High resolution 3-D imaging range finder
First Claim
1. A range finder using a transmitted pulse reflected from a target comprising:
- a pixel sensor for receiving light from the target, including the reflected pulse;
a global counter for generating a time-of-flight value of the transmitted pulse; and
a processing circuit coupled to the pixel sensor and the global counter for (a) extracting the reflected pulse received by the pixel sensor and (b) storing the time-of-flight value, responsive to the extracted reflected pulse.
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Abstract
A three-dimensional imaging range finder is disclosed using a transmitted pulse reflected from a target. The range finder includes a pixel sensor for receiving light from the target and the reflected pulse. A global counter is provided for determining a time-of-flight value of the transmitted pulse. A processing circuit, which is coupled to the pixel sensor and the global counter, extracts the reflected pulse received by the pixel sensor, and stores the time-of-flight value upon extracting the reflected pulse. The pixel sensor provides a luminance signal and the processing circuit includes a high pass filter to extract the reflected pulse from the luminance signal.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A range finder using a transmitted pulse reflected from a target comprising:
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a pixel sensor for receiving light from the target, including the reflected pulse;
a global counter for generating a time-of-flight value of the transmitted pulse; and
a processing circuit coupled to the pixel sensor and the global counter for (a) extracting the reflected pulse received by the pixel sensor and (b) storing the time-of-flight value, responsive to the extracted reflected pulse. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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14. A three-dimensional (3-D) imaging range finder using a transmitted pulse reflected from targets in a field-of-view comprising:
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a plurality of pixel sensors in an imaging array, each pixel sensor receiving light, including the reflected pulse, from a respective target in the field-of-view, a global counter for counting predetermined intervals of time starting at transmission time of the pulse; and
a processing circuit for extracting the reflected pulse from a respective pixel sensor and storing a value of the counted predetermined intervals of time, after extracting the reflected pulse.
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19. In an imaging array viewing objects in a field-of-view, a method of determining range to an object comprising the steps of:
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(a) transmitting a pulse to the object;
(b) receiving ambient light from the object;
(c) receiving a reflection of the pulse from the object after transmitting the pulse in step (a);
(d) starting a time counter after transmitting the pulse in step (a);
(e) separating the pulse from the ambient light, after steps (b) and (c); and
(f) determining a time interval concurrently with step (e) using the started time counter of step (d).
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Specification