Time-of-Flight Imaging Actuation Mechanism Movement Frequency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Time-of-flight imaging systems face challenges in efficiently capturing high-resolution 3D data due to the need for frequent actuation mechanism movements, which can lead to increased time requirements and thermal issues with shape-memory alloy (SMA) actuators.
Innovation Solution
A method for a time-of-flight imaging system that emits illumination in multiple configurations with different spatially-varying intensities, allowing for reduced actuation mechanism movement frequency by obtaining two sets of data sequences without intermediate movement, thereby improving performance and reducing thermal stress on SMA actuators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the actuation mechanism moves frequently to change illumination configurations, then the system can capture high-resolution 3D data, but the time required increases and thermal stress on SMA actuators worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-sequences the illumination configurations in a specific order (first sequence from first configuration to final configuration, second sequence from final configuration to first or second configuration) so that two data sets for the final configuration can be consecutively obtained without intermediate actuation movements, allowing preliminary preparation of the configuration sequence to minimize actual movement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic illumination configurations where the actuation mechanism follows a repeating pattern of sequences (first sequence, second sequence, first sequence, second sequence...) with each period capturing multiple depth image frames. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high measurement precision while reducing the frequency of actuation movements compared to traditional approaches
2Measurement precision
If the actuation mechanism moves frequently to change illumination configurations, then the system can capture high-resolution 3D data, but thermal stress on SMA actuators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-sequences the illumination configurations in a specific order (first sequence from first configuration to final configuration, second sequence from final configuration to first or second configuration) so that two data sets for the final configuration can be consecutively obtained without intermediate actuation movements, allowing preliminary preparation of the configuration sequence to minimize actual movement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic illumination configurations where the actuation mechanism follows a repeating pattern of sequences (first sequence, second sequence, first sequence, second sequence...) with each period capturing multiple depth image frames. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high measurement precision while reducing the frequency of actuation movements compared to traditional approaches
3Temperature
If the actuation mechanism movement frequency is reduced, then thermal stress on SMA actuators decreases, but the time required to attain image frames increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-sequences the illumination configurations in a specific order (first sequence from first configuration to final configuration, second sequence from final configuration to first or second configuration) so that two data sets for the final configuration can be consecutively obtained without intermediate actuation movements, allowing preliminary preparation of the configuration sequence to minimize actual movement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by obtaining two sets of data for the final configuration consecutively without interrupting the actuation mechanism, and by designing the sequence such that data acquisition continues throughout the entire sequence rather than only at discrete points, maximizing the efficiency of each actuation cycle
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional sequential methods are used to obtain depth image frames, then the process is simple, but the actuation mechanism must move between each frame capture increasing time and thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-sequences the illumination configurations in a specific order (first sequence from first configuration to final configuration, second sequence from final configuration to first or second configuration) so that two data sets for the final configuration can be consecutively obtained without intermediate actuation movements, allowing preliminary preparation of the configuration sequence to minimize actual movement operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic illumination configurations where the actuation mechanism follows a repeating pattern of sequences (first sequence, second sequence, first sequence, second sequence...) with each period capturing multiple depth image frames. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high measurement precision while reducing the frequency of actuation movements compared to traditional approaches
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 reduces the time needed to attain image frames, halves the actuation mechanism's movement frequency, and allows for effective cooling of SMA wires, enhancing the system's efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The actuation mechanism comprises one or more shape-memory alloy (SMA) components
Implementation Method 2
the one or more shape-memory alloy actuators are resistively heated to provide the movement
Data Source
AI summary
A method suitable for use by a time-of-flight (TOF) imaging system (500), wherein the system emits illumination in multiple configurations, each configuration having a different spatially-varying intensity over a field of view of an image sensor (512), the method comprising: moving an actuation mechanism (506) to change the illumination via a first sequence of configurations from a first configuration (A) to a final configuration (B); moving the actuation mechanism (506) to subsequently change the illumination via a second sequence of configurations from the final configuration to the first configuration or a second configuration; and obtaining a set of data from the image sensor (512) for each of the configurations (A, B) in the first and second sequences, thereby obtaining two sets of data for each configuration that are suitable for producing two depth image frames, wherein the two sets of data corresponding to the final configuration are consecutively obtained from the first and second sequences. Light emitted by light source (502) passes through a set of one or more optical elements (504) before being emitted from the TOF system (500). The set of optical elements (504) includes a diffractive optical element to produce an optical field, and also includes a shift lens to which the actuation mechanism (506) is operatively connected. Translational movement of the shift lens in directions perpendicular to the optical axis result in steering of the light. The imaging part includes a receiver lens and/or filter system (510) and an image a multipixel sensor (512). The TOF system (500) also includes a controller (500).