Vehicle Interior Lighting for Secure Visible Light Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle communication systems in mobile objects like railway vehicles face challenges with increased wiring, security concerns, and high costs associated with radio wave transmission, requiring a solution for secure, sensitive, and cost-effective communication.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle communication system utilizing a lighting device with a light emitting diode for visible light communication to transmit information to in-vehicle installations such as seats and display devices, eliminating the need for separate communication elements and reducing wiring requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If radio waves are used for wireless communication, then wiring is reduced, but security risks increase due to radiation to the outside of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radio wave-based wireless communication with visible light communication (VLC). Instead of using electromagnetic radio waves that can radiate outside the vehicle, the system uses visible light from interior lighting devices to transmit data optically within the confined vehicle space, eliminating security risks associated with radio wave radiation while maintaining wireless communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visible light as an intermediary medium for communication. The lighting device modulates visible light to carry information, and the receiving device detects these light modulations. This intermediary approach allows data transmission without direct electrical wiring while confining the communication medium (light) within the vehicle interior, thus reducing security risks
2Device complexity
If radio waves are used for wireless communication, then wiring is reduced, but sensitivity varies depending on receiving position in the passenger compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the lighting device serve dual functions: providing interior illumination and transmitting communication signals. Since lighting devices are distributed throughout the passenger compartment for uniform illumination, they also provide uniformly distributed communication signal sources, ensuring consistent receiving sensitivity at any position within the compartment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modulates the intensity or frequency parameters of visible light from the lighting device to encode information. By controlling these light parameters, the system achieves reliable signal transmission that maintains consistent sensitivity across different receiving positions, overcoming the position-dependent sensitivity issue of radio wave communication
3Device complexity
If radio wave transmission equipment is installed, then wireless communication is achieved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes existing interior lighting devices for dual purposes: illumination and wireless communication. By making the lighting device perform both functions, the system eliminates the need to install separate, expensive radio wave transmission equipment, thereby achieving cost reduction while maintaining wireless communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the lighting device to serve itself by using its inherent light emission function for communication purposes. The lighting device transmits data through its own light output without requiring additional dedicated transmission hardware, and the receiving device uses standard light detection capabilities, making the system cost-effective
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 system provides secure, high-sensitivity communication with reduced costs by leveraging visible light communication, allowing for control of seat rotation and display content updates while eliminating the need for additional communication infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
a first transmitting unit configured to transmit information to the in-vehicle installation via visible light communication
Implementation Method 2
the lighting device includes a light emitting diode as a light emitting element
Data Source
AI summary
Purpose is to enable communication with a vehicle installation installed in a vehicle in a manner that facilitates implementation of a security measure and with high sensitivity and at low cost. An in-vehicle communication system includes an interior light with communication function, a seat and a display device, the interior light with communication function including a LED configured to transmit information to the seat and the display device via visible light communication, and the seat and the display device including light receiving units configured to receive information transmitted from the interior light with communication function and control units configured to control themselves based on the information received by the light receiving units.