JP2008227952A - Optical communication system, optical communication method and optical communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To align optical elements of two optical communication apparatuses at an optimal communication point and to carry out desired optical communication processing between two optical communication apparatuses. <P>SOLUTION: An optical communication system comprises an optical communication apparatus 1 which includes an optical element 15 for communication, and includes an LCD panel 122 on a device mounting surface and performs optical communication processing and a terminal device 2 which includes an optical element 27 for communication, and has terminal information for optical element alignment and performs optical communication processing, wherein the optical communication apparatus 1 receives terminal information from the terminal device 2, processes the terminal information and displays an outline video image of the terminal device 2 on the LCD panel 122. When the terminal device 2 is placed along the outline video image displayed on the LCD panel 122 in alignment, an optical element position of the optical communication apparatus 1 and an optical element position of the terminal device 2 can be aligned in a self-matching manner and automatically. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical communication system, an optical communication method, and an optical communication device that are suitable for application to a non-contact optical data communication system, a mobile terminal device, and the like that perform optical communication processing of video and sound information. Specifically, it has an optical communication device that has an optical element arranged at a predetermined position and has a display unit on the device mounting surface and performs optical communication processing, and aligns the optical element with the optical communication device. The external information for displaying the external image of the terminal device in the position coordinate system of the optical element for communication and the relationship between the arrangement position of the optical element is received from the terminal device, and the display unit receives the external information based on the external information. When an external image of the terminal device is displayed and the terminal device is placed along the external image displayed on the display unit, the arrangement position of the optical element for communication of the optical communication device and the communication device of the terminal device are displayed. The two optical elements can be aligned in a self-aligned and automatic manner without depending on the alignment by visual confirmation of the arrangement position of the optical elements, and the two optical elements are optimally aligned. In this state, place the terminal device on the optical communication device. It is obtained to be able to run the desired optical communication process with the optical communication apparatus and the terminal apparatus.

  In recent years, mobile phones and PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) terminal devices (portable electronic devices, electric devices, etc.) have been increasingly used. On the other hand, a visible light communication method is used in which LED light sources (elements) are blinked at high speed and data is transmitted by visible light that appears to the human eye as illumination light.

  In relation to this type of visible light communication, Patent Literature 1 discloses an illumination light transmitting device, an illumination light receiving device, and a phosphor type illumination light communication system.

  Patent Document 2 discloses an optical communication device and an information device using the same. According to this optical communication device, a communication function using a visible light source of a backlight is provided, and transmission / reception by visible light is possible together with the backlight function and the backlight function.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a communication device and method that use blinking of a display unit of a portable communication terminal device. According to this portable communication terminal device, a communication function by visible light using blinking is provided together with a backlight function of the display unit, and transmission / reception by visible light can be performed together with the backlight function and the backlight function. is there.

  Patent Document 4 discloses a display device, and a mobile phone terminal, a mobile game terminal, a television receiver, and a stereoscopic display system using the display device. According to this display device, a blinking control unit connected to the liquid crystal panel is provided, and data can be transmitted to the outside of the device by controlling blinking of the light source of the backlight of the liquid crystal panel based on the data.

  Patent Document 5 discloses an image display device and a data transmission system. According to this image display device, the display pixel is provided with a display, and when the image is displayed by emitting the LED for each pixel, the LED is blinked at a frequency higher than the scanning frequency. You can send data.

  Patent Document 6 discloses an electric device and a controller. According to this electrical apparatus, a control unit that controls blinking of an LED or a light emission amount is provided, and data can be transmitted / received to / from the outside by modulating light emission based on data by the control unit.

  FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a first optical communication system 400 according to a conventional example. An optical communication system 400 illustrated in FIG. 10 has a unidirectional visible light communication function, and includes a transmission function unit 40 and a reception function unit 50. The transmission function unit 40 includes a modulation circuit 101, an LED drive circuit 102, and an LED element 103. The reception function unit 50 includes a photodetector 201, an amplifier circuit 202, and a demodulation circuit 203.

  According to the visible light communication example in the optical communication system 400, in order to perform data communication in one direction from the transmission function unit 40 to the reception function unit 50, the transmission function unit 40 transmits the digital transmission data Dout to the modulation circuit 101. Modulate by. The modulated data Dx after modulation is output to the LED drive circuit 102. The LED drive circuit 102 drives the LED element 103 by outputting a modulation signal Sx based on the modulation data Dx. The LED element 103 converts the modulation signal Sx into an optical signal by a high-speed blinking operation based on the modulation signal Sx. The modulation signal Sx is transmitted to the reception function unit 50 as visible light.

  In the reception function unit 50, the photodetector 201 receives visible light. Visible light is converted into an electric signal, and the electric signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit 202. The amplified electric signal is demodulated by the demodulation circuit 203. As a result, digital received data Din can be acquired from the demodulation circuit 203 in the optical communication system 400 employing the unidirectional visible light communication method. An optical communication system 400 that employs such a unidirectional visible light communication method can be found in short-range optical communication, etc. disclosed in Patent Documents 3, 5, 6, and the like.

  FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a second optical communication system 500 according to a conventional example. An optical communication system 400 shown in FIG. 11 has a bidirectional visible light communication function, and includes two optical communication devices 5a and 5b having the same function. Each of the optical communication devices 5a and 5b includes a transmission function unit 40 and a reception function unit 50.

  According to the optical communication system 500, bidirectional data communication is realized by making the optical communication devices 5a and 5b face each other. The operation at the time of optical transmission is the same as that of the transmission function unit 40 of the optical communication system 400, and the operation at the time of optical reception is the same as that of the reception function unit 50 of the optical communication system 400. Also in the optical communication system 500, the digital reception data Din can be acquired from the demodulation circuit 203. An optical communication system 500 employing such a bidirectional visible light communication system can be found in short-distance optical communication and the like disclosed in Patent Documents 2 and 4 and the like.

JP 2003-318836 A JP 2006-319408 A JP 2005-012745 A JP 2004-246274 A JP 2006-227207 A JP 2004-248128 A

  By the way, according to the optical communication system according to the conventional example, the terminal device is placed on the optical communication device, and data transmission is attempted by applying the visible light communication method as seen in Patent Documents 1 to 6. If you have the following problems.

  i. In the optical communication system 400, when the transmission function unit 40 and the reception function unit 50 are applied with some distance, the LED element 103 of the transmission function unit 40 and the photodetector 201 of the reception function unit 50 are connected. The alignment is relaxed. This is because the LED element 103 exists in the field of view of the photodetector 201.

  However, when there is a purpose (request) to apply the transmission function unit 40 on a part of the plane of the reception function unit 50, the arrangement of the LED element 103 of the transmission function unit 40 and the photodetector 201 of the reception function unit 50 is arranged. Without matching the installation position, it is not possible to perform near-field communication with high reliability. Therefore, since it is difficult to align the transmission function unit 40 and the reception function unit 50 at the optimum optical communication point, a desired optical communication process is performed between the transmission function unit 40 and the reception function unit 50 at the time of approaching optical communication. May become difficult.

  ii. Also in the optical communication system 500, when the optical communication device 5a and the optical communication device 5b are applied at a certain distance, the LED element 103 of the optical communication device 5a and the photo detector 201 of the optical communication device 5b The alignment is relaxed. This is for the same reason as in the optical communication system 400.

However, when there is a purpose (request) to apply the optical communication device 5b by placing it on a partial plane of the optical communication device 5a, for example, a display unit, the LED element 103 of the optical communication device 5a and the optical communication device Unless the alignment position of the photo detector 201 of 5b is matched, the approach light communication cannot be performed with high reliability. Therefore, it becomes difficult to align the two optical communication devices 5a and 5b at the optimum optical communication point, and there is a possibility that desired optical communication processing between the two optical communication devices 5a and 5b may be difficult.
iii. In the optical communication systems 400 and 500, when the display unit has a light source, the LED elements 103 of the transmission function unit 40 and the LED elements 103 of the optical communication device 5a increase in addition to the light sources of the display unit. There is a problem that the configuration becomes large and the power consumption becomes large.

  Therefore, the present invention solves such a conventional problem, and enables alignment at the optimum optical communication point of the two optical communication apparatuses and desired optical communication between the two optical communication apparatuses. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication system, an optical communication method, and an optical communication apparatus that can execute processing.

