Optical Sensor Matrix for 3D Positioning with Reduced Computational Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D sensing methods face challenges such as high computational power requirements, leading to high costs and energy consumption, and are limited in outdoor and mobile applications due to heat production. Additionally, they rely on stable mechanical connections between illumination sources and sensors, which can be prone to errors from mechanical stress and temperature changes, and pose estimation algorithms lack a scaling factor for absolute measurements.
Innovation Solution
A detector system with a matrix of optical sensors that determines the position of an object by evaluating a combined signal from sensor signals, allowing for low-cost, low-resource positioning with reduced computational demand, and adapts to changes in object position without requiring a fixed baseline, using a combined signal to determine longitudinal coordinates independently of luminance and object size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If triangulation methods using structured light or stereo cameras are used to determine depth images, then 3D sensing capability is achieved, but computational power requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for depth measurement by using a single sensor element that directly measures longitudinal coordinates through light intensity analysis, eliminating the need for complex correspondence solving between multiple images. This extraction approach achieves 3D sensing with minimal computational processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical complexity of multiple cameras or structured light projectors with a simpler single sensor system that uses light intensity variations to determine depth. This substitution reduces computational requirements while maintaining depth measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If high computational power is used to solve correspondence problems in stereo or structured light methods, then measurement accuracy is improved, but energy consumption and heat production increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor element performs self-service by directly measuring longitudinal coordinates through light intensity analysis without requiring external computational resources for correspondence solving. The system achieves accurate position determination using minimal energy through this self-contained measurement approach.
3Reliability
If stable mechanical connections are used between illumination sources and sensors in triangulation systems, then measurement reliability is improved, but the system becomes more complex and prone to errors from mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex mechanical triangulation system, using a single sensor element that determines longitudinal coordinates directly from light intensity. This eliminates the need for stable mechanical connections between multiple components while maintaining measurement reliability.
4Measurement precision
If pose estimation algorithms are used without a scaling factor, then relative position estimation is achieved, but absolute measurements cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from light intensity measurements to determine a scaling factor that enables absolute position measurements. The system continuously adjusts and refines the scaling factor based on measured light intensity variations, achieving both relative and absolute position determination accurately.
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 reliable, low-cost, and efficient 3D positioning with reduced computational power, allowing for use in mobile and outdoor applications, and provides accurate distance measurements without the need for stable mechanical connections, while enabling absolute measurements by determining a scaling factor.
Implementation Method 1
each pixel being adapted to generate at least one pixel signal si,j in response to an illumination of the pixel by the light beam
Data Source
AI summary
A detector for determining a position of at least one object is disclosed and includes at least one sensor element having a matrix of optical sensors, the optical sensors each having a light-sensitive area. Each optical sensor is designed to generate at least one sensor signal in response to an illumination of its respective light-sensitive area by a light beam propagating from the object to the detector. The sensor element is adapted to determine at least one reflection image. The detector also includes at least one evaluation device adapted to select at least one reflection feature of the reflection image at least one first image position in the reflection image. The evaluation device is adapted to determine at least one reference feature in at least one reference image and at least one second image position in the reference image corresponding to the at least one reflection feature.