Multi-Channel LED Object Detection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser rangefinders face reliability issues due to their narrow field-of-illumination and specular reflection effects, which can lead to incomplete detection of objects with varying reflectivity and angles, particularly in complex environments like cars.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel LED object detection system utilizing a wide field-of-illumination LED light source and a wide field-of-view optical detector with multiple sub-detectors, allowing for comprehensive illumination and reflection/backscatter tracing, converting the traces into digital signals for object detection, positioning, and distance measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a laser rangefinder with narrow field-of-illumination is used, then the beam concentration and energy efficiency are improved, but the detection reliability deteriorates due to specular reflection effects and varying surface angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into multiple independent detection channels, each with its own narrow field-of-view detector oriented at different angles. This segmentation allows each channel to capture reflections from different surface orientations, thereby improving overall detection reliability while maintaining the energy efficiency of narrow beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple detection channels with different field-of-view orientations into a unified detection system. By merging the detection results from multiple channels, the system overcomes the limitation of single-channel specular reflection issues and achieves reliable detection across varying surface angles.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a laser rangefinder with narrow field-of-illumination is used, then the energy concentration is improved, but the coverage area deteriorates leading to incomplete object detection
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple channels, each covering a specific angular sector. This allows the system to maintain narrow beam energy concentration in each channel while collectively achieving wide-area coverage through the combination of multiple channels with different orientation angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the detection coverage by adding angular dimension through multiple channels oriented at different angles. Instead of using a single wide beam, the system uses multiple narrow beams distributed across different angular dimensions, achieving both energy concentration and area coverage.
3Device complexity
If a single-channel detection system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection completeness deteriorates due to missed reflections from various angles
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into multiple independent channels, each responsible for detecting reflections from specific angular ranges. This segmentation ensures that reflection information from different surface orientations is captured without requiring an overly complex single-channel system.
Solution Approach 2:
Each detection channel is designed to be universally applicable for detecting reflections from specific angular sectors. The multi-channel configuration provides multi-functionality, allowing the system to detect objects with various surface orientations and reflectivity characteristics using the same basic channel architecture.
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 system effectively detects and identifies objects with improved reliability by encompassing a wider environment, overcoming the limitations of laser rangefinders, especially in scenarios with varying reflectivity and angles.
Implementation Method 1
A Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) light source having a wide field-of-illumination is provided and oriented such that the wide field-of-illumination encompasses a width of the environment
Implementation Method 2
A complete trace of a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light on the object in the environment is received and acquired using the optical detector
Implementation Method 3
A complete trace of a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light on the object in the environment is received and acquired using the optical detector
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel LED object detection system and a method for detecting an object are provided. The method includes providing and orienting a light source having a wide field-of-illumination to encompass the width of the environment; providing and orienting a detector having a wide field-of-view to encompass the width of the environment, the detector having a plurality of sub-detectors with individual narrow field-of-views, driving the LED source into emitting light to illuminate the width of the environment; receiving and acquiring an individual complete trace of a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light on the object at each sub-detector; converting the acquired individual complete trace into an individual digital signal; and detecting and identifying a presence of an object, a position of the object, a distance between the object and the LED source and/or a visibility, using the emitted light waveform and an individual digital signal.