JP2007274580A - Visible light communication system - Google Patents

Visible light communication system Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2007274580A
JP2007274580A JP2006100352A JP2006100352A JP2007274580A JP 2007274580 A JP2007274580 A JP 2007274580A JP 2006100352 A JP2006100352 A JP 2006100352A JP 2006100352 A JP2006100352 A JP 2006100352A JP 2007274580 A JP2007274580 A JP 2007274580A
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Prior art keywords
light
data
power line
unit
terminal device
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Takemi Arita
武美 有田
Shinichiro Haruyama
真一郎 春山
Masao Nakagawa
正雄 中川
Takehiko Yamaguchi
武彦 山口
Toshihiko Komine
敏彦 小峯
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Nakagawa Laboratories Inc
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Nakagawa Laboratories Inc
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Priority to JP2006100352A priority Critical patent/JP2007274580A/en
Priority to TW096111370A priority patent/TW200807913A/en
Priority to PCT/JP2007/057083 priority patent/WO2007119611A1/en
Publication of JP2007274580A publication Critical patent/JP2007274580A/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
    • H04B10/11—Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
    • H04B10/114—Indoor or close-range type systems
    • H04B10/116—Visible light communication
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
    • H04B10/11—Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
    • H04B10/114—Indoor or close-range type systems
    • H04B10/1143—Bidirectional transmission

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a visible light communication system for enabling stable and reliable uplink communication. <P>SOLUTION: A transmitter and receiver 1 transmits data to a terminal unit 3 by illumination light, and receives data sent from the terminal unit 3 by light. A receiver 2 is connected to a power line 4 as in the transmitter and receiver 1, and receives the data transmitted from the terminal unit 3 by light. The receiver 2 is provided at a position different from that of the transmitter and receiver 1. As a result, if the receiver 2 can receive the light from the terminal unit 3 even if the transmitter and receiver 1 cannot receive the light from the terminal unit 3, communication is enabled. For example, even if light to the transmitter and receiver 1 is blocked and the direction of light from the terminal unit 3 is changed, communication is enabled if the receiver 2 can receive the light, so that stable and reliable communication can be achieved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、電力線および照明光（可視光）を用いた双方向の通信システムに関するものである。   The present invention relates to a bidirectional communication system using a power line and illumination light (visible light).

近年、ＬＥＤなどの半導体発光素子が照明用の光源に利用されるようになってきた。半導体発光素子は、高速に点滅あるいは光量の制御が可能である。この特性を用いて、データに応じて照明用の半導体発光素子を点滅あるいは光量の制御を行うことによって、照明光によりデータを伝送しようとする技術が開発されている。半導体発光素子の点滅あるいは光量の変化が高速であれば、その点滅や光量の変化は人間の目には分からない。従って、人間にとって照明光としての利用を妨げずに、データの伝送を行うことができる。また、照明装置は広く一般的に用いられているものであって、それらの照明装置を通信に用いることができるという利点もある。   In recent years, semiconductor light-emitting elements such as LEDs have been used as illumination light sources. The semiconductor light-emitting element can blink at high speed or control the amount of light. A technique for transmitting data using illumination light has been developed by using this characteristic to blink a semiconductor light emitting element for illumination or control the amount of light according to data. If the blinking of the semiconductor light-emitting element or the change in the amount of light is high, the blinking or the change in the amount of light cannot be seen by human eyes. Therefore, it is possible to transmit data without hindering human use as illumination light. In addition, lighting devices are widely used in general, and there is an advantage that these lighting devices can be used for communication.

例えば、特許文献１には照明光を用いた放送システムが記載されている。この場合、通信は照明装置から端末装置へ（ダウンリンク）の一方向のみである。端末装置から照明装置へ（アップリンク）の通信については、通常は赤外線通信が用いられるが、例えば特許文献２に記載されているように、アップリンクについても可視光を用いたものが考えられている。   For example, Patent Document 1 describes a broadcasting system using illumination light. In this case, communication is only in one direction from the lighting device to the terminal device (downlink). For communication from the terminal device to the lighting device (uplink), infrared communication is usually used. However, as described in Patent Document 2, for example, the uplink uses visible light. Yes.

