JP2008154063A - Portable illuminator with visible light communication function and information communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of accesseories required in various activities, to facilitate an operation, to increase the latitude and readiness of action, and to improve the reliability of the accessary by integrating a portable illuminator and a communication apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A light transmitting part 1 has an LED 104 which emits visible light used for illumination and an ID storage part 101 which stores, for example, an ID for identification of a user as a provision means for providing transmission information which should be transmitted in communication. A coding part 102 and an FM modulation part 103 constitute a modulation control means for superimposing the transmission information on the visible light by performing modulation control of blinking of the LED 104. A light receiving part 2 has a photodetector 201 as a light receiving means for receiving the visible light on which the transmission information is superimposed as blinking to convert the visible light into an electric signal. An FM demodulation part 202 and a coding part 203 constitute a demodulation means for demodulating the transmission information from the electric signal converted by the PD 201. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for performing communication using visible light from an LED.

Even in the present age when society is full of large-sized devices, there are many situations where portable devices such as flashlights and various electronic devices can be greatly helped depending on the activity environment such as darkness at night and underwater. In such portable devices, a reduction in size, weight, and lifespan have been achieved by increasing the density of batteries and developing various electronic units.
JP 2006-215917 A

  However, depending on the environment and purpose of the activity, there are many cases where several types of equipment are required. For example, when using a flashlight with one hand while operating the electronic key of the car with the other hand However, there are many situations where it is difficult to deal with any unforeseen circumstances, and it is possible to organize and integrate equipment and applications.

  In this regard, in terms of visible light emitted by illuminators and other electronic applications, signals are placed on visible light from fixed equipment such as traffic lights and indoor lighting, and signals are communicated between signals and received by mobile terminals for position recognition, etc. Although there is a so-called visible light communication technology such as that used in the case of (see, for example, Patent Document 1), the pre-installation of fixed equipment is an essential premise, and the limit of the irradiation range of light having higher directivity than radio waves Due to the shielding, there was a limit that the communication range and application were limited very narrowly.

  In addition, it is essential that all equipment according to the situation function without failure, but as the number of separate and independent equipment increases, malfunctions or overruns of the battery, etc. There was also a problem of causing reliability problems such as some equipment not functioning at the last minute.

  The present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, and its purpose is to reduce the equipment required for various activities by integrating the portable illuminator and the communication device, and to make the operation easy. To increase the degree of freedom and responsiveness, and improve the reliability of the equipment.

  Based on the above object, a portable illuminator with a visible light communication function according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an exterior case for a user to hold or wear, a power supply battery, and an LED that emits visible light used for illumination. In the portable illuminator, comprising: provision means for providing transmission information to be transmitted by communication; and modulation control means for superimposing the transmission information on the visible light by modulating the blinking of the LED. It is characterized by that.

  Another aspect of the present invention further includes a light receiving means for receiving visible light superimposed with transmission information as blinking and converting it into an electric signal, and demodulating the transmission information from the electric signal converted by the light receiving means. An information communication system characterized by being combined with a receiving device having a demodulating means.

  In this way, in a portable illuminator such as a flashlight, the LED that emits visible light for illumination is controlled, and transmission information such as ID is superimposed and transmitted by sufficiently fast blinking. For this reason, by integrating the portable illuminator and the communication device, it is possible to reduce the number of equipment required for various activities and to operate with one hand rather than preparing both separately. Further, since the battery and the LED are common, the number of parts is reduced and the reliability is increased, and the compactness and the cost reduction are facilitated. In addition, it is possible to visually confirm that the visible light transmitted through the communication reaches the receiving device or sensor, and if there is an area out of reach or an obstacle, avoid the shielding. It is possible to ensure reliable communication by moving it to the position or changing the angle, so that the reliability of communication entrusted with safety can be improved.

  In another aspect of the portable illuminator with a visible light communication function according to the present invention, the portable illuminator further includes a plurality of operation switches corresponding to each of the plurality of transmission information having different contents, and the providing means The transmission information having contents corresponding to whether the operation switch is operated is provided.

  In this way, by transmitting transmission information having contents corresponding to the operated switch superimposed on visible light, information contents suitable for the situation can be easily transmitted by one-hand operation even in the dark or underwater.

  In another aspect of the portable illuminator with a visible light communication function according to the present invention, a set of the LED, the providing unit, and the modulation control unit is further provided for each different transmission information. It is characterized by.

  In this way, by configuring modulation control and LEDs in separate systems for each piece of information to be transmitted, the transmission information choices can be easily increased or decreased by attaching and detaching system units, and a failure occurs in one system. However, flexible responses such as surpassing other alternatives without surpassing others are possible.

  In another aspect of the information communication system of the present invention, the portable illuminator with visible light communication function is configured as a key unit for non-contact transmission of a predetermined door unlock signal as the transmission information, The receiving device is provided in a vehicle and provided with a mechanism for releasing the door lock when the transmission information demodulated by the demodulating means is confirmed by a predetermined collation calculation to confirm that the transmission information is the predetermined door lock release signal. It is characterized by comprising as a door lock control device.

  In this way, by transmitting the door lock release signal with visible light for illumination, while confirming the position and surroundings of your vehicle, you can be sure that you are not subject to other invisible infrared or radio wave interference. The door can be unlocked smoothly.

  According to another aspect of the portable illuminator with a visible light communication function of the present invention, a push button corresponding to each of a plurality of types of transmission messages and display means for displaying which of the plurality of types of reception messages are received. And the providing means provides the transmission information having contents corresponding to which push button is operated, and the demodulating means selects which received message as the demodulated transmission information. It is characterized in that it is configured to display on the display means whether or not it has been received.

  In this way, by using a portable illuminator with a visible light communication function that has both a transmission button and a means for displaying received contents, it is possible to make a smooth and quick intention instead of conversation even in environments where voice is difficult to use, such as underwater. Communication can be realized.

  According to the present invention as described above, by integrating the portable illuminator and the communication device, equipment required for various activities is reduced, operation is facilitated, freedom of action and responsiveness are increased, and equipment is also provided. The reliability of the product can be improved.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that assumptions common to those already described in the background art and problems are omitted as appropriate.

[1. Constitution〕
In the present embodiment, a flashlight (hereinafter referred to as “this machine”) is taken as an example of a portable illuminator, and information communication to a receiving device is also performed using visible light as illumination light. You may grasp | ascertain as an information communication system which combined the receiver.

  First, an outline of the configuration of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. That is, the light transmission unit 1 shown on the left side of FIG. 1 is a part directly related to the visible light emission in the machine, and the apparatus is also held by a user or attached to a head or a helmet. And a power source battery D such as a dry battery or a rechargeable battery.

  Moreover, the light transmission part 1 has LED104 which emits visible light used for illumination, and the ID memory | storage part 101 which memorize | stored ID for identification of a user, for example as a provision means which provides the transmission information which should be transmitted by communication . The encoding unit 102 and the FM modulation unit 103 constitute modulation control means for superimposing the transmission information on the visible light by modulating the blinking of the LED 104.

  On the other hand, the light receiving unit 2 shown on the right side of FIG. 1 is a part directly related to the information reception by the visible light in the receiving apparatus, and other various mechanisms are simply shown. The light receiving unit 2 includes a photodetector (hereinafter also referred to as “PD”) 201 as a light receiving unit that receives visible light superimposed with transmission information blinking and converts the visible light into an electrical signal. Further, the FM demodulation unit 202 and the decoding unit 203 constitute demodulation means for demodulating the transmission information from the electric signal converted by the PD 201.

[2. Action)
The present embodiment as described above operates as follows. First, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the light transmitter 1, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the light receiver 2.

  For example, in a case where the present apparatus is used for periodically transmitting an ID for identification, the light transmitting unit 1 uses ID information unique to the apparatus as transmission information after the power is turned on, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 101 (step S11), the encoding unit 101 generates transmission data using the clock 105 based on the ID information (step S12), and the FM modulation unit 103 performs pulse phase modulation based on the transmission data. The LED 104 is controlled (step S13), and the visible light on which the transmission information is superimposed is transmitted by blinking at a speed of several tens of MHz that humans do not notice (step S14).

  Here, the speed at which the LED blinks can be freely set as long as humans cannot recognize the blink due to the afterimage phenomenon. For example, it is surely several tens of MHz. It may be about 24 to 30 times / second or more, or about 50 to 60 times / second that is the frequency of the alternating current. Each time data transmission is completed (step S15), a certain waiting time is set (step S16), and the process from ID acquisition is repeated.

  On the other hand, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, in the light receiving unit 2 of the receiving device, for example, the reception display unit 206 lights the reception display (step S21), and the visible light transmitted as described above is converted into the PD (photodetector). 201 is received and converted into an electric signal (step S22), and the FM demodulator 202 extracts information superimposed by pulse phase demodulation based on the electric signal (step S23). Data reception synchronization and decoding are performed using the clock 205, and data as transmission information is extracted (step S24).

  If the extracted data is not valid, the reception is performed again (after step S22). If valid (step S25), the reception display 206 is turned off (step S26), and the data processing unit 204 analyzes the data. Then, data to be used by other various mechanisms M, for example, an audio output IC or the like is generated (step S28), transmitted and used (step S28). Thereafter, after a guard time of several seconds (step S29), the display of the reception display unit 206 is turned on (step S21), and the next visible light data is received (after step S21).

[3. effect〕
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in a portable illuminator such as a flashlight, an LED that emits visible light for illumination is controlled, and transmission information such as ID is superimposed and transmitted by blinking sufficiently fast. To do. For this reason, by integrating the portable illuminator and the communication device, it is possible to reduce the number of equipment required for various activities and to operate with one hand rather than preparing both separately. Further, since the battery and the LED are common, the number of parts is reduced and the reliability is increased, and the compactness and the cost reduction are facilitated.

  In addition, it is possible to visually confirm that the visible light transmitted through the communication reaches the receiving device or sensor, and if there is an area out of reach or an obstacle, avoid the shielding. It is possible to ensure reliable communication by moving it to the position or changing the angle, so that the reliability of communication entrusted with safety can be improved.

