3D Tracking via Triangulation and Time-of-Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracking systems face challenges in accurately determining the location and trajectory of targets in real-time, particularly at varying ranges, due to limitations in triangulation and time-of-flight methods, which can result in ambiguities and reduced accuracy over greater fields of view.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of triangulation and time-of-flight methods using collimated light beam transmitters and receivers, with feedback loops to converge on precise target location, and multiple light sources to scan targets across two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces, enabling simultaneous short-range, medium-range, and long-range tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional triangulation and time-of-flight methods are used for tracking, then the system can determine target location, but accuracy is reduced and ambiguities occur over greater fields of view and varying ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (first and second light sources) with different characteristics to illuminate the target simultaneously. This merging of multiple illumination sources enables the system to maintain high measurement precision across a broader field of view and varying ranges, resolving the technical contradiction between accuracy and adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is designed to handle multiple tracking scenarios (short-range, medium-range, and long-range) using a unified multi-source illumination approach. The system universally applies triangulation and time-of-flight methods across different ranges and field of view requirements, eliminating the need for separate tracking systems for different scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to scan targets across two-dimensional and three-dimensional spaces, then three-dimensional tracking capabilities are increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking function by assigning different light sources to illuminate different spatial regions or angular sectors. The first light source may cover a first angular sector while the second light source covers a second angular sector, allowing three-dimensional tracking capabilities to be achieved through modular, segmented illumination rather than a single complex source
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional tracking to three-dimensional tracking by adding temporal dimension through sequential illumination from multiple light sources at different positions. This enables depth perception and 3D spatial awareness without requiring proportionally complex hardware
3Measurement precision
If feedback loops are implemented to converge on precise target location, then measurement precision is improved, but computational latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by using multiple light sources to simultaneously illuminate the target from different positions, capturing multiple measurements in parallel rather than sequentially. This preliminary simultaneous data collection reduces the iterative feedback loops needed, thereby decreasing computational latency while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback loops that process measurements from multiple light sources to converge on precise target location. The feedback mechanism uses the redundant information from multiple simultaneous measurements to rapidly converge on the accurate position, minimizing iterative computation time and reducing overall latency
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides high accuracy and increased three-dimensional tracking capabilities with low computational latencies and high acquisition rates, effectively resolving ambiguities associated with traditional methods and enabling precise target location determination across a broader field of view.
Implementation Method 1
Some tracking systems illuminate the target with electromagnetic waves, or light beams, emitted by the tracking system. These systems detect a portion of the light beams that are reflected, or scattered, by the target.
Implementation Method 2
employing collimated light beam transmitters and receivers to determine the location of a target in real-time via triangulation and time-of-flight (ToF) methods
Data Source
AI summary
A three-dimension position tracking system is presented. The system includes transmitters and receivers. A transmitter scans continuous or pulsed coherent light beams across a target. The receiver detects the reflected beams. The system recursively determines the location of the target, as a function of time, via triangulation and observation of the time-of-flight of the incoming and outgoing beams. The transmitter includes ultra-fast scanning optics to scan the receiver's field-of-view. The receiver includes arrays of ultra-fast photosensitive pixels. The system determines the angles of the incoming beams based on the line-of-sight of the triggered pixels. By observing the incoming angles and correlating timestamps associated with the outgoing and incoming beams, the system accurately, and in near real-time, determines the location of the target. By combining the geometry of the scattered beams, as well as the beams' time-of-flight, ambiguities inherent to triangulation and ambiguities inherent to time-of-flight location methods are resolved.