US 2022/0091269 A1 · Depth mapping using spatially-varying modulated illumination

Abstract

Apparatus for optical sensing includes an illumination assembly, which directs a first array of beams of optical radiation toward different, respective areas in a target scene while temporally modulating the beams with a carrier wave having a carrier frequency. A detection assembly receives the optical radiation that is reflected from the target scene, and includes a second array of sensing elements, which output respective signals in response to the optical radiation that is incident on the sensing elements during one or more detection intervals, which are synchronized with the carrier frequency, and objective optics, which form an image of the target scene on the second array. Processing circuitry drives the illumination assembly to apply a spatial modulation pattern to the first array of beams and processes the signals output by the sensing elements responsively to the spatial modulation pattern in order to generate a depth map of the target scene.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Apparatus for optical sensing, comprising:

an illumination assembly, which is configured to direct a first array of beams of optical radiation toward different, respective areas in a target scene while temporally modulating the beams with a carrier wave having a carrier frequency;
a detection assembly, which is configured to receive the optical radiation that is reflected from the target scene, and comprises:
a second array of sensing elements, which are configured to output respective signals in response to the optical radiation that is incident on the sensing elements during one or more detection intervals, which are synchronized with the carrier frequency;
and
objective optics, which are configured to form an image of the target scene on the second array;
and
processing circuitry, which is configured to drive the illumination assembly to apply a spatial modulation pattern to the first array of beams and to process the signals output by the sensing elements responsively to the spatial modulation pattern in order to generate a depth map of the target scene.

4 more elements

A method for optical sensing, comprising:

directing a first array of beams of optical radiation toward different, respective areas in a target scene while temporally modulating the beams with a carrier wave having a carrier frequency;
forming an image of the target scene on a second array of sensing elements, which output respective signals in response to the optical radiation that is reflected from the target scene and is incident on the sensing elements during one or more detection intervals, which are synchronized with the carrier frequency;
driving the illumination assembly to apply a spatial modulation pattern to the first array of beams;
processing the signals output by the sensing elements responsively to the spatial modulation pattern in order to generate a depth map of the target scene.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Depth mapping using spatially-varying modulated illumination

Life of this patent

Depth mapping using spatially-varying modulated illumination

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20