Electro-optical Distance Meter Noise Subtraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-optical distance meters suffer from errors in distance value calculations due to both electrical and optical noise, with optical noise reduction not being adequately addressed in previous solutions.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical distance meter and method that includes a light source, light receiving unit, received light amount adjuster, objective lens, and arithmetic control unit, where noise signals are measured and stored before measurement to subtract electrical and optical noise from the distance-measuring signal, allowing for accurate distance calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If noise measurement and subtraction method is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by measuring and storing noise characteristics (amplitude and initial phase) before actual distance measurement operations. The noise measurement is performed under controlled conditions with the light receiving element blocked, and these pre-characterized noise parameters are stored in memory for later subtraction during normal operation, thereby improving measurement precision without adding real-time processing complexity
2Measurement precision
If optical noise reduction is addressed, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/optical solutions for noise reduction with a signal processing approach. Instead of designing complex optical filters or mechanical shielding systems to block optical noise, the invention uses electronic signal processing to measure and subtract noise characteristics from the received signal, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining ease of manufacture
3Measurement precision
If noise measurement procedures are added, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing noise measurement and characterization before actual distance measurement operations. The noise parameters (amplitude and initial phase) are measured under controlled conditions with the light receiving element blocked, and these pre-characterized parameters are stored in memory for later subtraction during normal operation, thereby improving measurement precision without adding real-time processing complexity
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 errors in distance value calculations without requiring additional components or wiring, improving the accuracy of distance measurements by accounting for both electrical and optical noise.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving element configured to receive the distance-measuring light reflected by the measuring object and convert the received distance-measuring light into a distance-measuring signal
Implementation Method 2
an objective lens configured to condense the reflected distance-measuring light to the light receiving unit
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electro-optical distance meter includes a light transmitting unit configured to emit distance-measuring light along a collimation axis toward a measuring object; a light receiving unit including a light receiving element configured to receive reflected distance-measuring light and convert the reflected distance-measuring light into a distance-measuring signal, and a received light amount adjuster configured to adjust a light amount entering the light receiving element; an arithmetic control unit; and a storage unit. The arithmetic control unit calculates a true distance-measuring signal by subtracting an optical noise signal stored in advance in the storage unit and an electrical noise signal measured before a distance measurement from the distance-measuring signal, and calculates a distance to the measuring object based on the true distance-measuring signal.