Ranging Device Binning Processing Circuit Scale Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flash LiDAR technologies face challenges in improving distance measurement accuracy while minimizing the increase in memory capacity and processing circuitry required for signal processing.

Innovation Solution

A ranging device and method that incorporates a light receiving unit, a binning processing unit, an information generation unit, and a data transfer unit, where the data transfer unit sequentially transfers signals from the light receiving unit to the binning processing unit, and the binning processing unit converts these signals into pixel block signals, thereby reducing the circuit scale and memory requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If binning processing is performed by providing addition circuits and compression determination circuits for each pixel unit, then distance measurement accuracy is improved, but circuit scale increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidcircuit scale

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the addition circuit and compression determination circuit into a single integrated binning processing unit. This unit processes signals from multiple pixels collectively rather than requiring separate circuits for each pixel, thereby reducing overall circuit scale while maintaining the ability to perform binning processing for improved distance measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The binning processing unit is designed as a universal circuit that can handle signals from multiple pixels simultaneously. This multi-functional unit performs both addition and compression determination operations that would otherwise require separate dedicated circuits for each pixel, reducing device complexity while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If binning processing is performed by providing addition circuits and compression determination circuits for each pixel unit, then distance measurement accuracy is improved, but memory capacity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidmemory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the addition circuit and compression determination circuit into a single integrated binning processing unit. This unit processes signals from multiple pixels collectively rather than requiring separate circuits for each pixel, thereby reducing overall circuit scale while maintaining the ability to perform binning processing for improved distance measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The binning processing unit is designed as a universal circuit that can handle signals from multiple pixels simultaneously. This multi-functional unit performs both addition and compression determination operations that would otherwise require separate dedicated circuits for each pixel, reducing device complexity while preserving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances distance measurement accuracy while effectively suppressing the increase in memory capacity and processing circuitry, thus optimizing the performance of the ranging device.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting unit configured to emit light; a light receiving unit including a plurality of pixels configured to detect light including an irradiation light from the light emitting unit reflected by an object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission and reflection: Light

Implementation Method 2

a light receiving unit including a plurality of pixels configured to detect light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250067872A1Ranging device and method of driving ranging device

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 CANON KK

AI summary

A ranging device includes a light receiving unit including a plurality of pixels that detects light including an irradiation light reflected by an object, a binning processing unit that converts signals of the plurality of pixels into signals of pixel blocks, an information generation unit that generates information in which each of the signals of the pixel blocks generated by the binning processing unit and a time from light emission to light detection are associated with each other, and a data transfer that transfers the plurality of signals from the light receiving unit to the binning processing unit. The data transfer unit sequentially transfers the plurality of signals received from the light receiving unit to the binning processing unit, and the binning processing unit sequentially converts the plurality of signals transferred from the data transfer unit into the signals of the pixel blocks.