Ams Sensors Singapore Pte. Ltd.

Mesa Imaging Ag

Heptagon Micro Optics Pte. Ltd.

Bernhard Büttgen

Michael Lehmann

Peter Seitz

Thierry Oggier

Moshe Doron

Felix Lustenberger

Michael Kiy

Simon Neukom

Gözen Köklü

Matthias Schweizer

The present disclosure describes intelligent illumination systems that use modulated light. For example, in one aspect, a method includes producing, by a light source, modulated illumination in a visible part of the spectrum, detecting three-dimensional image data based on at least a portion of the modulated light produced by the light source and reflected by a scene, and changing a characteristic of the modulated illumination based on the detected three-dimensional image data.

Intelligent illumination systems using modulated light

Pixel devices and arrays of pixel devices are operable to demodulate modulated light incident on a photo-detection region of the pixel devices. The pixel devices can include floating diffusion implant layers and transfer gates. The floating diffusion implant layers and transfer gates are disposed such that photo-generated charge carriers can be conducted to the floating diffusion implant layers over minimal charge-carrier transport paths.

Demodulation pixel devices, arrays of pixel devices and optoelectronic devices incorporating the same

The present disclosure describes optoelectronic modules that, in some implementations, address the need to combine precise measurements of scenes over a range of near and far distances. For example, an optoelectronic module can include a light emitter operable to direct modulated structured light onto a scene. The module includes an imager to receive reflected light signals from the scene. The imager includes demodulation pixels operable to provide amplitude and phase information based on the reflected light signals. Various techniques can be used to derive distance or three-dimensional information about the scene based on the signals from the pixels.

Optoelectronic modules for distance measurements and/or multi-dimensional imaging

A demodulation pixel architecture allows for demodulating an incoming modulated electromagnetic wave, normally visible or infrared light. It is based on a charge coupled device (CCD) line connected to a drift field structure. The drift field is exposed to the incoming light. It collects the generated charge and forces it to move to the pick-up point. At this pick-up point, the CCD element samples the charge for a given time and then shifts the charge packets further on in the daisy chain. After a certain amount of shifts, the multiple charge packets are stored in so-called integration gates, in a preferred embodiment. The number of integration gates gives the number of simultaneously available taps. When the cycle is repeated several times, the charge is accumulated in the integration gates and thus the signal-to-noise ratio increases. The architecture is flexible in the number of taps. A dump node can be attached to the CCD line for dumping charge with the same speed as the samples are taken. Different implementations are described herein, which allow for smaller design or faster speed. The pixel structure can be exploited for e.g. 3D time-of-flight imaging. Both heterodyne and homodyne measurements are possible. Due to the highly-efficient charge transport enabled by static drift fields in the photo-sensitive region and small-sized gates in the CCD chain, high frequency bandwidth from just a few Hertz (Hz) up to greater GHz is supported. Thus, the pixel allows for highly-accurate optical distance measurements. Another possible application of this pixel architecture is fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), where short laser pulses for triggering the fluorescence have to be suppressed.

Demodulation pixel with daisy chain charge storage sites and method of operation therefor

A pixel for detecting incident radiation (In) over a large area with high sensitivity and low power consumption. The pixel comprises a semiconductor substrate (), covered by a thin insulating layer (), on top of which a dendritic or arborescent gate structure () is arranged. The dendritic gate () is electrically connected at two or more contacts (C, C) with voltage sources, leading to the flow of a current and a position-dependent potential distribution in the gate (). Due to the use of arborescent structures and various materials (), the pixel can be optimized for a certain application, in particular in terms of the electric field distribution, the RC time constant, the power consumption and the spectral sensitivity. Due to its compact size, the photo sensor can be arranged in linear or two-dimensional manner for the realization of line and area sensors.

Large-area pixel for use in an image sensor

The pixel () for use in an image sensor comprises a plurality of small-sized radiation-sensitive elements (-) for converting incident radiation into electric signals, the radiation-sensitive elements (-) being properly interconnected to form a larger radiation-sensitive area. The pixel () further comprises a plurality of storage elements (A-D) for storing the electric signals. The pixel further comprises transfer means for transferring the electric signals from the radiation-sensitive elements (-) to any selected one of the storage elements (A-D). The pixel () exhibits a high optical sensitivity and a high demodulation speed, and is especially suited for distance-measuring sensors based on the time-of-flight (TOF) principle or interferometry.

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Adliswil, Switzerland

Bernhard Büttgen