TOF Imaging Device Wedge Prism Scanning Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Imaging devices using time of flight (TOF) technology suffer from poor photographing resolution and a small photographing range, limiting their effectiveness in high-precision environmental identification and positioning applications.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device comprising a light emitter, optical diffraction plate, pair of wedge prisms, rotation unit, and processing unit, which converts light beams into diffracted rays, adjusts their emission directions, and processes reflected light spots to enhance resolution and range, allowing for a wider irradiation or finer light spot distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If TOF technology is used for three-dimensional measurement, then non-contact optical measurement capability is achieved, but photographing resolution and photographing range become poor and small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single light beam into multiple diffracted light beams using a diffraction grating, creating multiple light spots that are sequentially projected onto different regions of the object. This segmentation allows the system to cover a larger photographing range while maintaining measurement precision through the use of multiple distributed measurement points
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotating wedge prism that dynamically changes the emission direction of the light spots during operation. By rotating the wedge prism, the system can sequentially scan different angular regions, thereby expanding the photographing range and improving the effective measurement area without sacrificing resolution
2Device complexity
If a single light beam is used in TOF measurement, then device structure is simple, but photographing range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diffraction grating as an intermediary optical element that transforms a single light beam into multiple diffracted light beams. This intermediary component enables the system to cover a larger area by creating multiple light spots without requiring multiple independent light sources, thus expanding the photographing range while keeping the device structure relatively simple
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 improves the photographing range and resolution of the imaging device, enabling more precise three-dimensional measurements and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining a compact device size.
Implementation Method 1
The optical diffraction plate is for converting the light beam into a plurality of diffracted light rays
Implementation Method 2
The pair of wedge prisms is on the light channel and is for adjusting an emission direction of the first light spot corresponding to an angle
Implementation Method 3
The light receiver is for sequentially receiving a plurality of second light spots reflected from the plurality of first light spots
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes a light emitter, an optical diffraction plate, a pair of wedge prisms, a rotation unit, a light receiver, and a processing unit. The light emitter emits a light beam. The optical diffraction plate is for converting the light beam into a plurality of diffracted light rays that forms a first light spot. The pair of wedge prisms is for adjusting an emission direction of the first light spot. The rotation unit is connected to the pair of wedge prisms and is for rotating the pair of wedge prisms relative to each other. The light receiver is for receiving a plurality of second light spots reflected from the plurality of first light spots. The processing unit is connected to the light receiver and is for generating a plurality of pieces of light spot information and processing the plurality of pieces of light spot information into image information.