ダウンリンクに照明光を用いる場合、通信のための回路を照明装置あるいは照明装置に装着する、照明光源となる電球などの発光部分に組み込むため、アップリンクの受光部についても発光部分あるいはその周辺に設けられている。そのため、受光部の位置が固定されてしまい、例えば端末装置からの光が障害物や人体で遮られると、通信ができなくなるという問題があった。また、端末装置が携帯型の場合、操作者が端末装置を動かしただけで通信できなくなるおそれがあった。さらに、発光部分と受光部とが近いことから、強い照明光が受光部に入射してアップリンクの光と干渉するという問題もあった。   When illuminating light is used for the downlink, the circuit for communication is installed in the light emitting part such as a light bulb as an illumination light source that is mounted on the illuminating device or the illuminating device. Is provided. For this reason, the position of the light receiving unit is fixed. For example, when light from the terminal device is blocked by an obstacle or a human body, there is a problem that communication cannot be performed. Further, when the terminal device is a portable type, there is a possibility that communication cannot be performed only by the operator moving the terminal device. Further, since the light emitting part and the light receiving part are close to each other, there is a problem that strong illumination light enters the light receiving part and interferes with the uplink light.

特開２００４−１４７０６３号公報JP 2004-147063 A 特開２００４−２２１７４７号公報JP 2004-221747 A

本発明は、上述した事情に鑑みてなされたもので、安定して確実にアップリンクの通信を行うことができる可視光通信システムを提供することを目的とするものである。   The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a visible light communication system capable of performing uplink communication stably and reliably.

本発明は、可視光通信システムにおいて、電力線に接続され照明素子の発光による照明光を前記電力線から受け取ったデータにより変調して該データを送信するとともに受光素子で受光したデータを前記電力線に送出する送受信手段と、前記電力線に接続され受光素子で受光したデータを前記電力線に送出する複数の受信手段を有し、前記複数の受信手段を前記送受信手段とは異なった場所に配置したことを特徴とするものである。   In the visible light communication system, the illumination light emitted from the illumination element connected to the power line is modulated by the data received from the power line and transmitted, and the data received by the light receiving element is sent to the power line. A transmission / reception unit; and a plurality of reception units that transmit data received by a light receiving element connected to the power line to the power line, wherein the plurality of reception units are arranged at locations different from the transmission / reception unit. To do.

本発明によれば、送受信手段と同じ電力線に接続された複数の受信手段が、送受信手段とは異なった場所に配置されているので、たとえ１つの受信手段あるいは送受信手段についてアップリンクの光が遮られたとしても、他の受信手段あるいは送受信手段で受信することができる。また、操作者が端末装置を動かしてアップリンクの光の方向が変化しても、複数の受信手段あるいは送受信手段のいずれかで受信できれば通信を行うことができる。従って、安定して確実にアップリンクの通信を行うことができるという効果がある。   According to the present invention, since the plurality of receiving means connected to the same power line as the transmitting / receiving means are arranged at different locations from the transmitting / receiving means, the uplink light is blocked by one receiving means or transmitting / receiving means. Even if received, it can be received by other receiving means or transmitting / receiving means. Further, even if the operator moves the terminal device and changes the direction of the uplink light, communication can be performed if reception can be performed by any of a plurality of reception units or transmission / reception units. Therefore, there is an effect that uplink communication can be performed stably and reliably.

また、例えば送受信手段の受光部に照明光の干渉を受けないような対策を施したためにアップリンクの光を受光しにくくなったとしても、他の受信手段によってカバーすることができるので、この場合も安定かつ確実にアップリンクの通信を行うことができる。   Also, for example, even if it becomes difficult to receive the uplink light because the light receiving unit of the transmission / reception means is not subjected to interference of illumination light, it can be covered by other reception means. Can perform uplink communication stably and reliably.

