Portable Panoramic Laser Mapping System Using Progressive Resolution Refinement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser mapping systems are inefficient due to high power consumption and time requirements, making them costly and unsuitable for many applications, as they typically take thousands of measurements to generate a map and consume tens of watts of power.
Innovation Solution
A portable panoramic laser mapping system utilizing a depth measurement subsystem, a microelectromechanical systems-based (MEMS-based) scanning subsystem, and a controller, which employs progressive resolution refinement techniques to reduce measurement time and power consumption by taking one or two measurements per point and using less than 1 watt of laser output power, while maintaining detectable signals at distances up to 500 meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laser mapping systems take thousands of measurements to generate a map, then measurement precision is improved, but time consumption increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary low-resolution scan to obtain approximate depth information for all points in the field of view. Based on this preliminary data, it identifies regions of interest that require higher precision measurements, thereby avoiding the need to perform thousands of measurements across the entire field of view while still achieving high measurement precision where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The field of view is segmented into different regions based on the preliminary scan results. High-resolution measurements are applied only to specific regions of interest, while other regions maintain lower resolution. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision for critical areas without the time penalty of high-resolution scanning across the entire field.
2Measurement precision
If conventional laser mapping systems take thousands of measurements to generate a map, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary low-resolution scan to obtain approximate depth information for all points in the field of view. Based on this preliminary data, it identifies regions of interest that require higher precision measurements, thereby avoiding the need to perform thousands of measurements across the entire field of view while still achieving high measurement precision where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The field of view is segmented into different regions based on the preliminary scan results. High-resolution measurements are applied only to specific regions of interest, while other regions maintain lower resolution. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision for critical areas without the time penalty of high-resolution scanning across the entire field.
3Reliability
If conventional laser mapping systems consume tens of watts of power to measure distances, then measurement capability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by performing measurements in stages: first a low-resolution preliminary scan, then selective high-resolution measurements only for regions of interest. This periodic measurement approach reduces the total number of measurements required, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement capability through the progressive refinement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by performing high-resolution measurements only for specific regions of interest rather than the entire field of view. The preliminary low-resolution scan covers the full field, and subsequent high-resolution measurements are applied partially only where needed, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining measurement capability for critical areas.
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 system enables accurate and rapid environmental mapping at a lower cost, reducing time and power consumption, and allows for both mapping and projection functionalities in a single portable device, suitable for various applications including construction and 3D scanning.
Implementation Method 1
The laser source is configured to generate coherent light. The coherent light is capable of being modulated.
Implementation Method 2
The coherent light is capable of being modulated
Implementation Method 3
The splitting optics are configured to create a reference beam of light and a detection beam of light from the coherent light
Implementation Method 4
The light detecting structure is configured to convert the reference beam and a reflected detection beam into electrical signals
Implementation Method 5
The MEMS-based scanning subsystem includes mirror(s) and a light redirecting element that has a microelectromechanical structure. The microelectromechanical structure is configured to perform a scan of the current point within a field of view using the mirror(s)
Implementation Method 6
The signal processing circuit is optionally configured to determine locating information based on the electrical signals in accordance with a progressive resolution refinement technique
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described herein that are capable of forming a depth map and/or projecting an image onto object(s) based on the depth map. A depth map is a three-dimensional representation of an environment. Forming the depth map may utilize a progressive resolution refinement technique. For example, locating information may be determined in accordance with the progressive resolution refinement technique in response to performing a scan of a current point over a field of view. The current point is a point, selected from a plurality of points (e.g., a grid of points) in the field of view, to which a detection beam of light is directed at a respective time as the scan is performed over the field of view. In accordance with this example, the locating information may be coordinated with the scan to form the depth map.