Real-time image formation from Geiger-mode LADAR
US11415697B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 22, 2019 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 26, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J2001/4466
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A measured photo-event array is converted from two spatial coordinates and one temporal coordinate into three spatial coordinates for real-time imaging. Laser light pulses illuminate at least one object, and a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode array receives photons from laser light reflected off the object. For each pulse of the laser light, the GMAPD outputs a first array of photo-events representative of reflected photons. A three-dimensional (3D) Gaussian distribution kernel arranged as a list of array locations to be processed and weight list(s) are provided. The weight list(s) specify an amount array values are scaled based on the Gaussian distribution or photon arrival time. A graphics processing unit arranges the first array of measured photo-events as a list, convolves the Gaussian displacement list with the list of measured photo-events to produce a convolution output, and applies weights from the weight list(s) to the values to produce a density point cloud.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.