Abstract: A method for operating a 3D sensor system includes by an array of pixels of an imaging sensor of the 3D sensor system, generating first image data representative of reflected light from an environment, the image data having a first resolution. The method includes by processing circuitry of the 3D sensor system, generating second image data based on the first image data, the second image data having a second resolution less than the first resolution; and by the processing circuitry of the imaging sensor, determining that the second image data indicates that an object is present in the environment. The method includes responsive to the determining, providing the first image data from the 3D sensor system to one or more processors configured to generate a three-dimensional image of the environment based on the first image data.

Abstract: A method of using an optical TOF module to determine distance to an object. The method includes acquiring signals in the TOF module indicative of distance to the object, using a first algorithm to provide an output indicative of the distance to the object based on the acquired signals, using at least one second different algorithm to provide an output indicative of the distance to the object based on the acquired signals, and combining the outputs of the first and at least one second algorithms to obtain an improved estimate of the distance to the object. In some implementations, each of the first and at least one second algorithms further provides an output representing a respective confidence level indicative of how accurately distance to the object has been extracted by the particular algorithm.

Abstract: A method of operating a time-of-flight system includes projecting a light pattern from an illumination source into an environment; by an array of light sensors of a time-of-flight sensor of the time-of-flight system, detecting the light pattern reflected by an object in an environment; and generating a signal based on the light detected by a subset of the light sensors of the array of light sensors, the signal being provided to one or more processors for generation of a representation of the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor system that has an illuminator operable to emit pulses of light toward an object outside the apparatus. The illuminator is operable in a first mode in which the illuminator emits pulses having a first width and a second mode in which the illuminator emits pulses having a second width longer than the first width. The TOF sensor system further includes a photodetector operable to detect light produced by the illuminator and reflected by the object back toward the apparatus. An electronic control device is operable to control emission of light by the illuminator and is operable to estimate a distance to the object based on a time elapsed between an emission of one or more of the pulses by the illuminator and detection of the reflected light by the photodetector.

Abstract: A method for operating a time-of-flight sensor system includes by an array of pixels of a time-of-flight sensor of the time-of-flight sensor system, generating signal data representative of reflected light from an environment; generating an intensity representation of an object in the environment based on the signal data representative of the reflected light from the environment; determining that the intensity representation indicates that an object in the environment includes a target object; and responsive to the determining, generating a three-dimensional representation of the environment based on the data representative of the reflected light.

Abstract: A method of time of flight sensing. The method comprises using an emitter to emit pulses of radiation and using an array of photo-detectors to detect radiation reflected from an object. For a given group of photo-detectors of the array, the method determines based upon measured times of flight of the radiation, whether to use a first mode of operation in which outputs from individual photo-detectors of the group are combined together or to use a second mode of operation in which outputs from individual photo-detectors are processed separately. The array of photo-detectors comprises a plurality of groups of photo-detectors. One or more groups of photo-detectors operate in the first mode whilst in parallel one or more groups of photo-detectors operate in the second mode.

Abstract: A time of flight sensor includes at least one demodulation pixel. Each demodulation pixel includes a semiconductor substrate; a charge generation region in the semiconductor substrate, the charge generation region having a lateral extent, the charge generation region being configured to convert light into charge carriers; a light directing element in the charge generation region of the semiconductor substrate, the light directing element being configured to direct light through at least a portion of the lateral extent of the charge generation region; a collection region in the semiconductor substrate, the collection region being configured to collect the charge carriers generated in at least a portion of the lateral extent of the charge generation region, and a readout component in electrical communication with the collection region, the readout component being operable to control an electrical coupling between the charge generation region and the collection region.

Abstract: A method of time of flight sensing, the method comprising using a source to emit pulses of radiation, and using an array of photodetectors arranged as a macropixel to detect radiation reflected from an object. During a sub-frame output from the macropixel, outputs from a subset of photodetectors of the macropixel are obtained, and during a subsequent sub-frame output from the macropixel, outputs from a different subset of photodetectors of the macropixel are obtained.

Abstract: The current disclosure describes a stereo imaging system that is configured to use Time-of-Flight (“Tof”) techniques to aid in stereoscopic image processing. One process disclosed uses ToF to aid in identifying the same elements (e.g., pixel clusters) in stereo image pairs by narrowing down search areas for matching. Another process uses ToF to aid in identifying the same elements in stereo image pairs where there a small amount texture making it difficult to find a match.

Abstract: Illuminator modules having improved safety features are described. In some implementations, light to be emitted from a module is produced by a light source, and light reflected by an optical component disposed over the light source is detected by a photodetectors. A distribution of the reflected light detected by the photodetectors is monitored, and an optical output power of the light source is regulated if it is determined, based on the monitored distribution of light, that an unsafe level of light may be emitted from the module.

