Optical Communication via Luminance Modulation for Low-Performance Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for enabling communication between home electric appliances, especially those with low computational performance, are limited and do not effectively utilize devices without communication functions due to cost constraints.
Innovation Solution
An information processing program that encodes information for transmission through luminance changes in light emitters, using distinct frequencies to facilitate communication, allowing devices with varying computational capabilities to exchange information effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional communication methods are used for home electric appliances, then devices with communication functions can exchange information, but devices without communication functions or with low computational performance cannot participate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile terminal as an intermediary device that performs optical communication functions. The mobile terminal encodes information by controlling the luminance changes of light emitters and decodes received light signals, enabling devices without communication functions to participate in the network through the mobile terminal's mediation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the mobile terminal serve multiple functions: it acts as both a communication device and an optical communication node. By utilizing the mobile terminal's existing processor and light emitter control capabilities, the system enables universal communication across diverse devices without requiring specialized communication hardware in each appliance.
2Reliability
If multiple light emitters are used for optical communication, then communication reliability improves, but the complexity of synchronizing and controlling them increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary synchronization actions by having the mobile terminal send synchronization signals before actual data transmission. This prepares the receiving devices for upcoming luminance changes and enables them to properly decode the communication signals, reducing the complexity of real-time synchronization control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic luminance changes in light emitters for communication signal transmission. By modulating the light output at regular intervals with distinct patterns, the system enables reliable differentiation between multiple light emitters and simplifies the synchronization process for receiving devices.
3Productivity
If high computational performance is required for optical communication processing, then communication speed and reliability improve, but the cost and complexity of devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables devices to perform self-service communication by utilizing their existing light emitter control capabilities for encoding and basic signal processing. The mobile terminal leverages its own processor and light emitter infrastructure, eliminating the need for high-performance communication hardware in each device while maintaining communication speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of light emitters by controlling luminance variations rather than requiring complex computational processing. By encoding information through luminance change patterns and frequencies, the system achieves reliable communication using simple optical modulation that can be handled by devices with minimal computational requirements.
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 reliable communication between diverse devices, including those with low computational performance, by adapting transmission frequencies and exposure times to improve reception efficiency and reduce errors.
Implementation Method 1
outputting a signal of the luminance change frequency determined, to cause a light emitter to change in luminance according to the luminance change frequency determined, to transmit the information
Data Source
AI summary
A receiving method includes: setting a first exposure time for at least one exposure line of exposure lines in an image sensor, setting a second exposure time for a remainder of the exposure lines in the image sensor, and causing the image sensor to capture an image of a light transmitter, to obtain a normal image from the at least one exposure line with the first exposure time, and to obtain a bright line image from the remainder of the exposure lines with the second exposure time. The second exposure time is shorter than the first exposure time. The bright line image includes a plurality of bright lines, each of which corresponds to a different one of the remainder of the exposure lines in the image sensor. Information is obtained by decoding a pattern of the plurality of the bright lines included in the obtained bright line image.