JP2010193365A - Visible light communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a visible light communication system which is capable of promptly acquiring communication information even in an area where illumination light beams from respective lighting fixtures are overlapped, and can be simplified in configuration and inexpensively formed. <P>SOLUTION: A visible light communication system 1 comprises: a lighting fixture 2 having a control device for controlling a light source so as to superimpose a visible light signal, of which the frequency is varied in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, on visible light; and a receiving apparatus 3 having a receiving section for receiving visible light and a control section for demodulating the visible light signal of which the frequency is varied according to the predetermined algorithm. Since the receiving device is simply configured to input and demodulate the visible light signal of which the frequency varies according to the predetermined algorithm, the visible light communication system can be inexpensively formed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a visible light communication system for communicating information by a visible light signal.

For example, in a plurality of lighting fixtures arranged on the ceiling surface, illumination light (visible light) emitted from adjacent lighting fixtures overlaps to illuminate the illumination area with substantially constant brightness (illuminance). It is arranged. In addition, there is a lighting apparatus of this type in which a visible light signal is superimposed on emitted visible light and various communication information is transmitted to the receiving terminal side. Here, in a lighting region where visible light overlaps, if a visible light signal is transmitted simultaneously from adjacent lighting fixtures, the receiving terminal receives interference from a plurality of visible light signals, and each visible light signal There is a problem that it is difficult to demodulate information.

Therefore, a visible light communication system has been proposed in which visible light signals can be communicated even in an illumination region where visible light emitted from adjacent lighting fixtures overlaps. For example, a visible light communication system has been proposed in which each luminaire starts visible light communication only when the address added to the communication information sequentially sent from the general controller matches the address assigned to itself. (See Patent Document 1). In this visible light communication system of the prior art, since the luminaires whose light distribution areas partially overlap each other do not perform visible light communication at the same time, the receiver simultaneously receives a plurality of pieces of communication information and causes interference. It is possible to reliably prevent problems.

In addition, each lighting fixture is configured such that the output signal for visible light communication is synchronized, and each adjacent lighting fixture is controlled so that the transmission timing of the output signal for visible light communication is shifted from each other. A lighting system has been proposed (see Patent Document 2). In this prior art lighting system, while one adjacent lighting fixture is communicating, the other lighting fixture is in a non-communication state and while the other lighting fixture is communicating, one lighting fixture is Since it is in a non-communication state, a communication signal is not simultaneously transmitted from adjacent lighting fixtures, thereby enabling highly accurate visible light communication.

In addition, when there are a plurality of lighting fixtures in which the reach of illumination light overlaps at least partially, an optical transmission system is proposed in which the modulation frequencies for superimposing data are different from each other in the plurality of lighting fixtures. (See Patent Document 3). In this prior art optical transmission system, the receiver includes a plurality of band pass filters each having a different pass band, and the band pass filter corresponding to the modulation frequency of the luminaire that does not overlap the reach of the illumination light is set. In this case, data transmitted from a plurality of lighting fixtures is received almost simultaneously, and any data cannot be demodulated correctly.

JP 2007-266794 A (page 5-6, FIG. 3) JP 2009-5304 A (6th page, FIG. 4) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-176258 (5th page, FIG. 2)

In the visible light communication system of Patent Document 1, since communication information is sequentially transmitted from the overall control unit to the plurality of lighting fixtures, the overall control unit transmits, for example, communication information at regular intervals. Is necessary, and the transmission control of communication information is complicated.

In addition, the lighting system of Patent Document 2 includes a synchronization circuit that controls the transmission timings of the visible light communication signals output from the adjacent lighting fixtures so that the circuit configurations of the lighting fixtures are complicated. Has the disadvantage of increasing costs.

The optical transmission system of Patent Document 3 includes a plurality of bandpass filters each having a different passband, and selects and sets a bandpass filter corresponding to the modulation frequency of the lighting fixture. The construction of the machine is complicated and has the disadvantage of being expensive.

An object of the present invention is to provide a visible light communication system that can quickly obtain information for communication even in a region where illumination light from each lighting fixture overlaps and can be formed at a low cost with a simple configuration.

The invention of the visible light communication system according to claim 1 is characterized in that the instrument body provided with a light source that emits visible light and a visible light signal whose frequency changes with a predetermined algorithm are superimposed on the visible light. A luminaire having a control device for controlling a light source; and a receiving device configured to have a receiving unit that receives a visible light signal and a control unit that demodulates a visible light signal that changes in accordance with the algorithm; It is characterized by comprising.

In the present invention and each of the following inventions, each configuration is as follows unless otherwise specified.

The light source only needs to emit visible light, and may be a fluorescent lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), or the like.

The luminaire may be used mainly for performing visible light communication in addition to illumination for illuminating a predetermined area.

The communication information demodulated by the receiving device may be recognized by a display unit or an audio unit included in the receiving device, or may be recognized by another display device or audio device.

According to the present invention, the luminaire transmits the communication information as a visible light signal whose frequency changes with a predetermined algorithm, and the receiving device receives the visible light signal and demodulates the communication information. Communication information transmitted from the luminaire is obtained in the apparatus.

The invention of the visible light communication system according to claim 2 is the invention of the visible light communication system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of lighting fixtures for superimposing visible light signals whose frequencies change with different algorithms on the visible light. The receiving apparatus demodulates at least one of visible light signals whose frequency changes by the different algorithm.

The receiving device stores, for example, visible light signals whose frequencies transmitted from a plurality of lighting fixtures change with a predetermined algorithm, in the storage unit. Then, the control unit reads a visible light signal of a desired lighting fixture from the storage unit, and inputs a visible light signal that matches the read visible light signal from among the visible light signals received by the receiving unit. Can be demodulated.

According to the present invention, since the visible light signals transmitted from the adjacent lighting fixtures are different from each other, the receiving device is adjacent even in a region where the visible light signals transmitted from the adjacent lighting fixtures overlap each other at the same time. A visible light signal from one of the lighting fixtures is input, and communication information from the lighting fixture is demodulated.

The invention of the visible light communication system according to claim 3 is the invention of the visible light communication system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the receiving devices are provided, and the plurality of receiving devices are respectively different algorithms. And demodulating a visible light signal whose frequency changes.

The luminaire may transmit one visible light signal, or may transmit a plurality of visible light signals sequentially or on demand.

According to the present invention, the visible light signal transmitted from the luminaire demodulates the visible light signal whose frequency changes with a different algorithm in each of the plurality of receiving devices. The signal is input to the receiving device and demodulated.

According to the invention of claim 1, the luminaire transmits the communication information by a visible light signal whose frequency changes with a predetermined algorithm, and the receiving device receives the visible light signal transmitted from the luminaire. Since the communication signal is demodulated, it is possible to quickly obtain the communication information transmitted from the desired lighting fixture even in an area where a plurality of visible light signals are transmitted simultaneously, and the receiving device uses a predetermined algorithm. Since it has a simple configuration for inputting and demodulating a visible light signal whose frequency changes, a visible light communication system can be formed at low cost.

According to the invention of claim 2, a plurality of lighting fixtures each transmit a visible light signal whose frequency changes with a different algorithm, and the receiving device has at least one of the visible light signals whose frequency changes with a different algorithm. Therefore, even in an area where illumination light emitted from adjacent lighting fixtures overlaps, the receiving device can easily and quickly transmit communications from the lighting fixture based on the input visible light signal. Information can be obtained.

According to the invention of claim 3, the plurality of receiving devices have different algorithms for the visible light signals to be input, and the one receiving device inputs the visible light signal transmitted from the luminaire and is used for communication. Since the information is obtained, a dedicated receiving device for obtaining communication information transmitted from the lighting fixture can be provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic block diagram of the visible light communication system which shows Example 1 of this invention. Similarly, the schematic block diagram which shows the structure of a lighting fixture. Similarly, the schematic block diagram which shows the structure of a receiver. Similarly, a schematic waveform diagram showing a visible light signal. Similarly, the relationship figure which shows the digital data with respect to a visible light signal. The schematic block diagram of the visible light communication system which shows Example 2 of this invention. Similarly, the schematic block diagram which shows the structure of a lighting fixture. Similarly, the schematic block diagram which shows the structure of a receiver.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the visible light communication system of the present invention, when the luminaire transmits the communication information, the visible light signal whose frequency changes with a predetermined algorithm is superimposed on the visible light, and the receiving device receives from the desired luminaire. When obtaining communication information, a visible light signal in which the frequency transmitted from the luminaire is changed by a predetermined algorithm is received and demodulated. Since the visible light signals transmitted from the lighting fixtures are different, communication information from a desired lighting fixture can be easily and quickly obtained even in a region where a plurality of visible light signals are simultaneously transmitted.

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a visible light communication system, FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting fixture, and FIG. 3 is a configuration of a receiving apparatus. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram, and FIG. 4 is a schematic waveform diagram showing a visible light signal.

  In FIG. 1, the visible light communication system 1 is configured as an illumination control system having a lighting fixture 2 and a receiving device 3. A plurality of lighting fixtures 2 are arranged in series on the ceiling side. The plurality of lighting fixtures 2 are arranged on the ceiling side so that the illumination areas illuminated by adjacent lighting fixtures partially overlap. Thereby, the floor surface side is illuminated with substantially constant illuminance (brightness). The luminaire 2 may be any of a direct-attached instrument that is directly attached to the ceiling, an embedded instrument that is embedded in the ceiling, or a suspended instrument that is suspended from the ceiling.

