Lidar Moving Element Detection in Buildings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for detecting and tracking movement flows in large public buildings, such as airports and shopping centers, face challenges due to the complexity and resource-intensive nature of image processing required for high-resolution camera data, which increases costs and complexity, and is further complicated by lighting conditions and image quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A method using lidar technology with multiple transmitters/receivers emitting laser pulses to create a map of a space, distinguishing between fixed and moving elements by emitting pulses from various angles and processing distance information to effectively track and count moving objects with reduced data processing requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high-resolution cameras are used to capture movement flows, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex optical-mechanical camera systems with a simpler laser-based ranging system. Instead of using high-resolution cameras that require complex image processing, the invention uses laser pulses to directly measure distances to moving elements, substituting optical capture with active electromagnetic probing that yields precise positional data without the need for high-resolution imaging sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the essential information needed for movement flow detection - the distance to moving elements - by using laser ranging. Rather than capturing and processing entire high-resolution images, the system extracts precise range data through time-of-flight measurements, eliminating the need for complex image processing algorithms while maintaining detection precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If high-resolution cameras are used to capture movement flows, then detection precision is improved, but computer resources required increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidcomputer resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces computationally intensive image processing with simple laser range measurement and coordinate transformation. Instead of processing large volumes of pixel data from high-resolution cameras, the system directly obtains distance measurements and transforms them into spatial coordinates, dramatically reducing computer resource requirements while preserving detection precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts only the essential spatial information - distance to moving elements - through laser ranging. By measuring time-of-flight directly, the system obtains precise positional data without capturing and processing entire images, thereby minimizing computer resource consumption while maintaining high detection precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If three-dimensional images are reconstituted from multiple cameras, then tracking capability is improved, but data flow increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoiddata flow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex multi-camera 3D reconstruction systems with a simpler approach using multiple laser transmitters/receivers. Instead of capturing images from multiple angles and computationally reconstructing three-dimensional space, the system directly measures distances to moving elements using laser time-of-flight, obtaining 3D positional information without generating large image data flows

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts essential spatial coordinates of moving elements through direct laser ranging. By measuring distance, azimuth, and elevation independently using multiple laser transmitters, the system obtains three-dimensional positional data without capturing and processing large volumes of image data, thereby reducing data flow while improving tracking capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If multiple transmitters/receivers are used to scan multiple planes, then detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection space into multiple planes (horizontal, vertical, and inclined) and uses separate laser transmitters/receivers for each plane. This segmentation allows precise measurement in different spatial dimensions while keeping each individual transmitter/receiver unit relatively simple, as each device only needs to scan its designated plane rather than handling the entire three-dimensional space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 allows for efficient detection and tracking of moving elements with lower data processing demands, providing effective discrimination and tracking of individuals while reducing costs and complexity, and is less dependent on image quality and lighting conditions.

Implementation Method 1

during each scanning sequence and for each pulse encountering an element forming an obstacle, detecting a signal reflected by the element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

carry out several scanning sequences during each of which laser pulses are emitted in the place, during each scanning sequence and for each pulse encountering an element forming an obstacle, detecting a signal reflected by the element and deducing therefrom a position of the obstacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentEP3234644B1Method for detecting moving elements in a building and apparatus for implementing said method
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 NAGA CONCEPT
  • EP3234644B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3234644B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for detecting moving elements in a building by means of lidar, comprising the steps: - during each scanning sequence of the building by lidar, reporting in a common reference a point corresponding to a position of the detected obstacle, distinguishing the points corresponding to the fixed obstacles and the points corresponding to the moving obstacles over a predetermined number of scanning sequences. Apparatus for implementing said method.