IP Library Granted Patent US 10,436,880
Granted Patent B2
US 10,436,880 · App. 15/267,731 · Granted Oct 8, 2019

Appliance and method for detecting objects in a detection region

Inventors: Ulrich Hofmann (Berlin, DE); Thomas von Wantoch (Kiel, DE); Christian Mallas (Schwentinental, DE); Frank Senger (Hardenfeld, DE)
Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
G01S7/4817G01S7/4814G01S17/026G01S17/936
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,436,880
App. No.
15/267,731
Filed
Sep 16, 2016
Granted
Oct 8, 2019
Kind
B2
Art Unit
3645
USPC
356/4.01
Abstract

The invention relates to an appliance for detecting objects in a detection region, with a radiation device for emitting an electromagnetic scanning beam into at least a part of the detection region and with a device for modulating the scanning beam as well as with a detection device for the detection of reflected radiation from at least a part of the detection region and with a device for evaluating the time response of the detected, reflected radiation, in dependence on the modulation of the scanning beam. According to the invention, one can envisage the radiation device comprising a radiation source radiating a diffusion device scattering the radiation at least partly into the detection region, in order to be able to apply an as powerful as possible laser as a t source without endangering the eye safety or the general safety of persons.

Claims (19)

1. An appliance for the detection of objects in a detection region, with a radiation device for emitting at least one electromagnetic scanning beam into at least a part of the detection region wherein the radiation device comprises at least one radiation source in the form of a laser light source which radiates a diffusion device scattering the radiation at least partly into the detection region and with a device for modulating the scanning beam as well as with a detection device for the detection of the scattered radiation that is reflected from at least a part of the detection region and with a device for evaluating the time response of the detected, reflected radiation in dependence on the modulation of the scanning beam, and

wherein a separate illumination radiation device is provided which likewise comprises a laser light source whose light is scattered at the diffusion device, wherein the diffusion device comprises a layer with a photo-luminescent material and is arranged in a light beamer housing.

2. The appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the radiation device is configured for the selective illumination of one or more part-regions of the detection region by the scanning beam.

3. The appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the radiation device is controllable in a manner such that it exclusively radiates one or more part-regions of the detection region, in a targeted manner.

4. The appliance according to claim 1 , wherein an MEMS scanner is provided which drives an optical element effecting a deflection or reflection of the scanning beam from the radiation device.

5. The appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the detection device is configured for the selective detection of reflected radiation from one or more part-regions of the detection region.

6. An appliance for the detection of objects in a detection region, with a radiation device for emitting at least one electromagnetic scanning beam into at least a part of the detection region and with a device for modulating the scanning beam as well as with a detection device for the detection of reflected radiation from at least a part of the detection region and with a device for evaluating the time response of the detected, reflected radiation in dependence on the modulation of the scanning beam,

wherein the radiation device comprises at least one radiation source in the form of a laser light source which radiates a diffusion device scattering the radiation at least partly into the detection region and that a separate illumination radiation device which likewise comprises a laser light source whose light is scattered at the diffusion device is provided, wherein the diffusion device comprises a layer with a photo-luminescent material and is arranged in a light beamer housing; and

wherein the detection device is controllable in a manner such that it exclusively detects reflected radiation from one or more part-regions of the detection region, in a targeted manner.

7. The appliance according to claim 6 , wherein the detection device is controllable by way of an MEMS scanner for the selection of part-regions of the detection region.

8. The appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the radiation device radiates the scanning beam in the form of visible light, and is part of a light beamer.

9. The appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the radiation device emits the scanning light beam in the form of infrared light.

10. The appliance according to claim 9 , wherein the radiation device emits a light beam in the visible wavelength region, independently of the scanning beam, and this light beam in particular is controllable, further in particular is controllable by way of an MEMS.

11. The appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the radiation device comprises a laser device, in particular a laser diode.

12. The appliance according to claim 1 , wherein the diffusion device comprises a layer, in particular a part-transparent solid matter layer which comprises a photo-luminescent material, in particular phosphor and/or one or more phosphor compounds.

13. A method for detecting objects in a detection region by way of emitting an electromagnetic scanning beam by way of a radiation device, the radiation device comprising at least one radiation source in the form of a laser light source which radiates a diffusion device scattering the radiation at least partly into the detection region, into at least a part of the detection region and by way of the detection of reflected radiation from at least a part of the detection region by way of a detection device and by way of modulating the scanning beam as well as by evaluating the time response of the detected, scattered radiation that is reflected in dependence on the modulation of the scanning beam, wherein a diffusion device is radiated by the one radiation source of the radiation device and the radiation is at least partly scattered into the detection region.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein part-regions of the detection region are successively radiated in a targeted manner by a control of the scanning beam and that the reflection of radiation is simultaneously detected by the detection device.

15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the detection region is radiated by the scanning beam and that the reflection of the radiation from the detection region is simultaneously detected by the detection device in a direction-selective manner, by way of a control of the detection focus.

16. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the radiation device is activated in a manner such that the scanning beam comprises coded information which in particular contains data with respect to operating parameters and/or an identity of the radiation source or of a system, in which the radiation source is integrated.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2016
From: HOFMANN, ULRICH; VON WANTOCH, THOMAS; MALLAS, CHRISTIAN; SENGER, FRANK
To: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
Reel/Frame 040773/0257 →
Priority Claims (2)
DE 10 2015 115 798 · Sep 18, 2015 · national
DE 10 2016 200 109 · Jan 7, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170082736A1 · Mar 23, 2017