Abstract: A direct TOF optic sensor is based on CMOS pixels, wherein a pixel structure comprises a photodetector PhD, a non linear resistance R and a transfer MOS transistor in series, and delivers an output signal at a sensing node SN between the resistor and the transfer transistors. The photogenerated current is continuously drained into the nonlinear resistance and converted to a voltage signal by the RC circuit formed by the nonlinear resistance and a capacitance at the sense node SN. The voltage signal is continuously transmitted to a readout circuitry 300 having a fast analog to digital converter. The RC circuit within the pixel structure has a low pass filtering function and a high frequency integrating function, so that noise, in particular thermal noise due to the nonlinear resistance is mainly shifted in a low frequency range, separate from a high frequency range of the main signal component corresponding to a pulse light signal received at the photodetector.

Abstract: A direct TOF optic sensor is based on CMOS pixels, wherein a pixel structure comprises a photodetector PhD, a non linear resistance R and a transfer MOS transistor in series, and delivers an output signal at a sensing node SN between the resistor and the transfer transistors. The photogenerated current is continuously drained into the nonlinear resistance and converted to a voltage signal by the RC circuit formed by the nonlinear resistance and a capacitance at the sense node SN. The voltage signal is continuously transmitted to a readout circuitry 300 having a fast analog to digital converter. The RC circuit within the pixel structure has a low pass filtering function and a high frequency integrating function, so that noise, in particular thermal noise due to the nonlinear resistance is mainly shifted in a low frequency range, separate from a high frequency range of the main signal component corresponding to a pulse light signal received at the photodetector.

Abstract: An optical safety scanner system comprises a first illumination source for detecting presence and distances of people or other objects within a hazardous industrial area based on triangulation, and a second illumination source that verifies accurate and reliable detection by the first illumination source. The first illumination source can project LED or laser light for triangulation of objects, and the second illumination source can project a wide beam of light for detection of other intrusive objects that may be blocking the scanner system's camera and preventing accurate triangulation of people or vehicles. If the image frame generated based on the second light identifies presence of an object that is not detected by the triangulation analysis of the laser light, the safety scanner system assumes that an object is obstructing the safety scanner system's camera, and performs a suitable safety action.

Abstract: An optical safety scanner system comprises a first illumination source for detecting presence and distances of people or other objects within a hazardous industrial area based on triangulation, and a second illumination source that verifies accurate and reliable detection by the first illumination source. The first illumination source can project LED or laser light for triangulation of objects, and the second illumination source can project a wide beam of light for detection of other intrusive objects that may be blocking the scanner system's camera and preventing accurate triangulation of people or vehicles. If the image frame generated based on the second light identifies presence of an object that is not detected by the triangulation analysis of the laser light, the safety scanner system assumes that an object is obstructing the safety scanner system's camera, and performs a suitable safety action.