Patent application EP19183132A (EP), filed 2019-06-28
Publication number: EP3757615A1
Title: METHOD FOR DETERMINING DISTANCE INFORMATION OF AN OBJECT USING A TIME OF FLIGHT SYSTEM AND TIME OF FLIGHT SYSTEM
Abstract: Examples relate to a method for determining distance information of an object using a Time of Flight (ToF) system and to a ToF system. The method comprises emitting modulated light towards the object using a light source. The method comprises measuring a reflection of the modulated light using a ToF sensor module. The reflection of the modulated light is generated by successive reflections of the modulated light by the object and by an additional reflective surface. The method comprises determining the distance information of the object based on the measured reflection of the modulated light.
IPC codes: G01S  17/    36            A I
G01S  17/    46            A I
G01S  17/    48            A I
Claims: number: 1
text: A method for determining distance information of an object using a Time of Flight, ToF, system, the method comprising:
number: 2
text: The method according to claim 1, wherein the additional reflective surface (50) is a windshield (50) of a vehicle (100).
number: 3
text: The method according to one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the modulated light is modulated infrared light,
and/or wherein the additional reflective surface (50) comprises a coating that is reflective for infrared light,
and/or wherein the additional reflective surface (50) has a reflectance of at least 0.5 for infrared light.
number: 4
text: The method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the modulated light is reflected by the object after it is reflected by the additional reflective surface (50).
number: 5
text: The method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein the modulated light is reflected by the object before it is reflected by the additional reflective surface (50).
number: 6
text: The method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein the modulated light is emitted (110) indirectly towards the object via the additional reflective surface (50), or wherein the modulated light is emitted directly towards the object.
number: 7
text: The method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein determining (130) the distance information includes compensating (135) for a shape and/or orientation of the additional reflective surface (50).
number: 8
text: The method according to claim 7, wherein the shape and/or orientation of the additional reflective surface (50) is at least partially compensated for in a processing of the measured reflection of the modulated light.
number: 9
text: The method according to one of the claims 7 or 8, wherein the shape and/or orientation of the additional reflective surface (50) is at least partially compensated for using one or more additional optical elements.
number: 10
text: The method according to one of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the object is an occupant of a vehicle (100), the method comprising monitoring the occupant of the vehicle (100) based on the determined distance information.
number: 11
text: A Time of Flight, ToF, system (10) for determining distance information of an object, the ToF system (10) comprising:
number: 12
text: A vehicle (100) comprising the ToF system according to claim 11.
number: 13
text: The vehicle (100) according to claim 12, wherein the additional reflective surface (50) is a windshield (50) of the vehicle (100).
number: 14
text: The vehicle (100) according to one of the claims 12 or 13, wherein the light source (20) is arranged above a dashboard of the vehicle (100), facing the additional reflective surface (50),
or wherein the light source (20) is embedded within a dashboard of the vehicle (100).
number: 15
text: The vehicle (100) according to one of the claims 12 to 14, wherein the ToF sensor module (30) is arranged above a dashboard of the vehicle (100), facing the additional reflective surface (50).
Office action: search_report, dated 2020-12-30
Rejection reasons: novelty_epc_54
Prior art cited: ref_id: US2018272978A1
ref_type: patent
severity: background
ref_id: US2018247424A1
ref_type: patent
severity: background
ref_id: US2019018108A1
ref_type: patent
severity: background
ref_id: US2016146938A1
ref_type: patent
severity: background
ref_id: US2016146938
ref_type: patent
severity: background
ref_id: US2018247424
ref_type: patent
severity: background
ref_id: US2018272978
ref_type: patent
severity: novelty_destroying
ref_id: US2019018108
ref_type: patent
severity: background
Final disposition: pending (2020-12-30)