Optical Camera Communication Source Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In visible light communication systems, particularly optical camera communications, there is a challenge in authenticating the source of modulated light data to ensure that only trusted and desired data streams are processed, as many types of visible light communications are openly broadcasted to any listener within observable range, leading to the potential use of unknown, unwanted, or unauthorized data.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of authentication techniques in optical camera communications that visually identify and select modulated light data sources using either human input or automated object recognition, allowing for the verification of modulated light data from desired sources while disregarding unauthenticated light sources, thereby preventing the use of rogue data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication techniques are implemented to verify light communication sources, then security and reliability are improved, but device complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary authentication by capturing an image of the light source and extracting identifying features (logo, text, color pattern) before data communication begins. This preliminary identification and verification process ensures that only authenticated sources are selected for data reception, establishing security and reliability upfront while maintaining efficient subsequent communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If authentication techniques are implemented to verify light communication sources, then security and reliability are improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidauthentication time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial authentication by extracting and verifying only key identifying features (such as logo presence, text content, or color patterns) rather than进行全面 verification. This selective approach to authentication provides sufficient security to distinguish legitimate sources from rogue sources while minimizing the time required for the authentication process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If visual identification and selection of light sources is performed, then unauthorized data usage is reduced, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized data usageVSAvoidsource selection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated visual identification and authentication of light sources using image processing algorithms that automatically extract features (logo, text, color patterns) and verify them against authentication criteria. This self-service automation eliminates the need for manual verification by the user, preventing unauthorized data usage while maintaining ease of operation, as the authentication process occurs transparently in the background.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3520251B1Data processing and authentication of light communication sources
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 INTEL CORP
  • EP3520251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3520251B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3520251B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Various systems and methods for identifying and performing authentication of visible light communications using optical camera communication techniques are described. In an example, an electronic processing system to authenticate a particular light emitting source includes electronic operations for: detecting, from image data, modulated light data emitted from a light emitting object, where the image data depicts the light emitting object, and where the image data is captured with an image sensor (e.g., of a camera); identifying, from the image data, the light emitting object as a source of the modulated light data; receiving an indication to select the light emitting object as an authenticated source of the modulated light data; and performing a command to process the modulated light data from the authenticated source, with the command performed in response to the indication to select the light emitting object as the authenticated source of the modulated light data.