Adaptive 3D Sensing With Attention-Guided Laser Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D sensing methodologies in mobile devices and wearables consume excessive energy and pose eye safety concerns due to high energy consumption and concentrated laser exposure, particularly in full and line scanning methods.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive 3D sensing system that selectively illuminates specific areas of a real-world scene using a distributed laser beam based on attention masks, computed from depth estimates and confidence values, reducing energy consumption and enhancing eye safety by extending exposure duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If full or line scanning laser methods are used for 3D sensing, then depth mapping coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases and eye safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the field of view into multiple regions of interest (ROIs) based on depth uncertainty and selective attention needs. Instead of scanning the entire scene, the system segments and targets only specific areas that require 3D sensing, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining necessary measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different sensing strategies to different regions of the scene. High-priority regions with depth uncertainty receive focused laser scanning, while low-priority regions use alternative sensing methods or are excluded from scanning. This local differentiation optimizes energy usage while preserving measurement quality where needed.
2Measurement precision
If full or line scanning laser methods are used for 3D sensing, then depth mapping coverage is improved, but eye safety deteriorates due to concentrated laser exposure
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the scanning task into discrete, targeted ROIs rather than continuous full-field scanning, the system reduces the temporal concentration of laser exposure to any single location. The segmented approach allows for longer exposure durations at lower intensities, improving eye safety while maintaining depth mapping coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic, intermittent scanning of selected regions rather than continuous scanning. This periodic action with extended exposure duration at reduced power levels decreases peak laser intensity, thereby improving eye safety while still achieving necessary depth mapping coverage through repeated measurements.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional 3D sensing is used, then complete scene coverage is achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scene into multiple regions of interest based on depth uncertainty and attention priority. Only these segmented regions are subjected to energy-intensive laser scanning, while other areas are excluded or use alternative sensing. This segmentation achieves effective scene coverage where needed while dramatically improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial scanning of the scene by selecting only the necessary regions for 3D sensing based on depth uncertainty and application requirements. This partial action approach achieves sufficient scene coverage for the intended application while avoiding the excessive energy consumption of complete scene scanning.
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
The adaptive 3D sensing system reduces energy usage and improves eye safety by focusing laser beams only on necessary areas, achieving energy-efficient and safer 3D data capture.
Implementation Method 1
sends a distributed laser beam into specified areas of a real-world scene
Data Source
AI summary
An energy-efficient adaptive 3D sensing system. The adaptive 3D sensing system includes one or more cameras and one or more projectors. The adaptive 3D sensing system captures images of a real-world scene using the one or more cameras and computes depth estimates and depth estimate confidence values for pixels of the images. The adaptive 3D sensing system computes an attention mask based on the one or more depth estimate confidence values and commands the one or more projectors to send a distributed laser beam into one or more areas of the real-world scene based on the attention mask. The adaptive 3D sensing system captures 3D sensing image data of the one or more areas of the real-world scene and generates 3D sensing data for the real-world scene based on the 3D sensing image data.