Laser Scanning Control with Distance-Based Angle and Intensity Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser scanning devices struggle to set appropriate scanning conditions, particularly when dealing with intense reflections from reflecting prisms, leading to saturation of light receiving units and inaccurate distance measurements.

Innovation Solution

The device employs a variable optical attenuator to adjust light intensity, combined with a scanning condition setting unit that adjusts scanning density and angle ranges based on distance and vertical angle, ensuring accurate laser scanning data collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If laser scanning is performed with fixed scanning conditions, then the scanning process is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates when distance varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidscanning condition adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scanning condition adjustment by varying the angle range based on real-time distance measurements. The control unit dynamically sets the angle range to be narrower for distant objects and wider for closer objects, allowing the system to adapt scanning parameters during operation rather than using fixed conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the scanning angle range parameter according to distance. When distance exceeds a threshold, the angle range is reduced; when distance is below the threshold, the angle range is expanded. This parameter adjustment optimizes measurement precision for different distances while managing the complexity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If scanning angle range is widened to cover more area, then productivity increases, but measurement precision for specific objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning coverage areaVSAvoidspecific object measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the scanning angle range parameter based on distance measurements. For distant objects, a narrower angle range concentrates scanning resources on the specific object, improving measurement precision. For close objects, a wider angle range increases productivity by covering more area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The scanning angle range is not fixed but dynamically adjusted during operation. The control unit receives distance information and automatically modifies the angle range accordingly, allowing the system to optimize between coverage area and measurement precision based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If light receiving unit gain is increased to detect weak signals, then detection capability improves, but saturation from intense reflections worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweak signal detection capabilityVSAvoidlight receiving unit saturation
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-adjusting the angle range to avoid directing the laser beam toward reflecting prisms. By narrowing the angle range when distant objects are detected, the system prevents the laser from hitting high-reflectivity surfaces that would cause saturation, thereby protecting the light receiving unit before saturation can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts or removes the problematic scanning direction that would cause saturation. By adjusting the angle range to exclude directions toward reflecting prisms, the system eliminates the harmful effect of intense reflections while maintaining detection capability for legitimate targets within the adjusted range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach prevents light receiving unit saturation, enhances measurement accuracy, and optimizes scanning density and angle ranges, resulting in precise point cloud data generation.

Implementation Method 1

laser scanning light which is output from the laser scanning device has a cross-sectional shape of longitudinal shape, the laser scanning light performs laser scanning by being reflected by a rotating mirror

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4597034A1Laser scanning device, laser scanning method and laser scanning program
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 TOPCON CORPORATION
  • EP4597034A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4597034A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4597034A1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

Appropriate scanning conditions are set in laser scanning. A laser scanning device 200 performing laser scanning by laser scanning light, obtains distance from the laser scanning device 200 to the reflecting prisms 300 and 400 being object, and sets conditions for obtaining laser scanning data limited to the reflecting prisms 300 and 400. During this, the laser scan data which is limited to the reflecting prisms 300 and 400 is laser scan data of a specific angle range viewed from the laser scanning device 200, and the specific angle range is set to be relatively narrow in a case in which the distance is relatively long, and is set to be relatively wide in a case in which the distance is relatively short.