US 9,285,894 B1 · Multi-path reduction for optical time-of-flight

Abstract

Described herein are systems and devices for mitigating multi-path interference in optical time-of-flight systems. An input surface is configured with a pattern comprising predominately low albedo material and a plurality of decimated high albedo features. The low albedo material is configured to minimize reflectance of light emitted by an emitter. The high albedo material is configured to reflect more of the light than the low albedo material. The low and high albedo materials, or an additional material, may be used to provide a high albedo material in visible light wavelengths, configured for use as a projection surface.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A device comprising:

a first material configured to reflect less than 40% of incident infrared light at a designated wavelength;
a second material configured to reflect more than 70% of incident infrared light at the designated wavelength;
and
an input surface having a pattern with a total pattern area, the pattern comprising:
the first material configured in a first plurality of features having a first area of more than 51% of the total pattern area;
the second material configured in a second plurality of features having a second area of less than 49% of the total pattern area;
and
wherein the first plurality of features and the second plurality of features are interspersed with one another and the pattern reduces multi-path interference by absorbing incident infrared light at the designated wavelength.

5 more elements

A system comprising:

an input surface configured to interact with emitted light, the input surface comprising:
a pattern having a total pattern area comprising areas of a first material and a second material, wherein:
the first material is configured to reflect less than 30% of incident infrared light;
the second material is configured to reflect more than 80% of incident infrared light;
and
the total pattern area comprises 90% or more by area of the first material and the pattern reduces multi-path interference from emitted light by absorbing at least a portion of the emitted light.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/902,320Filed 24 May 2013

Granted

15 Mar 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G06F 3/0304
Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form: detection arrangements using opto-electronic means
G06F 3/017
Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer: gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a…
G06F 3/04847
For the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a…:…
G01S 17/894
For mapping or imaging: three-dimensional [3D] imaging with simultaneous measurement of time-of-flight at a two-dimensional [2D] array of receiver…

Multi-path reduction for optical time-of-flight

Life of this patent

Multi-path reduction for optical time-of-flight

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20