  In each of the plurality of lighting fixtures 2, an address (ID number) is given to the fixture main body 4, and the light receiving device 5 is provided in the fixture main body 4. The light receiving device 5 receives the control signal transmitted from the receiving device 3 as a radio signal. In response to this control signal, a light source (not shown) disposed in the instrument body 4 is controlled. In addition, when the light receiving device 5 receives the communication control signal transmitted from the receiving device 3, the lighting fixture 2 transmits the communication information by superimposing the visible light signal on the visible light emitted from the light source. Optical communication is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the lighting fixture 2, the fixture main body 4 houses the control terminal device 6, and the light receiving device 5, the light source 7, and the mode indicator lamp 8 are provided. The control terminal device 6 is connected at its input terminals 9 and 9 to power lines 10 and 10 connected to a commercial AC power source Vs.

  The light receiving device 5 receives a control signal for controlling the light source 7 transmitted from the receiving device 3 as a radio signal by the light receiving element 12 made of, for example, a photodiode, converts the control signal into data, and outputs the data to the control device 14. Is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, the light receiving element 12 is disposed so as to be exposed on the lower surface on one end side of the instrument body 4. The light source 7 is a light emitting diode (LED) that emits visible light such as white light, and a large number of light sources 7 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the instrument body 4. The mode indicator 8 is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) that emits red light.

  The control terminal device 6 is formed as a unit and disposed inside the instrument body 4 and includes a control device 14, a storage device 15, a lighting circuit portion 16, and a power supply portion 17 as shown in FIG. ing.

  The storage device 15 stores a visible light signal whose frequency (modulation frequency) changes with a predetermined algorithm. That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the visible light signal S1 that superimposes the frequency of 5 kHz on the visible light and the visible light signal that superimposes the frequency of 15 kHz are stored in the storage device 15 of the lighting fixture 2 at address # 1. It consists of S2 and a visible light signal S3 on which a frequency of 25 kHz is superimposed, and stores a visible light signal Sa that is combined in the order of visible light signals S1 to S3. The visible light signal S1 is superimposed on the visible light for 3 cycles (600 microseconds) within a period of 20 milliseconds, for example. Similarly, the visible light signal S2 is superimposed for 3 periods (200 microseconds) within a period of 6.7 milliseconds, for example, and the visible light signal S3 is superimposed for 3 periods (120 microseconds) within a period of 4 milliseconds, for example. It is to be superimposed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the storage device 15 of the luminaire 2 at the address # 2 includes a visible light signal Sb that is a combination of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S2. I remember it. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the storage device 15 of the luminaire 2 at address # 3 includes a visible light signal Sc that is a combination of the visible light signal S2, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S1. I remember it. The visible light signal Sa, the visible light signal Sb, and the visible light signal Sc are sequentially stored in the storage device 15 of the lighting fixture 2 after address # 4.

  As described above, the visible light signals Sa to Sc stored in the storage devices 15 of the respective lighting fixtures 2 at the addresses # 1 to # 3 are different from each other. The lighting fixture 2 at address # 2 is adjacent to the lighting fixture 2 at address # 1 and address # 3, and part of the illumination light (visible light) is from the lighting fixture 2 at address # 1 and address # 3. It overlaps with the illumination light. Thus, the combinations of the visible light signals S1 to S3 stored in the storage devices 15 of at least the adjacent lighting fixtures 2 are different from each other. That is, the luminaire 2 outputs visible light signals Sa to Sc whose frequencies change with different algorithms.

  In addition, the storage device 15 of each lighting fixture 2 includes an address given to the fixture main body 4 (the lighting fixture 2), a dimming ratio with respect to the control signal for lighting, a date on which the lighting fixture 2 is installed, a type of the light source, and Various data such as cumulative lighting time are stored. These various data are information for communication.

  The control device 14 is formed having a microcomputer, and receives a control signal output from the light receiving device 5. When the control signal is an illumination control signal, the lighting circuit unit 16 is controlled according to the illumination signal, and the lighting state of the light source 7 is controlled. That is, when the illumination control signal is a turn-on signal, the light source 7 is turned on, when it is a turn-off signal, the light source 7 is turned off, and when it is a light control signal, the light source 7 is controlled to be dimmed. It is. Further, the control device 14 includes an internal timer, measures the cumulative lighting time of the light source 7 and stores it in the storage device 15.

