SPAD Array Interleaved Intensity and Time of Flight Capture
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image sensors in mixed-reality systems face challenges in generating parallax-corrected pass-through images due to temporal or spatial offsets between depth and intensity information, leading to artifacts like motion blur and low signal-to-noise ratio, especially in low light conditions.
Innovation Solution
The use of Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) arrays for performing interleaved intensity image capture and time of flight capture operations, allowing for temporal alignment of intensity and depth information and reducing read noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional image sensors are used to capture both intensity and depth information, then the system can provide pass-through views, but temporal or spatial offsets occur between depth and intensity information resulting in motion blur and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines depth sensing and intensity imaging capabilities into a single sensor device, allowing both types of information to be captured simultaneously from the same spatial and temporal reference point, thereby eliminating offsets between depth and intensity data
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device performs multiple functions - both time-of-flight depth measurement and intensity image capture - using a single integrated structure, enabling synchronized acquisition of both data types without requiring separate cameras or sensors
2Illumination intensity
If conventional image sensors are used in low light conditions, then the system can capture images, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates due to read noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the sensor by applying voltage pulses to the photodiodes and utilizing avalanche multiplication effect, which amplifies weak photon signals and enables high-sensitivity detection in low light conditions with improved signal-to-noise ratio
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate cameras are used for depth and intensity capture, then the system can obtain both types of information, but spatial offset occurs between the captured data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges depth sensing photodiodes and intensity imaging photodiodes into a single sensor array with matched spatial geometry, ensuring that both measurement types originate from identical spatial positions and remain naturally aligned
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, reduces motion blur, and improves the quality of parallax-corrected pass-through images, particularly in low light environments.
Implementation Method 1
Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) arrays... each pixel is configured to generate electron-hole pairs in response to detected photons
Data Source
AI summary
A system for facilitating intensity image capture and time of flight capture. The system includes an image sensor array comprising a plurality of image sensor pixels, one or more processors, and one or more hardware storage devices storing instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to configure the system to facilitate intensity image capture and time of flight capture by configuring the system to perform interleaved intensity image capture and time of flight capture operations using the image sensor array.