Distance Image Generation with Reflectivity-Based Pulse Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recognition devices face challenges in measuring distances to objects with lower reflectivity due to increased capturing time and decreased frame rate, and in handling multiple objects with varying reflectivities by simply adjusting light emission intensity.
Innovation Solution
An image recognition device that emits lighting pulses and adjusts their emission amount based on calculated correction coefficients corresponding to the reflectivity of each measurement section, increasing the number of pulses for low reflectivity objects and decreasing for high reflectivity objects to improve signal-to-noise ratio and prevent frame rate degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the light emission intensity is increased to improve distance measurement precision for low reflectivity objects, then the measurement precision is improved, but the frame rate decreases due to increased capturing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed lighting instead of continuous illumination. The light source emits light in periodic pulses synchronized with the measurement cycle, allowing the system to capture distance information during specific time windows. This periodic action enables the system to maintain measurement precision for low reflectivity objects while preserving frame rate by not continuously illuminating the scene.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the light emission intensity based on the measured distance to the object. The controller increases light emission intensity when objects are at longer distances or have lower reflectivity, and decreases it when objects are closer or have higher reflectivity. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the signal-to-noise ratio for distance measurement while preventing excessive light emission that would slow down the capturing process.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are provided to improve distance measurement capability, then the measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement space into multiple measurement sections along the emission direction of the lighting pulses. Each measurement section corresponds to a specific distance range. The controller then adjusts the light emission intensity specifically for each measurement section based on its characteristics, particularly the reflectivity of objects in that section. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple objects with different reflectivities using a single light source, avoiding the complexity of multiple light sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light emission intensity is adjusted according to distance to establish compatibility between close range and long range, then the compatibility is improved, but the ability to measure low reflectivity objects is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the light emission intensity according to the specific characteristics of each measurement section. Instead of using a uniform light emission intensity for all distances, the controller determines the appropriate light intensity for each measurement section based on the expected reflectivity of objects in that section. This allows the system to maintain compatibility between close range and long range measurements while specifically optimizing for low reflectivity objects in each local measurement section.
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 enables higher-precision image recognition without decreasing frame rate, even for objects with lower reflectivity, by optimizing lighting pulse emission according to reflectivity, thus improving image quality and reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits lighting pulses to a measurement space; a light receiver that receives reflected light from a measurement object present in the measurement space
Implementation Method 2
a known method for measuring a distance from an image recognition device to an object to be measured (referred to hereinafter as a measurement object) is one so-called a time of flight (TOF) method, which measures a time from emitting light from a light source to a measurement object until the light reflected from the measurement object to return
Data Source
AI summary
An image recognition device includes a light source that emits lighting pulses to a measurement space, a image generator that generates a distance image based on reflected light acquired by a light receiving element, a reflectivity calculator that calculates a correction coefficient corresponding to a reflectivity for each measurement section, and a lighting pulse controller that controls a number of lighting pulses emitted from the light source according to the correction coefficient for each measurement section.