  The control device 14 reads the visible light signals Sa to Sc from the storage device 15 and emits visible light from the light source 7 when the input control signal is a communication control signal (common to all lighting fixtures 2). The light source 7 is controlled by controlling the lighting circuit unit 16 so that the visible light signals Sa to Sc are superimposed on each other. That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, the control device 14 of the luminaire 2 at address # 1 sequentially superimposes the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S2, and the visible light signal S3 on the visible light. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control device 14 of the lighting fixture 2 at address # 2 sequentially superimposes the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S2 on the visible light. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the control device 14 of the lighting fixture 2 at address # 3 sequentially superimposes the visible light signal S2, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S1 on the visible light.

  When the visible light signals S1 to S3 are superimposed on the visible light emitted from the light source 7, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the light output of the visible light is the visible light signals S1 to S3. It fluctuates in synchronization with the frequency (5 kHz to 25 kHz). The control device 14 controls the lighting circuit unit 16 so that the frequencies of the visible light signals S1 to S3 are generated in the visible light output. Thus, the control device 14 sequentially superimposes the visible light signals Sa to Sc (visible light signals S1 to S3) stored in the storage device 15 on the radiated light emitted from the light source 7, thereby enabling communication information. To send. When the communication information is being transmitted, the mode indicator lamp 8 is turned on by the control device 14.

  The lighting circuit unit 16 is connected to the power line 10 via the input terminals 9 and 9 and receives AC power from the commercial AC power source Vs. Then, under the control of the control device 14, the input AC power is converted into predetermined DC power, the light source 7 is turned on by this DC power, and the light source 7 is transmitted so that the visible light signals S 1 to S 3 are transmitted from the light source 7. Is to control. When transmitting the visible light signals S1 to S3, DC power is supplied to the light source 7 so that the visible light signals S1 to S3 are output at a frequency of 5 kHz to 25 kHz.

  The power supply unit 17 is connected to the power supply line 10 via the input terminals 9 and 9, converts the AC power supply from the commercial AC power supply Vs into a DC power supply, and supplies the DC power supply to the control device 14 or the like for operation. .

  The receiving device 3 is a remote control device that is formed in a size that can be moved by hand. As shown in FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 3, the mode change switch 18, the operation switch 19, and a receiving unit that receives a visible light signal. Transmission / reception unit 20, storage unit 21, connection unit 22, display unit 23, power supply unit 24, and control unit 25.

  The mode changeover switch 18 is a switch for transmitting a communication control signal from the receiving device 3, and is composed of, for example, one operation switch (operation button). A communication control signal is transmitted from the receiving device 3 by depressing the mode switch 18 by manual operation.

  The operation switch 19 is a switch for transmitting a control signal for illumination from the receiving device 3, and includes a plurality of operation buttons, for example. On the operation switch 19, numbers 0 to 9, #, *, and the like are displayed. By depressing the operation switch 19 by manual operation, an illumination control signal having the address of the luminaire 2 associated with the operation switch 19 is transmitted from the receiving device 3.

  The transmission / reception unit 20 is controlled by the control unit 25 to transmit a communication control signal or an illumination control signal as a wireless signal, and a reception unit that receives the visible light signals S1 to S3 transmitted from the lighting fixture 2. It is formed by.

  The storage unit 21 stores the correspondence between the address of the lighting fixture 2 and the operation switch 19 in a table, and stores the address of the lighting fixture 2 and the storage device 15 of the lighting fixture 2 at the address. A table in which the combinations of visible light signals S1 to S3 are associated is stored. The storage unit 19 stores various data such as communication information transmitted from the lighting fixture 2.

  The connection unit 22 is connected to an external display device or audio device. Then, under the control of the control unit 25, the communication information stored in the storage unit 21 is output to an external display device, audio device, or the like. The display unit 23 is configured to display communication information transmitted from the lighting fixture 2 under the control of the control unit 25. The power supply unit 24 includes a dry battery or a solar battery, and operates by supplying a direct current power to the control unit 25 or the like.

  And the control part 25 is formed with a microcomputer, and transmits the control signal for communication or the control signal for illumination from the transmission / reception part 20. That is, once the mode switch 18 is pressed, the communication control signal is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 20 as a radio signal. When the operation switch 19 is pressed, the address of the lighting fixture 2 corresponding to the operation switch 19 is read from the storage unit 21, the lighting control signal to which the address is assigned is calculated and generated, and the radio signal is transmitted from the transmission / reception unit 20. Send it. The illumination control signal is an inversion control signal that turns on the light source 7 from, for example, a light-off state when the operation switch 19 is pressed once, and turns off the light source 7 from, for example, a light-on state when the operation switch 19 is pressed again. .

  The control unit 25 is configured to input the visible light signals S1 to S3 received by the transmission / reception unit 20 and demodulate communication information from the visible light signals S1 to S3. That is, after the mode switch 18 is pressed, the address number of the lighting fixture 2 from which the communication information is obtained is input by pressing the operation switch 19 having the number having the number. Thereby, the control part 25 reads the visible light signal Sa-Sc which consists of the combination of visible light signal S1-S3 memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 21, and a frequency changes with a predetermined algorithm.

