Light-emitting Partitioning for Depth Measurement Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing depth measurement technologies face challenges in accurately measuring distances due to issues like lens flare and multipath interference, which can lead to inaccurate received light amounts and compromised measurement accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a measurement apparatus that uses a light source with partitioned light-emitting elements and corresponding light-receiving elements, where the light-emitting partitions are adjusted based on received light amounts to minimize indirect light and multipath interference, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If light is emitted onto a scene for depth measurement, then distance information can be obtained, but corrupting light due to internal reflections degrades measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth measurement accuracyVSAvoidcorrupting light from internal reflections
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light-emitting elements are divided into multiple partitions, allowing selective emission from different regions. This segmentation enables the system to avoid emitting light in directions that would cause internal reflections while still gathering sufficient return light for accurate depth measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different partitions of the light-emitting elements have different emission characteristics optimized for their specific roles. Some partitions are designed to emit light at specific angles to avoid internal reflections, while others maximize light return collection, creating local quality variations that resolve the contradiction between avoiding corrupting light and maintaining measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If light-emitting elements are partitioned to reduce indirect light, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidlight-emitting element configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light-emitting element array is segmented into multiple partitions with distinct emission patterns. This segmentation is implemented through systematic variations in emission angles and intensities across partitions, providing a structured approach to reducing indirect light while maintaining manageable device complexity through regular patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light-emitting partitions operate in a periodic manner, with different partitions being activated in sequence or with specific temporal patterns. This periodic operation allows the system to control indirect light while maintaining relatively simple hardware configuration, as the complexity is managed through time-based control rather than complex spatial arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 the accuracy of distance measurements by reducing the impact of indirect light and multipath interference, ensuring more precise three-dimensional shape identification and distance determination.

Implementation Method 1

measure a time from light projection to light reception, and measure a distance to the target object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

receive light reflected or scattered by the target object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4063906B1Detection apparatus and method for detecting an object
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4063906B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4063906B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4063906B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A detection apparatus includes: a light-emitting element array including plural light-emitting elements; a light-receiving element array including plural light-receiving elements configured to receive reflected light of light emitted from the light-emitting element array to an object to be detected; a drive unit configured to selectively drive the plural light-emitting elements; and a detection unit configured to cause the light-emitting elements to emit light and cause a first light-emitting element corresponding to a first light-receiving element having received light amounts less than a predetermined threshold among received light amounts of light received by all light-receiving elements to emit light to detect the object to be detected.