Multi-mode Light Emitter for Adaptive Optical Ranging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optical ranging systems face challenges in reducing power consumption while maintaining effective distance data collection across varying distance ranges.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multi-mode light emitter and demodulation pixel array that switches between diffuse and discrete illumination modes, using a tunable optical element or array of laser diodes with periodic arrangement, to optimize power usage and adapt illumination techniques based on distance, employing time-of-flight and structured-light methods respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single illumination mode is used in optical ranging systems, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot adapt to different distance ranges and consumes more power
Solution Approach 1:
The light emitter is designed with dynamic switching capability between diffuse illumination mode and discrete illumination mode. A switching mechanism controls which illumination mode is active based on the measured distance range, allowing the system to adapt its illumination characteristics dynamically rather than being fixed in a single state.
Solution Approach 2:
The light emitter is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating both diffuse illumination capability and discrete illumination capability within a single device. This multi-functional design allows one component to serve different purposes (wide-area illumination for far distances and targeted illumination for close distances) without requiring separate emitters for each function.
2Reliability
If high power is used for illumination, then distance data collection is effective across all ranges, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its illumination mode based on the measured distance range. When an object is detected in the far distance range, the system switches to diffuse illumination mode which distributes power across a wider area. When an object is in the close distance range, the system switches to discrete illumination mode which concentrates power on a smaller target area. This dynamic adaptation ensures effective distance data collection while minimizing power consumption by matching illumination characteristics to the actual measurement needs.
3Area of stationary object
If diffuse illumination is used for far distances, then coverage area is large, but precision for close objects decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic mode switching based on detected distance range. When far-distance objects are detected, the system activates diffuse illumination mode which provides wide coverage area. When close-distance objects are detected, the system switches to discrete illumination mode which provides concentrated illumination for higher measurement precision. This dynamic adaptation resolves the trade-off by selecting the appropriate illumination mode according to the actual measurement scenario.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different illumination quality characteristics to different spatial scenarios. Diffuse illumination with wide angular distribution is used for far-distance coverage, while discrete illumination with narrow angular distribution is used for close-distance precision measurement. The switching mechanism ensures that each spatial scenario receives the appropriate illumination quality, optimizing both coverage area and measurement precision for their respective distance ranges.
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 significant power savings by maintaining similar power consumption across different modes while enabling accurate distance data collection using either diffuse or discrete illumination, depending on object proximity, thereby enhancing the efficiency of optical ranging systems.
Implementation Method 1
The optical surface profile of the tunable optical element is altered by the application of electrical power. The refractive index of the tunable optical element is altered by the application of electrical power
Implementation Method 2
The illumination source includes a laser diode. The illumination source includes an array of laser diodes
Implementation Method 3
a pixel array configured to collect distance data
Implementation Method 4
distance data is collected by a time-of-flight technique
Data Source
AI summary
An optical ranging system includes a demodulation pixel array and a multi-mode light emitter. The multi-mode light emitter includes an illumination source and can generate a diffuse illumination and a discrete illumination in a first and second mode, respectively. Accordingly, in some implementations, the optical ranging system collects distance data via a time-of-flight technique and a structure-light technique. The illumination source can be operable to produce a diffuse illumination in a first mode and a discrete illumination in a second mode.