JP2014007624A - Visible light communication device and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
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Abstract
Description
本発明は、可視光を用いて通信する可視光通信装置、及びこの装置を備えた画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a visible light communication device that communicates using visible light, and an image forming apparatus including the device.
近年、可視光通信の実用化が進んでいる。可視光通信は、ＬＥＤ光源や有機ＥＬ照明などが出射する可視光を利用してデータ通信を行うものである。可視光通信には、以下のような特長がある。 In recent years, practical use of visible light communication has been advanced. Visible light communication performs data communication using visible light emitted from an LED light source, organic EL lighting, or the like. Visible light communication has the following features.
第１に、光の直進性により通信範囲を限定でき、秘匿性に優れている。例えば、直接相対する機器間でのみ通信を行うことができる。 First, the communication range can be limited by the straightness of light, and the secrecy is excellent. For example, communication can be performed only between directly opposed devices.
第２に、光を広範囲に照射することで、１対多数の通信を同時に行うことができる。例えば、同室内の複数の設置機器や携帯機器に対して一括してデータ送信することができる。 Second, one-to-many communication can be performed simultaneously by irradiating light over a wide range. For example, data can be transmitted collectively to a plurality of installed devices and portable devices in the same room.
可視光通信は、上記のような特長を備えているので、従来の電波通信方式と比較して、場所や用途に応じた使用方法を選択できる。 Since visible light communication has the above-described features, it can select a usage method according to the place and application as compared with the conventional radio wave communication method.
しかし、可視光通信では、通信機器周辺に照射される光（照明光）の光量が変化する環境では、通信に用いる光（通信光）が照明光に埋没して通信品質が低下してしまうおそれがあり、従来、周辺光の影響を軽減して良好な通信を行う方法がとられている。 However, in visible light communication, in an environment where the amount of light (illumination light) irradiated to the periphery of a communication device changes, the light used for communication (communication light) may be buried in the illumination light and communication quality may deteriorate. Conventionally, a method for reducing the influence of ambient light and performing good communication has been used.
例えば、照明光の強度を周波数帯域別に順番に検出し、その検出結果に基づいて照明光がないまたは照明光の強度が低い周波数帯域を使用する通信方式を選択して通信を行う可視光通信方法が開示されている（特許文献１参照。）。また、可視光通信の受光素子の出力結果に基づいて、センサ電圧を変化させることでダイナミックレンジを広げる方法が開示されている（特許文献２参照。）。 For example, a visible light communication method for detecting the intensity of illumination light in order by frequency band and selecting a communication method using a frequency band in which there is no illumination light or low intensity of illumination light based on the detection result. Is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). In addition, a method of expanding the dynamic range by changing the sensor voltage based on the output result of the light receiving element for visible light communication is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).
しかしながら、従来の技術では、環境を検出する精度の高い受光センサや波長フィルタ回路など、複雑な回路構成が必要であった。 However, the conventional technique requires a complicated circuit configuration such as a light receiving sensor and a wavelength filter circuit with high accuracy for detecting the environment.
そこで、通信機器周辺に照射される照明光の光量が変化する環境下でも、複雑な回路や高価な部品を設けることなく、可視光通信を行うことができる可視光通信装置、及びこの装置を備えた画像形成装置を提供すること目的とする。 Accordingly, a visible light communication device capable of performing visible light communication without providing a complicated circuit or expensive parts even in an environment where the amount of illumination light irradiated around the communication device changes, and the device are provided. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.
この発明の可視光通信装置は、ゼロクロス検出部と、可視光通信部と、を備えている。ゼロクロス検出部は、商用交流電源の電圧がゼロであるゼロクロス点の位相を検出する。可視光通信部は、ゼロクロス検出部が検出するゼロクロス点に同期して、可視光またはその周辺スペクトル光を用いて通信する。 The visible light communication device according to the present invention includes a zero-cross detection unit and a visible light communication unit. The zero cross detection unit detects the phase of the zero cross point where the voltage of the commercial AC power supply is zero. A visible light communication part communicates using visible light or its surrounding spectrum light synchronizing with the zero cross point which a zero cross detection part detects.
