JP6108442B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, and more particularly to a communication system that performs visible light communication.

  A technique using visible light communication is known as a pull-type information providing service for actively extracting necessary information by a user (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Visible light communication is performed using light visible to the human eye, so that it is easy to specify a communication range and is suitable for realizing an information providing service associated with a place where information is transmitted.

  In such a technique using visible light communication, for example, distribution information such as guidance information, advertisements, and coupon information around the area is output from a light source such as an illumination installed in a public space such as a station. And a user acquires distribution information by directing the receiving terminal which he owns to the light source which is a transmission source of distribution information.

Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-525754

  By the way, in a space where people live, especially in public spaces, lighting and other lights (that is, light sources) are overflowing, so when the user is away from the light source that performs visible light communication, the position of the light source is changed. There was a problem that it could not be identified. For this reason, for example, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the light for background and the light for displaying characters or figures are output so as to be superposed so that the user can visually recognize the light source for visible light communication.

  However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a flat projection surface in order to project light, and the projection location may be limited. In addition, since characters and figures are projected by light, it is difficult to use the light output from the light source as illumination (light), and the landscape may be damaged.

  For this reason, the object of the present invention is that the location of light projection is limited, and that the user who is away from the light source specifies the position of the light source without impairing the function or landscape as illumination. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that can solve the problem of being impossible.

In order to achieve the above object, a communication system according to one aspect of the present invention is provided.
A communication system including a transmission device including a light source that outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal, and a reception terminal that receives visible light output from the transmission device,
The transmitter is
A delivery information signal generating means for generating a delivery information signal based on preset delivery information;
A light source specifying signal generating means for generating a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of the light source, having a characteristic that a communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal;
A light source control unit that outputs visible light from the light source, the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit, and the light source identification signal generated by the light source identification signal generation unit;
With
The receiving terminal is
A light receiving means for receiving the visible light output from the light source;
Light source specifying information acquiring means for extracting the light source specifying signal from the visible light received by the light receiving means and acquiring light source specifying information for specifying the position of the light source based on the extracted light source specifying signal When,
Output control means for outputting the light source identification information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to a display output unit;
It takes the composition of having.

In addition, a transmission apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is
A distribution information signal is generated based on preset distribution information,
A light source specifying signal generating means for generating a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a characteristic that a communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal;
A light source control unit that outputs visible light from the light source, the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit, and the light source identification signal generated by the light source identification signal generation unit;
It takes the composition of having.

In addition, an information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes:
A delivery information signal generating means for generating a delivery information signal based on preset delivery information;
A light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a characteristic that a communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal;
The visible light including the generated distribution information signal and the light source identification signal is output from the light source.
Information processing method.

Moreover, the program which is the other form of this invention is:
To the transmitting device,
A delivery information signal generating means for generating a delivery information signal based on preset delivery information;
A light source specifying signal generating means for generating a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a characteristic that a communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal;
A light source control unit that outputs visible light from the light source, the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit, and the light source identification signal generated by the light source identification signal generation unit;
It is a program for realizing.

In addition, a receiving terminal according to another aspect of the present invention is
A distribution information signal generated based on the predetermined distribution information, and a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a communication distance longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including the predetermined communication signal. A light receiving means for receiving visible light from the light source,
Light source specifying information acquiring means for extracting the light source specifying signal from the visible light received by the light receiving means and acquiring light source specifying information for specifying the position of the light source based on the extracted light source specifying signal When,
Output control means for outputting the light source identification information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to a display output unit;
It takes the composition of having.

  According to the present invention, the light source for visible light communication can be determined from a position away from the light source without limiting the light projection location and without impairing the illumination function and landscape.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the communication system in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a transmitter. It is a figure for demonstrating packet data. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a receiving terminal. It is a figure for demonstrating the external appearance of a receiving terminal. It is a figure for demonstrating a camera imaging range and a visible light light-receiving range. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the number of receptions and reception intensity. It is a figure which shows the example of summary image data. It is a figure which shows the example of the output of a display output part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of receiving intensity. It is a flowchart for demonstrating visible light output processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an outline information output process. It is a flowchart for demonstrating reception intensity determination processing. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a delivery information acquisition process. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication system in 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 to FIG. 10 are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the communication system in the first embodiment. 11 to 14 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the communication system.

[Constitution]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a transmission device 11 and a reception terminal 12. The transmission device 11 outputs visible light (visible light communication signal) 14 including distribution information and summary information (light source identification information) from a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 21 that functions as illumination. This distribution information is, for example, advertisement, coupon information, guidance information on the place where the transmission device 11 is installed, and the like. The summary information is information that represents a summary of distribution information. Note that the summary information is not limited to the summary of distribution information, and may be, for example, position information indicating the position of the transmission device 11. Then, the user 13 receives the visible light 14 by pointing the receiving terminal 12 toward the LED 21, and acquires distribution information and summary information included in the visible light 14.

  First, the configuration of the transmission device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the transmission device 11. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the transmission device 11 includes an LED 21, a storage unit 22, and a calculation unit 23. The LED 21 functions as illumination and outputs visible light 14 by high-speed blinking. It is assumed that the blinking speed of the LED 21 is faster than the human perception limit. Moreover, it is not restricted to LED21 which has an illumination function, Various lights, such as an advertisement illumination board, a display which has a backlight function, a traffic light, can be utilized as a light source.

