JP2012039556A - Illumination light communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illumination light communication system for transmitting individual information of each of receivers from a single transmission source (the number of light sources may be one or more) to each of a plurality of the receivers.SOLUTION: Transmission information 101 transmitted from a transmitter includes: an information signal 103 which is desired to convey; a control signal 102 for identifying a receiver to which the information signal is desired to be transmitted; and an ending signal 104 following the information signal. The transmitter transmits the control signal 102, the information signal 103 and the ending signal 104 in sequence. A plurality of the receivers to which an individual ID number is preliminarily assigned reads and regenerates the information signal 103 only when the control signal 102 transmitted from the transmitter coincides with the ID number.

Description

The present invention relates to an illumination light communication system that transmits signals using illumination light, and in particular, can cope with a case where different information is individually transmitted to a plurality of receivers.

With the widespread use of illumination devices using visible light LEDs, illumination light communication that transmits signals using this illumination light as a medium is also attracting attention.

FIG. 12 shows the concept of the conventional illumination light communication system.
An information signal that is information to be transmitted is a signal suitable for illumination light communication (electric signal)
) And sent to the transmitter 6. The transmitter 6 can transmit information using the illumination light 7 as a medium by placing the information signal on a power line of an LED (not shown) as a light source and causing the LED to emit light.

On the other hand, on the receiving side, the illumination light 7 is received by a light receiving element (not shown) such as a photodiode of the receiving unit 9, and the optical signal is converted into an electric signal (information signal) and transmitted to the reproduction / output unit 11. To do. Playback / output section
In 11, the received information is reproduced and output.

As described above, in the conventional illumination light communication system, the information to be transmitted is transmitted from the transmitter 19 using the illumination light as a medium, and this illumination light is received by the transmitter 20, for example, transmitted information such as sound and images. Is played and output.

Here, since one transmitter 19 uniformly transmits information to the plurality of receivers 20, information cannot be transmitted to each of the transmitters 20.
As a countermeasure for this, it is conceivable to transmit all the information of the receiver 20 minutes to the series. However, the transmitter 20 cannot select the information and reproduces and outputs all the information. In addition to the inconvenience of sending unneeded information in large quantities, there is also the inconvenience that the distinction between information destined for oneself and information destined for others is not clear.

Further, when a plurality of transmitters 19 corresponding to each of the plurality of receivers 20 are prepared, there is a concern that adjacent illumination light may cause interference and normal communication cannot be performed, and each of the plurality of transmitters 19 In addition, a control system (not shown) is required.

Furthermore, as measures against these, proposals have been made such as distinguishing a plurality of pieces of different information by the wavelength of illumination light, or arranging a lens and a plurality of light receiving elements in a single receiver. And it becomes a big one.

JP 2009-55118 A

In the conventional illumination light communication, there is a problem that information cannot be transmitted only to a specified receiver among a plurality of receivers during transmission, and useful among a plurality of information transmitted during reception. There is a problem that the receiver cannot reproduce only the information.

The configuration of transmission information per transmission, information signal that is information to be transmitted, a control signal indicating the ID number of the receiver and the category of the information signal, and an end signal indicating the end of the information signal,
A control signal, an information signal, and an end signal are transmitted in this order. Thereafter, the next transmission information is similarly transmitted in the order of the control signal, the information signal, and the end signal, and this is repeated for the number of pieces of transmission information to be transmitted.

Here, since there is an end signal at the end of the transmission signal, the receiver can recognize the end of a series of transmissions when receiving the end signal, and can start receiving the next control signal.

On the other hand, each receiver is given an individual ID number in advance, and the control signal is equal to or equal to its own ID number, or only when its own ID number is included in the category of the control signal. The information signal following the signal is read and reproduced.

