Visible Light Communication Alignment Using Camera Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In visible light communication systems, aligning devices at increasing distances becomes challenging due to weakened visibility of the light signal, leading to difficulties in identifying communication links, and increasing signal power results in higher power consumption and potential obstruction.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using a camera and screen to calibrate and enhance the visibility of the visible light signal by adjusting its color, allowing users to accurately align communication devices through a calibrated visible light signal displayed on the screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the power of the transmitted signal is increased to improve visibility at longer distances, then the visibility of the visible light signal is improved, but the power consumption increases and heat generation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to capture the visible light signal from the counterpart device. The camera converts the optical signal into an electrical signal that can be processed and displayed on a screen, enabling alignment without requiring high transmission power. This mediator approach allows visibility improvement without direct power increase at the light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the visible light signal by capturing it with a camera and displaying it on a screen. This copy allows the user to see the alignment signal without needing the original light source to be highly intense, thus avoiding the power consumption and heat generation issues associated with increasing the original signal's power.
2Illumination intensity
If the brightness of the light source is increased to improve visibility, then the visibility is improved, but the light source may act as an obstruction to other peripheral devices or the user
Solution Approach 1:
The camera acts as a mediator that captures the light signal at low intensity levels. By using the camera to detect and display the alignment signal, the system avoids the need for high brightness light sources that would create harmful obstructions to users and peripheral devices.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the visible light signal is transmitted at low power to reduce power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but the visibility deteriorates at increased distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical approach of increasing light source power with an electronic detection and display system. The camera captures the low-power visible light signal and the screen amplifies its visibility electronically, substituting the need for high-power optical transmission with low-power transmission combined with electronic enhancement.
4Ease of operation
If alignment is performed manually by orienting devices, then the alignment process is simple, but the precision and accuracy of alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the camera captures the visible light signal from the counterpart device and displays it on the screen in real-time. This visual feedback allows the user to see the alignment status and make precise adjustments, combining the simplicity of manual operation with the precision of visual guidance. The system provides continuous feedback about the alignment state, enabling accurate positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for aligning among visible light communication devices comprises the following steps: generating a visible light signal and transmitting same to a corresponding device; determining whether the visible light signal that is output via the screen of the device is identifiable; correcting the color of the visible light signal that is output on the screen if the visible light signal is not identifiable; and using the visible light signal that is corrected to perform alignment for visible light communicating with the corresponding device.