ToF Sensing Device Luminance Timing Data Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing distance measurement technologies using indirect Time of Flight (ToF) methods struggle with noise interference, leading to loss of reflectance information and reduced accuracy in distance data, particularly in applications requiring high precision such as autonomous vehicle navigation.
Innovation Solution
A sensing device and information processing apparatus that generate luminance data and timing data during multiple exposure periods, allowing for the generation of higher-quality distance data by integrating luminance and timing information to improve noise reduction and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If indirect ToF method is used for distance measurement, then distance data can be obtained, but noise interference causes loss of reflectance information and reduced accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into multiple exposure periods, where each period captures luminance information at different times. This segmentation allows the system to separate reflectance information (from luminance variations) from distance information (from timing data), preventing noise interference from obscuring either parameter and resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension by capturing multiple luminance images at different exposure periods. This additional time dimension enables the system to extract both reflectance information (from luminance changes) and distance information (from timing data), thereby preventing information loss while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Loss of information
If multiple exposure periods are used to capture luminance data, then reflectance information is preserved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs multiple exposures during a continuous light emission process, where the light source remains active throughout the measurement period. This continuous operation ensures that reflectance information is captured without interrupting the measurement flow, minimizing time loss while preserving information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic exposure periods to capture luminance data at different times during light emission. By organizing measurements in regular periodic intervals, the system efficiently captures reflectance information while maintaining predictable and manageable measurement time, resolving the contradiction between information preservation and time loss.
3Measurement precision
If luminance data and timing data are integrated for distance measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines luminance data (from image sensors) and timing data (from exposure period information) into a unified processing framework. By merging these data types and using a dedicated processing circuit to integrate them, the system achieves improved measurement accuracy while managing complexity through structured data fusion rather than separate processing paths.
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 measurement by incorporating luminance data and timing information, enabling improved recognition and control in applications like autonomous vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a light-receiving device comprising at least one light-receiving element that performs photoelectric conversion
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2(e)
Figure 3
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.