PHOCI™

PHOCI™ is a groundbreaking technology that adds free-space optical communication capabilities to CMOS imaging sensors. Through its implementation it enables digital video cameras to capture both the visual imagery of a scene while simultaneously receiving data from object tags that communicate via high-speed pulses of infrared light.

PHOCI™ will be initially deployed in the asset tracking market, primarily as a complement or alternative to radio frequency identification (RFID) technologies in situations where RF is problematic or inappropriate to implement. Such problems can include the tracking of large metal objects or liquid filled objects that experience RF interference and signal deflection, security breaches such as RF interception or jamming, or the presence of electro-magnetic interference. PHOCI™ can provide a distinct identification and communication flow from multiple tags simultaneously while overlaying that tracking information onto a live video feed. It can also be applied in situations where tagged objects need to report real-time status and monitoring information.

Other application for PHOCI™ being explored by Clifton Labs are vehicular networking (car-to-car, roadway-to-car, signage-to-car communication) and assitance to the blind and visually impared.