18553737. DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE AND DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM simplified abstract (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE AND DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM

Organization Name

SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

Inventor(s)

TOMONORI Masuno of KANAGAWA (JP)

TOMOO Mitsunaga of KANAGAWA (JP)

DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE AND DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18553737 titled 'DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE AND DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM

Simplified Explanation: The patent application describes a method to reduce errors in distance measurement using a sensor that captures multiple images synchronized with a pulse train pattern light. By detecting bright regions in the images and calculating phase differences, the system determines distances to objects. It then selects specific bright regions and uses triangulation to further refine distance measurements, resulting in a more accurate final value.

• Key Features and Innovation:

   - Utilizes synchronized pulse train pattern light for distance measurement.
   - Detects bright regions in multiple images to calculate phase differences.
   - Selects specific bright regions for triangulation-based distance calculation.
   - Fuses multiple distance measurement values for increased accuracy.

• Potential Applications:

   - Autonomous vehicles for precise object detection.
   - Robotics for accurate positioning and navigation.
   - Industrial automation for distance-sensitive tasks.
   - Augmented reality for improved depth perception.

• Problems Solved:

   - Reduces errors in distance measurement.
   - Enhances accuracy of object detection.
   - Improves precision in distance-sensitive applications.

• Benefits:

   - Increased measurement accuracy.
   - Enhanced object detection capabilities.
   - Improved performance in distance-sensitive tasks.

• Commercial Applications:

   - "Advanced Distance Measurement System for Autonomous Vehicles and Robotics: Enhance object detection and navigation accuracy with our cutting-edge technology."

• Prior Art:

   - While no specific prior art is mentioned in the abstract, researchers can explore existing distance measurement technologies, such as LiDAR and ultrasonic sensors, for comparison.

• Frequently Updated Research:

   - Researchers in the field of computer vision and sensor technology may be conducting studies on improving distance measurement accuracy using similar methods.

Questions about Distance Measurement Technology:

1. How does the fusion of multiple distance measurement values improve accuracy in the system? 2. What are the potential limitations of using synchronized pulse train pattern light for distance measurement?

Original Abstract Submitted

An error in distance measurement is reduced. The distance measuring sensor generates multiple images by receiving light in light reception periods that are synchronized with pulse train pattern light, which repeats a light emission period and a non-light emission period of two types of luminance of a bright portion and a dark portion, and have different phases from each other. A bright region detecting unit detects a bright region which is a region generated by receiving reflected light corresponding to the bright portion of the pattern light in each of the multiple images. A first distance measuring unit detects a phase difference between the emitted pattern light and the reflected light on the basis of the bright regions detected in the multiple images and calculates a first distance measurement value that is a distance to the object on the basis of the detected phase difference. A bright region selecting unit selects among the bright regions, detected in the multiple images, on the basis of image signals constituting the images. A second distance measuring unit calculates a second distance measurement value that is a distance to the object by triangulation using a position of the selected bright region in the image. A fusion unit generates a fused distance measurement value by fusing the first distance measurement value and the second distance measurement value.