Optical Sensor Nonlinear Signal Processing for 3D Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detectors face challenges in reliably determining the position of an object in space with low technical effort and resource requirements, particularly in 3D-sensing applications, where known concepts are limited by high costs and inefficiencies, such as those using FiP sensors or pixelated optical sensors.
Innovation Solution
A detector system comprising an optical sensor with a matrix of pixels that generates nonlinear pixel signals based on illumination power, a non-linearization device to transform these signals, and an evaluation device to determine the longitudinal coordinate of an object by analyzing the nonlinear sum signal, allowing for accurate 3D coordinate determination with reduced computational and resource demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pixelated optical sensors or FiP sensors are used for 3D-sensing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the linear pixel signals through a nonlinear function (e.g., squaring or exponential transformation) to create a nonlinear sum signal. This parameter transformation enables the system to determine longitudinal coordinates using a single optical sensor with standard pixels, achieving 3D sensing precision without requiring complex sensor arrays or specialized FiP sensors.
2Measurement precision
If multiple optical sensors or sensor stacks are used to determine longitudinal position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal processing function rather than using multiple physical sensors. By dividing the pixel matrix into groups and applying nonlinear transformation to their signals, the system achieves longitudinal position determination with a single sensor, eliminating the need for complex sensor stacks while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The nonlinear sum signal acts as an intermediary that carries information about both the transverse position and longitudinal distance of the light spot. This intermediary signal enables the evaluation device to extract longitudinal coordinates without requiring multiple sensors, as the nonlinear transformation encodes depth information in the signal itself.
3Measurement precision
If nonlinear signal processing is applied to pixel signals, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the nonlinear transformation on the pixel signals before summing them. This preprocessing step creates a nonlinear sum signal that inherently contains longitudinal position information, eliminating the need for more energy-intensive post-processing computations or iterative algorithms to determine depth.
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
Enables reliable and efficient determination of an object's position in space with low technical effort and cost, improving upon existing 3D-sensing concepts by using nonlinear signal processing to derive accurate longitudinal coordinates.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical sensor, the optical sensor being configured to detect at least one light spot generated by at least one light beam propagating from the object towards the detector
Data Source
AI summary
A detector (110) for determining a position of at least one object (118) is proposed. The detector (110) comprises: —at least one optical sensor (112), the optical sensor (112) being configured to detect at least one light spot (156) generated by at least one light beam (150) propagating from the object (118) towards the detector (110), the optical sensor (112) having at least one matrix (152) of pixels (154), each pixel (154) being adapted to generate at least one pixel signal si,j in response to an illumination of the pixel (154) by the light beam (150); —at least one non-linearization device (123) configured to transform the pixel signals si,j of all pixels (154) i, j or of at least one group of pixels (154) into nonlinear pixel signals s′i,j, the nonlinear pixel signals s′i,j each being a nonlinear function of the power of the illumination pi,j of the respective pixel (154); —at least one summing device (125) configured to add up the nonlinearpixel signals s′i,j of all pixels (154) i, j or of the at least one group of pixels (154) and to generate at least one nonlinearsum signal S′=Σijs′ij; and —at least one evaluation device (126), the evaluation device (126) being configured to determine at least one longitudinal coordinate z of the object (118) by evaluating the nonlinear sum signal S′.