Multispectral Sensor Array for Inherently Aligned Depth Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical imaging systems face challenges in aligning and registering images from different sensor modalities, such as LIDAR and visible-light cameras, due to differences in resolution and frame boundaries, leading to inexact alignment and increased computational complexity.
Innovation Solution
A multispectral sensor array with integrated depth and ambient-light channels, where channels are inherently aligned within the same sensor array, using optical filters and micro-optics to compensate for chromatic aberration and focal plane curvature, allowing for precise spatial registration and improved image alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate LIDAR and visible-light camera systems are used to provide depth and spectral data, then each imaging system can independently capture its respective data, but the images from different systems become misaligned requiring complex and computationally intensive image registration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor channels (LIDAR depth sensors and visible-light spectral sensors) into a single integrated sensor array. This merging eliminates the need for separate imaging systems and their associated alignment problems, as all sensors share a common physical platform and optical path, thereby achieving inherent alignment without complex registration processes
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor array is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: depth measurement via LIDAR, spectral analysis via visible-light channels, and inherently aligned imaging across all modalities. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate specialized systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate LIDAR and visible-light camera systems are used, then each system can be independently controlled and optimized, but the independent construction and control lead to inexact alignment between images
Solution Approach 1:
By merging LIDAR and visible-light sensors into a single integrated array with shared optics and processing, the system achieves inherent alignment while maintaining the ability to independently optimize each sensor channel's performance through software control and processing algorithms
3Productivity
If images from different imaging systems are independently constructed and controlled, then each system can operate autonomously, but the alignment between independently constructed images becomes inexact
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated sensor array combines multiple sensor types in a single physical platform, enabling simultaneous data acquisition from all channels with inherent spatial alignment. This eliminates the need for post-processing registration while maintaining independent operational control of each sensor type through software
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 solution enables precise alignment and registration of images from different sensor types, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of image processing and data mapping, particularly in applications like autonomous vehicle navigation and obstacle detection.
Implementation Method 1
Light imaging, detection and ranging (LIDAR) systems measure distance to a target by illuminating the target with a pulsed laser light and measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor
Implementation Method 2
measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor
Implementation Method 3
Different channels can be tuned (e.g., using optical filters) to be sensitive to light having specific properties, such as a particular range of wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
A multispectral sensor array can include a combination of ranging sensor channels (e.g., LIDAR sensor channels) and ambient-light sensor channels tuned to detect ambient light having a channel-specific property (e.g., color). The sensor channels can be arranged and spaced to provide multispectral images of a field of view in which the multispectral images from different sensors are inherently aligned with each other to define an array of multispectral image pixels. Various optical elements can be provided to facilitate imaging operations. Light ranging/imaging systems incorporating multispectral sensor arrays can operate in rotating and/or static modes.