Variable-Resolution Display for Optical Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical communication systems face limitations in bandwidth and computational capacity due to the physical size and length of fiber optic cables, as well as the connections between fiber optic elements and electronic equipment in data centers.
Innovation Solution
The use of a variable-resolution display with pixels arranged at different spatial separations and resolutions, combined with a digital camera system, to enable optical communication by recording and processing images displayed on the variable-resolution display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fiber optic cables are used to connect computers in data centers, then communication bandwidth is improved, but the physical size and length of cables become limitations on computational capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fiber optic cable connection system with an optical display-based communication system. Instead of using physical cables to transmit data between computers, the invention uses a display device to optically communicate data wirelessly or through free space, eliminating the need for long physical cable connections and their associated spatial constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical display as an intermediary medium for data communication. Rather than directly connecting computers via fiber optic cables, the system uses a display device to convert electrical signals into optical signals that can be captured by a camera, serving as a mediator that enables communication without requiring physical cable infrastructure.
2Productivity
If fiber optic cables are used to connect computers in data centers, then communication bandwidth is improved, but the connections between fiber optic elements and electronic equipment become limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical connection system between fiber optic elements and electronic equipment with an optical display-based communication system. This substitution eliminates the need for precise physical connections, connectors, and alignment mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving communication bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying by displaying data visually on a display device that can be captured by a camera. Instead of requiring direct physical connections between fiber optic elements and electronic equipment, the system creates an optical copy of the data that can be transmitted and captured without complex connection infrastructure.
3Productivity
If display pixels are arranged with different spatial separations to increase bandwidth, then communication capacity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of pixel emission timing and intensity to compensate for variations in pixel spacing. By dynamically adjusting when and how brightly each pixel emits light, the system can maintain accurate data transmission even with non-uniform pixel arrangements, thereby achieving high communication capacity without requiring extremely precise manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of pixel operation (emission timing, intensity, duration) to accommodate variations in spatial arrangement. By modifying these operational parameters rather than relying solely on fixed physical spacing, the system achieves high communication capacity while being tolerant of manufacturing variations in pixel positioning.
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 increases the bandwidth of optical communication systems by utilizing multiple channels provided by the variable-resolution display, allowing for higher data communication rates and improved computational capacity in data centers.
Implementation Method 1
The display pixels are controlled to emit light in response to an unchanging image frame comprising image data for each display pixel during a temporal frame period
Implementation Method 2
Free-space optical systems transmit optical signals through free space (e.g., the atmosphere or outer space) with modulated laser light detected by a photosensor positioned within an optical path of the laser beam
Data Source
AI summary
A variable-resolution display comprises a display substrate and pixels disposed on the display substrate. Adjacent pixels are arranged over the display substrate with different spatial separations and at different spatial resolutions in one or two dimensions so that some portions of the display substrate have a greater spatial density of pixels and other portions of the display substrate have a lesser spatial density of pixels. The pixels are controlled to emit light in response to an unchanging image frame comprising image data for each pixel during a temporal frame period. An optical communication system comprises a variable-resolution display and a camera system comprising a digital camera, a memory, and a processor. The digital camera is disposed relative to the variable-resolution display such that the digital camera is operable to record an image displayed on the variable-resolution display and the processor is operable to process the recorded image.