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: A sensing system is disclosed for performing distance measurements. The sensing system may include an emitter configured to emit electromagnetic radiation modulated at a known frequency. The sensing system may further include a detector configured to sample incident electromagnetic radiation at the known frequency, convert the sampled electromagnetic radiation into charge carriers, and collect the charge carriers in a storage component to produce an electronic signal. The sensing system may include a processor configured to determine a correction by applying a non-linear polynomial function to the electronic signal.

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: An optoelectronic module including a light emitter to generate light to be emitted from the module; a plurality of spatially distributed light sensitive elements arranged to detect light from the emitter that is reflected by an object outside the module; and one or more dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels.

Abstract: An optoelectronic module including a light emitter to generate light to be emitted from the module, a plurality of spatially distributed light sensitive elements arranged to detect light from the emitter that is reflected by an object outside the module, and one or more dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels.

Abstract: The invention relates to new polyimide solutions having ecological and toxicological benefits compared to existing polyimide solutions as well as well as b their use, in particular for coating applications.

Abstract: We disclose a method of measuring a distance to or from a target, the method comprising: operating an emitter to generate a first pulsed signal and a second pulsed signal in a field of view of the emitter in which a target may be present, the first pulsed signal having a first pulse frequency and the second pulsed signal having a second pulse frequency, the first pulse frequency being different from the second pulse frequency; operating a detector to detect signals for a pre-determined duration after said first pulsed signal is generated and for a pre-determined duration after said second pulsed signal is generated; storing said detected signals in a memory spanning a period of the first pulsed signal and a period of the second pulsed signal, respectively; using the detected signals to identify a portion of the first pulsed signal reflected by the target and a portion of the second pulsed signal reflected by the target; determining a first virtual distance based on a difference between a reference signal and

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 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: An optoelectronic module including a light emitter to generate light to be emitted from the module; a plurality of spatially distributed light sensitive elements arranged to detect light from the emitter that is reflected by an object outside the module; and one or more dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels.

Abstract: An optoelectronic module including a light emitter to generate light to be emitted from the module, a plurality of spatially distributed light sensitive elements arranged to detect light from the emitter that is reflected by an object outside the module, and one or more dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels.

Abstract: Optoelectronic modules (100) are operable to distinguish between signals indicative of reflections from an object of interest and signals indicative of a spurious reflection. Various modules are operable to recognize spurious reflections by means of dedicated spurious-reflection detection pixels (126) and, in some cases, also to compensate for errors caused by spurious reflections.

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 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: An imaging device, including a monolithic semiconductor integrated circuit substrate, comprises a focal plane array of pixel cells. Each one of the pixel cells includes a gate overlying a region of the substrate operable to convert incident radiation into charge carriers. The pixel also includes a CMOS readout circuit including at least one output transistor in the substrate. The pixel further includes a charge coupled device section on the substrate adjacent the gate, the charge coupled device section including a sense node to receive charge carriers transferred from the region of the substrate beneath the gate. The sense node is coupled to the output transistor. The pixel also includes a reset switch coupled to the sense node. The pixel's charge coupled device section has a buried channel region. The pixel also includes one or more bias enabling switches operable to enable a bias voltage to be applied to the gate.

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

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: An imaging device, including a monolithic semiconductor integrated circuit substrate, comprises a focal plane array of pixel cells. Each one of the pixel cells includes a gate overlying a region of the substrate operable to convert incident radiation into charge carriers. The pixel also includes a CMOS readout circuit including at least one output transistor in the substrate. The pixel further includes a charge coupled device section on the substrate adjacent the gate, the charge coupled device section including a sense node to receive charge carriers transferred from the region of the substrate beneath the gate. The sense node is coupled to the output transistor. The pixel also includes a reset switch coupled to the sense node. The pixel's charge coupled device section has a buried channel region. The pixel also includes one or more bias enabling switches operable to enable a bias voltage to be applied to the gate.