Panasonic Corp's electric light bulbs are on display at an electronics retail store in Tokyo July 31, 2014. Panasonic Corp posted an 18.1 percent rise in operating profit for the first quarter, beating analyst expectations, on growing demand for its autom
Panasonic Corp's electric light bulbs are on display at an electronics retail store in Tokyo July 31, 2014. Panasonic Corp posted an 18.1 percent rise in operating profit for the first quarter, beating analyst expectations, on growing demand for its automotive parts and household fittings. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS)
Panasonic Corp's electric light bulbs are on display at an electronics retail store in Tokyo July 31, 2014. Panasonic Corp posted an 18.1 percent rise in operating profit for the first quarter, beating analyst expectations, on growing demand for its automotive parts and household fittings. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS)

Gadgets designed specifically to connect computers and smartphones to the Internet may soon be a thing of the past as the technology world moves toward the Internet of Things.

That is the use of everyday items such as thermostats and home security systems to provide connectivity to residents or lessors. To be added soon to that growing list is the light bulb that would provide a two-way high-speed connection, tapping the signals sent by the light bulbs.

Aptly called PureLiFi - a spin off from WiFi - designers of the device invented at the Edinburgh University are attracting investors and are close to acquiring $10 million funding to miniaturise and commercialise the system.

According to the Telegraph, the Pure LiFi is a box that could be connected to any ordinary light fitting using an LED bulb, which makes it an Internet access point. Its signals are encoded in a high-frequency flicker thousands of times faster than what the human eye could detect. The box also has a receiver than pick up the signal and sends it back in infrared light.

Professor Harald Haas, creator of the LiFi, said his world first invention is an "absolute essential development in proving this technology can be part of the Internet of Things."

The aim of the Internet of Things is for the Internet to be used to monitor and control almost any household or industrial device, which is a major shift from the limited networking capacity the WiFi was designed for and could provide. The technology, which could become the benchmark for 5G, is being tested by major airlines for better in-flight connectivity and by intelligence agencies for secure wireless data transfers.

"Worldwide industry demand for this product shows that LiFi is viewed as a transformative technology that can change the way we use the mobile Internet and be an enabler of the emerging Internet of Things," Haas added.

Zawya reports that OLEDCOMM, the French company developing the LiFi, will attend the GITEX 2014 to introduce the new technology to the Middle Eastern region.

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