可視光通信装置の周辺に照明光を照射する照明器具が、蛍光灯やＬＥＤ照明器など、商用交流電源の電圧の変化に応じて照射する光量が変化する照明器具の場合、商用交流電源の電圧のゼロクロス点で、照明光の強度が最も弱くなる。 When the luminaire that illuminates illumination light around the visible light communication device is a luminaire that changes the amount of light applied according to the change in the voltage of the commercial AC power supply, such as a fluorescent lamp or LED illuminator, the voltage of the commercial AC power supply At the zero cross point, the intensity of the illumination light is the weakest.
この構成では、上記ゼロクロス点の位相を検出し、ゼロクロス点に同期して可視光通信を行うので、通信機器周辺に照射される照明光の光量が変化する環境であっても、通信に用いる通信光が照明光に埋没することなく通信ができる。したがって、複雑な回路や高価な部品を設けることなく、可視光通信を行うことができる。 In this configuration, the phase of the zero-cross point is detected and visible light communication is performed in synchronization with the zero-cross point. Therefore, even in an environment where the amount of illumination light irradiated around the communication device changes, the communication used for communication Communication is possible without the light being buried in the illumination light. Therefore, visible light communication can be performed without providing a complicated circuit or expensive parts.
上記発明において、可視光通信部は、ゼロクロス点を含む一定期間に通信する。蛍光灯やＬＥＤ照明器などの照明器具では商用交流電源の電圧の変化に応じてその光量が変化する。すなわち、ピーク点から離れてゼロクロス点に近づくほど光量が減少し、ゼロクロス点で光量は最少となる。また、ゼロクロス点から離れてピーク点に近づくほど光量が増加する。この構成では、照明光の光量が少なく、通信光が照明光に埋没しないゼロクロス点の前後の一定期間に通信を行うようにする。これにより、通信機器周辺に照射される照明光の光量が変化する環境下でも、確実に可視光により通信することができ、複雑な回路や高価な部品の設置が不要である。 In the said invention, a visible light communication part communicates for the fixed period containing a zero crossing point. In lighting fixtures such as fluorescent lamps and LED illuminators, the amount of light changes according to the change in the voltage of the commercial AC power supply. That is, the light amount decreases as the distance from the peak point approaches the zero cross point, and the light amount is minimized at the zero cross point. In addition, the amount of light increases as the distance from the zero-crossing point approaches the peak point. In this configuration, the amount of illumination light is small, and communication is performed for a certain period before and after the zero cross point where the communication light is not buried in the illumination light. Thereby, even in an environment where the amount of illumination light irradiated around the communication device changes, it is possible to reliably communicate with visible light, and it is not necessary to install complicated circuits or expensive components.
上記発明において、可視光通信部は、ゼロクロス点以外の光量がゼロクロス点の光量よりも多くなるように通信に用いる光の光量を変更して通信する。 In the said invention, a visible light communication part changes and changes the light quantity of the light used for communication so that light quantities other than a zero cross point may be larger than the light quantity of a zero cross point.
蛍光灯やＬＥＤ照明器など商用交流電源の電圧の変化に伴って照射する光量が変化する照明器具は、周期的に光量が変化し、ゼロクロス点で光量が最少となり、その他の期間はゼロクロス点よりも光量が多くなる。この構成では、通信に用いる通信光が照明光に埋没しないように、通信光のゼロクロス点以外の光量をゼロクロス点の光量よりも多くする。これにより、ＳＮ比が高くなるので、可視光により問題なく通信を行うことができ、複雑な回路や高価な部品を別途設けなくてもよい。 Lighting fixtures that change the amount of light emitted with changes in the voltage of a commercial AC power supply, such as fluorescent lamps and LED illuminators, periodically change the amount of light, and the amount of light is minimized at the zero-cross point. Even the amount of light increases. In this configuration, the amount of light other than the zero cross point of the communication light is made larger than the light amount of the zero cross point so that the communication light used for communication is not buried in the illumination light. As a result, the S / N ratio is increased, so that it is possible to perform communication without problems using visible light, and it is not necessary to provide a complicated circuit or expensive parts separately.
