Distance measurement apparatus, and method of measuring distance

A distance measurement apparatus comprising:

• a light source to emit irradiation light
• circuitry to output, to the light source, a first current that changes in accordance with light-emission timing information defining at least turn-on timing of the light source, and a second current that does not change in accordance with the light-emission timing information;
• and
• a sensor to detect reflection light reflected from an object irradiated with the irradiation light emitted from the light source,
• wherein the circuitry calculates a distance to the object based on a detection amount of the reflection light detected by the sensor,
• wherein the circuitry starts to output the second current, and then starts to output the first current when a first setting time period elapses from the start of outputting the second current, and
• wherein the circuitry stops to output the second current when a second setting time period elapses after the circuitry stops to output the first current.

A method of measuring distance to an object comprising:

• outputting, to a light source, a first current that changes in accordance with light-emission timing information defining at least turn-on timing of the light source, and a second current that does not change in accordance with the light-emission timing information;
• detecting reflection light reflected from an object irradiated with irradiation light emitted from the light source;
• and
• calculating a distance to the object based on a detection amount of the reflection light detected by the sensor,
• wherein the outputting starts to output the second current, and then starts to output the first current when a first setting time period elapses from the start of outputting the second current, and
• wherein the outputting stops outputting the second current when a second setting time period elapses after the circuitry stops to output the first current.