  The storage unit 22 includes a distribution information storage unit 31 and a summary information storage unit 32. The distribution information storage unit 31 stores preset distribution information. The summary information storage unit 32 stores summary information that represents an overview of the distribution information stored in the distribution information storage unit 31. The storage unit 22 stores the distribution information stored in the distribution information storage unit 31 and the summary information storage unit 32 when new distribution information and summary information are acquired via a network (not shown) or the like. Can be updated.

  The calculation unit 23 is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The calculation unit 23 reads a program stored in advance in the storage unit 22 and executes the program to thereby execute a distribution information modulation unit 41 (distribution information signal generation unit) and a summary information modulation unit 42 (light source identification signal generation unit). ), A signal multiplexing unit 43, and an output control unit 44 (light source control means). Below, each function of the calculating part 23 is demonstrated.

  First, the distribution information modulation unit 41 acquires distribution information from the distribution information storage unit 31 of the storage unit 22. Subsequently, the distribution information modulation unit 41 modulates the acquired distribution information for visible light communication to generate a distribution information signal. At this time, the distribution information modulation unit 41 performs modulation processing using a frequency higher than the frequency used when generating a summary information signal described later. Thereby, it is possible to generate a distribution information signal including an information amount larger than the information amount per unit time included in the summary information signal.

  Next, the summary information modulation unit 42 obtains summary information corresponding to the distribution information acquired by the distribution information modulation unit 41 from the distribution information storage unit 31 from the summary information storage unit 32 of the storage unit 22. Subsequently, the summary information modulation unit 42 modulates the acquired summary information for visible light communication, and generates a summary information signal. At this time, the summary information modulation unit 42 performs modulation processing using a frequency lower than the frequency used when generating the distribution information signal. As a result, the summary information signal is less attenuated (degraded) than the distribution information signal, so that the communication distance can be longer (having longer characteristics) than the distribution information signal.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the summary information modulation unit 42 generates packet data in which an error detection bit 52 is added to the obtained summary information 51 by CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) or the like, and the generated packet data The outline information signal may be generated by modulating the signal.

  Next, the signal multiplexing unit 43 multiplexes the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information modulation unit 41 and the summary information signal generated by the summary information modulation unit 42 to generate a multiplexed signal. . Then, the output control unit 44 drives the LED 21 so as to include information on the multiplexed signal generated by the signal multiplexing unit 43. Specifically, the output control unit 44 causes the LED 21 serving as the light source of the transmission device 11 to blink according to the generated multiplexed signal. By the blinking operation of the LED 21, the output control unit 44 can output visible light including a multiplexed signal. In addition, since this output control part 44 blinks LED21 at the speed more than a human perception limit, it can have a function as illumination, without limiting the projection place of a light source, and without impairing scenery. An LED 21 (transmitting device 11) can be installed.

  Since the transmission device 11 performs broadcast-type one-way communication, it always generates and outputs a multiplexed signal including distribution information and summary information. Thus, visible light including two different signals, that is, a distribution information signal for performing short-range communication and a summary information signal for performing long-range communication, is output. Therefore, since the summary information signal can be received even when the user is not within the range where the distribution information can be acquired (within the communication distance of the distribution information signal), the position of the light source (for example, the direction and the distance) can be determined by the user. Can let you know. As a result, the position of the light source can be specified even if the user is away from the light source.

  Next, the configuration of the receiving terminal 12 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the receiving terminal 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving terminal 12 includes an imaging unit 61, a visible light receiving unit 62 (light receiving unit), a calculation unit 63, a storage unit 64, and a display output unit 65 (eating portion). I have. The imaging unit 61 is configured by a camera or the like, for example. The visible light receiving unit 62 includes, for example, a photodiode or a camera (image sensor). As shown in FIG. 5A, the receiving terminal 12 arranges the imaging unit 61 and the visible light receiving unit 62 in the vicinity. And the receiving terminal 12 arrange | positions the display output parts 65, such as a display, to the back side of the surface where the imaging part 61 and the visible light light-receiving part 62 are arrange | positioned, as shown to FIG. 5B.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 6, each of the camera imaging range of the imaging unit 61 and the visible light receiving range of the visible light receiving unit 62 will be described. FIG. 6 is a top view and a side view showing the camera imaging range 101 and the visible light receiving range 102, respectively. Visible light output from the transmitter 11 has a strong directivity. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 6, the visible light receiving range 102 of the visible light receiving unit 62 is narrower than the camera imaging range 101. The user 13 can acquire the distribution information and the summary information by moving the visible light receiving unit 62 of the receiving terminal 12 on the straight line of visible light output from the transmission device 11. Further, even when the user 13 is in a long distance that is not within the range in which the distribution information can be acquired (within the communication distance of the distribution information signal), the visible light of the receiving terminal 12 is on the straight line of visible light output from the transmission device 11 By moving the light receiving unit 62, it is possible to receive a summary information signal included in visible light. As a result, the user 13 can specify the direction (position) of the transmission device 11 and can acquire distribution information by approaching the specified transmission device 11. Hereinafter, the process which receives the visible light which the calculating part 63 performs is demonstrated concretely.

