KR20120062553A - Apparatus and method for generating visible signal according to data transmitting rate in visible light communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A visible signal creation apparatus according to data transmission rates in a visible ray communication system and method thereof are provided to increase visibility for data transmission by displaying data transmission rates through a level established by the data transmission rates. CONSTITUTION: A visible ray communication transmission and reception unit(300) transmits and receives the size information of whole data and the size information of the currently received data through visible ray signals. A visible ray communication control unit(310) changes visible ray signals into digital signals. A data processing unit(320) establishes a visible ray output pattern according to levels by dividing the size information of whole data according to established levels. The data processing unit outputs the visible ray pattern by comparing the size information of the received data with the whole data.

Description

Apparatus and method for generating visible signal according to data transmission amount in visible light communication system {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING VISIBLE SIGNAL ACCORDING TO DATA TRANSMITTING RATE IN VISIBLE LIGHT COMMUNICATION SYSTEM}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to visible light communications, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for generating visible signals that enable a user to check the amount of data transmission while transmitting and receiving data. More specifically, the present invention relates to a parameter required between visible light devices in order to be able to confirm a change in the amount of transmission of data using a visible light signal.

Visible light communication is a wireless communication technology using light in the visible light wavelength range and active research is being conducted in recent years with the spread of light emitting diodes (LEDs). In recent years, visible light communication using LEDs as a communication light source has been increasingly interested due to the depletion of radio frequency (RF) band frequency, the possibility of hybridization among various wireless communication technologies, and the increasing demand for security of communication.

In general, visible light communication is performed by emitting visible light by using an LED or a laser diode (LD) as a light source in a transmitter, and processing the light by using a PD (Photo Detector) or the like in a receiver. As LED luminous efficiency improves and prices fall, LEDs are becoming commonplace in general lighting markets such as fluorescent lamps as well as special lighting markets such as mobile devices, displays, automobiles, traffic lights, and billboards.

A technology with similar characteristics to visible light communication is an example of current infrared communication. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing data transmission using a conventional infrared ray.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless communication using infrared light includes an infrared communication activation step 101, an external infrared communication device search step 102, a communication method determination step 103, a connection step 104, and a data transmission step 105. ), Determining whether to disconnect (106), and communication disconnection step (107). This series of steps allows the user to roughly orient the infrared communication device to align the communication link.

Looking at the data transmission method between the transmitting side and the receiving side performing the infrared communication as follows. 2 is an exemplary view illustrating a data transmission method using a conventional infrared ray.

Referring to FIG. 2, when data is transmitted from the transmitting side 201 to the receiving side 202 as in step 203, the receiving side 202 receives an acknowledgment signal for receiving a response of the data received in step 204. Send it. In this manner, data is transmitted between the transmitting side 201 and the receiving side 202.

The above-described method using infrared rays is similar to the method using visible light in that only a band of light source is used and there is a difference. After all, the biggest difference between infrared communication and visible light communication is visibility, and in this respect, visible light communication is different from infrared communication. That is, the biggest feature that visible light communication is in contrast to infrared communication is that the visible light communication uses a light source in the visible light band so that the user can directly check the link status of the communication. Accordingly, in the process of forming the communication link, the infrared communication is generally directed to the point to which the user wants to send, whereas the visible light communication may be directed to the communication link relatively accurately in the direction to be sent by the user.

Infrared communication uses invisible light bands, so the communication link is invisible. Therefore, there is no way for the user to know about the communication situation. On the other hand, in the visible light communication, the user can check the state of the channel that the user is directly communicating with the eye by using a light source in the visible light band, and various researches on this are in progress. Currently, there are a variety of methods, from a simple method of informing a user of a current communication state using visibility to a method of informing a state of a transmission / reception amount of data transmitted and received. But it is more conceptual than a concrete method.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for displaying a degree of data transmission using visible signal generation in a visible light communication device. Specifically, in the apparatus and method for displaying the degree of data transmission using visible signal generation, necessary parameters between devices to be communicated are provided. To do this, devices to communicate must be aware of or inform each other of these conditions in advance. In actual communication, the transmission degree is represented by the number of preset levels under the above-mentioned conditions, and generates a predetermined visible signal according to the degree of data size to be transmitted.

