US 11,789,462 B2
Method for operating a system having visible light sources and sensors for bidirectional communication and system having visible light sources and sensors for bidirectional communication
Josef Schmidt, Graben-Neudorf (DE); Zhidong Hua, Bruchsal (DE); and Thomas Schäfer, Karlsdorf-Neuthard (DE)
Assigned to SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG, Bruchsal (DE)
Filed by SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG, Bruchsal (DE)
Filed on Nov. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/529,339.
Application 17/529,339 is a continuation of application No. 15/781,750, granted, now 11,181,931, previously published as PCT/EP2016/025157, filed on Nov. 30, 2016.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2015 015 770.1 (DE), filed on Dec. 8, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2022/0075389 A1, Mar. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. G08C 23/04 (2006.01); H04Q 9/00 (2006.01); H04W 4/46 (2018.01); H04W 4/44 (2018.01); H04B 10/116 (2013.01); H04W 88/04 (2009.01); G01S 5/00 (2006.01); G07C 5/00 (2006.01); G05D 1/02 (2020.01); G08G 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC G05D 1/0297 (2013.01) [G01S 5/009 (2013.01); G01S 5/0036 (2013.01); G05D 1/0223 (2013.01); G05D 1/0276 (2013.01); G05D 1/0293 (2013.01); G07C 5/008 (2013.01); G08C 23/04 (2013.01); G08G 1/22 (2013.01); H04B 10/116 (2013.01); H04Q 9/00 (2013.01); H04W 4/44 (2018.02); H04W 4/46 (2018.02); H04W 88/04 (2013.01); G05D 2201/0216 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a plurality of vehicles; and
a central control unit;
wherein each vehicle includes a first transceiver module, a second transceiver module, and a position-determination device and/or a distance sensor, each transceiver including a controllable light source and a light sensor;
wherein each vehicle is adapted to bidirectionally communicate with a stationary transceiver module using the first transceiver module and is adapted to bidirectionally communicate with other vehicles using the second transceiver module;
wherein the stationary transceiver module includes a controllable light source of visible light and the light sensor of at least each vehicle includes a light sensor for visible light; and
wherein the central control unit is adapted to control the vehicles, the central control unit is connected to the stationary transceiver module by at least one bidirectional communications channel, and the central control unit is adapted to transmit driving orders to a respective vehicle via the stationary transceiver module.