LiDAR Distance Imaging With Multi-Frame Scanning for High Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LiDAR devices face challenges in achieving high resolution and accurate distance measurement due to the trade-off between beam diameter and signal-to-noise ratio, where reducing beam diameter increases component cost and decreases measurable distance range, while receiving light in units of pixels degrades effective resolution.
Innovation Solution
An image processing apparatus that emits light signals at predetermined intervals, adjusts scanning range and timing for each frame, and synthesizes distance images to generate high-resolution images without requiring smaller lenses, thereby improving resolution and measurable distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the beam diameter is decreased to increase distance measurement accuracy, then the resolution is improved, but the aperture size must be increased which increases device size and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from spatial dimension (aperture size) to temporal dimension (scanning timing adjustment). By changing the scanning timing by half a pixel for different frames and synthesizing the results, the system achieves high resolution without increasing the physical aperture size, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple frames with different scanning timings before final synthesis. By adjusting scanning timing in advance for different frames and then synthesizing the results, the system achieves improved resolution without requiring larger apertures, solving the contradiction between precision and device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the pixel width is decreased to increase distance image resolution, then the resolution is improved, but the received light amount decreases which lowers S/N ratio and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple frames with different scanning timings into a single high-resolution distance image. By combining the information from multiple frames where each pixel receives sufficient light, the system achieves high resolution while maintaining good S/N ratio, resolving the contradiction between resolution and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary capture of multiple frames with adjusted scanning timings before final synthesis. This preliminary action allows each pixel to accumulate sufficient light signal across multiple frames while maintaining resolution through the synthesis process, thus resolving the contradiction between resolution and S/N ratio.
3Reliability
If distance measurement is performed in units of multiple pixels according to beam diameter, then the S/N ratio is improved, but the effective resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses temporal dimension (multiple frames with different scanning timings) to achieve both high S/N ratio and high resolution. By synthesizing data from multiple frames where each frame contributes to different spatial positions, the system achieves effective resolution finer than a single frame would allow while maintaining good S/N ratio, resolving the contradiction between reliability and precision.
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 solution enhances image resolution and measurable distance range while maintaining a favorable signal-to-noise ratio, without increasing device size or cost, by adjusting scanning parameters and image synthesis techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that emits a light signal at a predetermined time interval
Implementation Method 2
a light receiver that receives a reflected light signal reflected on an object by irradiating the object with the light signal
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing apparatus has a light source that emits a light signal at a predetermined time interval, a scanner capable of changing at least one of a scanning range or a scanning timing of the light signal for each of frames, a light receiver that receives a reflected light signal reflected on an object by irradiating the object with the light signal, processing circuitry that generates a distance image for each of the frames based on the reflected light signal received by the light receiver, and synthesizes the distance images of a plurality of the frames to generate a high-resolution distance image.