Distance-Image Capturing Apparatus Flare Mitigation via Timing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distance-image capturing apparatuses face errors in measuring long distances due to flare phenomena caused by short-distance objects, which existing solutions attempt to mitigate through optical design changes or database-generated reference electric charge ratios, but these methods are costly or time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A distance-image capturing apparatus with a light source unit, light receiving unit, and distance image processing unit that controls electric charge accumulation timing across multiple units to separate and exclude flare light components without altering the optical configuration or generating a database, using specific timing control to manage light reception periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of distribution times (exposure amount) is increased to measure long distance with high accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but flare phenomenon occurs due to high intensity reflected light from short distance objects, causing error in measured distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light reception period into multiple time slots corresponding to different distance ranges. By segmenting the measurement process into short-distance and long-distance measurement phases with different exposure times, the system can accumulate sufficient light for long-distance objects without allowing excessive light accumulation that would cause flare from nearby objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the exposure time based on the distance to the measurement target. For long-distance objects, a longer exposure time is used to accumulate sufficient light, while for short-distance objects, a shorter exposure time prevents saturation and flare. This dynamic adaptation allows optimal measurement conditions for varying distances.
2Reliability
If optical design changes are made to reduce flare phenomenon, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical mechanical solutions (such as special lens coatings, anti-flare structures, or optical filters) with a temporal control solution. By using timing control to manage when light is accumulated during the reception period, the system achieves flare reduction without modifying the optical hardware, thereby maintaining simplicity and reducing manufacturing costs.
3Measurement precision
If a database of reference electric charge amount ratio is generated to eliminate flare light component, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time occurs during database generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary classification of the light reception period into time slots for different distance ranges before actual measurement. By pre-defining which time slots correspond to short-distance and long-distance measurements, the system eliminates the need for time-consuming database generation and post-processing calculations, achieving fast and accurate distance measurement directly from the timed accumulation results.
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
Effectively inhibits the influence of flare phenomena on distance measurements without changing the optical configuration or using a database, ensuring accurate distance measurement across varying object distances.
Implementation Method 1
pixels each including a photoelectric conversion device generating electric charge according to incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A light source unit that emits a light pulse, a light receiving unit that includes pixels each including a photoelectric conversion device generating electric charge according to incident light and a plurality of electric charge accumulating units accumulating the electric charge and a pixel driving circuit that distributes the electric charge to the electric charge accumulating units of the pixels to be accumulated therein at a predetermined accumulation timing synchronized with the emission of the light pulse, and a distance image processing unit that measures the distance to a subject present in the measurement space on the basis of amounts of electric charge accumulated in the electric charge accumulating units are included, and the distance image processing unit includes a timing control unit that controls the accumulation timing in accordance with a measurement mode set in advance in accordance with a range of distances that are measurement targets.