図１は、本発明の実施の一形態を示す概要図である。図中、１は送受信部、２は受信部、３は端末装置、４は電力線、５は外部装置である。本発明では、一般に電力を供給している電力線４を用い、この電力線４に送受信部１と複数の受信部２、および外部装置５が接続されている。これらの各部は電力線４から電力の供給を受けるとともに、同じ電力線４を用いて通信を行う。ここでは外部装置５から送られるデータを、送受信部１により照明光を用いて端末装置３へ送信し、また、端末装置３から光により送られてくるデータを送受信部１又は受信部２により受信して、電力線４を介して外部装置５へ送信する例を示している。   FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a transmission / reception unit, 2 is a reception unit, 3 is a terminal device, 4 is a power line, and 5 is an external device. In the present invention, a power line 4 that supplies power is generally used, and the power line 4 is connected to the transmission / reception unit 1, the plurality of reception units 2, and the external device 5. These units receive power from the power line 4 and communicate using the same power line 4. Here, data transmitted from the external device 5 is transmitted to the terminal device 3 using illumination light by the transmission / reception unit 1, and data transmitted from the terminal device 3 by light is received by the transmission / reception unit 1 or the reception unit 2. Then, an example of transmitting to the external device 5 through the power line 4 is shown.

なお端末装置３は、照明光を受光して、照明光により送られてくるデータ（ダウンリンク）を受信する機能と、発光素子を駆動して光によりデータを送信する機能を有している。   The terminal device 3 has a function of receiving illumination light and receiving data (downlink) sent by the illumination light and a function of driving the light emitting element and transmitting data by light.

送受信部１は、例えばＬＥＤやＬＤ、ＥＬなどの半導体発光素子を有し、この半導体発光素子を発光させ、発光光により照明を行うものである。また、電力線４を通じて送られてくるデータを受信し、受信したデータにより半導体発光素子を点滅制御したり、あるいは光量を制御することにより照明光を変調し、これによって、照明光によりデータを送信する（ダウンリンク）。さらに、送受信部１は受光素子を有している。この受光素子により端末装置３からの光（アップリンク）を受光して、端末装置３から光によって送られてくるデータを受信し、電力線４を通じて外部装置５へデータを送出する。   The transmission / reception unit 1 includes semiconductor light emitting elements such as LEDs, LDs, and ELs, and emits light from the semiconductor light emitting elements and performs illumination with the emitted light. Further, it receives data sent through the power line 4, modulates the illumination light by controlling the blinking of the semiconductor light emitting element or controls the amount of light according to the received data, and thereby transmits the data by the illumination light. (Downlink). Furthermore, the transmission / reception unit 1 has a light receiving element. The light receiving element receives light (uplink) from the terminal device 3, receives data transmitted from the terminal device 3 by light, and sends data to the external device 5 through the power line 4.

受信部２は受光素子を有し、この受光素子により端末装置３からの光（アップリンク）を受光して、端末装置３から光によって送られてくるデータを受信し、電力線４を通じて外部装置５へデータを送出する。この受信部２は複数設けることができる。   The receiving unit 2 includes a light receiving element. The light receiving element receives light (uplink) from the terminal device 3, receives data transmitted by the light from the terminal device 3, and receives an external device 5 through the power line 4. Send data to. A plurality of receiving units 2 can be provided.

この受信部２は、送受信部１とは異なった場所に配置される。例えば図１に示す例では、送受信部１が照明としての機能を果たすため、通常は部屋の天井などに設けられる。受信部２については、例えば部屋の壁などに設けたり、天井でも隅に設けるなど、送受信部１から離れた位置に設けるとよい。   The receiving unit 2 is arranged at a different location from the transmitting / receiving unit 1. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, since the transmission / reception unit 1 functions as illumination, it is usually provided on the ceiling of a room. The reception unit 2 may be provided at a position away from the transmission / reception unit 1 such as, for example, on the wall of a room or in the corner of the ceiling.

送受信部１および受信部２の構成についてさらに説明する。図２は、送受信部１の一例を示すブロック図である。図中、１１は変復調部、１２は光変調部、１３は半導体発光素子、１４は受光素子、１５は増幅部である。   The configurations of the transmission / reception unit 1 and the reception unit 2 will be further described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the transmission / reception unit 1. In the figure, 11 is a modem, 12 is a light modulator, 13 is a semiconductor light emitting element, 14 is a light receiving element, and 15 is an amplifier.

変復調部１１は、電力線４を通じて送られてくるデータを復調して取り込んで光変調部１２に渡し、また、増幅部１５から渡される受信したデータを変調して電力線４へ送出する。   The modem 11 demodulates and captures data sent through the power line 4 and passes it to the optical modulator 12, and modulates the received data passed from the amplifier 15 and sends it to the power line 4.

