Invisible Light Communication for XR Device Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data communication methods for extended reality (XR) systems, such as wired connections and wireless networks like Wi-Fi, are not robust, stable, or high-speed enough to support high-resolution media streaming and control data transmission.

Innovation Solution

An indoor light communication system using invisible light, specifically near-infrared light at 940 nm, to transmit data wirelessly. This system employs a light emitter and a light detector to create an optical channel, allowing for high-speed data transmission (over 1 Gbps) and enabling XR devices to receive media and control data continuously while moving freely.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Wi-Fi wireless network is used for data communication, then user mobility is improved, but communication stability and robustness deteriorate due to interference from other electronic devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidcommunication stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses invisible light (infrared or ultraviolet) as an intermediary medium for data transmission between the light source and photodetector. This optical intermediary eliminates electromagnetic interference from other electronic devices while maintaining wireless communication capability, thus improving reliability without sacrificing mobility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional electromagnetic radio wave-based Wi-Fi communication system with an optical communication system using invisible light. This substitution of the transmission medium fundamentally eliminates interference from other electronic devices operating in the radio frequency spectrum, achieving both wireless mobility and communication stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If LiFi visible light communication is used, then data transmission speed is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to dependence on line of sight and lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidcommunication stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the light used for communication from visible light to invisible light (infrared or ultraviolet). This parameter change allows the light to penetrate or bypass obstacles that block visible light, eliminating the strict line-of-sight requirement while maintaining high data transmission speeds through photodetector detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using visible light that requires direct line of sight, the patent inverts the approach by using invisible light wavelengths that can traverse through or around obstacles. This inversion of the light wavelength parameter enables communication reliability without sacrificing transmission speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If wired connection is used for data communication, then communication stability is improved, but user mobility deteriorates due to physical cable constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication stabilityVSAvoiduser mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based wired connection with an optical wireless communication system using invisible light and photodetectors. This substitution eliminates the physical cable constraints that limit user mobility while maintaining stable and robust data communication through optical signal transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 a robust, stable, and high-speed data communication mechanism, overcoming the limitations of existing technologies by enabling seamless and high-fidelity wireless data transmission in indoor XR environments.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitter and a light detector are applied to create an optical channel of a certain wavelength (e.g., 940 nm)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

An electronic device (e.g., an XR headset) detects the invisible light with a light detector (also called a photodiode sensor)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12244343B2High speed communication with wide area moveable receivers using invisible light

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 TENCENT AMERICA LLC

AI summary

This application is directed to device synchronization and alignment in extended reality. Two electronic devices create two maps of a scene according to two distinct coordinate systems. A first electronic device determines a device pose of a second electronic device in a first coordinate system of the first electronic device. The device pose is used to determine a transformation relationship between the two coordinate systems. The first electronic device obtains a second object pose that is measured in a second coordinate system of the second electronic device and used to render an object in a second map of the second electronic device. The second object pose is converted to a first object pose in the first coordinate system based on the transformation relationship. The object is rendered concurrently in the first and second maps of the first and second electronic devices based on the first and second object poses, respectively.