Distance Measurement Device Wavelength Segmentation Eye Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing distance measurement devices using time of flight (ToF) technology face challenges in ensuring eye safety while maintaining accurate distance measurement, as adjusting light intensity based on reflected light can lead to insufficient safety or accuracy, particularly when harmful wavelengths are involved.

Innovation Solution

A distance measurement device and method that include an irradiation unit emitting light to a target space, a light receiving unit to calculate light intensity, and a processing unit for distance measurement, where the light intensity is calculated and adjusted to ensure safe and accurate distance measurement by emitting light with different wavelengths and intensities based on the calculated light intensity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If light intensity is increased to improve distance measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but eye safety is compromised due to harmful wavelength exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoideye safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light emitting elements into multiple groups that emit different wavelengths (e.g., first group emits wavelength λ1, second group emits wavelength λ2). This allows the system to switch between wavelengths based on measurement needs, using shorter wavelengths for high-precision measurements and longer wavelengths for safety-critical applications, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and eye safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes the wavelength parameter of the emitted light based on the measured distance and reflection characteristics. When the object is far away or has low reflectivity, the system switches to shorter wavelengths to maintain measurement accuracy. When the object is close or has high reflectivity, the system switches to longer wavelengths to ensure eye safety, thereby adapting the wavelength parameter to resolve the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If light intensity is decreased to ensure eye safety, then eye safety is improved, but distance measurement accuracy deteriorates due to insufficient reflected light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye safetyVSAvoiddistance measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light emitting elements into multiple groups with different wavelengths. By selectively activating specific groups based on safety requirements, the system can use safer longer wavelengths when eye protection is prioritized, while maintaining the capability to switch to higher-intensity shorter wavelengths when measurement accuracy is critical, thus balancing safety and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the wavelength parameter based on real-time measurement conditions and safety considerations. When eye safety is the primary concern, the system transitions to longer wavelengths with lower intensity. When measurement precision becomes critical, the system switches to shorter wavelengths with higher intensity, thereby dynamically resolving the contradiction between safety and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If uniform light intensity is used for all positions, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates for objects at varying distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensity control complexityVSAvoiddistance measurement accuracy for varying distances
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light emitting elements into multiple groups that can be independently controlled. Each group targets specific spatial regions or distance ranges. This segmentation enables the system to apply different light intensities to different positions without requiring complex individual control of each element, thus achieving position-adaptive illumination while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different light intensities and wavelengths to different spatial regions or distance ranges. Rather than using uniform light intensity throughout, the system tailors the light properties locally according to the specific measurement requirements of each region, improving measurement precision for objects at varying distances while managing complexity through the segmented group control approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution ensures safe and accurate distance measurement by adjusting light intensity to prevent eye exposure to harmful wavelengths, allowing for precise measurement across varying distances without compromising safety or accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

reflected light from an object irradiated with the pulsed light is received by a light receiving element called a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) to detect photons

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

carriers generated in this operation are converted into electric signal pulses using avalanche multiplication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAvalanche multiplication: Avalanche Breakdown

Implementation Method 3

a distance measurement device (may also be referred to as a distance measuring sensor) that measures a distance to an object (target object) on the basis of time of flight (ToF)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS20230204727A1Distance measurement device and distance measurement method
Publication Date: 2023.06.29 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP
  • US20230204727A1 patent drawing
  • US20230204727A1 patent drawing
  • US20230204727A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to sufficiently consider safety of human eyes in distance measurement. The present technology relates to a distance measurement device including: an irradiation unit configured to emit light to a target space; a light receiving unit configured to receive observation light in the target space and including a plurality of light receiving elements that outputs an electric signal; a light intensity calculation unit configured to calculate light intensity in the target space, on the basis of a first electric signal corresponding to reflected light from an object irradiated with first light included in the observation light received by the light receiving unit, the first light being emitted from the irradiation unit; and a distance measurement processing unit configured to perform a distance measurement process for calculating a distance to the object, on the basis of a second electric signal corresponding to reflected light from the object irradiated with second light included in the observation light received by the light receiving unit, the second light being emitted from the irradiation unit on the basis of the light intensity calculated by the light intensity calculation unit.