Time-of-flight Module Switchable Illumination for Depth Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current time-of-flight systems face challenges in combining high spatial resolution from full-field illumination with high depth accuracy and precision from spotted illumination, requiring innovative solutions for modular integration and synchronization of different illuminators and sensors while adhering to technical and design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A time-of-flight module with switchable illumination that includes a full-field illuminator, a spot illuminator, and a control unit to switch between the two, with both illuminators arranged adjacent to the time-of-flight sensor, allowing for simultaneous data processing and optimal spatial arrangement to reduce parallax and enhance depth map accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If full-field illumination is used, then spatial resolution is improved, but depth accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between full-field and spotted illumination modes based on measurement requirements. The control unit enables the time-of-flight sensor to operate with different illumination patterns, transitioning from static single-mode operation to dynamic multi-mode operation to optimize both spatial resolution and depth accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The time-of-flight sensor is designed to serve multiple functions by supporting both full-field and spotted illumination modes. This multi-functionality allows the same sensor to achieve high spatial resolution when needed and high depth accuracy when needed, eliminating the need for separate sensors for each measurement type.
2Measurement precision
If spotted illumination is used, then depth accuracy is improved, but spatial resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically selects between spotted and full-field illumination based on whether depth accuracy or spatial resolution is the priority for the current measurement task, enabling adaptive optimization of system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The same time-of-flight sensor infrastructure supports both spotted illumination for high depth accuracy measurements and full-field illumination for high spatial resolution measurements, providing universal functionality for different measurement priorities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple illuminators are integrated, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the full-field illuminator and spotted illuminator into a single integrated time-of-flight module with a shared control unit and sensor platform. This combining approach provides multiple measurement capabilities while avoiding the complexity of completely separate systems through unified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit and sensor system are designed with universal functionality to manage both illumination types, reducing overall system complexity by using shared components rather than dedicated separate systems for each illumination mode.
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 module achieves a balance between spatial resolution and depth accuracy by enabling seamless switching and synchronization of illuminators, resulting in improved depth map precision and reduced multipath interference, suitable for various applications including head-mounted displays and security cameras.
Implementation Method 1
a time-of-flight sensor configured to generate time-of-flight data representing a time-of-flight measurement of light reflected from the scene
Implementation Method 2
a full-field illuminator configured to provide a full-field illumination to the scene
Implementation Method 3
a spot illuminator configured to provide a spotted illumination to the scene
Data Source
AI summary
A time-of-flight module with switchable illumination for a scene, including: a time-of-flight sensor configured to generate time-of-flight data representing a time-of-flight measurement of light reflected from the scene; a full-field illuminator configured to provide a full-field illumination to the scene; a spot illuminator configured to provide a spotted illumination to the scene; and a control unit configured to switch between the full-field illumination and the spotted illumination provided to the scene; wherein the full-field illuminator and the spot illuminator are arranged adjacent to the time-of-flight sensor.