Motion Sensor Device Alternating Light Sources Background Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional motion sensor devices require capturing extra image frames with the light source turned OFF to remove background light, increasing costs and decreasing performance by necessitating expensive image sensors and longer data transfer times.

Innovation Solution

A motion sensor device that measures distance by capturing two frames with alternating light sources, allowing for background light removal without additional image frames, thereby maintaining performance and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If extra image frames are captured with the light source turned OFF to remove background light, then the background light influence is reduced, but the device cost increases and performance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackground light influenceVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by alternately turning ON and OFF multiple light sources at different timings while capturing images. This periodic switching enables the system to distinguish between light from different sources and background light through temporal separation, eliminating the need for extra image frames and expensive specialized sensors while effectively removing background light influence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If extra image frames are captured with the light source turned OFF to remove background light, then the background light influence is reduced, but the data transfer time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackground light influenceVSAvoiddata transfer time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic switching of multiple light sources combined with simultaneous image capture. By assigning different temporal patterns to each light source and using multiple image sensors to capture frames at the same time, the system extracts background light information without requiring sequential extra frames, thereby reducing data transfer time while maintaining background light removal effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If expensive image sensors are used to capture extra image frames for background light removal, then the background light influence is reduced, but the device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackground light influenceVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light sources into multiple independent units that can be switched ON and OFF at different timings. This segmentation allows the use of standard image sensors to capture spatial and temporal light distribution patterns, enabling background light removal through computational methods rather than requiring expensive specialized sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces temporal switching patterns as an intermediary mechanism between the light sources and image sensors. By modulating light sources in time and capturing multiple frames with different light source configurations, the system extracts background light information using standard sensors, avoiding the need for expensive specialized imaging equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 accurate distance measurement with reduced background light influence without the need for extra image frames, enhancing the device's efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

capturing a first image frame with light emitted from a first light source and capturing a second image frame with light emitted from a second light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3015819B1Motion sensor device having plurality of light sources
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP3015819B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3015819B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3015819B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

A motion sensor device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an image sensor (701); first and second light sources (702, 703); and a controller (710) configured to control the image sensor (701) and the first and second light sources (702, 703). The controller (710) makes the image sensor capture a first frame with light emitted from the first light source at a first time, makes the image sensor capture a second frame with light emitted from the second light source at a second time, performs masking processing on a first image gotten by capturing the first frame and on a second image gotten by capturing the second frame based on a difference between the first and second images, and obtain information about the distance to an object shot in the first and second images based on the first and second images that have been subjected to the masking processing.