Optic flow sensor with negative iris photoreceptor array
First Claim
1. An optic flow sensor comprising:
- a plurality of photoreceptor circuits for sensing light received from a visual field and for producing a plurality of photoreceptor signals having contrast levels in accordance with the light sensed said photoreceptor circuits being arranged in a linear array;
a negative iris comprising a plurality of light blocking elements disposed between the visual field and the photoreceptor circuits for blocking a portion of the light from the visual field so that the light blocked by the negative iris is not received by the photoreceptor circuits;
a contrast level enhancing means for receiving the photoreceptor signals for computing a mean value for the photoreceptor signals and for computing the difference between the photoreceptor signal for that photoreceptor circuit and said mean value and for enhancing the contrast levels of the photoreceptor signals; and
optical flow determining means responsive to said photoreceptor signals from said contrast level subhousing means for determining optic flow in the visual field.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved optic flow sensor is provided which affords enhanced bandwidth without the use of a lens. A plurality of photoreceptor circuits, arranged in a linear array, sense light received from a visual field and produce a plurality of photoreceptor signals in accordance with the light sensed. A negative iris, disposed between the visual field and the photoreceptor circuits, blocks a portion of the light from the visual field so that the light blocked by the negative iris is not received by the photoreceptor circuits. The photoreceptor signals are used in determining optic flow in the visual field. The invention is useful for implementation using micro electromechanical system (MEMS) techniques.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An optic flow sensor comprising:
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a plurality of photoreceptor circuits for sensing light received from a visual field and for producing a plurality of photoreceptor signals having contrast levels in accordance with the light sensed said photoreceptor circuits being arranged in a linear array;
a negative iris comprising a plurality of light blocking elements disposed between the visual field and the photoreceptor circuits for blocking a portion of the light from the visual field so that the light blocked by the negative iris is not received by the photoreceptor circuits;
a contrast level enhancing means for receiving the photoreceptor signals for computing a mean value for the photoreceptor signals and for computing the difference between the photoreceptor signal for that photoreceptor circuit and said mean value and for enhancing the contrast levels of the photoreceptor signals; and
optical flow determining means responsive to said photoreceptor signals from said contrast level subhousing means for determining optic flow in the visual field. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An optic flow sensor comprising:
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a plurality of photoreceptor circuits for sensing light received from a visual field and for producing a plurality of photoreceptor signals in accordance with the light sensed said photoreceptor circuits comprising photoreceptors defining a sensor orientation vector, said photoreceptors each having a response function of a rectangular shape defining a longitudinal axis extending perpendicular to said sensor orientation vector and being arranged in a linear array;
a negative iris of a rectangular shape comprising a plurality of light blocking elements, disposed between the visual field and the photoreceptor circuits and extending perpendicular to said sensor orientation vector, for blocking a portion of the light from the visual field so that the light blocked by the negative iris is not received by the photoreceptor circuits; and
a contrast level enhancing means for receiving the photoreceptor signals for computing a mean value for the photoreceptor signals and for computing the difference between the photoreceptor signal for that photoreceptor circuit and said mean value, and for enhancing the contrast levels of the photoreceptor signals; and
optic flow determining means responsive to said photoreceptor signals from said contrast level subhousing means for determining optic flow in the visual field. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification