Optical Wireless Transmitter Proximity Control for Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Eye-safety constraints limit the power per solid angle of light emitted by optical wireless communication devices, necessitating reduced detector size and increased optical energy per unit area, which can lead to high light intensity at close proximity, posing a risk to human eyes.
Innovation Solution
An optical wireless communication device with a transmitter, controller, and proximity determining component that adjusts light intensity or transmission based on proximity to ensure eye safety, using techniques such as dispersion, blocking, or redirecting light, and optionally emitting visible light for warning signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher optical energy is emitted to achieve higher communication rates, then communication rate is improved, but eye safety is worsened due to increased light intensity at close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the optical transmission power based on real-time proximity detection. The controller modifies the light source output intensity according to whether the detected object is within a threshold distance, enabling the system to adapt between high communication rate mode (when safe) and eye safety mode (when proximity is detected).
Solution Approach 2:
The proximity determining component continuously monitors the distance to detected objects and provides feedback to the controller. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust transmission parameters based on real-time spatial information, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high communication rates and ensuring eye safety through closed-loop control.
2Volume of moving object
If smaller detectors are integrated into compact devices, then device size is reduced, but required optical energy per unit area increases leading to higher light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different transmission strategies to different spatial regions. When an object is detected within the threshold distance, the controller selectively reduces or redirects the light source output in the direction of the detected object, while maintaining normal transmission in other directions. This localized control allows compact devices with small detectors to operate safely without compromising overall communication effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If light is dispersed to reduce intensity and meet eye safety constraints, then eye safety is improved, but communication range and maximum data rate are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different transmission modes based on proximity detection. When the detected object is outside the threshold distance, the system operates in high-power mode for maximum communication rate. When the object enters the threshold zone, the system transitions to reduced-power or redirected transmission mode, thereby maintaining eye safety without permanently sacrificing communication performance.
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
The device ensures eye safety by reducing light intensity or halting transmission when proximity is within a threshold distance, maintaining desired power levels and alerting users through visible cues, thus balancing communication rates with safety.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter comprising a light source; a controller configured to control operation of the light source to produce modulated light comprising an optical wireless communication signal representative of said data
Implementation Method 2
at least one proximity determining component configured to determine a proximity of an object
Implementation Method 3
The controlling of operation of the transmitter may comprise, in response to the determined proximity being within the threshold distance, at least one of halting generation by the light source of the light, or at least partially blocking or redirecting the light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical wireless communication device for transmitting data comprises a transmitter comprising a light source, a controller configured to control operation of the light source to produce modulated light comprising an optical wireless communication signal representative of said data, at least one proximity determining component configured to determine a proximity of an object, and a processing resource configured to determine whether the determined proximity is within a threshold distance, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of the transmitter and/or of at least one other component of the optical wireless communication device in dependence on whether the determined proximity is within the threshold distance.