Optical range finder with directed attention
First Claim
1. An optical device for measuring a distance between the optical device and an object, the optical device comprising:
- an optical source for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation;
a focusing optical member for focusing the beam of electromagnetic radiation into a micro-mirror incident pattern;
a micro-mirror array receiving the micro-mirror incident pattern and outputting a controlled radiation pattern;
a processor for selecting a resolution level of the controlled radiation pattern based on a previous lower resolution scan over a greater area; and
a transmission optical member for focusing the controlled radiation pattern toward an object for estimation of a distance of the object from the optical device, where a first scan is directed to a background object and a potential foreground object and wherein a second scan is directed at the potential foreground object to verify the presence or absence of the potential foreground object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical range finder for determining the distance comprises a focusing optical member that focuses emitted electromagnetic radiation upon a micro-mirror array. A processor controls the micro-mirror array to direct the focused electromagnetic radiation into a defined radiation pattern consistent with a lower resolution scan over a greater area and a higher resolution scan over a lesser area of interest within the greater area. A transmission optical member focuses the defined radiation pattern toward an object. A reception optical member receives electromagnetic radiation reflected from the object. A detector detects the receipt of the reflected electromagnetic radiation. A timer determines an elapsed time, between transmission of the electromagnetic radiation to the object and receipt of the electromagnetic radiation from the object, to facilitate determination of the distance between the object and the range finder.
100 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An optical device for measuring a distance between the optical device and an object, the optical device comprising:
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an optical source for emitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation; a focusing optical member for focusing the beam of electromagnetic radiation into a micro-mirror incident pattern; a micro-mirror array receiving the micro-mirror incident pattern and outputting a controlled radiation pattern; a processor for selecting a resolution level of the controlled radiation pattern based on a previous lower resolution scan over a greater area; and a transmission optical member for focusing the controlled radiation pattern toward an object for estimation of a distance of the object from the optical device, where a first scan is directed to a background object and a potential foreground object and wherein a second scan is directed at the potential foreground object to verify the presence or absence of the potential foreground object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for determining a distance of an object from a reference point, the method comprising:
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emitting electromagnetic radiation; focusing the electromagnetic radiation upon a micro-mirror array; directing the focused electromagnetic radiation in a defined direction or defined radiation pattern toward an object, consistent with a lower resolution scan over a greater area or a higher resolution scan over a lesser area of interest based on a previous lower resolution scan over the greater area; and receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the object; detecting the receipt of the reflected electromagnetic radiation; determining an elapsed time between transmission of the electromagnetic radiation to the object and receipt of the electromagnetic radiation from the object; converting the elapsed time into a distance between the object and the reference point; directing the lower resolution scan to a background object and a potential foreground object; and directing the higher resolution scan at the potential foreground object to verify the presence or absence of the potential foreground object at a particular spatial position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification