Optical Link Establishment via Signal Strength Thresholding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies for establishing secure connections between data terminals at close range are either costly due to the need for high-precision, low-power wireless transceivers or insecure as they allow connections over long distances, which is disadvantageous for applications requiring both security and high transmission speed.
Innovation Solution
A communication system using a common medium where terminals emit and detect radiant or acoustic energy to establish a secure private link based on signal strength, allowing secure connections only when terminals are in close proximity, thus ensuring both security and efficient use of resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If high-precision, low-power wireless transceivers are used to ensure high transmission speed, then transmission speed is improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex RF wireless transceivers with simple optical transmitters and detectors. Instead of using sophisticated radio frequency hardware for close-range communication, the system uses optical signals (visible light, infrared, or ultraviolet) to establish secure private links between terminals, dramatically reducing device complexity while maintaining high transmission speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for communication from radio frequency to optical frequency. By utilizing the electromagnetic spectrum in the optical range rather than RF range, the system achieves secure close-range communication with simpler hardware, as optical transmitters and detectors are less complex than high-precision RF transceivers
2Ease of manufacture
If infrared communication is used to identify terminals, then device cost is reduced, but security is compromised as connections can be established over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the receiving terminal measures the strength of the received optical signal and compares it against a predetermined threshold. This feedback loop ensures that connections are only established when terminals are in close proximity, as the signal strength naturally decreases with distance. The system automatically rejects connections that do not meet the threshold requirement, thereby maintaining security while using simple optical transmitters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic threshold adjustment based on signal strength measurement. Instead of using fixed-distance constraints, the system dynamically evaluates whether the received signal meets the required strength threshold, allowing flexible and secure connection establishment. This dynamic approach maintains security by ensuring close proximity while keeping device costs low through simple optical components
3Adaptability or versatility
If high-precision transceivers are installed on each LAN terminal, then individual wireless link capability is improved, but installation difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex RF transceiver installation with simple optical transmitter/detector installation. By using optical components that can be integrated into existing LAN terminals without requiring sophisticated RF hardware, the system enables individual wireless link capability while significantly easing installation requirements and reducing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal solution where simple optical transmitters and detectors can be integrated into various LAN terminal types. The optical communication interface serves multiple functions including identification, authentication, and data transmission, providing versatile wireless link capability across different terminal platforms without requiring terminal-specific complex hardware
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 secure, high-speed connections between data terminals while minimizing the need for expensive transceivers and preventing unauthorized connections over long distances, optimizing resource usage and ensuring application-specific requirements are met.
Implementation Method 1
The signal from the emitter may be either in the form of radiant energy (optical and electromagnetic energy)
Implementation Method 2
the second communication terminal includes a sensor for detecting the signal from the emitter
Implementation Method 3
The signal from the emitter may be either in the form of radiant energy (optical and electromagnetic energy) or in the form of acoustic energy
Data Source
AI summary
In a communications network where first and second communication terminals are interconnected via a common communication medium such as a local area network, the terminals jointly establish an infrared light private communication link if they are brought close to each other. The first and second terminals communicate their network addresses to each other either via the local area network or via the private communication link, and establish a session between the communicated network addresses via the local area network if the strength of the infrared-light private communication link at the receiving end is higher than a decision threshold.