Distance Measuring Device Non-Adjacent Pixel Evaluation Circuit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring devices face challenges in achieving high resolution while minimizing the space and power requirements for evaluation circuitry, often resulting in increased costs and reduced measurement accuracy due to the need for multiple determination portions for each pixel.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device design where each determination portion receives light reception signals from non-adjacent pixels, reducing the number of determination portions required and allowing for a more compact layout, improved signal distinction, and increased resolution by connecting non-adjacent pixels to a single evaluation unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of light reception elements is increased to increase distance detecting resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and space requirements for evaluation circuitry increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the evaluation functionality by implementing a single shared evaluation circuit that processes signals from multiple light reception elements through time-multiplexed reading. The control unit sequentially controls the reading of signal values from different light reception elements, allowing one evaluation circuit to serve multiple pixels without requiring dedicated evaluation circuitry for each element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through time-multiplexed signal reading, where the control unit sequentially and periodically reads signal values from different light reception elements in a systematic sequence. This periodic reading approach allows a single evaluation circuit to process signals from multiple elements over time, reducing the need for simultaneous evaluation circuits for each element.
2Device complexity
If evaluation circuitry is reduced to decrease device space, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements periodic reading of signal values from multiple light reception elements in a time-multiplexed manner. By systematically cycling through different elements and storing their signal values with temporal information, the single evaluation circuit maintains the ability to process data from all elements, preserving measurement precision while reducing hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that manages the time-multiplexed reading process. This control unit coordinates the sequential access to multiple light reception elements and manages the temporal storage of signal values, enabling a single evaluation circuit to effectively process information from multiple elements without losing measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If multiple determination portions are provided for each pixel to maintain resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the determination functionality into a single shared evaluation circuit that processes signals from multiple light reception elements. By combining the evaluation resources and using time-multiplexed processing, the system maintains the ability to resolve individual pixel signals while avoiding the power consumption of having separate determination portions for each pixel.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation circuit operates periodically, sequentially processing signals from different light reception elements in a time-multiplexed fashion. This periodic operation allows the single evaluation circuit to maintain high signal resolution for all elements while consuming significantly less power than would be required for simultaneous operation of multiple independent determination portions.
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 reduces the space and power consumption of the device, lowers manufacturing costs, and enhances measurement accuracy by improving the resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, while maintaining a smaller form factor.
Implementation Method 1
a light emission portion configured to emit light
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving portion configured to receive measurement light that is emitted by the light emission portion and reflected by a measurement object
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measuring device includes a light emission portion configured to emit light; a light receiving portion configured to receive measurement light that is emitted by the light emission portion and reflected by the measurement object, the light receiving portion comprising a plurality of pixels configured to output light reception signals that depend on the received measurement light; a plurality of determination portions configured to receive the light reception signals and to determine characteristic values from the received light reception signals, and an evaluation portion that is connected to the plurality of determination portions, the evaluation portion being configured to calculate a distance from the characteristic values determined by the determination portions. Each of the plurality of determination portions is configured to receive the light reception signals only from a plurality of non-adjacent pixels.