Patent ID: 7236706

Claim:
A free space optics communication apparatus which uses a light signal propagating through the air to perform informational communication with a plurality of other apparatuses located at different locations, comprising: a light source which emits a light signal; a movable mirror array which has a plurality of mirrors which reflect the light signal from said light source arranged in a matrix-like form, directions of the respective mirrors being controllable independently; a mirror control circuit which controls the directions of said respective mirrors to form, a plurality of mirror groups which reflect the light signal toward the said other apparatuses, in said movable mirror array respectively; and a detection unit which detects distances to said respective other apparatuses, wherein the number of said mirror groups formed in said movable mirror array through the control of the directions of said respective mirrors by said mirror control circuit is changeable; wherein the number of the mirrors belonging to at least one of the plurality of mirror groups formed in said movable mirror array through the control of the directions of said respective mirrors by said mirror control circuit can be different from the number of the mirrors belonging to the other mirror groups; and wherein said mirror control circuit sets the numbers of the mirrors belonging to said respective mirror groups in accordance with the detection result of said detection unit.