Apparatus and method for generating high resolution frames for dimming and visibility support in visible light communication

• US 8,731,406 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2010
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Rajagopal, Sridhar, Khan, Farooq
• Primary Examiner(s): Jacob, Oommen
• Application Number:
  US12/767,678
• Publication Number:
  US 20110064416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,485 Days
• Field of Search: 398/118, 398/130
• US Class Current: 398/130
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1149 Arrangements for indoor wireless networking of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/116 Visible light communication

Abstract

For use in a visible light communication (VLC) network, a method for generating high resolution visibility frames for visibility or dimming support. The method includes determining a required visibility for the high resolution frames. The method also includes generating a pattern that meets the determined required visibility, the pattern having a first quantity of first low resolution frames and a second quantity of second low resolution frames. The method further includes transmitting the pattern to achieve the required high resolution frames.

Claims

1. For use in a visible light communication (VLC) network, a method for generating high resolution frames for dimming support, the method comprising:

receiving a required visibility for the high resolution frames;

generating a sequence of patterns in a physical (PHY) layer of a communications device that meets the required visibility, the sequence comprising a first selected quantity of first low resolution frames selected from a set of low resolution frames corresponding to visibility patterns at a first resolution combined with a second selected quantity of second low resolution frames selected from the set, the first low resolution frames comprising a first pattern of a plurality of bits representing a corresponding positive amount of light at a light source and the second low resolution frames comprising a second pattern different than the first pattern of a plurality of bits representing a corresponding positive amount of light at the light source, wherein the first selected quantity of first low resolution frames in combination with the second selected quantity of second low resolution frames satisfies the required visibility; and

transmitting the sequence to achieve the required high resolution frames.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first resolution is 10%.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting a pattern for the first low resolution frame, sel1pat, based upon to an equation

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second quantity, reppat2, of the second low resolution frames is determined by:

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sequence includes the first quantity of the first low resolution frames interleaved with the second quantity of the second low resolution frames.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of low resolution frames range from 0% visibility to 100% visibility in increments of 10%.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the high resolution frames are generated for at least one of visibility and data communication.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the high resolution frames are generated in one of:

a physical layer (PHY) within a packet; and

a medium access control layer (MAC) across one or more packets.

9. For use in a visible light communication (VLC) network, a transmitter capable of generating and transmitting high resolution frames for dimming support, the transmitter comprising:

a controller configured to;

receive a required visibility for the high resolution frames, and

generate a sequence of patterns in a physical (PHY) layer of a communications device containing the controller that meets the required visibility, the sequence comprising a first quantity of first low resolution frames selected from a set of low resolution frames corresponding to visibility patterns at a first resolution combined with a second quantity of second low resolution frames selected from the set, the first low resolution frames comprising a first pattern of a plurality of bits representing a corresponding positive amount of light at a light source and the second low resolution frames comprising a second pattern different than the first pattern of a plurality of bits representing a corresponding positive amount of light at the light source, wherein the first quantity of first low resolution frames in combination with the second quantity of second low resolution frames satisfies the required visibility; and

a light source configured to transmit the sequence to achieve the required high resolution frames.

10. The transmitter of claim 9, wherein the first resolution is 10%.

11. The transmitter of claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to:

select a pattern for the first low resolution visibility frame, sel1pat, upon to an equation

12. The transmitter of claim 9, wherein:

the second quantity, reppat2, of the second low resolution frames is determined by;

13. The transmitter of claim 9, wherein the sequence includes the first quantity of the first low resolution frames interleaved with the second quantity of the second low resolution frames.

14. The transmitter of claim 9, wherein the set of predetermined low resolution frames range from 0% visibility to 100% visibility in increments of 10%.

15. The transmitter of claim 9, wherein the high resolution frames are generated for at least one of visibility and data communication.

16. The transmitter of claim 9, wherein the high resolution frames are generated in one:

a physical layer (PHY) within a packet; and

a medium access control layer (MAC) across one or more packets.

17. For use in visible light communication (VLC), a system for generating high resolution frames for dimming support, the system comprising:

a transmitter, the transmitter configured to;

receive a required visibility for the high resolution frames,

generate a sequence of patterns in a physical (PHY) layer of a communications device including the transmitter that meets the required visibility, the sequence comprising a first quantity of first low resolution frames selected from a set of low resolution frames corresponding to visibility patterns at a first resolution combined with a second quantity of second low resolution frames selected from the set, the first low resolution frames comprising a first pattern of a plurality of bits representing a corresponding positive amount of light at a light source and the second low resolution frames comprising a second pattern different than the first pattern of a plurality of bits representing a corresponding positive amount of light at the light source, wherein the first quantity of first low resolution frames in combination with the second quantity of second low resolution frames satisfies the required visibility, and

transmit the sequence to achieve the required high resolution frames; and

a receiver configured to receive data at the required visibility by adapting the data reception according to the sequence generated at the transmitter.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the first resolution is 10%.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the transmitter is further configured to:

select a pattern for the first low resolution visibility frame, sel1pat, upon an equation

20. The system of claim 17, wherein:

the second quantity, reppat2, of the second low resolution frames is determined by;