LIDAR SYSTEM THAT DETECTS MODULATED LIGHT
A system includes a lidar system having a light emitter and a light detector and a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to demodulate modulated light received by the light detector to extract data from the modulated light. The lidar system receives data both by illuminating a field of view (FOV) of the lidar system and detecting returned light reflected by objects in the field of view FOV and by demodulating the modulated light that is received by the lidar system. The lidar system may combine data from both of these sources.
1 . A system, comprising:
a lidar system having a light emitter and a light detector; and
a computer having a processor and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor to:
demodulate modulated light received by the light detector to extract data from the modulated light.
2 . The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the data extracted from light received by the light detector includes image data of a vehicle transmitted by a transmitting vehicle.
3 . The system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein:
the light emitter is designed to emit pulses of light into the field of view of the light detector;
the light detector is designed to detect light reflected off a transmitting vehicle in the field of view; and
the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:
determine the range of the transmitting vehicle in the field of view based on light detected by the light detector; and
combine the range of the transmitting vehicle and the image data of a vehicle transmitted by the transmitting vehicle.
4 . The system as set forth in claim 3 , wherein the memory stores instructions to display an image from the image data on a heads-up-display of a receiving vehicle.
5 . The system as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the data extracted from light received by the light detector includes image data of a vehicle transmitted by a second transmitting vehicle.
6 . The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the image data extracted from light received by the light detector includes video of a vehicle transmitted by a transmitting vehicle.
7 . The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive video and to actuate the light emitter to modulate the light to transmit data associated with the video for receipt by a second lidar system.
8 . The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the data extracted from the light received by the light detector includes vehicle software updates.
9 . The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the data extracted from the light received by the light detector is digital.
10 . The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the light received by the light detector is emitted from a light emitter of another lidar system.
11 . The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to actuate the light emitter to output modulated light carrying data for receipt by a second lidar system.
12 . The system as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
the light emitter is designed to emit pulses of light into the field of view of the light detector;
the light detector is designed to detect light reflected from an object in the field of view; and
the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine the range of the object in the field of view based on light detected by the light detector.
13 . The system as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a casing housing both the light emitter and the light detector.
14 . A method comprising:
receiving modulated light with a light detector of a lidar system;
demodulate light received by the light detector to extract data from the light detected by the light detector.
15 . The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the data extracted from light received by the light detector includes image data of a vehicle transmitted by a transmitting vehicle.
16 . The method as set forth in claim 15 , further comprising:
actuating the light emitter to emit pulses of light into the field of view of the light detector;
detecting light reflected from an object in the field of view with the light detector;
determining the range of a transmitting vehicle in the field of view based on light detected by the light detector; and
combining the range of the transmitting vehicle and the image data of a vehicle transmitted by the transmitting vehicle.
17 . The method as set forth in claim 16 , further comprising displaying an image from the image data on a heads-up-display of a receiving vehicle.
18 . The lidar system as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the data extracted from light received by the light detector includes image data of a vehicle transmitted by a second transmitting vehicle.
19 . The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the data extracted from light received by the light detector includes video of a vehicle transmitted by a transmitting vehicle.
20 . The method as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising actuating the light emitter to output modulated light carrying data for receipt by a second lidar system.
21 . The method as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising receiving video and actuating the light emitter to modulate the light to transmit data associated with the video for receipt by a second lidar system.
22 . The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the data extracted from the light received by the light detector includes vehicle software updates.
23 . The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the data extracted from the light received by the light detector is digital.
24 . The method as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the light received by the light detector is emitted from a light emitter of another lidar system.
25 . The method as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising:
actuating the light emitter to emit pulses of light into the field of view of the light detector;
detecting light reflected from an object in the field of view with the light detector; and
determining the range of the object in the field of view based on light detected by the light detector.