Time of Flight Camera Light Diffusion for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional time-of-flight cameras suffer from uneven light intensity, leading to incomplete or inaccurate measurement results, especially when measuring objects at farther distances.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light-diffusing component in the light path of the projected light to uniformize the intensity, ensuring that the light emitted is diffused and reflected uniformly across the illuminated surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source with a small beam angle is used to project light in time-of-flight measurement, then the light can be concentrated in a specific direction, but the light intensity becomes highly uneven across the illuminated surface, resulting in inaccurate measurements
Solution Approach 1:
A light-diffusing component is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the object to be measured. This diffuser component scatters the concentrated light beam, redistributing the light intensity uniformly across the illuminated surface while maintaining sufficient overall intensity for accurate time-of-flight measurements at distance
2Device complexity
If light is projected without diffusion to maintain beam directionality, then the light path is simple and direct, but the reflected light intensity varies significantly across different areas, causing incomplete measurement results
Solution Approach 1:
The light-diffusing component serves as a simple intermediary that uniformly redistributes light intensity across the illuminated surface. This ensures that reflected light from all areas of the object maintains sufficient intensity for accurate measurement, improving measurement completeness and reliability without significantly complicating the overall device structure
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 solution enables comprehensive and accurate measurement results for objects at farther distances by maintaining consistent light intensity, improving the reliability of depth calculations in time-of-flight measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a light-diffusing component... to uniformize the intensity of projected light
Implementation Method 2
A second light formed by the first light passes through the light-reflecting component and the light-diffusing component
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a time-of-flight camera, comprising a light-emitting module and a light-receiving module. The light-emitting module comprises a light source component, a light-reflecting component, and a light-diffusing component. The light source component emits a first light in a first direction. The light-reflecting component and the light-diffusing component are disposed on the light path of the first light. A second light formed by the first light passes through the light-reflecting component and the light-diffusing component. The second light travels toward a second direction to an object to be measured. The object to be measured reflects the second light. The first direction is intersecting with the second direction. The light-receiving module receives the reflected second light and performs the function of sensing.