VLC Light Identifier Group Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for joining and controlling communication groups do not effectively limit participation to physically present devices or provide single device control, leading to unintended actions and security issues.
Innovation Solution
A mobile system using Visible Light Communication (VLC) to broadcast identifiers, allowing nearby devices to join or leave groups based on light emissions, with a processor configured to determine and manage group membership using light sensors and communication interfaces, enabling secure and controlled device interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If communication groups are formed based on shared interests using light and sound signals, then devices can join communication groups, but devices that are not physically present can also participate leading to security issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a group controller as an intermediary device that mediates between mobile devices and communication groups. The group controller verifies physical presence by receiving light signals from light sources at the location and manages device registration, preventing unauthorized remote participation while enabling legitimate local devices to join groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical proximity verification methods with optical signal verification. Mobile devices capture light signals emitted by light sources at the physical location using cameras, and the group controller verifies these optical signals to confirm physical presence, substituting physical proximity checks with optical field-based verification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices can join a communication group freely, then communication flexibility is improved, but control over transactions and access is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The group controller serves as a central intermediary that manages all device registrations, group formations, and transaction controls. It receives light signal verification from mobile devices, maintains registration information, and controls access to communication groups and transactions, providing centralized management while enabling flexible multi-device participation.
3Ease of operation
If devices use light and sound signals to join communication groups, then joining process is simplified, but security verification and authorization control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The group controller acts as a security intermediary that receives light signals from mobile devices, verifies them against registered light source identifiers, and grants or denies group access based on verification results. This maintains simple user operation while adding robust security verification through centralized authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the group controller sends verification requests to mobile devices based on captured light signals, and mobile devices receive authorization decisions. The controller continuously monitors group membership status and can revoke access when devices leave the physical location, providing dynamic security feedback.
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 secure and controlled communication and transaction capabilities among nearby devices, ensuring only authorized devices participate and maintaining group integrity through identifier management.
Implementation Method 1
A mobile system using Visible Light Communication (VLC) to broadcast identifiers, allowing nearby devices to join or leave groups based on light emissions
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system comprises at least one light source (1,3), a mobile system, e.g. a mobile device (5), and at least one further device (6-8). The mobile system comprises a light sensor (11), a communication interface (12) and a processor (13). The mobile system is configured to receive from a light source (1) a light emission (2) in which an identifier has been encoded, e.g. using Visible Light Communication (VLC) techniques, and to determine the identifier from the light emission (2). The identifier is associated with a group of devices that does not comprise mobile devices that are not receiving a light emission in which this identifier has been encoded. The mobile system is configured to join this group and to communicate with at least one further device (6) from this group of devices (5,6).