Optical Communication for Body Mountable Devices Using LED Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Body mountable devices, such as wearables, face limitations in user interface features and communication systems due to their small form factor, necessitating external prompting and data reporting, which can be enhanced by efficient and accessible communication systems that leverage existing infrastructure like luminaires for optical data transmission.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating optical emitters and photodetectors in body mountable devices and luminaires to enable optical communication, where LEDs are used to transmit and receive data, reducing the need for radio communication and allowing integration with existing building infrastructure, and utilizing processing circuitry to drive LEDs in both emitter and detector modes for dual-purpose functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If body mountable devices use traditional communication systems, then they can achieve reliable data transmission, but the device form factor increases and power consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical emitters and photodetectors with existing body mountable device components, merging communication functionality into the device structure. This integration allows reliable optical data transmission while maintaining small form factor by sharing physical space with other device components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables LEDs to serve dual purposes: as display elements and as optical communication emitters. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated communication components, reducing overall device volume while maintaining reliable communication capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If body mountable devices include comprehensive communication systems, then communication functionality increases, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing LED components perform multiple functions: display, notification, and optical communication. This eliminates the need for separate communication hardware, reducing system complexity while enhancing communication versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the device to use its existing display LEDs for communication purposes, allowing the same components to serve communication needs without requiring additional dedicated communication infrastructure.
3Volume of moving object
If body mountable devices use optical communication, then form factor is reduced and power consumption decreases, but communication range and reliability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines optical communication components with existing device structures, integrating emitters and detectors into the device housing and display elements. This integration maintains compact form factor while establishing reliable communication through optimized component placement and signal paths.
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 solution provides increased functionality and reduced form factor for body mountable devices by enabling efficient optical communication, allowing for enhanced usability and integration with various body-worn devices, including smart contact lenses, while minimizing device space and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
LEDs are used to transmit and receive data
Implementation Method 2
photodetectors in body mountable devices and luminaires to enable optical communication
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes one or more optical emitters, a transceiver, and a body mountable device. The transceiver is coupled to receive input data from a data network and coupled to selectively modulate the optical emitters to transmit the optical data. Selectively modulating the optical emitters is in response to the input data. The body mountable device includes a photodetector coupled to receive the optical data and processing circuitry configured to initiate an action in response to receiving the optical data from the photodetector.