Spatial Information Detection Device With Environmental Light Fluctuation Smoothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spatial information detection devices face challenges in accurately distinguishing intensity-modulated light from multiple detection devices and environmental light fluctuations, leading to deteriorated detection accuracy.

Innovation Solution

The integration and smoothing of environmental light fluctuations over specific phase zones, combined with frequency selection and switching, allow for the cancellation of these fluctuations, enabling accurate detection of spatial information by distinguishing the light from the target space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple detection devices project intensity-modulated light into the same target space simultaneously, then the productivity of spatial information detection is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to distinguish lights from different devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidspatial information detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection process by assigning different modulation frequencies to different detection devices. Each device operates at a unique frequency (f1, f2, f3, etc.), allowing the system to distinguish between lights from different devices through frequency discrimination. This enables multiple devices to operate simultaneously in the same target space without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the intensity-modulated light for each detection device. By varying the modulation frequency as a distinguishing parameter, the system allows multiple devices to coexist in the same target space while maintaining the ability to distinguish their respective lights, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If environmental light with intensity fluctuations exists in the target space, then the adaptability of the detection device to real-world conditions is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from light fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptabilityVSAvoidspatial information detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic intensity-modulated light with a specific modulation frequency that is distinct from the frequency of environmental light fluctuations. By using synchronous detection at the modulation frequency, the system can distinguish the projected light from environmental light, maintaining measurement precision while adapting to real-world conditions with environmental illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the projected light to be different from the frequency of environmental light fluctuations. This frequency differentiation allows the detection device to filter out environmental light interference while maintaining adaptability to real-world operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the photodetector receives all light in the target space without discrimination, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to extract only desired light

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoidlight extraction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic intensity-modulated light at a specific modulation frequency and applies synchronous detection. The evaluation portion detects the modulation component at the predetermined frequency, automatically extracting only the light from the projected beam while rejecting other lights. This maintains ease of operation without requiring complex manual filtering while achieving high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 effectively reduces the influence of environmental light, allowing for high-accuracy spatial information detection even in overlapping target spaces with multiple detection devices, improving usability and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a photodetector having a photoelectric converting portion configured to receive light from the target space, and generate electric charges corresponding to a received light amount

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric conversion: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP1879049B1Space information detecting device, and space information detecting system using the device
Publication Date: 2016.06.29 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP1879049B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1879049B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP1879049B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A spatial information detection device is provided, which is capable of, even under the condition that an environmental light having intensity fluctuations exists in a target space, projecting a light intensity-modulated with a predetermined modulation signal from a light emitting source into the target space, receiving light from the target space with a photodetector, and detecting spatial information of the target space from a change between the light projected from the light emitting source and the light received by the photodetector. This device has a smoothing unit configured to integrate, over a predetermined integration period, a fluctuation component in a prescribed phase zone of the modulation signal with respect to an electric charge amount generated by receiving the environmental light in the electric charge amount generated at the photodetector by receiving the light from the target space, thereby smoothing the fluctuation component.