Event-Based LiDAR Apparatus for Reducing Data Redundancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional frame-based LiDAR systems produce excessive redundant data, making them unsuitable for tasks requiring quick responses such as tracking, positioning, and motion estimation, as they emit point cloud data frequently without distinguishing between significant and insignificant changes in distance or reflectivity.

Innovation Solution

An event-based LiDAR apparatus that emits pulse light and captures reflected light, using a determination circuit and event detector to output distance or reflectivity data only when changes exceed predefined thresholds, thereby reducing unnecessary data transmission and focusing on meaningful point cloud data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If frame-based LiDAR emits point cloud data frequently to ensure abundant data for machine vision tasks, then data quantity is improved, but response speed deteriorates due to redundant data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata quantityVSAvoidresponse speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential information (distance and reflectivity changes exceeding thresholds) from the complete point cloud data, eliminating redundant data while preserving critical information for tracking and positioning tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the data transmission parameter from continuous frame-based output to event-triggered output based on detected changes in distance and reflectivity, enabling selective data transmission that balances quantity and speed requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If frame-based LiDAR transmits all point cloud data to ensure complete information, then information completeness is improved, but data redundancy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoiddata redundancy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from comparing current frame data with previous frame data to determine whether to transmit information, only transmitting when changes exceed predefined thresholds thus reducing redundancy while maintaining information completeness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If conventional LiDAR processes all data in each frame to ensure comprehensive analysis, then processing thoroughness is improved, but processing efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing thoroughnessVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary comparison of distance and reflectivity changes against thresholds before transmitting data, filtering out redundant information early in the processing pipeline to improve efficiency while maintaining thoroughness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 event-based LiDAR system efficiently extracts and transmits only significant data, enabling rapid detection of anomalies and improving response times for tasks like tracking and motion estimation by minimizing redundant data transmission.

Implementation Method 1

a light receiver, optically coupled to the light transmitter and configured to capture reflected pulse light, wherein the reflected pulse light represents the pulse light reflected by at least one object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

measuring the time delay between emitted and returned laser signals to calculate distances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight measurement: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS20240402309A1Light Detection and Ranging Apparatus and Event Detection Method Thereof

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 COMPERTUM MICROSYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A LiDAR apparatus includes a light transmitter configured to emit pulse light, a light receiver configured to capture reflected pulse light, a determination circuit configured to determine a plurality of distances to the at least one object and a plurality of reflectivity of the at least one object, and an event detector configured to output the present distance or the present reflectivity only after determining a distance difference between the present distance of the first pixel of the present frame and a previous distance of the first pixel of a previous frame exceeds a distance threshold or only after determining a reflectivity difference between the present reflectivity of the first pixel of the present frame and a previous reflectivity of the first pixel of the previous frame exceeds a reflectivity threshold. A plurality of pixels are regularly mapping to a two-directional FOV of the LiDAR apparatus.