上記発明において、可視光通信部は、周囲の明るさを検出するセンサを備え、このセンサの出力に基づいて、通信に用いる光の光量を変更する。 In the above invention, the visible light communication unit includes a sensor that detects ambient brightness, and changes the amount of light used for communication based on the output of the sensor.
照明光を照射する照明器具によってその光量が異なるので、ゼロクロス点やゼロクロス点の前後の一定期間などにおいて照明光の光量が通信に用いる通信光よりも多いと、通信光が照明光に埋没するおそれがある。この構成では、照明光の光量をセンサで検出して、通信光の光量を調整することで、通信光が照明光に埋没しないように設定することができる。これにより、通信品質を保つことができる。 Because the amount of light varies depending on the lighting equipment that illuminates the illumination light, if the amount of illumination light is greater than the communication light used for communication in a certain period before or after the zero cross point or the zero cross point, the communication light may be buried in the illumination light There is. In this configuration, it is possible to set so that the communication light is not buried in the illumination light by detecting the light amount of the illumination light with the sensor and adjusting the light amount of the communication light. Thereby, communication quality can be maintained.
上記発明において、画像形成装置は、上記構成の可視光通信装置と、可視光通信装置が他の通信装置と通信するデータに基づいて画像を形成する画像形成部と、を備えている。この構成では、照明器具の照射する光である照明光に通信光が埋没することなく、他の通信装置と通信できるので、通信品質が高く、通信装置からのデータにエラーが発生することなく、他の通信装置から受信したデータに基づいて正確に画像を形成できる。 In the above invention, the image forming apparatus includes the visible light communication device having the above-described configuration, and an image forming unit that forms an image based on data that the visible light communication device communicates with other communication devices. In this configuration, communication light can be communicated with other communication devices without being buried in the illumination light that is the light emitted by the luminaire, so the communication quality is high, and no error occurs in the data from the communication device, An image can be accurately formed based on data received from another communication device.
この発明によれば、通信機器周辺に照射される照明光の光量が変化する環境下でも、複雑な回路構成を設けることなく、可視光通信を行うことができる。 According to the present invention, visible light communication can be performed without providing a complicated circuit configuration even in an environment in which the amount of illumination light irradiated around the communication device changes.
以下、本発明の実施形態に係る可視光通信装置を備えた複合機を例に挙げて説明する。 Hereinafter, a multi-function device including a visible light communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as an example.
図１に示すように、画像形成装置である複合機１は、可視光通信装置に相当する可視光通信部２、操作入力部１０１、操作表示部１０２、スキャナ部１０３、及び画像形成部１０４を備えている。 As illustrated in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 that is an image forming apparatus includes a visible light communication unit 2, an operation input unit 101, an operation display unit 102, a scanner unit 103, and an image forming unit 104 corresponding to a visible light communication device. I have.
複合機１は、複合機１は、スマートフォンなどの可視光通信機能を備えた外部機器３から印刷データを可視光通信（無線通信）により受信する。複合機１は、不図示の電話回線やＬＡＮなどの通信回線を介して不図示の外部機器から印刷データを受信する。また、複合機１は、外部機器から受信した印刷データを印刷するプリント機能、スキャナ部１０３が読み取った原稿を印刷するコピー機能、不図示の電話回線を介してファックスデータを通信する機能を備えている。複合機１は、商用交流電源１４０に接続され、電力の供給を受けている。 The multifunction device 1 receives print data from an external device 3 having a visible light communication function such as a smartphone by visible light communication (wireless communication). The multi-function device 1 receives print data from an external device (not shown) via a communication line (not shown) such as a telephone line or a LAN. The multifunction device 1 also has a print function for printing print data received from an external device, a copy function for printing a document read by the scanner unit 103, and a function for communicating fax data via a telephone line (not shown). Yes. The multifunction device 1 is connected to a commercial AC power supply 140 and is supplied with electric power.
