Interleaved Active IR Camera Timing for Depth Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active IR imaging systems operating concurrently can experience cross-contamination and optical interference, leading to distorted depth calculations and unwanted noise in IR images due to overlapping light sources and timing issues.
Innovation Solution
A 3D imaging system with multiple active IR cameras employs a precision timing control mechanism to coordinate subframe exposures, allowing interleaving of camera schedules and frame timings, thereby preventing optical contamination and enabling higher frame rates while maintaining accurate depth calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple active IR imaging systems operate concurrently, then imaging coverage and functionality are improved, but cross-contamination and optical interference increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by dividing the imaging process into discrete time slots where each camera operates in alternating periods. Camera 1 captures during its designated time window, then Camera 2 captures during its window, creating a periodic temporal separation that prevents simultaneous operation and eliminates cross-contamination while maintaining comprehensive imaging coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the continuous imaging task into segmented time frames, where each frame is further divided into subframes assigned to different cameras. This temporal segmentation allows multiple imaging systems to share the same spatial field without interference, as each camera processes a specific segment of the time domain.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple active IR imaging systems operate concurrently, then functional capabilities are improved, but depth calculation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing periodic time-slot allocation where cameras operate alternately rather than simultaneously, the system eliminates optical interference that would distort depth measurements. Each camera receives uninterrupted light during its designated period, ensuring accurate time-of-flight calculations and structured light pattern recognition without contamination from other active sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-coordinating camera activation schedules before imaging begins. The timing control mechanism establishes predetermined time slots for each camera, ensuring that depth calculation operations are performed during interference-free periods, thus maintaining measurement precision while enabling multiple functional capabilities.
3Measurement precision
If camera exposure times are extended to improve image quality, then image clarity is improved, but frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total frame duration into multiple subframes, each assigned to a different camera. This allows each camera to use longer exposure times within its allocated subframe for improved image clarity, while the overall system maintains high frame rates by parallelizing the capture process across multiple cameras operating in sequence rather than requiring one camera to capture the entire frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-camera temporal sequence to a multi-camera temporal-spatial arrangement. By adding the camera dimension, the system allows longer exposures per camera without reducing overall frame rate, as multiple cameras share the temporal load. This dimensional expansion resolves the contradiction between exposure duration and frame rate.
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 reduces interference between cameras, allowing for accurate and efficient 3D imaging by ensuring non-overlapping active and idle periods, thus enhancing the reliability and clarity of depth calculations and image recognition in applications like VR/AR, eye tracking, and spatial mapping.
Implementation Method 1
Some imaging systems (i.e., time-of-flight imaging systems) are capable of identifying the distances and positions of objects within a target environment at any given time by measuring the elapsed time between the emission of light from the light source and the reception of the light that is reflected off of the objects.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for three-dimensional imaging includes a plurality of three-dimensional imaging cameras. A first camera and a second camera may have integration times that are interleaved with the readout time of the other camera to limit interference while increasing framerate and throughput.