Abstract: A structured-light pattern for a structured-light system includes a base light pattern that includes a row of a plurality of sub-patterns extending in a first direction. Each sub-pattern is adjacent to at least one other sub-pattern, and each sub-pattern is different from each other sub-pattern. Each sub-pattern includes a first number of portions in a sub-row and a second number of portions in a sub-column. Each sub-row extends in the first direction and each sub-column extends in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. Each portion may be a first-type portion or a second-type portion. A size of a first-type portion is larger in the first direction and in the second direction than a size of a second-type portion in the first direction and in the second direction. In one embodiment, a first-type portion is a black portion and the second-type portion is a white portion.

Abstract: A time-resolving sensor includes a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD), a logic circuit and differential time-to-charge converter (DTCC) circuit. The SPAD is responsive to a shutter signal to generate an output signal based on detecting an incident photon. The logic circuit generates first and second enable signals. The DTCC includes a capacitor device, first and second switching devices, and an output circuit. The first switching device is responsive to the first enable signal to transfer a charge on the capacitor device to the first floating diffusion. The second switching device is responsive to the second enable signal to transfer a remaining charge on the capacitor device to the second floating diffusion. The output circuit outputs a first voltage that is based on the first charge on the first floating diffusion and a second voltage that is based on the second charge on the second floating diffusion.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of a first type of diodes and a time-resolving sensor. The time-resolving sensor outputs first and second reset signals, and first and second measurement signals. The two reset signals respective represent a reset-charge level of a first and a second floating diffusion. The measurement signals are output in response the diodes detecting at least one incident photon. First and second time-of-flight (TOF) signals are formed by respective subtracting the first and second reset signals from the first and second measurement signals. A first ratio of a magnitude of the first signal to a sum of the magnitudes of the first and second signals is proportional to a TOF of the detected photon, and a second ratio of the magnitude of the second signal to the sum of the magnitudes of the first and second signals is proportional to the TOF of the detected photons.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments for a biometric camera system for a mobile device, comprise: a near infrared (NIR) light source on the mobile device that flashes a user of the mobile device with near infrared light during image capture; a biometric camera located on the mobile device offset from the NIR light source, the biometric camera comprising: an extended depth of field (EDOF) imaging lens; a bandpass filter located adjacent to the EDOF imaging lens to reject ambient light during image capture; and an imaging sensor located adjacent the bandpass filter that converts an optical image of an object into an electronic signal for image processing; and a processor configured to receive video images of an iris of a user from the image sensor, and attempt to match the video images of the iris with previously registered images stored in an iris database, wherein if a match is found, the user is authenticated.

Abstract: Using the same image sensor to capture both a two-dimensional (2D) image of a three-dimensional (3D) object and 3D depth measurements for the object. A laser point-scans the surface of the object with light spots, which are detected by a pixel array in the image sensor to generate the 3D depth profile of the object using triangulation. Each row of pixels in the pixel array forms an epipolar line of the corresponding laser scan line. Timestamping provides a correspondence between the pixel location of a captured light spot and the respective scan angle of the laser to remove any ambiguity in triangulation. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the image sensor generates a multi-bit output in the 2D mode and a binary output in the 3D mode to generate timestamps. Strong ambient light is rejected by switching the image sensor to a 3D logarithmic mode from a 3D linear mode.

Abstract: Using the same image sensor to capture a two-dimensional (2D) image and three-dimensional (3D) depth measurements for a 3D object. A laser point-scans the surface of the object with light spots, which are detected by a pixel array in the image sensor to generate the 3D depth profile of the object using triangulation. Each row of pixels in the pixel array forms an epipolar line of the corresponding laser scan line. Timestamping provides a correspondence between the pixel location of a captured light spot and the respective scan angle of the laser to remove any ambiguity in triangulation. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the image sensor operates as a Time-to-Digital (TDC) converter to generate timestamps. A timestamp calibration circuit is provided on-board to record the propagation delay of each column of pixels in the pixel array and to provide necessary corrections to the timestamp values generated during 3D depth measurements.

