Visible Light Communication Frame Control for Link Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In Visible Light Communication (VLC) systems, communication links can be disconnected due to external environment factors or terminal movement, leading to issues with data transmission and reception, particularly when multiple user terminals are involved, and there is a need for a method to determine the output of a visible frame considering various communication environments.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for controlling the output of a visible frame in VLC systems, where a VLC device identifies whether to permit other devices to transmit a visible frame by sending a data frame with a bit indicating permission, allowing transmission only when the bit indicates '1' and prohibiting it when the bit indicates '0', thereby ensuring communication link alignment and reducing interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If visible frames are transmitted continuously to maintain communication link alignment, then communication reliability is improved, but interference and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication link alignmentVSAvoidinterference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic transmission of visible frames at specific intervals rather than continuous transmission. The transmission interval is dynamically adjusted based on communication environment conditions, allowing the system to maintain link alignment while reducing interference and power consumption during stable communication periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the visible frame transmission interval based on real-time communication environment assessment. When communication conditions are good, transmission interval increases to reduce interference; when conditions deteriorate, interval decreases to maintain alignment, creating a adaptive transmission strategy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If visible frames are transmitted continuously to maintain communication link alignment, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication link alignmentVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transmits visible frames periodically rather than continuously, with transmission intervals dynamically adjusted based on communication stability. This reduces the duty cycle of the LED transmitter, directly lowering power consumption while maintaining adequate link alignment through periodic refreshes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter (time interval between visible frames) dynamically based on communication conditions. By adjusting this parameter, the system optimizes the balance between maintaining link alignment reliability and reducing power consumption, avoiding unnecessary transmissions when communication is stable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple terminals transmit visible frames simultaneously to maintain their communication links, then individual link reliability is improved, but overall system interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual communication linkVSAvoidsystem interference
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements time-division multiplexing where multiple terminals transmit visible frames in different time slots rather than simultaneously. Each terminal transmits periodically at its assigned interval, ensuring individual link maintenance while preventing mutual interference through temporal separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the transmission resources by assigning different transmission intervals to different terminals. This segmentation of time resources allows multiple terminals to operate independently without interfering with each other, as each terminal's visible frame transmissions are separated in time from others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2497204B1Method and device for determining output of visible frame in visible light communication system
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2497204B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2497204B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2497204B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A method and device for determining an output of a visible frame in at Visible Light Communication (VLC) device are disclosed. A first VLC device determines whether to permit a second VLC device to generate visible frames, and transmits visible frame information indicating whether to permit the second VLC device to generate the visible frames to the second VLC device.