According to one aspect of the invention, in the visible signal generation method according to the data transmission amount, the process of acquiring the total data size information, the process of dividing the obtained total data size information into a predetermined step, and the predetermined step Setting the respective visible light output patterns, comparing the total data size with the size of the data received so far, determining the received data rate, and displaying the visible light of the pattern corresponding to the data rate. Characterized in that the output process.

To this end, visible light communication devices need to understand each other's possible light source characteristics. Required parameters such as size information of the data to be transmitted or received in advance between two visible light communication devices or more devices, the number of available colors, the number of levels to indicate the transmission degree, and the designated color or pattern for each transmission degree. Information must be exchanged.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the visible signal generation apparatus according to the data transmission amount, the visible light communication transceiver for transmitting and receiving the size information of the total data and the size information of the data received so far through the visible light signal, and the received visible light signal A visible light communication control unit for converting the digital signal into a digital signal, and classifying the obtained size information of the entire data into preset stages, and setting the respective visible light output patterns according to the preset stages; And a data processor configured to compare the size information of the received data to determine a received data rate and to output visible light of a pattern corresponding to the step corresponding to the data rate.

In the data communication between two or more visible light communication devices using the visible light communication, when the data transmission degree is displayed at a predetermined number of levels according to the amount of data transmission, the user can increase the visibility of the data transmission, thereby increasing the convenience of the user. There is. For this purpose, specific conditions between communication devices were suggested to clarify the data transmission method.

1 is a flowchart illustrating a process of performing data transmission using a conventional infrared ray
2 is an exemplary view showing a data transmission method using a conventional infrared ray
3 is a durable configuration diagram of a visible light communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 5 are views illustrating a visible signal transmission process according to a change in data transmission amount according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an exemplary view showing generation of visible light according to the amount of data transmitted and received according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flowchart for controlling an output pattern of visible light according to an amount of data transmitted and received in a visible light communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details such as specific components are shown, which are provided to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and the specific details may be changed or changed within the scope of the present invention. It is self-evident to those of ordinary knowledge in Esau.

The present invention proposes a method for notifying a user of a degree of data transmission in a visible light communication device. To this end, in the present invention, after obtaining the total data size information in advance in a visible light communication device, a process of generating a specific color or a specific pattern among the colors set according to the amount of data transmitted and received according to the amount of data transmitted and received as visible light Is done.

As described above, as the data is transmitted, the ratio of the amount of data to be transmitted is also increased. As the amount of data increases, another color or pattern is generated as visible light so that the user can intuitively check the amount of data. For the purpose of clarity, embodiments of the present invention set a number of colors or patterns of light sources that are actually available before transmitting and receiving data and transmit them to a counterpart visible light communication device, and use a specific color that is preset according to the amount of data transmitted or received. The case of using various patterns of a preset light source according to the amount of data to be transmitted and received will be described in detail.

The structure and operation of the visible light communication device in the visible light communication system in which the above function is implemented will be described with reference to FIG. 3. 3 is a durable configuration diagram of a visible light communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the visible light communication apparatus includes a visible light communication transceiver 300, a visible light communication controller 310, and a data processor 320 for checking a data amount and generating a signal corresponding thereto. Here, the visible light communication device may have the same configuration as both the transmitting side and the receiving side visible light communication device, and may generate visible light in at least one visible light communication device of the transmitting side or the receiving side visible light communication device according to a user's selection. In addition, since the number of colors of the light source supported may differ between the transmitting side and the receiving side, the visible light communication device may set a color corresponding to the number of colors and the amount of data available to each visible light communication device before transmitting and receiving data, Exchange with each other. The reason for exchanging the information may be that the number of colors of the light source that can be supported may vary depending on the visible light communication device, and thus the degree of data transmission may be easily determined by using the information exchanged later.

For example, while transmitting and receiving the same amount of data, the light source of the visible light communication device of the transmitting side may generate yellow, and the light source of the visible light communication device of the receiving side may generate blue. If there is no exchange of such information, the user will not immediately know how much data the color represents. However, after the exchange, information about the corresponding color can be informed to the user through an output unit, etc., so that the user can check the information on the amount of data much more easily. This is related to user setting and can be expressed in various ways in consideration of the number of colors of light sources that can be supported.

