Optical Distance Measurement with Multi-Exposure Image Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical distance measurement systems face challenges in accurately calculating distances for objects at different positions, particularly experiencing overexposure for near objects and underexposure for far objects, which degrades calculation accuracy and can prevent measurement of objects at far distances.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a time-multiplexed or spatially multiplexed exposure mechanism, where an image sensor captures images with varying exposure times, and a processing unit divides and compares signal features across image regions to form a combined image, allowing for accurate distance calculation by optimizing exposure settings based on signal features or average brightness values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single exposure time is used for capturing images, then the device complexity is reduced, but near objects cause overexposure and far objects cause underexposure, degrading measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image into multiple image regions and assigns different exposure times to different regions. The processing unit segments the image frame into first image regions and second image regions, applying different exposure parameters to each segment to optimize both near and far object capture simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic exposure time adjustment based on spatial position and signal features. The exposure time varies dynamically across different image regions and can be adjusted based on the brightness and signal characteristics of objects at different distances, allowing optimal exposure for both near and far objects.
2Illumination intensity
If a longer exposure time is used, then far objects are properly exposed, but near objects become overexposed, losing detail information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image frame into different image regions corresponding to different distance zones. First image regions capture near objects with shorter exposure times to prevent overexposure, while second image regions capture far objects with longer exposure times to ensure proper illumination and detail retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different exposure quality settings to different spatial regions of the image. Each image region receives customized exposure parameters based on its distance characteristics, ensuring that near objects and far objects both achieve optimal exposure quality without compromising either.
3Illumination intensity
If a shorter exposure time is used, then near objects are properly exposed, but far objects become underexposed, preventing distance calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the image frame into multiple segments with different exposure characteristics. First image regions use shorter exposure times optimized for near objects, while second image regions use longer exposure times optimized for far objects, ensuring both groups maintain measurable signal quality for distance calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures that each spatial region of the image receives appropriate exposure quality tailored to its distance characteristics. This local optimization guarantees that both near and far objects achieve sufficient signal-to-noise ratio for accurate distance measurement without mutual interference.
4Measurement precision
If multiple images with different exposure times are captured and combined, then measurement precision is improved, but the time required for processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs segmentation and combination operations at the image region level rather than processing entire images separately. By dividing images into first and second image regions and combining only corresponding regions, the processing time is significantly reduced while maintaining the precision benefits of multi-exposure capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by combining only the necessary image regions that contain relevant object information. Rather than processing and combining all image data, the system selectively combines first and second image regions where objects are present, reducing unnecessary processing overhead while preserving measurement accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an optical distance measurement system including an image sensor and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to generate an image to be calculated according to at least one image captured by the image sensor, wherein different image regions of the image to be calculated correspond to different exposure times thereby improving the accuracy of the distance calculation.