  The above-described problem is a system for performing optical communication processing by aligning communication optical elements between two optical communication devices, including a communication optical element disposed at a predetermined position, and A first optical communication device that has a display unit on the device mounting surface and performs optical communication processing, a communication optical element disposed at a predetermined position, and the optical element is connected to the first light And a second optical communication device that performs optical communication processing with terminal information for optical element alignment for aligning with the optical element of the communication device. The first optical communication device includes the second optical communication device. This is solved by an optical communication system that receives terminal information from a communication device, processes the terminal information, and displays an external image of the second optical communication device on a display unit.

  According to the first optical communication system of the present invention, when performing optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication devices, the first optical communication device is placed at a predetermined position. An optical device for communication is provided, and a display unit is provided on the device mounting surface to perform optical communication processing. The second optical communication device has an optical element for communication disposed at a predetermined position, and for optical element alignment for aligning the optical element with the optical element of the first optical communication device. The optical communication processing is performed with the terminal information.

  For example, the terminal information is provided in the second optical communication device, and displays the relationship between the external image of the own device and the optical element placement position in the position coordinate system when the optical element is aligned with the first optical communication device. This is the outer shape information. Based on this assumption, the first optical communication device receives terminal information (outer shape information) from the second optical communication device, and displays the outer image of the second optical communication device on the display unit based on the terminal information. It will be displayed.

  Therefore, when the second optical communication device is placed along the outline image displayed on the display unit of the first optical communication device at the time of optical element alignment, the optical element arrangement position of the first optical communication device The two optical elements for communication can be automatically aligned in a self-aligning manner without visually confirming and aligning the positions of the optical elements of the second optical communication device. In addition, desired communication processing can be executed between the first optical communication apparatus and the second optical communication apparatus in which the two optical elements are optimally aligned.

  An optical communication method according to the present invention includes a first optical communication apparatus that has an optical element for communication disposed at a predetermined position, and has a display unit on a device mounting surface to perform optical communication processing. A communication optical element disposed at a predetermined position, and terminal information for optical element alignment for aligning the optical element with the optical element of the first optical communication device. A method of performing optical communication by aligning two optical elements for communication with a second optical communication apparatus that performs optical communication processing, wherein the second optical communication apparatus The terminal information is transmitted to the first optical communication device, the first optical communication device receives the terminal information from the second optical communication device, and the outer shape of the second optical communication device is displayed on the display unit based on the terminal information. It is characterized by displaying video.

  According to the optical communication method of the present invention, when performing optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication devices, the outer shape displayed on the display unit of the first optical communication device When the second optical communication device is placed along the image, the optical element placement position of the first optical communication device and the optical device placement position of the second optical communication device are visually confirmed and aligned. Therefore, the two optical elements for communication can be aligned in a self-aligning manner and automatically. As a result, the second optical communication device can receive the second light from the first optical communication device while the second optical communication device is placed on the first optical communication device in a state where the two optical elements for communication are optimally aligned. Data can be transmitted to the communication device, and desired communication processing can be executed between the first optical communication device and the second optical communication device.

  A first optical communication apparatus according to the present invention is an optical communication apparatus applicable to a system that performs optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication apparatuses, and is arranged at a predetermined position. Optical communication processing between the provided optical element for communication, the display unit provided on the device mounting surface on which the optical element is aligned, and another optical communication device mounted on the display unit And an optical communication function unit for displaying the relationship between the external image of the other optical communication device in the position coordinate system at the time of alignment of the optical element with respect to the optical communication device and the optical element placement position. When used as information, the optical communication function unit receives external information from another optical communication device, and displays an external image of the other optical communication device based on the external information on the display unit.

  According to the first optical communication apparatus of the present invention, when performing optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication apparatuses, the optical communication function unit is disposed at a predetermined position. Optical communication processing is performed with another optical communication device mounted on a display unit provided on a device mounting surface on which the optical device is aligned. Based on this assumption, the optical communication function unit displays outline information that displays the relationship between the outline image of another optical communication apparatus and the optical element arrangement position in the position coordinate system when aligning the optical element with the optical communication apparatus. The external image of another optical communication device received from another optical communication device and based on the external shape information is displayed on the display unit.

  Therefore, when another optical communication device is placed along the outline image displayed on the display unit, the optical element arrangement position of the first optical communication device and the optical element arrangement position of the other optical communication device are determined. It becomes possible to align two optical elements for communication automatically in a self-aligning manner without visual alignment and alignment.

  The second optical communication apparatus according to the present invention is applicable to a system in which optical elements for communication are aligned between two optical communication apparatuses including an optical communication apparatus having a display unit provided on a device mounting surface. An optical communication device for communication with an optical element for communication in a position coordinate system at the time of optical element alignment with an optical element for communication disposed at a predetermined position and an optical communication apparatus provided with a display unit. An optical communication function unit comprising: a storage unit for storing outer shape information for displaying a relationship with arrangement information of optical elements; and an optical communication function unit for performing optical communication processing based on the outer shape information read from the storage unit. Is characterized in that the outer shape information is transmitted to the optical communication device provided with the display unit at the time of optical element alignment.

  According to the second optical communication apparatus of the present invention, when performing optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication apparatuses, the optical communication function unit is disposed at a predetermined position. External information for displaying the relationship between the external image of the own device in the position coordinate system and the arrangement information of the optical elements for communication in the position coordinate system when aligning the optical elements with other optical communication devices. Read from the storage unit and perform optical communication processing. On the premise of this, the optical communication function unit transmits the outer shape information to the optical communication device in which the display unit is provided on the device mounting surface when the optical element is aligned.

  Therefore, when the second optical communication device is placed along the outline image displayed on the display unit of the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface, the light of the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface is displayed. It is possible to align two optical elements for communication automatically in a self-aligning manner without visually confirming and aligning the element arrangement position and the optical element arrangement position of the second optical communication apparatus. become.

  A third optical communication apparatus according to the present invention is an optical communication apparatus applicable to a system that performs optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication apparatuses, and is arranged at a predetermined position. Optical communication processing between the provided optical element for communication, the display unit provided on the device mounting surface on which the optical element is aligned, and another optical communication device mounted on the display unit Information for displaying the relationship between the external image of the device in the position coordinate system and the arrangement information of the optical elements for communication in the position coordinate system when aligning the optical elements with other optical communication devices. When the information for reading the outer shape information is the identification information, the optical communication function unit receives the identification information from the other optical communication device and stores the other light based on the identification information. Read the external information of the communication device from the storage unit, based on the external information It is intended to and displaying the outline image of the optical communication device to the display unit.

  According to the third optical communication apparatus of the present invention, when performing optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication apparatuses, the optical communication function unit is configured to store predetermined arrangement information. An optical communication process is performed with another optical communication device that has an optical element for communication and is mounted on a display unit provided on a device mounting surface on which the optical element is aligned. Based on this assumption, the optical communication function unit receives identification information from another optical communication device at the time of optical element alignment, reads out the external information of the other optical communication device based on this identification information, and uses this external information as the external information. Based on this, the external image is displayed on the display unit.

  Therefore, when another optical communication device is placed along the outline image displayed on the display unit of the third optical communication device, the optical element placement position of the optical communication device and the optical element of the other optical communication device The two communication optical elements can be automatically aligned in a self-aligning manner without visually confirming the alignment with the arrangement position.

  A fourth optical communication apparatus according to the present invention performs optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication apparatuses including an optical communication apparatus having a display unit provided on a device mounting surface. An optical communication apparatus applicable to the system, which includes an optical element for communication disposed at a predetermined position, and an external shape of the own device in a position coordinate system when aligning the optical element with the optical communication apparatus provided with the display unit A storage unit for storing identification information for reading out the outer shape information for displaying the relationship between the image and the arrangement information of the optical elements, and an optical communication function unit for performing optical communication processing based on the identification information read from the storage unit The optical communication function unit transmits identification information to an optical communication device having a display unit provided on a device mounting surface when aligning optical elements.

  According to the fourth optical communication apparatus of the present invention, when the optical element for communication is aligned between the two optical communication apparatuses, the optical communication function unit is provided for communication disposed at a predetermined position. Displays the relationship between the external image of the device in the position coordinate system and the arrangement information of the optical element for communication when the optical element is aligned with an optical communication device having an optical element and a display unit provided on the device mounting surface. When the information to be performed is the outer shape information, the recognition information for reading the outer shape information is read from the storage unit and the optical communication process is performed. On the premise of this, the optical communication function unit transmits the recognition information to the optical communication device provided with the display unit on the device mounting surface when the optical element is aligned.

  Therefore, in the optical communication device provided with the device mounting surface, the outer shape information based on the identification information is read, and the outer shape image based on the outer shape information is displayed on the display unit, and the fourth image is displayed along the outer shape image. When the optical communication device is placed, the optical element placement position of the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface and the optical element placement position of the second optical communication device are visually confirmed and aligned. In addition, the two optical elements for communication can be aligned automatically in a self-aligning manner.

  According to the optical communication system and the optical communication method according to the present invention, optical communication processing is performed by including a communication optical element disposed at a predetermined position and a display unit on a device mounting surface. The first optical communication device includes a first optical communication device, and the first optical communication device displays a relationship between the external image of the mounting device and the optical element arrangement position in the position coordinate system when the optical element is aligned with the optical communication device. Terminal information (outer shape information) is received from the second optical communication device, and an outer shape image of the second optical communication device is displayed on the display unit based on the terminal information.

  With this configuration, when the second optical communication device is placed along the outline image displayed on the display unit, the optical element arrangement position of the first optical communication device and the optical element arrangement of the second optical communication device are arranged. The two optical elements for communication can be automatically aligned in a self-aligning manner without aligning the installation position by visually confirming the appearance of the optical element. As a result, the second optical communication device can receive the second light from the first optical communication device while the second optical communication device is placed on the first optical communication device in a state where the two optical elements for communication are optimally aligned. Predetermined data can be transmitted to the communication device, and desired communication processing can be executed between the first optical communication device and the second optical communication device. In addition, in the first optical communication device, since a part of the light source is used as a light emitting element for communication in the display unit having a plurality of light sources, the configuration of the optical communication device can be simplified and the device The power consumption in can be reduced.

  According to the first optical communication apparatus of the present invention, optical communication is performed with another optical communication apparatus mounted on a display unit provided on a device mounting surface on which communication optical elements are aligned. An optical communication function unit for processing is provided. This optical communication function unit receives outer shape information from another optical communication device, and displays an outer image of the other optical communication device based on the outer shape information on the display unit. is there.

  With this configuration, when another optical communication device is placed along the outline image displayed on the display unit, the optical element arrangement position of the first optical communication device and the optical element arrangement position of the other optical communication device The two optical elements for communication can be automatically aligned in a self-aligning manner without visually confirming and aligning. As a result, the two optical communication devices are optimally aligned, and the other optical communication device is placed on the first optical communication device while the other optical communication device is mounted on the first optical communication device. Data can be transmitted, and desired communication processing can be executed between the first optical communication apparatus and another optical communication apparatus. In addition, since a part of the light source is used as a light emitting element for communication in a display unit having a plurality of light sources, the configuration of the first optical communication device can be simplified and power consumption in the device can be reduced. become able to.

  According to the second optical communication apparatus of the present invention, when aligning the optical element, based on the external information for displaying the relationship between the external image of the own device in the position coordinate system and the arrangement information of the optical element for communication. An optical communication function unit for performing optical communication processing, and this optical communication function unit transmits outer shape information to an optical communication apparatus having a display unit on the device mounting surface.

  With this configuration, when the second optical communication device is placed along the outline image displayed on the display unit of the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface, the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface The two optical elements for communication are automatically aligned in a self-aligning manner without visually confirming and aligning the optical element arrangement position of the second optical communication apparatus and the optical element arrangement position of the second optical communication apparatus. become able to. As a result, in a state where the two optical elements for communication are optimally aligned, the second optical communication device is placed on the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface from the optical communication device. Data can be transmitted to the second optical communication device, or desired communication processing can be executed between the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface and the second optical communication device.

  The third optical communication device according to the present invention includes an optical communication function unit that performs optical communication processing with another optical communication device mounted on a display unit provided on the device mounting surface, This optical communication function unit receives identification information from another optical communication device, reads out external shape information of another optical communication device based on the identification information, and displays an external image on the display unit based on the external shape information It is.

  With this configuration, when another optical communication device is placed along the outline image displayed on the display unit of the third optical communication device, the optical element placement position of the optical communication device and the other optical communication device The two optical elements for communication can be automatically aligned in a self-aligning manner, without visually confirming and aligning the positions of the optical elements. Thereby, in a state where the two optical elements for communication are optimally aligned, data is transmitted from the third optical communication apparatus provided with the device mounting surface to another optical communication apparatus, or the third Desired communication processing can be executed between the optical communication apparatus and another optical communication apparatus. In addition, in the display unit having a plurality of light sources, a part of the light sources is used as a light emitting element for communication, so that the configuration of the third optical communication device can be simplified and the power consumption of the device is reduced. become able to.

  According to the fourth optical communication apparatus of the present invention, the external image of the own device and the optical element for communication in the position coordinate system when aligning the optical element with the optical communication apparatus provided with the display unit on the device mounting surface An optical communication function unit that performs optical communication processing based on outer shape information for displaying the relationship with the arrangement information of the optical device, and this optical communication function unit is provided with a display unit on the device mounting surface when aligning optical elements. The identification information is transmitted to the received optical communication apparatus.

  With this configuration, in the optical communication device provided with the device mounting surface, the outer shape information based on the identification information is read, and the outer shape image based on the outer shape information is displayed on the display unit. When the optical communication device 4 is placed, the optical device placement position of the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface and the optical device placement position of the second optical communication device are visually confirmed and aligned. Thus, the two optical elements for communication can be aligned automatically in a self-aligning manner. As a result, in a state where the two optical elements for communication are optimally aligned, the fourth optical communication device is placed on the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface from the optical communication device. Data can be transmitted to the fourth optical communication device, or desired communication processing can be executed between the optical communication device provided with the device placement surface and the fourth optical communication device.

  Next, an embodiment of an optical communication system, an optical communication method, and an optical communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an optical data communication system 100 as a first embodiment. In this embodiment, a desired optical communication process can be executed by aligning the arrangement positions of optical elements between the optical communication apparatus 1 and the terminal apparatus 2 on the basis of the outline image Pa or the like.

  The optical data communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an optical data communication device 1 having two optical communication functions, short-distance light and approaching light, and between two optical communication devices such as a terminal device 2 with the same function. This is a system for performing optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication when both devices are approaching.

  The optical communication device 1 constitutes the function of the first optical communication device, and has a predetermined-shaped casing and a communication optical element 15 disposed at a predetermined position of the casing, and performs optical communication processing. To do. An LCD panel 122 is provided on the top surface of the housing. In this example, the upper surface of the display function unit 12 forms a device placement surface (light transmission surface), and the optical element 15 is provided on a transmissive LCD panel 122. The LCD panel 122 serves as an optical filter with respect to the LED element 103, and operates so as to transmit light in a portion providing an outline display and to block in a portion other than that.

  The optical element 15 includes an LED element 103 (light emitting element) and a photodetector 201 (light receiving element). In this example, the backlight under the LCD panel 122 and the LED element 103 of the optical element 15 are shared. That is, a backlight combined with the LCD panel 122 is used for the LED element 103 of the optical element 15.

  For example, the photodetector 201 is disposed at a position that maximizes the light receiving sensitivity when receiving visible light from the terminal device 2 of the other party. In this example, the photodetector 201 of the optical element 15 is provided in the display screen of the LCD panel 122. For example, the LED 103 of the optical element 15 and the photodetector 201 are arranged on the same plane. That is, in the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2, the LED elements 103 and the photodetectors 201 are arranged in a positional relationship facing each other.

  The optical communication device 1 includes two optical communications of short-distance light and approaching light that can perform optical communication processing by placing a terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera on a device mounting surface. What has the function is used. The optical communication function using short-distance light refers to an operation in which the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2 perform optical communication processing using a visible light method while maintaining a certain distance. The optical communication function using approaching light refers to an operation of performing optical communication processing by a visible light method in a state where the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2 are close to each other and the devices are in contact with each other or in a non-contact state.

  As described above, the optical communication device 1 performs data transmission to the terminal device 2 and external display of the terminal device 2 on the device placement surface (light transmission surface) by using a common light source. For example, the external shape of the terminal device 2 on the device placement surface is displayed by the LCD panel 122, and the backlight of the LCD panel 122 is used as this light source. At the same time, data transmission to the terminal device 2 is executed using the same light source.

  The terminal device 2 constitutes the function of the second optical communication device, includes a communication optical element 27 disposed at a predetermined position, and the optical device 27 is used as the optical device 15 of the optical communication device 1. Optical communication processing is performed using terminal information D0 for optical element alignment for alignment. A mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, a digital camera, or the like is applied to the terminal device 2, and all of them have two optical communication functions of short-distance light and approaching light.

  The optical element 27 also includes an LED element 103 (light emitting element) and a photodetector 201 (light receiving element). The LED element 103 and the photodetector 201 of the optical element 27 are disposed on the rear surface of the casing of the terminal device 2, for example. The optical element 27 is also disposed, for example, at a position that maximizes the light receiving sensitivity when receiving visible light from the counterpart optical communication device 1.

