LCom Luminaire Encoding Scheme Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light-based communication systems for navigation face challenges in adapting to evolving mobile computing device technologies, as they are not agnostic to varying camera technologies and processing algorithms, limiting their compatibility with future devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method that allows light-based communication luminaires to identify and adapt to different visible-light communication encoding schemes supported by mobile computing devices, enabling them to transmit position information using the identified schemes, thereby ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If light-based communication systems use fixed encoding schemes, then system simplicity is maintained, but compatibility with evolving mobile computing devices deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with mobile computing devicesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The luminaire dynamically adjusts its encoding scheme based on the detected mobile computing device type. The system transitions from a static encoding approach to a dynamic one where the encoding parameters (such as modulation frequency, pulse width, or color temperature variations) are modified in real-time to match the capabilities of the receiving device, thereby improving compatibility without requiring complex infrastructure changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes physical parameters of the light output (such as modulation depth, frequency, or temporal patterns) according to the identified device characteristics. By adjusting these parameters based on device type detection, the system achieves broader compatibility while maintaining relatively simple hardware architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If light-based communication systems are designed for current devices, then current functionality is optimized, but future compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctionality reliabilityVSAvoidfuture device compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the mobile computing device type before establishing communication. By identifying the device characteristics in advance (such as camera frame rate, sensor sensitivity, or processing capabilities), the luminaire can pre-adjust its encoding scheme to ensure reliable communication, rather than attempting to adapt during the communication process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The luminaire is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple encoding schemes simultaneously or sequentially. This allows a single device to serve multiple future device types, achieving universality without requiring separate specialized systems for each device generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3622636B1Determining encoding schemes for formatting output signals of light-based communication enabled luminaires
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 OSRAM SYLVANIA INC
  • EP3622636B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3622636B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3622636B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Techniques are disclosed for establishing communication between light-based communication (LCom) luminaires within a navigation array of luminaires and mobile computing devices having varying components and processes using an encoding scheme received from passing mobile computing devices. The encoding scheme is a set of rules for encoding and generating a visible-light communication (VLC) signal so that the mobile computing device may recognize VLC signals broadcast by the luminaire. In accordance with some embodiments, the disclosed techniques can be used, for example, to accommodate future computing devices that may incorporate different camera technologies and different processing algorithms to process waveforms in the VLC signals.