Distance Measurement Device Synchronizing Imaging and Time-of-Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measurement and imaging devices face challenges in efficiently performing imaging and distance measurement, as imaging is conducted regardless of the distance measurement process.
Innovation Solution
A distance measurement device is designed with an imaging optical system, an imaging unit, an emission unit, a light receiving unit, and a control unit that synchronizes the imaging period with the distance measurement period, allowing for efficient execution of both tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If imaging is performed regardless of distance measurement, then imaging can be continuously captured, but the efficiency of executing both imaging and distance measurement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the imaging operation and distance measurement operation into a single integrated process. The control unit coordinates both operations to execute them simultaneously during the same time period, combining two previously separate functions into one unified operational framework, thereby improving efficiency and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform multiple functions (imaging and distance measurement) within a single operational period. The control unit manages the system to execute both imaging capture and distance measurement using the same light emission and reception resources, making the system multi-functional during overlapping time periods.
2Productivity
If imaging period and distance measurement period do not overlap, then each operation can be performed independently, but the overall execution efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit merges the timing of imaging and distance measurement operations, making their execution periods overlap. This integration allows both functions to share the same operational window, improving productivity while the control unit manages the timing coordination to handle the complexity of synchronization.
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
The device efficiently executes imaging and distance measurement by overlapping the imaging and distance measurement periods, improving performance compared to scenarios where these periods do not overlap.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving unit which receives reflected light of the directional light from the subject
Implementation Method 2
a derivation unit which derives a distance to the subject based on a timing at which the directional light is emitted by the emission unit and a timing at which the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measurement device includes an imaging unit which captures a subject image formed by an imaging optical system forming the subject image indicating a subject, an emission unit which emits directional light as light having directivity along an optical axis direction of the imaging optical system, a light receiving unit which receives reflected light of directional light from the subject, a derivation unit which derives a distance to the subject based on a timing at which directional light is emitted by the emission unit and a timing at which reflected light is received by the light receiving unit, and a control unit which performs control such that at least a part of an imaging period by the imaging unit overlaps at least a part of a distance measurement period by the emission unit, the light receiving unit, and the derivation unit.