TOF Sensor Pulse Control for Backlight Distance Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distance image sensors of the time-of-flight (TOF) type face reduced distance measuring accuracy due to low light intensity of reflected infrared light, particularly in situations like backlight, fog, or when the target has low reflective colors.
Innovation Solution
An image capture control device that includes a recognition unit to determine peripheral situations and a controller to adjust the pulse number of infrared light transmission pulses, increasing accuracy by enhancing light intensity and signal-to-noise ratios in such conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the infrared light irradiation unit emits transmission pulses to measure distance, then distance measurement is enabled, but the light intensity of reflected light becomes insufficient in certain peripheral situations (backlight, fog, low reflective colors)
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of transmission pulses based on recognition of peripheral situations. When backlight, fog, or low reflective color is detected, the controller increases the number of transmission pulses from a first number to a second number (greater than the first), optimizing the signal strength for accurate distance measurement in challenging conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of pulse number based on environmental conditions. By varying the number of transmission pulses according to detected peripheral situations, the system adapts the illumination intensity to maintain sufficient reflected light for accurate distance measurement
2Measurement precision
If the pulse number of transmission pulses is increased to improve distance measurement accuracy in challenging conditions, then measurement precision improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic pulse number adjustment rather than continuous high-energy emission. The controller increases pulses only when peripheral situations require it, and uses lower pulse numbers in normal conditions, optimizing the balance between measurement accuracy and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The recognition unit performs preliminary detection of peripheral situations (backlight, fog, low reflective colors) before adjusting the pulse number. This allows the system to prepare appropriate energy levels in advance, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring sufficient energy is available when needed for accurate measurement
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
The solution enables accurate distance measurement to targets even in challenging conditions like backlight, fog, or low reflective colors, improving the accuracy of distance image data generation.
Implementation Method 1
a distance image sensor of a time-of-flight (TOF) type... measuring a distance to the target based on a time difference or a phase difference between irradiation timing at which the infrared light irradiation unit emits irradiation light and light reception timing at which the infrared light reception unit receives reflected light
Data Source
AI summary
An image capture control device includes a recognition unit that determines whether a peripheral situation corresponds to a predetermined situation based on image data, and a controller that controls an infrared light irradiation unit to increase a pulse number of transmission pulses to be emitted to a target, when the recognition unit determines that the peripheral situation corresponds to the predetermined situation.