Time of Flight Camera Data Processing System for Depth Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Time-of-Flight (ToF) depth sensor camera systems face challenges in computational load and cost due to increasing image sensor sizes, requiring additional processing for accurate depth measurements, which can be resource-intensive and expensive, especially for real-time 3D imaging applications.
Innovation Solution
A Time of Flight camera data processing system comprising a management processor structure and a depth circuit structure that translates raw image frame data into complex components, with pipeline structures for concurrent processing, calibration, filtering, and transformation, allowing for flexible configuration and control of the camera system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image sensor sizes continue to increase to capture more scene information, then measurement precision and coverage are improved, but computational load increases massively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the processing of raw pixel data into multiple correlation measurements performed in parallel across different phase shifts. Each pixel's raw data is segmented into separate correlation calculations that can be processed concurrently, reducing the overall computational burden while maintaining depth measurement accuracy across large sensor arrays
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary correlation measurements during the data acquisition phase, computing intermediate correlation values for each pixel across multiple phase shifts before final depth calculation. This preliminary processing reduces the complexity of subsequent depth computation by pre-organizing the data in a format optimized for efficient phase extraction
2Measurement precision
If additional processing techniques are applied for accurate depth measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-calibration mechanisms where the system automatically determines and corrects for systematic errors such as phase offsets and amplitude variations using the raw pixel data itself. The calibration parameters are extracted from the correlation measurements without requiring external calibration equipment or complex additional processing hardware, allowing the system to self-optimize its measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters such as correlation window sizes, phase shift intervals, and filtering thresholds based on the specific scene conditions and signal characteristics. This adaptive parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain high measurement precision across varying conditions without requiring complex fixed-processing architectures
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 system reduces computational complexity and manufacturing costs while enhancing performance by efficiently processing raw data into depth and amplitude information, supporting advanced features like high dynamic range and multi-path interference correction, and enabling real-time depth calculation.
Implementation Method 1
Time of flight camera data processing system
Implementation Method 2
the pulse interacts with the scene. The resulting return reflected pulse is measured by the ToF sensor
Implementation Method 3
the phase difference between the emitted pulse and measured reflection encodes distance
Implementation Method 4
the ToF pixel correlates the measured light with a reference signal g(t), which is normally another sinusoidal signal with the same modulation frequency
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect the invention provides a time of flight camera data processing system incorporating a management processor structure capable of communicating configuration information to and/or from a waveform generator used by the time of flight camera. A depth circuit structure is also provided which is configured to receive raw image frame data supplied by a sensor of the time of flight camera, the raw image frame data defining an array of pixels. The depth circuit structure is configured to translate the raw image frame data of one or more pixels into complex components, and the management processor structure being configured to communicate configuration information and/or to issue operational instructions to the depth circuit structure. The depth circuit structure is arranged to output distance and amplitude information derived from at least one received raw image data frame.