画像形成部１０４は、スキャナ部１０３が読み取った原稿のデータや、他の機器との通信により取得したデータに基づいて用紙に画像を印刷する。操作入力部１０１は、ユーザが複合機１に対して指示を入力するプリントキーなど、複数の入力キーを備えており、ユーザの操作を受け付ける。操作表示部１０２は、タッチパネル方式の表示部であり、ユーザに提供する情報を表示する。また、コピー機能の詳細な表示や設定を受け付ける。 The image forming unit 104 prints an image on a sheet based on document data read by the scanner unit 103 or data acquired through communication with other devices. The operation input unit 101 includes a plurality of input keys such as a print key for a user to input an instruction to the multifunction device 1 and receives a user operation. The operation display unit 102 is a touch panel type display unit and displays information to be provided to the user. It also accepts detailed display and settings for the copy function.
ＬＥＤ照明器１５０は、複合機１が設置された部屋の天井に設置され、複合機１の周辺に光（照明光）を照射する照明器具である。ＬＥＤ照明器１５０は、複合機１と同じ電源である商用交流電源１４０に接続され、商用交流電源から図２（Ａ）に示すような波形の電圧が供給されている。 The LED illuminator 150 is an illuminating device that is installed on the ceiling of a room in which the multifunction machine 1 is installed and irradiates light (illumination light) around the multifunction machine 1. The LED illuminator 150 is connected to a commercial AC power supply 140, which is the same power supply as the multifunction device 1, and a voltage having a waveform as shown in FIG. 2A is supplied from the commercial AC power supply.
ＬＥＤ照明器１５０は、通電中には商用交流電源１４０の周波数に応じて点滅している。すなわち、図２（Ａ）に示すように、商用交流電源の電圧波形は正弦波形であり、図２（Ｂ）に示すように、ＬＥＤ照明器１５０は、商用交流電源の電圧波形に同期して点滅する（商用交流電源の倍の周期で点滅する）ので、ＬＥＤ照明器１５０の光量は、電圧波形に同期して変化している。日本の場合、電源周波数が６０Ｈｚである西日本では１２０回点滅し、電源周波数が５０Ｈｚである東日本では１００回点滅する。ＬＥＤ照明器１５０の光量は、高周波の点灯制御（インバータ制御）を行わない場合、一般に商用交流電源の端子間電圧差に同期して変化し、商用交流電源電圧が０Ｖのとき、光量が最少となる。 The LED illuminator 150 blinks according to the frequency of the commercial AC power supply 140 during energization. That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the voltage waveform of the commercial AC power supply is a sine waveform, and as shown in FIG. 2B, the LED illuminator 150 is synchronized with the voltage waveform of the commercial AC power supply. Since it flashes (flashes at a cycle twice that of the commercial AC power supply), the light quantity of the LED illuminator 150 changes in synchronization with the voltage waveform. In Japan, it flashes 120 times in western Japan where the power frequency is 60 Hz, and flashes 100 times in eastern Japan where the power frequency is 50 Hz. When the high-frequency lighting control (inverter control) is not performed, the light quantity of the LED illuminator 150 generally changes in synchronization with the voltage difference between terminals of the commercial AC power supply. When the commercial AC power supply voltage is 0 V, the light quantity is minimum. Become.
図３に示すように、複合機１に設けられた可視光通信部２は、ゼロクロス検出部１０５、通信制御部１０６、記憶部１０７、可視光送信部１０８、可視光受信部１０９、操作入力部１０１、操作表示部１０２を備えている。 As shown in FIG. 3, the visible light communication unit 2 provided in the multifunction machine 1 includes a zero cross detection unit 105, a communication control unit 106, a storage unit 107, a visible light transmission unit 108, a visible light reception unit 109, and an operation input unit. 101, an operation display unit 102 is provided.
