Optical Micromesh Laser Synchronization via Time Domain Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple computerized devices using laser illumination for ranging can experience interference due to overlapping emissions, reducing the performance of depth mapping and communication.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an optical micromesh system with time domain multiplexing (TDM) to synchronize laser emissions, using a 'heartbeat' system clock to allocate time slots and avoid collisions, and employing space division techniques to divide the area into non-overlapping cells for active illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple devices use laser illumination for ranging simultaneously, then depth mapping and communication can be performed, but interference occurs due to overlapping emissions reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using time domain multiplexing to allocate specific time slots to different devices for laser emission. Each device transmits laser beams periodically according to its assigned time slot, ensuring that emissions do not overlap in time. This periodic transmission schedule eliminates interference while maintaining depth mapping and communication functionality across multiple devices.
2Productivity
If devices transmit laser beams simultaneously without synchronization, then communication efficiency is high, but collisions occur between overlapping laser emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a transmission schedule before devices begin laser emission. The master device assigns time slots to slave devices in advance, and all devices synchronize their clocks to this predetermined schedule. This preliminary organization ensures that when devices transmit, they do so in coordinated time slots, preventing collisions while maintaining communication efficiency.
3Reliability
If a master device assigns time slots to all devices, then emission collisions are prevented, but system complexity increases due to synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing the master device to perform multiple functions: it acts as a laser emitter, a clock source, and a schedule coordinator simultaneously. The master device generates the heartbeat signal that all slave devices synchronize to, and it assigns time slots based on device identifiers. This multi-functional approach consolidates synchronization complexity into a single device rather than requiring complex inter-device coordination protocols.
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 effectively synchronizes laser emissions, preventing collisions and enhancing the accuracy of depth mapping and communication between devices by ensuring non-overlapping illumination areas.
Implementation Method 1
at least one laser emitter configured to output signals useful for generating images of other devices
Implementation Method 2
Some camera systems rely upon specific forms of illumination so that ranging or 3D depth maps can be created. In the case that an active illumination system is used and the time of flight method is used
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple camera systems which use laser illumination for ranging benefit from a heartbeat to synchronize the timing of the individual lasers to eliminate collisions of multiple simultaneous laser emissions. An optical micromesh system provides for the dynamic entry and egress of mobile and stationary nodes. The optical communication between nodes may be controlled using time domain multiplexing (TDM) to avoid cross talk and communication collision due to overlapping laser illumination. By using an optical, laser based micromesh network, laser ranging can be used to dynamically map node location.