Abstract: Optoelectronic modules operable to collect distance data and spectral data include demodulation pixels operable to collect spectral data and distance data via a time-of flight approach. The demodulation pixels include regions with varying charge-carrier mobilities. Multi-wavelength electromagnetic radiation incident on the demodulation pixels are separated into different portions wherein the respective portions are used to determine the composition of the incident multi-wavelength electromagnetic radiation. Accordingly, the optoelectronic module is used, for example, to collect colour images and 3D images, and/or ambient light levels and distance data. The demodulation pixels comprise contact nodes that generate potential regions that vary in magnitude with the lateral dimension of the semiconductor substrate. The potential regions conduct the photo-generated charges from the photo-sensitive detection region to a charge-collection region.

Abstract: An optoelectronic module operable to collect distance data via a time-of-flight mode and a time-of-flight-triangulation mode includes an illumination assembly and an imaging assembly. The imaging assembly includes at least one demodulation pixel operable to determine distance to an object via a time-of-flight mode and a time-of-flight-triangulation mode. Multi-path distance inaccuracies can be mitigated in some implementations.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes optical imaging and optical detection modules that include sensors such as time-of-flight (TOF) sensors. Various implementations are described that, in some instances, can help reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between active detection pixels and reference pixels and/or can facilitate the ability of the sensor to determine an accurate phase difference to be used, for example, in distance calculations.

Abstract: A time of flight-based system is operable for ambient light measurements. A method of operation includes detecting, in at least one active demodulation detection pixel, a first particular wavelength and generating amplitude data of the first particular wavelength; and detecting, in at least one spurious reflection detection pixel, a second particular wavelength and generating amplitude data of the second particular wavelength. In a computational device that stores spectrum data corresponding respectively to a plurality of different ambient light source types, an ambient lighting condition is determined based on the amplitude data of the first particular wavelength, the amplitude data of the second particular wavelength and the spectrum data of a particular one of the ambient light source types associated with the amplitude data of the first particular wavelength and the amplitude data of the second particular wavelength.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes quantum dot film based demodulation structures and optical ranging systems including an array of QDF demodulation structures.

Abstract: A semiconductor device operable to demodulate incident modulated electromagnetic radiation, the semiconductor device comprising: a pinned photodiode structure including a substrate of a first type, an implant layer of a second type disposed within the substrate, first and second auxiliary implant layers of the second type disposed within the substrate and each disposed adjacent to the implant layer of the second type, an implant layer of the first type disposed within the implant layer of the second type and extending into the first and second auxiliary implant layers of the second type, an insulator disposed on a surface of the substrate, and a photo-detection region; first and second transfer gates disposed on a surface of the insulator, the transfer gates being operable to generate a field within the substrate; and first and second floating diffusion implant layers of the second type disposed within the substrate.

Abstract: Optoelectronic modules operable to collect distance data and spectral data include demodulation pixels operable to collect spectral data and distance data via a time-of flight approach. The demodulation pixels include regions with varying charge-carrier mobilities. Multi-wavelength electromagnetic radiation incident on the demodulation pixels are separated into different portions wherein the respective portions are used to determine the composition of the incident multi-wavelength electromagnetic radiation. Accordingly, the optoelectronic module is used, for example, to collect colour images and 3D images, and/or ambient light levels and distance data. The demodulation pixels comprise contact nodes that generate potential regions that vary in magnitude with the lateral dimension of the semiconductor substrate. The potential regions conduct the photo-generated charges from the photo-sensitive detection region to a charge-collection region.

Abstract: An optoelectronic module operable to acquire distance data and spectral data includes an array of demodulation pixels and an array of spectral filters. The demodulation pixels can possess an intrinsic wavelength-dependent sensitivity, wherein the intrinsic wavelength-dependent sensitivity can be offset by an intensity balancing micro-lens array in some cases. In some cases, the intrinsic wavelength-dependent sensitivity can be offset by a combined filter array, while in other cases the intrinsic wavelength-dependent sensitivity can be offset by an intensity balancing filter array. Still in other cases, the demodulation pixels can be operable in such as to offset the intrinsic wavelength-dependent sensitivity.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes intelligent illumination systems that use modulated light. For example, in one aspect, a method includes producing, by a light source, modulated illumination in a visible part of the spectrum, detecting three-dimensional image data based on at least a portion of the modulated light produced by the light source and reflected by a scene, and changing a characteristic of the modulated illumination based on the detected three-dimensional image data.

Abstract: Imaging systems include multi-tap demodulation pixels for biometric measurements such as heart rate or blood oxygen level. Using multi-tap demodulation pixels can, in some cases, help facilitate the generation of differential signals to remove background noise and achieve a higher dynamic range for the biometric measurements.

Abstract: An optoelectronic module includes a first light emitter operable to emit radiation at a first wavelength toward an object outside the module. The module also includes demodulation pixels operable to detect radiation of the first wavelength reflected from the object. One or more processors are operable to determine a distance to the object based on the radiation detected by the demodulation pixels. The module is further operable to perform a supplemental measurement other than distance.

Abstract: A time of flight-based system is operable for ambient light measurements. A method of operation includes detecting, in at least one active demodulation detection pixel, a first particular wavelength and generating amplitude data of the first particular wavelength; and detecting, in at least one spurious reflection detection pixel, a second particular wavelength and generating amplitude data of the second particular wavelength. In a computational device that stores spectrum data corresponding respectively to a plurality of different ambient light source types, an ambient lighting condition is determined based on the amplitude data of the first particular wavelength, the amplitude data of the second particular wavelength and the spectrum data of a particular one of the ambient light source types associated with the amplitude data of the first particular wavelength and the amplitude data of the second particular wavelength.

Abstract: A modulation technique for 3D time-of-flight (TOF) cameras allows the operation of fully autonomous operated 3D TOF cameras. The method subdivides the exposure time into several sub-exposure intervals, for which the signal control unit adds a preferably pseudo-random common phase delay to the illumination and the sensor.

Abstract: An optical ranging system includes a support, a light emitter mounted on the support, and a time-of-flight (“TOF”) sensor chip mounted on the support. The TOF sensor chip, for example, includes at least one main pixel and at least one reference pixel in a semiconductor substrate. A barrier that is substantially non-transparent to light emitted by the light emitter separates the at least one reference pixel from the at least one main pixel. The optical ranging system also includes features for reducing optical cross-talk between the light emitter and the pixels of the TOF sensor.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes optoelectronic modules that, in some implementations, address the need to combine precise measurements of scenes over a range of near and far distances. For example, an optoelectronic module can include a light emitter operable to direct modulated structured light onto a scene. The module includes an imager to receive reflected light signals from the scene. The imager includes demodulation pixels operable to provide amplitude and phase information based on the reflected light signals. Various techniques can be used to derive distance or three-dimensional information about the scene based on the signals from the pixels.

Abstract: A method to compensate for multi-path in time-of-flight (TOF) three dimensional (3D) cameras applies different modulation frequencies in order to calculate/estimate the error vector. Multi-path in 3D TOF cameras might be caused by one of the two following sources: stray light artifacts in the TOF camera systems and multiple reflections in the scene. The proposed method compensates for the errors caused by both sources by implementing multiple modulation frequencies.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes quantum dot film based demodulation structures and optical ranging systems including an array of QDF demodulation structures.

Abstract: A demodulation pixel improves the charge transport speed and sensitivity by exploiting two effects of charge transport in silicon in order to achieve the before-mentioned optimization. The first one is a transport method based on the CCD gate principle. However, this is not limited to CCD technology, but can be realized also in CMOS technology. The charge transport in a surface or even a buried channel close to the surface is highly efficient in terms of speed, sensitivity and low trapping noise. In addition, by activating a majority carrier current flowing through the substrate, another drift field is generated below the depleted CCD channel. This drift field is located deeply in the substrate, acting as an efficient separator for deeply photo-generated electron-hole pairs. Thus, another large amount of minority carriers is transported to the diffusion nodes at high speed and detected.

Abstract: This disclosure describes optoelectronic devices that include an event-driven photo-array and methods for using the same. The methods include capturing output signals over a particular illumination time via a change-detection circuit. In some instances, a threshold intensity change can trigger the change-detection circuit. In some instances, an active illumination from an illumination module may produce the threshold intensity change. Output signals may be used to generate distance data. In some instances, the output signals may be substantially free from noise due to background light.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes optical imaging and optical detection modules that include sensors such as time-of-flight (TOF) sensors. Various implementations are described that, in some instances, can help reduce the amount of optical cross-talk between active detection pixels and reference pixels and/or can facilitate the ability of the sensor to determine an accurate phase difference to be used, for example, in distance calculations.