Dual-Direction Light Sensing for Multi-Object Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Related-art electronic apparatuses using multiple light source-based sensors often misinterpret multiple reflected lights as coming from different objects when they are actually reflected from a single object, leading to incorrect object recognition.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus employs two light sources irradiating light in different directions, with a processor using distinct calculation methods to determine distances based on reflected lights from each source, distinguishing between objects using different regions of a sensor's pixels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are used to sense objects, then object detection capability is improved, but false detection increases due to misinterpreting reflections from a single object as multiple objects
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor's pixels are divided into multiple regions, with each region assigned to detect reflections from specific light sources. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between reflections from different objects and reflections from a single object, resolving the false detection problem while maintaining multi-object detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing step where the processor determines which pixel region received light from which light source before performing distance calculations. This intermediary mapping between light sources and sensor regions prevents misinterpretation of reflected lights, improving detection reliability without sacrificing measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light sources irradiate light in different directions, then object recognition is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensor performs multiple functions by dividing its pixels into different regions, where each region can detect reflections from different light sources. This multi-functional approach allows the system to use multiple light sources for enhanced object recognition without proportionally increasing sensor complexity, as the same sensor hardware handles all light source detections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of spatial segmentation within the sensor by dividing pixels into multiple regions. This dimensional approach allows the system to handle multiple light sources and distinguish their reflections without increasing the number of physical sensors or complex processing hardware, thereby enhancing object recognition while controlling device 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
Accurately calculates distances to multiple objects by differentiating between reflections from separate light sources, enhancing object recognition and preventing false detections.
Implementation Method 1
when a plurality of reflected light is received in the sensor, it is recognized that different objects exist at different positions
Implementation Method 2
an electronic apparatus having a sensor (e.g., an image sensor or a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor or the like) capable of sensing an object around an electronic apparatus using a plurality of light sources
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a sensor, a first light source configured to irradiate a first light, a second light source configured to irradiate a second light in a direction different from the first light, and a processor configured to, based on first and second reflected lights being received by the sensor as the first and second lights are reflected by an object, calculate a first distance between the electronic apparatus and an object reflecting the first light and a second distance between the electronic apparatus and an object reflecting the second light using different calculation methods.