Distance Measurement Device Using Segmented Image Thresholding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measurement devices experience a reduction in accuracy due to the influence of background light, leading to inaccurate distance calculations and false measurements outside the measurable range.
Innovation Solution
A distance measurement device that captures N segmental images and generates a range image by determining the maximum signal value among these images, using a threshold to differentiate between valid distance values and values outside the measurement range, thereby isolating background light effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If N segmental images are captured and maximum signal value is determined among them, then distance measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement range is divided into N segmental distances, and N segmental images are captured corresponding to each segmental distance. This segmentation allows the system to measure distances in different ranges separately, improving overall measurement accuracy by selecting the most reliable segmental pixel data for each distance range.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of capturing a single full-range image, the system captures N segmental images covering the entire measurement range. By taking multiple partial measurements across different distance segments and selecting the maximum signal value, the system achieves higher accuracy than a single measurement would provide.
2Reliability
If threshold-based selection is applied to differentiate valid distance values, then measurement reliability is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
A threshold value is predetermined based on the segmental distance and signal value characteristics. This preliminary establishment of the threshold allows for rapid comparison and selection during image processing, ensuring that only pixels with sufficient signal strength (valid measurements) are selected, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex real-time analysis.
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 inhibits reductions in distance measurement accuracy and prevents false measurements due to background light, ensuring accurate distance calculations and maintaining image contrast.
Implementation Method 1
an optical flight type distance measuring device provided with a reliability determination means of determining the reliability of a calculation result obtained by a time of flight (TOF) distance calculation means
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measurement device includes: an image capturer that captures N segmental images corresponding to N segmental distances into which a distance measurement range is divided; and a range image generator that generates a range image from the N segmental images. The range image generator determines: among segmental pixels included in the N segmental images, a segmental pixel having a maximum signal value from N segmental pixels at the same pixel position among pixel positions; a value indicating a segmental distance of the segmental pixel having the maximum signal value to be a distance value of the pixel position of the range image, when the maximum signal value is greater than or equal to a threshold; and a value indicating a value outside the distance measurement range to be the distance value of the pixel position of the range image, when the maximum signal value is less than the threshold.