Time-of-flight imaging device, system and method
US10996323B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 4, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/931
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A time-of-flight (TOF) imaging system includes illumination circuitry, such as a laser, one or more sensors, such as SPAD arrays, and image processing circuitry. The illumination circuitry illuminates one or more objects in an environment around the TOF imaging system. The sensors generate an image data stream based on reflections from the one or more illuminated objects, and possibly based on reflections from one or more reflectors. The image processing circuitry generates counts associated with distances based on the image data stream and possibly a reflection data stream and stores the generated counts in a histogram using a plurality of bins. Each of the plurality of bins stores counts associated with a respective distance range. A size of a bin in the plurality of bins is a function of the respective distance range, and may be based on a logarithmic function of the distance associated with the bin.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.