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US6636300B2
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Spatially resolving range-finding system
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 2001-08-31
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Granted: 2003-10-21
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Expires: 2021-08-31
Abstract
Abstract In a spatially resolving range-finding system, an object is illuminated in a pixelwise fashion by illuminating beams emanating from an array of light sources with returned imaging beams striking a corresponding array of solid state receiving elements. The particular arrangement of the light sources and the receiving elements may be varied. The laser light sources and receiving elements may be selectively operated such that one light source may illuminate one or more receiving elements or several light sources may illuminate a single receiving element. The light sources are driven serially, allowing limits of laser protection regulations to be reliably complied with. An advantage is a substantially better signal quality at the receiving elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Guenter Doemens
- 👤 Peter Mengel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 17:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/89; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01S7/4814
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A spatially resolving range-finding system for carrying out measurement of the travel-time of light to an object in pixelwise fashion, comprising a mechanically fixed array of individually modulable light sources for generating light beams for illuminating said object; a mechanically fixed solid state image converter comprising a plurality of solid state light receiving elements arranged in an array corresponding to said array of light sources, and a mechanically fixed optical system for guiding light beams emanating from said sources to said object and for guiding light beams reflected from said object to said receiving elements, said optical system guiding each light beam reflected from the object to a selected receiving element corresponding to the light source from which the light beam emanated, wherein the light sources are driven by random access and the corresponding receiving elements are read-out by random access.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A spatially resolving range-finding system for carrying out measurement of the travel-time of light to an object in pixelwise fashion, comprising a mechanically fixed array of individually modulable light sources for generating light beams for illuminating said object; a mechanically fixed solid state image converter comprising a plurality of solid state light receiving elements arranged in an array corresponding to said array of light sources, and a mechanically fixed optical system for guiding light beams emanating from said sources to said object and for guiding light beams reflected from said object to said receiving elements, said optical system guiding each light beam reflected from the object to a selected receiving element corresponding to the light source from which the light beam emanated, wherein the light sources are driven by random access and the corresponding receiving elements are read-out by random access.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , wherein a divider mirror directs said reflected light beams to said receiving elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , wherein the arrangement of the light sources and the receiving elements are positioned immediately next to one another and facing in the direction of the object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , wherein, the solid state light receiving elements are arranged in an array using CMOS technology.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , wherein said optical system may be selectively configured to provide that either one light source corresponds to one receiving element, several light sources correspond to one receiving element, or one light source corresponds to several receiving elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , wherein division is the same within the arrangements of the light sources and the receiving elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , wherein the array of the light sources and the array of receiving elements are both in the form of a rectangular matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , wherein the array of light sources and the array of receiving elements are in a form appropriate to a specific measurement task.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , wherein both the array of the light sources and the array of the receiving elements are in a form selected from the group consisting of a line, a circle, a semicircle and a cross.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , in which a sectional view or a three-dimensional image of an object is generated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , in which the light sources are represented by rapidly modulable laser diodes or light-emitting diodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , in which the light travel time measurement is a pulse travel time measurement or a phase measurement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , for the purpose of intelligent building entrance safeguarding, railroad platform surveillance, railroad grid crossing surveillance or vehicle surveillance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The spatially resolving range-finding system according to claim 1 , for the purpose of surveillance of interiors of buildings or vehicles.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-10-20 | 2007-04-21 | 2007-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-10-20 | 2011-04-21 | 2011-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-10-20 | 2015-04-21 | 2015-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |