Light Source Driving Control for Abnormal Emission Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light source driving devices fail to provide adequate protection during abnormal conditions, such as abnormal currents in laser diodes, which can lead to insufficient protection and potential harm.

Innovation Solution

A light source driving device comprising an emission unit, a light receiving unit, an abnormality detection unit, a light source control unit, and an emission control unit, which collectively detect and respond to abnormalities by stopping light emission and collection, thereby enhancing protection capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If light emission is controlled only by a light source control unit, then the device structure is simple, but protection capability during abnormality is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidcontrol structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control function is segmented into two independent units: a light source control unit that controls light emission, and an emission control unit that controls light collection. This segmentation allows the emission control unit to independently stop light collection when abnormality is detected, providing rapid protection without requiring changes to the light source control unit and thus maintaining relatively simple device structure while improving protection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The emission control unit acts as an intermediary between the abnormality detection unit and the light source control unit. When abnormality is detected, the emission control unit can independently intervene to stop light collection, providing a rapid protection mechanism without requiring direct communication with or modification of the light source control unit, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If processing is performed by an application processor, then comprehensive control is achieved, but response time is too long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection capabilityVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The emission control unit is pre-configured with the authority and capability to stop light collection independently. When abnormality is detected, this preliminary setup allows immediate action without waiting for application processor intervention, achieving rapid response while maintaining comprehensive control through the dedicated emission control unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The emission control unit performs self-service by independently detecting abnormality conditions and autonomously stopping light collection. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for application processor intervention in emergency situations, achieving rapid response speed while maintaining reliable protection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If only light source control is implemented, then the control system is simple, but harmful light emission cannot be fully prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharmful light emissionVSAvoidcontrol units

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of uncontrolled light emission into a benefit by implementing dual control: the light source control unit controls emission, and the emission control unit controls collection. This dual-control mechanism ensures that even if one control fails, the other can prevent harmful light emission, thereby improving safety while adding only one additional control unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The proposed solution effectively improves protection capabilities by rapidly detecting and mitigating abnormal conditions, preventing harmful light emission and ensuring safer operation.

Implementation Method 1

an emission unit that collects and emits light from a light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight collection and emission: Lens

Implementation Method 2

a light receiving unit that receives light from the light source via the emission unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250093481A1Light source driving device, light emitting device, and distance measuring device

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 SONY SEMICON SOLUTIONS CORP

AI summary

Protection capability at the time of abnormality of a light source is improved. A light source driving device includes an emission unit, a light receiving unit, an abnormality detection unit, a light source control unit, and an emission control unit. The emission unit collects and emits light from the light source. The light receiving unit receives light from the light source via the emission unit. The abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality of light emitted from the emission unit based on the received light. The light source control unit controls light emission of the light source, and stops the light emission of the light source when an abnormality is detected. The emission control unit controls light collection of the emission unit, and stops the light collection of the emission unit when an abnormality is detected.