  In this example, when the user brings these terminal devices 2 close to the optical communication device 1, for example, the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 is raised on the LCD panel 122 by the optical communication function using short-distance light. Is displayed. At this time, the external image Pa is a layout in which the arrangement position coordinates of the optical element 15 of the optical communication device 1 and the arrangement position coordinates of the optical element 27 of the terminal device 2 match, and high-efficiency optical communication processing is possible. Is displayed on the LCD panel 122.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2 in the optical data communication system 100. In this example, the configuration example of the optical communication device 1 and the configuration example of the terminal device 2 will be described separately.

  The optical communication device 1 shown in FIG. 2 has two optical communication functions, short-distance light and approaching light. Furthermore, the optical communication device 1 receives the terminal information D0 from the terminal device 2, and displays the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera based on the terminal information D0. It has a function.

  The optical communication device 1 includes, for example, a display function unit 12, an optical communication function unit 13, and a main control unit 14. The display function unit 12 includes an LCD (liquid crystal display element) drive circuit 121 and an LCD panel 122. The LCD drive circuit 121 is connected to the main control unit 14 and drives the LCD panel 122 based on the display data D12. The display data D12 is output from the main control unit 14 to the LCD drive circuit 121.

  An LCD panel 122 is connected to the LCD drive circuit 121, and an image based on the display data D12 is displayed. In this example, the LCD panel 122 has a function of displaying an external image Pa of the terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, and a digital camera on the device mounting surface. For example, before the terminal device 2 or the like is placed on the device placement surface, the LCD panel 122 acquires the outer shape information D1 via the optical communication function unit 13 and the main control unit 14, and the display data D12 = D1 + D2 = An external image Pa of a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, a digital camera or the like based on D0 is displayed.

  That is, the outer shape image Pa is displayed on the LCD panel 122 before the terminal device 2 is placed on the equipment placement surface. This display is intended to clearly show the mounting method of the mobile phone, music player, game machine, digital camera, etc. to the user. In addition to the LCD panel 122, for example, a display device capable of displaying by projection is used for the display function unit 12. Below the LCD panel 122, a plurality of backlights for LCD, which constitute an example of a light source, are provided. In this example, part or all of the backlight for the LCD panel 122 is used as a communication light emitting element (LED element 103) in the optical communication function unit 13.

  The optical communication function unit 13 is connected to the main control unit 14 described above. The optical communication function unit 13 includes an optical transmission unit 31 and an optical reception unit 32. The light transmission unit 31 includes a modulation circuit 101, an LED drive circuit 102, and an LED element 103 (light source). The modulation circuit 101 receives the digital transmission data Dout from the main control unit 14, modulates it according to a predetermined modulation method, and outputs the modulation data Dx. The modulation data Dx is output to the LED drive circuit 102.

  An LED drive circuit 102 is connected to the modulation circuit 101, generates a modulation drive signal Sx based on the modulation data Dx, and outputs the modulation drive signal Sx to the LED element 103 for on / off drive. An LED element 103 is connected to the LED drive circuit 102. In the light transmission unit 31, the LED drive 103 blinks at high speed based on the modulation drive signal Sx, whereby the modulation drive signal Sx is converted into visible light (optical signal). In this way, the transmission data Dout can be converted into visible light and transmitted to the other terminal device 2 or the like. This operation embodies two optical transmission functions using short-distance light and approaching light in the optical communication apparatus 1.

  The optical receiver 32 includes a photodetector 201, an amplifier circuit 202, and a demodulator circuit 203.

  The photodetector 201 converts visible light received from the counterpart terminal device 2 or the like into an electrical signal. An amplifying circuit 202 is connected to the photo detector 201 so as to amplify an electric signal output from the photo detector 201. A demodulating circuit 203 is connected to the amplifying circuit 202, which demodulates the amplified electric signal and outputs received data Din. The reception data Din is output from the demodulation circuit 203 to the main control unit 14. This operation embodies two optical reception functions by short-distance light and approaching light in the optical communication apparatus 1. The LED element 103 of the light transmission unit 31 and the photodetector 201 of the light reception unit 32 constitute the optical element 15.

  In this example, the optical communication function unit 13 is brought close to the device placement surface, and is connected to a mobile phone, music player, game machine, digital camera, or other terminal device 2 placed on the device placement surface. Optical communication processing between them. For example, the optical communication function unit 13 periodically transmits a beacon frame F1 during short-distance optical communication like a wireless communication system, and sends a terminal notification request frame F2 from the terminal device 2 that is close to the device placement surface. The external shape information D1 is received (see FIG. 5). In short, it is only necessary that the optical communication function of the visible light communication system having the function for performing optical communication processing with the terminal device 2 or the like is mounted.

  The main control unit 14 connected to the optical communication function unit 13 performs centralized control of input / output of the display function unit 12 and the optical communication function unit 13. For example, the main control unit 14 inputs the outer shape information D1 and the coordinate information D2 received by the optical communication function unit 13 from the terminal device 2, and outputs the outer shape information D1 and the coordinate information D2 to the LCD drive circuit 121. Control is performed so that the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 is displayed on the device placement surface. The main control unit 14 is configured by using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (a memory that can be written and read at any time), and the like.

  When the optical data communication system 100 is configured in this way, when performing optical communication processing by aligning the arrangement positions of the optical elements 15 and 27 between the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2, the optical communication function unit 13 The external shape information D1 is received from the terminal device 2. The LCD panel 122 displays the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 with illumination light based on the external information D1. For example, an external image Pa giving an optical communication point is displayed on the LCD panel 122 on the device placement surface of the optical communication device 1.

  Therefore, when the terminal device 2 is placed along the outline image Pa displayed on the LCD panel 122, the disposition position of the optical element 15 of the optical communication device 1 and the disposition position of the optical element 27 of the terminal device 2 are determined. The LED element 103 and the photodetector 201 can be aligned automatically in a self-aligning manner without visual confirmation and alignment. In addition, data can be transmitted from the optical communication device 1 to the terminal device 2 by visible light communication using the illumination light described above.

  The terminal device 2 subjected to optical communication processing by the above-described optical communication device 1 has an optical communication function in a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, a digital camera, etc., and can be applied to the optical data communication system 100. It is a thing.

  The terminal device 2 has terminal information D0. Here, the terminal information D0 refers to information managed by the terminal device 2. The terminal information D0 includes outline information D1 and coordinate information D2. Here, the outline information D1 refers to the outline image Pa of the terminal device 2 (own device) and the arrangement position coordinates of the optical element 27 in the position coordinate system at the time of approaching optical communication with the LCD panel 122 of the optical communication apparatus 1. Information used to display relationships. The coordinate information D2 refers to information that gives an optimal optical communication point to the optical communication device 1.

  The terminal device 2 includes, for example, an optical communication function unit 24, a main control unit 25, a terminal information storage unit 26, a display function unit 28, an information storage unit 29, and an input unit 33 as shown in FIG. An optical communication function unit 24 is connected to the main control unit 25 described above. The optical communication function unit 24 includes an optical transmission unit 41 and an optical reception unit 42.

  The light transmission unit 41 includes a modulation circuit 101, an LED drive circuit 102, and an LED element 103 (light source). The modulation circuit 101 receives the digital transmission data Dout from the main control unit 25, modulates it with a predetermined modulation method, and outputs the modulation data Dx. The modulation data Dx is output to the LED drive circuit 102.

  An LED drive circuit 102 is connected to the modulation circuit 101, and a modulation drive signal Sx based on the modulation data Dx is output to the LED element 103 to be driven on / off. The LED element 103 is connected to the LED drive circuit 102, and the LED element 103 blinks at high speed based on the modulation drive signal Sx, whereby the modulation drive signal Sx is converted into visible light (light signal). Thus, the data converted into visible light can be transmitted to the optical communication apparatus 1 of the other party. This operation embodies two optical transmission functions by the short-distance light and the approaching light in the terminal device 2.

  The optical receiver 42 includes a photodetector 201, an amplifier circuit 202, and a demodulator circuit 203. The photodetector 201 converts visible light received from the counterpart optical communication device 1 into an electrical signal. An amplifying circuit 202 is connected to the photo detector 201 and amplifies an electric signal output from the photo detector 201. A demodulating circuit 203 is connected to the amplifying circuit 202, which demodulates the amplified electric signal and outputs received data Din. The reception data Din is output from the demodulation circuit 203 to the main control unit 25. This operation embodies two optical reception functions by short-distance light and approaching light in the terminal device 2. The above-described LED element 103 of the light transmission unit 41 and the photodetector 201 of the light reception unit 42 constitute the optical element 27.

