Lighting Fixture Modulates Supply Voltage for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional GPS systems are ineffective in providing accurate position information within enclosed spaces like buildings, leading to the need for alternative localization methods that are flexible and can be selectively controlled based on requirements.
Innovation Solution
A lighting fixture that modulates its supply voltage or current to encode position information, allowing for time-limited transmission of this information using optoelectronic light sources like LEDs or lasers, enabling flexible functionality and various business models without compromising primary lighting functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS signals are used for position information transmission, then position information can be provided in open spaces, but GPS signals cannot be received or are inadequately received within buildings or enclosed spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radio-based GPS signal transmission with optical signal transmission using visible light from lighting fixtures. This substitution enables position information transmission through enclosed spaces where radio signals cannot penetrate, while maintaining the capability to provide location data in open spaces where GPS would normally function.
2Measurement precision
If light sources are modulated to transmit position information continuously or periodically, then accurate localization can be achieved, but the primary lighting function may be compromised and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements time-limited modulation where light sources are modulated only during specific time windows rather than continuously or periodically. This allows position information to be transmitted with sufficient accuracy for localization while minimizing energy consumption and preserving the primary lighting function by keeping modulation depth below perceptible thresholds during non-transmission periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the modulation state of light sources based on transmission needs. The lighting fixtures switch between unmodulated (normal lighting) and modulated (position information transmission) states, optimizing the balance between localization accuracy and energy consumption by activating modulation only when position information needs to be transmitted.
3Measurement precision
If position information is transmitted continuously through light modulation, then accurate and continuous localization is achieved, but flexibility for different business models and time-limited transmission is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of position information transmission through time-limited modulation windows. The system can flexibly adjust transmission duration, frequency, and timing based on different business models and requirements, while maintaining localization accuracy during active transmission periods. This allows for paid services, time-limited access, and selective information transmission without compromising the fundamental localization capability.
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 solution provides a visible light-based localization system that can transmit position information selectively, ensuring accurate localization within closed environments while maintaining the primary function of illumination, and allows for different payment and business models by controlling the duration of information transmission.
Implementation Method 1
A lighting fixture is assigned a unique identification and/or position information relative to a reference point. For this purpose, the current or the supply voltage of light sources, for example, those used for illuminating a room, is modulated slightly so that they may be evaluated by a suitable receiver.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture includes an optoelectronic light source, for example, designed to illuminate a room, and a modulatable supply circuit that is connected to the optoelectronic light source, wherein a current through or a voltage applied to the light source may be modulated by the modulatable supply circuit. A data stream generator is connected to a modulation input of the supply circuit. A trigger element that is connected to the data stream generator and configured to deliver a first signal to the data stream generator in response to a comparison of a counter value with a threshold value and an event signal. The data stream generator may be configured to deliver a modulation signal to the modulation input in response to an event signal and to the first signal, and the modulation signal encodes position information relative to a reference point.