Target differentiation and localization using infrared sensors

We discuss the use of low-cost infrared sensors in differentiating and localizing commonly encountered target primitives in indoor environments, such as planes, corners, edges, and cylinders. Single intensity readings are highly dependent on target location and properties and this dependence cannot be represented simply. We propose a method that can achieve position-invariant target differentiation without relying on absolute intensity readings and verify it experimentally. The correct identification rates for planes, 90° corners and edges, and cylinders are 90%, 100%, 82.5%, and 92.5%, respectively. The distance of the target can be estimated with an average error of 0.59 cm and the azimuth angle can be estimated with an error of 1.58°.