Multispectral Laser Scanner with Frequency-Selective Combining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser scanners face challenges in merging geometric and radiometric data due to differing spatial and temporal resolutions, and suffer from color errors and noise multiplication when trying to capture multispectral signatures, especially under varying lighting conditions.

Innovation Solution

A laser scanner design that combines radiometric measurement channels via a frequency-selective combiner, eliminating the need for bandpass filters and allowing simultaneous scanning of all spectral channels, which reduces noise and compensates for component tolerances and temperature drifts, enabling precise multispectral data acquisition independent of ambient lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate sensors are used for geometric (TLS) and radiometric data (multispectral photographs), then both types of data can be acquired, but the spatial and temporal resolution differ causing merging problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata acquisition capabilityVSAvoidspatial and temporal resolution mismatch
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines geometric and radiometric measurement channels into a single integrated laser scanner system with a common optical beam path, eliminating the need to merge data from separate sensors and resolving spatial-temporal resolution mismatches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If conventional spectral cameras operate passively at greater distances, then radiometric data can be captured, but the results depend on ambient lighting conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiometric data captureVSAvoiddependence on ambient lighting
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses actively illuminated measurement with modulated laser beams at specific frequencies, enabling reliable radiometric data capture independent of ambient lighting conditions by using self-generated periodic light sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces passive optical detection with active laser illumination and phase-based distance measurement, substituting ambient light dependency with controlled active illumination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If three RGB laser diodes are used to capture color information, then color data can be acquired, but component tolerances and temperature changes cause color errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor capture capabilityVSAvoidcolor accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a common signal path with frequency-selective combining and phase evaluation to monitor and correct for component tolerances and temperature drifts, maintaining color accuracy despite environmental changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If bandpass filters are used for different modulation frequencies in separate channels, then color information can be separated, but different delays occur causing color errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral channel separationVSAvoidchannel delay differences
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges all spectral channels into a common signal path after detection, using frequency-selective combining to separate channels without introducing differential delays, eliminating the timing mismatch problem of separate filtered channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate measurement channels are used for different wavelengths, then multispectral data can be acquired, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultispectral measurement capabilityVSAvoidnumber of separate channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple spectral measurement channels into a single common signal path using frequency-selective combining, reducing device complexity and size while maintaining full multispectral measurement capability through shared optical and electronic components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

6Device complexity

If all wavelengths are mapped onto one photodiode, then device size is reduced, but measurement noise multiplies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal path integrationVSAvoidsignal-to-noise ratio
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses frequency-modulated laser beams with distinct modulation frequencies for each wavelength, allowing a single photodiode to resolve multiple wavelengths through frequency discrimination, reducing device size without noise multiplication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces multiple physical detection channels with a single photodiode using frequency-based signal separation, achieving compact integration while maintaining signal-to-noise ratio through electronic frequency filtering

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances the accuracy and reliability of multispectral data acquisition, allowing for precise material differentiation and segmentation, and reduces the complexity and size of the device while improving signal-to-noise ratio and synchronization of measurements.

Implementation Method 1

several laser diodes of different wavelengths, the laser beams of which are directed onto the object to be measured

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

The measurement beams reflected from the object are fed to a common evaluation processor via similarly constructed optoelectronic measurement channels... each consisting of a photodiode... a bandpass filter (matched to the respective modulation frequency)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectModulation: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 3

The sensor for acquiring the radiometric data has several laser diodes of different wavelengths... The measurement beams reflected from the object are fed to a common evaluation processor via similarly constructed optoelectronic measurement channels (one for each color), each consisting of a photodiode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 4

a combiner is provided via which at least all radiometric measurement channels are selectively and section by section added to a single signal path... only the frequency ranges containing the different measurement signals are selected and added, so that measurement noise from the individual channels is not superimposed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency-selective combining:

Data Source

PatentEP3206047B1Laser scanner
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 ZOLLER & FROEHLICH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3206047B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3206047B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Revealbart is a multispectral laser scanner for spatial and radiometric data acquisition.