JPH0816612B2 - Optical distance measuring device - Google Patents

Optical distance measuring device

Info

Publication number
JPH0816612B2
JPH0816612B2 JP3219452A JP21945291A JPH0816612B2 JP H0816612 B2 JPH0816612 B2 JP H0816612B2 JP 3219452 A JP3219452 A JP 3219452A JP 21945291 A JP21945291 A JP 21945291A JP H0816612 B2 JPH0816612 B2 JP H0816612B2
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
light
light emitting
measuring device
distance measuring
distance
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
JP3219452A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Other versions
JPH0560551A (en
Inventor
征夫 大豆生田
清光 石川
智広 山口
義之 寺田
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stanley Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Priority to JP3219452A priority Critical patent/JPH0816612B2/en
Publication of JPH0560551A publication Critical patent/JPH0560551A/en
Publication of JPH0816612B2 publication Critical patent/JPH0816612B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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  • Length Measuring Devices By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Optical Distance (AREA)

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】Detailed Description of the Invention

【0001】[0001]

【産業上の利用分野】この発明は、例えば自動車用の障
害物検知装置の距離センサとして使用される距離計測装
置、特に光源からの光を物体に照射し、該物体からの反
射光を検出して物体までの距離を計測する光学式距離計
測装置に関するものである。
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a distance measuring device used as, for example, a distance sensor of an obstacle detecting device for automobiles, and more particularly to illuminating an object with light from a light source and detecting reflected light from the object. The present invention relates to an optical distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object.

【0002】[0002]

【従来の技術】図3は物体からの反射光を検出して該物
体までの距離を計測する従来の光学式距離計測装置の要
部を示す図である。図中、P1,P2,P3は点光源用
の発光部、L1,L2,L3,L4は線光源となる発光
部で、これらは共にLED等の発光素子から構成され、
交互に横に配置されている。R1,R2,R3はそれぞ
れ点光源となる発光部P1,P2,P3に対応して配置
された受光部である。
2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of a conventional optical distance measuring device for detecting reflected light from an object and measuring the distance to the object. In the figure, P1, P2 and P3 are light emitting parts for point light sources, L1, L2, L3 and L4 are light emitting parts serving as line light sources, and these are both composed of light emitting elements such as LEDs,
They are arranged side by side alternately. R1, R2, and R3 are light receiving portions arranged corresponding to the light emitting portions P1, P2, and P3 that are point light sources, respectively.

【0003】上記のような構成を持つ距離計測装置にお
いては、性質の異なる二つの光源、すなわち発光部P
1,P2,P3の点光源と発光部L1〜L4の線光源を
時系列的に発光させ、その光を検知した物体に照射す
る。そして、その物体からの反射光を受光部R1,R
2,R3の受光素子で受光し、それらの二つの光源の反
射光のレベルの比を演算して物体までの距離を計測す
る。
In the distance measuring device having the above-mentioned structure, two light sources having different properties, that is, the light emitting portion P is used.
The point light sources 1, P2 and P3 and the line light sources of the light emitting units L1 to L4 are caused to emit light in time series, and the light is applied to the detected object. Then, the reflected light from the object is received by the light receiving portions R1, R
Light is received by the light receiving elements of R2 and R3, the ratio of the levels of reflected light of these two light sources is calculated, and the distance to the object is measured.

【0004】例えば、発光部P1の点の延長線上にある
物体を検知したい時は、先ず発光部L1〜L4を全て点
灯させてから発光部P1を点灯させ、その2種類の反射
光を受光部R1で受光し、それらの反射光のレベルの比
から物体までの距離を計測する。発光部P2,P3の点
の延長線上にある物体についても、上記と同様にして距
離を計測することができる。
For example, when it is desired to detect an object on the extension of the point of the light emitting portion P1, first, all the light emitting portions L1 to L4 are turned on, then the light emitting portion P1 is turned on, and the two types of reflected light are received. The light is received by R1, and the distance to the object is measured from the ratio of the levels of the reflected light. The distance can be measured in the same manner as above for the object on the extension line of the points of the light emitting portions P2 and P3.

【0005】[0005]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、上記の
ような従来の光学式距離計測装置にあっては、点光源と
線光源の二つの光源をそれぞれ別の発光素子で構成して
いるため、発光素子の数量が増加し、高価なものになる
という問題点があった。
However, in the conventional optical distance measuring device as described above, since the two light sources, the point light source and the line light source, are formed by different light emitting elements, respectively, There is a problem that the number of elements increases and the cost becomes high.

【0006】この発明は、上記のような問題点に着目し
てなされたもので、発光素子の数量を少なくすることが
でき、低コストで、また発光素子の駆動回路にパワーの
大きなものが不要な光学式距離計測装置を提供すること
を目的としている。
The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above problems, the number of light emitting elements can be reduced, the cost is low, and the driving circuit for the light emitting elements does not need a large power. The object is to provide a simple optical distance measuring device.

