Integrated Face Detection Module for Safe Optical Wireless Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless optical communication technologies face challenges in being integrated cost-effectively and in a small size into devices like smartphones and tablets, limiting their integration in these systems.
Innovation Solution
A detection and communication module that integrates face detection and wireless optical communication functions using a single optoelectronic component, sharing a transmission and reception chain, with a mixed signal containing detection and communication frames, and includes features like pseudo-random noise codes and timestamp data for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate hardware components are used for face detection and wireless optical communication, then each function can be implemented independently, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines face detection and wireless optical communication functions into a single integrated module. The same transmission chain (light source, modulator) and reception chain (photodetector, amplifier) are shared between both functions, eliminating the need for separate hardware components and reducing overall device size while maintaining functional capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission and reception chains are designed to serve multiple purposes: the light source and modulator can generate both detection signals for face detection and communication signals for data transmission, while the photodetector and amplifier can detect both reflected detection signals and incoming communication signals. This multi-functional design reduces component count and device volume.
2Reliability
If separate hardware components are used for face detection and wireless optical communication, then each function can be optimized independently, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates both functions into a single module with shared transmission and reception chains, reducing the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to optimize each function's performance through software and signal processing.
3Productivity
If the device emits wireless optical communication signals continuously, then data transmission efficiency is maximized, but eye safety is compromised when the device is close to the user's face
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the distance to the user's face using the face detection function. When the face is detected within a safe distance threshold, the system automatically interrupts or reduces the power of wireless optical communication signal emission. This feedback mechanism ensures eye safety while allowing continuous operation at normal distances, maintaining data transmission efficiency when safe.
Solution Approach 2:
The emission state of the wireless optical communication signal is dynamically adjusted based on real-time face detection results. The system transitions between different emission states (continuous, interrupted, reduced power) depending on the detected distance to the user's face, optimizing both safety and transmission efficiency under varying conditions.
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
Enables the integration of both face detection and wireless optical communication functions at a reduced cost and in a smaller volume, particularly suitable for smartphones and tablets, while ensuring safe operation by interrupting communication when the device is too close to the user's face.
Implementation Method 1
to measure a time of flight of the detection signal
Implementation Method 2
to receive via the reception chain the detection signal following its reflection on a surface of an individual's face
Implementation Method 3
a transmission chain including an analog front-end transmission circuit and a light source
Implementation Method 4
a reception chain including an analog front-end reception circuit and a photoreceptor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Disclosed is a detection and communication module (1) arranged to implement a face-detection function and an optical wireless communication function, and comprising a processing unit (12), a transmission channel (22) and a reception channel (23), the processing unit (12) being arranged to transmit a detection signal via the transmission channel (22), to receive, via the reception channel (23), the detection signal after it has been reflected off a surface of an individual's face (31), and to evaluate a distance between the detection and communication module (1) and the surface of the individual's face (31), the processing unit (12) being further arranged to transmit, via the transmission channel (22), a transmitted optical wireless communication signal containing data to be transmitted, and to receive a received optical wireless communication signal via the reception channel (22).