Method and system for automatic gain control of sensors in time-of-flight systems
US7379163B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 27, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 21, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01C3/08
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Performance of pixel detectors in a TOF imaging system is dynamically adjusted to improve dynamic range to maximize the number of pixel detectors that output valid data. The invention traverses the system-acquired z depth, the brightness, and the active brightness images, and assigns each pixel a quantized value. Quantization values encompass pixels receiving too little light, normal light, to too much light. Pixels are grouped into quantized category groups, whose populations are represented by a histogram. If the number of pixels in the normal category exceeds a threshold, no immediate corrective action is taken. If the number of pixel receiving too little (or too much) light exceeds those receiving too much (or too little) light, the invention commands at least one system parameter change to increase (or decrease) light reaching the pixels. Controllable TOF system parameters can include exposure time, common mode resets, video gain, among others.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.