Time-of-Flight Distance Sensor Merging Histogram Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distance measuring devices using the time of flight method require four times of histogram formation, leading to a lengthy distance measurement process.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring device that continuously emits reference and delayed emission light in synchronization with a reference and delayed clock signal, respectively, to generate time-of-flight data for each measurement cycle, allowing for the detection of distance based on the centroid positions of these signals, thereby reducing the time required for distance measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If four times of histogram formation is performed to improve distance measurement accuracy and resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple histogram formations into a single measurement cycle by simultaneously performing reference light reception and delayed light reception. The light reception signal generation unit processes both reference emission light and delayed emission light signals within one cycle, merging what were previously four separate histogram formations into one unified process, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing measurement time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous light emission where the light source unit continuously emits both reference emission light and delayed emission light without interruption. The light receiving unit continuously receives reflected light from both emission types, enabling uninterrupted histogram formation. This continuous operation eliminates the time gaps between separate measurement cycles, maintaining accuracy while significantly reducing total measurement time
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 significantly shortens the distance measurement time by generating a time-of-flight histogram within a single measurement cycle, improving accuracy and resolution without the need for multiple histogram formations.
Implementation Method 1
a light receiving unit that receives reflected light emitted from the light source unit and reflected by an object, detects the reflected light based on the reference emission light and the reflected light based on the delayed emission light
Implementation Method 2
a time-of-flight detection unit that detects time-of-flight data including a reference time of flight based on the generated reference light reception signal and a delayed time of flight based on the generated delayed light reception signal
Data Source
AI summary
The distance measurement time is shortened. A distance measuring device includes a light source unit, a light reception signal generation unit, a time-of-flight detection unit, and a distance detection unit. The light source unit continuously emits reference emission light emitted in synchronization with a reference clock signal and delayed emission light emitted in synchronization with a delayed clock signal having a delay phase at a same cycle as the reference clock signal in a predetermined emission cycle for every predetermined measurement cycle. The light reception signal generation unit includes a light receiving unit that receives reflected light emitted from the light source unit and reflected by an object, detects reflected light based on the reference emission light and reflected light based on the delayed emission light in synchronization with the reference clock signal, and generates a reference light reception signal and a delayed light reception signal. The time-of-flight detection unit detects time-of-flight data including a reference time of flight based on the generated reference light reception signal and a delayed time of flight based on the generated delayed light reception signal for every measurement cycle. The distance detection unit detects a distance to the object based on the detected time-of-flight data.