Optical Audio Diffusion System for Interference-Free Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current radio-based data transmission systems face issues such as channel overlap, high-frequency absorption, and health concerns, particularly in public entertainment settings like museums, where users experience cumbersome transitions between audio themes and inconsistent audio guides due to manual channel switching and fixed broadcast schedules.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing multiple optical radiation sources for data transmission, specifically amplitude-modulated light, allows for seamless audio signal diffusion, enabling users to interact naturally with multimedia environments by automatically adjusting audio signals based on their location and time within the environment, without requiring manual channel switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If radio transmission is used for data diffusion, then transmission coverage and accessibility are improved, but channel overlap and interference between adjacent channels occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission coverageVSAvoidchannel overlap and interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces radio frequency electromagnetic waves with optical radiation (light waves) for data transmission. Optical waves operate at much higher frequencies and can be directed more precisely, allowing multiple channels to be transmitted simultaneously without overlapping or interfering with each other, thus eliminating the channel overlap problem while maintaining wide coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental transmission medium parameter from radio frequency to optical frequency. This parameter change enables much higher data transmission capacity and eliminates interference issues inherent in radio spectrum sharing, as optical channels can be densely packed without mutual interference

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If very high frequency radio transmission is used, then data transmission capacity is improved, but atmospheric absorption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capacityVSAvoidatmospheric absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes radio frequency transmission with optical radiation transmission. Optical waves experience negligible atmospheric absorption compared to high-frequency radio waves, enabling high-capacity transmission over long distances without significant energy loss to the atmosphere

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual channel switching is required for users, then channel selection flexibility is improved, but user interaction becomes cumbersome and artificial

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel selection flexibilityVSAvoiduser interaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated audio guide system that actively tracks user position and automatically switches channels without user intervention. The system serves itself by detecting user location and autonomously selecting appropriate audio channels, eliminating the need for manual channel switching and making interaction natural and intuitive

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from user position detection to automatically adjust audio channel selection. By continuously monitoring where users are located and what audio content is appropriate for that location, the system dynamically adapts the audio output without requiring user input, creating a responsive and natural interaction experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Stability of the object's composition

If fixed broadcast schedule is used for audio guide, then content delivery consistency is improved, but system adaptability to user stay duration varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery consistencyVSAvoidresponse to user stay duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed broadcast schedule into a dynamic, real-time adaptive system. Instead of following a predetermined timeline, the system continuously adjusts audio content delivery based on actual user position and detected stay duration, making the content delivery both consistent (when user is in expected location) and adaptable (to actual user behavior patterns)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach reduces interference and health concerns by using optical radiation, providing a more immersive and consistent user experience by automatically mixing and adjusting audio signals in real-time based on user location, thus enhancing spatial and temporal interaction with multimedia content.

Implementation Method 1

a first and a second optical transmitting module (99', 99''), each comprising at least one photoemitter (100) emitting an amplitude modulated optical radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical radiation transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

emitting an amplitude modulated optical radiation, said first and said second optical transmitting module transmitting a first and a second modulated optical radiation according to a first and respectively a second signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAmplitude modulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 3

at least one optical receiving module, comprising: at least one photoreceiver (200) adapted to receive said amplitude modulated optical radiation from at least one of said optical transmitting modules (99', 99'')

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

at least one AM demodulator (202), electrically connected to said at least one photoreceiver, configured to extract, in use, a replica of said audio signal transmitted through said at least one first and/or second optical transmitting module (99', 99'')

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAmplitude demodulation: Phase Modulation

Data Source

PatentEP3729687B1System for transmitting data by means of optical radiation by means of diffusion by a plurality of sources and associated method
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 SLUX SAGL
  • EP3729687B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3729687B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3729687B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A system for diffusing audio signals by means of an optical radiation, wherein said system is characterized in that it comprises: - at least one first and one second optical transmitting module (99', 99"), each comprising at least one photoemitter (100) emitting an amplitude modulated optical radiation, said first and said second optical transmitting module (99', 99") transmitting a first and a second modulated optical radiation according to a first and respectively a second signal at least of the audio type (s1(t), s2(t)); - at least one optical receiving module (199), comprising: - at least one photoreceiver (200) adapted to receive said amplitude modulated optical radiation from at least one of said optical transmitting modules (99', 99"), - at least one AM demodulator (202), electrically connected to said at least one photoreceiver (200), wherein said optical receiving module (199) is configured to generate, on at least one first output thereof, a replica electrical signal (s'(t)), replicating said audio signal transmitted from said at least one first and/or second optical transmitting module, so that: - if only the first optical radiation is received, it replicates said first audio signal (s1(t)); - if only the second optical radiation is received, it replicates said second audio signal (s2(t)); - if both the first optical radiation and the second optical radiation are received simultaneously, it replicates said first audio signal (s1(t)) mixed with said second audio signal (s2(t)), wherein the at least instantaneous intensity of the replica of said first audio signal (s1(t)) and of the replica of said second audio signal (s2(t)) is proportional respectively to the intensity of said first optical radiation and/or of the modulation thereof, and to the intensity of said second optical radiation and/or of the modulation thereof.