Single Sensor Unit Object Detection via Merged Light Emission and Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object detection systems using multiple sensors, such as stereo cameras, millimeter wave radar, and LIDAR, face issues with erroneous detection due to misalignment of sensors and differing detectable regions, leading to reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An object detection device employing a single sensor unit with a light emitting unit and a two-dimensional array of light receiving elements, which acquires reflection intensity, background light intensity, and distance information to detect objects, thereby minimizing errors from sensor misalignment and overlapping detection regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensors (stereo camera, millimeter wave radar, laser radar) are used for object detection, then detection coverage and information acquisition are improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to sensor misalignment and differing detectable regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light emitting unit and light receiving unit into a single sensor unit, integrating multiple detection functions (reflection intensity measurement and distance measurement via TOF) into one unified system. This eliminates the misalignment issues between separate sensors while maintaining comprehensive detection capabilities through multi-functional integration within the same physical unit
2Loss of information
If multiple separate sensor units are used to acquire detection information, then information completeness is improved, but parameter alignment (installation position, detection timing) deteriorates leading to erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions (reflection intensity acquisition and distance measurement) into a single sensor unit that operates simultaneously. This ensures that all detection parameters are naturally aligned in terms of installation position and detection timing, eliminating the parameter mismatch problems that occur with separate sensor units while maintaining complete information acquisition
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate sensors are used for reflection intensity and distance measurement, then functional specialization is improved, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to misalignment of installation position and detection timing
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - both measuring reflection intensity and calculating distance via TOF method. This multi-functional approach within a single unit maintains the specialization benefits of dedicated measurement capabilities while ensuring perfect alignment of installation position and detection timing, thereby improving overall detection accuracy
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 single sensor unit configuration enhances detection accuracy by matching parameters like installation position and detection timing, reducing erroneous object detection and improving association processes.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving unit (200) including a two-dimensional array of a plurality of light receiving elements (201) on a light receiving surface S1 for receiving light including reflected light from the object (OB)
Implementation Method 2
third information indicating a distance to the object at each pixel as a pixel value of the pixel
Data Source
AI summary
In an object detection device for detecting an object, a single sensor unit includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light receiving unit includes a two-dimensional array of light receiving elements and outputs a light reception signal in response to a light reception state of a set of the light receiving elements for each pixel. The sensor unit is configured to, based on the light reception signals, acquire first information indicating reception intensity of the reflected light at each pixel, second information indicating reception intensity of background light that is light other than the reflected light, at each pixel, and third information indicating a distance to the object at each pixel as a pixel value of the pixel. A detection unit is configured to use all of the first to third information included in the pixel values of the respective pixels to detect the object.