Vehicle LED Headlight LiDAR for Eye-Safe Distance Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laser-based LIDAR systems for autonomous driving are costly and pose eye safety concerns due to high power requirements, while existing solutions for vehicle communication systems rely on cellular networks, which are not always available or efficient.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle LIDAR system and communication system utilizing existing LED light assemblies for distance measurement and inter-vehicle communication, respectively, eliminating the need for lasers and cellular networks by employing modulated LED light and pixel sensors for time-of-flight calculations and direct light beam transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If laser-based LIDAR systems are used for autonomous driving, then distance measurement capability is improved, but cost and eye safety concerns increase due to high power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, high-power laser systems with inexpensive, low-power LED light assemblies that are already standard in vehicles. The LED assemblies emit lower power light that is safe for eyes while still enabling functional LIDAR through modulated illumination and time-of-flight measurement with pixel sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vehicle's existing LED light assemblies, which are already present for illumination purposes, to simultaneously perform LIDAR distance measurement functions. This eliminates the need for separate, expensive laser components by making the existing lighting system serve dual purposes
2Measurement precision
If laser-based LIDAR systems are used for autonomous driving, then distance measurement capability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, high-power laser systems with inexpensive, low-power LED light assemblies that are already standard in vehicles. The LED assemblies emit lower power light that is safe for eyes while still enabling functional LIDAR through modulated illumination and time-of-flight measurement with pixel sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the existing LED light assemblies perform multiple functions: they provide both vehicle illumination and LIDAR distance measurement capabilities. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate expensive laser components, significantly reducing system cost while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
3Area of stationary object
If cellular networks are used for vehicle communication, then communication coverage is improved, but latency and reliability decrease due to network availability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical communication through modulated LED light beams as an intermediary communication channel between vehicles. This direct optical link bypasses cellular networks, enabling reliable peer-to-peer communication that works independently of network availability while maintaining wide coverage through line-of-sight light transmission
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 reduces the cost and complexity of LIDAR systems and enables low-latency, direct communication between vehicles without the need for cellular infrastructure, improving safety and reliability in autonomous driving scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle three-dimensional (3D) imaging system that utilizes a vehicle's headlight or taillight to achieve ranging
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of distances may be calculated utilizing a time of flight sensor module
Implementation Method 3
a camera including an array of pixel sensors to capture the plurality of reflected light beams
Implementation Method 4
generating, via a vehicle LED driver module, a modulated LED data transmission signal, based at least in part on the modulation signal representative of the encoded vehicle data transmission, the modulated LED data transmission signal to modulate an intensity of the light beams
Implementation Method 5
detecting, via one or more light sensors positioned on the second vehicle, an intensity of the plurality of light beams transmitted from the LED light assembly on the first vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A method of measuring a distance between a vehicle and one or more objects, includes generating a modulation signal; generating a modulated light emitting diode (LED) transmission signal, via a vehicle LED driver assembly; transmitting a plurality of light beams based at least in part on the generated modulated LED transmission signal; capturing a reflection of the plurality of light beams off the one or more objects, utilizing one or more lens assemblies and a camera, the camera including an array of pixel sensors and being positioned on the vehicle; communicating a series of measurements representing the captured plurality of light beam reflections; calculating, utilizing the time-of-flight sensor module, time of flight measurements between the vehicle LED light assembly and the one or more objects and calculating distances, utilizing a depth processor module, between the vehicle LED light assembly and the one or more objects based on the time-of-flight measurements.