Distance Measuring Sensor With Integrated Ambient Light Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measuring sensors are susceptible to ambient light, such as sunlight, and require separate outdoor detection sensors for accurate outdoor judgment, which increases complexity and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring sensor that integrates a light receiving unit, ambient light calculation unit, and outdoor information calculation unit to determine distance and outdoor information using reflected light, allowing outdoor judgment without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a separate outdoor detection sensor is provided to detect outdoor environments, then outdoor judgment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the outdoor detection function with the existing distance measuring sensor by integrating an ambient light calculation unit and outdoor information calculation unit into the distance measuring sensor. This merging eliminates the need for a separate outdoor detection sensor while maintaining outdoor judgment accuracy, as the distance measuring sensor processes both distance information and outdoor environment detection using reflected light from the object.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance measuring sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: distance measurement and outdoor environment detection. By incorporating the ambient light calculation unit and outdoor information calculation unit, the sensor can simultaneously calculate distance information and determine whether the measurement place is outdoors, eliminating the need for dedicated separate sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a separate outdoor detection sensor is provided to detect outdoor environments, then outdoor judgment accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the outdoor detection function with the existing distance measuring sensor by integrating an ambient light calculation unit and outdoor information calculation unit into the distance measuring sensor. This merging eliminates the need for a separate outdoor detection sensor while maintaining outdoor judgment accuracy, as the distance measuring sensor processes both distance information and outdoor environment detection using reflected light from the object.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance measuring sensor is designed to perform multiple functions: distance measurement and outdoor environment detection. By incorporating the ambient light calculation unit and outdoor information calculation unit, the sensor can simultaneously calculate distance information and determine whether the measurement place is outdoors, eliminating the need for dedicated separate sensors and reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ambient light component is calculated from reflected light signal, then outdoor judgment capability is improved, but measurement precision for distance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reflected light signal into different components: the active light component from the distance measuring unit and the ambient light component from the ambient light calculation unit. By separating these components through signal processing, the system can simultaneously extract both distance information and outdoor environment information without interfering with each other, maintaining distance measurement precision while adding outdoor judgment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an ambient light calculation unit as an intermediary processing stage that extracts the ambient light component from the reflected light signal. This intermediary unit processes the signal separately from the distance measurement process, allowing outdoor environment detection without directly affecting the distance measurement precision. The ambient light component is calculated as a separate parameter that can be used for outdoor judgment.
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
Enables accurate outdoor judgment and reduced power consumption by integrating ambient light analysis within the distance measuring sensor, enhancing its functionality and reducing installation volume.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving unit that receives reflected light obtained by reflection of irradiation light emitted from a predetermined light emitting source by the object
Implementation Method 2
In the Indirect ToF method, light is emitted toward an object and the light reflected on a surface of the object is detected, and the distance to the object is calculated on the basis of a measurement value obtained by measuring a flight time of the light
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to a distance measuring sensor, a signal processing method, and a distance measuring module that enable calculation of distance information and outdoor judgment to be performed by the distance measuring sensor alone. The distance measuring sensor includes a distance measuring unit that calculates distance information to an object from a signal obtained by a light receiving unit that receives reflected light obtained by reflection of irradiation light emitted from a predetermined light emitting source by the object, an ambient light calculation unit that calculates an ambient light component included in the signal obtained by the light receiving unit, and an outdoor information calculation unit that calculates outdoor information on the basis of the ambient light component. The present technology can be applied to, for example, for example, a distance measuring module or the like that measures the distance to a subject.