ToF SPAD Range Module for Camera Power and Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cameras used as sensors face issues with high power consumption, difficulty in distinguishing real images from printed ones, and poor image capture through transparent surfaces, leading to inaccuracies in security and identification processes.
Innovation Solution
Employing a Time-of-Flight Single Photon Avalanche Diode (ToF SPAD) based range detecting module to generate multiple distance determinations and a processor to verify true representations of objects by comparing distance profiles and images, controlling cameras and illumination sources to address these issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a camera is operated in always on mode to ensure continuous monitoring capability, then the security monitoring reliability is improved, but the power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic ToF distance measurements to detect object presence and triggers the camera only when motion is detected, replacing continuous operation with periodic sensing and event-driven capture. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining security reliability through periodic monitoring while dramatically reducing power consumption by keeping the camera off during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The ToF range detecting module performs preliminary detection of object presence and distance before the camera activates. This preliminary action filters out unnecessary camera activations and ensures the camera only operates when there is a genuine security event, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing overall power consumption.
2Device complexity
If a single camera is used to capture images for security verification, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to distinguish real objects from printed images deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ToF range detecting module acts as an intermediary that provides depth information to complement the 2D camera images. This intermediary measurement capability enables the system to distinguish real 3D objects from 2D printed images without adding multiple cameras, thus maintaining device simplicity while improving verification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from purely 2D image analysis to 3D verification by incorporating depth measurements from the ToF sensor. This dimensional enhancement allows the system to detect depth inconsistencies that reveal printed images, improving measurement precision while keeping the device relatively simple.
3Area of stationary object
If a camera attempts to capture images through transparent surfaces like glass or glasses, then the field of view is maintained, but the image quality deteriorates due to poor focus and reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The ToF range detecting module provides feedback about the actual distance to the target object, which is used to adjust the camera focus. This feedback mechanism compensates for the optical disturbances caused by transparent surfaces, maintaining both field of view and image quality by dynamically adjusting focus based on measured distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual or passive focusing mechanisms with active ToF-based distance measurement and automated focus adjustment. This substitution enables the camera to adapt to varying distances through transparent surfaces, maintaining image quality while preserving the field of view.
4Measurement precision
If multiple cameras are employed to determine distance and create 3D depth maps for security verification, then the object verification accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and computation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the depth sensing function from the camera system by using a dedicated ToF range detecting module. This separation allows a single camera to be used for imaging while the ToF module handles 3D depth measurement, achieving high verification accuracy without the complexity of multiple cameras or computational stereo vision systems.
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
Reduces power consumption, enhances image accuracy by differentiating real objects from printed ones and capturing clear images through transparent surfaces, improving security and identification processes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one time of flight single photon avalanche diode based range detecting module configured to generate multiple distance determinations between the apparatus and an object
Implementation Method 2
single photon avalanche diode based range detecting module
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
An apparatus comprising: at least one time of flight (ToF) single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) based range detecting module configured to generate at least one distance determination between the apparatus and an object within a module field of view; and a processor configured to receive the at least one distance determination from the ToF SPAD based range detecting module output and control at least one camera module configured to capture at least one image based on the at least one distance determination.