Visible Light Transceiver Layout for Mobile Communication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication methods using multiple antennas face limitations in performance and support for new service forms, particularly in visible light communication.

Innovation Solution

A communication device employing a plurality of first light emitters and receivers arranged oppositely on its surfaces, transmitting and receiving visible light signals to enhance performance and support for new services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional multi-antenna communication methods are used, then data reception quality and communication rate can be enhanced, but performance improvement and support for new service forms are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication rateVSAvoidsupport for new service forms
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional radio frequency antenna systems with visible light communication systems using LEDs and photodetectors. This substitution enables new service forms such as indoor positioning, navigation, and emergency assistance while maintaining high communication rates through optical carrier waves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental communication parameter from radio frequency to visible light frequency. By using LEDs as transmitters and photodetectors as receivers, the system operates in the optical spectrum, enabling both high-speed communication and additional services like visual signaling and precise location tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a quasi-omni pattern antenna is used for multicast/broadcast communication, then coverage in various directions is achieved, but directional communication performance is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulticast/broadcast capabilityVSAvoiddirectional communication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs multiple independent LED transmitters that can dynamically adjust their transmission patterns. By controlling individual LEDs or LED groups, the system can switch between omnidirectional broadcast mode and directional unicast mode, optimizing performance for different communication scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the communication system into multiple spatially separated LED transmitters and photodetector receivers. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of multiple communication channels with different patterns - some LEDs providing omnidirectional coverage while others provide directional beams, thereby resolving the contradiction between broadcast and unicast performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration improves communication performance and enables support for new service forms by facilitating effective visible light communication.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of first light emitters, each of which is disposed along a first surface of the communication device and transmits a visible light signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of first light receivers, each of which is disposed along the first surface and receives a visible fight signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3713109B1Communication device
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP3713109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3713109B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3713109B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure facilitates an improvement in the performance of a communication device facilitates support for new forms of services. A mobile terminal (10D) is a communication device that communicates using visible light, and includes: a plurality of light emitters (13a), each of which is disposed along the front surface of the mobile terminal (10D) and transmits a visible light signal; and a plurality of light receivers (14a), each of which is disposed along the front surface and receives a visible light signal. The plurality of light emitters (13a) are disposed on the left side of all of the plurality of light receivers (14a), and the plurality of first light receivers (14a) are disposed on the right side of all of the plurality of light emitters (13a).