Transmitting data of a functional device to an evaluation device by means of a light signal

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transmitting data (56) of a functional device (12) to a mobile evaluation device (14) by means of a light signal, wherein the functional device provides a control signal for a signal lamp (16) of the functional device, the operating state of the functional device is signaled, on the basis of the control signal, so as to be visually detectable by emitting visible light (20), and the control signal is modulated on the basis of the data to be transmitted according to a specified modulation method (48) such that the light signal together with the light (20) which signals the operating state are emitted by the signal lamp. The light emitted by the signal lamp is detected by a pixel-based digital light detection unit (22) of the evaluation device, the light detection unit has light sensor elements (24) which are arranged in rows (26) and columns, detected light values of the light sensor elements are read successively in rows or successively in columns, and light values detected by the light sensor elements are evaluated by the evaluation device. According to the invention, modulation frequencies (f0, f1, f2, f3) greater than 1.2 kHz are used.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Transmitting data from a functional device to an evaluation unit via a light signal

[0003] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0004] The invention relates to a method for transmitting data from a functional device to a mobile evaluation device by means of a light signal, wherein the functional device provides a control signal for a signal lamp of the functional device, wherein an operating state of the functional device is visually indicated by the emission of visible light depending on the control signal, wherein the control signal is modulated according to the data to be transmitted according to a predetermined modulation method, so that the light signal is emitted by the signal lamp together with the light indicating the operating state, wherein the light emitted by the signal lamp is detected by a pixel-based digital light detection unit of the evaluation device, wherein the light detection unit has light sensor elements that are arranged in rows and columns.wherein the detected light values ​​of the light sensor elements are read out consecutively in rows or columns, wherein the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements are evaluated by the evaluation device to determine the transmitted data, wherein the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements are read out along a respective row or column of the light detection unit within a respective readout period that is less than half a period of a maximum modulation frequency used in the specified modulation method. The invention further relates to a system for transmitting data from a functional device of the system to a mobile evaluation device of the system by means of a light signal, wherein the functional device is configured to provide a control signal for a signal lamp of the functional device.to visually signal an operating state of the functional device depending on the control signal by emitting visible light, wherein the functional device is further configured to modulate the control signal according to the data to be transmitted according to a predetermined modulation method in order to emit the light signal together with the light signaling the operating state through the signal lamp, wherein the evaluation device has a pixel-based digital light detection unit for detecting the light emitted by the signal lamp, wherein the light detection unit has light sensor elements arranged in rows and columns, wherein the evaluation device is configured to read out light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements consecutively in rows or consecutively in columns and to evaluate the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements in order to determine the transmitted data,wherein the evaluation device is further configured to read out the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements along a respective row or column of the light detection unit within a respective readout period that is less than half a period of a maximum modulation frequency used in the specified modulation method. The invention further relates to a functional device of the system. Finally, the invention also relates to an evaluation device of the system.

[0005] Typical methods, systems, functional devices, and evaluation devices are extensively known in the prior art. Such methods and systems serve to easily obtain additional information from the functional device, beyond the function of the functional device's indicator light as a visually perceptible operating indicator, without requiring additional hardware for connecting and using, for example, a communication network for data exchange. Typically, the functional device has at least one indicator light that serves to visually display, for example, an optical status indicator or an operating indicator for a user. Such an indicator light can be, for example, a light-emitting diode (LED), a selective LED (SLD), or another suitable light source that enables the desired function.The functional device uses a control signal to operate the indicator light. This signal can be provided by a control unit of the functional device, such as a program-controlled computer unit or similar device. The indicator light can, for example, show that the functional device is activated or ready for operation, either to begin or perform its intended function.

[0006] Functional devices of this type are also widely known and frequently used in technical installations, such as production lines, particularly in the area of ​​automation components in electrical systems. A functional device can be, for example, a control unit for a programmable logic controller (PLC), a power supply unit, a network device, and / or the like.

[0007] A high degree of performance and complexity leads to a corresponding need for monitoring and maintenance. Although many functional devices already support remote maintenance and / or remote diagnostics, simpler functional devices, such as power supplies, are generally not integrated with this functionality. Nevertheless, such functional devices can be important, and in some cases critical, for the operation of an overall system. Therefore, there is a need to create a communication option for these functional devices as well. However, this should be achieved with as little additional effort as possible. In particular, the hardware requirements should be kept to a minimum, ideally requiring no additional hardware at all.

[0008] To improve the inspection and maintenance of the aforementioned functional devices, EP 4231 547 A1, for example, proposes creating a digital interface for the functional device. This interface, utilizing the indicator light, allows not only the user to see the operating status of the functional device but also the transmission of data from the functional device to a mobile evaluation unit. The indicator light's light signal is thus used not only as a visually perceptible operating indicator but also, through a modulation process, for an additional purpose: data transmission. Therefore, only the control signal for the indicator light is available for implementing this functionality. This control signal is modulated according to the data to be transmitted, using a predefined modulation process.The specified modulation method thus introduces the supplementary functionality that goes beyond the optical or visual signaling usually provided with the control signal.

[0009] In order to receive the data transmitted via the light signal as described above, a mobile evaluation device is provided. This mobile evaluation device enables the light emitted by the signal lamp to be detected using a pixel-based digital light detection unit. The evaluation device is therefore preferably a portable device that a user can easily carry. For example, the mobile evaluation device could be a portable device, in particular a mobile communication device, preferably a smartphone, or the like. The evaluation device includes the light detection unit, which could be, for example, a digital camera or the like. The light detection unit has sensor elements arranged in rows and columns, similar to a digital camera or the like.The light values ​​detected by the sensor elements are read out sequentially, either row by row or column by column. The evaluation unit analyzes these light values ​​to determine the transmitted data. This data is then available for further use within the evaluation unit. The transmitted data can include, for example, other operating states of the functional device, fault messages, parameter settings, and / or the like. The light sensor elements in the light detection unit are preferably arranged in a grid pattern. The light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements are read out along each row or column of the light detection unit within a specific readout period, which is less than half the period of one of the largest modulation frequencies used in the specified modulation method. This ensures reliable data transmission.In particular, this optical data transmission enables a standard camera of a user device, such as a mobile device, especially a smartphone, to provide the necessary pixel-based digital light capture unit. With such a camera or light capture unit, a so-called "rolling shutter effect" can then be used, resulting from the row-by-row or column-by-column reading of the light values ​​captured by the light sensor elements, to achieve suitable sampling rates that are significantly higher than the frequency of successive images in a video data stream of the camera.

[0010] However, it has been shown that the use of the aforementioned technology can lead to a user perceiving a flicker in the light emitted by the signal lamp and, for example, interpreting this as a malfunction of the device. EP 4231 547 A1 requires that a specific duty cycle be maintained for modulating the control signal in this case. However, this leads to a significant reduction in the data rate, which is undesirable.

[0011] The invention is based on the objective of improving a method, a system, a functional device and an evaluation device in such a way that visually perceptible effects in the light emitted by the signal lamp are as visually imperceptible as possible.

[0012] The invention proposes a method, a system, a functional device and an evaluation device according to the independent claims as a solution.

[0013] Advantageous further developments result from features of the dependent claims. With regard to a generic method, the invention particularly proposes that modulation frequencies greater than 1.2 kHz be used in the specified modulation method.

[0014] With regard to a generic system, the invention particularly proposes that the functional device is further configured to use modulation frequencies of the modulation method that are greater than 1.2 kHz in a given modulation method.

[0015] With regard to a generic functional device, the invention proposes that the functional device is designed according to the invention.

[0016] With regard to an evaluation device of the generic type, the invention specifically proposes that the evaluation device be designed according to the invention.

[0017] The invention is based, among other things, on the idea that at modulation frequencies greater than 1.2 kHz, no visual effects are perceptible to the human eye. It has been shown that the human eye not only has visual sensitivity in the range up to approximately 25 or 30 Hz, but that, under certain circumstances, much higher-frequency optical effects can also be perceived visually. In particular, it has been shown that above a frequency of 1.2 kHz, such optical effects can no longer be perceived by the human eye. By using modulation frequencies greater than or equal to 1.2 kHz through the specified modulation method, the aforementioned problems with regard to users who perceive the light emitted by the signal lamp can therefore be avoided.This finding is initially independent of what kind of modulation method is used to modulate the light emitted by the signal lamp.

[0018] The invention is not limited to the continuous emission of light by the signal lamp. It is equally applicable when the signal lamp emits light only intermittently or, for example, operates in a pulsed mode, such as to visually indicate a flashing state. It is understood that data transmission via the light signal only occurs when the signal lamp is actually emitting light. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the signal lamp always emitting light of the same color or with the same luminous intensity. Depending on the operating status to be indicated, the color of the light emitted by the signal lamp can, of course, be changed, for example, from red to yellow or green, or vice versa. This is irrelevant to the function of the invention.Furthermore, the functional device can, of course, be provided with more than just a single signal light, for example, two signal lights, three signal lights, or the like. In this case, it can be provided that at least one of the signal lights of the functional device is used to emit the corresponding light signal. It can also be provided that two or even more signal lights are used to emit the light signal. Preferably, it can be provided that several signal lights are used together to emit the light signal, for example, by operating them synchronously. In addition, it is also possible that several signal lights are used to emit different light signals in parallel, corresponding to different data to be transmitted.

[0019] It is particularly advantageous if at least one indicator light can be directly controlled by a programmable control unit of the functional device. The invention can thus be easily implemented by adapting a computer program in the functional device. This also makes the invention particularly suitable for retrofitting existing functional devices.

[0020] The evaluation unit is preferably a portable device that can be carried by a user. The evaluation unit includes a pixel-based digital light detection unit, which the user can position relative to the functional device by appropriately positioning the evaluation unit so that the light detection unit can reliably detect the light emitted by the signal lamp. For example, the light detection unit can be positioned opposite the signal lamp. The user can arrange the unit by positioning the evaluation unit appropriately.

[0021] Preferably, the user positions the evaluation unit such that the light detection unit is located opposite the signal lamp. The distance between the signal lamp and the light detection unit can be a few centimeters or less. This significantly reduces interference with data transmission. Furthermore, it allows for data transmission with minimal technical effort. A particular advantage is that compliance with legal regulations, standards, and the like can be achieved with minimal effort. The invention thus enables cost-effective and reliable communication between the functional device and the evaluation unit. According to a further development, it is proposed that a frequency shift keying (FSK) method be used as the modulation technique.Frequency shift keying (FSK) has proven to be particularly advantageous and easy to implement for the application of the invention. At the same time, FSK enables high reliability and / or interference immunity with regard to data transmission. Furthermore, FSK allows for a comparatively high data rate, so that even a larger volume of data can be transmitted from the functional device to the evaluation device within a reasonable timeframe.

[0022] Furthermore, it is proposed that the frequency-shift keying (FSK) method utilizes modulation frequencies that are at least partially in an integer ratio to one another. This refinement has the advantage of further improving the detection of light signals on the evaluation unit side. This allows the use of light detection units with a particularly simple design in terms of the signaling device. Despite the simple design, reliable data transmission at a comparatively high data rate can be achieved.

[0023] Furthermore, it is proposed that the specified modulation method use modulation frequencies of less than 5 kHz. This further development has the advantage that the requirements for the light detection unit to function according to the invention can be minimal. This allows commercially available smartphone cameras to be used for the functionality according to the invention. As a result, a wide range of available devices can be used for the evaluation unit without the need for separate new devices to implement the invention. The invention can thus utilize a multitude of available devices that can be adapted as evaluation units without requiring, for example, specific hardware or the like.

[0024] Binary digital data is particularly advantageous. This allows for simple data processing and / or signal processing. This advanced training can be combined particularly effectively with frequency-shift keying.

[0025] Frequency shift keying (FSK) preferably uses at least two different modulation frequencies. However, more than two modulation frequencies can also be used, for example, three, four, or even more. The modulation frequencies can, for example, be equidistant from each other.

[0026] Another embodiment provides that each data bit is assigned at least two different modulation frequencies by means of the specified modulation method, which serve to transmit the respective bit. The two modulation frequencies are preferably provided sequentially by the specified modulation method for transmitting the respective bit. In principle, it is of course also possible that the at least two different modulation frequencies could be provided at least partially in parallel for the respective bit during the transmission period. However, for the detection of the light signal by a particularly simple light detection unit, it can be advantageous to preferably provide the modulation frequencies sequentially.Of course, more than just two different modulation frequencies can be assigned to a single bit. The invention is not limited to this.

[0027] Furthermore, it is proposed that the modulation method switches the modulation frequency from a first modulation frequency to a second modulation frequency at the transition between two consecutive bits. This makes it easy for the evaluation device to distinguish two consecutive bits as separate bits. Moreover, it is also possible to easily determine a clock rate for transmitting the data via the light signals. This can be advantageous for further signal processing by the evaluation device.

[0028] Furthermore, it is proposed that a transmission characteristic be determined for transmitting the data, whereby the modulation frequencies for the specified modulation method are selected depending on the transmission characteristic. This enhancement makes it possible to consider the transmission behavior for transmitting the data from the functional device to the evaluation unit, as well as, if necessary, the properties of the signal lamp or the light detection unit, in order to achieve a particularly interference-resistant communication link. For example, the transmission characteristic may be designed to have a frequency range that is particularly suitable for transmitting the modulation frequencies because attenuation is comparatively low.On the other hand, it is possible to ensure that a region in the transmission characteristic where a modulation frequency would experience particularly high attenuation is not used by the specified modulation method. Overall, the functionality of the invention can thus be further improved.

[0029] Furthermore, it is proposed that at least one modulation frequency of the specified modulation method be selected within a region of a local maximum of the transmission characteristic, wherein the transmission characteristic is determined by the amount of light detectable by the light sensor elements. This makes it possible to determine particularly suitable modulation frequencies for data transmission, taking into account the properties of the light sensor elements or the light detection unit, which are then used by the specified modulation method. This can further improve the application of the invention.

[0030] It is particularly advantageous if the transmission characteristic has several local maxima, wherein the specified modulation method uses several modulation frequencies, with each modulation frequency being selected within a region of a respective local maximum of the transmission characteristic. This allows for good separation of the modulation frequencies from one another. In particular, the interference immunity and the reliability of the intended operation of the invention can be further improved.

[0031] Furthermore, it proves advantageous if at least two modulation frequencies are separated from each other by at least one region of a local minimum in the transmission characteristic. This further development also makes it possible to further improve the reliability and interference immunity of the operation according to the invention.

[0032] The transmission characteristic can, for example, be characterized by a frequency-dependent attenuation or a frequency-dependent energy transfer value. The transmission characteristic can, for example, be determined by at least one characteristic of the functional device, particularly with regard to the signal lamp and / or its operation, a characteristic of the light detection unit, the evaluation unit, as well as signal evaluation by the evaluation unit, and / or the like.

[0033] It is further proposed that the evaluation device be a smartphone. This makes it easy to provide a variety of inexpensive evaluation devices and make them usable for the invention. It is particularly advantageous if the evaluation device is a smartphone, especially if it is formed by a smartphone, wherein the smartphone has a camera as a light detection unit that provides the detected light values ​​in the form of image data, and wherein an application is installed on the smartphone that evaluates the image data provided by the camera in order to determine the transmitted data. In this way, it is possible to use a commercially available smartphone as an evaluation unit. Therefore, no separate evaluation devices need to be designed for the use of the invention.Rather, a standard smartphone can easily be enabled to perform the functions of the evaluation device in conjunction with the camera as a light detection unit by installing an app.

[0034] The advantages and effects described for the method according to the invention also apply equally to the system, the functional device, and the evaluation unit according to the invention, and vice versa. In particular, method features can therefore also be formulated as device features, or vice versa.

[0035] The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the invention. The features and combinations of features specified above in the description, as well as those mentioned in the following description of embodiments and / or shown individually in the figures, are not only usable in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations. Thus, embodiments are also encompassed by the invention or are considered disclosed that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but can be derived and generated from the described embodiments by separate combinations of features.The features, functions, and / or effects illustrated by the exemplary embodiments can each, considered independently, represent individual features, functions, and / or effects of the invention, each of which further develops the invention independently. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments are intended to include combinations other than those described in the embodiments. Furthermore, the described embodiments can also be supplemented by additional features, functions, and / or effects of the invention already described.

[0036] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote the same features or functions. This shows:

[0037] FIG 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a system for transmitting data from a power supply to a smartphone using a light signal.

[0038] FIG 2 shows a schematic block representation of a section of the smartphone according to FIG 1 with a camera for capturing and demodulating the data,

[0039] FIG 3 shows a schematic signal representation of a video data stream provided by the camera,

[0040] FIG 4 shows a schematic signal representation for a 4-FSK modulation method for transmitting data through the system according to FIG 1, and

[0041] FIG 5 shows a schematic diagram representation of a transmission characteristic, which in particular takes into account properties of the camera of the smartphone according to FIG 2.

[0042] FIG 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a system 10 for transmitting data 56 (FIG 4) from a power supply 12, as a functional device of the system 10, to a smartphone 14, as a mobile evaluation device of the system 10, by means of a light signal. The power supply 12 is configured to provide a control signal for a signal lamp 16 of the power supply 12. The signal lamp 16 is formed by a light-emitting diode (LED) which is electrically connected to a control module 30 of the power supply 12 via a control line 18. The control module 30 can determine or specify one or more operating states of the power supply 12 and, depending on the current operating state, outputs a corresponding control signal to the control line 18 in order to visually indicate the respective operating state of the power supply 12 by emitting visible light 20.In the present embodiment, the operating state is determined by an active state, whereby the power supply 12 provides an electrical power supply for another device (not shown) as intended. The light 20 is visually perceptible to a user (not shown) with their eyes, so that they can immediately recognize that the power supply 12 is in the activated operating state to provide the desired power supply.

[0043] The power supply 12 is, in this case, a component of a control system (not shown) for a production plant. For monitoring and maintenance of the plant, it is particularly desirable to have access to additional data from the power supply 12, such as its current electrical power, current, voltage, data relating to protective functions that limit or prevent overloading, temperature, and / or similar information. In the prior art, it is common practice to connect the power supply 12 to a communication network so that the desired data can be queried via this network. For this purpose, it is common practice in the prior art to provide the power supply 12 with appropriate additional hardware and software to achieve the desired functionality.However, this is complex and expensive, and particularly inefficient for systems that have a large number of, for example, smaller functional devices.

[0044] To reduce this disadvantage, the light 20 emitted by the signal lamp 16 can be used to transmit the data 56 to the smartphone 14. This eliminates the need for separate hardware in the power supply 12. Instead, the control signal can be modulated according to a predefined modulation method 48, corresponding to the data 56 to be transmitted, in order to emit the light signal together with the light 20 indicating the operating state through the signal lamp 16. This emitted light 20 can be detected by the smartphone 14, specifically by its camera 22. It can be noted that the camera 22 is typically designed as a digital camera in the form of a pixel-based digital light detection unit, which has light sensor elements 24 arranged in rows 26 and columns 28, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

[0045] The smartphone 14 has a control unit 32, which includes, among other things, a program-controlled computer unit (not shown). The control unit 32 is communicatively coupled to the camera 22 and is designed to read out the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements 24 consecutively, either row by row or column by column. Once all rows 26 or columns 28 have been read consecutively, this process can be repeated cyclically, so that the detected light values ​​are provided in the form of a video data stream 46 of images 42 with image data 44, which includes, among other things, the transmitted data 56. The control unit 32 evaluates the detected light values ​​and determines the transmitted data 56.

[0046] The system 10 is designed such that the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements 24 are read out along a respective row 26 or column 28 of the light detection unit 24 within a respective readout period that is less than half a period of the largest modulation frequencies f0, f1, f2, f3 used in the specified modulation method 48. This is further explained with reference to FIG. 4.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the power supply 12 is configured to use the modulation frequencies fO, f1, f2, f3 of the specified modulation method 48 within the framework of a frequency shift keying (FSK) method. These frequencies are greater than 1.2 kHz and less than 5 kHz. This is therefore a 4-FSK modulation method. This selection allows the modulation frequencies fO, f1, f2, f3 used by the specified modulation method 48 to be greater than 1.2 kHz, so that a user cannot perceive any light fluctuations with their eye. This has the advantage that, from the user's perspective, the indicator light 16 remains continuously illuminated when the respective operating status is displayed, and flickering due to modulation is avoided.The visual signaling function of signal light 16 can therefore be maintained essentially undisturbed.

[0048] At the same time, the invention makes it possible to emit light signals with the light 20, which can then be used to transmit the data 56. For this purpose, the modulation frequencies are designed to be less than 5 kHz. It is taken into account that the camera 22 is a pixel-based digital camera in which the light sensor elements 24 are arranged in the rows 26 and columns 28. Depending on the design of the smartphone 14, the rows 26 may be read either cyclically, row by row, or cyclically, column by column. However, this is not relevant to the function of the invention. By utilizing the rolling shutter effect, which is employed in the smartphone 14 due to this signal processing by the camera 22, it is possible to determine the data 56 from the light signals.

[0049] As can be further seen in FIG. 1, the control module 30 has a frequency-shift keying modulator 34, which receives the data 56 from a data storage device 36 of the control module 30 and modulates it onto the control signal according to the specified modulation method 48, so that the modulated control signal is transmitted to the signal light 16 via the control line 18. A frequency-shift keying demodulator 38 is also connected to the control unit 32, by means of which demodulation of the detected light signal can be carried out. The frequency-shift keying demodulator 38 delivers the data 56 determined in this way to the processing unit 40 of the smartphone 14, so that it can be further processed as required. Further processing can, for example, consist of transmitting the data 56 to a remote control center via a mobile network. It can also be provided that the data 56 can be selected and displayed visually on a screen of the smartphone 14.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the camera 22 with the light sensor elements 24, which are arranged in rows 26 and columns 28. The light sensor elements 24 are electrically connected to the control unit 32 of the smartphone 14 via a corresponding electrical matrix circuit (not shown). The control unit 32 is configured to read the corresponding light values. The control unit 32 includes a program-controlled computer unit (not shown).

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a schematic signal representation of the video data stream 46 provided by the camera 22. FIG. 3 shows that the video data stream 46 comprises successive images 42, each image 42 containing corresponding image data 44. The image data 44 correspond to the respective light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements 24. Thus, for example, a corresponding light value from a respective light sensor element 24 can be assigned to each pixel of the image 42. In the present embodiment, the light values ​​are provided as digital image data 44.

[0052] In the present embodiment, a frequency-shift keying (FSK) modulation method 48 is used. FIG. 4 shows a schematic signal representation for a modulation method used in the present embodiment, which is a 4-FSK modulation method and serves to transmit the data 56 through the system 10 according to FIG. 1. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the FSK method uses the modulation frequencies f0, f1, f2, f3, which are in an integer ratio to each other. Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows that each bit of the data 56 is assigned two different modulation frequencies f0, f1, f2, f3 by means of the specified modulation method 48, which serve to transmit the respective bit. A graph 58 indicates a frequency response resulting from a data sequence according to the data 56 shown in FIG. 4.As can be seen from graph 58, additional bits are added to the data stream 56 as part of the modulation procedure 48: an initialization bit 60, a start bit 62, a bit 64 to indicate positive logic, a stop bit 66, and a bit 68 to indicate negative logic. The corresponding modulation frequencies f0, f1, f2, and f3 are then assigned to the data sequence prepared in this way, according to graph 58, as part of the modulation procedure 48. This signal is then superimposed on the control signal on the control line 18, so that it can be emitted as a light signal by the signal lamp 16 with the light 20.

[0053] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the data stream begins with an initialization bit 60, followed by a start bit 62. The initialization bit 60 is always assigned the modulation frequency f0. The initialization bit 60 is followed by a start bit 62, which is always assigned the modulation frequency f2. This allows a receiver, in this case the smartphone 14, to recognize the beginning of a data sequence. Next in the data stream is the transmission of bit 64 for the positive logic indication, which transmits the modulation frequency f1. This is followed by the transmission of 10100 data bits, with the respective modulation frequencies being transmitted as shown in graph 58. To prevent the transmission of the start of a signal when the last bit, which is transmitted by the modulation frequency f0, is sent, the modulation frequency f3 is subsequently transmitted as the stop bit 66.

[0054] This is followed by the retransmission of the initialization bit 60 and the start bit 62, so that the receiver, i.e., the smartphone 14, can see that a new data sequence is about to follow. After the start bit 62, bit 68 for the negative logic is transmitted first, using the modulation frequency f3. This is followed by the transmission of a data sequence 10001, for which the modulation frequencies are transmitted according to graph 58. Finally, this transmission ends with the stop bit 66, which in this case is assigned the modulation frequency f2. This is followed by another transmission of the initialization bit 60 and the start bit 62, as previously explained, after which another bit sequence can be transmitted, which, however, is not shown in FIG. 4.

[0055] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the modulation method 48 changes the modulation frequency from a first modulation frequency to a second modulation frequency at a transition between two consecutive bits of the data 56. This makes it easily recognizable at the receiver that a new bit is being sent. FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a transmission characteristic, which takes into account, in particular, the properties of the camera 22 of the smartphone 14 according to FIG. 2. In FIG. 5, an abscissa is assigned to the product of an exposure time and a frequency, and an ordinate is assigned to a normalized amplitude of light 20 captured by the camera 22. A graph 50 shows the corresponding course of a resulting transmission characteristic. As can be seen in FIG. 5, local minima 54 occur at the values ​​1, 2, 3, and 4. In contrast, local maxima 52 occur at the values ​​0.5, 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5.In the present embodiment, the modulation frequencies fO, f1, f2, f3 are selected in the regions of their respective local maxima 52. This allows for particularly favorable signal transmission with high reliability and noise immunity. Furthermore, this enables the modulation frequencies fO, f1, f2, f3 to be spaced apart from each other by the regions of the local minima 54 of the transmission characteristic.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment, it can be provided that each bit of the data 56 is assigned two different modulation frequencies by means of the specified modulation method 48, which serve to transmit the respective bit. That is, in this embodiment, the modulation frequency changes during the transmission of each bit.

[0057] The exemplary embodiments serve solely to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit it.

[0058] Reference symbol list

[0059] 10 System

[0060] 12 Power supply

[0061] 14 Smartphones

[0062] 16 Signal light

[0063] 18 Control line

[0064] 20 lights

[0065] 22 Digital camera

[0066] 24 light sensor elements

[0067] Line 26

[0068] Column 28

[0069] 30 Control module

[0070] 32 Control unit

[0071] 34 Frequency Shift Modulator

[0072] 36 data storage devices

[0073] 38 Frequency Shift Demodulator

[0074] 40 processing units

[0075] 42nd image

[0076] 44 image data

[0077] 46 Video data stream

[0078] 48 Modulation methods

[0079] 50 Graph

[0080] 52 local maximum

[0081] 54 local minimum

[0082] 56 data

[0083] 58 Graph

[0084] 60 initialization bits

[0085] 62 start bits

[0086] 64 positive logic

[0087] 66 stop bits

[0088] 68 negative logic fO modulation frequency f1 modulation frequency f2 modulation frequency f3 modulation frequency

