Distance measurement system and solid-state imaging sensor used therefor
First Claim
1. A distance measurement system to be used in transport equipment, the distance measurement system comprising:
- a signal generator that generates light emission pulse signals, of a plurality of types, that instruct light emission and an exposure signal that instructs exposure of reflected light;
a headlight assembly that receives the light emission pulse signals and, according to the light emission pulse signals received, emit pulsed light for illumination without a purpose of distance measurement and emit pulsed light with the purpose of distance measurement using the reflected light;
an imaging device that includes a solid-state imaging sensor which receives the exposure signal, performs the exposure according to the exposure signal received, and obtains an amount of light exposure of the reflected light to perform the distance measurement; and
a calculator that calculates distance information using the amount of light exposure and output the distance information,wherein the headlight assembly includes a first light source and a second light source, andthe signal generator generates, as the light emission pulse signals of the plurality of types, (i) a first light-emission pulse signal that instructs light emission for performing a distance measurement mode in which distance measurement is performed using the first light source, and (ii) a second light-emission pulse signal for performing an illumination mode in which illumination without the purpose of the distance measurement is performed using the second light source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A distance measurement system includes: a signal generator which generates a light emission signal that instructs light emission and an exposure signal that instructs exposure of reflected light; a first illumination and distance measurement light source which receives the light emission signal and, according to the signal received, performs the light emission for illumination without a purpose of distance measurement and the light emission with the purpose of distance measurement using the reflected light; an imaging device which receives the exposure signal, performs the exposure according to the signal received, and obtains an amount of light exposure of the reflected light; and a calculator which calculates distance information using the amount of light exposure and outputs the distance information, wherein the distance measurement system has operation modes including an illumination mode and a first distance measurement mode.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A distance measurement system to be used in transport equipment, the distance measurement system comprising:
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a signal generator that generates light emission pulse signals, of a plurality of types, that instruct light emission and an exposure signal that instructs exposure of reflected light; a headlight assembly that receives the light emission pulse signals and, according to the light emission pulse signals received, emit pulsed light for illumination without a purpose of distance measurement and emit pulsed light with the purpose of distance measurement using the reflected light; an imaging device that includes a solid-state imaging sensor which receives the exposure signal, performs the exposure according to the exposure signal received, and obtains an amount of light exposure of the reflected light to perform the distance measurement; and a calculator that calculates distance information using the amount of light exposure and output the distance information, wherein the headlight assembly includes a first light source and a second light source, and the signal generator generates, as the light emission pulse signals of the plurality of types, (i) a first light-emission pulse signal that instructs light emission for performing a distance measurement mode in which distance measurement is performed using the first light source, and (ii) a second light-emission pulse signal for performing an illumination mode in which illumination without the purpose of the distance measurement is performed using the second light source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A solid-state imaging sensor for use in a distance measurement system which is to be used in transport equipment, the distance measurement system including:
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a signal generator that generates light emission pulse signals, of a plurality of types, that instruct light emission and an exposure signal that instructs exposure of reflected light; a headlight assembly that receives the light emission pulse signals, and, according to the light emission pulse signals received, emits pulsed light for illumination without a purpose of distance measurement and emits pulsed light with the purpose of distance measurement using the reflected light; an imaging device that includes the solid-state imaging sensor which receives the exposure signal, performs the exposure according to the exposure signal received, and obtains an amount of light exposure of the reflected light to perform the distance measurement; and a calculator that calculates distance information using the amount of light exposure and outputs the distance information, wherein the headlight assembly includes a first light source and a second light source, the signal generator generates, as the light emission pulse signals of the plurality of types, (i) a first light-emission pulse signal that instructs light emission for performing a distance measurement mode in which distance measurement is performed using the first light source, and (ii) a second light-emission pulse signal for performing an illumination mode in which illumination without the purpose of the distance measurement is performed using the second light source, and in the distance measurement mode, the solid-state imaging sensor captures an image using the reflected light that is infrared light emitted by the first light source and reflected by a subject.
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Specification