  In this example, the optical communication function unit 24 performs optical communication processing with the optical communication device 1. For example, the optical communication function unit 24 transmits the outline information D1 read from the terminal information storage unit 26 to the optical communication device 1 during short-distance optical communication. The optical communication function unit 24 is mounted with a visible light communication system that implements two optical communication functions of short-distance light and approaching light similar to the optical communication device 1.

  The main control unit 25 connected to the demodulation circuit 203 and the modulation circuit 101 controls input / output of the optical communication function unit 24, the terminal information storage unit 26, the display function unit 28, the information storage unit 29, and the input unit 33. The main control unit 25 is configured using a CPU (central processing unit), ROM (read-only memory), RAM (memory that can be written and read at any time), and the like in the same manner as the main control unit 14 of the optical communication apparatus 1. For example, a part or the whole of the terminal device 2 is controlled.

  The main control unit 25 is connected to a terminal information storage unit 26 that constitutes a function of a storage unit, and stores terminal information D0 unique to a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera. The terminal information D0 is outline information D1 + coordinate information D2. The terminal information storage unit 26 stores, for example, coordinate information D2 that gives a predetermined optical communication point. In addition to the terminal information D0, telephone number information, user information, and the like are also stored.

  The terminal information storage unit 26 uses a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (read-only memory that can write and erase electrical information) and a fixed storage disk device (hard disk: HDD). The nonvolatile memory is a memory in which data can be written at any time, and retains data even when the power is turned off. The outline information D1 and the coordinate information D2 are used to display the outline video Pa of the terminal device 2 or the like. The terminal information D0 is expressed by, for example, bitmap information.

  A display function unit 28, an information storage unit 29, and an input unit 33 are connected to the main control unit 25 and are used during optical communication processing. For example, the display function unit 28 displays a video indicating that the optical communication process is being performed, a title video, and the like. The information storage unit 29 stores data transmitted from the optical communication device 1 (downlink information).

  When the terminal device 2 is a digital camera or the like, still image information is stored (accumulated) in the information storage unit 29, and the still image information (upstream information) is read from the terminal device 2 at the time of approaching light communication. The data is transferred to the optical communication device 1. As the information storage unit 29, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM or an HDD is used in the same manner as the terminal information storage unit 26. Of course, the information storage unit 29 and the terminal information storage unit 26 may be combined. The input unit 33 is operated when instructing a transfer start input or confirming still image information stored in the information storage unit 29 during these optical communication processes.

  When the terminal device 2 is configured in this way, when the LED element 103 of the terminal device 2 and the photodetector 201 of the optical communication device 1 are aligned and optical communication processing is performed by the visible light method, the optical communication function unit 24 is In the near field optical communication, the external shape information D1 is transmitted to the optical communication device 1. Accordingly, when the terminal device 2 or the like is placed along the outline image Pa displayed on the LCD panel 122 of the optical communication device 1, the arrangement position of the photo detector 201 of the optical communication device 1 and the LED element 103 of the terminal device 2. The LED element 103 and the photodetector 201 can be aligned in a self-aligned and automatic manner without visually confirming and aligning the position of the LED. As a result, the optical communication processing can be executed with high efficiency for the terminal device 2 during the approaching optical communication, and a more advanced optical data communication system 100 can be constructed compared to the conventional optical communication system. .

3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of display areas of the LCD panel 122 and examples of terminal information D0.
The LCD panel 122 of the optical communication device 1 shown in FIG. 3A has a display area I. The display area I has a matrix shape with A pixels in the horizontal direction (row direction) and B pixels in the vertical direction (column direction). When the position coordinate system XY is defined on the device placement surface of the LCD panel 122, the display area I is represented by the coordinates (x, y) = (0, 0) to (C, 0), and the column direction is coordinates (x, y) = (0, D) to coordinates (C, D). In this example, coordinates (x, y) = (c, d) of the arrangement position of the photodetector 201 are set, and coordinate information D2 indicating the coordinates (c, d) indicates an optical communication point in the optical communication apparatus 1. It is a specific bit.

  According to the image example of the terminal information D0 shown in FIG. 3B, the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 or the like is digitally displayed on the bitmap area IIc. The bitmap area IIc has a matrix shape (M × N bits) in which pixels in the horizontal direction (row direction) are M bits and pixels in the vertical direction (column direction) are N bits. The terminal information D0 is expressed in the M × N bit bitmap area IIc. The dimensions of the bitmap are the same as the dimensions of the LCD panel 122 of the optical communication apparatus 1.

  In other words, when represented by the position coordinate system XY defined on the device placement surface of the LCD panel 122, the bit line area IIc has coordinates (x, y) = (0, 0) to (M, 0) in the row direction. Yes, the column direction is coordinates (x, y) = (0, N) to coordinates (M, N). In this example, coordinates (x, y) = (m, n) of an arrangement position of the LED element 103 are set, and coordinate information D2 indicating the coordinates (m, n) indicates an optical communication point in the terminal device 2. It is a specific bit.

  In this example, the outline video Pa is expanded (represented) in the bitmap area IIc corresponding to (0, 1) of each bit. The external image Pa is imitated by a shadow style that can display the external shape of the terminal device 2, for example, its projected shape. The external image Pa of the terminal device 2 in the bitmap area IIc has a black solid portion and a logical value of “0”, for example, and a non-external portion surrounding the external image Pa has a white square portion and a logical value “1”. Is shown. This is because the logical value Pa is digitally displayed on the bitmap area IIc. In this way, the terminal information D0 is expressed by bitmap information such as outer shape information D1 and coordinate information D2.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the external image Pa on the LCD panel 122. According to the display example of the outline video Pa shown in FIG. 4, in the position coordinate system XY defined on the device placement surface of the LCD panel 122, the coordinates (x, y) = (c, d) are set by the main control unit 25. The display function unit 12 is controlled so that the coordinate information D2 indicating the coordinate information D2 indicating the coordinates (x, y) = (m, n) matches.

  In this example, the coordinates (x, y) = (0, 0) in the row direction of the bitmap area IIc are changed to the coordinates (x, y) = (0, 0) to (C, 0) in the row direction of the display area I. To (C, 0) are applied, and the column direction coordinates (x, y) = (x, y) = (0, 0) to (0, 0) to (0, D) in the column direction. 0, 0) to (0, D) are respectively fitted. Thereby, the arrangement position of the optical element 15 which is the specific bit of the optical communication point in the optical communication apparatus 1 and the arrangement position of the optical element 27 which is the specific bit of the optical communication point in the terminal apparatus 2 are obtained. Can be matched.

Next, an optical communication processing example in the optical data communication system 100 will be described for the optical communication method according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sequence chart showing an example of optical communication processing in the optical data communication system 100. This sequence chart shows a frame sequence in an optical communication process between the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2.

  In this example, the optical communication device 1 having the optical element 15 arranged at a predetermined position and having the LCD panel 122 on the device mounting surface and performing optical communication processing is arranged at the predetermined position. Visible with the terminal device 2 having the optical element 27 and having the optical element alignment terminal information D0 for aligning the optical element 27 with the optical element 15 and performing optical communication processing. It is assumed that optical communication processing is performed using an optical method. At the time of short-distance optical communication, the terminal device 2 transmits the terminal information D0 to the optical communication device 1, the optical communication device 1 receives the terminal information D0 from the terminal device 2, and the terminal device is connected to the LCD panel 122 based on the terminal information D0. As an example, the case of displaying the external image Pa of 2 will be described.

  Under these optical communication conditions, the optical communication device 1 periodically transmits a beacon frame F1 as in the wireless communication system in step ST11 shown in FIG. At this time, a visible light communication function using short-distance light is used between the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2. When the user brings the terminal device 2 or the like closer to the optical communication device 1, the terminal device 2 receives the beacon frame F1 transmitted in step ST12. In response to this beacon frame F1, the terminal device 2 transmits a terminal notification frame F2 to the optical communication device 1 in step ST13.

  The optical communication device 1 receives the terminal notification frame F2 from the terminal device 2, and transmits a connection request frame F3 to the terminal device 2 in step ST14. Thereafter, the terminal device 2 receives the connection request frame F3, and transmits a connection response frame F4 to the optical communication device 1 in step ST15.

