Laser Rangefinder Distance Measurement Using Varying Pulse Spacing

The patent applies periodic action by using a pulsed laser emission scheme where laser pulses are emitted at regular intervals (pulse repetition rate). Multiple echo pulses are collected periodically and summed together to achieve pre-detection averaging. This periodic pulsing allows the system to accumulate sufficient signal energy over time while maintaining a controlled measurement cycle, resolving the contradiction between needing multiple pulses for SNR improvement and the linear increase in measurement time.

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the measurement process into distinct time windows or gates corresponding to different distance ranges. Each time window is associated with a specific pulse emission and its expected echo return time. By segmenting the measurement into these discrete temporal intervals, the system can handle high pulse repetition rates while maintaining accurate distance measurement, as each segment independently processes echoes from its associated pulse without interference from other pulses.

The patent applies continuity of useful action by continuously emitting laser pulses at the maximum safe power level allowed by eye safety standards, rather than using lower power intermittent pulses. By maintaining continuous operation at the safety limit and accumulating echoes from multiple pulses through pre-detection averaging, the system achieves the necessary SNR improvement without exceeding eye safety thresholds. This continuous operation maximizes the useful signal accumulation while adhering to safety constraints.