Lidar Scanning With Reflected Beams for Higher Depth Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar systems in consumer electronics, such as smartphones, face limitations in spatial resolution due to a fixed and hardware-limited number of projected points, which hinders high-resolution depth mapping.
Innovation Solution
A lidar apparatus with a reflective surface, either integrated or as a peripheral attachment, projects both direct and reflected laser beams to enhance spatial resolution by increasing the number of measurement points, using trigonometry to correct for additional path length traveled by reflected beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed and hardware-limited number of projected points is used in lidar systems, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the spatial resolution and measurement precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the laser beam path into two distinct segments: a direct path from the laser source to the target, and a reflected path from the laser source to a reflective surface and then to the target. This segmentation allows the system to effectively double the number of measurement points without increasing the hardware complexity of the laser projector, as the same hardware is used to generate both direct and reflected beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflective surface as an intermediary element that redirects laser beams to create additional measurement paths. This intermediary allows the system to generate reflected laser beams that provide additional spatial information without requiring additional laser sources or complex projection hardware, thus improving measurement precision while maintaining manageable device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If reflected laser beams are used to increase measurement points, then the spatial resolution is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for reflective surfaces and path correction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service approach where the system automatically measures the angle of the reflective surface and calculates the additional path length traveled by reflected beams. The processor automatically corrects for these path differences using trigonometric calculations, eliminating the need for manual calibration or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This keeps the system configuration manageable while achieving high resolution.
3Measurement precision
If the number of projected points is increased to improve spatial resolution, then the measurement precision is improved, but the use of energy and time required for scanning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple laser beams into a single laser source by utilizing both direct and reflected beam paths. Instead of requiring separate laser sources or increasing the number of active projectors, the system combines the output of one laser source through different optical paths (direct and reflected) to effectively double the measurement points. This approach improves depth map resolution while avoiding the increased energy consumption that would result from operating multiple independent laser sources.
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 method doubles the imaging resolution by utilizing both direct and reflected laser beams, providing a high-resolution depth map with improved accuracy and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a laser projector to direct a plurality of laser beams toward an area of interest, wherein the plurality of laser beams follow a plurality of paths comprising a direct laser beam path and a reflected laser beam path
Implementation Method 2
a reflected laser beam path is from the laser projector to a reflective surface disposed at a known location relative to the apparatus then toward the area of interest
Implementation Method 3
a photodetector to detect scattered light scattered in the area of interest due to the plurality of laser beams and the plurality of paths
Data Source
AI summary
Lidar imaging techniques are disclosed. An example method includes projecting direct laser beams toward an area of interest, and projecting reflected laser beams toward the area of interest, wherein the reflected laser beams are reflected from a reflective surface disposed at a known location relative to an electronic device. The method also includes receiving light scattered in the area of interest due to the direct laser beams and the reflected laser beams. The method also includes determining signal characteristics of the detected scattered light received from the area of interest caused by both the direct laser beams and the reflected laser beams. The method also includes computing a depth map corresponding to the area of interest based on the signal characteristics.