Distance Measuring Apparatus Using TOF and Triangulation Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Distance measuring devices using the Time-of-Flight (TOF) method face challenges with cell saturation at short distances and insufficient light at long distances, and the triangulation method struggles with error compensation due to environmental changes and sensor characteristic variations over time.
Innovation Solution
A distance measuring apparatus that combines TOF and triangulation methods, using a processor to calculate distances based on cell locations and time of reflected light, with a memory to store reference values for correcting errors and updating them based on TOF measurements, ensuring accurate distance measurement across varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the triangulation measuring method is used to calculate distance based on cell locations, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors from environmental changes and sensor characteristic variations over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the TOF measurement unit continuously measures the actual distance to the object, and this measured distance is used to correct the triangulation measurement results. The correction value is calculated based on the difference between TOF and triangulation measurements, and this correction is applied to compensate for errors caused by environmental changes and sensor variations, thereby maintaining high measurement precision without increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters by using two different measurement methods (triangulation and TOF) with different characteristics. The triangulation method provides continuous measurement with lower complexity, while the TOF method provides high-precision reference measurements. By dynamically switching between and combining these parameter sets, the system achieves both ease of operation and high precision
2Measurement precision
If the TOF method is used to measure distance by calculating time of flight, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for additional light sources and synchronization mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the TOF and triangulation measurement methods into a single integrated distance measuring apparatus. The same light source and sensor are used for both methods, and the processor combines the results of both measurements. This merging allows the system to achieve high precision through TOF while keeping device complexity manageable by sharing hardware components and using software integration
3Use of energy by moving object
If the triangulation measuring method is used for short distance measurement, then the amount of light required is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to cell saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses TOF measurement as a feedback reference to correct triangulation measurements at short distances. The TOF measurement, which does not suffer from cell saturation, provides an accurate reference value that is used to compensate for the triangulation measurement errors, thereby maintaining precision while allowing the use of lower light energy
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 approach allows for precise and continuous distance measurement by compensating for errors in the triangulation method using TOF data, reducing the need for frequent recalibration and improving accuracy in both short and long distance measurements.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting unit for radiating light in a pulse form of a specific width, a light-receiving unit for receiving reflected light radiated by the light-emitting unit and reflected by an object
Implementation Method 2
an operation for calculating a second distance of the object using a second method based on the time when the reflected light is reached
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a distance measuring apparatus. The distance measuring apparatus includes a light-emitting unit configured to radiate light in a pulse form of a specific width, a light-receiving unit configured to include a plurality of cells for receiving reflected light radiated by the light-emitting unit and reflected by an object, and a processor configured to perform one or more of an operation for calculating a first distance of the object using a first method based on the locations of one or more cells which belong to the plurality of cells and on which the reflected light is focused and an operation for calculating a second distance of the object using a second method based on the time when the reflected light is reached and to correct the first distance calculated using the first method based on the second distance calculated using the second method.