Abstract: In one aspect, described herein is a computing device comprising a light emitting unit; and a controller communicatively coupled to the light emitting unit, the controller being configured to: apply an encoding to data, using at least one device identifier; generate a plurality of color identifiers by applying a color mapping to the data, wherein each color identifier is associated with one of a plurality of color values; and transmit, via the light emitting unit of the computing device, at least one light signal based on the plurality of color identifiers. In one embodiment, the at least one device identifier comprises at least one of the following: at least one identifier of the computing device that is unique to the computing device, or at least one identifier of a recipient device that is unique to the recipient device.

Abstract: A method (300) of extending battery life in a communication device having a plurality of receivers includes receiving information with a primary receiver that is configured to operate on a first network (303) and controlling a secondary receiver that is configured to operate on a second network that is independent from the first network in accordance with the information obtained with the primary receiver. A corresponding communication device (201) includes: a primary receiver (221) configured to operate on a first network (203); a secondary receiver (227, 233) configured and arranged to operate as a short range receiver with an access point (205, 207) that is independent of the first network; and a controller (225, 231, 237) that is configured to control the secondary receiver in accordance with information obtained from the primary receiver.