  The computing unit 63 in FIG. 4 is configured by a CPU, for example. The calculation unit 63 reads a program stored in advance in the storage unit 64 and executes the program, whereby a camera video processing unit 81, an LPF (Low Pass Filter) unit 82 (light source identification information acquisition unit), and an overview Information demodulator 83, summary display generator 84, reception intensity detector 85 (light source identification information acquisition means), video synthesizer 86, output controller 87 (output controller), and HPF (High Pass Filter) Unit 88 and distribution information demodulating unit 89. Note that the LPF unit 82 and the HPF unit 88 may be configured by circuits having similar functions. Below, each function of the calculating part 23 is demonstrated.

  First, the LPF unit 82 extracts the signal component of the low-frequency summary information signal using the low-pass filter function with respect to the visible light including the multiplexed signal received from the visible light receiving unit 62. Next, the summary information demodulating unit 83 performs preset demodulation processing on the summary information signal extracted from the LPF unit 82, and acquires packet data including the summary information (see, for example, FIG. 3). Then, the summary information demodulation unit 83 detects whether or not there is an error in the summary information 51 using the error detection bit 52 included in the acquired packet data. If there is an error in the summary information 51, the acquired packet data is discarded. On the other hand, when there is no error in the summary information 51, the summary information demodulator 83 acquires the summary information 51 included in the acquired packet data.

  Subsequently, the reception intensity detection unit 85 detects the reception intensity. Specifically, the reception intensity detection unit 85 counts the number of summary information acquired by the summary information demodulation unit 83 within a certain period (for example, 0.2 seconds), and acquires the total number. Subsequently, the reception intensity detection unit 85 determines the reception intensity according to the acquired number of receptions (total number). For example, the reception strength detection unit 85 sets the number of receptions in four stages of “minimum, small, medium, and large”, and sets the reception strength corresponding to each reception number to “no reception, weak, medium, strong”. Setting is made in four stages (see, for example, FIG. 7). Then, the reception intensity detecting unit 85 determines the reception intensity according to the acquired number of receptions. Note that the number of receptions and the reception intensity are not limited to four stages, and the number of stages may be reduced or increased. Then, the reception intensity detection unit 85 acquires (detects) the determined reception intensity and resets the number of receptions. Then, the counting of the number of summary information is started again.

  Next, the summary display generating unit 84 generates summary image data based on the summary information acquired by the summary information demodulating unit 83 (and the reception intensity detected by the reception intensity detecting unit 85). The summary image data will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of summary image data output to the display output unit 65. As will be described later, the summary image data is combined with video data based on the camera video acquired from the imaging unit 61 and output to the display output unit 65. The outline image data includes a target frame 131, a reception state display image 132, and an outline display area 133. The target frame 131 is a frame representing a light receiving area of visible light output from the transmission device 11, and is displayed when light reception of visible light is started. As described above with reference to FIG. 6, since the visible light output from the transmission device 11 has directivity, when viewed from the reception terminal 12, as shown in FIG. Range 102 becomes smaller. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 9B, the user can specify the position of the transmission apparatus 11 by moving the reception terminal 12 so that the transmission apparatus 11 enters the range of the target frame 131. Note that “1”, “2”, and “3” in FIG. 9 indicate examples of images (for example, light sources) captured by the imaging unit 61 described later.

  The reception state display image 132 shows the reception state of visible light received from the visible light receiving unit 62 (within the range of the target frame 131). Specifically, the summary display generation unit 84 generates the reception state display image 132 based on the reception intensity detected by the reception intensity detection unit 85 described above. For example, the reception status display image 132 is detected in one of four stages: no reception (FIG. 10A), weak (FIG. 10B), medium (FIG. 10C), and strong (FIG. 10D). Indicates strength. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the summary display generation unit 84 may not display the reception state when the reception intensity is “no reception” (the number of receptions is “minimal”). As a result, the user can visually confirm the reception state (reception intensity) from the transmission device 11. Therefore, the user can specify the direction (position) of the transmission device 11 by directing or moving the reception terminal 12 in a direction in which the reception intensity of the reception state display image 132 becomes strong, and easily. Optical axis alignment can be performed.

  The summary display area 133 is an area for displaying summary information data. In the example of FIG. 8, first, the summary display generation unit 84 acquires text information “It is facility guidance of a department store” as summary information, and displays whether the summary information is displayed according to the reception intensity of visible light. Determine. For example, the summary display generation unit 84 determines to display summary information when the received intensity is “medium” or “strong”, that is, when a certain level or more of visible light 14 is received. Then, the summary display generation unit 84 causes the summary display area 133 to display summary (character) information “It is facility guidance of the department store”. Thereby, the user can confirm the outline | summary of the delivery information which the transmitter 11 provides before acquiring (for example, downloading) delivery information. In addition, even when the user is not within the range where the distribution information can be acquired (within the communication distance of the distribution information signal), the user can check the outline of the distribution information provided by the transmission device 11.

