Spatial profiling systems and methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a spatial profiling system for profiling an environment. The spatial profiling system includes a light transmitter for providing light, a beam director for directing the light in one or more directions towards the environment, and a light receiver for receiving return light reflected by a surface or object in the environment. The return light carries information for determining a distance to the surface or object. The light receiver is configured to detect (a) specularity of the return light and (b) polarization state of the return light. The spatial profiling system further includes a processing system configured for determining a material associated with the surface or object based on the detected specularity and the detected polarization state.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.