Imaging Device Depth Accuracy via Modulated Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging devices face degraded distance measurement accuracy when combining Time-of-Flight (ToF) and stereo systems due to interference from projection light, leading to noise components and reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device that uses intensity-modulated spatial pattern light from a single light source, allowing both ToF and stereo systems to operate without interference, by modulating the light source to match the needs of each system and ensuring only one light source is used, thereby avoiding projection light interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two separate light sources are used for ToF and stereo systems, then both systems can operate independently, but projection light interferes with each other to become noise components, degrading distance measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ToF and stereo imaging systems into a single integrated device that uses one light source instead of two separate light sources. This merging eliminates the interference between projection lights while maintaining the functionality of both distance measurement methods, directly resolving the technical contradiction between system independence and light interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light source in the integrated imaging device serves multiple functions: it provides illumination for both ToF and stereo systems simultaneously. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve the benefits of both distance measurement techniques without the harmful effect of multiple light sources interfering with each other.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distance measuring systems are combined, then measurement coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ToF and stereo imaging systems into a single integrated device with shared components including one light source, reducing device complexity while maintaining the versatility of multiple measurement approaches. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate light sources and reduces system integration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated imaging device achieves multi-functionality by enabling both ToF and stereo distance measurement within a single system architecture. This universal design provides comprehensive measurement coverage while avoiding the complexity of completely separate systems through shared hardware resources.
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 enhances distance measurement accuracy by synthesizing depth values from both systems without interference, improving reliability and reducing noise, while also optimizing power consumption and module size.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that generates intensity-modulated spatial pattern light
Implementation Method 2
a ToF system of measuring a distance on the basis of a time of flight (ToF) of a modulated component included in reflected light from an object
Data Source
AI summary
To improve a distance measurement accuracy by combining a plurality of distance measuring methods while avoiding interference of projection light. A light source projection unit projects intensity-modulated spatial pattern light. A time-of-flight distance measurement camera measures a distance to an object on the basis of a time of flight of a modulated component included in reflected light of the spatial pattern light from the object. A spatial information distance measurement camera measures a distance to the object on the basis of spatial information included in the reflected light. A depth synthesizing unit synthesizes measurement results of the distances in the time-of-flight distance measurement camera and the spatial information distance measurement camera to determine a depth value of each pixel position of an image imaged by the time-of-flight distance measurement camera or the spatial information distance measurement camera.