Depth Acquisition Device with Visible-Infrared Edge Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distance measurers face challenges in accurately measuring depth at boundaries between objects with different light reflectivities due to changes in reflectivity during imaging, leading to inaccurate depth measurements.
Innovation Solution
The depth acquisition device utilizes infrared light to measure depth and corrects depth values by detecting edge regions in a visible light image perpendicular to the image movement direction, using a learning model to enhance accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional distance measurers use light reflectivity to measure depth, then depth measurement is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates at boundaries between objects with different reflectivities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process into two independent components: visible light imaging for edge detection and infrared light imaging for depth measurement. By separating the functions of edge detection and depth measurement into different wavelength channels, the system avoids the interference of reflectivity changes at object boundaries, thereby improving measurement precision and reliability simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces edge region information from visible light imaging as an intermediary to correct depth measurements in infrared imaging. The edge regions detected in visible light serve as a mediator to identify and correct inaccurate depth measurements caused by reflectivity variations, thus improving measurement reliability at object boundaries
2Measurement precision
If the system uses both visible light and infrared light imaging, then depth accuracy at boundaries is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single imaging element that can operate in both visible light and infrared light modes. This multi-functional approach allows the same hardware to perform both edge detection (visible light) and depth measurement (infrared light), thereby improving depth accuracy at boundaries while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the edge detection function and depth measurement function into a unified processing framework. By combining the results from visible light imaging and infrared light imaging through a coordinated processing algorithm, the system achieves improved boundary depth accuracy without requiring completely separate hardware systems
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 allows for accurate depth measurement by reducing noise and improving depth accuracy at boundaries between objects with varying reflectivities, ensuring precise distance calculations.
Implementation Method 1
intensities being measured by imaging performed by receiving the infrared light reflected on a subject by respective pixels in an imaging element
Implementation Method 2
receiving the infrared light reflected on a subject
Data Source
AI summary
A depth acquisition device includes memory and processor performing: acquiring, from the memory, intensities of infrared light emitted from a light source and measured by imaging with the infrared light reflected on a subject by pixels in an imaging element; generating a depth image by calculating a distance to the subject as a depth for each pixel based on an intensity received by the pixel; acquiring, from the memory, a visible light image generated by imaging, with visible light, a substantially same scene with a substantially same viewpoint and at a substantially same timing as those of imaging the infrared light image; detecting, from the visible light image, an edge region including an edge along a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of the visible light image; and correcting, in the depth image, a depth of a target region corresponding to the edge region in the depth image.