光変調部１２は、変復調部１１から渡されるデータに従って半導体発光素子１３の点滅あるいは光量を制御し、半導体発光素子１３から放出される光（照明光）を変調してデータを送信する。   The light modulation unit 12 controls blinking or light amount of the semiconductor light emitting element 13 according to data passed from the modem unit 11, modulates light (illumination light) emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element 13, and transmits data.

半導体発光素子１３は、上述のように例えばＬＥＤ、ＬＤ、ＥＬなどの高速な応答特性を有する発光素子であり、この半導体発光素子１３から放出される光は照明光として利用される。この半導体発光素子１３は光変調部１２により点滅あるいは光量が制御される。点滅や光量の変動が高速であれば、人間の目には点滅や光量の変動は分からず、データにより変調された光であってもそのまま照明として利用することができる。   As described above, the semiconductor light emitting element 13 is a light emitting element having a high-speed response characteristic such as LED, LD, EL, etc., and the light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element 13 is used as illumination light. The semiconductor light emitting element 13 is blinked or the amount of light is controlled by the light modulator 12. If blinking and light quantity fluctuation are fast, human eyes do not know blinking or light quantity fluctuation, and even light modulated by data can be used as illumination as it is.

受光素子１４は、外部から送られてくる光を受光して電気信号に変換する。この場合には、端末装置３から放出される光を受光し、送られてくるデータを電気信号に変換して増幅部１５へ送る。受光素子１４としては、例えばフォトダイオードやフォトトランジスタ、ＣＣＤやＣＭＯＳセンサなど、様々な受光素子が用いることができる。   The light receiving element 14 receives light transmitted from the outside and converts it into an electric signal. In this case, the light emitted from the terminal device 3 is received, and the transmitted data is converted into an electrical signal and sent to the amplifying unit 15. As the light receiving element 14, various light receiving elements such as a photodiode, a phototransistor, a CCD, and a CMOS sensor can be used.

増幅部１５は、受光素子１４で受光して変換された電気信号を増幅し、変復調部１１へ渡す。これにより、端末装置３から送られてきたデータは変復調部１１から電力線４へと送出される。   The amplifying unit 15 amplifies the electrical signal received and converted by the light receiving element 14 and passes the amplified signal to the modem unit 11. As a result, the data sent from the terminal device 3 is sent from the modem 11 to the power line 4.

図３は、受信部２の一例を示すブロック図である。図中、２１は受光素子、２２は増幅部、２３は変調部である。受信部２は送受信部１の一部のみの構成である。受光素子２１は送受信部１の受光素子１４と同様のものであり、例えば端末装置３から放出される光を受光し、送られてくるデータを電気信号に変換して増幅部１５へ送る。   FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the receiving unit 2. In the figure, 21 is a light receiving element, 22 is an amplifier, and 23 is a modulator. The receiving unit 2 has only a part of the transmitting / receiving unit 1. The light receiving element 21 is the same as the light receiving element 14 of the transmission / reception unit 1. For example, the light reception element 21 receives light emitted from the terminal device 3, converts the transmitted data into an electric signal, and sends the electric signal to the amplification unit 15.

増幅部２２は送受信部１の増幅部１５と同様のものであり、受光素子２１で受光して変換された電気信号を増幅し、変調部２３へ渡す。   The amplifying unit 22 is the same as the amplifying unit 15 of the transmitting / receiving unit 1, amplifies the electric signal received and converted by the light receiving element 21, and passes it to the modulating unit 23.

変調部２３は送受信部１の変復調部１１の変調機能を有するものであり、増幅部２２から渡される受信したデータを変調して電力線４へ送出する。これにより、端末装置３から送られてきたデータは電力線４へと送出される。   The modulation unit 23 has a modulation function of the modulation / demodulation unit 11 of the transmission / reception unit 1, modulates the received data passed from the amplification unit 22, and sends it to the power line 4. Thereby, the data transmitted from the terminal device 3 is transmitted to the power line 4.

