Single Sensor Distance Measurement via Multi-Focal Lens Parallax
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual distance determination methods, such as stereo and mono cameras, face challenges including high costs for stereo cameras and inaccurate results for mono cameras, limiting their effectiveness in determining object distance reliably and efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system utilizing a single imaging sensor with an optical lens system featuring sections of different focal lengths and a chessboard-like arrangement of photo elements, allowing for precise distance determination by comparing image positions across different focal lengths without the need for multiple cameras or complex installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If stereo cameras are used for distance determination, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to multiple cameras and complex installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions into a single camera system by integrating a beam splitter and multiple imaging sensors. This allows the system to capture images through different optical paths (direct and reflected) using one camera, eliminating the need for multiple separate cameras while maintaining stereo vision capability for accurate distance determination
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter acts as an intermediary optical element that divides the incoming light from the object into multiple paths. This mediator enables a single camera to receive light from different angles as if multiple cameras were present, achieving stereo vision with reduced device complexity
2Device complexity
If mono camera is used for distance determination, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate distance results
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the dynamic movement of the vehicle to create temporal stereo vision. By capturing images at different moments during vehicle movement and combining them with the beam splitter's optical path separation, the system achieves distance measurement capability that overcomes the static limitation of a single camera
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the time dimension to the imaging process by capturing images at different moments and combining them with spatial separation through the beam splitter. This temporal-spatial combination enables accurate distance determination with a single camera, transforming it from a 2D static system to a 4D dynamic system
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are installed for stereo vision, then distance determination accuracy is improved, but cost increases due to multiple cameras and cabling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple cameras into a single camera system by using a beam splitter to create multiple virtual imaging paths. This reduces the quantity of physical components (cameras, cables, mounting structures) while maintaining the functional equivalence of a multi-camera stereo system for accurate distance determination
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 reliable and precise distance measurement using a single imaging sensor, reducing costs and improving accuracy by leveraging a single camera setup, and can be integrated into various applications like driver assistance systems.
Implementation Method 1
The evaluation unit determines the distance to an object within the object field by comparing the parallax of the sub-images
Implementation Method 2
an imaging sensor with a plurality of photo elements or pixels
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
An apparatus, a sensor (01) and a method for visually determining the range to an object are described. The apparatus has a sensor (01) consisting of an imaging sensor (02) with a plurality of photo elements (03) and an optical lens system (04), which is associated with the imaging sensor (02), as well as a device which is connected to the imaging sensor (02) and evaluates images of the object which are imaged on individual photo elements (03). According to the invention, the optical lens system (04) has at least two parts (05, 06) with different focal lengths which are associated with different groups of photo elements (03', 03") of the imaging sensor (02). This allows the object to be recorded at the same time with two focal lengths using only one imaging sensor (02). The range to the object is determined by comparison of the position of the image of the object, at least within a group of photo elements (03') associated with a first part (05) of the optical lens system (04), with the position of the image of the object at least within a second group of photo elements (03) which is associated with a second part (06) of the optical lens system (04).