  For example, when the control unit 25 depresses the operation switch 16 of No. 1, as shown in FIG. 4A, the control unit 25 combines the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S2, and the visible light signal S3 from the storage unit 21 in this order. The visible light signal Sa is read out. Similarly, when the operation switch 16 of No. 2 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 4B, the visible light combined in the order of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S2 from the storage unit 21. When the signal Sb is read and the operation switch 16 of No. 3 is pressed, the visible light signal S2, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S1 are combined from the storage unit 21 in the order shown in FIG. 4C. The visible light signal Sc is read out.

  Then, the control unit 25 analyzes the frequency, reception order, and reception timing of the visible light signals S1 to S3 received by the transmission / reception unit 20, and the visible light signal obtained by reading the combination of the visible light signals S1 to S3 from the storage unit 21. If it is determined that it matches Sa to Sc, visible light signals Sa to Sc composed of combinations of the visible light signals S1 to S3 are input.

  Then, a digital value is calculated according to which position in the transmission period a period (one symbol period) obtained by dividing each transmission period of the visible light signals S1 to S3 into four equal parts. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the visible light signal S1 is received in the first symbol period of the transmission period (20 milliseconds), digital values (digital data) 0 and 1 are calculated. Similarly, when received in the second symbol period as shown in FIG. 5B, digital values 1 and 1 are calculated and received in the third symbol period as shown in FIG. 5C. Then, digital values 1 and 0 are calculated, and as shown in FIG. 5D, digital values 0 and 0 are calculated when received in the fourth symbol period. Similarly to the visible light signal S2 and the visible light signal S3, digital values are respectively given in the same manner as in FIGS.

  And the character of communication information etc. are demodulated by the combination of the digital value calculated based on visible light signal Sa-Sc inputted sequentially. The control unit 25 stores the demodulated communication information in the storage unit 21 and displays it on the display unit 23.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  When the communication information stored in the storage device 15 of each lighting fixture 2 is obtained, the light source 7 of each lighting fixture 2 is turned on. When the mode selector switch 18 of the receiving device 3 is pressed once, a communication control signal is transmitted from the receiving device 3. The communication control signal is received by the light receiving device 5 of each lighting fixture 2 and input to the control device 14.

  When the control device 14 receives the communication control signal, the control device 14 reads the algorithm and communication information of the visible light signals S1 to S3 stored in the storage device 15, modulates the communication information, and controls the lighting circuit unit 16. Then, the visible light signals S1 to S3 are sequentially superimposed on the visible light emitted from the light source 7, and the communication information is transmitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the luminaire 2 at address # 1 is sequentially transmitted in the order of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S2, and the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S1 and the visible light signal S2. And the information for communication is transmitted with the combination (visible light signal Sa) of the order of visible light signal S3. Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the luminaire 2 at address # 2 is sequentially transmitted in the order of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S2, and the visible light signal S1, visible light. Communication information is transmitted by a combination of the order of the signal S3 and the visible light signal S2 (visible light signal Sb).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the luminaire 2 at address # 3 is sequentially transmitted in the order of the visible light signal S2, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S1, and the visible light signal S2, visible light. Communication information is transmitted by a combination of the order of the signal S3 and the visible light signal S1 (visible light signal Sb). And the lighting fixture 2 after address # 4 transmits the information for communication similarly to the lighting fixture 2 of address # 1- # 3. Thus, visible light signals S1 to S3 are transmitted simultaneously from all the lighting fixtures 2.

  And when acquiring the information for communication of the lighting fixture 2 of address # 1, the receiving apparatus 3 is moved under the said lighting fixture 2. FIG. The transmitting / receiving unit 20 of the receiving device 3 receives the visible light signals S1 to S3 based on the fluctuation frequency of the optical output of visible light. When the operation switch 19 of number 1 corresponding to the luminaire 2 at address # 1 is pressed, the control unit 25 is stored in the storage unit 21 because the mode switch 18 has been pressed. The visible light signal Sa that is a combination of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S2, and the visible light signal S3 corresponding to the lighting fixture 2 at the address # 1 is read out.

  When the receiving device 3 is located in a region immediately below the lighting fixture 2 at address # 1, the visible light signals S1 to S3 received from the lighting fixture 2 by the transmission / reception unit 20 are transmitted from the electrical equipment other than the lighting fixture 2 to the region. As long as the visible light signal is not transmitted, it matches the visible light signal Sa read from the storage unit 21 and is therefore input to the control unit 25.

  And if the receiver 3 is located in the area | region where the illumination light from the lighting fixture 2 of address # 1 and the illumination light from the adjacent lighting fixture 2 of address # 2 mutually overlap, the transmission / reception part 20 will be , A combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light signal Sa) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 1 and a combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 2. The signal Sb) is received simultaneously. Here, the control unit 25 inputs a combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light signal Sa) transmitted from the luminaire 2 of address # 1 that matches the visible light signal Sa read from the storage unit 21, The combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light signal Sb) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 2 is not input.

  For the visible light signals S1 to S3 that are sequentially input, the control unit 25 calculates a digital value according to the position of the 4 symbol period as shown in FIGS. Demodulate information. The demodulated communication information is stored in the storage unit 21 and displayed on the display unit 23. In this way, communication data transmitted from the lighting fixture 2 at address # 1, for example, various data such as the installation date of the lighting fixture 2, the type of the light source 7, and the cumulative lighting time can be obtained.

  And when acquiring the information for communication of the lighting fixture 2 of address # 2, while moving the receiver 3 under the said lighting fixture 2, the operation switch of the number 2 corresponding to the lighting fixture 2 of address # 2 19 is pressed. The control unit 25 reads the visible light signal Sb that is combined in the order of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S2 corresponding to the luminaire 2 of the address # 2 stored in the storage unit 21.

  When the receiving device 3 is located in a region immediately below the lighting fixture 2 at address # 2, the visible light signals S1 to S3 received from the lighting fixture 2 by the transmitting / receiving unit 20 are the visible light signals read from the storage unit 21. Since it matches Sb, it is input to the control unit 25.

  And if the receiver 3 is located in the area | region where the illumination light from the lighting fixture 2 of address # 2 and the illumination light from the adjacent lighting fixture 2 of address # 1 mutually overlap, the transmission / reception part 20 will be , A combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light signal Sb) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 2, and a combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 1. The signal Sa) is received simultaneously. Here, the control unit 25 inputs a combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light signal Sb) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 2 that matches the visible light signal Sb read from the storage unit 21, A combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light signal Sa) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 1 is not input.

  In addition, when the receiving device 3 is located in a region where the illumination light from the lighting fixture 2 at the address # 2 and the illumination light from the adjacent lighting fixture 2 at the address # 3 overlap each other, the transmission / reception unit 20 , A combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light signal Sb) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 2 and a combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 3. The signal Sc) is received simultaneously. Here, the control unit 25 inputs a combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light signal Sb) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 2 that matches the visible light signal Sb read from the storage unit 21, The combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 (visible light signal Sc) transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 3 is not input.

  And the control part 25 calculates a digital value from the visible light signal Sb input sequentially, demodulates communication information, and is memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 21 and displayed on the display part 23. FIG. Thus, the communication information transmitted from the luminaire 2 at address # 2 can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, in the same manner as described above, information for communication from the luminaire 2 after address # 3 can be obtained.

  As described above, the combinations of the visible light signals S1 to S3 transmitted from the adjacent lighting fixtures 2 are different from each other, and the receiving device 3 is configured for the combination of the visible light signals S1 to S3 received by the transmission / reception unit 20. A combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 corresponding to a desired lighting fixture 2 for obtaining communication information from among a combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 corresponding to each lighting fixture 2 stored in the storage unit 21. Since the communication information is demodulated by inputting only the visible light signals S1 to S3 that coincide with each other, the communication information from the desired lighting fixture 2 can be obtained easily and reliably.

  And since the information for communication can be simultaneously transmitted from all the lighting fixtures 2, and the said information for communication can be obtained sequentially by the receiver 3, the information for communication transmitted from the lighting fixture 2 can be obtained quickly. . That is, when the mode changeover switch 18 of the receiving device 3 is pressed, it is possible to transmit a communication control signal to which an address is assigned and to transmit communication information from a desired lighting fixture 2. However, in this case, every time the receiving device 3 is moved, a communication control signal to which an address is assigned is transmitted from the receiving device 3, so that it takes time and effort to obtain communication information. In addition, it is assumed that the address of the lighting fixture 2 adjacent to the desired lighting fixture 2 for which the communication information is desired to be obtained when the address is assigned to the communication control signal, and the reliability for the acquisition of the communication information is assumed. The property is lowered.

  The combination of the visible light signals S1 to S3 that are sequentially transmitted from the lighting fixture 2 while being superimposed on the visible light can be configured with a relatively small number of visible light signals whose frequency is changed by a constant algorithm. Since the storage unit 21 stores the combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 and inputs only the combination of visible light signals S1 to S3 transmitted from a desired lighting fixture 2, the visible light communication system 1 Can be made cheaper.

  In addition, since the frequency range of the visible light signal is limited, the visible light signal is configured by a combination of the visible light signals S1 to S3, and a large number of usable visible light signals are obtained by changing the combination. be able to. That is, when the visible light signal is configured only by a change in frequency, the number of visible light signals is limited, but the selection of the visible light signal can be improved by combining the visible light signals S1 to S3. The user can be distinguished by assigning the selected visible light signal to each user. In addition, when the visible light signal is configured by a combination of the visible light signals S1 to S3, it becomes difficult for the user or the like to analyze the visible light signal, and the security of the visible light communication system 1 is improved.

  In addition, although the lighting fixture 2 was comprised so that communication information might be transmitted according to the communication control signal transmitted from the receiver 3, not only this but the wired signal and radio signal from other control apparatuses, Communication information may be transmitted according to power line communication or LAN, or may be configured to transmit communication information at all times or at a set time.

  Moreover, although the visible light communication system 1 was comprised so that visible light signal Sa-Sc was memorize | stored in the memory | storage device 15 of the lighting fixture 2, and the memory | storage part 21 of the receiver 21, although not restricted to this, from other control apparatuses It may be transmitted from wired communication, wireless communication, power line communication, LAN or the like.

6 to 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a visible light communication system, FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration of a lighting fixture, and FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a receiving apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram. The same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The visible light communication system 26 shown in FIG. 6 is configured as a traffic control system having a lighting fixture 27 and a receiving device 28. The lighting fixtures 27 are composed of a plurality of pieces, and are attached to, for example, a building wall, a concrete wall, a pole (post), a pedestrian bridge or an arm. Each luminaire 27 is such that visible light emitted from the light source 7 does not overlap each other.

And as shown in FIG. 7, the lighting fixture 27 becomes a structure from which the light-receiving device 5 was removed in the lighting fixture 2 shown in FIG. The storage device 15 stores a plurality of visible light signals whose frequencies change with a predetermined algorithm. That is, as described in FIG. 4, the order of the visible light signal Sa, the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S2 combined in the order of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S2, and the visible light signal S3. A combination of a plurality of different visible light signals such as a visible light signal Sb, a visible light signal S2, a visible light signal S3, and a visible light signal Sc combined in the order of visible light signal S1 are stored.

The storage device 15 stores a plurality of pieces of communication information for guiding and guiding people, automobiles, and the like. The communication information includes, for example, left turn, straight ahead, right turn, stop, and the like.

Then, the control device 15 of each lighting fixture 27 independently transmits a plurality of pieces of communication information by sequentially superimposing a plurality of visible light signals Sa to Sc whose algorithms change at a predetermined frequency on the visible light. The light source 7 is controlled as follows. For example, the luminaire 27A sequentially superimposes the combination of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S2, and the visible light signal S3 (visible light signal Sa) on the visible light, and transmits, for example, “left turn” communication information. Further, the combination of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S2 (visible light signal Sb) is sequentially superimposed on the visible light to transmit, for example, “straight forward” communication information. In addition, a combination of the visible light signal S2, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S1 (visible light signal Sc) is sequentially superimposed on the visible light to transmit, for example, “right turn” communication information. Thereafter, other communication information is transmitted in the same manner.

Then, the luminaire 27B transmits, for example, communication information of “straight ahead”, “straight forward”, and “left turn” by the visible light signal Sa, the visible light signal Sb, and the visible light signal Sc, respectively. In addition, the lighting fixture 27C transmits, for example, communication information of “right turn”, “left turn”, and “straight forward” by the visible light signal Sa, the visible light signal Sb, and the visible light signal Sc, respectively. Similarly, the following lighting fixtures 27 transmit communication information. The control device 14 of each lighting fixture 7 always transmits information for communication.

As shown in FIG. 8, the receiving device 28 has a configuration in which the mode changeover switch 18, the operation switch 19, and the connecting portion 22 are removed from the receiving device 32 shown in FIG. Further, the transmission unit of the transmission / reception unit 20 is removed, and a reception unit 29 is provided.

And the memory | storage part 21 of each receiver 28 has memorize | stored the visible light signal of one mutually different algorithm. For example, the receiving device 28A stores only the visible light signal Sa combined in the order of the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S2, and the visible light signal S3, and the receiving device 28B stores the visible light signal S1, the visible light signal S3, and Only the visible light signal Sb combined in the order of the visible light signal S2 is stored, and the receiving device 28C stores only the visible light signal Sc combined in the order of the visible light signal S2, the visible light signal S3, and the visible light signal S1. ing. Similarly, the following receiving device 28 stores only one combination of visible light signals different from each other. As described above, the receiving devices 28 are different from each other in the combination of visible light signals stored in the respective storage units 21.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

When the receiving device 28A moves to the visible light irradiation range of the lighting fixture 27A, the receiving unit 29 of the receiving device 28A sends the visible light signals Sa, Sb, Sc,... Of the communication information transmitted from the lighting fixture 27A. Receive. The control unit 25 of the receiving device 28A inputs the visible light signal Sa among the visible light signals Sa, Sb, Sc,... Received by the receiving unit 29 based on the visible light signal Sa stored in the storage unit 21. Then, the communication information is demodulated. On the display unit 23, communication information for “turn left” is displayed. People and cars move according to the “left turn” display.

When the receiving device 28B moves to the visible light irradiation range of the lighting fixture 27A, the control unit 25 inputs the visible light signal Sb among the visible light signals Sa, Sb, Sc,... Received by the receiving unit 29. To demodulate communication information. The display unit 23 displays information for “straight ahead” communication, and people, cars, and the like move according to the “straight forward” display.

When the receiving device 28C moves into the visible light irradiation range of the lighting fixture 27A, the control unit 25 inputs the visible light signal Sc among the visible light signals Sa, Sb, Sc,... Received by the receiving unit 29. To demodulate communication information. The display unit 23 displays information for “left turn” communication, and people, cars, and the like move according to the “left turn” display.

When the receiving device 28A moves into the visible light irradiation range of the lighting fixture 27B, the receiving unit 29 receives the visible light signals Sa, Sb, Sc,... Of the communication information transmitted from the lighting fixture 27B. . The control unit 25 of the receiving device 28A inputs the visible light signal Sa among the visible light signals Sa, Sb, Sc,... Received by the receiving unit 29 based on the visible light signal Sa stored in the storage unit 21. Then, the communication information is demodulated. In the luminaire 27B, the visible light signal Sa is associated with “straight ahead” of the communication information and transmits the “straight forward” communication information. Therefore, the display unit 23 of the receiving device 28A displays “ "Straight" communication information is displayed. A person, a car, or the like moves according to the “straight ahead” display.

Then, when the receiving device 28A moves into the visible light irradiation range of the lighting fixture 27C, the receiving unit 29 receives the visible light signals Sa, Sb, Sc,... Of the communication information transmitted from the lighting fixture 27C. . The control unit 25 of the receiving device 28A inputs the visible light signal Sa among the visible light signals Sa, Sb, Sc,... Received by the receiving unit 29 based on the visible light signal Sa stored in the storage unit 21. Then, the communication information is demodulated. In the luminaire 27c, the visible light signal Sa is associated with “right turn” of the communication information and transmits the communication information of “right turn”. Therefore, the display unit 23 of the receiving device 28A displays “ "Right turn" communication information is displayed. People and cars move according to the “right turn” display.

As described above, when the receiving device 28 moves to the visible light irradiation range of the lighting fixture 27, the communication information is displayed on the display unit 23 of the receiving device 28, and the person and the vehicle move according to the display of the communication information. be able to.

As described above, in the receiving device 28, the combinations Sa, Sb, Sc,... Of visible light signals stored in the respective storage units 21 are different from each other, and the one receiving device 28 is transmitted from the lighting fixture 27. Since the communication information is obtained by inputting the combined visible light signals S1 to S3, a dedicated receiving device 28 for obtaining the communication information transmitted from the lighting fixture 27 can be provided.

Each lighting fixture 27 is configured to transmit a plurality of pieces of communication information, but may be one that transmits one piece of communication information. In this case, at least the adjacent lighting fixtures 27 are arranged so that the visible light irradiation ranges overlap by making the combinations Sa, Sb, Sc,... Of the visible light signals superimposed on the visible light different from each other. be able to.

The visible light communication system 1 of the present invention can be applied as an information providing device, a guidance device, or a guidance device by using a lighting device installed indoors or outdoors.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,26 ... Visible light communication system 2,27 ... Lighting fixture 3,28 ... Receiving device 4 ... Apparatus main body 14 ... Control device 20 ... Transmitting / receiving unit constituting receiving unit 25 ... Control unit 29 ... Receiving unit

Claims (3)

Illumination comprising an instrument body having a light source that emits visible light and a control device that controls the light source so that a visible light signal whose frequency changes with a predetermined algorithm is superimposed on the visible light A visible light communication system comprising: a receiver; a receiver configured to receive a visible light signal; and a receiver configured to demodulate a visible light signal changed by the algorithm. . A plurality of luminaires that superimpose visible light signals whose frequencies change with different algorithms on the visible light, and the receiving device demodulates at least one of the visible light signals whose frequencies change with the different algorithms. The visible light communication system according to claim 1, wherein: The visible light communication system according to claim 1, wherein the visible light communication system has a plurality of receiving devices, and each of the plurality of receiving devices demodulates a visible light signal whose frequency changes by a different algorithm.

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