Signal generating systems for three-dimensional imaging systems and methods thereof
AssigneeMunro Design & Technologies, LLC
InventorJames F. Munro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for generating illumination modulation signals, image intensifier gain modulation signals, and image sensor shutter control signals in a three-dimensional image-capturing system with one or more frequency synthesizers is disclosed. The illumination modulation signals, image intensifier gain modulation signals, and image sensor shutter signal are all coherent with one another, being derived from a common clock source. The use of frequency synthesizer concepts allow for the use of rapid modulation phase changes for homodyne operation, and further allow the use of rapid modulation frequency changes to mitigate the effects of inter-camera interference.
Claims38
A three-dimensional imaging system, the system comprising:
- a plurality of frequency generators each adjustable to generate one of a plurality of modulation frequencies, wherein at least one of the frequency generators is configured to mitigate interference by changing the corresponding one of the plurality of modulation frequencies to an arbitrary one of the plurality of modulation frequencies in response to a detection of an interfering signal;
- a light emission system configured to be modulated with the one of the modulation frequencies adjustably generated by one of the plurality of generators and to output light used to illuminate a target;
- an image capture system configured to be modulated by another one of the modulation frequencies adjustably generated by another one of the frequency generators to capture reflected light from the light that illuminates the target;
- and
- an image processing computing device coupled to an output of the image capture system to generate a three-dimensional image of the target based on the captured reflected light.
A method for making a three-dimensional imaging system, the method comprising:
- providing a plurality of frequency generators coupled to a common frequency source, each of the plurality of frequency generators is adjustable to generate one of a plurality of modulation frequencies, wherein at least one of the plurality of frequency generators is configured to mitigate interference by changing the corresponding one of the plurality of modulation frequencies to an arbitrary one of the plurality of modulation frequencies in response to a detection of an interfering signal;
- coupling a light emission system to be modulated with the one of the modulation frequencies adjustably generated by one of the plurality of generators and to output light used to illuminate a target;
- positioning an image capture system to capture reflected light from the light that illuminates the target, the image capture system coupled to be modulated by another one of the modulation frequencies adjustably generated by another one of the frequency generators;
- and
- coupling an image processing computing device to an output of the image capture system to generate a three-dimensional image of the target based on the captured reflected light.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.