Spatiotemporal Pattern Repeater for Reliable Optical Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical communication systems in computing environments suffer from signal distortion, contamination susceptibility, spatial misalignment, and increased power consumption due to passive communication surfaces, limiting transmission efficiency and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The use of an active repeater device that receives and emits spatiotemporal patterns, capable of amplifying, modifying, or correcting the input patterns to improve transmission range and reliability, while reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If passive optical communication surfaces are used, then the system structure is simple, but signal distortion and contamination susceptibility increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidsignal transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an active repeater device as an intermediary component between transmitter and receiver. This repeater actively receives optical signals, converts them to electrical signals for processing, and re-transmits them as optical signals, thereby eliminating signal degradation issues associated with passive surfaces while maintaining system functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces passive optical reflection surfaces with an active electronic-optical conversion system. The repeater device uses photo detectors to convert optical signals to electrical signals, processes them electronically, and uses light sources to re-transmit them optically, substituting the mechanical/passive reflection approach with an active electronic control approach that improves reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If passive communication surfaces are used, then power consumption is reduced, but transmission range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidtransmission range

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The active repeater acts as a mediator that receives weak optical signals from distant transmitters, amplifies them through electronic processing, and re-transmits them with sufficient strength to reach the receiver, thereby extending the effective transmission range without requiring the original transmitter to consume excessive power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The repeater device operates in discrete cycles of receiving optical signals, converting them to electrical signals for processing, and re-transmitting them optically. This periodic active intervention allows signal regeneration at intervals, enabling extended transmission ranges while keeping overall power consumption manageable through efficient duty-cycled operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If active repeater device is used, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidrepeater device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The repeater device is segmented into distinct functional modules: optical signal reception components, electrical signal processing components, and optical signal transmission components. This modular segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently while working together to achieve reliable transmission, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The repeater device is designed with multi-functional capabilities, serving as both an optical receiver and optical transmitter, and incorporating signal amplification, regeneration, and re-transmission functions in a single integrated unit. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing device complexity while achieving high transmission reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances transmission efficiency and reliability by extending the communication range and reducing power requirements, allowing for synchronized computational tasks across computing systems.

Implementation Method 1

a light source array including a plurality of light sources configured to emit a spatiotemporal pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a light receptor array including a plurality of light receptors configured to detect the spatiotemporal pattern

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4622134A1Systems and methods for communication of spatiotemporal patterns

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

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AI summary

A device may include a light source array including a plurality of light sources. A device may include a light receptor array including a plurality of light receptors wherein at least one pixel of the light source array includes both a light source and a light receptor. A device may include a repeater controller in data communication with the light receptor array and configured to: receive a first spatiotemporal pattern at the light receptor array and drive at least a portion of the light source array based at least partially on the first spatiotemporal pattern to emit a second spatiotemporal pattern.