Distance Measuring Device With Segmented Optical Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring devices using the imaging plane phase difference method face errors due to noise and chromatic aberration, leading to unreliable distance information and reduced reproducibility of the surrounding environment, especially when light reception is limited to a narrow wavelength band.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device with an optical filter having regions with different spectral transmittance characteristics, where the first photoelectric conversion unit receives light through a region with a first spectral transmittance characteristic and the second and third photoelectric conversion units receive light through regions with a second spectral transmittance characteristic, allowing for wider wavelength light reception and reduced chromatic aberration effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each pixel portion receives light in a wide wavelength band to improve noise reduction, then the reproducibility of distance information improves, but chromatic aberration errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter is divided into multiple regions (first region, second region, third region) with different spectral transmittance characteristics. The first photoelectric conversion unit receives light through the first region, while the second and third photoelectric conversion units receive light through the second and third regions respectively. This segmentation allows different wavelength bands to be processed separately, reducing chromatic aberration errors while maintaining wide wavelength reception for noise reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the imaging optical system uses a wide wavelength band for light reception, then noise influence is reduced, but chromatic aberration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the optical filter have different spectral transmittance characteristics tailored to specific functions. The first region is optimized for one wavelength characteristic while the second and third regions are optimized for another wavelength characteristic. This local quality differentiation allows the system to receive wide wavelength bands for noise reduction while maintaining measurement precision through specialized regional optimization.
3Measurement precision
If color reproducibility is prioritized by receiving light in visible wavelength band, then image quality improves, but distance measurement accuracy may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging apparatus is designed to simultaneously achieve color image capture and distance measurement functions. The first photoelectric conversion unit captures visible light for color reproduction, while the second and third photoelectric conversion units capture light in wavelength bands optimized for distance measurement. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain both color reproducibility and distance information reliability.
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 configuration enhances the accuracy and reproducibility of distance information while reducing noise and chromatic aberration errors, enabling more reliable recognition of the surrounding environment with high color reproducibility and accurate distance measurement.
Implementation Method 1
the optical filter has a first region having a first spectral transmittance characteristic and a second region and a third region having a second spectral transmittance characteristic in which light having a longer wavelength compared to the first spectral transmittance characteristic is transmitted
Implementation Method 2
the first photoelectric conversion unit receives light that has passed through the first region and performs photoelectric conversion and the second and third photoelectric conversion units receive light that has passed through the second and third regions and perform photoelectric conversion
Data Source
AI summary
A distance measuring device includes an imaging optical system having an optical filter and an imaging element in which a plurality of pixel portions is arranged. The optical filter is divided into three regions, the first region has a first spectral transmittance characteristic, and the second region and the third region a second spectral transmittance characteristic in which light having a longer wavelength compared to the first spectral transmittance characteristic is transmitted. The first pixel portion that configures the imaging element includes a first photoelectric conversion unit and receives light that has passing through the first region. The second pixel portion that configures the imaging element includes second and third photoelectric conversion units, and receives light that has passed through each of the second region and the third region. A distance information acquiring unit acquires distance information corresponding to parallax of image data based on each of the output signals from the second and third photoelectric conversion units.