Patent ID: 7583899

Claim:
A space optical transmission apparatus for performing space optical transmission with respect to an optical signal using at least one terminal, comprising: a plurality of light sources for outputting optical signals modulated using a data signal to be transmitted; a plurality of lenses for converting the optical signals output from the plurality of light sources into optical signals having an appropriate viewing angle; a direction control section for controlling directions of the optical signals output from the plurality of lenses; at least one reception section for receiving an upward signal or signals output by the at least one terminal; and a control section for controlling the plurality of light sources and the direction control section based on location information of the at least one terminal, wherein the control section specifies the location information of the at least one terminal from the received upward signal or signals from the at least one terminal, and based on the specified location information of the at least one terminal, drives only a required one or ones of the plurality of light sources, and controls the direction control section so that an optical axis or axes of the optical signal or signals are directed toward the at least one terminal.