Addressable Depth Range Sensor With Selective Output Couplers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer electronic devices, such as smartphones, often require multiple Lidar modules or sensor modules with different scanning ranges and fields of view to perform various processes like facial recognition and augmented reality, which can be inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with multiple output couplers positioned at different distances from a receiver, allowing for selective adjustment of depth range and field of view through control signals, enabling a single sensor to be used across multiple applications by dynamically configuring the depth range and field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple Lidar modules with different scanning ranges are used, then the scanning range coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical guide is divided into multiple sections with different output couplers positioned at different distances from the receiver. Each section can be selectively enabled to provide different scanning ranges, allowing a single Lidar module to cover multiple depth ranges that would otherwise require multiple separate modules.
Solution Approach 2:
A single Lidar module is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating an optical guide with multiple output couplers that can be selectively activated. This allows the same module to provide different scanning ranges and fields of view depending on which output coupler is enabled, eliminating the need for multiple specialized modules.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor modules with different fields of view are used, then the field of view adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical guide incorporates multiple output couplers at different positions that can be dynamically selected based on the required field of view. Control circuitry enables selective activation of specific output couplers, allowing the system to adapt its field of view dynamically without requiring manual reconfiguration or switching between multiple physical modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical guide acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the light source and the detection system. By incorporating multiple output couplers within the optical guide, the system can adjust the effective optical path and field of view without requiring changes to the core sensor module architecture.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor with adjustable parameters is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the optical guide are optimized for different measurement requirements. Each output coupler position provides optimal measurement characteristics for specific depth ranges and fields of view, ensuring high precision measurements are maintained for each specific application scenario while using a single integrated module.
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 solution allows a single sensor to efficiently generate 3D scan data for diverse applications by adjusting its depth range and field of view, improving the accuracy and versatility of processes like facial recognition and augmented reality without the need for multiple modules.
Implementation Method 1
multiple output couplers positioned at different distances from a receiver... light or other radiation generated by a transmitter may be directed toward the output couplers and selectively emitted from the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Sensors with an addressable depth range and/or field of view are disclosed. Computing devices with such sensors are also disclosed. A sensor may include multiple output couplers that are positioned at different distances from a receiver. Through selective enabling of the output couplers, light or other radiation generated by a transmitter may be directed toward the output couplers and selectively emitted from the sensor at different distances from the transmitter. Such selective emitting may adjust a depth range and/or field of view of the sensor. A computing device may include a single sensor that is used across applications and/or processes having different needs with regard to depth range and/or field of view.