The present invention is not limited to the number of information to be transmitted, and can transmit information only to a specified receiver among a plurality of receivers when transmitting, and a plurality of information transmitted upon reception. Only the specified information can be received without using a large-scale device.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a transmission signal in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a transmitter in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a receiver in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a reading unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The conceptual diagram of the transmitter in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The conceptual diagram of the receiver in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The emergency information receiver according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 10 is an image output example of transmission information in the third embodiment of the present invention. 10 shows an example of transmission information in the third embodiment of the present invention. The conceptual diagram of the receiver in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. 10 shows an example of transmission information in the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The conceptual diagram of the illumination light communication of a prior art example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of illumination light communication according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
Claims 1 to 5, 7, 15, and 16 of the present invention will be described as a first embodiment with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of transmission information 101, and the first transmission information 101-1 includes a control signal 102-1 in the order of transmission,
The information signal 103-1 and the end signal 104-1 are arranged in this order.
The information signal 103 is content information to be transmitted such as an audio signal, a character signal, and an image signal, for example. The control signal 102 indicates the ID number of the receiver 8 and the category of the information signal 101. The end signal Reference numeral 104 denotes the end of the information signal 101. (The information signal 103 may be an ID number, one information signal or a plurality of information signals, and may be a mixture of an ID number and the information signal.)
For example, the control signal 102-1 is represented by two characters (a11a12), but the control signal 102, the information signal 103, and the end signal 104 are not limited in data length, and may have any data amount. May be a digital signal or an analog signal.

After the transmission of the transmission information 101-1 which is a unit of one unit is completed, the transmission signal 101-2 which is the next unit of one unit is continued, and the same information is obtained up to the number n of information to be transmitted (transmission signal 101-n). Are sent continuously. After the transmission signal 1-n is completed, the signal returns to the transmission signal 1-1 again. However, addition of new transmission information, update of the content of transmitted transmission information, and the like may be performed as needed.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of the transmitter 1. The control signal 102 generated by the control signal generator 2, the information signal 103 generated by the information signal generator 3, and the end signal generator 4 are generated. The end signal 104 is
In the signal adjustment unit 5, the control signal 102, the information signal 103, and the end signal 104 are arranged in this order,
In the transmission unit, the electrical signal is converted into an optical signal 7 using illumination light as a medium and transmitted.
Here, for convenience of explanation, each function is named as a control signal generator, an information signal generator, and an end signal generator, but this is not limited to such a hardware configuration. May be realized.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the receiver 8, a receiving unit 9 that converts the received optical signal 7 into an electrical signal, a reproduction / output unit 11 that reproduces and outputs the information signal 103, for example, as audio or an image, The information signal from the receiving section 9 only when the control signal 102 matches the ID number previously assigned to each receiver 8
The reading unit 10 is configured to transmit 103 to the reproduction / output unit 11.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart in the interpretation unit 10. Now, the movement of the reception start of the second transmission information 101-2 immediately before the end of reception of the first transmission information 101-1 will be described as an example.
9 continues to monitor whether or not the end signal 104-1 is included in the signal transmitted from 9. When the end signal 104-1 is detected, the control signal 102-2 that follows this signal matches the ID number. Determine whether to
When the two match, the information signal 103-2 following the control signal 102-2 is transmitted to the output unit 11.

With respect to the control signal 102 and the ID number in the reading unit 10, the control signal 102 and the ID number may be completely matched, or a part of the control signal 102 matches the ID number. The control signal 102 may match a part of the ID number, for example, “A *” (all the receivers 8 whose ID number starts with “A”), etc. It may be matched by group call of the receiver 8, or category information of the information signal 103 is put in the control signal 102, for example, “B *” (the control signal 102
May match in the category call of the information signal 103, such as all the control signals 102) starting with B.

The end signal 104 and the control signal 102 are not limited in setting, but are unique so as not to be confused with each other and can be combined so as not to be included in the information signal 103. This is important for the quality of the communication system.

Further, in FIG. 1, the end signal 104 is represented by C11C12, C corresponding to the transmission information, 101-1, 101-2, 101-m.
21C22... Cm1Cm2 shows different contents for each of the transmission information, but this means that a plurality of types of end signals may exist, and the end signal is C11C12 = C2
It may be the same as 1C22 = Cm1Cm2.

By configuring as described above, the number of information signals 103 to be transmitted and the data length are not limited, and the information signal 103 is transmitted only to the designated receiver 8 among the plurality of receivers 8 for transmission. It is possible to transmit only the specified information signal 103 among the plurality of information signals 103 transmitted during reception without using a large-scale device.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As described in the first embodiment, the receiver 8 receives the end signal 104-1 at the end of the first transmission information 101-1, so that the second transmission information 101-1 is received. Reception of the control signal 102-2 at the head of the signal is actually started, but since the end signal 104-1 and the control signal 102-2 are actually transmitted continuously, the receiver 8 Before the processing (interpretation) of 104-1 is completed, the control signal 102-2 reaches the receiver 8, and there is a concern that the control signal 102-2 cannot be correctly interpreted.

