TOF Sensor Output Control for Distance Data Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional human measurement systems generate large amounts of data when outputting distance information for all pixels in a distance image, leading to increased communication time and processing load.

Innovation Solution

An output control device that selectively outputs distance information only for pixels corresponding to detected targets using a TOF sensor, reducing data quantity by employing a distance information acquisition unit, output information selection unit, and additional units for target detection, angle information acquisition, and three-dimensional coordinate conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If distance information for all pixels in the distance image is outputted, then complete measurement data is provided, but the quantity of outputted data becomes huge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of measurement dataVSAvoidquantity of outputted data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary distance information corresponding to pixels that include the target object from the complete distance image data. The output control device identifies target-containing pixels and selectively outputs only their distance information, thereby removing unnecessary data while preserving essential measurement information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different output strategies to different regions of the distance image. Instead of uniformly outputting all pixel data, it applies selective output only to local regions (pixels) that contain target objects, while omitting data from regions without targets. This localized approach reduces overall data quantity while maintaining measurement completeness for relevant areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If the quantity of outputted data is large, then complete distance information is available, but the communication time with the host increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of distance informationVSAvoidcommunication time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The output control device extracts and outputs only the essential distance information corresponding to target-containing pixels, removing redundant data from pixels without targets. This extraction reduces the total data volume transmitted to the host, thereby decreasing communication time while preserving necessary measurement information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Loss of information

If all distance information is outputted for post-processing, then comprehensive data is available, but the processing load on the host side increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of data for post-processingVSAvoidprocessing load on host

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the distance information corresponding to pixels that contain target objects before transmitting to the host. This pre-extraction filtering reduces the volume of data requiring post-processing on the host side, thereby decreasing processing load while maintaining sufficient information for target detection and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The output control device performs preliminary filtering and selection of distance information before data transmission. By identifying target-containing pixels and selecting their corresponding distance information in advance, it reduces the burden of subsequent post-processing operations on the host system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Significantly reduces the amount of data outputted, decreasing communication and processing loads by focusing on target-specific data, thereby enhancing efficiency in data transmission and processing.

Implementation Method 1

use a TOF (time-of-flight) sensor, which measures the distance to a measurement target

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

receive reflected light of the light emitted from an LED

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20220319025A1Output control device, distance measuring device comprising the same, output control method, and output control program

Publication Date: 2022.10.06 OMRON CORP

AI summary

A control unit (10) is an output control device that controls output of information included in a distance image including information about the distance to a target (30), and comprises a distance calculation unit (11) and an output information selection unit (19). The distance calculation unit (11) acquires information about the distance from a lighting device (21) to the target (30) according to the amount of reflection of light (L1) emitted toward the target (30). The output information selection unit (19) selects, as the output target, distance information corresponding to the pixels of the distance image including the detected target (30) on the basis of the distance information acquired by the distance calculation unit (11).