Eye-Controlled MEMS Stabilization for Handheld Laser Rangefinders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hand-held observation devices with integrated laser rangefinders face challenges in maintaining measurement accuracy due to hand-jitter, which causes instability and errors in distance measurement, especially at longer ranges, and existing solutions like digital stabilization increase power consumption and reduce robustness.
Innovation Solution
The device uses eye-controlled opto-mechanical stabilization via MEMS mirrors to synchronize and stabilize both the transmitter and receiver channels, compensating for hand-jitter by imaging the user's eye pupil and processing real-time data to adjust the laser beam's direction, allowing for precise targeting without additional power consumption or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital stabilization is used to compensate for hand-jitter, then measurement accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases and device robustness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital stabilization with opto-mechanical stabilization using MEMS mirrors. The mechanical/optical system physically redirects laser beams and receiver channels to compensate for hand-jitter, eliminating the need for power-intensive digital image processing and stabilization algorithms while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own eye movements and pupil position as the stabilization reference. By imaging the eye pupil and tracking its position, the system automatically adjusts the laser beam and receiver channel alignment without requiring external control inputs or additional power consumption beyond the MEMS actuators.
2Measurement precision
If digital stabilization is used to compensate for hand-jitter, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex digital image processing systems with a simpler opto-mechanical MEMS stabilization system. Instead of processing and manipulating digital images to stabilize measurements, the system uses physical mirror actuators to realign optical paths, reducing computational complexity and system complexity overall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the stabilization function from the digital signal processing domain and places it in the optical-mechanical domain. By separating the stabilization function into dedicated MEMS mirrors and optical realignment mechanisms, the system achieves stabilization without the complexity of digital image processing pipelines.
3Measurement precision
If eye-controlled stabilization is implemented, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the eye-imaging system serve multiple functions: it simultaneously provides targeting information, stabilization reference, and control input for the MEMS mirrors. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by eliminating separate components for each function while maintaining high measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the eye-imaging, targeting, and stabilization control functions into a single integrated system. The same optical path and image processing that provides targeting information also drives the MEMS mirror actuators for stabilization, reducing the number of separate systems and overall device complexity.
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 significantly improves measurement accuracy and reliability, enabling the laser to hit small distant targets with high probability and extending the reliable distance measurement range while maintaining the device's compactness and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one opto-mechanical alignment unit for deflecting the laser beam in the laser emission channel and the beam reflection in the laser receiver channel
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor for capturing images of an eye of a user looking at a target
Implementation Method 3
an optical signal, for example as optical radiation in the form of laser light pulses, is emitted by the device in the direction of the target object
Implementation Method 4
The distance between the device and the target object can be determined with knowledge of the propagation speed of the optical signal and on the basis of the determined travel time between emission and reception of the signal
Implementation Method 5
the reflected optical radiation is converted into an electrical reception signal by a photosensitive detector element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention pertains to a hand-held observation device and methods for observing distant targets, comprising at least a first optical observation channel defining a first observation optical axis by receiving and imaging optical light rays onto an image plane for observations of a user, a first eyepiece being arranged at the first optical observation channel, and a laser range finder for determining, along an axis of the laser range finder, a distance between the observation device and a target, wherein at least one light source is adapted to emit light to illuminate a user's eye at the first eyepiece, an image sensor that is adapted to capture images of the eye, and comprises an electronic image processing unit for determining, in real-time, eye parameters that indicate a gazing direction of the user.