FIG. 5 shows, as a countermeasure, a dummy signal (“d... D” in FIG. 5) corresponding to a time longer than the time required for the receiver 8 to process (read) the end signal 104-1. Is appended to the end of
Thereby, the receiver 8 does not use a large-scale mechanism such as temporary storage of transmission information,
Reliable reception is possible.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
One of the features of the present invention is that a plurality of information signals are transmitted from a transmitter to a series.
Here, if each of the information signals 103 is very long, it takes a long time to transmit all the transmission information, and after waiting for a long time from a single receiver, the information is output. This is an inconvenient situation where only the time when the information signal 103 is sent to the receiver.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the receiver 13 sends the received information signal 103 to the receiver 8 of FIG.
The information signal memory unit 13 is stored, and the contents of the received information signal 103 are continuously output until the next information signal is received, thereby taking measures against inconvenience.
As the information signal memory unit 13, a device having a high writing / reading speed such as a semiconductor memory is suitable.

In addition, since the information signal does not have to be transmitted in real time in accordance with the reproduction speed at the receiver, the data of the information signal 103 can be compressed and transmitted in a much shorter time. It becomes possible to transmit. As a result, this has the effect of shortening the “time for transmitting all the transmission information” itself.

An example of further shortening of the information signal will be described with reference to FIG.
The receiver 15 sends to the receiver 8 in FIG.
) Is provided in the basic content memory unit 15 together with the call number, and the information signal 103 includes the call number of the basic content. Here, the configuration of the information signal 103 may be a plurality of call numbers of the basic content or a mixture of normal information signals.
With this configuration, for example, a frame in image information or a phrase in audio information is the call number of the basic content, and the information signal can be further shortened.

An example of communicating emergency information by combining the mechanism of the information signal memory unit 13 and the mechanism of the basic content memory unit 15 as described above, using an example of blame route guidance in the event of a fire at a restaurant, using FIGS. I will explain.
An image frame 201 (common to all tables in the store) that announces the occurrence of a fire and an image 202 that shows the escape route from each table on the floor plan in the store are registered in the basic content memory unit 15 for each table in advance. Yes. (It is more practical to divide cases where fires occur and prepare different escape routes.)
When an emergency information notification command enters the receiver, such as when an emergency button is pressed, the transmitter gives priority to all operations and transmits emergency information (detailed examples will be described later). In the receiver that has received the emergency information, the interpretation unit 10 gives priority to all and transmits the emergency information to the reproduction / output unit 11, and the reproduction / output unit 11 immediately outputs the emergency information, and a separate release means Continue to output this until taken. (Of course, use with voice is effective.)

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of an example of the transmission information 111 at this time. Among control signals 112, “ZZZ” is an emergency signal,
The following “A” shows examples of cases where fires occur. “P2” in the transmission information 113 means reading of the image pattern 2 in the basic information signal content memory unit 15, and “V2” means reading of the audio pattern 2 in the basic information signal content memory unit 15.
To send more detailed information individually for each table, for example, a table number (ID number; “28” in FIG. 9) is added to the end of the control signal 112, and the information is added to the end of the transmission information 113. Add it.

Fire information that merely indicates an emergency exit is also possible, but as described above, the fire alarm that specifies the location leads to accurate blame guidance.
It is important to consider the operation panel of the fire alarm so that it can be reliably operated even in an emergency, for example, by placing a button on the layout diagram in the store to input the location of the fire.

An example of emergency information has been described by taking a restaurant fire information as an example. For example, the type of emergency information may be earthquake information, tsunami information, etc. (not only a major disaster but also a weather warning level), and the receiver is portable. A telephone may be used.

As an example of the basic content memory, the frame 201 of the image indicating the occurrence of a fire is cited. However, the content of the basic content memory is not limited to this. For example, in the output of commercials, image information, screen decorations such as wallpaper, audio In the information output, the range of utilization such as GBM is wide.

(Fourth embodiment)
A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The receiver in the first embodiment and the third embodiment has a reproduction / output function in the receiver itself, but in this example, the receiver 17 itself does not have a reproduction / output function, The controlled device 18 having a reproduction / output function is controlled by the receiver 17.
Examples of the controlled device 18 include a wide range of devices such as a relatively simple consumer electronics device such as a radio and a television, and an industrial machine installed in a factory that requires complicated settings.

