Optical Communication Device for Long-Range Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bar codes and QR codes have limited identification distances, making them inconvenient for applications like ticket or goods purchasing, especially in crowded scenarios where users far from the code cannot identify it until others have cleared the area, leading to inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An optical communication device utilizing at least two light sources driven in different modes to transmit information, with a controller managing these modes to enhance long-range identification by reducing the impact of ambient conditions and noise, and allowing for stripe-free patterns or varying stripe widths and colors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If bar codes and QR codes are used for identification, then information can be encoded and recognized, but the identification distance is limited and cannot achieve long-range identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical system of bar code and QR code recognition with an optical communication system using light sources. Instead of relying on visual patterns that require close proximity, the system uses light emission and modulation to transmit information that can be detected from a distance, fundamentally changing the identification mechanism from pattern recognition to optical signal detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of information transmission from static visual patterns (bar codes/QR codes) to dynamic light signal characteristics. By modulating light sources with different driving modes (frequencies, intensities, patterns), the system encodes information in temporal and spectral domains, enabling long-range identification while maintaining ease of operation through remote detection.
2Measurement precision
If very large bar codes and QR codes are customized to achieve long-range identification, then identification distance can be extended, but cost increases significantly and space constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the spatial encoding mechanism of large bar codes and QR codes with temporal and spectral encoding using light sources. Instead of increasing the physical size of the code to extend range, the system uses light modulation techniques where information is encoded in the temporal patterns and frequency characteristics of light emission, achieving long-range identification without increasing device complexity or violating space constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional spatial encoding (bar codes/QR codes on a plane) to multi-dimensional light signal encoding. By utilizing temporal dimension (time-varying light patterns), frequency dimension (different driving frequencies), and intensity dimension (varying light intensities), the system encodes information in multiple dimensions simultaneously, achieving compact long-range identification tags that violate no space constraints.
3Reliability
If multiple light sources are used to transmit information, then long-range identification accuracy and stability improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources into a single integrated optical communication device. Rather than treating multiple light sources as separate components, the system merges them into a unified tag where the light sources work cooperatively to transmit information. The controller coordinates the light sources to emit light in specific patterns, and the imaging device captures the combined light signals, achieving reliable long-range identification through integrated design that manages complexity through unification.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an optical communication device and a method for transmitting and receiving information. The optical communication device includes at least two light sources including a first light source and a second light source, and a controller configured to drive the first light source and the second light source in one or more driving modes. The first light source and the second light source are driven in a same driving mode for transmitting first information, and the first light source and the second light source are driven in different driving modes including a first driving mode and a second driving mode which have the same or different frequencies for transmitting other information different from the first information.