以下、本発明の実施の一形態における動作の概要について簡単に説明しておく。まず、外部装置５から端末装置３へのデータ伝送を行うダウンリンクについては、例えば特許文献１などに記載されているような従来の電力線及び照明光を用いた通信と同様である。すなわち、電力線４を通じて外部装置５から送られてくるデータは、送受信部１の変復調部１１で復調され、光変調部１２に渡される。光変調部１２では、変復調部１１から渡されたデータに従って半導体発光素子１３の点滅あるいは光量を制御し、これによって半導体発光素子１３から放射される光（照明光）を変調してデータを送信する。   The outline of the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described below. First, the downlink for transmitting data from the external device 5 to the terminal device 3 is the same as the conventional communication using a power line and illumination light as described in Patent Document 1, for example. That is, data transmitted from the external device 5 through the power line 4 is demodulated by the modem unit 11 of the transmission / reception unit 1 and passed to the light modulation unit 12. The light modulation unit 12 controls the blinking or light amount of the semiconductor light emitting element 13 according to the data passed from the modem unit 11, thereby modulating the light (illumination light) emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element 13 and transmitting the data. .

端末装置３では、送受信部１から放射される光（照明光）を受光し、復調することにより、送られてきたデータを取得することができる。なお、一般に照明光は光強度が強く、端末装置３の受光素子の方向が多少変化したり、影ができた程度では支障なく通信を行うことができる。   The terminal device 3 can acquire transmitted data by receiving and demodulating light (illumination light) emitted from the transmission / reception unit 1. In general, illumination light has high light intensity, and communication can be performed without any problem as long as the direction of the light receiving element of the terminal device 3 is slightly changed or a shadow is formed.

一方、端末装置３から外部装置５へのデータ伝送を行うアップリンクについては、端末装置３に設けられている発光素子をデータに従って点滅あるいは光量を制御することによって、光（可視光あるいは赤外光）によってデータを送出することができる。この光を送受信部１の受光素子１４で受光し、増幅部１５で増幅後、変復調部１１で変調して電力線４へ送出し、これにより外部装置５へデータが伝送される。あるいは、端末装置３から放出された光を受信部２の受光素子２１で受光し、増幅部２２で増幅後、変調部２３で変調して電力線４へ送出し、これにより外部装置５へデータが伝送される。   On the other hand, for the uplink that performs data transmission from the terminal device 3 to the external device 5, light (visible light or infrared light) is controlled by blinking or controlling the light amount of the light emitting element provided in the terminal device 3 according to the data. ) Can send data. This light is received by the light receiving element 14 of the transmission / reception unit 1, amplified by the amplification unit 15, modulated by the modulation / demodulation unit 11, and transmitted to the power line 4, whereby data is transmitted to the external device 5. Alternatively, the light emitted from the terminal device 3 is received by the light receiving element 21 of the receiving unit 2, amplified by the amplifying unit 22, modulated by the modulating unit 23, and sent to the power line 4, whereby data is transmitted to the external device 5. Is transmitted.

このアップリンクにおいて端末装置３側の発光光の強度は、ダウンリンクに用いる照明光に比べて格段に弱い。そのため、端末装置３側から放出される光が遮られたり、光の向きが変化すると、固定点での受光量は大きく変化し、データを受信できなくなってしまう。例えば通常の状態で端末装置３から放出された光が、主に送受信部１で受光されていたとする。この状態で端末装置３から放出された光が人などによって遮られたり、あるいは端末装置３を動かすなどにより放出される光の方向が変化すると、送受信部１での受光量が大きく変化してデータを受信できなくなる場合が生じる。   In this uplink, the intensity of the emitted light on the terminal device 3 side is much weaker than the illumination light used for the downlink. Therefore, when the light emitted from the terminal device 3 side is blocked or the direction of the light changes, the amount of light received at the fixed point changes greatly, and data cannot be received. For example, it is assumed that light emitted from the terminal device 3 in a normal state is mainly received by the transmission / reception unit 1. If the light emitted from the terminal device 3 in this state is blocked by a person or the like, or the direction of the light emitted by moving the terminal device 3 or the like changes, the amount of light received by the transmission / reception unit 1 changes greatly and data May not be received.

