Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for scanning an object or environment with a ranging sensor. The method involves rotating a ranging sensor around a rotation reference point and associating the distances measured with the ranging sensor with rotation measurements from a rotation sensor fixed to the ranging sensor. The associated data is used to populate a data plot or data table to be used to generate three-dimensional models.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of determining a movement of a user's head with a ranging sensor. The ranging sensor transmits a ranging signal that is reflected off of a user's shoulder and received back at the ranging sensor. The received ranging signal can be used to determine distance between the user's head and the user's shoulder or to determine the reflectivity of the user's shoulder. With the distance or the reflectivity, a processor can be used to determine movement of the user's head. Furthermore, a multiple zone ranging sensor or multiple ranging sensors can be used to detect the user's shoulder in different spatial zones.

Abstract: A time of flight range detection device includes a laser configured to transmit an optical pulse into an image scene, a return single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array, a reference SPAD array, a range detection circuit coupled to the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array, and a laser driver circuit. The range detection circuit in operation determines a distance to an object based on signals from the return SPAD array and the reference SPAD array. The laser driver circuit in operation varies an output power level of the laser in response to the determined distance to the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining space occupancy and performing volumetric measurement of a transportation system using a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor array are provided. In the method and apparatus, the TOF sensor array, which is mounted in a transportation system and includes a plurality of TOF sensors, outputs a plurality of distance measurements made by the plurality of TOF sensors, respectively. In the method and apparatus, a map of one or more objects positioned in the transportation system is generated based on the plurality of distance measurements. The map is output for display to a user by a display.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for self-heat-extracting flash evaporation of a sulfuric acid alkylation reaction product. There is provided a method for self-heat-extracting flash evaporation of a sulfuric acid alkylation reaction product. One step is to coalesce and vaporize a preliminarily distributed sulfuric acid alkylation reaction product to cause preliminary vaporization of a hydrocarbon therein, thereby taking heat away and preliminarily separating the hydrocarbon from sulfuric acid. Another step is to subject the preliminarily separated alkylation reaction to reinforced separation, where the hydrocarbon is further vaporized to take heat away and further separate the hydrocarbon from the sulfuric acid. There is also provided an apparatus for self-heat-extracting flash evaporation of a sulfuric acid alkylation reaction product.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an obstacle awareness device for vehicle systems. A threshold distance is set that identifies the range at which an obstruction interferes with fluid dynamics around and through at least one propulsion motor. One or more ranging sensors on the vehicle system detect relative position information of the obstruction when it is within the threshold distance. The relative position information is communicated to a controller, which adjusts a motor control signal to compensate for the obstruction interfering with the fluid dynamics around the at least one propulsion motor. The threshold distance may be defined by a three dimensional shape that encapsulated the vehicle system 100, and the three dimensional shape may change in shape or size with movement of the vehicle system.

Abstract: A device includes a time-of-flight ranging sensor configured to transmit optical pulse signals and to receive return optical pulse signals. The time-of-flight ranging sensor processes the return optical pulse signals to sense distances to a plurality of objects and to generate a confidence value indicating whether one of the plurality of objects has a highly reflective surface. The time-of-flight sensor generates a range estimation signal including a plurality of sensed distances and the confidence value. The image capture device includes autofocusing circuitry coupled to the time-of-flight sensor to receive the range estimation signal and configured to control focusing based upon the sensed distances responsive to the confidence value indicating none of the plurality of objects has a highly reflective surface. The autofocusing circuitry controls focusing independent of the sensed distances responsive to the confidence value indicating one of the objects has a highly reflective surface.

