年表作成・共有サービス - pastport

With the widespread adoption of smart devices and growing demand for intuitive user experiences, contactless interaction has become a key trend in technology. Among the enabling technologies, TOF (Time-of-Flight) gesture recognition stands out for its precise 3D sensing capabilities, making it a core solution for smart homes, automotive systems, VR/AR, and beyond. This article explores the principles of TOF gesture recognition, its typical applications, technical challenges, and future development trends.

What is Non-Contact Distance Measurement and Its Role in TOF Gesture Recognition?

Non-contact distance measurement refers to detecting the distance between an object (such as a hand) and a sensor without physical contact. In TOF-based systems, including DTOF (Direct Time-of-Flight) and ITOF (Indirect Time-of-Flight) sensors, this is achieved by emitting light pulses and measuring the time-of-flight of the reflected light.

The result is precise 3D spatial perception, enabling accurate capture of hand and body movements.

By optimizing for low power consumption, TOF sensors can operate continuously on mobile platforms like smartphones and wearables.

Accuracy vs. Precision: Accuracy ensures measured distances reflect real-world values, while precision ensures consistency across repeated gestures.

Field of View (FOV): The angular range of detection directly impacts recognition performance, especially in dynamic environments.

Beyond consumer electronics, time-of-flight measurement principles are also applied in high-resolution instruments such as electron microscopes, where sub-micrometer distance detection enables ultra-detailed imaging.