Helical LIDAR Scanning for Single-Unit 3D Object Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Multilayer-type LIDAR systems are costly due to the need for multiple light transmitters/receivers for each layer, making it impractical for obtaining three-dimensional surroundings information.

Innovation Solution

A light control device with a single transmitter/receiver unit that emits and receives light, controlled to shift in two directions to create a helical transition locus, enabling three-dimensional object detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a multilayer-type LIDAR is used to obtain three-dimensional information, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring multiple light transmitters/receivers for each layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional information acquisitionVSAvoidnumber of light transmitters/receivers

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple scanning layers into a single layer by controlling the light emission unit to perform helical scanning. Instead of using multiple separate transmitters/receivers for different layers, the system combines all layers into one spatial arrangement through temporal and angular control, achieving three-dimensional coverage with a single transmitter/receiver unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamic scanning control where the light emission unit continuously changes its emission direction in both horizontal and vertical directions to create a helical path. This dynamic movement allows a single transmitter/receiver to effectively scan through multiple layers in sequence, replacing the static multi-layer physical structure with a dynamic single-layer scanning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If a multilayer-type LIDAR is used to obtain three-dimensional information, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases due to requiring multiple light transmitters/receivers for each layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional information acquisitionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple scanning layers into a single layer by controlling the light emission unit to perform helical scanning. Instead of using multiple separate transmitters/receivers for different layers, the system combines all layers into one spatial arrangement through temporal and angular control, achieving three-dimensional coverage with a single transmitter/receiver unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single light transmitter/receiver unit performs multiple functions by sequentially executing horizontal scanning, vertical scanning, and helical scanning patterns. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple specialized transmitters/receivers, reducing both component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining three-dimensional measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a single transmitter/receiver is used instead of multilayer-type LIDAR, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of light transmitters/receiversVSAvoidthree-dimensional information acquisition

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic scanning control where the light emission unit continuously changes its emission direction in both horizontal and vertical directions to create a helical path. This dynamic movement allows a single transmitter/receiver to effectively scan through multiple layers in sequence, replacing the static multi-layer physical structure with a dynamic single-layer scanning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a spatial multi-layer arrangement to a temporal-multiplexed scanning approach. By adding the time dimension to the scanning process, the single transmitter/receiver sequentially visits different spatial layers through helical motion, achieving three-dimensional coverage that would traditionally require physical multi-layer stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 three-dimensional object detection around a movable body using a single transmitter/receiver, reducing costs and complexity compared to multilayer systems.

Implementation Method 1

a light receiving unit configured to receive the light reflected by an object around the movable body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20260104493A1Light control device, light control method and program

Publication Date: 2026.04.16 PIONEER IP

AI summary

The light control device is installed in a movable body, and includes a light transmission/reception unit including an emission unit and a light receiving unit. The emission unit emits a light, and the light receiving unit receives the light reflected by an object around the movable body. The control unit controls the emission unit to continuously shift the light emitted by the emission unit in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction such that a transition locus of the light emitted by the emission unit becomes helical.