Rangefinder for obtaining information from a three-dimensional object
US6876392B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 17, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 5, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/74
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A rangefinder according to the present invention includes light source section, camera section, distance-measuring sensor, exposure controller and shutter. The light source section projects light onto an object for 3D imaging purposes. The camera section receives the light that was emitted from the light source section and then reflected from the object. The distance-measuring sensor estimates an approximate distance to the object. Based on the approximate distance, the exposure controller controls the optical output power of the light source section and/or the open/closed states of the shutter. The rangefinder can control the intensity of the projected light even if the object is on the move. As a result, the rangefinder can obtain highly precise information about the 3D location of the object.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.