The control signal includes the individual ID number of the controlled device 18 (for example, “No. 1 light bulb power supply”), and the information signal includes control information of the controlled device 18 (for example, “luminance (current)). Configuration ").
The interpretation unit 10 transmits the information signal to the controlled device 18 that is the destination of the received transmission information. As this means, parallel communication (for example, GPIB (General Performance Interface)
e Bus)), serial communication (for example, RS232C, Ethernet (registered trademark), LAN), wireless communication, infrared communication, and the like. Various methods are selected in accordance with actual situations. (For example, when it is desired to control a plurality of controlled devices 18 simultaneously, parallel communication is preferable.
)

(Fifth embodiment)
A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
In the example of FIG. 11, transmission information 121 of one segment is composed of a control signal 122, an information signal 123, and an end signal 124, and the control signal 122 distinguishes whether the first character marked with ◯ is an audio signal or an image signal. The next letter marked with △ in the figure indicates the category of information (for example, fare, transit station, operation information, etc. described later), the next three letters marked with □ in the figure indicate the destination station name, and the information is information The signal 123 is entered and ends with an end signal 124.

In the vicinity of a ticket vending machine at a station, fares to all stations (hereinafter referred to as destinations) displayed in the fare table, connection guidance to the destination, train operation status to the destination, the destination The illumination light of the building such as the ceiling, etc., distinguishing the time required to the destination, the weather at the destination, and information on the current station and information about the destination, such as restaurants and movie theaters, around the station. Are sequentially transmitted to the medium.
The user inputs only the information necessary for himself / herself by inputting the destination to the mobile phone.
The usage information is received by utilizing the camera function of the mobile phone.

In the station passage, use information such as the entry time of the train to be boarded, the platform number of the train to be boarded, the train organization guidance of the train to be boarded, information on the station premises (for example, the location of the toilet, the station manager's room, etc.), etc. The building illumination light is sequentially transmitted to the medium, and the user receives the usage information by the mobile phone in the same manner as described above.

In the train, use information such as the current position, train train guide, time required to the destination, the door to open at the destination, the weather at the destination, etc. are transmitted sequentially using the illumination light in the vehicle and used. The person receives the usage information with a mobile phone in the same manner as described above.

As described above, the case of using the railway has been described as an example. However, providing such an information communication system in a public place is particularly helpful for people who are blind or deaf.

(Sixth embodiment)
The sixth embodiment will be described by taking the use at a restaurant as an example.
Each table in the store is provided with a receiver to which an ID number is assigned, and transmission information having a control signal including the ID number or an attribute of the ID number is simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of lights in the store. Sent. The transmitter transmits individual information in order for each table, but the receiver reproduces and outputs only the information transmitted to itself. Because it is such a system,
For example, it is possible to introduce a menu according to the order tendency for each table or a special menu only for that table.

Also, by fixing the receiver to the table, the table can be moved anywhere in the store as long as the illumination light can reach, and rewiring is not necessary even when the layout is changed. There are also benefits.

1: Transmitter
2: Control signal generator
3: Information signal generator
4: End signal generator
5: Signal adjustment section
6: Transmitter
7: Illumination light
8: Receiver
9: Receiver
10: Interpretation Department
11: Playback / output section
12: Transmitter
13: Receiver
14: Information signal memory
15: Receiver
16: Basic content memory section
17: Receiver
18: Controlled device
19: Transmitter (old example)
20: Receiver (old example)
101: Transmission information
102: Control signal
103: Information signal
104: End signal
111: Example of transmission information in case of emergency
112: Example of emergency control signal
113: Emergency information signal example
114: Emergency end signal example
121: Example of transmission information when using the railway
122: Example of control signal when using railway
123: Information signal example when using the railway
124: Example of end signal when using railway
201: Basic content example
202: Additional information (current position display)

Claims (16)

