Visible Light Relay Communication Beyond Line of Sight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visible light communication systems are limited in communication range and restricted to line of sight, making it difficult to communicate around corners or through walls between devices that are too far away.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a smart phone or similar device with a camera and LED flash for bi-directional communication, where the camera flash transmits optical data and the camera receives data from controlled devices, with controlled devices amplifying the optical power to extend the communication range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If visible light communication is used to transmit optical data through free space, then cost is reduced and global unregulated spectrum is utilized, but communication range is limited and line of sight is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light fixtures as intermediary devices that receive optical data from a remote control device and retransmit it to the controlled device. This mediator extends the communication range by relaying signals around corners and through obstacles, overcoming the line-of-sight limitation while maintaining the cost benefits of visible light communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spatial dimension by positioning light fixtures at different locations (including ceiling-mounted positions) to create multiple communication paths. This allows optical data to be transmitted indirectly through three-dimensional space, enabling communication beyond direct line of sight while maintaining cost effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If visible light communication is used to transmit optical data through free space, then infrared transceivers are eliminated, but communication is restricted to line of sight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes light fixtures serve multiple functions: they provide illumination and simultaneously act as optical data transceivers for extending communication range. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate infrared transceivers while providing the adaptability to communicate around corners and through walls, resolving both the complexity and versatility concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
Light fixtures serve as intermediary devices that receive optical data from the remote control device and retransmit it to the controlled device. This mediator approach eliminates the need for complex infrared transceivers in the controlled device while providing versatile communication capability around obstacles.
3Ease of manufacture
If optical data is transmitted using visible light traveling through free space, then no dedicated wires are needed, but communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light fixtures as wireless intermediary devices that receive and retransmit optical data without requiring dedicated communication wires. This maintains the installation simplicity of wireless visible light communication while extending the effective communication range through strategic placement of relay fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes three-dimensional spatial positioning of light fixtures to create indirect optical paths around obstacles and through walls, extending communication range without requiring additional wiring infrastructure.
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
Enables bi-directional communication and extends the communication range of visible light systems by using controlled devices to retransmit messages, allowing communication beyond the direct line of sight and around obstacles.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a message using an LED camera flash of the camera
Implementation Method 2
the camera receives data from controlled devices
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a VLC system comprising a plurality of controlled devices and a remote-control device. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote-control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote-control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the VLC system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote-control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.