Movable Platform Sensor Layout for Blind-Zone Depth Perception
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movable platforms, such as drones and self-driving vehicles, face limitations in obstacle avoidance due to small effective ranges and blind zones in their perception systems, leading to potential safety issues and reduced operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a control method using a movable platform equipped with multiple sensors mounted at the same level, forming binocular vision systems to cover a larger field of view, allowing for safe movement by obtaining depth information in multiple directions and reducing the number of sensors required while maintaining accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to expand the field of view and reduce blind zones, then the obstacle avoidance capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single sensor by integrating TOF (Time of Flight) depth sensing capability with conventional image capturing in the same sensor device. This allows the movable platform to obtain both depth information and visual information simultaneously from one sensor, reducing the total number of sensors needed while maintaining comprehensive obstacle avoidance capability across multiple directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor system is designed with multi-functionality, where each sensor serves multiple purposes: capturing images for visual recognition and measuring depth information for spatial awareness. This universal sensor design eliminates the need for separate depth sensors and image cameras, simplifying the overall system while improving reliability in obstacle detection.
2Area of stationary object
If sensors are mounted at different levels to cover multiple directions, then the field of view is expanded, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of expanding field of view by adding sensors at multiple vertical levels (three-dimensional arrangement), the patent achieves comprehensive coverage by strategically positioning sensors at the same level with overlapping fields of view. The sensors are arranged horizontally with their optical axes directed toward different directions, creating a two-dimensional coverage pattern that eliminates blind zones without requiring vertical stacking.
3Measurement precision
If a larger number of sensors are deployed to eliminate blind zones, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges depth measurement and image capture functions into a single sensor operation. Each sensor simultaneously performs both functions, eliminating the need for separate sensor operations and reducing total energy consumption while maintaining precise depth information through integrated TOF technology.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling a movable platform includes obtaining depth information of a scene in a first direction based on a first image captured by a first sensor of the movable platform and a third image by a third sensor of the movable platform, respectively; obtaining depth information of a scene in a second direction based on a second image captured by a second sensor of the movable platform and the third image by the third sensor of the movable platform, respectively; and controlling movement of the movable platform in space based on the depth information of the scene in the first direction and the second direction. The first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor are mounted on the movable platform at substantially a same level. The third sensor has a first and a second overlapping field of view with the first sensor and the second sensor, respectively.