In an illumination light communication system using LED illumination light as a medium for optical communication,
The transmission information transmitted from the transmitter is composed of an information signal that is information to be transmitted and a control signal that specifies a receiver to which the information signal is to be transmitted. The control signal is transmitted first, followed by the information signal. Send
The receiver assigns an ID number individually to a plurality of receivers in advance, and reads and reproduces the information signal only when the control signal sent from the transmitter matches the ID number. An illumination light communication method. In claim 1 above,
The illumination light communication method, wherein the control signal includes the ID number of the receiver to which the information signal is to be sent. In claim 1 above,
The control signal is configured to include at least a part of the ID number of the receiver to which the information signal is sent, and the receiver reproduces the information signal even when only the part of the ID number matches the control signal. An illumination light communication method characterized by outputting. In claim 1 above,
Each of the control signal and the ID number includes information indicating the category of the information signal, and the receiver can receive the information even when only a part of the control signal and a part of the ID number match. An illumination light communication method characterized by reproducing and outputting a signal. In an illumination light communication system using LED illumination light as a medium for optical communication,
The transmission information transmitted from the transmitter consists of an information signal that is information to be transmitted and an end signal that follows the information signal.
An illuminating light communication method characterized in that the receiver recognizes the end of the information signal when detecting the end signal and starts receiving the information signal sent next. In claim 5 above
An illumination light communication method, wherein a dummy signal having a length corresponding to a time required for the receiver to read the end signal and start reading the control signal is added to the end of the end signal.

In an illumination light communication system using LED illumination light as a medium for optical communication,
The transmission information transmitted from the transmitter includes an information signal that is information to be transmitted, a control signal that specifies a receiver to which the information signal is to be transmitted, and an end signal that follows the information signal.
The transmitter transmits the control signal, the information signal, and the end signal in this order.
The receiver assigns an ID number individually to a plurality of receivers in advance, and reproduces and outputs the information signal only when the control signal sent from the transmitter matches the ID number. An illumination light communication method. In claim 7,
Until the next new information signal is received, the content of the information signal already received and output is continuously output as it is. In claim 7,
The illuminating light communication method characterized in that the contents to be output are stored in advance in the receiver together with a memory read number, and the information signal includes the memory read number. In claim 7,
When an emergency information notification command enters the transmitter,
The transmitter transmits the transmission information (emergency information) starting with the control signal indicating an emergency set in advance with the highest priority over other transmission information,
When the receiver receives the emergency information, the receiver reproduces the emergency information with the highest priority, and continues to output the emergency information until a separate release means is taken. In claim 7,
In the receiver, the patterned output content related to the emergency information is stored in advance together with a call number, and the information signal from the transmitter is configured to include the call number,
An emergency illumination light communication method characterized in that a large amount of emergency information can be quickly transmitted. In claim 7,
The receiver is connected to a controlled device, and the control signal includes the ID number of the controlled device, and the information signal includes control information of the controlled device. In claim 7,
Within the facility of the transportation facility, the transmitter sequentially transmits usage information based on the location,
On the other hand, an illumination light communication method characterized by receiving the usage information up to the destination by using the camera function of the mobile phone by inputting the destination to the mobile phone. In claim 7,
Where food and drinks are served
The above-mentioned claim, wherein individual information is transmitted for each table such as a menu introduction according to an order tendency for each table to the receiver installed on each table using illumination light in the store as a medium. The illumination light communication method according to Item 1. The transmitter
A control signal generator for generating a predetermined control signal;
An information signal generator that converts information to be transmitted into a signal for illumination light communication (information signal);
The above two signals sent from each generating unit, a series of control signals for each transmission information,
A signal adjustment unit for rearranging information signals in order;
A transmission unit that converts the electrical signal sent from the signal adjustment unit into an optical signal and transmits the optical signal;
The receiver
A receiver that converts an optical signal sent from the transmitter into an electrical signal;
A reading unit that detects the control signal sent and transmits the information signal to the reproduction / output unit only when it matches the ID number assigned in advance for each receiver;
2. The illumination light communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reproduction / output unit that reproduces and outputs an information signal transmitted from the reading unit. The transmitter
An information signal generator that converts information to be transmitted into a signal for illumination light communication (information signal);
An end signal generator for generating an end signal indicating the end of the information signal;
The above two signals sent from each generation unit, a series of information signals for each transmission information,
A signal adjustment unit for rearranging in order of the end signals;
A transmission unit that converts the electrical signal sent from the signal adjustment unit into an optical signal and transmits the optical signal;
The receiver
A receiver that converts an optical signal sent from the transmitter into an electrical signal;
A reading unit for transmitting the information signal and the end signal to the reproduction / output unit;
3. The illumination light communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a reproduction / output unit that reproduces and outputs the information signal and the end signal transmitted from the reading unit.

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