Methods and Systems for LIDAR Optics Alignment
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- mounting a transmit block and a receive block in a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device to provide a relative position between the transmit block and the receive block, wherein the transmit block includes one or more light sources configured to emit light at a source wavelength, and wherein the receive block includes one or more detectors configured to detect light at the source wavelength;
locating a camera at a given position at which the camera, when focused at infinity, can image light beams emitted by the one or more light sources and can image the one or more detectors;
obtaining a first image using the camera located at the given position and focused at infinity, wherein the first image is indicative of light source positions of the one or more light sources;
obtaining a second image using the camera located at the given position and focused at infinity, wherein the second image is indicative of detector positions of the one or more detectors in the receive block;
determining at least one offset based on the light source positions indicated by the first image and the detector positions indicated by the second image; and
adjusting the relative position between the transmit block and the receive block based at least in part on the at least one offset.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided that involves mounting a transmit block and a receive block in a LIDAR device to provide a relative position between the transmit block and the receive block. The method also involves locating a camera at a given position at which the camera can image light beams emitted by the transmit block and can image the receive block. The method also involves obtaining, using the camera, a first image indicative of light source positions of one or more light sources in the transmit block and a second image indicative of detector positions of one or more detectors in the receive block. The method also involves determining at least one offset based on the first image and the second image. The method also involves adjusting the relative position between the transmit block and the receive block based at least in part on the at least one offset.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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mounting a transmit block and a receive block in a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device to provide a relative position between the transmit block and the receive block, wherein the transmit block includes one or more light sources configured to emit light at a source wavelength, and wherein the receive block includes one or more detectors configured to detect light at the source wavelength; locating a camera at a given position at which the camera, when focused at infinity, can image light beams emitted by the one or more light sources and can image the one or more detectors; obtaining a first image using the camera located at the given position and focused at infinity, wherein the first image is indicative of light source positions of the one or more light sources; obtaining a second image using the camera located at the given position and focused at infinity, wherein the second image is indicative of detector positions of the one or more detectors in the receive block; determining at least one offset based on the light source positions indicated by the first image and the detector positions indicated by the second image; and adjusting the relative position between the transmit block and the receive block based at least in part on the at least one offset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system comprising:
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a mounting platform to mount a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device that provides a relative position between a transmit block in the LIDAR device and a receive block in the LIDAR device, wherein the transmit block includes one or more light sources configured to emit light at a source wavelength, wherein the receive block includes one or more detectors configured to detect light at the source wavelength; a camera located at a given position at which the camera, when focused at infinity, can image light beams emitted by the one or more light sources and can image the one or more detectors; an alignment apparatus configured to adjust the relative position between the transmit block and the receive block; and a controller configured to; obtain a first image from the camera located at the given position and focused at infinity, wherein the first image is indicative of light source positions of the one or more light sources; obtain a second image from the camera located at the given position and focused at infinity, wherein the second image is indicative of detector positions of the one or more detectors in the receive block; determine at least one offset based on the light source positions indicated by the first image and the detector positions indicated by the second image; and cause the alignment apparatus to adjust the relative position between the transmit block and the receive block based at least in part on the at least one offset. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification