Abstract: The disclosure provides different time of flight, ToF, methods and systems for using two or more non-sinusoidal control signals to achieve modulated output light and/or image sensor control with reduced harmonic content. In particular, the two or more non-sinusoidal control signals have different relative phase offsets or duty cycle ratios such that a combined signal resulting from combing the two or more control signals has reduced harmonic content. By utilising non-sinusoidal signals and effectively making using of the combined signal for the output light and/or image sensor control, the system is more straightforward and lower cost to implement compared with systems that use sinusoidal control signals, whilst still maintaining accuracy of the system by minimising the harmonic noise normally associated with non-sinusoidal signals.

Abstract: A depth estimation system can use a guided filter to enhance depth estimation using brightness image. Light is projected onto an object. The object reflects at least a portion of the projected light. The reflected light is at least partially captured by an image sensor. The depth estimation system may generate a depth image based on a phase shift between the captured light and the projected light and generate a brightness image based on brightness of the captured light. The depth estimation system may use the guided filter to identify a pixel that represents at least a portion of a boundary of the object. The guided filter can determine a depth value of the pixel based on the value of the corresponding pixel in the brightness image. The depth estimation system can assign the depth value to the pixel and generates an enhanced depth image.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides numerous applications for the use of liquid crystal polarization gratings (LCPGs) to controllably steer light. When combined with an image sensor, light generated or reflected from different fields of view (FOV) can be steered, allowing an increase in the FOV or the resolution of the image. Further, the LCPG can stabilize the resulting image, counteracting any movement of the image sensor. The combination of LCPGs and liquid crystal waveguides (LCWGs) allows fine deflection control of light (from the LCWG) over a wild field of view (from the LCPG). Further applications of LCPGs include object tracking and the production of depth images using multiple imaging units and independently steered LCPGs. The LCPG may be used in controlling both the projection and reception of light.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to light source driving systems, for example laser driving systems. The systems are configured to include a very low inductance current loop for driving an initial part of the current drive signal to turn on the light source. By implementing the system to have a very low inductance current loop, a very fast turn on time may be achieved for the light source, which can be particularly useful for Time of Flight systems that require a very quick turn-on response from the light source.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a Time of Flight (ToF) camera system configured to be operable in a proximity mode. In the proximity mode, the proximity of an object may be estimated by relatively delaying or offsetting the charge accumulation timing of multiple different columns of pixels of the ToF imaging sensor. The relative charge accumulated in those pixel columns is dependent on the proximity of the object and the relative time delays in charge accumulation of each column. Therefore, by reading out the charge accumulated in multiple different pixel columns and knowing the relative accumulation delay of those pixel columns, the proximity of an object may be determined. This enables the operation of the ToF camera system to be switched between relatively high power, full ToF depth imaging, and relatively low power proximity mode of operation, thereby rendering a single system as being capable of performing two different functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a lower energy/faster time of flight camera system configured to measure distance to an object. The system is configured to emit laser light modulated with a first frequency and image light reflected by an object in order to determine a first phase difference between the emitted and reflected light. The system emits laser light modulated with a second frequency and images light reflected by the object to determine a second phase difference between the emitted and reflected light. The distance to the object is determined using the first and second phase differences. The system is arranged to operate at lower energy for obtaining the first phase difference compared with the operation to obtain the second phase difference. This results in lower overall energy consumption and faster overall operation without any significant reduction in accuracy of imaging.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a laser system/package that is configured to enable the detection of a change in an optical device that is intended to alter light emitted from the laser. The system is designed to measure an electric or magnetic field that is affected by the optical device. As a result, changes in the optical device, for example because the optical device has been damaged or dislodged or removed, should be detected by a corresponding change in the electric or magnetic field.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Actuators are used to move a variety of objects to desired positions. It is generally desirable that they can do this quickly without exhibiting overshoot or ringing. Some actuators are required to respond very quickly and examples of these are voice coil drivers used to move lenses in autofocus cameras provided in everyday devices such as smart phones and tablets. A rapid two step controller scheme had already been disclosed by Analog Devices Inc. While the scheme works well, it can only be used reliably if the resonant frequency of the actuator is known to within 2 or 3%. The inventors have discovered that the resonant frequency of an actuator unexpectedly changes as a function of position. This disclosure provides ways of modifying the control scheme to cope with changes in resonant frequency.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides numerous applications for the use of liquid crystal polarization gratings (LCPGs) to controllably steer light. When combined with an image sensor, light generated or reflected from different fields of view (FOV) can be steered, allowing an increase in the FOV or the resolution of the image. Further, the LCPG can stabilize the resulting image, counteracting any movement of the image sensor. The combination of LCPGs and liquid crystal waveguides (LCWGs) allows fine deflection control of light (from the LCWG) over a wild field of view (from the LCPG). Further applications of LCPGs include object tracking and the production of depth images using multiple imaging units and independently steered LCPGs. The LCPG may be used in controlling both the projection and reception of light.

Abstract: An embodiment of a position sensing system includes a signal generation circuit to generate an excitation signal according to a selected characteristic signal, a drive circuit to drive an excitation source with the excitation signal, an input circuit to receive a sensor output while driving the excitation source, a signal detection circuit to identify a component of the sensor output corresponding to the characteristic signal, and a control circuit to determine the position of the movable object as a function of the identified component of the sensor output. The positioning system may be included an electronic camera, where the movable object may be a lens. The excitation source may be a conductive coil, the excitation a magnetic field, and the sensor a magneto resistive sensor. Alternatively, the excitation source may be an optical excitation source, the excitation an optical excitation, and the sensor an optical sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a method of measuring an unknown capacitance of a device. The method may comprise the steps of driving a test signal to a circuit system that includes a current divider formed by the device with unknown capacitance and a reference capacitor; mirroring a current developed in the reference capacitor to a second circuit system that includes a measurement impedance; measuring a voltage within the second circuit system; and deriving a capacitance of the unknown capacitance based on the measured voltage with reference to a capacitance of the reference capacitor and the measurement impedance.

Abstract: Actuators are used to move a variety of objects to desired positions. It is generally desirable that they can do this quickly without exhibiting overshoot or ringing. Some actuators are required to respond very quickly and examples of these are voice coil drivers used to move lenses in autofocus cameras provided in everyday devices such as smart phones and tablets. A rapid two step controller scheme had already been disclosed by Analog Devices Inc. While the scheme works well, it can only be used reliably if the resonant frequency of the actuator is known to within 2 or 3%. The inventors have discovered that the resonant frequency of an actuator unexpectedly changes as a function of position. This disclosure provides ways of modifying the control scheme to cope with changes in resonant frequency.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.