Optical Data Transmission Using Dummy Light Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transmitting image data from portable terminals with digital cameras, such as attaching data to emails, result in network overload and high communication costs due to increased data volume, and are inconvenient as they require time-consuming setup of wired connections.
Innovation Solution
A data transmission method using a data transmitter and receiver that employs a laser light source and a dummy light source to align optical axes, allowing for high-speed optical data transmission with a narrow beam signal light, eliminating the need for precise alignment and enabling quick data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image data is transmitted by attaching to e-mails, then data transmission is achieved, but network overload occurs and communication costs increase due to large data volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic data transmission through email networks with optical beam transmission. The data transmitter converts image data into optical signals transmitted through air or vacuum as light beams, eliminating network protocol overhead and reducing communication costs while achieving faster transmission speeds for large image files
2Speed
If wired communication system is used for high-speed transmission, then transmission speed improves, but operation becomes inconvenient due to time-consuming connection setup and cable requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical wired connections with wireless optical beam transmission. Data is transmitted through air or vacuum using light beams from laser diodes, eliminating the need for plugging in cables or establishing physical connections, thereby achieving high-speed transmission while maintaining portability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces optical beams as an intermediary medium for data transmission. Instead of direct electrical connections or network protocols, data is encoded into light beams that carry information through the air, serving as a flexible intermediary that provides both high speed and operational convenience
3Measurement precision
If narrow beam signal light is used for data transmission, then transmission precision improves, but alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical transmission system into two functional segments: a wide beam for alignment detection and a narrow beam for data transmission. The wide beam from the alignment light source establishes the optical axis and ensures proper positioning, while the narrow beam from the laser diode carries the actual data, separating the alignment function from the transmission function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs alignment using a wide beam before data transmission begins. The alignment light source emits a wide beam that is easier to detect and align, establishing the correct optical axis in advance. Once aligned, the system switches to narrow beam data transmission, ensuring precision without the alignment difficulty
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
Enables fast and convenient high-speed data transmission, particularly for large volumes of data like images, without the need for precise optical axis adjustment, reducing transmission time and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetector to optically receive the dummy light and the signal light
Implementation Method 2
a laser light source to generate a signal light
Data Source
AI summary
In a data transmission method according to an exemplary embodiment, a data transmitter, which is capable of outputting a dummy light for judging an optical axis and a signal light having a beam spread smaller than that of the dummy light on the same optical axis, outputs the dummy light for scan so as to go across a photoreceiving part of a data receiver. When the dummy light having a predetermined optical level or more is optically received, the data receiver informs the data transmitter of reception chance and prepares for receiving the data. The data transmitter outputs the data carried by the signal light to the data receiver according to the information indicating the reception chance from the data receiver. The data receiver receives the data by optically receiving the signal light from the data transmitter.