このような場合に、受信部２のいずれかで端末装置３から放出される光を受光できれば、その受信部２が端末装置３から放出される光を受光し、データを受信して外部装置５へ転送することができる。そのために、上述のように受信部２を送受信部１とは異なった場所に配置している。例えば図１に示す例では、送受信部１が部屋の天井に設けられ、受信部２は部屋の壁に設けられていることを示している。このように送受信部１から離れた位置に受信部２を設けることによって、例えば端末装置３から送受信部１への光が遮られた場合でも、受信部２によって端末装置３から放射される光を受信することができる。また、例えば端末装置３が携帯型である場合などのように、操作者が端末装置３の姿勢を変化させ、それに伴って放射される光の向きが変化するような場合でも、送受信部１又は複数の受信部２のいずれかにより受光できれば、通信を行うことができる。さらに、送受信部１で端末装置３からの光と照明光とが干渉してしまう場合でも、他の受信部２で受光及びデータの受信ができれば、問題なくアップリンクの通信を行うことができる。   In such a case, if any of the receiving units 2 can receive the light emitted from the terminal device 3, the receiving unit 2 receives the light emitted from the terminal device 3, receives the data, and receives the data from the external device 5. Can be transferred to. For this purpose, the receiving unit 2 is arranged at a location different from the transmitting / receiving unit 1 as described above. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the transmission / reception unit 1 is provided on the ceiling of the room, and the reception unit 2 is provided on the wall of the room. By providing the receiving unit 2 at a position away from the transmitting / receiving unit 1 in this way, for example, even when light from the terminal device 3 to the transmitting / receiving unit 1 is blocked, the light emitted from the terminal device 3 by the receiving unit 2 is reduced. Can be received. Further, even when the operator changes the attitude of the terminal device 3 and the direction of the emitted light changes accordingly, as in the case where the terminal device 3 is portable, for example, the transmission / reception unit 1 or If light can be received by any of the plurality of receiving units 2, communication can be performed. Furthermore, even if the light from the terminal device 3 and the illumination light interfere with each other in the transmission / reception unit 1, uplink communication can be performed without problems if the other reception unit 2 can receive light and receive data.

もちろん、端末装置３から放射される光を、通常でも受信部２で受光し、データを受信していてもかまわない。従来は送受信部１のみであったため、必ず照明光の出射方向へアップリンクの光を返す必要があった。しかし本発明では、送受信部１のほかに１ないし複数の受信部２を設けることによって、照明光の方向にアップリンクの光を向ける必要がなくなり、より自由度を増すことができる。   Of course, the light radiated from the terminal device 3 may be received by the receiving unit 2 even in a normal state to receive data. Conventionally, only the transmission / reception unit 1 is used, and thus it is necessary to always return the uplink light in the illumination light emission direction. However, in the present invention, by providing one or more receiving units 2 in addition to the transmitting / receiving unit 1, it is not necessary to direct the uplink light in the direction of the illumination light, and the degree of freedom can be further increased.

また、受信部２は電力線と接続できる場所であればどこに設置することも可能であり、非常に自由度が高い。当然ながら、受信部２は図１に示した配置に限られないことは言うまでもない。   The receiving unit 2 can be installed anywhere as long as it can be connected to the power line, and the degree of freedom is very high. Of course, it goes without saying that the receiving unit 2 is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG.

このようにして、端末装置３から放出される光が遮られたり、光の方向が変化しても、送受信部１あるいは受信部２のいずれかで受光してデータを受信し、安定かつ確実にアップリンクの通信を行うことができる。   In this way, even if the light emitted from the terminal device 3 is blocked or the direction of the light is changed, the light is received by either the transmission / reception unit 1 or the reception unit 2, and the data is received stably and reliably. Uplink communication can be performed.

