Apparatus and method for the recording of distance images

An apparatus for the recording of distance images respectively having a plurality of distance image points, comprising

• a plurality of transmitters arranged in an array respectively for the transmission of electromagnetic radiation into a recording region and at least one reception unit for the detection of radiation reflected from the recording region;
• an evaluation unit for determining distances of objects at which the transmitted radiation is reflected, with the distances each forming a distance image point;
• a deflection unit which repeatedly deflects the transmission radiation into a scanning direction within a scanning angle region in order to consecutively generate a plurality of scanning patterns of distance image points per distance image;
• and
• a displacement unit which displaces consecutive scanning patterns against one another in a displacement direction by way of relative movements of optical elements;
• and
• each distance image comprising a plurality of scanning patterns of distance image points displaced against one another.

A method for the recording of distance images each having a plurality of distance image points comprising

• transmitting electromagnetic radiation with a plurality of transmitters arranged in an array into a recording region and radiation reflected from the recording region being detected by at least one reception unit;
• determining the distances of objects at which the transmitted radiation is reflected, with the distances each forming a distance image point;
• consecutively generating a plurality of scanning patterns of distance image points per distance image by repeatedly deflecting the transmission radiation into a scanning direction within a scanning angle region;
• and
• displacing consecutive scanning patterns against one another in a displacement direction by way of relative movements of optical elements, each distance image being formed from a plurality of scanning patterns of distance image points displaced against one another.

A method of operating, in particular for self-diagnostics, an apparatus for the recording of distance images each having a plurality of distance image points, comprising

• transmitting electromagnetic radiation with a plurality of transmitters arranged in an array into a recording region and detecting radiation reflected from the recording region by at least one reception unit;
• determining the distances of objects at which the transmitted radiation is reflected, with the distances each forming a distance image point;
• consecutively generating a plurality of scanning patterns of distance image points per distance image by repeatedly deflecting the transmission radiation into a scanning direction within a scanning angle region;
• displacing consecutive scanning patterns against one another in a displacement direction, in particular by way of relative movements of optical elements;
• and
• forming each distance image from a plurality of scanning patterns of distance image points displaced against one another;
• and
• wherein, in particular, a plurality of times at regular spacings or irregular spacings in time, distance image points and/or sets of distance image points stemming from at least two different transmitters are compared to one another and a deviation lying outside of a pre-definable or a predetermined tolerance is treated as a non-intended state, in particular as an interference or as an error.