  Next, the camera video processing unit 81 acquires a camera video from the imaging unit 61 such as a camera and generates video data. For example, the camera video processing unit 81 performs preset video processing on the camera video, and generates video data that can be displayed in real time. Then, the video composition unit 86 generates composite video data (for example, FIG. 9B) obtained by combining the summary image data generated by the summary display generation unit 84 and the video data generated by the camera video processing unit 81. In the image of FIG. 9B, only the target frame 131 is displayed, and the reception state display image 132 and the summary display area 133 are omitted.

  Subsequently, the output control unit 87 outputs the synthesized video data generated by the video synthesis unit 86 to the display output unit 65. Thereby, the receiving terminal 12 can make the user visually recognize the composite video data for specifying the direction (position) of the transmitting device 11. As a result, the user holding the receiving terminal 12 can identify the position of the transmission device 11 from a location away from the transmission device 11 by moving while viewing the display output unit 65. Note that the output control unit 87 may output the reception intensity detected by the reception intensity detection unit 85 to the display output unit 65 using sound. For example, the output control unit 87 may notify the user of the reception intensity of visible light by increasing the sound volume as the reception intensity increases.

  In addition, the reception terminal 12 is not limited to the detection of the reception intensity by the reception intensity detector 85, and the direction of the light source (transmission apparatus 11) and the distance from the light source based on the visible light 14 output from the transmission apparatus 11. What is necessary is just to acquire the information for specifying at least one of these. Then, the output control unit 87 may output at least one of the acquired direction of the light source and the distance from the light source to the display output unit 65. For example, the receiving terminal 12 may receive and display position information used in a positioning system such as GPS (Global Positioning System). Further, the receiving terminal 12 may calculate and display the direction (direction) of the transmitting device 11 and the distance to the transmitting device 11 based on the position information of the receiving terminal 12 and the position information of the transmitting device 11.

  Next, when the receiving terminal 12 is in a position where the distribution information can be acquired, the receiving terminal 12 acquires the distribution information. Specifically, first, the HPF unit 88 uses the function of a high-pass filter for visible light including a multiplexed signal received from the visible light receiving unit 62, and a signal component of a distribution information signal having a high frequency. To extract. Next, the distribution information demodulator 89 performs a preset demodulation process on the distribution information signal extracted from the HPF unit 88, and acquires distribution information. Subsequently, the distribution information demodulation unit 89 stores the acquired distribution information in the distribution information storage unit 91 of the storage unit 64.

  Further, the output control unit 87 displays the distribution information stored in the distribution information storage unit 91 on the display output unit 65. Note that the output control unit 87 may directly output the distribution information acquired by the distribution information demodulation unit 89 to the display output unit 65. Thereby, the user can acquire and browse the distribution information provided from the transmission device 11 via visible light communication.

  As described above, the receiving terminal 12 receives visible light including two signals having different communication distances between the distribution information signal and the summary information signal (light source identification signal), and thus the range in which the receiving terminal 12 can acquire the distribution information. Even when it is not within the communication distance of the distribution information signal, the user can be informed of the direction (position) of the light source (transmitting device 11) based on the summary information signal. As a result, the user can specify the position of the light source from the position away from the light source.

[Operation]
Next, the operation of the communication system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the visible light output process of the transmission device 11. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the summary information output process of the receiving terminal 12. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining signal strength output processing of the receiving terminal 12. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the distribution information output process of the receiving terminal 12.

  First, in the visible light output process of the transmission device 11 of FIG. 11, the distribution information modulation unit 41 acquires distribution information (step S1). Specifically, the distribution information modulation unit 41 acquires distribution information stored in advance in the distribution information storage unit 31 of the storage unit 22. This distribution information is, for example, advertisement, coupon information, guidance information on the place where the transmission device 11 is installed, and the like.

  Subsequently, the distribution information modulation unit 41 generates a distribution information signal (step S2). Specifically, the distribution information modulation unit 41 modulates the distribution information acquired in step S1 for visible light communication, and generates a distribution information signal. At this time, the distribution information modulation unit 41 performs a modulation process using a higher frequency than the frequency used in the process of step S4 described later. Thereby, it is possible to output distribution information including an information amount larger than the information amount per unit time included in the summary information.

  Next, the summary information modulation unit 42 obtains summary information representing the summary of the distribution information obtained in the process of step S1 (step S3). Specifically, the summary information modulation unit 42 acquires summary information corresponding to the distribution information acquired by the distribution information modulation unit 41 from the distribution information storage unit 31 and stored in advance in the summary information storage unit 32 of the storage unit 22. To do.

  Subsequently, the summary information modulation unit 42 generates a summary information signal (step S4). Specifically, the summary information modulation unit 42 performs modulation for visible light communication on the summary information acquired in the process of step S3 to generate a summary information signal. At this time, the summary information modulation unit 42 performs a modulation process using a frequency lower than the frequency used in the process of step S2 described later. Thereby, a communication distance can be extended rather than a delivery information signal. As shown in FIG. 3, the summary information modulation unit 42 generates packet data in which the error detection bit 52 is added to the obtained summary information 51 by CRC or the like, and modulates the generated packet data. The summary information signal may be generated.