ゼロクロス検出部１０５は、商用交流電源１４０に接続され、商用交流電源１４０が供給する交流電圧がゼロである点（ゼロクロス点）の位相を検出して検出信号を出力する。 The zero cross detection unit 105 is connected to the commercial AC power supply 140, detects the phase of the point where the AC voltage supplied by the commercial AC power supply 140 is zero (zero cross point), and outputs a detection signal.
通信制御部１０６は、ゼロクロス検出部１０５の検出信号に同期して可視光によるデータ通信を制御する。可視光送信部１０８は、送信データを光信号変換し、複合機１の外部に通信光として送出する。可視光受信部１０９は、外部機器から受信した通信光である可視光受信データを電気信号変換する。可視光送信部１０８及び可視光受信部１０９は、可視光、またはその周辺スペクトル光を通信光として用いて、他の装置と無線で通信する。ＬＥＤ照明器や後述の蛍光灯などの照明装置は、可視光だけでなく、その周辺スペクトル光も出射するので、このような通信光を用いて通信するように設定することで、可視光だけでなく、その周辺スペクトル光を用いた通信にも対応できる。 The communication control unit 106 controls data communication using visible light in synchronization with the detection signal of the zero cross detection unit 105. The visible light transmission unit 108 converts the transmission data into an optical signal, and sends the transmission data as communication light to the outside of the multifunction device 1. The visible light receiving unit 109 converts visible light reception data, which is communication light received from an external device, into an electrical signal. The visible light transmitting unit 108 and the visible light receiving unit 109 communicate with other devices wirelessly using visible light or its peripheral spectrum light as communication light. An illumination device such as an LED illuminator or a fluorescent lamp described later emits not only visible light but also its peripheral spectrum light, so by setting to communicate using such communication light, only visible light can be used. In addition, communication using the peripheral spectrum light can be supported.
記憶部１０７は、送信データまたは受信データの一時記憶を行う。操作入力部１０１は、可視光通信の機能選択等、複合機１の操作者による任意の機能設定、操作を受け付ける。操作表示部１０２は、操作者に対して情報を表示する。 The storage unit 107 temporarily stores transmission data or reception data. The operation input unit 101 accepts arbitrary function settings and operations by the operator of the multifunction device 1 such as function selection for visible light communication. The operation display unit 102 displays information for the operator.
前記のように、ＬＥＤ照明器１５０は、商用交流電源１４０の周波数に応じて点滅している。ＬＥＤ照明器１５０が照射する光量は、図２（Ａ）及び図２（Ｂ）に示すように、交流電圧のゼロクロス点付近が最も少ない。 As described above, the LED illuminator 150 blinks according to the frequency of the commercial AC power supply 140. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the amount of light emitted by the LED illuminator 150 is the smallest in the vicinity of the zero-cross point of the AC voltage.
そこで、本発明では、複合機１は、操作者により可視光通信を行うことが選択された場合に、ゼロクロス検出部１０５で商用交流電源のゼロクロス点、または、図２（Ｃ）に示すように、商用交流電源の端子間電圧差が所定値以下であるゼロクロス点を含む一定期間を検出する。そして、図２（Ｄ）に示すように、照明光の光量が減少するタイミングである、ゼロクロス点を含む一定期間に可視光通信を行う。このようにすることで、照明光の光量が少ないタイミングで通信を行うことができ、通信光が照明光に埋没することがなく、ＳＮ比が高くなる。したがって、通信機器周辺に照射される照明光の光量が変化する環境下でも、複雑な回路構成を設けることなく、可視光通信を行うことができる。 Therefore, according to the present invention, when the operator selects to perform visible light communication, the zero cross detection unit 105 causes the zero cross point of the commercial AC power source, or as shown in FIG. Then, a certain period including a zero cross point where the voltage difference between terminals of the commercial AC power source is a predetermined value or less is detected. Then, as shown in FIG. 2D, visible light communication is performed for a certain period including the zero cross point, which is a timing at which the amount of illumination light decreases. By doing in this way, communication can be performed at a timing when the amount of illumination light is small, the communication light is not buried in the illumination light, and the SN ratio is increased. Therefore, visible light communication can be performed without providing a complicated circuit configuration even in an environment where the amount of illumination light irradiated around the communication device changes.