For example, if it is assumed that the color of the communication signal light source including the actual data and the color of the visible signal light source to inform the user of the current data transmission status are the same, the receiving side visible light communication device includes data in the received light source. First, check whether the light source for communication signal and the visible signal light source are separately received.

Looking at each configuration in detail as follows. First, the visible light communication transmitter / receiver 300 is a visible light communication receiver 301 which receives the number of colors or data of the light source set by the visible light communication device from the transmitting side through visible light, and an ACK signal in response thereto. It includes a visible light communication transmitter 302 for selecting a specific color among the colors of the light source supported together with the visible light. The visible light communication receiving unit 301 receives a visible light signal from the transmitting side visible light communication device and transmits the visible light signal to the visible light communication control unit 310, and the signal input from the visible light communication control unit 310 is transmitted to the transmitting side visible light through the visible light communication transmitting unit 302. Sent to the communication device. If the supported color is a single color, the flashing speed of the light source is controlled to output the visible light.

Next, the visible light communication control unit 310 includes a temporary storage unit 312 and the modulation and demodulation unit 313. Data received from the visible light communication receiver 301 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 312. The received data includes size information of all data and size information of currently received data, and the received data is converted into a digital signal and stored in the temporary storage unit 312. The demodulation unit 313 demodulates the data converted into the digital signal into data according to the visible light communication method and outputs the data through the visible light communication transmitter 302.

The data processor 320 transmits an ACK signal in response to each time data is received and outputs a control signal so that visible light is generated by selecting a flashing speed of a color or a light source corresponding to the data rate received from all data. . The received data rate is divided into preset stages, and includes color information designated for each stage. The data processor 320 includes a data amount checker 321, a controller 322, a storage 323, and a signal generator 324.

In detail, the data amount checking unit 321 grasps the data amount currently being transmitted and received and provides the result to the control unit 322. The storage unit 32 stores the data converted into the digital signal, the color mapping information according to the number of colors of the supported light source, and the amount of data. The controller 322 checks the total amount of data and the amount of data transmitted / received from the storage unit 323 and controls to output a specific color corresponding to the ratio checked based on the color mapping information as visible light. A control signal for a particular color or pattern is generated in the signal generator 324, which is transmitted to the visible light communication transmitter 302. Accordingly, the visible light communication transmitter 302 outputs the color or pattern according to the control signal received using the LED element as visible light.

If the amount of data is divided into preset stages and specific colors corresponding to the stages are mapped, this is not a problem when the number of colors of the light source supported by the visible light communication device is greater than the number of stages. If it is smaller than the number, it is possible to mix and support different colors to generate different kinds of colors. For example, if the data transmission volume is divided into four stages, and the light source of the visible light communication device supports three colors, only three colors cannot be mapped at every stage. Therefore, at least two of the three colors may be mixed. You can also make and use other colors in addition to the three colors. In addition, when the light source of the visible light communication device supports only one color, it may indicate a transmission state by using a constant blinking pattern of a single color. An example will be described using the following table.

Transmission degree Specified Color (Step / Level / Band) 0-33% or less First color More than 33% up to 66% Second color Over 66% to 100% Third color

In Table 1, the total data amount is classified into three stages (three bands), and when the data amount corresponding to each stage is transmitted and received, a color corresponding to each stage is generated. Of course, information about the color corresponding to each step is exchanged at the time of data transmission and reception. However, when the light source supported by the visible light charging device has less than three colors, the supported colors may be mixed with each other to create a new color.

Transmission degree Designation Pattern (Step / Level / Band) 0-33% or less Flashing interval fast More than 33% up to 66% Flashing interval normal Over 66% to 100% Slow flashing interval

In Table 2, when the visible light communication device supports only a single color, the total data amount is classified into three levels (three bands), and when the data amount corresponding to each step is transmitted and received, the blinking interval of the light source corresponding to each step is Generates visible light. Meanwhile, in the table, visible light is generated by adjusting the blinking interval of the light source, but visible light may be generated according to each step by adjusting the brightness of the light source.