Abstract: An apparatus includes time of flight single-photon avalanche diode (ToF SPAD) circuitry. The ToF SPAD circuitry generates indications of distance between the apparatus and an object within a field of view. A processor receives the indications of distance and controls at least one image sensor, such as a camera, to capture at least one image based on at least one indication of distance. The processor determines whether an image is a true representation of an expected object by comparing multiple indications of distance associated with the object to an expected object distance profile and comparing the image to at least one expected object image.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of determining a movement of a user's head with a ranging sensor. The ranging sensor transmits a ranging signal that is reflected off of a user's shoulder and received back at the ranging sensor. The received ranging signal can be used to determine distance between the user's head and the user's shoulder or to determine the reflectivity of the user's shoulder. With the distance or the reflectivity, a processor can be used to determine movement of the user's head. Furthermore, a multiple zone ranging sensor or multiple ranging sensors can be used to detect the user's shoulder in different spatial zones.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of authenticating a user's face with a ranging sensor. The ranging sensor includes a time of flight sensor and a reflectance sensor. The ranging sensor transmits a signal that is reflected off of a user and received back at the ranging sensor. The received signal can be used to determine distance between the user and the sensor, and the reflectance value of the user. With the distance or the reflectivity, a processor can activate a facial recognition process in response to the distance and the reflectivity. A device incorporating the ranging sensor according to the present disclosure may reduce the overall power consumed during the facial authentication process.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a time-of-flight sensor configured to sense a distance between the electronic device and at least one object proximate the electronic device. Processing circuitry is coupled to the time-of-flight sensor and controls access to the electronic device based on the sensed distance. The electronic device may include a digital camera that the processing circuitry controls to perform facial or iris recognition utilizing the sensed distance from the time-of-flight sensor.

Abstract: A robotic device including one or more proximity sensing systems coupled to various portions of a robot body. The proximity sensing systems detect a distance of an object about the robot body and the robotic device reacts based on the detected distance. The proximity sensing systems obtain a three-dimensional (3D) profile of the object to determine a category of the object. The distance of the object is detected multiple times in a sequence to determine a movement path of the object.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a time-of-flight sensor configured to sense a distance between the electronic device and at least one object proximate the electronic device. Processing circuitry is coupled to the time-of-flight sensor and controls access to the electronic device based on the sensed distance. The electronic device may include a digital camera that the processing circuitry controls to perform facial or iris recognition utilizing the sensed distance from the time-of-flight sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining space occupancy and performing volumetric measurement of a transportation system using a time-of-flight (TOF) sensor array are provided. In the method and apparatus, the TOF sensor array, which is mounted in a transportation system and includes a plurality of TOF sensors, outputs a plurality of distance measurements made by the plurality of TOF sensors, respectively. In the method and apparatus, a map of one or more objects positioned in the transportation system is generated based on the plurality of distance measurements. The map is output for display to a user by a display.

Abstract: A method includes sensing through time-of-flight measurements a distance of an object from an electronic device, sensing motion of the electronic device, sensing acoustic signals received by the electronic device, and detecting the presence of a human proximate the electronic device based on the sensed distance, motion and acoustic signals. Access to the electronic device is controlled based on whether a human is detected as being present.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for scanning an object or environment with a ranging sensor. The method involves rotating a ranging sensor around a rotation reference point and associating the distances measured with the ranging sensor with rotation measurements from a rotation sensor fixed to the ranging sensor. The associated data is used to populate a data plot or data table to be used to generate three-dimensional models.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of scanning an ear of a user to identify the user. The system includes a ranging sensor that detects the distance between the user and the ear detection system at one or more points and transmits that as ranging data. The ranging data is used to generate a depth model of the user's ear, from which an ear profile can be generated and compared to stored ear profiles to identify and authenticate the user. Once authenticated, the system can then enter a different operating mode based on the authentication.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a camera module configured to generate at least one image and a ToF SPAD based range detecting module configured to generate at least one distance determination to an object within a field of view of the camera module. A processor receives the at least one image from the camera module output and receives the at least one distance determination from the ToF SPAD based range detecting module. This data is processed by the processor to determine a depth map.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an obstacle awareness device for vehicle systems. A threshold distance is set that identifies the range at which an obstruction interferes with fluid dynamics around and through at least one propulsion motor. One or more ranging sensors on the vehicle system detect relative position information of the obstruction when it is within the threshold distance. The relative position information is communicated to a controller, which adjusts a motor control signal to compensate for the obstruction interfering with the fluid dynamics around the at least one propulsion motor. The threshold distance may be defined by a three dimensional shape that encapsulated the vehicle system 100, and the three dimensional shape may change in shape or size with movement of the vehicle system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gain control system that receives a signal and outputs a modulated signal. The signal modulation is based on a gain that is based on a detected distance between the gain control system and a user. The distance is detected with a ranging sensor which generates ranging data for a field of view, and then the gain control system analyzes the ranging data to identify the user, with a higher signal gain for the user at a greater distance and a lower signal gain for the user at a lesser distance.