ゼロクロス検出部１０５は、例えば、図４に示すように構成する。 The zero cross detection unit 105 is configured as shown in FIG. 4, for example.
ゼロクロス検出部１０５は、ブリッジ整流ダイオード１１９、ＬＥＤ１２０とフォトトランジスタ１２１とを備えたフォトカプラ１２２、電流制限抵抗１２３、電流制限抵抗１２４、及び検出抵抗１２５を備えている。 The zero-cross detection unit 105 includes a bridge rectifier diode 119, a photocoupler 122 including an LED 120 and a phototransistor 121, a current limiting resistor 123, a current limiting resistor 124, and a detection resistor 125.
ゼロクロス検出部１０５には、商用交流電源１４０からＬ線１１７、Ｎ線１１８を介して交流電圧が印加されている。 An AC voltage is applied to the zero cross detection unit 105 from the commercial AC power supply 140 via the L line 117 and the N line 118.
図示は省略するが、複合機１内ではＬ線１１７、Ｎ線１１８により供給された電圧を平滑化し、ＰＷＭにより異なる電圧に変換して、複合機１内部の各所に供給している。 Although not shown in the figure, the voltage supplied from the L line 117 and the N line 118 in the multifunction device 1 is smoothed, converted to a different voltage by PWM, and supplied to various locations inside the multifunction device 1.
ブリッジ整流ダイオード１１９は、Ｌ線１１７とＮ線１１８に接続され、入力された交流波形を全波整流する。ＬＥＤ１２０は、整流後の全波波形により一定電圧以上が加わった条件で発光する。フォトトランジスタ１２１は、ＬＥＤ１２０の発光により出力電流スイッチング動作を行う。電流制限抵抗１２３は、ＬＥＤ１２０の波高電流を制限する。電流制限抵抗１２３はフォトトランジスタ１２１に流れる電流を制限する。検出抵抗１２５は、フォトトランジスタ１２１の電流スイッチング動作を電圧信号に変換する。 The bridge rectifier diode 119 is connected to the L line 117 and the N line 118, and full-wave rectifies the input AC waveform. The LED 120 emits light under a condition that a certain voltage or more is applied by the full-wave waveform after rectification. The phototransistor 121 performs an output current switching operation by the light emission of the LED 120. The current limiting resistor 123 limits the crest current of the LED 120. The current limiting resistor 123 limits the current flowing through the phototransistor 121. The detection resistor 125 converts the current switching operation of the phototransistor 121 into a voltage signal.
ゼロクロス検出部１０５は、Ｌ線１１７、Ｎ線１１８間の交流電圧をブリッジ整流ダイオード１１９により全波波形に変換する。全波波形の波高値が高い場合はＬＥＤ１２０の電流が増加し、全波波形の波高値が低い場合はＬＥＤ１２０の電流値が低下する。このように変化する電流を増幅してフォトトランジスタの出力電流が変化するため、検出抵抗により電流−電圧変換を行って電圧信号として端子から出力する。 The zero cross detection unit 105 converts the AC voltage between the L line 117 and the N line 118 into a full-wave waveform by the bridge rectifier diode 119. When the peak value of the full wave waveform is high, the current of the LED 120 increases, and when the peak value of the full wave waveform is low, the current value of the LED 120 decreases. Since the current that changes in this way is amplified and the output current of the phototransistor changes, current-voltage conversion is performed by the detection resistor and a voltage signal is output from the terminal.
このようにして、ゼロクロス検出部１０５は、図２（Ｃ）に示すような信号を出力する。 In this way, the zero cross detection unit 105 outputs a signal as shown in FIG.
