High dynamic range and depth of field depth camera

摘要

In order to maximize the dynamic range and depth of field for a depth camera used in a time of flight system, the light source is modulated at a plurality of different frequencies, a plurality of different peak optical powers, a plurality of integration subperiods, a plurality of lens foci, aperture and zoom settings during each camera frame time. The different sets of settings effectively create subrange volumes of interest within a larger aggregate volume of interest, each having their own frequency, peak optical power, lens aperture, lens zoom and lens focus products consistent with the distance, object reflectivity, object motion, field of view, etc. requirements of various ranging applications.

主权项

1. A depth camera for a time of flight device for presenting three dimensional data to a host comprising:
a light source for launching a beam of light at a range of interest for a field of view, the light source having an adjustable frequency and an adjustable peak optical power; a detector array for receiving and detecting portions of the beam of light reflected off of objects within the range of interest and field of view; and a controller for adjusting the light source frequency and peak optical power within a single frame time period in accordance with a plurality of frequency and peak optical power pairs to obtain a plurality of three dimensional data measurements for each frame time period, whereby the range of interest and field of view is divided into a plurality of volumes of interest, each volume of interest having a different, frequency, peak optical power, and minimum and maximum distance from the light source, to increase dynamic range and depth of field within each volume of interest.