Lidar Scanner Shifting Unit for Adaptive Scanning Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lidar scanners with fixed scanning patterns face a trade-off between detailed imaging and measurement cycle duration, and require complex and fast laser beam control for flexibility, making them technically complex and costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that use a shifting unit to alter the position or shape of predefined elements within the lidar scanner, allowing a fixed scanning pattern to be shifted or distorted between measurement cycles, enabling adaptable scanning without changing the relative positions of sampling points, thus maintaining robustness and simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed scanning pattern is used with more sampling points to provide a detailed image of the surroundings, then the imaging detail is improved, but the measurement cycle duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the scanning pattern adaptable between fixed and variable modes. The controller dynamically adjusts the scanning pattern based on detected objects or situations, switching between a fixed pattern for normal operation and a variable pattern with modified sampling points for enhanced detail in specific regions, thus resolving the contradiction between detail and measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different regions of the scanning pattern to have different sampling densities. The controller can increase sampling points in specific local areas where objects are detected or where detailed imaging is required, while maintaining the original fixed pattern in other areas, thereby achieving detailed imaging without proportionally increasing the overall measurement cycle duration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the scanning pattern is made adaptable to vary between measurement cycles, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring very fast and flexible laser beam control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing dynamics through a controller that adaptively adjusts the scanning pattern based on detected objects or situational requirements. The system transitions from a purely fixed mechanical scanning system to a dynamic system where the controller can modify sampling points and scanning parameters in response to real-time conditions, achieving versatility without requiring fundamentally more complex hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by using detection information from the lidar scanner to influence subsequent scanning patterns. The controller receives data about the surroundings and detected objects, then uses this feedback to adaptively adjust the scanning pattern for the next measurement cycle, enabling the system to focus resources on areas of interest and reduce unnecessary scanning, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed scanning pattern is used, then the manufacturing cost is reduced and robustness is improved, but the scanning detail and adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing a hybrid approach where the basic scanning hardware remains simple and fixed (maintaining ease of manufacture), but the controller dynamically adjusts the scanning pattern based on detected objects or situations. This allows the system to maintain the robustness and cost-effectiveness of a fixed scanning mechanism while adding adaptive capability for enhanced scanning detail when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by maintaining a simple fixed scanning pattern for the overall structure (keeping manufacturing costs low) while allowing the controller to increase sampling density and scanning detail in specific local areas where objects are detected or where enhanced imaging is required, thus improving scanning detail without fundamentally complicating the manufacturing process.
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 a denser scanning pattern by overlapping successive measurement cycles, achieving faster scanning with improved detail while maintaining a robust and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
The lidar scanner comprises a laser source and a pattern generator for generating a fixed scanning pattern
Implementation Method 2
a shifting unit shifts the fixed scanning pattern of successive measurement cycles relatively to the vehicle and/or distorts the fixed scanning pattern
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is concerned with a method for operating a lidar scanner (12) in a vehicle (10), wherein several successive measurement cycles (28) for scanning the surroundings (13) of the vehicle (10) are performed, wherein in a fixed scanning pattern (29) relative positions (30) of the sampling points (16) are the same for the successive measurement cycles (28) and wherein for each measurement cycle (28) a laser source (23) and a pattern generator (24) together generate the fixed scanning pattern (29). A shifting unit (32) shifts the fixed scanning pattern (29) of successive measurement cycles (28) relatively to the vehicle (10) and/or distorts the fixed scanning pattern (29) of successive measurement cycles (28) in order to generate an external scanning pattern (15) that is emitted into the surroundings (13).