Gated 3D camera
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A camera for determining distances to objects in a three-dimensional (3D) scene, the camera comprising:
- a light source controllable to illuminate the 3D scene with trains of pulses of light, the light source having a predetermined operating temperature range and a characteristic spectrum that shifts with temperature;
a photosurface;
optics for imaging light reflected from the trains of light pulses by the objects in the 3D scene on the photosurface; and
a shutter operable to gate the photosurface selectively on and off to capture the imaged light, wherein the shutter has a contrast ratio (CR) that is matched over the operating temperature range of the light source with the temperature shifted characteristic spectrum of the light source so that light from the light source is at wavelengths in a peaking portion of an operating band of the shutter over the operating temperature range of the light source.
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Abstract
A camera for determining distances to a scene, the camera comprising: a light source comprising a VCSEL controllable to illuminate the scene with a train of pulses of light having a characteristic spectrum; a photosurface; optics for imaging light reflected from the light pulses by the scene on the photosurface; and a shutter operable to gate the photosurface selectively on and off for light in the spectrum.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A camera for determining distances to objects in a three-dimensional (3D) scene, the camera comprising:
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a light source controllable to illuminate the 3D scene with trains of pulses of light, the light source having a predetermined operating temperature range and a characteristic spectrum that shifts with temperature; a photosurface; optics for imaging light reflected from the trains of light pulses by the objects in the 3D scene on the photosurface; and a shutter operable to gate the photosurface selectively on and off to capture the imaged light, wherein the shutter has a contrast ratio (CR) that is matched over the operating temperature range of the light source with the temperature shifted characteristic spectrum of the light source so that light from the light source is at wavelengths in a peaking portion of an operating band of the shutter over the operating temperature range of the light source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A camera for determining distances to a scene, the camera comprising:
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a light source comprising at least one vertical cavity surface emitting light emitting laser (VCSEL) controllable to illuminate the scene with a train of pulses of light having a characteristic spectrum; a photosurface; optics for imaging light reflected from the light pulses by the scene on the photosurface; and a shutter operable to gate the photosurface selectively on and off for light in spectrum wherein, at least in a midpoint temperature of a light source heat cycle, the CIN of the camera is a maximum. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A camera for determining distances to a scene, the camera comprising:
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a light source having an array of VCSELs providing improved matching of the light source to the camera shutter and being controllable to illuminate the scene with a train of pulses of light having a characteristic spectrum, the light source has a characteristic spectrum with a FWHM width equal to or greater than about 1.5 nm, and a lasing cavity characterized by a diameter about equal to or greater than 20 microns; a controller coupled to the light source; a photosurface comprising a CCD or CMOS photosensitive surface; a lens system for imaging light reflected from the light pulses by the scene on the photosurface; and a shutter operable to gate the photosurface selectively on and off for light in the spectrum; a shutter operable to gate the photosurface selectively on and off for light in the spectrum wherein the light source and shutter are matched so that light from the light source is at wavelengths in an operating band of the shutter and wherein, at least in a midpoint temperature of a light source heat cycle, the CIN of the camera is a maximum. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification