VLC Signal Processing via Pixel Subsetting for Power Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Digital imagers used for visible light communications often consume excessive power and memory resources when processing full frames of VLC signals, which can interfere with typical imaging operations and reduce the accuracy of VLC signal detection due to unknown or difficult-to-determine regions receiving VLC signal energy.
Innovation Solution
A method where a first sampling identifies pixel elements receiving detectable light from VLC sources, and subsequent samplings generate frames of pixel sample values limited to these identified elements, reducing the number of processed pixels and thus power consumption and memory usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full frames of VLC signals are processed, then complete signal detection is achieved, but power consumption and memory requirements increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pixel array into two functional groups: a first region for capturing ambient light and a second region for capturing VLC signals. This spatial segmentation allows the system to process only the relevant second region for VLC signal detection, reducing power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy. The segmentation principle is directly applied to divide the imaging sensor array into distinct functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and processes only the pixel values from the second region that contain VLC signal information, while discarding or ignoring data from the first region dedicated to ambient light capture. This extraction approach reduces the computational load and memory requirements by focusing processing resources only on the necessary pixel data for VLC signal detection.
2Quantity of substance
If full frames are processed, then complete imaging data is obtained, but memory requirements and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging sensor array is segmented into a first region for ambient light and a second region for VLC signals. This segmentation reduces the volume of data that requires processing by focusing only on the second region, thereby reducing memory requirements and processing complexity while maintaining necessary imaging functionality.
3Reliability
If all pixel elements are processed, then complete signal coverage is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional characteristics to different regions of the pixel array. The second region is specifically optimized for VLC signal detection with appropriate local characteristics, while the first region handles ambient light. This local differentiation ensures reliable VLC signal detection in the relevant region without wasting power on processing pixels that do not receive VLC signals.
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 approach reduces power consumption and memory requirements by processing only the necessary pixel values, allowing for efficient VLC signal processing without interfering with typical imaging operations and improving signal detection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an array of pixel elements configured to receive one or more Visual Light Communication (VLC) signals. Digital sampling circuitry may sample the intensity of the one or more VLC signals at the pixel elements of the array
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are described for processing Visual Light Communication (VLC) signals by identifying a subset of pixel elements likely to receive at least a portion of of detectable light transmitted from one or more VLC light sources, based on a first frame of pixel sample values. One method may include generating a second frame of pixel sample values of VLC signal intensities and limiting processing to the identified subset of the pixel elements.