LIDAR Virtual Rangefinders via Mirrors for Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LIDAR systems are costly and time-consuming due to the need for large angular ranges and complex mirror actuation to achieve three-dimensional scanning, and they face challenges with object occlusion and synchronization when using multiple units.
Innovation Solution
A system using a plurality of reflective walls to create an enclosed region of interest, where a LIDAR unit transmits laser pulses over multiple emittance angles, calculating round trip times to provide polar data, and employing virtual rangefinders to supplement the physical rangefinder, allowing for enhanced viewing angles and occlusion resolution without the need for multiple LIDAR units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LIDAR units are used to handle occlusion and expand viewing angles, then the viewing coverage and occlusion resolution are improved, but the system cost and synchronization complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual LIDAR units by mathematically modeling reflected laser paths as if they originated from virtual rangefinders positioned at mirror locations. This copying approach provides additional viewing angles and occlusion penetration capabilities without deploying physical LIDAR units, thus avoiding synchronization complexity while maintaining enhanced adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
Mirrors are introduced as intermediary elements between the single LIDAR unit and the target object. These mirrors redirect laser beams to access occluded regions and expand the effective viewing coverage, achieving multi-unit functionality through a simpler single-unit-plus-mirrors architecture
2Device complexity
If a single LIDAR unit is used, then the system cost is reduced, but the viewing angle range and occlusion handling capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the single LIDAR unit's capabilities by introducing mirrors that add reflective dimensions to the laser path. This allows the system to achieve three-dimensional scanning coverage and handle occlusions without requiring multiple physical units or complex mechanical actuation, maintaining cost-effectiveness while expanding viewing angle range
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional three-dimensional scanning is implemented using rotating mirrors or unit movement, then the angular coverage is improved, but the scanning time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores the mapping relationships between emittance angles, mirror reflections, and virtual rangefinder positions before actual scanning. This preliminary preparation allows the system to rapidly determine three-dimensional object coordinates from two-dimensional LIDAR data without time-consuming real-time calculations or mechanical movements, reducing scanning time while maintaining comprehensive angular coverage
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 reduces costs and scanning time by enabling efficient three-dimensional data acquisition with improved occlusion handling and synchronization, allowing for more precise and frequent data capture within a single LIDAR unit.
Implementation Method 1
calculate the round trip time of flight of each return laser pulse associated with each of a given emittance angle to provide polar data in the form of a distance and emittance angle
Implementation Method 2
assigns laser pulses that reflect from one or more of the plurality of reflective walls indirectly from the object based on a determined round trip time of flight
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided that employ one or more mirrors to harvest laser beams emitted by a physical rangefinder within a region of interest that would otherwise not intersect an object within the region of interest. The mirrors redirect the harvested beams back within the region of interest, creating one or more virtual rangefinders that supplement the physical rangefinder. The location of the virtual rangefinders is symmetric to the position of the physical rangefinder about the plane of the mirror and along the line normal to the mirror passing through the physical rangefinder. The virtual rangefinders, which operate synchronously with the physical rangefinder, thus provide a view of the object(s) from an angle different from that of the physical rangefinder.