dTOF Device Simultaneous Depth and Image Sensing

The patent applies a single light source that serves dual purposes: it enables both depth sensing through direct-time-of-flight measurement and image sensing through intensity detection. The light source emits light pulses that are modulated to carry both depth encoding information and intensity information, allowing one component to perform multiple sensing functions simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility

The patent merges depth sensing and image sensing into a unified detection framework. By combining the direct-time-of-flight depth measurement capability with intensity detection in a single sensor system, the patent eliminates the need for separate light sources and processing pipelines, thus reducing device complexity while preserving both sensing functions

The patent employs periodic light pulse emission with direct-time-of-flight modulation, where light is emitted in repeated cycles. This periodic action allows the sensor to accumulate depth measurement data over multiple cycles, improving measurement precision through temporal averaging while maintaining high processing speed by continuously acquiring new measurement cycles without requiring long continuous integration times

The patent implements continuous depth and intensity measurement acquisition through the direct-time-of-flight method. The sensor continuously emits modulated light pulses and processes return signals in real-time, enabling ongoing data collection that improves precision through continuous sampling while maintaining high productivity by eliminating idle integration periods between measurements