Abstract: Using the same image sensor to capture both a two-dimensional (2D) image of a three-dimensional (3D) object and 3D depth measurements for the object. A laser point-scans the surface of the object with light spots, which are detected by a pixel array in the image sensor to generate the 3D depth profile of the object using triangulation. Each row of pixels in the pixel array forms an epipolar line of the corresponding laser scan line. Timestamping provides a correspondence between the pixel location of a captured light spot and the respective scan angle of the laser to remove any ambiguity in triangulation. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the image sensor generates a multi-bit output in the 2D mode and a binary output in the 3D mode to generate timestamps. Strong ambient light is rejected by switching the image sensor to a 3D logarithmic mode from a 3D linear mode.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to determine a traveling time for a plurality of received light pulses that reflected and returned from an object. Each returned light pulse is associated with a timestamp indicating a time between a transmission time of a corresponding light pulse and a time of arrival of the returned light pulse. For each timestamp, a number C is determined of time stamps that are subsequent to the timestamp and within a predetermined time window after the timestamp. A maximum number C is determined, and an index i is determined for the maximum number C. A traveling time is determined for the plurality of light pulses as an average of the timestamp having a same index as the maximum number C and timestamps that are within the predetermined time window after the timestamp having the same index as the maximum number C.

Abstract: An imaging device includes at least a first group of pixels. A driver block is configured to generate at least two shutter signals, each having on-phases periodically alternating with off-phases. The shutter signals might not be in phase. The imaging device may have an optical shutter that is partitioned in two or more parts, or a set of two or more optical shutters. The shutter parts, or the shutters, may receive the shutter signals, and accordingly open and close. A design of the driver block requires reduced power, which is highly desirable for mobile applications. Moreover, 3D imaging may be implemented that uses various time-of-flight configurations.

Abstract: Using the same image sensor to capture a two-dimensional (2D) image and three-dimensional (3D) depth measurements for a 3D object. A laser point-scans the surface of the object with light spots, which are detected by a pixel array in the image sensor to generate the 3D depth profile of the object using triangulation. Each row of pixels in the pixel array forms an epipolar line of the corresponding laser scan line. Timestamping provides a correspondence between the pixel location of a captured light spot and the respective scan angle of the laser to remove any ambiguity in triangulation. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the image sensor operates as a Time-to-Digital (TDC) converter to generate timestamps. A timestamp calibration circuit is provided on-board to record the propagation delay of each column of pixels in the pixel array and to provide necessary corrections to the timestamp values generated during 3D depth measurements.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a dynamic vision sensor (DVS) configured to generate a stream of events, where an event includes a location and a binary value indicating a positive or a negative change in luminance; a sampling unit connected to the DVS and configured to sample the stream of events; and an image formation unit connected to the sampling unit and configured to form an image for each sample of the stream of events, wherein a manner of sampling by the sampling unit is adjusted to reduce variations between images formed by the image formation unit.

Abstract: A Time-of-Flight (TOF) technique is combined with analog amplitude modulation within each pixel in a pixel array using multiple Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) in conjunction with a single Pinned Photo Diode (PPD) in each pixel. A SPAD may be shared among multiple neighboring pixels. The TOF information is added to the received light signal by the analog domain-based single-ended to differential converter inside the pixel itself. The spatial-temporal correlation among outputs of multiple, adjacent SPADs in a pixel is used to control the operation of the PPD to facilitate recording of TOF values and range of an object. Erroneous range measurements due to ambient light are prevented by stopping the charge transfer from the PPD—and, hence, recording a TOF value—only when two or more SPADs in the pixel are triggered within a pre-defined time interval. An autonomous navigation system with multi-SPAD pixels provides improved vision for drivers under difficult driving conditions.

Abstract: Using the same image sensor to capture both a two-dimensional (2D) image of a three-dimensional (3D) object and 3D depth measurements for the object. A laser point-scans the surface of the object with light spots, which are detected by a pixel array in the image sensor to generate the 3D depth profile of the object using triangulation. Each row of pixels in the pixel array forms an epipolar line of the corresponding laser scan line. Timestamping provides a correspondence between the pixel location of a captured light spot and the respective scan angle of the laser to remove any ambiguity in triangulation. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the image sensor generates a multi-bit output in the 2D mode and a binary output in the 3D mode to generate timestamps. Strong ambient light is rejected by switching the image sensor to a 3D logarithmic mode from a 3D linear mode.

Abstract: A Time-of-Flight (TOF) technique is combined with analog amplitude modulation within each pixel in a pixel array using multiple Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) in conjunction with a single Pinned Photo Diode (PPD) in each pixel. A SPAD may be shared among multiple neighboring pixels. The TOF information is added to the received light signal by the analog domain-based single-ended to differential converter inside the pixel itself. The spatial-temporal correlation among outputs of multiple, adjacent SPADs in a pixel is used to control the operation of the PPD to facilitate recording of TOF values and range of an object. Erroneous range measurements due to ambient light are prevented by stopping the charge transfer from the PPD—and, hence, recording a TOF value—only when two or more SPADs in the pixel are triggered within a pre-defined time interval. An autonomous navigation system with multi-SPAD pixels provides improved vision for drivers under difficult driving conditions.

Abstract: Using the same image sensor to capture both a two-dimensional (2D) image of a three-dimensional (3D) object and 3D depth measurements for the object. A laser point-scans the surface of the object with light spots, which are detected by a pixel array in the image sensor to generate the 3D depth profile of the object using triangulation. Each row of pixels in the pixel array forms an epipolar line of the corresponding laser scan line. Timestamping provides a correspondence between the pixel location of a captured light spot and the respective scan angle of the laser to remove any ambiguity in triangulation. An Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the image sensor generates a multi-bit output in the 2D mode and a binary output in the 3D mode to generate timestamps. Strong ambient light is rejected by switching the image sensor to a 3D logarithmic mode from a 3D linear mode.

Abstract: A Time-of-Flight (TOF) technique is combined with analog amplitude modulation within each pixel in a pixel array using multiple Single Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) in conjunction with a single Pinned Photo Diode (PPD) in each pixel. A SPAD may be shared among multiple neighboring pixels. The TOF information is added to the received light signal by the analog domain-based single-ended to differential converter inside the pixel itself. The spatial-temporal correlation among outputs of multiple, adjacent SPADs in a pixel is used to control the operation of the PPD to facilitate recording of TOF values and range of an object. Erroneous range measurements due to ambient light are prevented by stopping the charge transfer from the PPD—and, hence, recording a TOF value—only when two or more SPADs in the pixel are triggered within a pre-defined time interval. An autonomous navigation system with multi-SPAD pixels provides improved vision for drivers under difficult driving conditions.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments for a biometric camera system for a mobile device, comprise: a near infrared (NIR) light source on the mobile device that flashes a user of the mobile device with near infrared light during image capture; a biometric camera located on the mobile device offset from the NIR light source, the biometric camera comprising: an extended depth of field (EDOF) imaging lens; a bandpass filter located adjacent to the EDOF imaging lens to reject ambient light during image capture; and an imaging sensor located adjacent the bandpass filter that converts an optical image of an object into an electronic signal for image processing; and a processor configured to receive video images of an iris of a user from the image sensor, and attempt to match the video images of the iris with previously registered images stored in an iris database, wherein if a match is found, the user is authenticated.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor (APS) that includes circuitry to eliminate artifacts in digital images. The APS includes a comparator for comparing a signal level from a pixel to an adjusted saturation voltage to determine if the pixel is saturated. If the pixel is saturated, the signal output from the pixel is replaced with an analog voltage having a maximum value corresponding to a brightest pixel in the image.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method. The apparatus includes a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) circuit configured to detect a photon, including a first input for receiving a first voltage (VSPAD), a second input for receiving a first signal (SHUTTER), a third input for receiving a second voltage (VDD), and an output; a logic circuit configured to latch the detected photon, including a first input connected to the output of the SPAD circuit, a second input for receiving a second signal (TXRMD), and an output; and a pinned photo diode (PPD) circuit configured to record a time of flight (TOF) of the detected photon, including a first input connected to the output of the logic circuit, a second input for receiving a third signal (VTX), a third input for receiving a fourth signal (RST), a fourth input for receiving a third voltage (VPIX), a fifth input for receiving a fifth signal (SEL), and an output.

Abstract: A method and a system are disclosed for detecting a depth of an object illuminated by at least one first light pulse. Detection of light reflected from the object illuminated by the at least one first light pulse by a first row of pixels of 2D pixel array is enabled for a first predetermined period of time in which the first row of pixels forms an epipolar line of a scanning line of a first light pulse. Enabling of the detection by the first row of pixels for the first predetermined period of time occurs a second predetermined period of time after a beginning of a pulse cycle T of the at least one first light pulse. Detection signals are generated corresponding to the detected light reflected from the object, and the generated detection signals are used to determine a depth of the object.