TOF Sensor Control Module External Light Source Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Time of Flight (TOF) cameras in mobile devices face challenges with high power consumption and increased costs due to the need for internal light sources, which are not feasible in energy-constrained and cost-sensitive devices like smartphones.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control module that uses a request signal to obtain a modulation reference signal from an external or shared time of flight light source, reducing energy consumption and component space requirements, and allowing for improved precision and resolution by using modulated light from multiple sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an internal light source is included in the TOF camera system, then distance measurement capability is achieved, but power consumption increases and device costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light source function is extracted from the mobile device and relocated to an external docking station. The mobile device retains only the TOF sensor circuit, which receives modulated light from the external light source via the docking station, thereby eliminating the need for an internal light source while maintaining distance measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station serves as an intermediary component that bridges the mobile device and the external light source. It receives the modulation reference signal from the light source and transmits it to the mobile device, enabling the sensor to function with external illumination without requiring internal light-generating components.
2Measurement precision
If an internal light source is included in the TOF camera system, then distance measurement capability is achieved, but device costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The expensive light source component is extracted from the mobile device and placed in the docking station, which is a separate infrastructure component. This allows the mobile device to be manufactured without the costly light source, reducing device production costs while maintaining full TOF functionality through the external light source.
Solution Approach 2:
The docking station is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the modulation reference signal to the mobile device, houses the external light source, and acts as a communication interface. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple components into one infrastructure element, reducing overall system costs.
3Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are used, then precision and resolution of distance measurements improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources are merged into a single external docking station rather than being distributed across multiple mobile devices. This consolidation allows multiple sensors to share one light source, improving measurement precision through coordinated illumination while reducing individual device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is pre-positioned and pre-synchronized at the docking station before the mobile device needs to perform distance measurements. The modulation reference signal is prepared in advance and transmitted to the mobile device, eliminating the need for complex real-time coordination and reducing system complexity during operation.
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 solution enables mobile devices to determine distance information without an internal light source, reducing power consumption and costs while enhancing the precision and resolution of distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
Time of flight (TOF) cameras are based on a measurement of a delay between the emission of an modulated light signal, which is then reflected by an object, and the reception of the modulated light signal at a photon mixing device (PMD) imager. The measured delay is proportional to the distance of the object.
Implementation Method 2
The modulated light signal corresponds to a modulated light, emitted by a time of flight light source, based on a light modulation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for determining distance information. The apparatus includes a control module configured to control a transmission of a request signal by a transmit module. The request signal includes information related to a request for information related to a light modulation of a modulated light emitted by a time of flight light source. The control module is configured to provide a modulation reference signal to a time of flight sensor circuit for determination of distance information after the request for information related to the light modulation. The modulation reference signal is based on a receive signal received by a receiver module from the time of flight light source.