Scanning range finder
First Claim
1. A mobile robot comprising:
- an optical emitter circuit;
a non-imaging optical element arranged to receive distinct optical signals at an entrance aperture thereof responsive to operation of the optical emitter circuit and to direct the optical signals to an output aperture thereof, wherein the non-imaging optical element comprises a compound parabolic collector element;
an optical detector circuit configured to receive the optical signals from the output aperture of the non-imaging optical element and to generate respective detection signals based on respective phase differences of the optical signals relative to corresponding outputs of the optical emitter circuit;
a ranging circuit coupled to the optical detector circuit and configured to calculate a plurality of distances from the phase differences indicated by the detection signals, and to identify one of the plurality of distances as a range of a target; and
a rotatable turret comprising collection optics that are arranged to direct the optical signals to the compound parabolic collector element responsive to rotation of the turret,wherein the optical emitter circuit is configured to sequentially switch the outputs of the optical emitter circuit between different frequencies during the rotation of the turret.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A scanning optical range finder in a mobile robot includes an optical emitter circuit, a non-imaging optical element, an optical detector circuit, and a ranging circuit. The non-imaging optical element is arranged to receive optical signals at an entrance aperture thereof responsive to operation of the optical emitter circuit, and to direct the optical signals to an output aperture thereof. The optical detector circuit is configured to receive the optical signals from the output aperture of the non-imaging optical element, and to generate detection signals based on respective phase differences of the optical signals relative to corresponding outputs of the optical emitter circuit. The ranging circuit is configured to calculate a range of a target from the phase differences indicated by the detection signals. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.
11 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A mobile robot comprising:
-
an optical emitter circuit; a non-imaging optical element arranged to receive distinct optical signals at an entrance aperture thereof responsive to operation of the optical emitter circuit and to direct the optical signals to an output aperture thereof, wherein the non-imaging optical element comprises a compound parabolic collector element; an optical detector circuit configured to receive the optical signals from the output aperture of the non-imaging optical element and to generate respective detection signals based on respective phase differences of the optical signals relative to corresponding outputs of the optical emitter circuit; a ranging circuit coupled to the optical detector circuit and configured to calculate a plurality of distances from the phase differences indicated by the detection signals, and to identify one of the plurality of distances as a range of a target; and a rotatable turret comprising collection optics that are arranged to direct the optical signals to the compound parabolic collector element responsive to rotation of the turret, wherein the optical emitter circuit is configured to sequentially switch the outputs of the optical emitter circuit between different frequencies during the rotation of the turret. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A mobile robot comprising:
-
an optical emitter circuit; a non-imaging optical element arranged to receive distinct optical signals at an entrance aperture thereof responsive to operation of the optical emitter circuit and to direct the optical signals to an output aperture thereof; an optical detector circuit configured to receive the optical signals from the output aperture of the non-imaging optical element and to generate respective detection signals based on respective phase differences of the optical signals relative to corresponding outputs of the optical emitter circuit; and a ranging circuit coupled to the optical detector circuit and configured to calculate a plurality of distances from the phase differences indicated by the detection signals, and to identify one of the plurality of distances as a range of a target, wherein the distinct optical signals have different frequencies and the ranging circuit is configured to calculate the range of the target based on a comparison of the plurality of distances indicated by the respective detection signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification