Parallax Calculation System Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

In parallax calculation systems that combine stereo cameras and electromagnetic distance-measurement devices, the low signal intensity of reflected waves at long distances leads to noise detection errors, compromising the accuracy of distance measurement.

Innovation Solution

The system sets a process range for the laser light receiving signal based on distance information from the stereo camera, reducing the likelihood of noise detection and ensuring accurate distance information is used for parallax calculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an electromagnetic distance-measurement device is used to measure distance regardless of object distance, then distance resolution is maintained high, but signal intensity of received reflected wave becomes lower at long distances, making it difficult to distinguish reflected wave from noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance resolutionVSAvoidnoise detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines stereo camera data and electromagnetic distance-measurement device data into a unified parallax calculation system. The stereo camera provides reliable spatial information at long distances where electromagnetic signals are weak, while the electromagnetic device provides consistent distance resolution. By merging these complementary data sources, the system achieves both high distance resolution and reliable noise discrimination at long ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a cost calculation mechanism as an intermediary that evaluates the reliability of distance measurements. By calculating costs based on parallax information from stereo cameras and comparing multiple candidate distances, the system mediates between the electromagnetic device's distance measurements and the actual reliability of those measurements, filtering out noise detections through cost-based validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If a stereo camera is used to obtain distance information, then space resolution and distance resolution are high, but these resolutions decrease when there is a long distance to an object

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance resolutionVSAvoiddistance measurement accuracy at long distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the weighting parameters dynamically based on distance. For close objects, the stereo camera's parallax information is weighted highly for accurate distance resolution. For distant objects where stereo resolution degrades, the system adjusts parameters to rely more on electromagnetic distance-measurement data, maintaining reliable distance measurements across all ranges by adapting parameter weights to the current distance condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If both stereo camera and electromagnetic distance-measurement device are combined, then both high space resolution and high distance resolution can be achieved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall distance measurement accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the distance measurement task into two complementary approaches: stereo vision-based parallax calculation for spatially-resolved measurements and electromagnetic time-of-flight measurement for distance-resolved measurements. By dividing the measurement function into these segments that operate independently but are integrated through cost calculation, the system achieves high overall precision without requiring complete redundancy of sensors, thus managing complexity through functional segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 measurement by reducing the probability of noise detection errors, particularly at long distances, thereby improving the overall performance of the parallax calculation system.

Implementation Method 1

a laser radar ranging unit that emits a laser beam, in order to acquire distance information indicative of a distance to a position irradiated with the laser beam, based on reflected light of the laser beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

a stereo camera unit that captures images, in order to generate first parallax information indicative of a parallax in a base pixel region p

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParallax: Parallax

Data Source

PatentEP3279691B1Rangefinder based on parallax calculation
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3279691B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3279691B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3279691B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The object of the present invention is to improve accuracy of distance measurement performed by an electromagnetic distance-measurement device (120) provided in a parallax calculation system (100) for calculating a parallax based on images (510, 520) captured by a plurality of image capturing devices (111, 112). The parallax calculation system (100) includes: a determining unit (714) configured to determine, based on the calculated parallax, a range for signal processing to detect a signal that is indicative of a reflected wave of an electromagnetic wave emitted in a view direction of the plurality of image capturing devices (111, 112); and a calculating unit (240) configured to calculate a distance to a position (530) irradiated with the electromagnetic wave, the distance being calculated based on the signal detected in the range for signal processing determined by the determining unit (714).