Variable Range Interval LIDAR Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional LIDAR systems face inefficiencies in data compression due to constant range interval sizes, which lead to unnecessary precision and storage inefficiencies, especially when dealing with non-constant uncertainty models.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a compression module that uses range equivalence intervals with sizes dependent on the associated range values, allowing for more efficient mapping of range data to integers without loss of accuracy, thereby reducing storage requirements and improving data transfer efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If constant range interval sizes are used for compression, then measurement precision is maintained, but storage efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange measurement precisionVSAvoiddata storage size
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using variable range interval sizes that adapt to local uncertainty characteristics. Different range values are mapped to different interval sizes based on their associated uncertainty models, allowing finer precision where needed and coarser intervals where uncertainty is higher, thus optimizing the balance between measurement precision and storage efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of range interval size from constant to variable based on uncertainty models. By mapping range values to integers using non-uniform interval sizes that reflect uncertainty characteristics, the system achieves better compression ratios while maintaining accuracy where it matters most

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If constant range interval sizes are used for compression, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression algorithm complexityVSAvoiddata transfer efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by applying different interval size strategies to different range regions. The compression algorithm uses uncertainty models to determine appropriate interval sizes locally, improving data transfer efficiency without requiring overly complex global optimization mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamics by making the range interval size adaptive rather than static. The compression algorithm dynamically selects interval sizes based on uncertainty characteristics of different range values, enabling better productivity while keeping the mechanism relatively simple through rule-based adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2990827B1Range data compression
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
  • EP2990827B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2990827B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2990827B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A laser imaging, detection, and ranging (LIDAR) system may include a scanner and a compression module. The scanner may be configured to generate a scan including multiple range values associated with multiple scan points of the scan. The compression module may be configured to map multiple range values to multiple integers. The multiple integers may represent multiple range intervals. The multiple range intervals may include multiple differently sized range intervals. The size of the range intervals may be a function of range according to an interval size function.