Uniform illumination image capture
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- selecting a range of distances from an image capture device, wherein the image capture device comprises a light source and a light sensing array;
determining a pulse length based on the range of distances;
causing the light source to generate a light pulse with the pulse length, wherein the pulse length defines a beginning of the light pulse and an end of the light pulse, wherein the light pulse has a modulated decay that is substantially linear such that the light pulse has an intensity that decays from a maximum at the beginning of the light pulse to zero at the end of the light pulse, wherein the light pulse reflects from an object located at an object distance within the range of distances to provide a reflected light pulse; and
using the light sensing array to sense an integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse during an exposure time, wherein the exposure time is controlled based on the range of distances and the modulated decay such that the integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse is substantially independent of the object distance.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for capturing an image having uniform illumination over a range of distances. The system may include a light source, a light sensing array, and an electronic circuit. The method may involve selecting a range of distances from the system, causing the light source to generate a light pulse with a modulated decay, and using the light sensing array to sense an integrated intensity of a reflected light pulse during an exposure time. The reflected light pulse may be provided by the generated light pulse reflecting from an object located at an object distance within the range of distances. The exposure time may be controlled based on the range of distances and the modulated decay such that the integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse is substantially independent of the object distance.
46 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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selecting a range of distances from an image capture device, wherein the image capture device comprises a light source and a light sensing array; determining a pulse length based on the range of distances; causing the light source to generate a light pulse with the pulse length, wherein the pulse length defines a beginning of the light pulse and an end of the light pulse, wherein the light pulse has a modulated decay that is substantially linear such that the light pulse has an intensity that decays from a maximum at the beginning of the light pulse to zero at the end of the light pulse, wherein the light pulse reflects from an object located at an object distance within the range of distances to provide a reflected light pulse; and using the light sensing array to sense an integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse during an exposure time, wherein the exposure time is controlled based on the range of distances and the modulated decay such that the integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse is substantially independent of the object distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A device comprising:
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a light source; a light sensing array; and an electronic circuit configured to; select a range of distances from the device; determine a pulse length based on the range of distances; cause the light source to generate a light pulse with the pulse length, wherein the pulse length defines a beginning of the light pulse and an end of the light pulse, wherein the light pulse has a modulated decay that is substantially linear such that the light pulse has an intensity that decays from a maximum at the beginning of the light pulse to zero at the end of the light pulse, wherein the light pulse reflects from an object located at an object distance within the range of distances to provide a reflected light pulse; and use the light sensing array to sense an integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse during an exposure time, wherein the exposure time is controlled based on the range of distances and the modulated decay such that the integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse is substantially independent of the object distance. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a computing device to cause the computing device to perform functions comprising:
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selecting a range of distances from an image capture device, wherein the image capture device comprises a light source and a light sensing array; determining a pulse length based on the range of distances; causing the light source to generate a light pulse with the pulse length, wherein the pulse length defines a beginning of the light pulse and an end of the light pulse, wherein the light pulse has a modulated decay that is substantially linear such that the light pulse has an intensity that decays from a maximum at the beginning of the light pulse to zero at the end of the light pulse, wherein the light pulse reflects from an object located at an object distance within the range of distances to provide a reflected light pulse; and using the light sensing array to sense an integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse during an exposure time, wherein the exposure time is controlled based on the range of distances and the modulated decay such that the integrated intensity of the reflected light pulse is substantially independent of the object distance. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification