Active Optical Repeater for Spatiotemporal Pattern Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical communication systems in computing environments suffer from signal distortion, contamination susceptibility, and inefficient power consumption due to passive communication surfaces, leading to reduced transmission efficiency and increased latency.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an active repeater device with a light source and receptor array that receives and emits spatiotemporal patterns, capable of amplifying, modifying, or correcting these patterns to enhance transmission range and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If passive optical communication surfaces are used, then device complexity is reduced, but transmission efficiency deteriorates due to signal distortion and contamination susceptibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication system structureVSAvoidtransmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an active repeater device as an intermediary component between transmitter and receiver. This repeater includes light sources, light receptors, and a controller that actively receive optical signals, convert them to electrical signals, process them, and regenerate optical signals. This intermediary active device resolves the contradiction by providing reliable signal regeneration while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The active repeater device performs self-service by automatically detecting incoming optical signals, converting them to electrical signals, processing the electrical signals to correct distortions and remove contamination effects, and regenerating clean optical signals without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability improves transmission efficiency while keeping the overall system design straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Use of energy by moving object

If passive communication surfaces are used, then power consumption is reduced, but transmission range deteriorates due to signal loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransmission range

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The active repeater acts as a mediator that receives weakened optical signals from the transmitter, converts them to electrical signals, amplifies and processes them, and regenerates strong optical signals. This intermediary function enables extended transmission range by compensating for signal loss over distance while maintaining reasonable power consumption through efficient signal regeneration rather than continuous high-power transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The active repeater operates periodically by receiving signals, processing them through conversion and amplification cycles, and regenerating optical signals at regular intervals along the transmission path. This periodic active regeneration enables long-range communication by breaking the transmission into manageable segments, reducing the power required at each segment compared to continuous high-power transmission across the entire distance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If active repeater device is implemented, then transmission efficiency is improved through signal amplification, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidrepeater device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The active repeater device is segmented into distinct functional modules: light sources for signal generation, light receptors for signal detection, a controller for signal processing, and electrical signal processing circuitry. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function, improving overall transmission efficiency while managing complexity through modular design that simplifies implementation and maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The active repeater device improves transmission efficiency by amplifying signal intensity, extending range, and reducing power consumption while mitigating signal loss and distortion, ensuring synchronized computational tasks across computing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a light source array including a plurality of light sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a light receptor array including a plurality of light receptors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250301555A1Systems and methods for communication of spatiotemporal patterns

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A device may include a light source array including a plurality of light sources. A device may include a light receptor array including a plurality of light receptors wherein at least one pixel of the light source array includes both a light source and a light receptor. A device may include a repeater controller in data communication with the light receptor array and configured to: receive a first spatiotemporal pattern at the light receptor array and drive at least a portion of the light source array based at least partially on the first spatiotemporal pattern to emit a second spatiotemporal pattern.