DEVICE FOR DETERMINING A POSITION OF AT LEAST ONE OBJECT

Abstract

A device for determining a position of at least one object is described, the device including an emitter array, which is configured to cover a field of view of the device, and which includes at least two emitters, which are situated on a support element, each emitter being configured to cover an illumination area. The device provides that the emitters are individually controllable, the illumination area of the emitters being disjunctive and covering the field of view of the device.

Claims

1. A device for determining a position of at least one object, comprising: an apparatus, including: an emitter array to cover a field of view of the apparatus, and which includes at least two emitters, which are situated on a support element, each of the emitters being configured to cover an illumination area, wherein the emitters are individually controllable, and wherein the illumination areas of the emitters are disjunctive and covering the field of view of the device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the support element is configured as a plane, and an angle of inclination of the emitters relative to a normal central axis of the plane increases with increasing distance from the central axis.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein, the support element is configured as a free-form surface, and which includes circuit boards situated in a planar manner.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a control unit to sequentially activate the emitters or a group of the emitters.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the group of emitters is formed from one of a horizontal column, a vertical column, a spot, or a square of the emitters.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to activate the emitters or the group of emitters sequentially spatially according to a pseudo-random distribution or according to a spatially intelligent distribution.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to activate the emitters or the group of emitters sequentially in a time-shifted manner.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to control a transmission power of an emitter or of a group of the emitters.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes at least one detector or at least two detector elements, the position of which is matched to a position of the emitters.

10. The device of claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to adaptively shift the field of view.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein, the support element is configured as a free-form surface, which includes a spherical section, a cylindrical section or an ellipsoid section, and which includes circuit boards situated in a planar manner.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes at least one detector, the position of which is matched to a position of the emitters.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device includes at least two detector elements, the position of which is matched to a position of the emitters.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 schematically shows a representation of a field of view of a device according to the present invention, which includes a support element according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 2 schematically shows a representation of a field of view of a device according to the present invention, which includes a support element according to a second exemplary embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 3 schematically shows a representation of a field of view of a device according to the present invention, which includes a first horizontal column and a second horizontal column.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] A detail of a device for determining a position of at least one object is schematically shown in FIG. 1. The device in this case includes an emitter array 1, which is situated on a support element 2. Emitter array 1 includes a plurality of emitters 3, which are situated on a circuit board 4 (cf. FIG. 2). The device further includes a schematically represented field of view 5. Each of emitters 3 is configured to cover an illumination area 6.

[0033] The individual emitters 3 are each individually controllable. The individual illumination areas 6 of emitters 3 are disjunctive and completely cover field of view 5 of the device, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Illumination areas 6 illuminated by emitters 3 are directly adjacent to one another, have no overlap and leave no gaps.

[0034] In the exemplary embodiment of the device shown, support element 2 is configured as a plane (i.e., a support plate), which extends in a horizontal direction as well as a vertical direction. It is apparent in the exemplary embodiment that individual emitters 3 have an angle of inclination relative to a normal central axis of support element 2. This angle of inclination increases with the distance of emitters 3 from the central axis. This may result in the entire field of view 5 being covered with the aid of individual illumination areas 6 of emitters 3.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows an alternative specific embodiment of the device, in which support element 2 is configured as a free-form surfacehere: a spherical section. Circuit boards 4 are situated in a planar manner on support element 2. These may be attached. The adjustment effort is reduced as a result, since each circuit board 4 may be fabricated identically. Support element 2 has a mathematically easily describable shape and may be easily manufactured in a 3D printer or in an injection molding process.

[0036] Disjunctive illumination areas 6 of emitters 3 completely cover field of view 5 of the device in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 as well. They are directly adjacent to one another, have no overlap and leave no gaps.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a possible firing sequence of a group of emitters 3 of the device. Individual emitters 3 are combined in field of view 5 of the device in groups of four emitters 3 each in horizontal columns 7, 8. A first horizontal column 7 and a second horizontal column 8 are shown by way of example.

[0038] These groups of emitters 3 may be fired sequentially. Sequential firing in this case may relate on the one hand to a spatial succession of group of emitters 3first horizontal column 7 and second horizontal column 8 are spatially adjacent. This is not mandatory, however. A pseudo-random spatial distribution of emitters 3 or groups of emitters 3 may also be provided. On the other hand, the sequential firing may relate to a chronological sequence of firings of emitters 3 or of groups of emitters 3. Thus, for example, first horizontal column 7 may be fired at a first point in time, followed by second horizontal column 8 at a second point in time.

[0039] With this sequential firing of emitters 3 or of groups of emitters 3, it is possible in a flash LIDAR approach of the device to emulate a rotation or another mechanical scan movement. However, mechanical parts may also be completely omitted here. A difference in field of view 5 of the device is not perceivable from the outside, since individual illumination areas 6 completely cover field of view 5.

[0040] This also results in a variability of field of view 5 of the device. If, for example, the measurement range of the device is selected to be greater than a useable field of view 5, there is the possibility of adaptively shifting field of view 5 during operation. Examples of this in automotive use are either the tracking of field of view 5 during the negotiation of curves counter to a vehicle rotation rate or the exclusive tracking of individual, selected objects in the measurement range (region of interest) while removing image areas of no interest (sky, road, etc.).