Line Laser Distance Sensor Segmentation for AGV Cost Reduction

The patent segments the distance measurement task into multiple sub-measurements by dividing the laser image into multiple sub-images, each capturing a different vertical position of the laser line. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision through multiple coarse measurements rather than requiring a single highly precise complex mechanism.

The patent replaces the complex mechanical time-of-flight measurement system with an optical triangulation system using a line-shaped laser and image sensor. This substitution eliminates the need for highly precise and costly mechanical mechanisms while achieving sufficient measurement precision for AGV and safety grating applications.

The patent uses relatively simple and inexpensive components (line-shaped laser transmitter, image sensing device, and processing unit) to replace expensive time-of-flight mechanisms. The system achieves adequate precision for non-critical applications like AGVs and safety gratings without requiring highly costly hardware.

The patent changes the measurement approach from time-based measurement to spatial position measurement. By measuring the vertical position of the laser line in the image and using triangulation geometry, the system achieves distance measurement with simpler, less costly components.

The patent divides the line-shaped laser image into multiple sub-images, where each sub-image corresponds to a specific vertical position range. This segmentation enables parallel processing of multiple distance measurements simultaneously, increasing the amount of distance information obtained per unit time while keeping individual processing tasks simple.

The patent processes multiple sub-images to obtain more distance information points than a single measurement would provide. This excessive action of measuring multiple positions increases productivity and data density without requiring proportionally more complex hardware.