Distance Measurement Camera With Visibility-Based Range Gating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring camera systems struggle to accurately calculate distances in bad weather conditions due to light scattering from particles, requiring precise nanosecond synchronization of multiple cameras, which is difficult to achieve practically.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring apparatus with a light emitter, photoelectric conversion element, and control unit that determines visibility conditions to switch between standard and range gate processing for distance calculation, synchronizing light emission and exposure times to improve accuracy under adverse weather.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If range gate control is performed using two cameras to achieve accurate distance measurement in bad weather, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to nanosecond synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of two separate cameras into a single camera equipped with an image capturing surface phase difference image capturing element. This single camera performs both image capturing and phase difference measurement, eliminating the need for complex nanosecond synchronization between two cameras while maintaining distance measurement accuracy even in bad weather conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera system is designed to perform multiple functions: standard image capturing for normal conditions and phase difference-based distance measurement for bad weather conditions. The image capturing surface phase difference image capturing element enables the camera to generate multiple images with phase differences, providing universal functionality across different weather conditions without requiring additional synchronized cameras
2Measurement precision
If range gate control is performed to capture clear images of distant objects, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases due to pulsed light emission and synchronized exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies range gate control selectively rather than continuously. The control unit determines whether bad weather conditions exist and only activates the phase difference measurement mode with pulsed light emission when needed. During normal weather conditions, the system uses standard continuous image capturing, significantly reducing energy consumption while maintaining measurement capability when required
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
Enables accurate distance measurement in bad weather by synchronizing light emission and exposure times, reducing the need for precise nanosecond synchronization and improving measurement accuracy while reducing power consumption and time required for distance measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter 300 configured to emit pulsed light in a traveling direction of a movable apparatus 200
Implementation Method 2
a photoelectric conversion element 102 configured to photoelectrically convert the light
Implementation Method 3
two images having a phase difference are generated by photoelectrically converting light that has passed through different pupils of an imaging optical system
Implementation Method 4
a phase difference between two images is determined, and a distance to the object is calculated based on the phase difference
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measuring apparatus comprises a light emitter for emitting pulsed light in a traveling direction of a movable apparatus, a photoelectric conversion element having a plurality of pixels arranged, each pixel having a first photoelectric conversion unit configured to generate a first photoelectric conversion signal and a second photoelectric conversion unit configured to generate a second photoelectric conversion signal, wherein the first photoelectric conversion signal and the second photoelectric conversion signal have a predetermined parallax, a visibility condition determination unit for determining a visibility condition of the traveling direction, and a control unit for switching whether the range gate control is performed or not, based on the visibility condition, when calculation of a distance to an object using the first photoelectric conversion signal and the second photoelectric conversion signal.