Linear-Light Depth Sensing With Event Pixels for Low-Compute 3D Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing depth data measurement devices require high computational power and bandwidth for high-precision imaging, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A depth data measurement device that uses linear light projection and an image sensor with pixels generating valid signals based on brightness changes, combined with timestamp and relative motion information to determine depth, allowing for high-speed depth information acquisition with low computing power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex devices and projected patterns are used to achieve high-precision imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process by having each pixel independently detect brightness changes and generate valid signals with timestamps, rather than processing the entire image frame at once. This segmentation allows high-precision depth measurement without requiring complex projection patterns, as each pixel autonomously identifies valid depth-sensing moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the valid signals from pixels that detect brightness changes, discarding unnecessary data from pixels that do not experience brightness changes. This extraction approach enables high-precision depth imaging with simple linear light projection, as the system processes only the relevant brightness change events rather than analyzing complete image frames.
2Measurement precision
If high frame rate imaging is used to achieve high-precision imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but computing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and processes only the valid signals generated by pixels experiencing brightness changes, rather than processing entire high-frame-rate image sequences. This selective extraction dramatically reduces computing power requirements while maintaining high-precision depth measurement capability, as the system focuses computational resources only on relevant depth-sensing events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by having each pixel independently detect brightness changes and generate valid signals with timestamps before central processing occurs. This preliminary detection at the pixel level filters out unnecessary data early in the process, reducing the computational burden on the processor while preserving high-precision depth information.
3Measurement precision
If high frame rate imaging is used to achieve high-precision imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the valid signals with timestamps from pixels that detect brightness changes, rather than transmitting and processing complete high-frame-rate image data. This extraction approach significantly reduces bandwidth consumption while maintaining high-precision depth measurement, as the system transmits only the essential depth-relevant information.
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
Enables high-precision depth information acquisition with significantly reduced computational requirements, facilitating applications in 3D scanning and modeling.
Implementation Method 1
an image sensor in which each pixel can independently generate a valid signal when the brightness changes
Data Source
AI summary
A depth data measurement device, and a corresponding application method are disclosed. The measurement device includes: a projection assembly for projecting linear light onto an imaging object in relative motion; an image sensor for imaging based on the reflected light of the linear light, the each pixel sending a valid signal with a timestamp when the change in the amount of light received per unit time exceeds a threshold; and a processor for calculating the surface depth information of the object based on the positions of pixels corresponding to the valid signals, the timestamps of those valid signals, as well as the relative motion information. The present invention employs linear light to achieve active illumination and imaging of an object undergoing relative motion, and combines an image sensor in which each pixel can independently generate a valid signal when the brightness changes, so that imaging can be performed only for the valid signal, and the timestamp and relative motion information are used to determine the position of the depth data, thereby realizing high-speed depth information acquisition and processing with a simple projection mechanism and extremely low computing power requirements.