The visible light communication device has been described on the premise that a visible signal is generated by using the size of data transmitted and received and information stored in advance when the user wants to inform the user of the amount of data. Or it is apparent that the visible light communication device that can perform all the operations of the receiving side. Accordingly, the internal configuration diagram of the visible light communication device illustrated in FIG. 3 may further include a display unit for receiving a visible signal and displaying the same by using an LD, an LED, or an array thereof. If the visible light communication apparatus supports only a reception function without a transmission function, the modulators of the visible light communication transmitter 302 and the modulator 312 are not required.

In addition, the visible signal generated by the light source of the visible light communication device should be used separately from the data actually transmitted and received. The visible signal indicating the degree of data transmission is generated using the light source of the visible light communication device, and since the visible signal for actually transmitting data is also generated using the light source, the visible signal may be generated in the same color. In this case, a visible signal including data actually transmitted and received and a visible signal indicating a degree of data transmission must be distinguished. In this case, it is possible to distinguish using various patterns such as brightness of a light source or a blinking speed of a corresponding color.

Hereinafter, a visible signal generation and transmission process according to a change in data transmission amount according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are views illustrating a visible signal transmission process according to a change in data transmission amount according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the transmission visible light communication device is referred to as a first device 401 and the reception visible light communication device is referred to as a second device 402.

Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 403, the first device 401 transmits size information of the entire data before transmitting the actual data. When the first device 401 receives the ACK signal in response to the entire data size information transmission, the first device 401 transmits the data to be actually transmitted to the second device 402 through the visible light signal in step 404. At this time, the first device 401 also transmits mapping information according to the number of colors and data of the light source supported by the first device 401 together.

 In response, the second device 402 transmits color mapping information according to the number of colors and data of the light source supported by the second device 402 together with the ACK signal in step 405 and simultaneously supports the received data amount. The first color is selected from the colors of the light sources, and the visible light of the first color is generated. As the data transmission proceeds in step 406, the data transmission / reception rate is also changed, so the second device 402 generates visible light of a second color corresponding to the data transmission / reception rate changed in step 407. As the data transmission proceeds as described above, the data transmission / reception ratio also increases, so that visible light of a corresponding color is generated according to the data transmission / reception ratio. In this way, the user can easily check the current degree of data transmission and reception by notifying the user using a corresponding color according to the transmission / reception ratio of the data amount received based on the total data amount.

Although the second device 402 is shown to generate visible light in this figure, the first device 401 may generate visible light, and both the first device 401 and the second device 402 are visible light. May occur. In this case, since the mapping information is exchanged even when the number of colors of the light sources of the first device 401 and the second device 402 are different, the user can easily check the current data transmission / reception degree even if the light source of either device is viewed. .

Referring to FIG. 5, steps 503 to 504 in FIG. 5 are the same as steps 403 to 405 in FIG. 4, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, in FIG. 5, the flashing interval of the preset light source is changed according to the amount of data received based on the total amount of data.

When the second device 402 receives the data in step 504, the second device 402 selects the blinking interval of the light source according to the received data amount and generates visible light at the blinking interval of the light source. The user can set the mapping process according to the data amount and the step of the flashing interval of the light source. As data transmission proceeds in step 506, the data transmission / reception ratio is also changed, so the second device 402 reselects the flashing interval step of the light source according to the change in the amount of data received. In operation 507, visible light is generated at a blinking interval of the reselected light source. As the data transmission proceeds as described above, the rate of data transmission and reception also increases, so that visible light is generated by changing the blinking interval of the light source according to the data transmission / reception ratio. For example, as data is transmitted or received close to 100% while data is being transmitted, the current data is transmitted to the user in such a way that the light source blinks faster, or vice versa. Allows you to check the level of transmission and reception.

6 is an exemplary view showing generation of visible light according to the amount of data transmitted and received according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 (a) to 6 (c) show that visible light of a specific color is generated when each data amount is reached.

