Visible light detection and ranging apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method for ranging, the method comprising steps of:
- (a) initiating a measurement cycle;
(b) receiving an optical signal;
(c) converting the optical signal to an electrical signal;
(d) providing specific successive values of desired sensitivity time control threshold information;
(e) comparing the specific successive values of desired sensitivity time control threshold information to the electrical signal to provide a comparison signal; and
(f) calculating a range from a delay between said step (a) and the comparison signal from said step (e).
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lidar apparatus for detecting an object. The lidar apparatus includes a laser providing a visible light output signal over a first field of view and a photodiode having a second field of view. At least some of the first and second fields of view overlap. The photodiode provides electrical signals in response to received optical signals. A controller is coupled to the laser and to the photodiode. The controller for provides electrical signals to the laser, causing emission of visible light output signals. A time varying threshold generator is coupled to the controller. The time varying threshold generator provides a time varying threshold signal in response to signals from the controller. A threshold detector is coupled to the time varying threshold generator and to the photodiode. The threshold detector compares the time varying threshold signal to the electrical signals to provide signals indicating presence or absence of the object.
63 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for ranging, the method comprising steps of:
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(a) initiating a measurement cycle; (b) receiving an optical signal; (c) converting the optical signal to an electrical signal; (d) providing specific successive values of desired sensitivity time control threshold information; (e) comparing the specific successive values of desired sensitivity time control threshold information to the electrical signal to provide a comparison signal; and (f) calculating a range from a delay between said step (a) and the comparison signal from said step (e). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A lidar apparatus for detecting an object, said lidar apparatus comprising:
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a laser providing a visible light output signal over a first field of view; a photodiode having a second field of view, wherein at least some of said first and second fields of view overlap, said photodiode providing electrical signals in response to received optical signals; control means coupled to said laser and to said photodiode, said control means for providing first electrical signals to said laser to cause said laser to emit said visible light output signals; a time varying threshold generator coupled to said control means, said time varying threshold generator for providing a time varying threshold signal in response to signals from said control means; and a threshold detector coupled to said time varying threshold generator and to said photodiode, said threshold detector for comparing said time varying threshold signal to said electrical signals to provide signals indicating presence or absence of said object. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 21)
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11. A method for ranging an object, said method comprising steps of:
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(a) a transmitting a first signal comprising visible light from a ranging apparatus to said object; (b) receiving a second signal comprising visible light to said object; (c) converting the second signal to a first electrical signal; (d) extracting specific values of desired sensitivity time control threshold information from an information store at successive time intervals to provide specific successive values of the desired sensitivity time control threshold information; (e) converting the specific successive values to analog values to provide an analog calibration signal; (f) comparing the analog calibration signal to the first electrical signal to provide a comparison signal; and (g) using the comparison signal to determine a range to said object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An ranging apparatus, comprising:
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a signal input for receiving input signals, said input signals comprising visible light, said signal input providing electrical signals in response to said input signals; a pre-look circuit coupled to said signal input, said pre-look circuit for providing a pre-look signal, said pre-look signal characterizing an ambient signal condition; a memory coupled to said pre-look circuit, said memory for storing sensitivity time control data and for providing a first analog sensitivity time control signal in response to said pre-look signal; and a first comparator coupled to said signal input and to said memory, said first comparator having an input for receiving said first analog sensitivity time control signal, said first comparator for comparing said electrical signal to said first analog sensitivity time control signal to provide a first detection signal. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification