Abstract: The invention belongs to motion detection and three-dimensional image analysis technology fields. It can be applied to movement detection or intrusion detection in the surveillance of monitored volumes or monitored spaces. It can also be applied to obstacle detection or obstacle avoidance for self-driving, semi-autonomous vehicles, safety systems and ADAS. A three-dimensional imaging system stores 3D surface points and free space locations calculated from line of sight data. The 3D surface points typically represent reflective surfaces detected by a sensor such as a LiDAR, a radar, a depth sensor or stereoscopic cameras. By using free space information, the system can unambiguously derive a movement or an intrusion the first time a surface is detected at a particular coordinate. Motion detection can be performed using a single frame or a single 3D point that was previously a free space location.

Abstract: We disclose systems and methods for object tracking which utilize a spectral response and a geometric aspect of a set of points. One method includes transmitting, with a multispectral lidar system, a multispectral light beam and analyzing a response, of a photodetector, to a return of the beam. The method also includes generating a point cloud with a set of points and determining a set of spectral responses of the set of points based on the analyzing of the response. The method also includes determining a set of material compositions for the set of points based on the set of spectral responses of the set of points. The method also includes grouping points in the set of points into groups based on both the set of material compositions and a geometric aspect of the set of points and creating one or more tracking object definitions using the groups.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of performing object detection on a path of travel is described. The invention is also related to obstacle detection on railway tracks. Object detection over irregular surfaces or traveling over know paths is also provided. The invention can be applied to railways for obstacle detection on train tracks with a look-ahead sensor system such as a lidar and/or camera system. The object detection may involve the use of multispectral lidar and material identification as well as artificial intelligence for object identification. A reference map is created during a first pass through a virtual tunnel of travel. A vehicle travelling through the tunnel of travel the vehicle will register with reference map and use differences between scans and the reference map to perform object detection. Responses are performed based on the object detection or object identification.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product is provided for automatically configuring a detection device. The method includes scanning, with a LiDAR device, a region to generate LiDAR data, analyzing the LiDAR data to determine a material classification for the region, determining a zone of interest within the region based on the material classification, the zone of interest comprising a subset of the region defined by a spatial boundary, monitoring the zone of interest with the detection device, identifying an event occurring within the spatial boundary of the zone of interest based on monitoring the region with the detection device, and in response to identifying the event occurring within the spatial boundary, automatically initiating at least one responsive action.

Abstract: We disclose systems and methods for object tracking which utilize a spectral response and a geometric aspect of a set of points. One method includes transmitting, with a multispectral lidar system, a multispectral light beam and analyzing a response, of a photodetector, to a return of the beam. The method also includes generating a point cloud with a set of points and determining a set of spectral responses of the set of points based on the analyzing of the response. The method also includes determining a set of material compositions for the set of points based on the set of spectral responses of the set of points. The method also includes grouping points in the set of points into groups based on both the set of material compositions and a geometric aspect of the set of points and creating one or more tracking object definitions using the groups.

Abstract: A continuous-wave frequency-modulated (FMCW) LiDAR system comprises: a laser cavity around a solid gain medium; an optical source configured to optically pump the solid gain medium at a power that determines a relaxation oscillation frequency; a structure configured to apply force to the solid gain medium associated with a mechanical resonance frequency, wherein the relaxation oscillation frequency is equal to the mechanical resonance frequency within a factor of 5; an optical arrangement configured to transmit at least one optical beam from the laser cavity towards a target, and to couple into the laser cavity a received optical signal comprising at least a portion of the optical beam reflected from the target; and circuitry configured to determine at least one of an estimated distance to the target or a speed of motion of the target based at least in part on a signal from the laser cavity.

Abstract: We disclose sensor systems, and associated calibration systems and methods, that provide efficient and reliable depth and texture fusion. One disclosed method includes transmitting a first light beam from a first perspective, transmitting a second light beam from a second perspective, aligning a visible light photodetector with the second perspective, aligning a depth sensor with the first perspective, and mutually registering the visible light photodetector and the depth sensor using a return of the first light beam, a return of the second light beam, and a reference map. The reference map can include a transform from a reference frame based on the first perspective and a reference frame based on the second perspective.