Reducing interference between multiple infra-red depth cameras
US9247238B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 31, 2011 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N23/90
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for reducing interference between multiple infra-red depth cameras are described. In an embodiment, the system comprises multiple infra-red sources, each of which projects a structured light pattern into the environment. A controller is used to control the sources in order to reduce the interference caused by overlapping light patterns. Various methods are described including: cycling between the different sources, where the cycle used may be fixed or may change dynamically based on the scene detected using the cameras; setting the wavelength of each source so that overlapping patterns are at different wavelengths; moving source-camera pairs in independent motion patterns; and adjusting the shape of the projected light patterns to minimize overlap. These methods may also be combined in any way. In another embodiment, the system comprises a single source and a mirror system is used to cast the projected structured light pattern around the environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.