なお、図２（Ｄ）に示した送信データ信号の１回当たりの送信時間は、数１０μｓｅｃである。この送信時間は、照明光と通信光の光量の関係に応じて通信光が照明光に埋没しない時間に設定する。例えば、照明光に対して通信光の光量が予め設定した基準値よりも少ないときには、送信時間を短くする。また、照明光に対して通信光の光量が予め設定した基準値よりも多いときには、送信時間を長くする。したがって、送信データ信号の１回当たりの送信時間は、数１０μｓｅｃ乃至数ｍｓｅｃに設定することが可能である。 Note that the transmission time per transmission data signal shown in FIG. 2D is several tens of microseconds. The transmission time is set to a time during which the communication light is not buried in the illumination light according to the relationship between the illumination light and the communication light amount. For example, when the amount of communication light with respect to the illumination light is smaller than a preset reference value, the transmission time is shortened. Also, when the amount of communication light with respect to the illumination light is greater than a preset reference value, the transmission time is lengthened. Therefore, the transmission time per transmission data signal can be set to several tens of microseconds to several milliseconds.
なお、上記のように、送信データ信号の１回当たりの送信時間は短いので、この通信時間毎に所定量のデータを通信できるように、データをパケット化し、また、可視光通信の通信速度を調整する。これにより、通信途中でのデータの途切れなどが発生するのを防止できる。 As described above, since the transmission time per transmission data signal is short, data is packetized so that a predetermined amount of data can be communicated every communication time, and the communication speed of visible light communication is increased. adjust. As a result, it is possible to prevent data interruption during communication.
また、上記の説明では、ＬＥＤ照明器１５０（照明光）の光量が少ない間だけ可視光通信をするようにしたが、これに限るものではなく、ゼロクロス点以外の光量がゼロクロス点の光量よりも多くなるように通信光の光量を変更することも可能である。例えば、図２（Ｅ）に示すように、ＬＥＤ照明器１５０の光量の変化に合わせて、可視光通信に用いる通信光の光量を変化させる。このようにすることで、ＬＥＤ照明器１５０の光量が周期的に変動しても、この変動に応じて通信光の光量を変動させるので、ＬＥＤ照明器１５０の光量が多いときにも、ＳＮ比を高くすることができ、安定して可視光通信を行うことができる。 In the above description, the visible light communication is performed only while the light amount of the LED illuminator 150 (illumination light) is small. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light amount other than the zero cross point is larger than the light amount of the zero cross point. It is also possible to change the amount of communication light so as to increase. For example, as shown in FIG. 2E, the amount of communication light used for visible light communication is changed in accordance with the change in the amount of light of the LED illuminator 150. By doing in this way, even if the light quantity of the LED illuminator 150 fluctuates periodically, the light quantity of the communication light is fluctuated according to this fluctuation. The visible light communication can be performed stably.
なお、図２（Ｅ）に示したように通信光の光量を変化させるには、商用交流電源の周期を検出して、この周期に合わせて通信光の光量を変化させればよい。 In order to change the amount of communication light as shown in FIG. 2E, the period of the commercial AC power supply is detected and the amount of communication light is changed in accordance with this period.
また、図２（Ｆ）に示すように、商用交流電源のゼロクロス点及びその前後の一定期間（例えば数ｍｓｅｃの間）は、通信光の光量を少ない値（第１の値）にし、その他の期間は、通信光の光量を多い値（第２の値）にしてもよい。 Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (F), the amount of communication light is set to a small value (first value) at the zero cross point of the commercial AC power supply and a fixed period before and after that (for example, for several milliseconds), and the other The period may be a value (second value) with a large amount of communication light.
