TIME-OF-FLIGHT PIXELS ALSO SENSING PROXIMITY AND/OR DETECTING MOTION IN IMAGING DEVICES & METHODS

摘要

An imaging device has a pixel array that includes one or more depth pixels. The imaging device also includes a controller that can cause one or more of the depth pixels to image a depth of an object in a ranging mode. The controller can further cause the depth pixel(s) to image in one or more detection modes, with the appropriate control signals. The imaging device also includes a monitoring circuit that can detect a current drawn by the depth pixel(s) in the detection modes. A revert indication can be generated from the detected current. Depending on the control signals, the revert indication can serve as a proximity indication, or as a motion indication.

主权项

1. An imaging device, comprising:
a housing; an infrared (IR) light source on the housing configured to emit IR light; an array in the housing, the array having depth pixels configured to image a depth of an object, a certain one of the depth pixels further configured to also image a reflection of the IR light from the object while the IR light source consumes less power than 10 mW; a monitoring circuit configured to detect a current drawn by the certain depth pixel when the IR light source consumes less power than 10 mW, and in which it is determined, from the detected current, whether the object is closer to the housing than a threshold distance.