Random-Access LiDAR Sampling for Dynamic Range Change Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The implementation of random access scanning LiDAR sensors in autonomous and driver-assisted transportation vehicles is hindered by the need for continuous algorithm development in dynamic environments, requiring researchers to gather data on the move, leading to increased costs and human risk, and the challenge of developing algorithms that are not specific to any particular use case.

Innovation Solution

A lower-level generic random-access scanning algorithm that schedules laser pulse emission based on expected potential range changes, prioritizing rays with the largest expected potential range changes for more frequent sampling, thereby optimizing information throughput in dynamic scenes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If continuous data gathering is performed in dynamic environments, then information completeness is improved, but cost and human risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidcost and human risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial sampling by selecting only a subset of rays for measurement based on expected potential range changes. Instead of continuously gathering data from all rays, the system strategically samples only those rays with high expected changes, reducing cost and risk while maintaining information completeness for dynamic content detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the sampling rate parameter for different rays based on their expected potential range changes. Rays with higher expected changes are sampled more frequently, while rays with lower expected changes are sampled less frequently, optimizing the balance between information completeness and resource consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If sampling frequency is increased for all rays, then information throughput is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation throughputVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different sampling frequencies to different rays based on their local characteristics (expected potential range changes). Instead of uniform high-frequency sampling across all rays, the system concentrates sampling resources on specific rays that are more likely to contain dynamic content, improving information throughput while reducing overall energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If random access scanning is implemented, then flexibility in scanning paths is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning path flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculations of expected potential range changes for each ray before actual scanning. This pre-computation allows the system to plan optimal scanning paths in advance, maintaining flexibility in adapting to dynamic environments while reducing real-time control complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enables efficient data gathering with reduced latency and power consumption, allowing for effective object detection in dynamic environments without relying on cameras, and facilitates algorithm development using live data.

Implementation Method 1

emission of range determining laser pulses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

range determining laser pulses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12468041B2System, method, and components providing compressive active range sampling

Publication Date: 2025.11.11 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

A system, methodologies and components utilizing a random access scanning LiDAR sensor for object detection for use in autonomous and driver assisted transportation vehicles, wherein calculated expected potential range changes determined based on emission of range determining laser pulses are used to schedule subsequent emission of range determining laser pulses such that laser pulse generation and ray sample generation for individual rays with a larger expected potential range change is performed more frequently than laser pulse generation and ray sample generation for individual rays with a smaller expected potential change so as to provide compressive active range scanning.