Distance Measuring Device Using Temporal Integration Gates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measurement methods using optical methods face ambiguity due to periodic light intensity and are affected by ambient light, leading to reduced precision and shorter light source lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device that emits a sequence of light pulses with varying intensities and uses temporal integration gates to capture and process signals, eliminating the need for background measurements and maintaining a constant repetition rate, thereby reducing ambient light interference and intensity fluctuations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If background measurement is carried out without illuminating the object with the light pulse, then ambient light interference is reduced, but the light source operates irregularly resulting in reduced lifespan and fluctuations in light pulse parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by emitting light pulses at regular intervals with constant repetition rate, rather than continuous operation or irregular background measurements. This periodic illumination pattern allows the system to distinguish between ambient light and reflected light pulses while maintaining consistent light source operation, thereby extending lifespan and stabilizing pulse parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the light source operating at a constant repetition rate without interruption for background measurements. The system continuously emits light pulses and processes reflections, eliminating the irregular operation cycles that would otherwise reduce light source lifespan and cause parameter fluctuations.
2Measurement precision
If background measurement is carried out without illuminating the object with the light pulse, then ambient light interference is reduced, but fluctuations in light pulse parameters occur resulting in reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action with constant repetition rate to maintain stable light pulse parameters. By using regular periodic illumination rather than irregular background measurement cycles, the system ensures consistent pulse characteristics (intensity, width, rise/fall times) while effectively handling ambient light interference through the periodic nature of the measurements.
3Measurement precision
If periodic light intensity modulation is used for distance measurement, then distance can be determined, but ambiguous distance measurement results due to periodicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using pre-modulated light pulses with known temporal patterns before the actual measurement. The light source emits pulses with specific intensity variations that encode distance information, allowing the system to distinguish between different distance ranges and eliminate ambiguity before the measurement process begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the received light pulse pattern is compared with the transmitted pattern to determine distance. By analyzing the time delay and intensity variations of the reflected pulses relative to the original pulses, the system resolves ambiguity and accurately determines distance without the periodicity problems.
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 enables high-precision distance measurement by eliminating ambient light influence and extending the light source's lifespan through regular operation, resulting in improved measurement accuracy and longer device longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (15) configured to illuminate an object (22) with light pulses (7, 8)
Implementation Method 2
the light back reflected from the object is then captured by a light detector of the device
Implementation Method 3
at least one photo element (16) configured to capture the light pulses after being back reflected from the object
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measuring device and a method for determining a distance are provided. The method includes: illuminating an object with a sequence of the light pulses, capturing one arriving light pulse corresponding to an intensity Ie,l within a first integration gate, and outputting a signal value U1, capturing another arriving light pulse corresponding to the intensity Ie,l within a second integration gate, and outputting a signal value U2, capturing one arriving light pulse corresponding to an intensity Ie,h within the first integration gate and outputting a signal value U3, capturing the other arriving light pulse corresponding to the intensity Ie,h within the second integration gate and outputting a signal value U4, and calculating the distance between the distance measuring device and the object based on U1, U2, U3, and U4.