[4. Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The thing illustrated below and other embodiment other than that are included. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a flashlight is shown as a representative example. However, a portable illuminator is not limited to a flashlight, and for example, a type attached to a head or a helmet is within the scope of the present invention. In addition, the providing means for providing transmission information to be transmitted by communication is not limited to providing information stored in advance in the apparatus like the ID storage unit 101. It may provide electrical transmission information to be received.

  There may be a plurality of types of transmission information. The portable illuminator with visible light communication function in this case has a plurality of operation switches corresponding to each of a plurality of pieces of transmission information having different contents, and the providing means is operated by which operation switch. It is configured to provide transmission information having contents corresponding to the above.

  In this way, by transmitting transmission information having contents corresponding to the operated switch superimposed on visible light, information contents suitable for the situation can be easily transmitted by one-hand operation even in the dark or underwater.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, for each transmission information different from each other, a set of an LED, a providing unit, and a modulation control unit may be provided from the first system to the third system, respectively. In this way, by configuring modulation control and LEDs in separate systems for each piece of information to be transmitted, the transmission information choices can be easily increased or decreased by attaching and detaching system units, and a failure occurs in one system. However, flexible responses such as surpassing other alternatives without surpassing others are possible. Furthermore, the operation switch can be made independent for each system.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 5, it is applicable also to a car key. In this case, the portable illuminator with a visible light communication function is configured as a key unit K, and a predetermined door lock release signal is transmitted in a non-contact manner as transmission information. Further, the receiving device is configured as a door lock control device 55 having a sensor and installed in the vehicle, and it is confirmed by a predetermined collation calculation that the transmission information demodulated by the demodulation means is a predetermined door lock release signal. In some cases, a mechanism for releasing the door lock is provided.

  In this way, by transmitting the door lock release signal with visible light for illumination, while confirming the position and surroundings of your vehicle, you can be sure that you are not subject to other invisible infrared or radio wave interference. The door can be unlocked smoothly.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the portable illuminator with visible light communication function of the present invention can be realized as a bidirectional communication device having reception and display functions. Useful for communication between underwater divers. In the example of the portable illuminator with visible light communication function shown in FIG. 6, a push button B for transmission corresponding to each of a plurality of types of transmission messages such as “floating” and “submerging” is provided, and which button B is Transmission information having contents corresponding to the operation is provided by the providing means and transmitted.

  In addition, an indicator lamp L or the like that is lit at the time of reception is provided as a display means next to each button, and when receiving from the other party, the demodulation means indicates which received message is received as demodulated transmission information. Etc. L is turned on or blinked for display.

  In this way, by using a portable illuminator with a visible light communication function that has both a transmission button and a means for displaying received contents, it is possible to make a smooth and quick intention instead of conversation even in environments where voice is difficult to use, such as underwater. Communication can be realized.

The block diagram of embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the light transmission part in embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the light-receiving part in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the other example in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the other example in embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the other example in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Light transmission part 2 ... Light receiving part 101 ... ID memory | storage part 102 ... Encoding part 103 ... FM modulation | alteration part 104 ... LED
105, 205 ... Clock 201 ... Photo detector 202 ... FM demodulation unit 203 ... Decoding unit 204 ... Data processing unit 206 ... Reception display unit M ... Other various mechanisms D ... Power supply battery C ... Exterior case K ... Key unit 55 ... Door lock Control device B ... pushbutton

Claims (6)

An exterior case for the user to hold or wear;
A power battery,
LEDs that emit visible light used for illumination;
In a portable illuminator having
Providing means for providing transmission information to be transmitted by communication;
Modulation control means for superimposing the transmission information on the visible light by modulating the blinking of the LED;
A portable illuminator with a visible light communication function. A plurality of operation switches corresponding to each of the plurality of transmission information having different contents from each other,
The portable illuminator with a visible light communication function according to claim 1, wherein the providing unit is configured to provide the transmission information having contents corresponding to which operation switch is operated. For each transmission information different from each other,
The portable illuminator with a visible light communication function according to claim 1, wherein a set of the LED, the providing unit, and the modulation control unit is provided. A light receiving means for receiving visible light superimposed as blinking transmission information and converting it into an electrical signal;
Demodulation means for demodulating the transmission information from the electrical signal converted by the light receiving means;
A receiving device comprising:
A portable illuminator with a visible light communication function according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An information communication system characterized by combining the above. The portable illuminator with visible light communication function is configured as a key unit for non-contact transmission of a predetermined door unlock signal as the transmission information,
The receiving device is provided in a vehicle and provided with a mechanism for releasing the door lock when the transmission information demodulated by the demodulating means is confirmed by a predetermined collation calculation to confirm that the transmission information is the predetermined door lock release signal. The information communication system according to claim 4, wherein the information communication system is configured as a door lock control device. Pushbuttons that correspond to each type of outgoing message,
Display means for displaying which of a plurality of types of received messages are received;
Have
The providing means is configured to provide the transmission information having contents corresponding to which push button is operated,
The visible light according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the demodulation means is configured to display on the display means which received message is received as the demodulated transmission information. Portable illuminator with communication function.

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