【0007】[0007]

【課題を解決するための手段】この発明の光学式距離計
測装置は、光源からの光を物体に照射し、該物体からの
反射光を検出して物体までの距離を計測する光学式距離
計測装置において、各ブロック毎に分割した1種類の発
光素子による複数の発光部と、これらの発光部に対応し
て配置した各受光部と、任意の単独の発光部を点灯させ
た時の反射光のレベルと他の一つ以上の発光部を同時に
点灯させた時の反射光のレベルとに基づいて物体までの
距離を演算する演算回路とを備え、該演算回路は各反射
光のレベルの比を演算し、その演算結果をあらかじめ用
意したデータテーブルを参照して距離データに変換する
ようにしたものである。
An optical distance measuring apparatus of the present invention is an optical distance measuring apparatus for irradiating an object with light from a light source and detecting reflected light from the object to measure the distance to the object. in the device, one of the origination divided for each block
A plurality of light emitting parts by optical elements , each light receiving part arranged corresponding to these light emitting parts, the level of reflected light when an arbitrary single light emitting part is turned on, and one or more other light emitting parts and an arithmetic circuit for calculating the distance to the object based on the level of the reflected light when lit simultaneously, the arithmetic circuit each reflection
Calculate the light level ratio and use the result in advance
Convert to distance data by referring to the desired data table
It was done like this.

【0008】また、上記各発光部は、同一の周波数で変
調された変調光を物体に照射し、かつ時系列で点灯を制
御するようにしたものである。
[0008] The upper SL each light emitting unit is to light modulated at the same frequency is irradiated to the object, and was set to control the lighting in time series.

【0009】[0009]

【作用】この発明の光学式距離計測装置においては、各
発光ブロック毎の複数の発光部が設けられ、これに対応
して複数の受光部が設けられている。そして、計測時に
は所定の発光部が単独で点灯し、また他の発光部は一つ
以上同時に点灯する。演算回路は、それらの単独の発光
部と他の発光部からの反射光のレベルを検出し、その値
に基づいて物体までの距離を演算する。
In the optical distance measuring device according to the present invention, a plurality of light emitting portions are provided for each light emitting block, and a plurality of light receiving portions are provided correspondingly. Then, at the time of measurement, a predetermined light emitting unit is turned on independently, and one or more other light emitting units are turned on at the same time. The arithmetic circuit detects the levels of the reflected light from the individual light emitting units and the other light emitting units, and calculates the distance to the object based on the value.

【0010】[0010]

【実施例】図1はこの発明の一実施例による光学式距離
計測装置の概略を示す構成図である。これは、例えば自
動車の障害物検知装置として使用されるもので、図にお
いて、P1,P2,P3,P4は各発光ブロック毎に分
割した複数の発光部で、それぞれ少なくとも1個以上の
LEDで構成されている。R1,R2,R3,R4はこ
れらの発光部P1〜P4に対応して配置した複数の受光
部で、各々光電変換を行う受光素子により構成されてい
る。
1 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of an optical distance measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is used, for example, as an obstacle detection device for automobiles. In the figure, P1, P2, P3, and P4 are a plurality of light emitting units divided into light emitting blocks, each of which is composed of at least one LED. Has been done. R1, R2, R3, and R4 are a plurality of light receiving portions arranged corresponding to these light emitting portions P1 to P4, each of which is composed of a light receiving element that performs photoelectric conversion.

【0011】また、図1中、1は任意の単独の発光部を
点灯させた時の反射光のレベルと他の一つ以上の発光部
を同時に点灯させた時の反射光のレベルとに基づいて物
体までの距離を演算する演算回路で、具体的には各反射
光のレベルの比を演算し、その演算結果をあらかじめ用
意したデータテーブル2を参照して距離データに変換す
る。
Further, in FIG. 1, 1 is based on the level of reflected light when an arbitrary single light emitting unit is turned on and the level of reflected light when one or more other light emitting units are turned on at the same time. Specifically, the calculation circuit for calculating the distance to the object calculates the ratio of the levels of the respective reflected lights, and converts the calculation result into distance data by referring to the data table 2 prepared in advance.

【0012】なお、各発光部P1〜P4は、不図示の制
御回路によりそれぞれ同一の周波数で変調された変調光
を物体に照射し、また時系列で点灯が制御されるように
なっている。
Each of the light emitting parts P1 to P4 irradiates an object with modulated light modulated at the same frequency by a control circuit (not shown), and the lighting is controlled in time series.

