Depth Camera Feedback Drift Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Depth cameras experience operational drift due to environmental factors such as temperature variations, mechanical stress, and aging, leading to errors in depth sensing, as their electrical and optical components deviate from calibrated values.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the selective routing of illumination light back to the image sensor through an optical path, allowing for continuous compensation of changes by measuring the time of flight of calibration light, which is used to adjust the output signal and maintain accurate depth sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If depth camera operates in varying environmental conditions (temperature, mechanical stress), then the camera must maintain operational functionality, but depth sensing accuracy deteriorates due to component drift from calibrated values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by routing a portion of the emitted light back to the image sensor to create a feedback signal. This feedback signal carries information about the current state of the optical components, allowing the system to detect drift from calibrated values and compensate for it, thereby maintaining depth sensing accuracy under varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary feedback path that samples the emitted light before it interacts with the scene. This intermediary signal serves as a reference that mediates between the emitted light and the reflected light, enabling the system to distinguish between changes caused by environmental factors and actual scene depth information
2Measurement precision
If dedicated sensors or prediction mechanisms are added to compensate for operational drift, then depth sensing accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing image sensor multi-functional by using it both for capturing reflected light from the scene and for receiving the feedback signal from emitted light. This eliminates the need for dedicated compensation sensors, as the same sensor performs multiple functions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining depth sensing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-compensation by using its own emitted light as the feedback source. The depth camera monitors its own operational state through the feedback signal and automatically adjusts for drift, eliminating the need for external prediction mechanisms or additional compensation hardware
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 enables real-time adaptation and compensation of operational drift, maintaining accurate depth sensing throughout the life of the depth camera without the need for dedicated sensors or prediction mechanisms, potentially relaxing stringent physical tolerances and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the time of flight of calibration light
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are disclosed that relate to controlling a depth camera. In one example, a method comprises emitting light from an illumination source toward a scene through an optical window, selectively routing a at least a portion of the light emitted from the illumination source to an image sensor such that the portion of the light is not transmitted through the optical window, receiving an output signal generated by the image sensor based on light reflected by the scene, the output signal including at least one depth value of the scene, and adjusting the output signal based on the selectively routed portion of the light.