LIDAR based 3-D imaging with varying illumination intensity

US10197669B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• VELODYNE LIDAR, INC. · US

Inventors

• David S. Hall · Los Altos Hills, US
• Pieter J. Kerstens · Boca Raton, US
• Yupeng Cui · San Jose, US
• Mathew Noel Rekow · Alameda, US
• Stephen S. Nestinger · Santa Clara, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 20, 2017
• Grant date: Feb 5, 2019
• Expiry date: Mar 20, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/89
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with different illumination intensity patterns are described herein. Repetitive sequences of measurement pulses each having different illumination intensity patterns are emitted from a LIDAR system. One or more pulses of each repetitive sequence have a different illumination intensity than another pulse within the sequence. The illumination intensity patterns are varied to reduce total energy consumption and heat generated by the LIDAR system. In some examples, the illumination intensity pattern is varied based on the orientation of the LIDAR device. In some examples, the illumination intensity pattern is varied based on the distance between a detected object and the LIDAR device. In some examples, the illumination intensity pattern is varied based on the presence of an object detected by the LIDAR device or another imaging system.