IR receiver; and 
 locate the at least one second IR device using the IR signal. 
   
     
     
         2 . The first IR device of  claim 1  further comprising a mapping module having a field of view and wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to capture map data using the mapping module. 
     
     
         3 . The first IR device of  claim 2 , wherein the mapping module comprises a camera and the map data comprises 2D image data. 
     
     
         4 . The first IR device of  claim 2 , wherein the mapping module comprises a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) device and the map data comprises 3D data. 
     
     
         5 . The first IR device of  claim 2 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to locate the at least one second IR device within a line of sight (LOS) of the first IR device. 
     
     
         6 . The first IR device of  claim 2 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to track movement of the at least one second IR device using the map data. 
     
     
         7 . The first IR device of  claim 6 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to track the movement of the at least one second IR device by determining the at least one second IR device's orientation and speed. 
     
     
         8 . The first IR device of  claim 2 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to generate augmented reality (AR) data using the IR signal and the map data. 
     
     
         9 . The first IR device of  claim 8 , wherein the AR data indicates a location of the at least one second IR device in relationship to the map data. 
     
     
         10 . The first IR device of  claim 8 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to generate the AR data by superimposing a location of the at least one second IR device onto the map data. 
     
     
         11 . The first IR device of  claim 8 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to track movement of the at least one second IR device using the AR data. 
     
     
         12 . The first IR device of  claim 1 , wherein the IR signal comprises a unique identifier that identifies the at least one second IR device. 
     
     
         13 . The first IR device of  claim 1  further comprising a communication module and wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to transmit a request for a requested IR signal using the communication module. 
     
     
         14 . The first IR device of  claim 13 , wherein the request for the requested IR signal comprises a unique identifier. 
     
     
         15 . The first IR device of  claim 14 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to validate the at least one second IR device by comparing the IR signal for a match of the requested IR signal. 
     
     
         16 . The first IR device of  claim 1 , wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to scan within a predetermined response time window. 
     
     
         17 . The first IR device of  claim 1  further comprising a communication module and wherein the program comprises further instructions that, when executed by the processor, further cause the first IR device to initiate secondary wireless communication with the at least one second IR device using the communication module. 
     
     
         18 . The first IR device of  claim 1 , wherein the IR signal comprises orientation data of the at least one second IR device, wherein the orientation data includes information of the at least one second IR device's orientation. 
     
     
         19 . The first IR device of  claim 1 , wherein the IR signal comprises object data, wherein the object data includes information of an object attached to the at least one second IR device. 
     
     
         20 . The first IR device of  claim 1 , wherein the IR signal comprises shipment data, wherein the shipment data includes information of an end destination location.