Dual Laser Rangefinder Power Escalation Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser range finders are limited by government regulations to low power levels, restricting their performance and range, as higher power levels may cause undesired consequences, necessitating a system that can safely operate at higher power while ensuring safety and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A laser-based optical time-of-flight rangefinder system using primary and secondary laser sources with adjustable power levels, where the processor performs initial low-power measurements, checks for fault conditions using the secondary laser, and switches to higher power only if necessary, while monitoring for hazards and terminating measurements if objects enter a defined region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the laser power level is increased to provide longer range and higher performance, then the measurement range and performance are improved, but the system exceeds government regulations on power levels and may cause undesired consequences
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the laser power level based on real-time conditions. The processor controls the laser to operate at a first power level during normal operation and automatically switches to a second higher power level only when specific conditions are met (object detected at first power level but range cannot be determined). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to exceed power limits only when necessary and safe, resolving the contradiction between achieving longer range and complying with power regulations.
2Reliability
If the system operates at low power levels to comply with regulations, then safety and regulatory compliance are maintained, but the measurement range and performance are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process into distinct phases with different power levels. The system first attempts measurement at a lower power level, and only if that fails to determine range does it proceed to a second phase using higher power. This segmentation allows the system to primarily operate within regulatory limits while having the capability to extend range when necessary, thus balancing compliance with performance requirements.
3Reliability
If the system performs additional measurements to check for fault conditions before using high power, then safety is improved, but the measurement time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions before using high power by first detecting objects at the first power level and checking whether range can be determined. Only after confirming these preliminary conditions are met does the system proceed to use the second higher power level. This preliminary checking ensures safety while minimizing additional measurement time, as the system quickly assesses conditions and only extends measurement time when truly necessary.
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
Enables longer range and higher performance measurements while adhering to power regulations by safely escalating power levels only when necessary and monitoring for potential hazards, thus enhancing the system's accuracy and safety.
Implementation Method 1
laser based optical time-of-flight rangefinders
Implementation Method 2
optical time-of-flight rangefinders
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for implementing a system that can perform a range estimation of a target object at power levels both below and above an pre-defined power threshold. In embodiments, the system first performs a lower-power measurement, which may be sufficient to estimate the range to the object. If the low-power measurement is unsuccessful, the system then performs a fault check to ensure proper operation of the device. If the fault check is passed, the system may then perform a high-power measurement of the range to the object. Results may be provided to a user by a visual display.