Abstract: A method for operating a 3D sensor system includes by an array of pixels of an imaging sensor of the 3D sensor system, generating first image data representative of reflected light from an environment, the image data having a first resolution. The method includes by processing circuitry of the 3D sensor system, generating second image data based on the first image data, the second image data having a second resolution less than the first resolution; and by the processing circuitry of the imaging sensor, determining that the second image data indicates that an object is present in the environment. The method includes responsive to the determining, providing the first image data from the 3D sensor system to one or more processors configured to generate a three-dimensional image of the environment based on the first image data.

Abstract: A method of operating a time-of-flight system includes projecting a light pattern from an illumination source into an environment; by an array of light sensors of a time-of-flight sensor of the time-of-flight system, detecting the light pattern reflected by an object in an environment; and generating a signal based on the light detected by a subset of the light sensors of the array of light sensors, the signal being provided to one or more processors for generation of a representation of the environment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor system that has an illuminator operable to emit pulses of light toward an object outside the apparatus. The illuminator is operable in a first mode in which the illuminator emits pulses having a first width and a second mode in which the illuminator emits pulses having a second width longer than the first width. The TOF sensor system further includes a photodetector operable to detect light produced by the illuminator and reflected by the object back toward the apparatus. An electronic control device is operable to control emission of light by the illuminator and is operable to estimate a distance to the object based on a time elapsed between an emission of one or more of the pulses by the illuminator and detection of the reflected light by the photodetector.

Abstract: A method for operating a time-of-flight sensor system includes by an array of pixels of a time-of-flight sensor of the time-of-flight sensor system, generating signal data representative of reflected light from an environment; generating an intensity representation of an object in the environment based on the signal data representative of the reflected light from the environment; determining that the intensity representation indicates that an object in the environment includes a target object; and responsive to the determining, generating a three-dimensional representation of the environment based on the data representative of the reflected light.

Abstract: A Random Number Generator includes a photon source, one or more photon detectors configured to detect at least one photon belonging to a flow of detected photons (?) generated by the photon source, an electronic sampler operatively associated with the photon detectors and configured to implement a logic method for the extraction of a binary sequence based on the arrival time of each one of the detected photons (?). In the Random Number Generator, the photon source and the photon detectors are adjacent to one another and integrated in a single semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor (10) for measuring a distance of an object (18) in accordance with a time of flight principle comprises a light transmitter (12) for transmitting a light signal (14), a light receiver (22) for receiving the light signal (20) after reflection or remission by the object (18), the light receiver (22) having a first plurality of pixel elements (24, 24a) each configured as an avalanche photo diode element biased with a bias voltage greater than a breakdown voltage and thus operated in a Geiger mode in order to trigger an avalanche event upon light reception, a distance measuring unit (34) having a second plurality of time of flight measuring units (34a) connected to pixel elements (24a) for determining a time of flight between transmission and reception of a light signal, the second plurality being less than the first plurality, switching means (32, 32a) for connecting selected pixel elements (24a) to time of flight measuring units (34a) in a one-to-one fashion, and a pixel selection unit

Abstract: Measuring device (1) suited to measure the distance (d) of a reference object (O), configured so that it performs a plurality of measuring operations (Ai) in succession and comprising emission means (2) suited to emit a light radiation (R), receiving means (3) comprising a sensitive area (31) which is sensitive to the light radiation (R) and which is provided with a number M of sensitive units (4), each one of the sensitive units (4) being configured to generate an electrical signal (S), a first processing unit (5) comprising Ne processing elements (6), each one of said Ne processing elements (6) being configured to receive the electrical signal (S) for determining the time of impact (t) of a photon (F) on the sensitive units (4) and for calculating the value of said distance (d).

Abstract: The current disclosure describes a stereo imaging system that is configured to use Time-of-Flight (“Tof”) techniques to aid in stereoscopic image processing. One process disclosed uses ToF to aid in identifying the same elements (e.g., pixel clusters) in stereo image pairs by narrowing down search areas for matching. Another process uses ToF to aid in identifying the same elements in stereo image pairs where there a small amount texture making it difficult to find a match.

Abstract: A method of using an optical TOF module to determine distance to an object. The method includes acquiring signals in the TOF module indicative of distance to the object, using a first algorithm to provide an output indicative of the distance to the object based on the acquired signals, using at least one second different algorithm to provide an output indicative of the distance to the object based on the acquired signals, and combining the outputs of the first and at least one second algorithms to obtain an improved estimate of the distance to the object. In some implementations, each of the first and at least one second algorithms further provides an output representing a respective confidence level indicative of how accurately distance to the object has been extracted by the particular algorithm.

Abstract: A Random Number Generator includes a photon source, one or more photon detectors configured to detect at least one photon belonging to a flow of detected photons (?) generated by the photon source, an electronic sampler operatively associated with the photon detectors and configured to implement a logic method for the extraction of a binary sequence based on the arrival time of each one of the detected photons (?). In the Random Number Generator, the photon source and the photon detectors are adjacent to one another and integrated in a single semiconductor substrate.