Structured Light Distance Imaging Pattern Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance image acquisition apparatuses struggle to accurately acquire distance images when multiple devices project structured light patterns of the same shape simultaneously, leading to pattern confusion and inability to distinguish between patterns projected by different devices.
Innovation Solution
A distance image acquisition apparatus that performs multiple light emissions with varying intensities to project a structured light pattern, synchronizes imaging with each emission, normalizes captured images based on intensity, and discriminates the pattern projected by the host device using a discrimination unit, allowing for accurate distance image acquisition even when patterns of the same shape are projected simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distance image acquisition apparatuses project dot patterns simultaneously, then distance measurement can be performed by multiple devices, but the dot patterns from different apparatuses mix together making it impossible to distinguish which pattern comes from which device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different colors to dot patterns projected by different apparatuses. The projection unit projects dot patterns with different colors (e.g., red, green, blue) so that the imaging unit can distinguish which pattern comes from which device based on color information, preventing pattern confusion while enabling multi-device simultaneous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic projection of dot patterns with different timing characteristics. Each apparatus projects dot patterns at different time intervals or with different periodicity, allowing the system to distinguish patterns from different devices through temporal analysis, enabling simultaneous multi-device measurement without pattern mixing
2Measurement precision
If a single apparatus projects dot patterns sequentially one after another, then pattern confusion is avoided, but the time required for distance measurement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sequential projection, the patent enables simultaneous projection of multiple dot patterns with different colors. This allows all patterns to be captured in a single imaging operation, dramatically reducing measurement time while maintaining pattern discrimination accuracy through color-based identification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple dot pattern projections into a single simultaneous operation by using different color channels. Multiple apparatuses project their patterns at the same time, and the imaging unit captures all patterns together, eliminating the need for sequential measurement and reducing total measurement time
Data Source
AI summary
A distance image acquisition apparatus includes a projection unit which performs a plurality of times of light emission with a plurality of light emission intensities to project a first pattern of structured light onto a subject within a distance measurement region, an imaging unit which is provided in parallel with and apart from the projection unit by a baseline length, images the subject in synchronization with each of the plurality of times of light emission, and generates a plurality of captured images corresponding to the plurality of light emission intensities, a normalization unit which normalizes a plurality of captured images with coefficients corresponding to the plurality of light emission intensities to acquire a plurality of normalized images, a discrimination unit which compares a plurality of normalized images and discriminates the first pattern projected from the projection unit, and a distance image acquisition unit.