  Then, the signal multiplexing unit 43 multiplexes the distribution information signal generated by the process of step S2 and the outline information signal generated by the process of step S4 to generate a multiplexed signal (step S5). ). Subsequently, the output control unit 44 outputs visible light including the multiplexed signal generated in the process of step S5 (step 6). Specifically, the output control unit 44 causes the LED 21 serving as the light source of the transmission device 11 to blink according to the multiplexed signal generated in the process of step S5. By the blinking operation of the LED 21, the transmission device 11 can output a visible light communication signal. Here, the output control unit 44 blinks the LED 21 at a speed higher than the human perception limit, so that it can have a function as illumination and install the LED 21 (transmitting device 11) without damaging the landscape. be able to.

  And after the process of step S6, a process returns to step S1 and repeats the same process. That is, since the transmission device 11 performs broadcast-type one-way communication, the transmission device 11 always transmits a multiplexed signal including distribution information and summary information. In this way, since the two different signals of the distribution information signal for performing high-speed short-range communication and the summary information signal for performing low-speed long-distance communication are multiplexed and the multiplexed signal is output from the light source such as the LED 21, Even when the user is not within the range where the distribution information can be acquired (within the communication distance of the distribution information signal), the user can be notified of the position (direction) of the light source. As a result, the position of the light source can be specified even if the user is away from the light source.

  Next, the summary information output process of the receiving terminal 12 will be described with reference to FIG. In the summary information output process, first, the visible light receiving unit 62 receives visible light output from the transmission device 11 (step S21). Subsequently, the LPF unit 82 extracts a summary information signal (step S22). Specifically, for the visible light including the multiplexed signal received from the visible light receiving unit 62 in the process of step S21, the signal component of the low-frequency summary information signal is obtained using the low-pass filter function. Extract.

  Next, the summary information demodulator 83 acquires summary information (step S23). Specifically, the summary information demodulating unit 83 performs preset demodulation processing on the summary information signal extracted from the LPF unit 82 in the process of step S22, and includes packet data including summary information (for example, FIG. 3). Then, the summary information demodulation unit 83 detects whether or not there is an error in the summary information 51 using the error detection bit 52 included in the acquired packet data. If there is an error in the summary information 51, the acquired packet data is discarded, and the summary information extraction process in FIG. 12 ends. On the other hand, when there is no error in the summary information 51, the summary information demodulator 83 acquires the summary information included in the acquired packet data.

  Subsequently, the reception intensity detection unit 85 acquires (detects) the reception intensity (step S24). A specific example of the processing for detecting the reception intensity will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the reception intensity detection process. In the reception strength detection process of FIG. 13, the reception strength detection unit 85 first counts the number of received summary information (step S41). Subsequently, the reception intensity detection unit 85 determines whether or not a preset measurement time (for example, 0.2 seconds) has elapsed from the start of counting (step S42). If it is determined that the measurement time has not elapsed since the start of counting (step S42: No), the process returns to step S41, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the measurement time has elapsed from the start of counting (step S42: Yes), the reception intensity detection unit 85 acquires the number of receptions (step S43). That is, the reception intensity detection unit 85 acquires the total number of summary information acquired within a certain period. Subsequently, the reception strength detection unit 85 determines the reception strength according to the number of receptions acquired in the process of step S43 (step S44). Thereafter, the reception intensity detection unit 85 resets the number of receptions (step S45), the process returns to step S41, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  Here, the reception intensity detection unit 85 acquires the reception intensity determined in the process of step S44 through the process of step S24. Subsequently, the summary display generation unit 84 generates summary image data based on the summary information acquired in the process of step S23 (step S25). For example, the summary display generation unit 84 generates summary image data as shown in FIG. 8 based on the summary information acquired in the process of step S23 and the reception intensity acquired in the process of step S24.

  Next, the camera video processing unit 81 acquires a camera video from the imaging unit 61 such as a camera (step S26). Then, the camera video processing unit 81 generates video data from the camera video acquired from the imaging unit 61 in the process of step S26 (step S27). For example, the camera video processing unit 81 performs preset video processing on the camera video, and generates video data that can be displayed in real time.

  Then, the video composition unit 86 generates composite video data obtained by synthesizing the summary image data generated by the process of step S25 and the video data generated by the process of step S27 (step S28). Subsequently, the output control unit 87 outputs the composite video data generated by the process of step S28 to the display output unit 65 (step S29). Thereby, the receiving terminal 12 can make the user visually recognize the composite video data for specifying the direction (position) of the transmitting device 11.

  Finally, the distribution information acquisition process of FIG. 14 will be described. In the distribution information acquisition process of FIG. 14, first, the visible light receiving unit 62 receives visible light (step S61). Note that the processing in step S61 is similar to the processing in step S21 in FIG. Subsequently, the distribution information demodulator 89 determines whether or not the distribution information signal has been extracted (step S62).

  Specifically, the distribution information demodulating unit 89 uses the function of a high-pass filter for the visible light including the multiplexed signal received from the visible light receiving unit 62 in the process of step S61. Then, it is determined whether or not the signal component of the distribution information signal having a high frequency has been extracted. For example, when the above-described reception intensity is “no reception”, “weak”, or “medium”, the receiving terminal 12 is not within the range in which the distribution information output from the transmission device 11 can be acquired. No is determined in the process, and the process returns to step S61. On the other hand, for example, when the above-described reception intensity is “strong”, the reception terminal 12 is within the acquisition range of the distribution information output from the transmission device 11, and it is determined Yes in the process of step S62. Proceed to step S63.