【0013】次に、図2のタイミングチャートを用いて
上記構成の距離計測装置の動作について説明する。
Next, the operation of the distance measuring device having the above configuration will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

【0014】例えば、受光部R1の延長線上の点の障害
物を検知する時は、先ず対応する発光部P1のみを点光
源として単独で点灯させ、次に残りの発光部P2,P
3,P4を線光源として同時に点灯させる。また、受光
部R2の点の障害物を検知する時は、発光部P2のみを
点灯させ、次に他の発光部P1,P3,P4を点灯させ
る。
For example, when detecting an obstacle at a point on the extension line of the light receiving portion R1, first, only the corresponding light emitting portion P1 is independently turned on as a point light source, and then the remaining light emitting portions P2, P.
3 and P4 are simultaneously turned on as linear light sources. When detecting an obstacle at the light receiving portion R2, only the light emitting portion P2 is turned on, and then the other light emitting portions P1, P3, P4 are turned on.

【0015】同様に、受光部R3の点の障害物を検知す
る時は発光部P3を単独で点灯させてから残りの発光部
P1,P2,P4を同時に点灯させ、受光部R4の点の
障害物を検知する時は発光部Pを単独で点灯させてから
他の発光部P1,P2,P3を点灯させ、以下同様に発
光部の点灯制御を行う。
Similarly, when an obstacle at the light receiving portion R3 is detected, the light emitting portion P3 is turned on independently and then the remaining light emitting portions P1, P2, P4 are turned on at the same time, and the obstacle at the light receiving portion R4 is obstructed. When detecting an object, the light emitting part P is turned on independently, and then the other light emitting parts P1, P2, P3 are turned on, and the lighting control of the light emitting parts is similarly performed.

【0016】演算回路1は、上記単独の発光ブロックの
点光源の反射光のレベルと残りの発光ブロックの線光源
の反射光のレベルとの比を演算し、その演算結果をデー
タテーブル2を用いて距離データに変換する。これによ
り、各々の障害物までの距離が計測される。
The arithmetic circuit 1 calculates the ratio of the level of the reflected light of the point light source of the single light emitting block to the level of the reflected light of the linear light source of the remaining light emitting blocks, and the data table 2 is used as the calculation result. Convert to distance data. As a result, the distance to each obstacle is measured.

【0017】このように、距離による照度特性が異なる
二つの光源からの光を物体に照射し、その反射光を受光
部で光電変換したレベルの比を求めることにより物体ま
での距離を計測することができる。
Thus, the distance to the object is measured by irradiating the object with light from two light sources having different illuminance characteristics depending on the distance and obtaining the ratio of the levels of the reflected light photoelectrically converted by the light receiving section. You can

【0018】その際、演算回路1は図2に示すように、
T1〜T4の期間にそれぞれ受光部R1〜R4のデータ
に対する演算を行い、順次障害物までの距離を計測す
る。
At this time, the arithmetic circuit 1 is, as shown in FIG.
The calculation is performed on the data of the light receiving units R1 to R4 during the period of T1 to T4, and the distance to the obstacle is sequentially measured.

【0019】ここで、各発光部P1〜P4は点光源用と
線光源用の両方に兼用となるので、二つの光源に別の発
光素子を用いる必要がなく、発光素子の数量を少なくす
ることができ、低コストにすることができる。また、従
来では線光源用の発光素子の駆動回路(ドライバ)は点
光源用のものよりパワーの大きなものが必要であった
が、本実施例ではパワーの大きな駆動回路(LEDドラ
イバ)は不要となる。
Since each of the light emitting parts P1 to P4 serves both as a point light source and a line light source, it is not necessary to use separate light emitting elements for the two light sources, and the number of light emitting elements can be reduced. Therefore, the cost can be reduced. Further, conventionally, a drive circuit (driver) for a light emitting element for a line light source needs to have a larger power than that for a point light source, but in the present embodiment, a drive circuit (LED driver) having a larger power is unnecessary. Become.

【0020】なお、上記実施例では特性の異なる二つの
光源を点光源と線光源としたが、これに代えて点光源と
面光源、あるいは線光源と面光源としても良い。
In the above embodiment, the two light sources having different characteristics are the point light source and the line light source, but instead, they may be the point light source and the surface light source, or the line light source and the surface light source.

【0021】[0021]

【発明の効果】以上のように、この発明によれば、各ブ
ロック毎に分割した複数の発光部と、これらの発光部に
対応して配置した各受光部とを備え、計測時には所定の
発光部を単独で点灯させ、次に他の一つ以上の発光部を
同時に点灯させて物体からの反射光を検出するようにし
たので、二つの光源で別々の発光素子を用いる必要がな
く、発光素子の数量を少なくすることができ、低コスト
になるとともに、発光素子のパワーの大きな駆動回路が
不要になるという効果がある。
As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of light emitting portions divided for each block and light receiving portions arranged corresponding to these light emitting portions are provided, and a predetermined light emission is performed at the time of measurement. It is possible to illuminate one part independently and then to illuminate one or more other light emitting parts at the same time to detect the reflected light from the object, so it is not necessary to use separate light emitting elements for two light sources The number of elements can be reduced, the cost can be reduced, and a driving circuit with high power of the light emitting element can be eliminated.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief description of drawings]

【図1】 この発明の一実施例を示す構成図FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

【図2】 図1の装置の動作を示すタイミングチャートFIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG.

【図3】 従来例を示す構成図FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional example.

【符号の説明】[Explanation of symbols]

P1,P2,P3,P4 発光部 R1,R2,R3,R4 受光部 1 演算回路 2 データテーブル P1, P2, P3, P4 Light emitting part R1, R2, R3, R4 Light receiving part 1 Arithmetic circuit 2 Data table

───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (56)参考文献 特開 昭56−147008(JP,A) 特開 昭62−46207(JP,A) 特開 昭64−23429(JP,A) 特開 平3−107709(JP,A) 特開 昭63−309883(JP,A) 特開 昭63−309882(JP,A) 特開 平2−227689(JP,A) ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-56-147008 (JP, A) JP-A-62-46207 (JP, A) JP-A-64-23429 (JP, A) JP-A-3- 107709 (JP, A) JP 63-309883 (JP, A) JP 63-309882 (JP, A) JP 2-227689 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] 【請求項1】 光源からの光を物体に照射し、該物体か
らの反射光を検出して物体までの距離を計測する光学式
距離計測装置において、各ブロック毎に分割した1種類
の発光素子による複数の発光部と、これらの発光部に対
応して配置した各受光部と、任意の単独の発光部を点灯
させた時の反射光のレベルと他の一つ以上の発光部を同
時に点灯させた時の反射光のレベルとに基づいて物体ま
での距離を演算する演算回路とを備え、該演算回路は各
反射光のレベルの比を演算し、その演算結果をあらかじ
め用意したデータテーブルを参照して距離データに変換
することを特徴とする光学式距離計測装置。
1. An optical distance measuring device that irradiates an object with light from a light source, detects reflected light from the object, and measures the distance to the object. One type divided into blocks.
A plurality of light emitting parts by the light emitting elements, light receiving parts arranged corresponding to these light emitting parts, the level of reflected light when any single light emitting part is turned on, and one or more other light emitting parts And a calculation circuit that calculates the distance to the object based on the level of the reflected light when both are simultaneously lit ,
Calculate the ratio of the levels of reflected light, and
Convert to distance data by referring to the prepared data table
An optical distance measuring device characterized by:
【請求項2】 各発光部は、同一の周波数で変調された
変調光を物体に照射し、かつ時系列で点灯が制御される
ことを特徴とする請求項1記載の光学式距離計測装置。
Wherein each light emitting unit, the same modulated light modulated at a frequency irradiating the object, and time series lighting is characterized in that it is controlled according to claim 1 Symbol placement of the optical distance measuring device .
JP3219452A 1991-08-30 1991-08-30 Optical distance measuring device Expired - Lifetime JPH0816612B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP3219452A JPH0816612B2 (en) 1991-08-30 1991-08-30 Optical distance measuring device

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP3219452A JPH0816612B2 (en) 1991-08-30 1991-08-30 Optical distance measuring device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
JPH0560551A JPH0560551A (en) 1993-03-09
JPH0816612B2 true JPH0816612B2 (en) 1996-02-21

Family

ID=16735645

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP3219452A Expired - Lifetime JPH0816612B2 (en) 1991-08-30 1991-08-30 Optical distance measuring device

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JPH0816612B2 (en)

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US8893046B2 (en) 2001-10-15 2014-11-18 Apple Inc. Method of managing user-selectable elements in a plurality of directions
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US9058093B2 (en) 2011-02-01 2015-06-16 9224-5489 Quebec Inc. Active element
US9251643B2 (en) 2001-10-15 2016-02-02 Apple Inc. Multimedia interface progression bar
US9262381B2 (en) 2007-08-22 2016-02-16 9224-5489 Quebec Inc. Array of documents with past, present and future portions thereof
US9519693B2 (en) 2012-06-11 2016-12-13 9224-5489 Quebec Inc. Method and apparatus for displaying data element axes

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JPS63309883A (en) * 1987-06-12 1988-12-16 Stanley Electric Co Ltd Obstacle detecting device for vehicle
JPS6423429A (en) * 1987-07-20 1989-01-26 Canon Denshi Kk Position detector for moving part
JPH0660818B2 (en) * 1989-09-21 1994-08-10 スタンレー電気株式会社 Optical measuring device

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