3D Sensing System Time-Division Multiplexing Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 3D scanning or sensing systems with active light sources and wide view angles often experience interference among multiple sensing modules, leading to erroneous depth information.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional sensing system with synchronous control, where only one scanner transmits and receives light signals at a time to prevent interference, utilizing time-division multiplexing or interleaving to coordinate the scanning process among multiple scanners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple sensing modules are adopted to cover wide view angle, then the view angle coverage is improved, but interference among modules occurs leading to erroneous depth information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveview angle coverageVSAvoiddepth information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by assigning different time slots to different sensing modules for light signal transmission and reception. Each module operates in a time-division multiplexed manner, where module 1 transmits during slot 1, module 2 transmits during slot 2, and so on. This periodic time-slot allocation eliminates mutual interference between modules while maintaining comprehensive view angle coverage, as each module can still cover its designated angular range without overlapping interference with others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sensing operation into distinct time segments or slots for each sensing module. Instead of all modules operating simultaneously, the system segments the time domain so that each module has its dedicated transmission and reception window. This segmentation resolves the interference problem by ensuring that only one module transmits and another receives at any given moment, thereby maintaining depth information accuracy across the wide view angle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If multiple scanners operate simultaneously to improve scanning efficiency, then productivity is improved, but interference causes measurement precision to deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning efficiencyVSAvoiddepth information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action to enable multiple scanners to operate in a coordinated cyclic manner. Each scanner is assigned a specific time slot within a periodic cycle, allowing it to transmit light signals and receive reflected signals without interference from other scanners. This approach maintains high scanning efficiency by keeping all scanners active in sequence, while ensuring measurement precision through interference-free operation during each scanner's designated time window.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the scanner operation dynamic and time-dependent. Rather than static simultaneous operation, the system dynamically switches which scanner is active for transmission and reception at any given moment. This dynamic time-division multiplexing allows the system to adapt the operational state of each scanner based on the current time slot, thereby achieving both high productivity through continuous scanning and high measurement precision through interference avoidance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach allows for accurate and interference-free depth information acquisition, ensuring reliable 3D sensing without errors caused by simultaneous scanning.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of scanners each emitting a light signal to a scene to be sensed and receiving a reflected light signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11915512B2Three-dimensional sensing system
Publication Date: 2024.02.27 HIMAX TECH LTD
  • US11915512B2 patent drawing
  • US11915512B2 patent drawing
  • US11915512B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A three-dimensional sensing system includes a plurality of scanners each emitting a light signal to a scene to be sensed and receiving a reflected light signal, according to which depth information is obtained. Only one scanner executes transmitting corresponding light signal and receiving corresponding reflected light signal at a time.