Distance Measuring Apparatus Phase Difference Detection Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distance measuring methods using the time of flight (ToF) method face challenges in maintaining accuracy at long distances or low reflectance, leading to increased power consumption, which is particularly problematic for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring apparatus that detects phase differences between light beams from a pair of external light sources, allowing it to measure distances based on known data and phase differences, reducing the need for increased power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the quantity of irradiation light is increased to maintain distance measuring accuracy at long distances or low reflectance, then distance measuring accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus segments the light receiving function into multiple light receiving elements arranged in array, where each element independently receives light from different objects. This segmentation allows the system to measure distances to multiple objects simultaneously using reflected light without requiring increased irradiation light quantity for each individual measurement, thereby maintaining accuracy while controlling power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The light receiving elements serve multiple functions: they detect reflected light from objects at various distances and reflectance levels, and simultaneously enable depth map generation. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain distance measuring accuracy across different conditions without proportionally increasing the quantity of irradiation light required.
2Measurement precision
If the quantity of irradiation light is increased to maintain distance measuring accuracy at long distances or low reflectance, then distance measuring accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus replaces a mechanical approach (increasing irradiation light quantity) with an optical detection approach (using multiple light receiving elements in array to detect reflected light). This substitution allows the system to maintain distance measuring accuracy through enhanced detection capability rather than increased illumination, thereby avoiding the complexity associated with high-power light sources and their control systems.
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 effectively reduces power consumption while maintaining accurate distance measurements, even in scenarios with low reflectance or long distances, without the need for high power irradiation.
Implementation Method 1
This ToF method is a method in which an apparatus irradiates an object with irradiation light of a sine wave or rectangular wave and the apparatus receives reflected light from the object to measure a distance on the basis of a phase difference between the irradiation light and the reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
To reduce power consumption in an apparatus for measuring a distance on the basis of a phase difference between light beams.A distance measuring apparatus includes: a phase difference detecting section; and a distance measuring section. In the distance measuring apparatus, the phase difference detecting section detects a phase difference between light beams from a pair of external light sources. In addition, in the distance measuring apparatus, the distance measuring section acquires any one of a distance from one of the pair of external light sources and an interval between the pair of external light sources as known data and measures a distance from another of the pair of external light sources on a basis of the known data and the phase difference.