Time-of-Flight Optical Detection Using Multi-Sensor Aperture Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current time-of-flight systems are inefficient in quickly and accurately calculating the position of multiple objects in two or three dimensions at a low cost, particularly in applications like vehicle crash avoidance, due to their high cost and slow processing times.
Innovation Solution
A time-of-flight system combining optical detection technology with a light detector having multiple light sensors at different orientations, allowing for the calculation of object positions by determining the effective angle of light passing through an aperture and combining it with time-of-flight data to provide positional information in two or three dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image sensors with arrays of light detection cavities are used to measure distance and position of multiple objects, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple independent light detection cavities or photosites, each capable of independently detecting light from different objects. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple objects without requiring a single complex sensor, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D image sensors to a 3D time-of-flight measurement approach by adding the temporal dimension. By measuring the time of flight of light pulses, the system achieves depth information without requiring additional spatial photosites, thus improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the number of photosites in an image sensor is increased to improve accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but processing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Light pulses are emitted and detection cavities are prepared in advance before actual measurement. The system pre-configures the timing mechanisms and detection readiness, allowing for rapid sequential measurements without complex real-time processing. This preliminary preparation reduces processing time while maintaining high measurement precision through the time-of-flight method.
3Device complexity
If traditional linear time-of-flight range finders are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates as they cannot differentiate between multiple objects
Solution Approach 1:
The detector is divided into multiple independent light detection cavities or photosites, each capable of independently detecting light from different objects. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple objects without requiring a single complex sensor, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D image sensors to a 3D time-of-flight measurement approach by adding the temporal dimension. By measuring the time of flight of light pulses, the system achieves depth information without requiring additional spatial photosites, thus improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Enables quick and accurate calculation of object positions in multiple dimensions using fewer sensors than traditional digital camera image sensors, reducing costs and processing time while maintaining accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
calculate a time-of-flight of the emitted light pulse based on a time difference between a time the light pulse is emitted and a time the light pulse is detected at the light detector
Implementation Method 2
a reflected portion of the laser beam striking the object was detected at a detector
Data Source
AI summary
Time-of-flight technology may be combined with optical detection technology identifying an angle of a light pulse emitted from a transmitter and reflected off an object based on a proportion of the reflected light pulse detected at each of at least two light sensors. The optical detection technology may include a light detector with two or more light sensors arranged at different orientations with respect to an aperture in the detector so that each sensor is able to detect a different subset of the light passing through the aperture. The effective angle of the light passing through aperture may then be calculated from the proportion of light detected at the each of the sensors. The effective angle information may be combined with a calculated time-of-flight of the light pulse to accurately identify a position of the object relative to the detector in two or three dimensions.