なお、端末装置３から放出される光が送受信部１と１ないし複数の受信部２で、あるいは複数の受信部２で受光される場合も発生する。このような場合に対処するため、端末装置３から送信するデータにＩＤを付したり、タイムスタンプを付しておくとよい。これによって、送受信部１や受信部２の複数でデータを受信した場合でも、それぞれの送受信部１や受信部２では、そのまま外部装置５へデータを転送すればよい。外部装置５では、同じＩＤや同じタイムスタンプのデータが送られてきた場合には、１つを除いて破棄すればよい。このようにして、複数で受信した場合についても、正確なデータ伝送を実現することができる。   Note that the light emitted from the terminal device 3 may be received by the transmission / reception unit 1 and one or a plurality of reception units 2 or a plurality of reception units 2. In order to cope with such a case, it is preferable to attach an ID or a time stamp to data transmitted from the terminal device 3. As a result, even when data is received by a plurality of transmission / reception units 1 and reception units 2, the transmission / reception unit 1 and reception unit 2 may transfer the data to the external device 5 as they are. In the external device 5, when data with the same ID or the same time stamp is sent, it is sufficient to discard one except for one. In this way, accurate data transmission can be realized even when a plurality of signals are received.

また、図１に示した構成では、変復調部１１及び変調部２３においては、受光素子１４あるいは受光素子２１で受光した光の波形を電気信号に変換したら、異なる形式の信号に変換することなく、直接電力線を変調する方式とすることによって、装置構成の簡単化と低価格化を図ることができる。もちろん、この構成に限られるものではなく、光による通信と電力線を通じた通信とで異なる変調方式を用いるなど、通信時の詳細については任意である。   In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, in the modem 11 and the modulator 23, if the waveform of the light received by the light receiving element 14 or the light receiving element 21 is converted into an electric signal, it is not converted into a signal of a different format, By adopting a method of directly modulating the power line, the device configuration can be simplified and the price can be reduced. Of course, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the details at the time of communication are arbitrary, such as using different modulation schemes for communication by light and communication through a power line.

本発明の実施の一形態を示す概要図である。It is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. 送受信部１の一例を示すブロック図である。2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a transmission / reception unit 1. FIG. 受信部２の一例を示すブロック図である。3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a receiving unit 2. FIG.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１…送受信部、２…受信部、３…端末装置、４…電力線、５…外部装置、１１…変復調部、１２…光変調部、１３…半導体発光素子、１４…受光素子、１５…増幅部、２１…受光素子、２２…増幅部、２３…変調部。   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Transmission / reception part, 2 ... Reception part, 3 ... Terminal device, 4 ... Power line, 5 ... External device, 11 ... Modulation / demodulation part, 12 ... Light modulation part, 13 ... Semiconductor light emitting element, 14 ... Light receiving element, 15 ... Amplification part , 21... Light receiving element, 22... Amplification section, 23.

Claims (1)

電力線に接続され照明素子の発光による照明光を前記電力線から受け取ったデータにより変調して該データを送信するとともに受光素子で受光したデータを前記電力線に送出する送受信手段と、前記電力線に接続され受光素子で受光したデータを前記電力線に送出する複数の受信手段を有し、前記複数の受信手段を前記送受信手段とは異なった場所に配置したことを特徴とする可視光通信システム。   Transmitting / receiving means for modulating illumination light emitted from the light element connected to the power line with data received from the power line and transmitting the data and receiving data received by the light receiving element to the power line; and receiving light connected to the power line A visible light communication system, comprising a plurality of receiving means for sending data received by an element to the power line, wherein the plurality of receiving means are arranged at a location different from the transmitting / receiving means.
JP2006100352A 2006-03-31 2006-03-31 Visible light communication system Pending JP2007274580A (en)

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US8805202B2 (en) 2008-09-12 2014-08-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba System for visible light communication using single light source

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JP2009260842A (en) * 2008-04-18 2009-11-05 Tamura Seisakusho Co Ltd Intercom system, portable talking device, and led illuminating device
TWI474637B (en) * 2013-03-29 2015-02-21 Aten Int Co Ltd Video and audio transmission apparatus and light emitting module and light receiving module thereof

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JPH11154910A (en) * 1997-11-20 1999-06-08 Nec Corp Infrared communication equipment
JP2004221747A (en) * 2003-01-10 2004-08-05 Global Com:Kk Illuminating light communication system

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JPH11154910A (en) * 1997-11-20 1999-06-08 Nec Corp Infrared communication equipment
JP2004221747A (en) * 2003-01-10 2004-08-05 Global Com:Kk Illuminating light communication system

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8160454B2 (en) 2008-07-30 2012-04-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Method and apparatus for visible light communication using single light source
US8805202B2 (en) 2008-09-12 2014-08-12 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba System for visible light communication using single light source

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