  In step S63, the distribution information demodulator 89 acquires distribution information (step S63). Specifically, the distribution information demodulation unit 89 performs preset demodulation processing on the distribution information signal extracted from the HPF unit 88 in the process of step S62, and acquires distribution information. Subsequently, the distribution information demodulating unit 89 stores the distribution information acquired in the process of step S63 in the distribution information storage unit 91 of the storage unit 64 (step S64). And the output control part 87 displays the delivery information memorize | stored in the delivery information storage part 91 by the process of step S64 on the display output part 65. FIG. Note that the output control unit 87 may directly output the distribution information acquired by the distribution information demodulation unit 89 in the process of step S63 to the display output unit 65. Thereby, the user can acquire and browse the distribution information provided from the transmission device 11 via visible light communication.

Second Embodiment
Next, a communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
A communication system 201 according to the second embodiment includes:
A transmission device 211 including a light source 224 that outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal, and a reception terminal 212 that receives visible light output from the transmission device 211 are provided.

Then, the transmission device 211
A distribution information signal generation unit 221 (distribution information signal generation means) that generates a distribution information signal based on preset distribution information;
A light source specifying signal generator 222 (light source specifying signal generating means) having a characteristic that the communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal and generating a light source specifying signal for specifying the position of the light source 224;
A light source control unit 223 (light source control unit) that outputs visible light from the light source 224 including the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit 221 and the light source specification signal generated by the light source specification signal generation unit 222; ,
With
The receiving terminal 212
A light receiving unit 231 (light receiving means) that receives visible light output from the light source 224;
A light source specifying information acquisition unit 232 (light source) that extracts a light source specifying signal from visible light received by the light receiving unit 231 and acquires light source specifying information for specifying the position of the light source 224 based on the extracted light source specifying signal. Specific information acquisition means),
An output control unit 233 (output control means) that outputs the light source identification information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition unit 232 to the display output unit 234;
Is provided.

  With the above configuration, the distribution information signal generation unit 221 generates a distribution information signal based on preset distribution information, and the light source identification signal generation unit 222 has a characteristic that the communication distance is longer than that of the distribution information signal. The light source specifying signal for specifying the position of the light source that outputs visible light including the communication signal is generated. Then, the light source control unit 223 outputs visible light including the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit 221 and the light source identification signal generated by the light source identification signal generation unit 222 from the light source. Next, the light receiving unit 231 receives visible light output from the light source. At this time, since the light source identification signal has a characteristic that the communication distance is longer than that of the distribution information signal (for example, signal deterioration is small), the light source identification signal can be transmitted even if the user holding the reception terminal 212 is away from the transmission device 211. Visible light output from the device 211 can be received. Then, the light source specifying information acquisition unit 232 extracts a light source specifying signal from the received visible light, and acquires light source specifying information for specifying the position of the light source based on the extracted light source specifying signal. And the output control part 233 of a receiving terminal outputs the acquired light source specific information to a display output part. As described above, the transmission device 211 outputs visible light having strong directivity including two signals having different communication distances between the distribution information signal and the light source identification signal. And the receiving terminal 212 receives visible light, and outputs the light source specific information contained in visible light. Therefore, even when the user is not within the range in which the distribution information can be acquired (within the communication distance of the distribution information signal), the user holds the receiving terminal 212 and moves toward the transmitting device 211, so that the light source specifying signal Based on the above, it is possible to inform the user of the position (direction) of the light source. As a result, the user can specify the position of the light source from a position away from the light source without limiting the projection location of the light source and without impairing the illumination function and landscape.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

<Appendix>
Part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes. The outline of the configuration of the communication system and the like in the present invention will be described below. However, the present invention is not limited to the following configuration.

(Appendix 1)
A communication system including a transmission device including a light source that outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal, and a reception terminal that receives visible light output from the transmission device,
The transmitter is
A delivery information signal generating means for generating a delivery information signal based on preset delivery information;
A light source specifying signal generating means for generating a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of the light source, having a characteristic that a communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal;
A light source control unit that outputs visible light from the light source, the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit, and the light source identification signal generated by the light source identification signal generation unit;
With
The receiving terminal is
A light receiving means for receiving the visible light output from the light source;
Light source specifying information acquiring means for extracting the light source specifying signal from the visible light received by the light receiving means and acquiring light source specifying information for specifying the position of the light source based on the extracted light source specifying signal When,
Output control means for outputting the light source identification information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to an output unit;
A communication system comprising:

