Abstract:
A method and system to compensate for stray light errors in time of flight (TOF) camera systems uses reference targets in the in the field of view (FOV) that can be used to measure stray light. In different embodiments, one or more reference targets are used.
Abstract:
The modulation scheme disclosed in this invention report allows for utilizing multiple 3D time-of-flight cameras at the same time by exploiting the inherent pseudo noise properties of the optical modulation signals. Compared to recent systems based on pure pseudo noise modulation signals, the stochastic measurement error in a single-camera environment is significantly reduced. The basic concept relies on the generation of a three level optical modulation signal that includes two pseudo noise sequences.
Abstract:
A method for filtering distance information from a 3D-measurement camera system comprises comparing amplitude and/or distance information for pixels to adjacent pixels and averaging distance information for the pixels with the adjacent pixels when amplitude and/or distance information for the pixels is within a range of the amplitudes and/or distances for the adjacent pixels. In addition to that the range of distances may or may not be defined as a function depending on the amplitudes.
Abstract:
A method and system to compensate for stray light errors in time of flight (TOF) camera systems uses reference targets in the in the field of view (FOV) that can be used to measure stray light. In different embodiments, one or more reference targets are used.
Abstract:
The invention describes an electronic travel aid (ETA) for blind and visually impaired persons implemented in a detachable handle of a white cane. The device enhances the functionality of the white cane giving the user more detailed information about the environment within a defined corridor of interest in front of the user with an extended range of a few meters up to 10 m. It provides a reliable warning if there is a risk of collision with obstacles including those at trunk or head height, which are not recognized by a conventional white cane. Additional sensors are integrated to delimit the defined corridor during the cane sweeping thereby reducing the amount of information that is transmitted to the user via the tactile interface. Alternatively, the device can be used independently from the cane as an object recognition and orientation aid.
Abstract:
The invention describes an electronic travel aid (ETA) for blind and visually impaired persons implemented in a detachable handle of a white cane. The device enhances the functionality of the white cane giving the user more detailed information about the environment within a defined corridor of interest in front of the user with an extended range of a few meters up to 10 m. It provides a reliable warning if there is a risk of collision with obstacles including those at trunk or head height, which are not recognized by a conventional white cane. Additional sensors are integrated to delimit the defined corridor during the cane sweeping thereby reducing the amount of information that is transmitted to the user via the tactile interface. Alternatively, the device can be used independently from the cane as an object recognition and orientation aid.
Abstract:
A pixel (1) is formed in a semiconductor substrate (S) with a plane surface for use in a photodetector. It comprises an active region for converting incident light (In) into charge carriers, photogates (PGL, PGM, PGR) for generating a lateral electric potential (F(x)) across the active region, and an integration gate (IG) for storing charge carriers generated in the active region and a dump site (Ddiff). The pixel (1) further comprises separation-enhancing means (SL) for additionally enhancing charge separation in the active region and charge transport from the active region to the integration gate (IG). The separation-enhancing means (SL) are for instance a shield layer designed such that for a given lateral electric potential (F(x)), the incident light (In) does not impinge on the section from which the charge carriers would not be transported to the integration gate (IG).
Abstract:
The modulation scheme disclosed in this invention report allows for utilizing multiple 3D time-of-flight cameras at the same time by exploiting the inherent pseudo noise properties of the optical modulation signals. Compared to recent systems based on pure pseudo noise modulation signals, the stochastic measurement error in a single-camera environment is significantly reduced. The basic concept relies on the generation of a three level optical modulation signal that includes two pseudo noise sequences.
Abstract:
A demodulation image sensor, such as used in time of flight (TOF) cameras, extracts all storage- and post-processing-related steps from the pixels to another array of storage and processing elements (proxels) on the chip. The pixel array has the task of photo-detection, first processing and intermediate storage, while the array of storage and processing elements provides further processing and enhanced storage capabilities for each pixel individually. The architecture can be used to address problems due to the down-scaling of the pixel size. Typically, either the photo-sensitivity or the signal storage capacitance suffers significantly. Both a lower sensitivity and smaller storage capacitances have negative influence on the image quality. The disclosed architecture allows for keeping the storage capacitance unaffected by the pixel down-scaling.
Abstract:
A demodulation structure for an n-tap pixel, mainly for 3D time-of-flight (TOF) applications uses a 2-stage switch structure for demodulating a modulated electromagnetic wave. An almost arbitrary number of storage sites per pixel can be implemented enabling an almost arbitrary number of samplings captured during one exposure. It also provides the option to demodulate and integrate different phasing samples according to the different modulation frequencies within the same exposure.