Electronic Apparatus Object Detection via Light Reflection Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic apparatuses with light-based sensors face accuracy issues in distinguishing reflective light directly reflected from objects from light reflected on objects and then reflected again by surfaces like floors or walls, leading to potential misrecognition of objects.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus equipped with a light source and sensor system that radiates light in specific patterns and uses triangulation methods to differentiate between reflective light directly reflected from objects and light reflected on objects, employing multiple sensors and image analysis to accurately determine object distances and patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If light-based sensors are used to detect objects and distances, then object detection capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to distinguish direct reflective light from multi-path reflected light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection capabilityVSAvoiddistance measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detected light into different categories: direct reflective light and multi-path reflected light. By analyzing the temporal characteristics (time of flight) and spatial characteristics (incident angles) of received light, the system separates these two types of light paths, allowing accurate identification of direct reflections from objects versus indirect reflections from surfaces like floors or walls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces additional sensors and processing mechanisms as intermediaries to mediate between the light source and the detection system. Multiple sensors at different positions detect reflected light, and the processor acts as an intermediary that analyzes data from all sensors to distinguish direct from multi-path reflections, thereby resolving the measurement precision issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are deployed to improve detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the sensor system where each sensor serves multiple functions: detecting reflected light intensity, measuring time of flight, and determining incident angles. The processor universally processes data from all sensors to perform both object detection and distance measurement, reducing the need for separate specialized components and thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances object detection accuracy by correctly identifying reflective light sources, preventing misrecognition and ensuring safe navigation and operation of autonomous vehicles and robots.

Implementation Method 1

the electronic apparatus radiates light, and if a reflected light is received, the electronic apparatus recognizes that an object exists around the electronic apparatus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3935412B1Electronic apparatus and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3935412B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3935412B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3a
  • EP3935412B1 patent drawingFigure 3b~4

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes a processor configured to identify a first distance based on locations of first pixels that received the reflective light, and identify a second distance based on locations of the second pixels that received the reflective light, and calculate a difference between the first and second distances, and based on a distance acquired by the calculation and a moving distance of the electronic apparatus identified through the second sensor, identify whether the reflective light is reflective light reflected by an object or reflective light that was reflected on the object and then reflected again by another object.