Abstract: A spatial information detecting apparatus using an intensity-modulated light has a photoelectric converter for receiving a light provided from a space, into which a light intensity-modulated by a predetermined modulation signal is being irradiated, and generating amounts of electric charges corresponding to an intensity of received light; charge discarding portion having an electrode for removing dispensable charges from the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter according to a voltage applied to the electrode; charge storage portion for storing signal charges from the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter; control circuit for controlling the voltage applied to the electrode at a timing synchronized with a period of the modulation signal to change a ratio of the signal charges stored in the charge storage portion to the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter; charge ejector for outputting the signal charges from the charge storage portion; and an analy

Abstract: A spatial information detecting device using an intensity-modulated light is provided. This device comprises a photoelectric converter for receiving a light from a space into which a light intensity-modulated at a predetermined emission frequency is being irradiated, and generating an electrical output corresponding to an intensity of received light; a local oscillator circuit for outputting a local oscillator signal having a local oscillator frequency different from the emission frequency; a sensitivity controller for mixing the local oscillator signal with the electrical output to frequency convert the electrical output into a beat signal having a lower frequency than the emission frequency; an integrator for performing integration of said beat signal at a predetermined timing; and an analyzer for detecting information concerning the space according to an output of the integrator.

Abstract: A light receiving device using a new method of controlling sensitivity and a spatial information detecting apparatus using the same technical concept are provided. This light receiving device comprises a photoelectric converter for receiving a light at a light receiving surface and generating amounts of electric charges corresponding to an intensity of received light; electrodes formed on the photoelectric converter; a charge collection area induced in the photoelectric converter by applying a control voltage to the electrodes to collect at least part of the electric charges generated in the photoelectric converter; a charge ejector for outputting the electric charges from the charge collection area; and a sensitivity controller for controlling the number of the electrodes, to which the control voltage is applied, to change size of the charge collection area in the light receiving surface of the photoelectric converter.

Abstract: A spatial information detecting apparatus using an intensity-modulated light has a photoelectric converter for receiving a light provided from a space, into which a light intensity-modulated by a predetermined modulation signal is being irradiated, and generating amounts of electric charges corresponding to an intensity of received light; charge discarding portion having an electrode for removing dispensable charges from the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter according to a voltage applied to the electrode; charge storage portion for storing signal charges from the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter; control circuit for controlling the voltage applied to the electrode at a timing synchronized with a period of the modulation signal to change a ratio of the signal charges stored in the charge storage portion to the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter; charge ejector for outputting the signal charges from the charge storage portion; and an analy

Abstract: A spatial information detecting device using an intensity-modulated light is provided. This device comprises a photoelectric converter for receiving a light from a space into which a light intensity-modulated at a predetermined emission frequency is being irradiated, and generating an electrical output corresponding to an intensity of received light; a local oscillator circuit for outputting a local oscillator signal having a local oscillator frequency different from the emission frequency; a sensitivity controller for mixing the local oscillator signal with the electrical output to frequency convert the electrical output into a beat signal having a lower frequency than the emission frequency; an integrator for performing integration of said beat signal at a predetermined timing; and an analyzer for detecting information concerning the space according to an output of the integrator.

Abstract: A light receiving device using a new method of controlling sensitivity and a spatial information detecting apparatus using the same technical concept are provided. This light receiving device comprises a photoelectric converter for receiving a light at a light receiving surface and generating amounts of electric charges corresponding to an intensity of received light; electrodes formed on the photoelectric converter; a charge collection area induced in the photoelectric converter by applying a control voltage to the electrodes to collect at least part of the electric charges generated in the photoelectric converter; a charge ejector for outputting the electric charges from the charge collection area; and a sensitivity controller for controlling the number of the electrodes, to which the control voltage is applied, to change size of the charge collection area in the light receiving surface of the photoelectric converter.