Distance Measuring Device Peak Selection Using Previous Frame Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring devices, such as LIDAR, face challenges in accurately determining the distance to a target object due to noise from ambient light, which can overshadow the peaks in the time-series luminance signal, leading to incorrect distance measurements when noise peaks dominate.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device with a signal processing system that includes a storage circuit to retain previous frame's distance values and a selection circuit to select peaks based on these values, using an integration filter to enhance the detection of the target object's peak even when noise is predominant, thereby improving the accuracy of distance measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If peaks are selected in descending order of values from the time-series luminance signal, then the processing is simple and fast, but the measurement precision deteriorates when noise peaks dominate the signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing distance values from preceding frames in advance before processing the current frame. The selection circuit uses these pre-stored reference values to guide peak selection in the current frame, rather than simply selecting peaks in descending order. This preliminary preparation of reference data enables more accurate peak identification even when noise peaks dominate, resolving the contradiction between simple processing and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using distance values from previous frames to inform and constrain peak selection in the current frame. The selection circuit references stored historical distance information to validate and select peaks, creating a feedback loop that improves measurement accuracy. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain high precision without sacrificing processing efficiency, as the feedback guidance prevents unnecessary complex processing while ensuring accurate peak selection.
2Measurement precision
If the entire time-series luminance signal of the preceding frame is retained for comparison, then the measurement precision improves, but the storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by selecting only the essential distance values from the preceding frame's time-series luminance signal for storage, rather than retaining the entire signal. The storage circuit stores specifically the extracted distance information that is most relevant for comparing with the current frame, while discarding redundant signal data. This extraction approach maintains measurement precision by preserving critical reference information while significantly reducing storage capacity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the preceding frame's data by separating the essential distance values from the complete time-series luminance signal. Instead of storing the entire continuous signal, the system segments and stores only the discrete distance measurement values that are necessary for comparison. This segmentation strategy enables the system to maintain accurate distance measurement capability while minimizing storage requirements by keeping only the most relevant segmented data elements.
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 effectively reduces the likelihood of incorrect distance measurements by enhancing the selection of the target object's peak, even in noisy conditions, and reduces storage capacity requirements by not retaining the entire time-series luminance signal of the preceding frame.
Implementation Method 1
The distance measuring device irradiates laser light on a measurement target object and converts the intensity of reflected light reflected by the measurement target object into a time-series luminance signal on the basis of an output of a sensor
Data Source
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Figure 3~4A
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a distance measuring device is a signal processing device that performs processing on time-series luminance signals of each of frames acquired on the basis of reflected lights of laser lights irradiated in order in a plurality of predetermined directions for each of the frames. The distance measuring device includes a storage circuit and a selection circuit. The storage circuit stores information concerning a distance value obtained on the basis of a time-series luminance signal of a preceding frame. The selection circuit selects a peak based on the distance value as a candidate of the distance value out of peaks in the time-series luminance signal in a present frame.