Light propagation time camera system having signal path monitoring

摘要

A time-of-flight camera system includes a photosensor having at least one receiving pixel and a source of illumination. A modulator is configured to provide a modulation signal to the photosensor and to the source of illumination. A control sensor is connected to at least one reference light source or an electric mixer. The control sensor is disposed in a vicinity of the source of illumination such that the control sensor receives at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the source of illumination. The control sensor is configured to provide an electric output signal that substantially matches an intensity-over-time curve of the received radiation.

主权项

1. A time-of-flight camera system comprising:
a photosensor having at least one receiving pixel; a source of illumination; a modulator configured to provide a modulation signal to the photosensor and to the source of illumination; and a control sensor connected to at least one reference light source, which illuminates at least one of the photosensor and a reference photosensor, or to an electric mixer, the control sensor being disposed in a vicinity of the source of illumination such that the control sensor receives at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the source of illumination, the control sensor being configured to provide an electric output signal that substantially matches an intensity-over-time curve of the received radiation, wherein the time-of-flight camera system is configured to operate the at least one reference light source or the electric mixer based on the electric output signal and to evaluate signals received from the photosensor, the reference photosensor or the electric mixer so as to detect a malfunction of the time-of-flight camera system or to initiate compensation measures pertaining to a distance measurement.