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for transmitting data (56) from a functional device (12) to a mobile evaluation device (14) by means of a light signal, wherein the functional device (12) provides a control signal for a signal lamp (16) of the functional device (12), wherein an operating state of the functional device (12) is visually indicated by the emission of visible light (20) depending on the control signal, wherein the control signal is modulated according to the data (56) to be transmitted according to a predetermined modulation method (48), such that the light signal is emitted by the signal lamp (16) together with the light (20) indicating the operating state, wherein the light (20) emitted by the signal lamp (16) is detected by a pixel-based digital light detection unit (22) of the evaluation device (14), wherein the light detection unit (22) has light sensor elements (24) arranged in rows (26) and columns (28),wherein the detected light values ​​of the light sensor elements (24) are read out consecutively in rows or consecutively in columns, wherein the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements (24) are evaluated by the evaluation device (14) to determine the transmitted data (56), wherein the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements (24) are read out along a respective row (26) or column (28) of the light detection unit (22) within a respective readout period which is less than half a period of a largest modulation frequency (fO, f1, f2, f3) used in the specified modulation method (48), characterized in that the specified modulation method (48) uses modulation frequencies (fO, f1, f2, f3) of the modulation method (48) which are greater than 1.2 kHz.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a frequency shift keying method is used as the modulation method (48).

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the frequency shift keying method uses modulation frequencies (fO, f 1 , f2, f3) which are at least partially in an integer ratio to each other.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the specified modulation method (48) modulation frequencies (fO, f 1 , f2, f3) of the modulation method (48) are used which are less than 5 kHz.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data (56) are binary digital data.

6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that at least two different modulation frequencies (fO, f1, f2, f3) are assigned to each bit of the data (56) by means of the specified modulation method (48), which serve to transmit the respective bit.

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the modulation method (48) changes the modulation frequency (fO, f 1 , f2, f3) from a first modulation frequency to a second modulation frequency at a transition of two consecutive bits.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a transmission characteristic (50) is determined for transmitting the data (56), wherein the modulation frequencies (fO, f1 , f2, f3) for the specified modulation method (48) are selected depending on the transmission characteristic (50).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one modulation frequency (fO, f 1 , f2, f3) of the specified modulation method (48) is selected in a region of a local maximum (52) of the transmission characteristic (50), wherein the transmission characteristic (50) is determined by an amount of light detectable by the light sensor elements (24).

10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the transmission characteristic has several local maxima, wherein the specified modulation method (48) uses several modulation frequencies (fO, f 1 , f2, f3), wherein a respective modulation frequency (fO, f 1 , f2, f3) is selected in a region of a respective local maximum (52) of the transmission characteristic (50).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two modulation frequencies (fO, f1, f2, f3) are spaced apart from each other by at least one region of a local minimum (54) of the transmission characteristic (50).

12. System (10) for transmitting data (56) from a functional device (12) of the system (10) by means of a light signal to a mobile evaluation device (14) of the system (10), wherein the functional device (12) is configured to provide a control signal for a signal lamp (16) of the to provide a functional device (12) to visually signal an operating state of the functional device (12) depending on the control signal by emitting visible light (20), wherein the functional device (12) is further configured to modulate the control signal according to the data (56) to be transmitted according to a predetermined modulation method (48) in order to emit the light signal together with the light (20) signaling the operating state by means of the signal lamp (16), wherein the evaluation device (14) has a pixel-based digital light detection unit (22) for detecting the light (20) emitted by the signal lamp (16), wherein the light detection unit (22) has light sensor elements (24) arranged in rows (26) and columns (28), wherein the evaluation device (14) is configuredThe evaluation device (14) is further configured to read out the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements (24) consecutively in rows or columns and to evaluate the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements (24) in order to determine the transmitted data (56), wherein the evaluation device (14) is further configured to read out the light values ​​detected by the light sensor elements (24) along a respective row (26) or column (28) of the light detection unit (22) within a respective readout period that is less than half a period of a largest modulation frequency (f0, f1, f2, f3) used in the specified modulation method (48), characterized in that the functional device (12) is further configured to use modulation frequencies (f0, f1, f2, f3) of the modulation method (48) that are greater than 1.2 kHz.

13. Functional device (12) of the system (10) according to claim 12.

14. Evaluation device (14) of the system (10) according to claim 12.

15. Evaluation device according to claim 14, characterized by a smartphone having a camera as a light detection unit (22) which provides the detected light values ​​in the form of a video data stream (46) of images (42) with image data (44), wherein an application is installed on the smartphone (14) which evaluates the image data (44) provided by the camera (22) in order to determine the transmitted data (56).

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