Multicolor Optical Communication With Adaptive Color and Path Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Optical communication systems lack effective methods to improve throughput by controlling the use of colors for communication between terminal apparatuses and a base station apparatus, especially in dynamic environments where apparatuses are not fixed and facing each other.

Innovation Solution

An optical communication system using visible light that employs a time division duplex scheme to assign identical colors for both uplink and downlink communication, with a controller estimating propagation paths based on received signals to control light emitting elements for optimal transmission, and utilizing a distributed arrangement of light receiving and emitting units to enhance throughput.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical communication apparatuses are fixed and facing each other for one-to-one communication, then communication reliability is improved, but adaptability to dynamic environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to dynamic environments
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling optical communication apparatuses to move and change their communication partners dynamically. The system supports multi-color optical communication where apparatuses can switch between different colors (wavelengths) and communicate with multiple partners simultaneously, transforming the static one-to-one fixed communication model into a dynamic multi-color multi-partner communication model that adapts to changing environmental conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the universality principle by creating a multi-functional optical communication system that can handle multiple communication tasks simultaneously. The apparatuses are equipped with multiple light emitting and receiving elements supporting multiple colors, enabling them to perform one-to-many communications, establish multiple communication links, and adapt to various communication scenarios beyond the traditional fixed one-to-one model

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

2Productivity

If multiple colors are used for optical communication, then throughput is improved, but control complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the optical communication system into independent color channels. Each color (wavelength) operates as a separate communication channel with its own light emitting and receiving elements. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple colors independently, simplifying the control complexity while maintaining high throughput through parallel multi-color communications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies the local quality principle by assigning specific colors to specific spatial regions or communication directions. Different light emitting and receiving elements are configured with different color characteristics optimized for their local positions and communication partners. This localized optimization enables efficient multi-color communication while reducing overall system control complexity through distributed color assignment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves improved throughput by adaptively selecting colors and optimizing propagation paths, enabling efficient optical communication in dynamic conditions such as underwater environments.

Implementation Method 1

an optical communicator including a plurality of light receiving elements and a plurality of light emitting elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of light receiving elements and a plurality of light emitting elements supporting the optical communication of a plurality of colors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reception: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4597882A1Optical communication device, optical communication method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 KYOCERA CORP
  • EP4597882A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4597882A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4597882A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical communication apparatus that performs optical communication that is wireless communication using light includes an optical communicator including a plurality of light receiving elements and a plurality of light emitting elements and supporting the optical communication of a plurality of colors and a controller configured to control the optical communicator to perform reception of an optical signal from another optical communication apparatus and transmission of an optical signal to the other optical communication apparatus by using an identical color selected from among the plurality of colors or a pair of colors having continuous wavelengths.