Visible Light Communication Data Transmission Ratio Indicator

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Infrared communication systems lack user visibility into the communication link state, making it difficult for users to confirm data transmission status, whereas Visible Light Communication (VLC) systems using visible light bands allow users to visually confirm the communication channel state, but there is a need for methods to intuitively indicate the data transmission amount or ratio during data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for generating a visible light signal based on the ratio of received data to total data in a VLC system, using a VLC receiver, analog-to-digital converter, storage unit, and data processor to determine and display the data transmission ratio through varying light patterns, colors, or intensity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If infrared communication is used, then wireless communication function is achieved, but user cannot visually confirm communication link state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication state visibilityVSAvoidinvisible light band limitation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a visible light signal as an intermediary between the infrared communication system and the user's visual perception. The visible light LED emits light that users can see, serving as a mediator to convey communication state information without interfering with the invisible infrared data transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses different colors of visible light to represent different communication states. The visible light LED can change its emission color or intensity to indicate various link states, making the invisible communication state visible through color changes that users can perceive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of operation

If VLC is used, then user can visually confirm link state, but user cannot intuitively know data transmission amount

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoiddata transmission amount information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the visible light signal into different characteristics (color, intensity, blinking pattern) to encode different pieces of information. By dividing the information transmission into multiple visual dimensions, the system can convey both link state and data transmission amount simultaneously through a single visible light source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses periodic blinking or pulsing patterns of the visible light LED to indicate data transmission progress. The frequency, duration, or pattern of these periodic light emissions encodes information about the data transmission amount, allowing users to intuitively understand transmission status through rhythmic visual cues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 users to intuitively know the data transmission amount or ratio, enhancing user convenience by providing visual feedback during data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

a transmitter sends visible light using an LED or a Laser Diode (LD) as a light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a transmitter sends visible light using an LED or a Laser Diode (LD) as a light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 3

a receiver processes the visible light using a Photo Detector (PD)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2427976B1Apparatus and method for generating visible signal according to amount of data transmission in visible light communication system
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2427976B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2427976B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2427976B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method and apparatus for generating a visible signal to enable a user to confirm the amount of data transmission in Visible Light Communication (VLC) are provided. The apparatus previously acquires amount information of data which is to transmit or receive, and acquires the ratio of the amount of data transmitted to a receiving-side VLC device from a transmitting VLC device or the amount of data transmitted from the transmitting-side VLC device received by the receiving VLC device to the total amount of data. The apparatus determines a visible light output pattern corresponding to the data ratio and generates visible light of the determined output pattern.