Imaging device and circuit for same
OwnerGerard T. Quilligan, Jeffrey J. DuMonthier +1inventors
InventorsGerard T. Quilligan, Jeffrey J. DuMonthier, George Suarez
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for imaging a target area is provided. Light is directed to a target area where it reflects off objects. The light is then returned to a receiving device. This receiving device creates a signal indicative of the intensity of the received light. The time of flight for the light plus the shape of the signal are analyzed to determine the range and shape of objects in the target area.
Claims20
A circuit for analyzing an input signal produced by a light detection and ranging device, comprising:
- a plurality of comparators for receiving the input signal from the light detection and ranging device and for generating an output signal, said comparators each being associated with respective reference voltages that are unique for each of said comparators;
- a plurality of register sets each electrically connected to and associated with a corresponding comparator of said plurality of comparators, each register set comprising at least two respective registers;
- and
- at least one timing device for generating a timing signal, said timing device being electrically connected to said registers for transmitting said timing signal to said registers, said registers being operable to store data representing said timing signal and said output signal generated by said associated corresponding comparator.
A method of imaging a target comprising the steps of:
- emitting a flash of light to a target area;
- activating a timing device when the light is initiated;
- receiving light reflected from the target area;
- converting the received light into a signal;
- analyzing the signal to determine the time at which the signal crosses a plurality of thresholds.
A method of imaging a target comprising the steps of:
- emitting a flash of light to a target area;
- activating a timing device when the light is initiated;
- receiving reflected light from the target area;
- converting the received light into a signal;
- analyzing the signal to determine the time of flight for the light and the intensity of the light as a function of time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.