Imaging Device Assembly Ambient Light Interference Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging devices face challenges in obtaining reliable image data of reference light patterns due to the influence of ambient light, particularly in structured light and active stereo methods, where increasing sensitivity or luminance leads to inefficiencies or power consumption issues.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device assembly that includes a light source, an imaging device with multiple charge storage portions, and a control device, operating in modes that capture images using high-intensity and low-intensity light, allowing the control device to generate an image signal by calculating the difference between charges stored during these periods, effectively reducing ambient light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensitivity of the imaging device is increased to capture the reference light pattern, then the ability to obtain image data improves, but the sensitivity to ambient light also increases causing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device divides the photoelectric conversion elements into multiple groups, where some elements capture images during light source emission periods and others capture images during non-emission periods. This segmentation allows separate acquisition of reference light pattern data and ambient light data, which are then processed to eliminate ambient light interference while maintaining high sensitivity.
2Measurement precision
If the luminance of the light source is increased to improve image data quality, then the reference light pattern becomes more detectable, but power consumption increases and visual recognition issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The light source operates in periodic emission and non-emission cycles rather than continuous operation. During emission periods, the imaging device captures reference light pattern data; during non-emission periods, it captures ambient light data. This periodic operation reduces average power consumption while maintaining detection accuracy through differential processing of the captured images.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter is used to remove ambient light, then the bandwidth limitation reduces filtering efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using optical filters to remove ambient light, the invention extracts and separates the ambient light component from the total light signal through temporal sampling. By capturing images during periods when the light source is not emitting, the ambient light component is isolated and can be subtracted from the total signal, achieving effective ambient light removal without filter bandwidth limitations.
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 solution enables reliable image data acquisition without increasing power consumption, allowing for accurate distance and shape measurement and motion detection, even in environments with varying light conditions, by separating image capture into high-intensity and low-intensity light modes.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging element captures an image of the object on the basis of high-intensity light emitted from the light source and stores first image signal charge obtained at the light receiving portion into the first charge storage portion
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device assembly includes a light source, an imaging device formed with a plurality of imaging elements, and a control device. Each imaging element (10) includes a light receiving portion (21), a first charge storage portion (22) and a second charge storage portion (24), and a first charge transfer control means (23) and a second charge transfer control means (24). Under the control of the control device, the imaging element (10) captures an image of an object on the basis of high-intensity light and stores first image signal charge into the first charge storage portion (22) during a first period, and captures an image of the object on the basis of low-intensity light and stores second image signal charge into the second charge storage portion (24) during a second period. The control device obtains an image signal on the basis of the difference between the first image signal charge and the second image signal charge.