18183633. SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR DETERMINING RANGE AND RANGE-RATE USING TIME-OF-FLIGHT SENSORS simplified abstract (GM Cruise Holdings LLC)

SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR DETERMINING RANGE AND RANGE-RATE USING TIME-OF-FLIGHT SENSORS

Organization Name

GM Cruise Holdings LLC

Inventor(s)

Ryan Suess of Seattle WA (US)

SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR DETERMINING RANGE AND RANGE-RATE USING TIME-OF-FLIGHT SENSORS - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18183633 titled 'SYSTEMS AND TECHNIQUES FOR DETERMINING RANGE AND RANGE-RATE USING TIME-OF-FLIGHT SENSORS

Simplified Explanation

The patent application discusses systems and techniques for determining range and range-rate in time-of-flight sensors. It involves calculating depth maps and optical flow data to improve the accuracy of depth measurements.

• Determining depth maps based on image frames from a time-of-flight sensor
• Calculating three-dimensional optical flow data between image frames
• Performing three-dimensional warping of image frames using optical flow data
• Improving depth map accuracy through realignment of image frames

Key Features and Innovation

• Utilizes depth maps and optical flow data for accurate range and range-rate determination
• Enhances depth map accuracy through three-dimensional warping of image frames
• Improves the performance of time-of-flight sensors in measuring distances

Potential Applications

• Robotics for navigation and obstacle avoidance
• Augmented reality for accurate depth perception
• Autonomous vehicles for distance measurement and object detection

Problems Solved

• Inaccurate range and range-rate measurements in time-of-flight sensors
• Difficulty in aligning image frames for precise depth mapping
• Limited accuracy in depth perception for various applications

Benefits

• Enhanced accuracy in determining range and range-rate
• Improved performance of time-of-flight sensors
• Better depth perception for robotics, augmented reality, and autonomous vehicles

Commercial Applications

• Title: Enhanced Depth Mapping Technology for Time-of-Flight Sensors
• Potential commercial uses: Robotics, augmented reality devices, autonomous vehicles
• Market implications: Increased demand for accurate depth measurement technology in various industries

Questions about Depth Mapping Technology

How does this technology improve the accuracy of depth measurements?

The technology utilizes depth maps and optical flow data to calculate precise range and range-rate in time-of-flight sensors, resulting in enhanced accuracy.

What are the potential applications of this depth mapping technology?

This technology can be applied in robotics, augmented reality, and autonomous vehicles for navigation, obstacle avoidance, and accurate depth perception.

Original Abstract Submitted

Systems and techniques are provided for determining range and range-rate in time-of-flight sensors. An example method includes determining a first depth map that is based on a first image frame and a second image frame, wherein the first image frame and the second image frame correspond to a first set of image frames received from a time-of-flight sensor; calculating, based on the first depth map, a first set of three-dimensional optical flow data between the first image frame and the second image frame; performing three-dimensional warping of at least one image frame from the first set of image frames using the first set of three-dimensional optical flow data to yield a first realigned image frame; and determining a second depth map that is based on the first realigned image frame.