Optical Remote Control for RF-Sensitive Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control methods for electronic devices are inflexible and often interfere with RF-sensitive equipment, limiting remote control capabilities and usability, especially in environments where physical interaction is not feasible or would disrupt measurements.
Innovation Solution
A control arrangement comprising a local control unit with a non-RF spectrum receiver and a remote control unit with a non-RF spectrum transmitter, allowing for wireless communication via non-RF spectrum uplink signals, enabling remote control of electronic devices without physical interaction and minimizing interference in RF-sensitive areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If RF wireless control is used to control electronic devices, then remote control capability is improved, but interference with RF-sensitive equipment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces RF wireless control with optical control using visible light communication. The remote control unit transmits control signals through light modules that modulate visible light, and the electronic device receives these signals through optical receivers, substituting the RF electromagnetic field-based control with an optical field-based control system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the frequency parameter of the control signals from RF spectrum to visible light spectrum. By modulating visible light at frequencies imperceptible to humans (above 20Hz), the system achieves wireless control without occupying the RF spectrum, thereby eliminating interference with RF-sensitive equipment while maintaining remote control functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a user physically interacts with an electronic device, then control is achieved, but the user cannot perform other tasks simultaneously and must be close to the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical interaction (buttons, switches) with optical wireless communication. The remote control unit uses light modules to transmit control signals wirelessly through air, and the electronic device uses optical receivers to detect these signals, eliminating the need for physical contact and enabling remote operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visible light as an intermediary medium for control signal transmission. The light modules modulate visible light to encode control signals, and the optical receivers decode these light signals into control commands, allowing the user to control the device remotely without direct physical interaction.
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 remote control of electronic devices, allowing users to perform tasks simultaneously and maintain distance, while avoiding interference with RF-sensitive equipment, and providing feedback through non-RF spectrum downlink signals, enhancing control flexibility and usability in sensitive environments.
Implementation Method 1
a first non-RF spectrum transmitter for transmitting the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals to the local control unit
Implementation Method 2
the invisible light spectrum, like e.g. the infrared spectrum
Implementation Method 3
a first non-RF spectrum receiver for non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals
Data Source
AI summary
A control arrangement for communicating remotely with an electronic device comprises a local control unit associated with the electronic device, the local control unit comprising a first non-RF spectrum receiver for non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals and a controller coupled to the first receiver for controlling the electronic device based on the received non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals, and a remote control unit with a first non-RF spectrum transmitter for transmitting the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals to the local control unit.