System and method for determining range in 3D imaging systems
First Claim
1. A method of imaging an object, comprising:
- mounting an array of detectors in an image plane;
connecting each detector in the array of detectors to a timing circuit having one or more interpolators, wherein each interpolator includes one or more interpolator circuits, wherein each interpolator circuit charges a capacitor at a different rate than it discharges;
transmitting an optical pulse toward an object so that a portion of the optical pulse is reflected from the object as a reflected pulse, wherein transmitting the optical pulse includes recording a first value, wherein the first value is representative of when the optical pulse was transmitted toward the object;
detecting arrival of the reflected pulse at one or more detectors within the array of detectors, wherein detecting arrival of the reflected pulse includes;
determining a reflected pulse characteristic representative of the reflected pulse'"'"'s amplitude; and
recording a second value, wherein the second value is representative of when the reflected pulse arrived at the detector; and
measuring range to the object as a function of the first and second values and the reflected pulse characteristic.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method of imaging an object. An array of detectors is mounted in an image plane. Each detector in the array of detectors is connected to a timing circuit having an interpolator, wherein the interpolator includes a first circuit which charges a first capacitor at a different rate than it discharges. An optical pulse is transmitted toward an object so that a portion of the optical pulse is reflected from the object as a reflected pulse and a first value representative of when the optical pulse was transmitted toward the object is recorded. The reflected pulse is detected at one or more detectors and a pulse characteristic of the pulse and a second value representative of when the reflected pulse arrived at the detector are recorded. Range to the object is then calculated as a function of the first and second values and the reflected pulse characteristic.
70 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of imaging an object, comprising:
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mounting an array of detectors in an image plane; connecting each detector in the array of detectors to a timing circuit having one or more interpolators, wherein each interpolator includes one or more interpolator circuits, wherein each interpolator circuit charges a capacitor at a different rate than it discharges; transmitting an optical pulse toward an object so that a portion of the optical pulse is reflected from the object as a reflected pulse, wherein transmitting the optical pulse includes recording a first value, wherein the first value is representative of when the optical pulse was transmitted toward the object; detecting arrival of the reflected pulse at one or more detectors within the array of detectors, wherein detecting arrival of the reflected pulse includes; determining a reflected pulse characteristic representative of the reflected pulse'"'"'s amplitude; and recording a second value, wherein the second value is representative of when the reflected pulse arrived at the detector; and measuring range to the object as a function of the first and second values and the reflected pulse characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for rendering a three-dimensional image of an object, comprising:
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a laser, wherein the laser generates an optical pulse and projects the optical pulse on an object so that it is reflected as a reflected pulse; a detector array, wherein the detector array includes a plurality of detectors, wherein the detectors are oriented to receive the reflected pulse; a timing circuit connected to the detector array, wherein the timing circuit determines when the reflected pulse reached a detector on the detector array, wherein the timing circuit includes one or more interpolators, wherein each interpolator includes one or more interpolator circuits, wherein each interpolator circuit charges a capacitor at a different rate than it discharges the capacitor; and a processor connected to the timing circuit, wherein the processor calculates transit time for the optical pulse as time between when the optical pulse was projected on the object and when a pulse reflected from the object reached detectors on the detector array in order to determine range to the object. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A device for imaging one or more three dimensional objects, including:
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a pulsed light source; means for transmitting light toward said objects; optics for collecting light during the time for light to transit from said pulsed light source, reflect from said objects, be collected and focused by said optics one or more detectors, wherein the detectors are oriented for receiving the collected light and converting the collected light into an electrical signal; timing means, connected to the one or more detectors, for determining a transit time for a pulse to leave the pulsed light source, reflect off the objects and return to one or more of the plurality of deflectors, wherein the timing means includes one or more interpolators, wherein each interpolator includes a circuit which charges at a different rate than it discharges; and calibration means, connected between the light transmitting means and the detectors, wherein the calibration means includes a resonator. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification