Unleashing the Power of LED-to-Camera Communications for IoT Devices

International audienceIn this paper, we propose a line of sight LED-to-camera communication system based on a small color LED and a smartphone. We design a cheap prototype as proof of concept of a near communication framework for the Internet of Things. We evaluate the system performance, its reliability and the environment influence on the LED-to-camera communication, highlighting that a throughput of a few kilobits per second is reachable. Finally, we design a real time, efficient LED detection and image processing algorithm to leverage the specific issues encountered in the system

Understanding Current Trends on Internet of Things - An Overview

Internet of Things (IoT) is the concept of providing automation by adding some level of digital intelligence to physical devices. It relates to the activities of data sharing, data controlling and automation among billions of physical devices around the world. Lower price of processor, wireless network and inexpensive technologies result in turning any object into the part of internet. Smart environment equipped with sensors provide automation in interrelated computing devices, machines, animals and human resources. Data collected from different smart devices is being interpreted by different researchers for analyzing in order to make better business decisions. This review paper has shown experimental research on the Internet of Things published since 2013. We summarize different applications of IoT in various fields and highlighted various issues related to different factors of IoT enabled devices

Optical autonomous sensor module communicating with a smartphone using its camera

Wireless optical communication is a viable alternative to conventional RF technology. Our novel design combines optical communication and energy harvesting in one device with a size of 30 x 10 x 5 mm using the latest innovations in lowpower electronics and solar cell technology. In our study, we implement visible light communication between a sensor module and a smartphone. The proposed system design and a communication protocol are specifically developed for environments with illumination levels of 100-500 lux, like industrial halls. The sensor integrated into the module can vary according to application requirements. As an example, in our work, we use a temperature and pressure sensor and an accelerometer. A bright flash from a smartphones build-in LED activates the module. The module takes measurements and sends the result in form of an optical data signal, which is then received by the smartphone camera. This technique is able to provide reliable communication despite low-power restrictions of energy harvesting. By using a smartphone this approach offers more convenience to a user and enables flexible deployment of the modules in industrial machinery. © 2019 SPIE

Demo: Off-the-Shelf Bi-Directional Visible Light Communication Module for IoT Devices and Smartphones

International audienceIn this demonstration, we propose a line of sight bi-directional communication system between an ordinary LED and an off-the-shelf smartphone. We designed a cheap multi sensors device as a proof of concept of a near communication module for the Internet of Things. To illustrate a typical use case, we have programmed the micro-controller to broadcast the sensors values and the battery level using the LED. The same LED, reverse-biased, is also used as receiver to get some data, without the need of additional hardware modifications.Also, thanks to the the serial bus, the board can be connected to an embedded device, such as a Raspberry Pi, to serve as a VLC module, offering numerous IoT applications.On the other side, a user with his smartphone and our An-droid application can then retrieve the transmitted information , or send a configuration command thanks to the flashlight , letting him change the color of the RGB LED

Demo: Off-the-Shelf Bi-Directional Visible Light Communication Module for IoT Devices and Smartphones

International audienceIn this demonstration, we propose a line of sight bi-directional communication system between an ordinary LED and an off-the-shelf smartphone. We designed a cheap multi sensors device as a proof of concept of a near communication module for the Internet of Things. To illustrate a typical use case, we have programmed the micro-controller to broadcast the sensors values and the battery level using the LED. The same LED, reverse-biased, is also used as receiver to get some data, without the need of additional hardware modifications.Also, thanks to the the serial bus, the board can be connected to an embedded device, such as a Raspberry Pi, to serve as a VLC module, offering numerous IoT applications.On the other side, a user with his smartphone and our An-droid application can then retrieve the transmitted information , or send a configuration command thanks to the flashlight , letting him change the color of the RGB LED

Smart ports: towards a high performance, increased productivity, and a better environment

Ports are currently competing fiercely for capital and global investments in order to improve revenues, mostly by improving performance and lowering labor costs. Smart ports are a fantastic approach to realize these elements since they integrate information and communication technologies within smart applications, ultimately contributing to port management improvement. This leads to greater performance and lower operational expenses. As a result, several ports in Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America have gone smart. However, there are a lot of critical factors to consider when automating port operations, such as greenhouse gas emissions, which have reached alarming proportions. The purpose of this study is to define the most essential tasks conducted by smart ports, such as the smart ship industry, smart gantry and quayside container cranes, transport automation, smart containers, and energy efficiency. Furthermore, it gives a model of the smart port concept and highlights the critical current technologies on which the ports are based. Each technology’s most significant contributions to its development are noted. This technology is compared to more traditional technologies. It is hoped that this effort would pique the curiosity of fresh researchers in this sector

Design, Implementation, and Configuration of Laser Systems for Vehicle Detection and Classification in Real Time

[EN] The use of real-time vehicle detection and classification systems is essential for the accurate management of traffic and road infrastructure. Over time, diverse systems have been proposed for it, such as the widely known magnetic loops or microwave radars. However, these types of sensors do not offer all the information currently required for exhaustive and comprehensive traffic control. Thus, this paper presents the design, implementation, and configuration of laser systems to obtain 3D profiles of vehicles, which collect more precise information about the state of the roads. Nevertheless, to obtain reliable information on vehicle traffic by means of these systems, it is fundamental to correctly carry out a series of preliminary steps: choose the most suitable type of laser, select its configuration properly, determine the optimal location, and process the information provided accurately. Therefore, this paper details a series of criteria to help make these crucial and difficult decisions. Furthermore, following these guidelines, a complete laser system implemented for vehicle detection and classification is presented as result, which is characterized by its versatility and the ability to control up to four lanes in real time.This research has been funded by the Universitat Politecnica de Valencia through its internal project `Equipos de deteccion, regulacion e informacion en el sector de los sistemas inteligentes de transporte (ITS). Nuevos modelos y ensayos de compatibilidad y verificacion de funcionamiento', which has been carried out at the ITACA Institute.Gallego Ripoll, N.; Gómez Aguilera, LE.; Mocholí-Belenguer, F.; Mocholí Salcedo, A.; Ballester Merelo, FJ. (2021). Design, Implementation, and Configuration of Laser Systems for Vehicle Detection and Classification in Real Time. Sensors. 21(6):1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/s21062082S11821