  The optical communication device 1 receives the connection response frame F4 from the terminal device 2, and transmits a terminal information request frame F5 to the terminal device 2 in step ST16. Thereafter, the terminal device 2 receives the terminal information request frame F5, and transmits a terminal information response frame F5 to the optical communication device 1 in step ST17. At this time, the terminal device 2 reads the terminal information D0 from the terminal information storage unit 26, describes (adds) the terminal information D0 in the terminal information response frame F6, and transmits it to the optical communication device 1. The terminal information D0 is outline information D1 + coordinate information D2. The unique terminal information D0 of the terminal device 2 is also transmitted to the optical communication device 1 by illumination light emitted from the led element 103 of the terminal device 2.

  Next, the optical communication device 1 receives the terminal information response frame F5 from the terminal device 2, and displays the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 on the LCD panel 122 in step ST18. In this example, on the LCD panel 122 of the optical communication apparatus 1, the bitmap information related to the terminal device 2 shown in FIG. 3B is applied to the display area I shown in FIG. 3A, and the terminal device 2 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.

  At this time, the optical communication device 1 displays the external image Pa by matching the coordinate information D2 that gives the optical communication point in the terminal device 2 with the coordinate information D2 that gives its own optical communication point. In this example, the optimum placement location of the terminal device 2 is illuminated and displayed on the equipment placement surface (light transmission surface) of the optical communication device 1. The optimal mounting place is performed in a form that is entirely illuminated by illumination light.

  All of the above frame sequences are automatically performed, and the optical communication device 1 displays the outer shape of the terminal device 2 by the user action of bringing the terminal device 2 close to the optical communication device 1. Then, a user who handles the terminal device 2 places the terminal device 2 along the outline video Pa displayed on the LCD panel 122 of the optical communication device 1.

  Thereafter, in step ST19, optical communication processing (downlink data) is performed from the optical communication device 1 to the terminal device 2 by a visible light method using approaching light (modulated illumination light), or / and in step ST20, optical communication is performed from the terminal device 2. Optical communication processing (upstream data) or the like is performed on the apparatus 1 by a visible light method using approaching light. The transmission of the uplink / downlink data is performed by the emission of illumination light (visible light) by the LED elements 103 of the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2, and the reception thereof is performed by the photodetector 201 of the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2. It is executed by receiving illumination light (visible light).

  As described above, according to the optical data communication system and the optical communication method as the first embodiment, an optical element is provided between the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera. 15 and the optical element 27 are aligned to perform optical communication processing with the terminal device 2 by the visible light method, the optical communication device 1 does not have the terminal information D0 regarding the terminal device 2 in advance, and these terminal devices 2 receives terminal information D0 = (D1 + D2), and displays the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 on the LCD panel 122 based on the terminal information D0.

  Therefore, the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, and a digital camera can be aligned at an optimal optical communication point. In the above-described example, when the terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera is placed along the external image Pa displayed on the LCD panel 122 of the optical communication device 1 during short-distance optical communication, The optical device 15 in the optical communication device 1 and the optical device 27 in the terminal device 2 are arranged in a self-aligned and automatic manner without visually aligning and aligning the optical device 27 and the optical device 27. The optical element 27 can be aligned.

  As a result, optical communication processing by the visible light method can be performed between the optical communication device 1 and the terminal device 2 in a state where the LED element 103 and the photodetector 201 are optimally aligned. In addition, in the optical communication device 1, in the display function unit 12 having a plurality of backlights, a part or all of the backlights are used as a common light source and also as the LED elements 103 for communication. The configuration of the apparatus 1 can be simplified and the power consumption in the optical communication apparatus 1 can be reduced. Further, the optical communication processing by the approaching light can be executed by the user's simple act of placing the terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera on the device placement surface of the optical communication device 1. An optical data communication system can be provided.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an optical data communication system 200 as the second embodiment. In this embodiment, an LED display array 22 in which LED elements 123 capable of lighting one pixel are provided, and one pixel or a plurality of pixels of the LED display array 22 is used as a communication LED element 103 (light emitting element). The Also in this example, the arrangement positions of the optical elements 15 and 27 are aligned between the optical communication device 10 and the terminal device 2 based on the external image Pa and the like by the short-distance optical communication, and the desired light is obtained by the approaching optical communication processing. Communication processing can be executed.

  The optical data communication system 200 shown in FIG. 6 is used for communication between two optical communication devices such as the optical communication device 10 with two optical communication functions of short-range light and approaching light, and the terminal device 2 with the same function. The optical elements 15 and 27 are aligned to perform optical communication processing.

  The optical communication device 10 constitutes the function of the first optical communication device, and has a predetermined-shaped casing and a communication optical element 15 disposed at a predetermined position of the casing, and performs optical communication processing. To do. An LED display array 22 is provided on the upper surface of the housing. The LED display array 22 has a plurality of LED elements 123 (light sources) arranged in a matrix. In this example, the upper surface of the LED display array 22 forms a device mounting surface (light transmission surface), and the optical element 15 is provided in the LED display array 22. The optical element 15 includes an LED element 103 (light emitting element) and a photodetector 201 (light receiving element).

  For the LED element 103 of the optical element 15, one pixel or a plurality of pixels of the LED display array 22 are used. That is, the LED element 123 of the LED display array 22 is shared as the LED element 103. For example, the photodetector 201 is disposed at a position that maximizes the light receiving sensitivity when receiving visible light from the terminal device 2 of the other party.

  In this example, the photodetector 201 of the optical element 15 is provided in the display screen of the LED display array 22. In this example, the LED 103 of the optical element 15 applied to the optical communication function unit 13 and the photodetector 201 are arranged on the same plane. That is, in the optical communication device 10 and the terminal device 2, each LED element 103 and the photodetector 201 are arranged in a positional relationship facing each other.

  In the optical communication device 10, a short-distance distance in which optical communication processing can be performed by placing a terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera on the device mounting surface as in the first embodiment. Those having two optical communication functions of light and approaching light are used.

  The terminal device 2 constitutes the function of the second optical communication device, has a communication optical element 27 disposed at a predetermined position, and the optical device 27 is used as the optical device 15 of the optical communication device 10. Optical communication processing is performed using terminal information D0 for optical element alignment for alignment. Similarly to the first embodiment, a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, a digital camera, and the like are applied to the terminal device 2 and each has two optical communication functions of short-distance light and approaching light. What is used is used.

  According to the terminal device 2, the LED element (light emitting element) 103 of the optical element 27 and the photodetector (light receiving element) 201 applied to the optical communication function unit 13 as in the first optical data communication system 100 are connected to the optical communication. It arrange | positions at the arrangement | positioning surface (for example, the back surface of a mobile telephone) with respect to the apparatus 10. Of course, the optical element 27 may be provided on the display unit of the terminal device 2. In short, it is only necessary that the light receiving sensitivity is maximized when receiving visible light from the optical communication device 10 of the other party.

  In this example, when the user brings these terminal devices 2 close to the optical communication device 10, for example, by the optical communication function using short-distance light, for example, the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 as in the first embodiment. Is displayed on the LED display array 22. At this time, the external image Pa is a layout in which the arrangement position coordinates of the optical element 15 of the optical communication device 10 and the arrangement position coordinates of the optical element 27 of the terminal device 2 match, and high-efficiency optical communication processing is possible. Is displayed on the LED display array 22.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration example of the optical communication device 10 and the terminal device 2 in the optical data communication system 200.
In this example, a configuration example of the optical communication device 10 will be described, and a configuration example of the terminal device 2 has been described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

  The optical communication device 10 shown in FIG. 7 has two optical communication functions, short-distance light and approaching light. Further, the optical communication device 10 receives the terminal information D0 from the terminal device 2, and displays the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera based on the terminal information D0. It has a function.

  The optical communication device 10 includes, for example, an LED display array 22, an optical communication function unit 13, and a main control unit 14. The LED display array 22 includes a plurality of LED elements 123, an LED drive circuit 124, and a lighting circuit 125 for LED elements.

  Each LED driving circuit 124 is connected to the lighting circuit 125 and drives the LED display array 22 based on the display data D22. The display data D22 is output from the main control unit 14 to the lighting circuit 125.

  Each LED drive circuit 124 is connected to an LED element 123 capable of lighting one pixel, and an image based on the display data D22 is displayed. In this example, the LED display array 22 has a function of displaying an external image Pa of the terminal device 2 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera on the device mounting surface. For example, before the terminal device 2 or the like is placed on the device placement surface, the LED display array 22 acquires the outer shape information D1 via the optical communication function unit 13 and the main control unit 14, and the display data D22 = D1 + D2 The external image Pa of a mobile phone, music player, game machine, digital camera or the like based on the above is displayed.

