ToF Camera Lens Barrel Distortion for Adaptive Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ToF cameras face issues with adaptive operation, inefficient power consumption, and reduced data reliability due to constant light intensity and pattern, leading to potential light saturation and inaccurate image capture.
Innovation Solution
A ToF camera with a light source unit and lens unit that adjusts light patterns through distortion aberration, allowing for surface lighting or spot lighting, and includes a driving member to change the light path and refractive index, enabling adaptive operation and efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If light of the same intensity and magnitude is output regardless of distance or object size, then the light source is simple to control, but light saturation occurs or insufficient information is obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light source intensity and pattern adjustable rather than fixed. The light emitting device can dynamically change its emission characteristics based on distance to object and capturing purposes, transitioning from uniform emission to adaptive emission patterns that prevent saturation and ensure sufficient information acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters of light emission including intensity and spatial distribution pattern. By varying these parameters according to capturing conditions (distance, object size), the system achieves both simple control through parameter adjustment and reliable image acquisition by preventing saturation and ensuring adequate light information.
2Ease of operation
If the same light pattern is always used, then the system is simple to operate, but the camera cannot adapt to different capturing purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static light pattern emission to dynamic emission that adapts to capturing purposes. The light source can change its pattern based on whether the capture is for close-up, distance measurement, or other specific purposes, while maintaining ease of operation through automated adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes in light emission patterns to match different capturing purposes. By adjusting intensity distribution and spatial patterns according to the specific capturing task, the system achieves versatility without complicating operation, as the adjustments are automatically controlled.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If constant light intensity is used, then power consumption is stable and simple to control, but power consumption cannot be efficiently controlled for different tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by enabling the light source to operate at different intensity levels and patterns based on capturing requirements. The system can periodically adjust its power consumption to match the actual needs of different capturing tasks, rather than maintaining constant high power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes power consumption parameters by adjusting light emission intensity and duration according to capturing purposes. This allows efficient power management where the light source consumes appropriate power levels for each task, achieving both stability when needed and adaptability for different scenarios.
4Device complexity
If uniform light emission is used, then the light source structure is simple, but peripheral portion information is lost due to light loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different regions of light emission have different characteristics. Instead of uniform emission, the system creates localized intensity variations that compensate for peripheral light loss, ensuring adequate illumination and information capture across the entire field of view including peripheral areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the spatial distribution parameter of light emission to address peripheral information loss. By adjusting the intensity pattern across different spatial regions, the system compensates for light loss in peripheral portions while maintaining relatively simple source structure, achieving both simplicity and information completeness.
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 solution enhances power consumption efficiency, allows adaptive driving based on capturing purposes, and improves image accuracy and reliability by compensating for light loss in peripheral areas.
Implementation Method 1
the lens unit has a distortion aberration in the form of barrel distortion in which irradiance of the light pattern decreases in a direction away from a central portion
Implementation Method 2
light in an IR wavelength region has been used
Data Source
AI summary
A time of flight (ToF) camera according to embodiments of the present invention includes a light source unit including an infrared light-emitting device array and configured to generate a light signal; a lens unit disposed on the light source unit and including a plurality of lenses; and an adjustment unit configured to adjust the lens unit such that a light pattern of the light signal, which has passed through the lens unit, becomes a surface lighting or a spot lighting including a plurality of spot patterns, wherein the lens unit has a distortion aberration in the form of barrel distortion in which irradiance of the light pattern decreases in a direction away from a central portion.