  According to the above configuration, the distribution information signal generation unit of the transmission device generates a distribution information signal based on the preset distribution information, and the light source identification signal generation unit of the transmission device has a longer communication distance than the distribution information signal. A light source specifying signal is generated for specifying the position of a light source that has characteristics and outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal. Then, the light source control unit of the transmission device outputs visible light including the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit and the light source identification signal generated by the light source identification signal generation unit from the light source. Next, the light receiving means of the receiving terminal receives visible light output from the light source. At this time, since the light source identification signal has a characteristic that the communication distance is longer than that of the distribution information signal (for example, signal degradation is small), even if the user holding the reception terminal is away from the transmission device, The output visible light can be received. And the light source specific information acquisition means of a receiving terminal extracts the light source specific signal from the received visible light, and acquires the light source specific information for specifying the position of a light source based on the extracted light source specific signal. And the output control means of a receiving terminal outputs the acquired light source specific information to an output part. In this way, the transmission device outputs visible light having strong directivity, including two signals having different communication distances between the distribution information signal and the light source identification signal. And a receiving terminal receives visible light and outputs the light source specific information contained in visible light. Therefore, even when the user is not within the range where the distribution information can be acquired (within the communication distance of the distribution information signal), the user holds the receiving terminal and moves toward the transmitting device, so that it is based on the light source specifying signal. The user can be informed of the position (direction) of the light source. As a result, the user can specify the position of the light source from a position away from the light source without limiting the projection location of the light source and without impairing the illumination function and landscape.

(Appendix 2)
The communication system according to attachment 1, wherein
The light source identification information acquisition means acquires, as the light source identification information, information for identifying at least one of the direction of the light source and the distance from the light source based on the extracted light source identification signal.
The output control means outputs information for specifying at least one of the direction of the light source and the distance to the light source acquired by the light source specifying information acquisition means to the output unit.
Communications system.

  According to the above configuration, the light source identification information acquisition unit acquires information for specifying at least one of the direction of the light source and the distance from the light source as the light source identification information based on the extracted light source identification signal, and performs output control. The means outputs information for specifying at least one of the acquired direction of the light source and the distance to the light source to the output unit. Thus, since the information for specifying the direction of the light source and the distance to the light source is output, the position of the transmitting device can be easily determined by moving the receiving terminal while visually recognizing the output information. Can be specified.

(Appendix 3)
The communication system according to appendix 1 or 2,
The light source identification information acquisition means acquires the received intensity of the extracted light source identification signal as the light source identification information,
The output control means outputs information corresponding to the reception intensity acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to the output unit.
Communications system.

  According to the above configuration, the light source identification information acquisition unit acquires the received intensity indicating the intensity of the extracted light source identification signal as the light source identification information, and the output control unit sets the reception intensity acquired by the light source identification information acquisition unit. The corresponding information is output to the output unit. As a result, it is possible to easily identify the position of the transmission device by moving the receiving terminal toward a stronger reception intensity while visually checking the output information.

(Appendix 4)
A communication system according to any one of appendices 1 to 3,
The light source specifying signal generating unit generates the light source specifying signal including preset outline information representing an outline of the distribution information,
The light source identification information acquisition means acquires the summary information based on the extracted light source identification signal,
The output control means outputs the summary information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to the output unit.
Communications system.

  According to the said structure, the light source specific signal production | generation means of a transmitter produces | generates the light source specific signal containing the preset summary information showing the outline | summary of delivery information. Then, the light source specifying information acquisition unit of the receiving terminal acquires summary information based on the extracted light source specifying signal, and the output control unit of the receiving terminal outputs the summary information acquired by the light source specifying information acquiring unit to the output unit To do. As a result, even when the user is away from the light source, the content of the distribution information output from the light source can be recognized by moving the receiving terminal on the optical axis of the visible light output from the transmission device. it can.

(Appendix 5)
The communication system according to any one of appendices 1 to 4,
The distribution information signal generation means generates the distribution information signal including an information amount larger than an information amount of information included in the light source identification signal.
Communications system.

  According to the above configuration, the distribution information signal generation unit generates a distribution information signal including an information amount larger than the information amount of information included in the light source identification signal. As a result, more information can be acquired from the light source specified by the light source specifying signal.

(Appendix 6)
The communication system according to any one of appendices 1 to 5,
The light source specifying signal generating means generates the light source specifying signal using a frequency lower than a frequency used when generating the distribution information signal;
Communications system.

  According to the said structure, a light source specific signal production | generation means produces | generates a light source specific signal using the frequency lower than the frequency used when producing | generating a delivery information signal. As a result, the light source identification signal is less attenuated (degraded) than the distribution information signal, so that the communication distance can be made longer than the distribution information signal.

(Appendix 7)
A distribution information signal is generated based on preset distribution information,
A light source specifying signal generating means for generating a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a characteristic that a communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal;
A light source control unit that outputs visible light from the light source, the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit, and the light source identification signal generated by the light source identification signal generation unit;
A transmission apparatus comprising:

(Appendix 8)
A delivery information signal generating means for generating a delivery information signal based on preset delivery information;
A light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a characteristic that a communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal;
The visible light including the generated distribution information signal and the light source identification signal is output from the light source.
Information processing method.

(Appendix 9)
To the transmitting device,
A delivery information signal generating means for generating a delivery information signal based on preset delivery information;
A light source specifying signal generating means for generating a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a characteristic that a communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal;
A light source control unit that outputs visible light from the light source, the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit, and the light source identification signal generated by the light source identification signal generation unit;
A program to realize

(Appendix 10)
A distribution information signal generated based on the predetermined distribution information, and a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a communication distance longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including the predetermined communication signal. A light receiving means for receiving visible light from the light source,
Light source specifying information acquiring means for extracting the light source specifying signal from the visible light received by the light receiving means and acquiring light source specifying information for specifying the position of the light source based on the extracted light source specifying signal When,
Output control means for outputting the light source identification information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to an output unit;
A receiving terminal.