In the case of FIG. 6A, when 0% of the total data amount is transmitted and received, visible light of the designated first color is generated. In the case of FIG. 6B, when 0% to 33% of the total data amount is transmitted and received, visible light of the designated second color is generated. In the case of (c) of FIG. 6, when 33% to 66% of data is transmitted and received, visible light of a specified third color is generated.

A control process for controlling the output pattern of visible light according to the amount of data transmitted and received in the visible light communication device will be described with reference to FIG. 7. 7 is a flowchart for controlling an output pattern of visible light according to an amount of data transmitted and received in a visible light communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the visible light communication mode is started in step 700, the receiving side visible light communication device initializes a communication link such as connecting a communication link in step 705. When the initialization process is completed, it is determined in step 710 whether data information is received. Subsequently, the total size of data to be transmitted from the transmitting side visible light communication device is determined based on the received information in step 715, and color mapping information according to the number of colors and data amount of the light source supported by the transmitting side and the receiving side device is exchanged. . In step 720, the receiving side visible light communication device proceeds to step 725 to select an output pattern according to the received data amount based on the total data amount, and generates visible light of the selected output pattern in step 730. The output pattern can be variously expressed according to the number of colors of the light source supported by the visible light communication device or the setting of the flashing interval of the light source. Thereafter, in step 735, data reception is continued until the entire data reception is completed or the communication link is forcibly released.

Meanwhile, in the foregoing description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be defined by the described embodiments, but should be defined by the equivalents of the claims such as the claims.

Claims (15)

In the visible signal generation method according to the data transmission amount,
Obtaining total data size information,
Dividing the obtained total data size information into a predetermined step;
Setting each visible light output pattern in the preset step;
Determining a received data rate by comparing the total data size with the size of data received so far;
And outputting visible light having a pattern corresponding to the data ratio. The method of claim 1,
And exchanging mapping information according to the number of colors and data amount of the counterpart device and the light source. The method of claim 2, wherein the dividing into the predetermined step comprises:
And dividing the image into predetermined steps based on mapping information according to the number of colors and data of the exchanged light sources. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting of the visible light output pattern comprises:
And generating a visible light of a different color in the preset step. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting of the visible light output pattern comprises:
And a step of outputting the light source by varying the flashing speed of the light source in the preset step. The method of claim 1, wherein the setting of the visible light output pattern comprises:
And generating the output by changing the brightness of the light source in the preset step. The method of claim 1, wherein the visible light output pattern
And receiving the data received so far and outputting the data for a time until the next data is received. In the visible signal generating device according to the amount of data transmission,
A visible light communication transceiver for transmitting and receiving the size information of the entire data and the size information of the data received so far through the visible light signal;
A visible light communication control unit for converting the received visible light signal into a digital signal;
The size information of the acquired total data is divided into predetermined steps, and each visible light output pattern is set according to the predetermined steps, and the received data is compared with the size information of the total data and the size information of data received so far. And a data processing unit for outputting visible light having a pattern corresponding to the data ratio after determining the ratio. The method of claim 8, wherein the visible light communication transceiver
And transmitting mapping information according to the color number and data amount of the light source of the visible signal generating device, and receiving mapping information according to the color number and data amount of the light source of the counterpart device from the counterpart device. The method of claim 9, wherein the dividing into the preset steps
And generating a predetermined step based on the transmitted mapping information. The method of claim 8, wherein the data processing unit
A storage unit which stores the size information of the entire data, the size information of the data received so far, the received data rate, and the visible light output pattern set in the predetermined step;
A data amount checking unit checking the received data ratio by checking size information of at least one data stored in the storage unit;
And a control unit which selects a corresponding step among preset steps by using the received data ratio determined by the data amount checking unit, and controls to output visible light of a pattern corresponding to the selected step. . The method of claim 8, wherein the data processing unit
And a control signal for generating visible light having a color that varies in stages according to the received data rate. The method of claim 8, wherein the data processing unit
And a control signal for generating visible light at a blinking interval of the light source that varies in stages according to the received data ratio. The method of claim 8, wherein the data processing unit
And a control signal for generating visible light of brightness of a light source that varies in stages according to the received data ratio. The method of claim 8,
And outputting visible light having a pattern corresponding to the changed step when the step corresponding to the data ratio is changed.

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