Laser Target Orientation Measurement via Optical Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current precision measuring systems, such as those used in robotics, face challenges in accurately determining the orientation of targets due to interference from background light and optical effects like diffraction, which affect the precision of laser beam image positioning.
Innovation Solution
A multi-dimensional measuring system incorporating a laser tracking unit, a target with retro-reflectors and a laser light sensor, and an artificial intelligence unit that uses filters and algorithms to separate background light from the laser beam image, allowing for precise centroid calculation and orientation determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a laser beam interferometer is used to determine position and orientation, then real-time measurement capability is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to background light interference and diffraction effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical filter as an intermediary element positioned between the retro-reflector and the position-sensitive photodetector. This filter selectively transmits the laser wavelength while blocking background light, thereby mediating the interaction between the measurement beam and environmental interference to improve positioning precision without sacrificing real-time measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and separates the laser beam signal from the background light through wavelength-selective filtering. By using a filter that only transmits the specific laser wavelength, the system extracts the useful measurement signal while rejecting unwanted background radiation, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining real-time operation
2Illumination intensity
If the aperture size of the retro-reflector is increased to allow more laser light, then signal intensity is improved, but background light interference worsens due to overlapping images on the sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The optical filter serves as a mediator that allows the system to use a larger aperture for improved signal intensity while blocking background light. The filter selectively transmits the laser wavelength regardless of aperture size, enabling the aperture to be optimized for signal collection without proportionally increasing background light interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of aperture size independently from the background light interference level by introducing wavelength-selective filtering. This decoupling allows the aperture to be enlarged for better signal intensity while the filter maintains signal-to-noise ratio by blocking background light across all aperture configurations
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 system achieves accurate and real-time target orientation measurement by effectively filtering background light and reducing interference, enabling precise positioning and orientation calculations.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one retro-reflector can alternatively be a hollow retro-reflector, that includes an opening at the apex. The aperture is configured to allow the at least part of the laser beam light to exit the retro-reflector.
Implementation Method 2
The target further includes a filter positioned between the retro-reflector and the laser light sensor. Preferably, the optical filter preferentially filters background light and reduces image intensity of background light on the laser light sensor.
Implementation Method 3
By detection of a position of the centroid of the incident laser beam on a detector (also termed 'laser light sensor' or 'sensor' hereinafter) in the target, the relative orientation of the target can be determined precisely.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for accurate determination of target orientation in a laser tracking system. A target aperture is configured to produce spatially distinct laser beam and background images. A processing unit is configured to determine a centroid of the laser beam image position using information collected from detected images, such as laser beam and background images. The laser beam image centroid position is used to determine an accurate target orientation. In one example, a process for determining target orientation includes the steps of collecting a background image passing through a first retro-reflector at a first laser light sensor; 2) collecting a measurement image passing through a second retro-reflector at a second laser light sensor; 3) establishing a common positional reference point for the measurement image and the background image; 4) subtracting the background image from the measurement image based on the common positional reference point.