Gating Camera Multi-Tap Exposure for Concurrent Slice and Normal Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gating cameras require a long time to generate a normal image due to the need to capture and synthesize multiple slice images, and shortening the depth range increases the number of ranges, prolonging the shooting time.
Innovation Solution
A gating camera with a multi-tap image sensor and controlled exposure regions, using pulsed illumination for slice images and continuous exposure for normal images, allowing simultaneous generation of both types of images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the depth range of one slice is shortened to increase depth resolution, then the depth resolution is improved, but the number of ranges increases, so the shooting time for a full range becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple independent exposure regions (first exposure region and second exposure region), each capable of independently capturing images with different exposure timings. This segmentation allows parallel capture of multiple depth ranges, resolving the contradiction between depth resolution and shooting time by enabling simultaneous acquisition of multiple slice images without sequentially increasing total capture time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by assigning different exposure timings to different exposure regions. The first exposure region captures with a first exposure timing while the second exposure region captures with a second exposure timing, effectively adding time as a dimension for depth discrimination. This allows the system to maintain short depth ranges for high resolution while capturing multiple ranges in parallel across different time points, preventing total shooting time from increasing.
2Ease of operation
If multiple slice images are captured and synthesized to generate a normal image, then a normal image is obtained, but the generation time of the normal image becomes long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing a normal image in the second exposure region during the same period that slice images are being captured in the first exposure region. This preliminary capture of the normal image using reflected light from continuous illumination eliminates the need to wait for all slice image captures to complete, significantly reducing the generation time of the normal image while maintaining its quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by using continuous illumination light that illuminates the field of view throughout the entire capture period. The second exposure region continuously captures reflected light from this continuous illumination to generate the normal image, ensuring that the normal image generation process runs continuously and independently without interruption or waiting for slice image acquisition to complete.
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
The solution enables rapid generation of a normal image without waiting for complete slice image capture, reducing overall time and power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The image sensor is configured to generate the slice image by performing multiple exposure of reflected light of the pulsed illumination light from the field of view using the pulse exposure region
Implementation Method 2
to generate the normal image by performing exposure using the continuous exposure region in a section where the pulse exposure region is not used
Implementation Method 3
an illumination device configured to irradiate the field of view with pulsed illumination light
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device irradiates a field of view with pulsed illumination light. In a multi-tap type image sensor, one pixel has a plurality of FD (floating diffusion) regions. A camera controller controls a light emission timing of the illumination device and an exposure timing of the image sensor. A pulse exposure region, which is one of the plurality of FD regions, is allocated to generation of a slice image, and a continuous exposure region, which is another one of the plurality of FD regions, is allocated to generation of a normal image. The image sensor generates the slice image by performing multiple exposure of reflected light of the pulsed illumination light from the field of view using the pulse exposure region, and generates the normal image by performing exposure using the continuous exposure region in a section where the pulse exposure region is not used.