1 Communication System 11 Transmitting Device 12 Receiving Terminal 21 LED
22 storage unit 23 calculation unit 31 distribution information storage unit 32 overview information storage unit 41 distribution information modulation unit 42 overview information modulation unit 43 signal multiplexing unit 44 output control unit 61 imaging unit 62 visible light receiving unit 63 calculation unit 64 storage unit 65 Display output unit 81 Camera image processing unit 82 LPH unit 83 Summary information demodulation unit 84 Summary display generation unit 85 Reception intensity detection unit 86 Video composition unit 87 Output control unit 88 HPF unit 89 Distribution information demodulation unit 91 Distribution information storage unit 201 Communication system 211 Transmission device 212 Reception terminal 221 Distribution information signal generation unit 222 Light source identification signal generation unit 223 Light source control unit 224 Light source 231 Light reception unit 232 Light source identification information acquisition unit 233 Output control unit 234 Display output unit

Claims (8)

A communication system including a transmission device including a light source that outputs visible light including a predetermined communication signal, and a reception terminal that receives visible light output from the transmission device,
The transmitter is
A delivery information signal generating means for generating a delivery information signal based on preset delivery information;
A light source specifying signal generating means for generating a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of the light source, having a characteristic that a communication distance is longer than the distribution information signal;
A light source control unit that outputs visible light from the light source, the distribution information signal generated by the distribution information signal generation unit, and the light source identification signal generated by the light source identification signal generation unit;
With
The receiving terminal is
A light receiving means for receiving the visible light output from the light source;
Light source specifying information acquiring means for extracting the light source specifying signal from the visible light received by the light receiving means and acquiring light source specifying information for specifying the position of the light source based on the extracted light source specifying signal When,
Output control means for outputting the light source identification information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to an output unit;
Equipped with a,
The light source identification information acquisition means determines a reception intensity representing the intensity of the light source identification signal according to the number of the light source identification signals extracted within a certain period, and acquires the determined reception intensity as the light source identification information. ,
The output control means outputs information corresponding to the reception intensity acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to the output unit.
Communications system. The communication system according to claim 1,
The light source identification information acquisition means acquires, as the light source identification information, information for identifying at least one of the direction of the light source and the distance from the light source based on the extracted light source identification signal.
The output control means outputs information for specifying at least one of the direction of the light source and the distance to the light source acquired by the light source specifying information acquisition means to the output unit.
Communications system. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The light source specifying signal generating unit generates the light source specifying signal including preset outline information representing an outline of the distribution information,
The light source identification information acquisition means acquires the summary information based on the extracted light source identification signal,
The output control means outputs the summary information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to the output unit.
Communications system. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The distribution information signal generation means generates the distribution information signal including an information amount larger than an information amount of information included in the light source identification signal.
Communications system. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The light source specifying signal generating means generates the light source specifying signal using a lower frequency than generating the distribution information signal.
Communications system. A distribution information signal generated based on the predetermined distribution information, and a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a communication distance longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including the predetermined communication signal. A light receiving means for receiving visible light from the light source,
Light source specifying information acquiring means for extracting the light source specifying signal from the visible light received by the light receiving means and acquiring light source specifying information for specifying the position of the light source based on the extracted light source specifying signal When,
Output control means for outputting the light source identification information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to an output unit;
Equipped with a,
The light source identification information acquisition means determines a reception intensity representing the intensity of the light source identification signal according to the number of the light source identification signals extracted within a certain period, and acquires the determined reception intensity as the light source identification information. ,
The output control means outputs information corresponding to the reception intensity acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to the output unit.
Receiving terminal. A distribution information signal generated based on the predetermined distribution information, and a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a communication distance longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including the predetermined communication signal. Receiving visible light from the light source,
Extracting the light source identification signal from the received visible light, and acquiring light source identification information for identifying the position of the light source based on the extracted light source identification signal,
Output the acquired light source identification information to the output unit,
In accordance with the number of the light source identification signals extracted within a certain period, determine the reception intensity representing the intensity of the light source identification signal, obtain the determined reception intensity as the light source identification information,
Output the information corresponding to the received reception strength to the output unit,
Information processing method. A distribution information signal generated based on the predetermined distribution information, and a light source specifying signal for specifying a position of a light source that has a communication distance longer than the distribution information signal and outputs visible light including the predetermined communication signal. A receiving terminal having a light receiving means for receiving visible light from the light source,
Light source specifying information acquiring means for extracting the light source specifying signal from the visible light received by the light receiving means and acquiring light source specifying information for specifying the position of the light source based on the extracted light source specifying signal When,
Output control means for outputting the light source identification information acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to an output unit;
Realized,
The light source identification information acquisition means determines a reception intensity representing the intensity of the light source identification signal according to the number of the light source identification signals extracted within a certain period, and acquires the determined reception intensity as the light source identification information. ,
The output control means outputs information corresponding to the reception intensity acquired by the light source identification information acquisition means to the output unit.
program.

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