  That is, the outer shape image Pa is displayed on the LED display array 22 before the terminal device 2 is placed on the device placement surface. This is as described in the first embodiment. The LED display array 22 includes an LED display array 22 in which LED elements 123 that can be turned on by one pixel are provided, and one pixel or a plurality of pixels of the LED display array 22 is used as a communication LED element 103 (light emitting element). Is done.

  The optical communication function unit 13 is connected to the main control unit 14 described above. The optical communication function unit 13 includes the optical transmission unit 31 and the optical reception unit 32. The components having the same name and the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment have the same functions, and thus the description thereof is omitted. .

  Also in this example, the optical communication function unit 13 is brought close to the device placement surface, and the mobile phone, music player, game machine, digital camera or other terminal device 2 placed on the device placement surface. Optical communication processing between the two. For example, the optical communication function unit 13 periodically transmits a beacon frame F1 during short-distance optical communication like a wireless communication system, and sends a terminal notification request frame F2 from the terminal device 2 that is close to the device placement surface. The external shape information D1 is received (see FIG. 5).

  The placement location of the terminal device 2 at this time is displayed in outline by the lighting of the LED elements 123 arranged in a matrix on the LED display array 22. Further, the data is transmitted to the terminal device 2 by the blinking of the LED element 103. In short, the optical communication device 10 and the terminal device 2 need only have an optical communication function of a visible light communication method for performing optical communication processing.

  As described above, according to the optical data communication system 200 as the second embodiment, when optical communication processing is performed by aligning the arrangement positions of the optical elements 15 and 27 between the optical communication device 10 and the terminal device 2, The optical communication function unit 13 receives the outline information D1 from the terminal device 2. The LED display array 22 displays the external image Pa of the terminal device 2 based on the external information D1. For example, an external image Pa giving an optical communication point is displayed on the LED display array 22 on the device mounting surface of the optical communication device 10.

  Therefore, when the terminal device 2 is placed along the outline image Pa displayed on the LED display array 22, the disposition position of the optical element 15 of the optical communication device 10 and the disposition position of the optical element 27 of the terminal device 2. Thus, the LED element 103 and the photodetector 201 can be aligned in a self-aligned and automatic manner without visual confirmation and alignment.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an optical data communication system 300 as the third embodiment.

  In this embodiment, the optical communication apparatus 301 has terminal information D0 related to the terminal apparatus 30 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, and a digital camera in advance, and the optical communication apparatus 301 identifies the identification information D3 from the terminal apparatus 30. The (unique terminal information D0) is received by the optical communication function unit 24, and based on the identification information D3 received from the terminal device 30, the outline video Pa corresponding to the terminal device 30 is displayed.

  According to the optical data communication system 300 shown in FIG. 8, the optical communication device 301 that constitutes the function of the third optical communication device has the model-specific information storage unit 16. The model-specific information storage unit 16 constitutes a function of a storage unit, and is connected to the main control unit 25 and functions of a fourth optical communication device such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera corresponding to the identification information D3. Is stored in the outer shape information D1 and the coordinate information D2 of the terminal device 30 constituting the. The identification information D3 is an example of unique terminal information D0, and is information for identifying the type of mobile phone, music player, game machine, digital camera, and the like.

  The optical communication device 301 acquires the identification information D3 from the terminal device 30, reads out the external shape information D1 and the coordinate information D2 of the terminal device 30 from the model-specific information storage unit 16 based on the identification information D3, and the terminal device 30 Is displayed on the LCD panel 122 of the device mounting surface.

  As a result of this display, in the third embodiment as well, in the same way as in the first embodiment, the optical communication device 301 is automatically connected to the terminal by the action of the user bringing the terminal device 30 close to the optical communication device 301. The external image Pa of the device 30 can be displayed, and the user can perform optical communication processing with approaching light on the terminal devices 30 such as the various terminal devices 30 by a simple action. In FIG. 8, components having the same reference numerals as those of the optical data communication system 200 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 have the same functions, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Next, an example of optical communication processing in the optical data communication system 300 will be described. FIG. 9 is a sequence chart showing an example of data communication processing in the optical data communication system 300. This sequence chart shows a frame sequence in optical communication processing between the optical communication device 301 and the terminal device 30 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera.

  In this example, an optical communication apparatus having a model-specific information storage unit 16, an optical element 15 disposed at a predetermined position, and an LCD panel 122 on the device mounting surface for optical communication processing. 301, optical element 27 arranged at a predetermined position, and terminal information D0 for optical element alignment for aligning the optical element 27 with optical element 15, and identification information D3 It is assumed that the optical communication processing is performed by the visible light method with the terminal device 30 that performs the optical communication processing based on the above. During short-distance optical communication, the terminal device 30 transmits terminal information D0 = identification information D3 to the optical communication device 301, the optical communication device 301 receives terminal information D0 = D3 from the terminal device 30, and based on the identification information D3. An example in which the external image Pa of the terminal device 30 is displayed on the LCD panel 122 is taken as an example.

  In step ST31 shown in FIG. 9, the optical communication apparatus 301 periodically transmits a beacon frame F1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When the user brings the terminal device 30 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera close to the optical communication device 301, the terminal device 30 receives the beacon frame F1 transmitted in step ST42. In response to this beacon frame F1, the terminal device 30 transmits a terminal notification frame F2 to the optical communication device 301 in step ST33.

  The optical communication device 301 receives the terminal notification frame F2 from the terminal device 30, and transmits a connection request frame F3 to the terminal device 30 in step ST34. Thereafter, the terminal device 30 receives the connection request frame F3, and transmits a connection response frame F4 to the optical communication device 301 in step ST35.

  The optical communication device 301 receives the connection response frame F4 from the terminal device 30, and transmits a terminal information request frame F5 to the terminal device 30 in step ST36. Thereafter, the terminal device 30 receives the terminal information request frame F5, and transmits a terminal information response frame F5 to the optical communication device 301 in step ST37. At this time, the terminal device 30 reads the identification information D3 from the terminal information storage unit 26, describes (adds) the terminal information D0 = identification information D3 in the terminal information response frame F6, and transmits it to the optical communication device 301. Made.

  Next, the optical communication apparatus 301 receives the terminal information response frame F5 from the terminal apparatus 30, and executes terminal model determination processing in step ST38. According to this process, terminal information D0 = identification information D3 is extracted from the terminal information response frame F5. The main control unit 25 of the optical communication device 301 reads the corresponding outline information D1 and coordinate information D2 from the terminal information storage unit 16 using the identification information D3 as an address, for example. Thereby, the model of the terminal device 30 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera is determined.

  In step ST39, the external image Pa of the terminal device 30 is displayed on the LCD panel 122. In this example as well, the bitmap information related to the terminal device 30 shown in FIG. 3B is applied to the display area I shown in FIG. 3A on the LCD panel 122 of the optical communication device 301 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The external image Pa of the terminal device 30 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. At this time, the optical communication device 301 displays the outline image Pa by matching the coordinate information D2 that gives the optical communication point in the terminal device 30 with the coordinate information D2 that gives its own optical communication point.

  The above frame sequence is automatically performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and a user action of bringing the terminal device 30 such as a mobile phone, a music player, a game machine, or a digital camera close to the optical communication device 301, In the optical communication device 301, display of the outer shape of the terminal device 30 is performed. And the user who handles the said terminal device 30 mounts the said terminal device 30 along the external shape image | video Pa displayed on the LCD panel 122 of the optical communication apparatus 301 similarly to the 1st Example. . Thereafter, in step ST40, optical communication processing is performed from the optical communication device 301 to the terminal device 30 by the visible light method.

  As described above, according to the optical data communication system 300 as the third embodiment, the optical elements 15 and 27 are aligned between the terminal device 30 such as the terminal device 30 and the optical communication device 301, and optical communication is performed by the visible light method. In the case of processing, the identification information D3 is provided in the terminal device 30. The identification information D3 is information for reading out the external information D1 + coordinate information D2 for displaying the relationship between the external image Pa and the like of the own device in the position coordinate system at the time of approaching optical communication with the optical communication device 301 and the optical element placement position. is there. On the premise of this, when receiving the identification information D3 from the terminal device 30 such as a mobile phone, music player, game machine, digital camera, etc., the optical communication device 301 stores model-specific information storing a plurality of external information D1 and the like for each model. The external information D1 + coordinate information D2 of the terminal device 30 is read from the storage unit 16. Based on the outline information D1 + coordinate information D2, the outline picture Pa of the terminal device 30 is displayed on the LCD panel 122.

