Signboard Light Panels for Visible Light Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

In collective signboard systems with shared light sources, the processing load for spatially separating optical signals from multiple panels increases, leading to slow information reading speeds and misrecognition issues when signals overlap, causing erroneous data retrieval.

Innovation Solution

A signboard apparatus with multiple light panel apparatuses arranged two-dimensionally, each equipped with a transmission function and a light-emitting face for visible light communication, is controlled exclusively to prevent signal overlap, allowing for efficient spatial separation and accurate data retrieval by controlling the transmission functions of adjacent panels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single light source is shared across multiple panels in a collective signboard, then device complexity is reduced, but information recognition speed deteriorates due to increased processing load for spatial separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight source configurationVSAvoidinformation recognition speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the collective signboard into multiple independent light-emitting panels, each with its own light source. This segmentation allows each panel to transmit optical signals independently, eliminating the need for complex spatial separation processing and enabling direct retrieval of shop information from specific panels, thereby improving information recognition speed while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of control by assigning unique visible light communication signals to each panel. This transforms the problem from a two-dimensional spatial separation challenge to a multi-dimensional signal differentiation approach, where panels can be distinguished not only by their physical positions but also by their unique communication signals, significantly reducing processing load and improving reading speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If optical signals from multiple panels are transmitted simultaneously, then information transmission efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to misrecognition of overlapping signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation transmission efficiencyVSAvoidsignal recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic transmission of optical signals from multiple panels in a controlled sequence rather than continuous simultaneous transmission. Each panel transmits its signal in designated time slots, creating a periodic pattern that allows the receiving device to distinguish between different panels through temporal differentiation, thereby maintaining high transmission efficiency while preventing signal overlap and misrecognition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the signal parameters by assigning unique characteristics to optical signals from different panels, such as distinct modulation patterns, frequencies, or coding schemes. This parameter differentiation allows the receiving device to accurately identify and separate signals from multiple panels even when transmitted simultaneously or in rapid succession, maintaining both transmission efficiency and recognition accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If spatial separation processing is applied to separate signals from multiple panels, then information retrieval accuracy is improved, but processing load increases causing reading speed to slow down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation retrieval accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary differentiation of optical signals at the transmission stage by assigning unique identifiers or modulation patterns to each panel before the signals reach the receiving device. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of subsequent spatial separation processing, as the receiving device only needs to perform simple signal matching rather than complex image processing, thereby maintaining high retrieval accuracy with reduced processing load and faster reading speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach reduces misrecognition and improves information recognition speed by ensuring exclusive control of transmission functions, thereby enhancing the processing efficiency and accuracy of visible light communication.

Implementation Method 1

each having a transmission function and a light-emitting face for visible light communication

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10103810B2Signboard apparatus and signboard system

Publication Date: 2018.10.16 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A signboard apparatus includes: light panel apparatuses arranged two-dimensionally, and each having a transmission function and a light-emitting face for visible light communication; and a control apparatus that performs, with respect to the light panel apparatuses, exclusive control of the transmission function. The light panel apparatuses are arranged as a collective signboard.