Indirect ToF Sensing with Multi-Exposure Luminance Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measurement methods using indirect ToF techniques fail to accurately capture object reflectance information, leading to noise interference and reduced recognition accuracy in distance data, particularly in applications like autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device and information processing apparatus that generate luminance data and timing data for each exposure period, allowing for the generation of higher-quality distance image data and three-dimensional point cloud data by integrating luminance and timing information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If indirect ToF techniques are used for distance measurement, then distance data can be obtained, but object reflectance information is lost and noise interferes with recognition accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the distance measurement process into multiple exposure periods, where each period captures specific information (luminance data for reflectance, timing data for distance calculation). This segmentation allows simultaneous acquisition of both reflectance and distance information without loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a temporal dimension by using multiple exposure periods to capture both luminance and timing information. This dimensional expansion enables the system to preserve reflectance data while maintaining distance measurement capability, resolving the information loss problem
2Loss of information
If multiple exposure periods are used to capture luminance data, then object reflectance information is preserved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs multiple exposures continuously without interruption, with each exposure period contributing useful information (luminance or timing data). This continuous operation minimizes idle time and ensures that the total measurement time remains acceptable while capturing complete information
3Productivity
If noise is present in distance data, then distance measurement can be performed, but recognition accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces luminance data as an intermediary that characterizes object properties. This intermediary information allows the system to distinguish between valid distance measurements and noisy data, improving recognition accuracy by filtering out unreliable measurements based on reflectance characteristics
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
Enhances the accuracy of distance data by reducing noise interference and preserving object reflectance information, improving recognition capabilities in applications such as autonomous vehicle control.
Implementation Method 1
a light-receiving device that receives reflected light in each of a plurality of exposure periods
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2(e)
Figure 3A0~3A2
Figure 4A
AI summary
A sensing device comprises a light source, a light-receiving device comprising at least one light-receiving element that performs photoelectric conversion, and a processing circuit that controls the light source and the light-receiving device. The processing circuit causes the light source to emit light to a scene at least once, causes the light-receiving device to receive reflected light in each of a plurality of exposure periods, the reflected light being resulting from the emitted light, generates, based on received-light data from the light-receiving device, luminance data that indicates distributions of amounts of reflected light corresponding to the respective exposure periods and that are used for generating distance data for the scene, and outputs the luminance data and timing data indicating timings of the respective exposure periods.