  Accordingly, when the terminal device 30 is placed along the outline image Pa displayed on the LCD panel 122 of the optical communication device 301 as in the first embodiment, the arrangement position of the optical element 15 of the optical communication device 301 is set. And aligning the LED element 103 of the terminal device 30 and the photo detector 201 of the optical communication device 301 in a self-aligning manner automatically without visually confirming and aligning the arrangement position of the optical element 27 of the terminal device 30. become able to. As a result, a desired optical communication process using approaching light is performed between the optical communication device 301 and the terminal device 30 in a state where the LED element 103 of the terminal device 30 and the photodetector 201 of the optical communication device 301 are optimally aligned. become able to.

  The present invention is extremely suitable when applied to a non-contact type power supply system that charges desired power, a non-contact type optical data communication system that performs communication processing of video and sound information, a portable terminal device, and the like.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical data communication system 100 as a 1st Example which concerns on this invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an optical communication device 1 and a terminal device 2 in the optical data communication system 100. FIG. (A) And (B) is a figure which shows the example of a display area of the LCD panel 122, and the example of an image of the terminal information D0. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of an external image Pa on the LCD panel 122. 3 is a sequence chart showing an example of optical communication processing in the optical data communication system 100. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the optical data communication system 200 as a 2nd Example. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of an optical communication device 10 and a terminal device 2 in the optical data communication system 200. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the optical data communication system 300 as a 3rd Example. 5 is a sequence chart showing an example of data communication processing in the optical data communication system 300. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structural example of the 1st optical communication system 400 which concerns on a prior art example. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structural example of the 2nd optical communication system 500 which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st optical communication apparatus, 2 ... Terminal device (2nd, 4th optical communication apparatus), 12, 28 ... Display function part, 13, 24 ... Optical communication function part, 14, 25 ... main control unit, 15, 27 ... optical element, 16 ... model-specific information storage unit (storage unit), 26 ... terminal information storage unit (storage unit), 29 ... Information storage unit, 30... Terminal device (third optical communication device), 33... Input unit, 31, 41... Optical transmission unit, 32, 42. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 300 ... Optical data communication system, 101 ... Modulation circuit, 102 ... LED drive circuit, 103 ... LED element (optical element), 121 ... LCD drive circuit, 122 ... LCD panel ( Display unit), 201... Photo detector, 202... Amplifier circuit, 203. · (A third of the optical communication apparatus)

Claims (17)

A system for performing optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication devices,
A first optical communication device having an optical element for communication disposed at a predetermined position and having a display unit on the device mounting surface to perform optical communication processing;
A communication optical element disposed at a predetermined position, and terminal information for optical element alignment for aligning the optical element with the optical element of the first optical communication device. A second optical communication device for performing optical communication processing,
The first optical communication device is:
Receiving the terminal information from the second optical communication device;
An optical communication system, wherein the terminal information is processed to display an outline image of the second optical communication device on the display unit. The terminal information is
Provided in the second optical communication device;
2. The outer shape information for displaying a relationship between an outer image of the own device and an optical element arrangement position in a position coordinate system at the time of optical element positioning with respect to the first optical communication device. The optical communication system described. The terminal information is
Provided in the second optical communication device;
Identification information for reading out outline information for displaying a relationship between an outline image of the own device and an optical element arrangement position in a position coordinate system at the time of optical element alignment with respect to the first optical communication device;
The first optical communication device is:
The optical communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of external shape information read by the identification information received from the second optical communication apparatus for each model.   2. The optical communication system according to claim 1, wherein the second optical communication device is placed along the outline image displayed on the display unit of the first optical communication device. 3. The first optical communication device is:
The display unit has a plurality of light sources,
The optical communication system according to claim 1, wherein a part of the light source of the display unit is used as a light emitting element for communication. The display unit is composed of a liquid crystal display element having a backlight,
6. The optical communication system according to claim 5, wherein a backlight of the liquid crystal display element is used as a light emitting element for communication. The display unit is composed of an LED display array in which LED elements capable of lighting one pixel are assembled,
6. The optical communication system according to claim 5, wherein one pixel or a plurality of pixels of the LED display array is used as a light emitting element for communication.   2. The optical communication system according to claim 1, wherein an optical communication method between the first and second optical communication devices is a visible light communication method.   The optical communication system according to claim 1, wherein the optical element for communication includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Each of the first optical communication device and the second optical communication device has a function of performing data communication,
The first optical communication device is:
When the terminal information is acquired and an external image of the second optical communication device is displayed on the display unit of the device placement surface, and the second optical communication device is placed on the device placement surface, The optical communication system according to claim 1, wherein an optical communication process is performed on the second optical communication apparatus. The terminal information is
The outer shape information of the second optical communication device and the coordinate information of the optical element for communication that gives a predetermined optical communication point to the first optical communication device,
The first optical communication device is:
The outline information of the second optical communication apparatus is displayed on the device mounting surface by acquiring the outline information and the coordinate information of the optical element for communication from the second optical communication apparatus. 10. The optical communication system according to 10. The terminal information is
Identification information for identifying the type of the second optical communication device;
The first optical communication device is:
A storage unit for storing external shape information of the second optical communication device corresponding to the identification information and coordinate information of the optical element for communication;
The first optical communication device is:
Obtaining the identification information from the second optical communication device;
Based on the identification information, the external information of the second optical communication device and the coordinate information of the optical element for communication are read from the storage unit, and the external image of the second optical communication device is displayed on the display unit of the device mounting surface. The optical communication system according to claim 10, wherein display is performed. A first optical communication device having an optical element for communication disposed at a predetermined position and having a display unit on the device mounting surface for optical communication processing, and communication disposed at the predetermined position A second optical element for performing optical communication processing with terminal information for optical element alignment for aligning the optical element with the optical element of the first optical communication device. A method of performing optical communication by aligning two optical elements between an optical communication device,
When aligning optical elements,
The second optical communication device is:
Transmitting the terminal information to the first optical communication device;
The first optical communication device is:
Receiving the terminal information from the second optical communication device;
An optical communication method, comprising: displaying an outline image of the second optical communication device on the display unit based on the terminal information. An optical communication apparatus applicable to a system that performs optical communication by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication apparatuses,
A communication optical element disposed at a predetermined position;
A display unit provided on a device mounting surface on which the optical element is aligned;
An optical communication function unit that performs optical communication processing with another optical communication device mounted on the display unit,
When the information for displaying the relationship between the outer image of the other optical communication device in the position coordinate system at the time of alignment of the optical element with respect to the optical communication device and the optical element placement position is used as the outer shape information,
The optical communication function unit
Receiving the outline information from the other optical communication device;
An optical communication device, wherein an external image of the other optical communication device based on the external information is displayed on the display unit. An optical communication apparatus applicable to a system for optical communication by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication apparatuses including an optical communication apparatus having a display unit provided on a device mounting surface,
A communication optical element disposed at a predetermined position;
A storage unit for storing external information for displaying the relationship between the external image of the own device in the position coordinate system at the time of optical element alignment with respect to the optical communication device provided with the display unit and the arrangement information of the optical element;
An optical communication function unit that performs optical communication processing based on the outer shape information read from the storage unit,
The optical communication function unit
When aligning optical elements,
An optical communication apparatus, wherein the outer shape information is transmitted to an optical communication apparatus provided with the display unit. An optical communication device applicable to a system that performs optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication devices,
A communication optical element disposed at a predetermined position;
A display unit provided on a device mounting surface on which the optical element is aligned;
An optical communication function unit that performs optical communication processing with another optical communication device mounted on the display unit, and an external image of the own device in a position coordinate system at the time of optical element alignment with respect to the other optical communication device And information for displaying the relationship between the arrangement information of the optical elements as outer shape information, and when the information for reading out the outer shape information is identification information, a storage unit for storing the outer shape information,
The optical communication function unit
Receiving the identification information from the other optical communication device;
Read out the external shape information of the other optical communication device based on the identification information from the storage unit,
An optical communication device, wherein an external image of the other optical communication device is displayed on the display unit based on the external information. An optical communication apparatus applicable to a system that performs optical communication processing by aligning optical elements for communication between two optical communication apparatuses including an optical communication apparatus having a display unit provided on a device mounting surface,
A communication optical element disposed at a predetermined position;
Identification information for reading out the outline information for displaying the relationship between the outline image of the own device and the arrangement information of the optical element in the position coordinate system at the time of optical element alignment with respect to the optical communication device provided with the display section A storage unit for storing;
An optical communication function unit that performs optical communication processing based on the identification information read from the storage unit,
The optical communication function unit
When aligning optical elements,
An optical communication apparatus, wherein the identification information is transmitted to an optical communication apparatus provided with the display unit.

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