Sony patents drone tech that predicts movement using LiDAR data
Sony describes a method for using frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) LiDAR to detect objects and predict their movement. The system adjusts how accurately it predicts an object's path based on how many distance points the sensor captures on that object. If only one point is detected, the system estimates the object's direction by analyzing the plane of possible movement vectors.
In the filing’s own words
The present technology relates to an information processing method, an information processing device, and a program that enable immediate detection of a moving object. Provided acquires information for predicting a motion of an object located in a surrounding from a frequency modulated continuous wave light detection and ranging (FMCW LiDAR); detects the object using the information; and predicts the motion of the object with different prediction accuracy according to the number of distance measurement points of the FMCW LIDAR on the object. In a case where the distance measurement point of the FMCW LiDAR is one point on the object, the present technology in which the direction in which the plane including the candidate vector that may be the motion vector representing the direction in which the object is moving is located is set as the prediction result of the motion of the object can be applied to, for example, a drone that autonomously moves.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An information processing method comprising: acquiring information for predicting a motion of an object located in a surrounding from a frequency modulated continuous wave light detection and ranging (FMCW LiDAR); detecting the object using the information; and predicting the motion of the object with different prediction accuracy according to the number of distance measurement points of the FMCW LiDAR on the object.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (SONY GROUP CORPORATION)
- Official title
- INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, AND PROGRAM
- Publication number
- US20260319099A1
- Application number
- 19483757
- Filed
- May 9, 2024
- Published
- Oct 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 6
- Claims
- 15
Classified under
G01S 17/933 Physics & computingG01S 17/32 Physics & computingG01S 17/58 Physics & computingMore from Sony in Robots & automation
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.