Adaptive Time-of-Flight Object Detection Illumination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing time of flight object detection systems for lighting control require continuous active illumination, leading to high energy consumption, as they are often optimized for centimeter accuracy, which is not necessary for all applications, such as outdoor lighting control, where lower accuracy is sufficient.
Innovation Solution
An object detection system that adapts illumination intensity based on signal quality parameters, such as signal-to-noise ratio, to optimize energy usage by reducing illumination in areas with high reflectivity or larger objects, and using multiple light sources for different regions of the field of view to ensure accurate detection with minimal power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If intense and uniform illumination is used to achieve centimeter accuracy for the complete observed area, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the field of view into multiple regions and applies different illumination intensities to different regions based on their specific requirements. High-reflectivity regions receive lower illumination while low-reflectivity regions receive higher illumination, optimizing energy usage while maintaining detection accuracy for each specific area.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination intensity is dynamically adjusted based on detected signal quality parameters and object properties. The system continuously monitors reflection characteristics and adapts the illumination level in real-time, transitioning from static uniform illumination to dynamic adaptive illumination to reduce energy consumption.
2Reliability
If continuous active illumination is used for time of flight sensing, then reliability of detection is improved, but use of energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous illumination, the system uses periodic or pulsed illumination sequences. The illumination is activated only when needed for detection cycles, with intervals between pulses allowing energy conservation while maintaining detection reliability through systematic scanning and signal accumulation over multiple periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ambient light conditions and object reflectivity characteristics to determine minimum required illumination levels. By leveraging existing environmental light and object properties, the illumination system provides only the supplemental energy necessary for reliable detection, rather than continuously providing maximum illumination.
3Measurement precision
If over-specified sensing solution is used to ensure detection accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes illumination parameters (intensity, duration, wavelength) based on detected object properties and environmental conditions. Rather than using fixed over-specified parameters, the illumination characteristics are dynamically adjusted to match the actual detection requirements, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies illumination only to the extent necessary for the specific detection task at hand. By assessing signal quality and object reflectivity in real-time, the system uses partial illumination (not full intensity across the entire field) to achieve sufficient detection accuracy, avoiding excessive energy consumption from over-illumination.
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 energy consumption by tailoring illumination intensity to the specific detection task, enabling longer operation of devices powered by solar energy or batteries and minimizing thermal interference, while maintaining effective object detection.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for providing detection illumination to the field of view
Implementation Method 2
a sensor for sensing reflected light from the field of view
Implementation Method 3
The reflected light from the active illumination source is captured by a sensor which measures the phase
Implementation Method 4
Time of flight measurement is based on active illumination that is projected onto the observed scene. The reflected light from the active illumination source is captured by a sensor which measures the phase between the transmitted and received illumination, from which the time of flight and therefore range can be derived.
Data Source
AI summary
An object detection system is for object detection within a field of view. A light source provides detection illumination to the field of view and a sensor senses reflected light from the field of view. Time of flight analysis is used to provide distance or presence information for objects within the field of view. The controller is adapted to derive a signal quality parameter relating to the distance or presence information and to control the light source intensity in dependence on the signal quality parameter. In this way, energy savings are made possible by adapting the detection system settings to the scene being observed.