Dot Pattern Scanning for Depth Image Resolution and Eye Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional time-of-flight (TOF) cameras face challenges in obtaining reliable depth images at long ranges due to limited light emission for eye protection, leading to decreased signal-to-noise ratio and resolution, especially when capturing distant subjects.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and method involve a light source emitting light in a dot pattern, with a controller controlling a first optical system to scan the object using a collimator lens and diffraction optical element, and an actuator to move the dot pattern, allowing for sufficient light collection and higher resolution depth data acquisition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the light emission strength is reduced to protect eyes, then eye safety is improved, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light emission into multiple discrete dot patterns that are scanned across the object. Instead of emitting uniform light over the entire field of view, the light is concentrated into specific dot regions that are sequentially positioned, allowing reduced overall light emission while maintaining sufficient signal strength at each measurement point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic scanning of dot patterns across the object. The light emitter systematically moves dot patterns in a predetermined sequence, enabling repeated measurements at each location. This periodic action allows accumulation of signal data over time, improving signal-to-noise ratio while keeping instantaneous light emission low for eye safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the light emission strength is reduced to protect eyes, then eye safety is improved, but the depth image reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process into multiple dot pattern positions scanned across the object. By concentrating light into discrete dots rather than uniform illumination, the system achieves reliable depth measurement at each point while reducing total light exposure to safe levels for eye protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The systematic periodic scanning of dot patterns enables multiple measurements at each object location. The controller coordinates the light emitter to scan dots and the image sensor to capture reflected light at each position, accumulating sufficient signal data for reliable depth imaging while maintaining low instantaneous light intensity for eye safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the light emission strength is reduced to protect eyes, then eye safety is improved, but the resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement field into multiple discrete dot pattern positions that are scanned across the object. This segmentation allows concentration of light energy into small dot regions, achieving high spatial resolution at each measurement point while keeping overall light emission low for eye safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic scanning of dot patterns across multiple positions enables the system to build up high-resolution depth information through repeated measurements. By systematically moving dots across the object and accumulating data at each position, the system achieves fine resolution without requiring high instantaneous light intensity.
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 ensures reliable depth image generation with improved resolution by maintaining light intensity for eye protection and enhancing light collection, while scanning the object to obtain detailed depth data.
Implementation Method 1
The time of flight (TOF) method may be used to measure the depth of the object. According to the TOF method, the depth of the object is obtained by measuring the time required for light to be reflected by and return from an object after being emitted to the object.
Implementation Method 2
The TOF camera 100 may obtain depth information, which is the distance between the camera and object, based on the phase difference between the light emitted from the light transmitter 110 and light reflected by the object.
Implementation Method 3
a first optical system configured to emit the light generated by the light source to the object in a dot pattern
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a depth image generation apparatus comprising: a light source for generating light to be emitted toward an object in order to solve an SNR problem caused by resolution degradation and an insufficient amount of received light, while not increasing the amount of emitted light when photographing a remote object; a first optical system for emitting, as a dot pattern and at the object, the light generated by the light source; an image sensor receiving the light reflected by the object, so as to convert the received light into an electrical signal; an image processor for acquiring depth data through the electrical signal; and a control unit connected to the light source, the first optical system, the image sensor and the image processor, wherein the control unit controls the first optical system so as to scan the object by moving the dot pattern in a preset pattern.