また、複合機１のパネルには、周囲の明るさを検出するセンサを設けている。このセンサにより、複合機１の周囲の明るさを検出し、検出した明るさの平均値や最大値、最小値などを求める。そして、求めた値に基づいて通信光の光量を変更する。例えば、複合機１の周囲が非常に明るいとき（例えば昼間）と、複合機１の周囲が薄暗いとき（夕方や夜）と、で通信光の光量を変える。これにより、通信光の光量をＳＮ比が高くなるように適切に調整して、可視光通信を行うができる。 Further, a sensor for detecting ambient brightness is provided on the panel of the multifunction device 1. With this sensor, the brightness around the multifunction device 1 is detected, and the average value, maximum value, minimum value, and the like of the detected brightness are obtained. And the light quantity of communication light is changed based on the calculated | required value. For example, the amount of communication light is changed between when the periphery of the multifunction device 1 is very bright (for example, in the daytime) and when the periphery of the multifunction device 1 is dark (in the evening or at night). Thereby, visible light communication can be performed by appropriately adjusting the amount of communication light so that the SN ratio becomes high.
以上のように、複合機１は、操作者により可視光通信を行うことが選択された場合に、ゼロクロス検出部１０５により得られた商用交流電源のゼロクロス点を含む一定期間にデータを送信する。これにより、照明光が比較的暗いタイミングで通信を行うことができ、通信光の光量を多くする必要がないので、通信光が照明光に埋没することなく安定したデータ送信が行うことができる。 As described above, when the operator selects to perform visible light communication, the multifunction device 1 transmits data for a certain period including the zero cross point of the commercial AC power source obtained by the zero cross detection unit 105. As a result, communication can be performed at a timing when the illumination light is relatively dark, and it is not necessary to increase the amount of communication light, so that stable data transmission can be performed without the communication light being buried in the illumination light.
なお、以上の説明では、可視光通信装置に対して照明光を照射する照明器具として、ＬＥＤ照明器を例に挙げたが、本発明はこれに限るものではなく、商用交流電源の電圧の変化に応じて照明光の光量が変化する照明器具であれば、他の照明器具の場合にも適用できる。例えば、照明器具が、スタータ式やラピッドスタート式で点灯する蛍光灯などの場合に本発明が適用できる。 In the above description, an LED illuminator has been described as an example of an illuminating device that irradiates illumination light to a visible light communication device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a change in the voltage of a commercial AC power supply. If it is a lighting fixture from which the light quantity of illumination light changes according to, it can apply also in the case of another lighting fixture. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where the lighting fixture is a fluorescent lamp that is lit by a starter type or a rapid start type.
１…複合機 ２…可視光通信部 ３…外部機器 １０１…操作入力部 １０２…操作表示部 １０３…スキャナ部 １０４…画像形成部 １０５…ゼロクロス検出部 １０６…通信制御部 １０７…記憶部 １０８…可視光送信部 １０９…可視光受信部 １１９…ブリッジ整流ダイオード １２０…ＬＥＤ １２１…フォトトランジスタ １２２…フォトカプラ １２３，１２４…電流制限抵抗 １２５…検出抵抗 １４０…商用交流電源 １５０…ＬＥＤ照明器 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP 2 ... Visible light communication part 3 ... External apparatus 101 ... Operation input part 102 ... Operation display part 103 ... Scanner part 104 ... Image formation part 105 ... Zero cross detection part 106 ... Communication control part 107 ... Memory | storage part 108 ... Visible Optical transmitter 109 ... Visible light receiver 119 ... Bridge rectifier diode 120 ... LED 121 ... Phototransistor 122 ... Photocoupler 123, 124 ... Current limiting resistor 125 ... Detection resistor 140 ... Commercial AC power supply 150 ... LED illuminator
Claims (5)
前記ゼロクロス検出部が検出するゼロクロス点に同期して、可視光またはその周辺スペクトル光を用いて通信する可視光通信部と、
を備えた可視光通信装置。 A zero-cross detector that detects the phase of the zero-cross point where the voltage of the commercial AC power supply is zero, and
A visible light communication unit that communicates using visible light or its peripheral spectrum light in synchronization with the zero cross point detected by the zero cross detection unit,
Visible light communication device.
前記可視光通信装置が他の装置と通信するデータに基づいて画像を形成する画像形成部と、
を備えた画像形成装置。 The visible light communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image forming unit that forms an image based on data that the visible light communication device communicates with another device;
An image forming apparatus.
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