Abstract: Methods for controlling at least two robots having respective working spaces, including at least one region in common are disclosed. The working space of each robot is modelled by defining one or more interference regions each constituted by an elementary geometrical figure. The interference regions are classified as: prohibited interference regions, defined as regions of space where the presence of the robot must without fail always be inhibited; monitored interference regions, defined as regions of space where the presence of the robot is accepted, but controlled, the robot being pre-arranged for sending a signal to the central control unit whenever it enters a monitored region and whenever it exits from a monitored region; and hybrid interference regions that are able to change between a status of monitored region and a status of prohibited region as a function of an input signal to the robot sent by said central control unit.

Abstract: Methods for controlling at least two robots having respective working spaces, including at least one region in common are disclosed. The working space of each robot is modelled by defining one or more interference regions each constituted by an elementary geometrical figure. The interference regions are classified as: prohibited interference regions, defined as regions of space where the presence of the robot must without fail always be inhibited; monitored interference regions, defined as regions of space where the presence of the robot is accepted, but controlled, the robot being pre-arranged for sending a signal to the central control unit whenever it enters a monitored region and whenever it exits from a monitored region; and hybrid interference regions that are able to change between a status of monitored region and a status of prohibited region as a function of an input signal to the robot sent by said central control unit.

Abstract: A receiver for an optical transmission system in air is described. The receiver includes at least one receiving lens for focusing a beam received from a remote transmitter and a detector. The receiver is characterised in that it includes a portion or section of tapered optical fibre inserted basically into the focal plane of the at least one receiving lens. A method for increasing the gathering area in a receiver for an optical transmission system in air is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bi-directional telescope for a laser on air telecommunication system, the telescope comprising: a primary optical surface; at least one transmitting device forming at least one transmitting beam impinging against the primary optical surface at an at least one illuminated area, the at least one transmitting beam having a corresponding axis; and a receiving device collecting the power deflected by an optical surface of the primary optical surface into a receiving beam, the receiving beam having an axis. The telescope is characterized in that the optical surface of the primary optical surface is larger than the at least one illuminated area and in that the transmitting beam axis does not coincide with the receiving beam axis. A method for receiving and transmitting optical signals through the air by a bi-directional telescope is also described.

Abstract: Method for receiving/trasmitting an optical signal through the air, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first free space optics apparatus; providing a second free space optics apparatus, the first and second apparatuses being spaced by a certain distance; at the first apparatus, transmitting an optical signal through the air at a bit-rate; receiving, at the second apparatus, said optical signal transmitted through the air by the first apparatus. The method being characterized by further comprising the steps of: measuring the power level of the received signal; and operating a switch for accomodating the bit-rate in order to change the fading margin in the apparatus. A lower bit-rate being used when the level of the received power is low and/or in rather bad weather conditions.