Laser radar projection with object feature detection and ranging
US8085388B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 11, 2007 |
| Grant date | Dec 27, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B30/56
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A 3D pulsed laser projection system scans an object to produce a dense 3D point cloud and projects a laser light beam onto an object as a glowing template. A high-sensitivity optical feedback system receives and detects a feedback beam of the output beam light diffusely reflected from the object. The feedback light and projected beam share the same beam path between steering mirrors and the object. A light suppression component controls stray scattered light, including ambient light, from being detected. A time-of-flight measurement subsystem provides a distance-to-object measurement for projected pulses. An acousto-optical modulator, variable gain detected signal amplification and variable photo-detector power together produce a dynamic range for detected reflected feedback signals of at least 100,000, and up to 500,000. Optical fiber cables spatially filter scattered light and isolate the photo-detectors thermally. The laser is preferably pulsed at least 50 kHz, with sampling of the projected and feedback reflected optical pulse signals at a sampling rate of up to 10 gigasamples per second.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.