ToF Illumination Lens Segmentation for Range and Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current time-of-flight detection technologies face limitations in resolution and eye safety at longer distances due to the concentration of light in specific patterns, which also reduces sunlight resilience and increases noise.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a light emitting unit and a lens portion that focuses a light ray pattern at a predefined focal point, generating a diffusion pattern with varying intensity areas to improve signal-to-noise ratio and resilience to sunlight, while allowing for longer range detection and adjustable intensity and direction of light rays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If light is concentrated in dots, grids or other structures using a diffractive optical element, then the time-of-flight detection range is extended, but the resolution deteriorates and eye safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device segments the light into multiple discrete light rays that are directed toward different regions of the target object. This segmentation allows the light to cover a larger area (extending detection range) while maintaining sufficient intensity in each segment (preserving resolution), resolving the contradiction between range and resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the intensity and distribution of light rays across different spatial regions. The illumination device creates a non-uniform light pattern where certain areas receive higher intensity (improving resolution locally) while other areas extend the coverage (extending range), thus resolving the contradiction through spatially varying properties.
2Length of stationary object
If light is concentrated in dots, grids or other structures using a diffractive optical element, then the time-of-flight detection range is extended, but eye safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the total light energy into multiple discrete rays distributed across different spatial locations, the intensity at any single point (including the eye) is reduced while the overall coverage area is maintained or extended. This segmentation strategy enables longer detection range without compromising eye safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful concentrated light into a beneficial distributed light pattern. By deliberately dispersing the light rays across multiple regions, the system transforms what would be a safety hazard (concentrated high-intensity light) into a safe operational mode (distributed lower-intensity light) while maintaining effective detection range.
3Area of stationary object
If a diffuse projector is used for time-of-flight detection, then the coverage area is improved, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to rapid light diminishment at longer distances
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device creates a non-uniform light distribution pattern where different regions receive optimized light intensity. This local quality approach ensures that areas at longer distances receive sufficient intensity to maintain signal-to-noise ratio, while the overall coverage area is expanded through the distributed ray pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the light ray distribution to optimize performance at different distances. By controlling the direction and intensity of individual light rays, the system adapts the illumination pattern to maintain adequate signal strength across the entire coverage area, resolving the contradiction between coverage and signal quality.
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 the resolution and robustness of time-of-flight detection systems by creating a diffusion pattern that improves sunlight resilience and signal quality, enabling accurate distance measurement over longer ranges while ensuring eye safety.
Implementation Method 1
a lens portion configured to focus the emitted light ray pattern at a predefined focal point at a predefined distance to the lens portion for generating the light pattern
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device for time-of-flight detection has a light emitting unit for emitting a light ray pattern for generating a light pattern, and a lens portion for focusing the emitted light ray pattern at a predefined focal point at a predefined distance to the lens portion for generating the light pattern.