LiDAR Glazing Angular Correction for Position Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LiDAR systems installed behind vehicle glazing suffer from position assessment errors due to glazing distortions, requiring costly and burdensome calibration using dedicated equipment and geometric targets.

Innovation Solution

A method to calculate an angular correction map for LiDARs by determining local thickness and slopes of vehicle glazing, calculating vertical and horizontal angular offsets, and establishing a map to correct these distortions before installation, using common optical measurement devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If LiDAR is calibrated using conventional methods with calibration targets and dedicated equipment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition assessment accuracyVSAvoidcalibration equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the calibration process from the LiDAR system itself and performs it separately on the glazing using optical measurement devices. The glazing is measured independently for thickness and slope at multiple points, and correction values are calculated and stored in a lookup table, eliminating the need for complex calibration equipment during LiDAR operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration is performed in advance on the glazing before the LiDAR is installed in the vehicle. By pre-measuring the glazing's optical properties and pre-calculating correction values, the system avoids the need for time-consuming on-site calibration with dedicated equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If LiDAR calibration is performed on-site after installation, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition assessment accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration process is moved to the glazing manufacturing stage, where thickness and slope measurements are taken and correction values are calculated before the glazing is installed in the vehicle. This preliminary calibration eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site calibration procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If conventional calibration with geometric targets is used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to burdensome procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition assessment accuracyVSAvoidcalibration procedure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration procedure is extracted from the LiDAR system and performed separately on the glazing using standard optical measurement devices. This separates the complex target-based calibration from the LiDAR operation, simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using physical geometric calibration targets, the patent creates a digital representation (lookup table) of the glazing's optical characteristics by measuring thickness and slope at multiple points. This digital copy is then used for correction, eliminating the need for physical targets and complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Device complexity

If glazing distortions are not corrected, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to position assessment errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidobject position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary correction to counteract the distorting effect of the glazing. By measuring the glazing's thickness and slope variations and calculating angular offsets in advance, the system pre-compensates for the refraction errors that would otherwise occur when light passes through the non-uniform glazing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-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

Enables pre-installation calibration of LiDARs, eliminating the need for costly on-site calibration and dedicated equipment, while providing precise angular corrections for accurate object positioning.

Implementation Method 1

the presence of a glazing in the path of the light wave causes errors from distortion in assessing the position of the object by the LiDAR

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12510673B2Method for analyzing a glazing for a LiDAR

Publication Date: 2025.12.30 SAINT GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE

AI summary

A method for analyzing a glazing for a correction intended to be used by a LiDAR configured to emit, according to a given angle of emission, light waves intended to pass through a vehicle glazing, includes for a plurality of points of the glazing: obtaining a horizontal local slope and a vertical local slope at the point; calculating a vertical angular offset and a horizontal angular offset based on a vertical component and on a horizontal component of the angle of emission of the light wave passing through the glazing at the point, of the vertical local slope and of the horizontal local slope at the point and of the inclination of the glazing; and establishing an angular correction map from calculated vertical angular offsets and horizontal angular offsets.