Vehicle Lighting Data Transmission via Modulated Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for data transmission between vehicles and stationary modules face limitations in contactless, obstacle-free, and high-resolution positioning, particularly in environments where traditional methods are hindered by interference and require separate signaling for data and lighting.

Innovation Solution

A contactless data transmission system utilizing controllable light sources and sensors with polarizing films, where visible or infrared light is modulated for data exchange, enabling bidirectional communication and simultaneous use of lighting and data transmission, with overlapping light cones enhancing positioning resolution and alignment detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate signaling lines are used for data transmission and lighting, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling lines
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines lighting function and data transmission function into a single optical channel. The lighting means emits light that serves dual purposes: providing illumination and encoding data through modulation. This eliminates the need for separate signaling lines while maintaining both lighting and communication functions, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting means is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: illumination and data transmission. By modulating the light output of the same lighting elements, the system achieves universal functionality where a single component serves both lighting and communication purposes, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional signaling infrastructure is installed for data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but installation cost and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidsignaling infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges data transmission capability with existing lighting infrastructure. Instead of installing additional signaling infrastructure, the patent modulates the light from existing lighting means to carry data signals, thereby achieving data transmission capability without adding complex infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing lighting infrastructure is made universal by enabling it to perform both illumination and data transmission functions. This eliminates the need for separate signaling infrastructure while maintaining full data transmission capability, directly addressing the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If light intensity is increased for better data transmission, then data transmission quality is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic modulation of light intensity rather than continuous high-intensity emission. Data is transmitted through controlled variations in light intensity at specific frequencies, allowing the lighting means to operate at lower average power while maintaining high data transmission quality through the modulation scheme.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temporal parameters of light emission through modulation rather than increasing overall intensity. By varying light intensity periodically at modulation frequencies suitable for data transmission, the system achieves high-quality data transmission without proportionally increasing energy consumption, as the average power remains controlled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution achieves efficient, high-resolution, and interference-resistant data transmission and alignment determination, allowing for precise positioning and synchronization without additional signaling lines, while utilizing existing lighting infrastructure for energy efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

each having a controllable light source (2, 3, 6) and a light sensor (4, 5) for contactless data transmission. The light used is visible light or infrared light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission and modulation: Light

Implementation Method 2

a light sensor (4, 5) for contactless data transmission

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

each module has two polarizing films whose direction of polarization, the first of the polarizing films covering a first controllable light source and a first light sensor and the second of the polarizing films covering a second controllable light source and a second light sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Data Source

PatentEP2949057B1System for an installation and method for operating a system
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 SEW EURODRIVE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2949057B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2949057B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2949057B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for an installation and to a method for operating a system comprising stationary transmitter-receiver modules and a vehicle comprising a transmitter-receiver module, wherein the respective transmitter-receiver module comprises a controllable light source and a light sensor so that a data transmission can be carried out between the vehicle and the stationary modules.