Google Inc.

Sameer Ansari

Jason Holt

Roman Lewkow

Marc Stewart Levoy

Neal Wadhwa

Rahul Garg

Jiawen Chen

Yael Pritch Knaan

Apparatus and methods related to using machine learning to determine depth maps for dual pixel images of objects are provided. A computing device can receive a dual pixel image of at least a foreground object. The dual pixel image can include a plurality of dual pixels. A dual pixel of the plurality of dual pixels can include a left-side pixel and a right-side pixel that both represent light incident on a single dual pixel element used to capture the dual pixel image. The computing device can be used to train a machine learning system to determine a depth map associated with the dual pixel image. The computing device can provide the trained machine learning system.

Depth prediction from dual pixel images

The present disclosure relates to curved arrays of individually addressable light-emitting elements for sweeping out angular ranges. One example device includes a curved optical element. The device may also include a curved array of individually addressable light-emitting elements arranged to emit light towards the curved optical element. A curvature of the curved array is substantially concentric to at least a portion of the circumference of the curved optical element. The curved optical element is arranged to focus light emitted from each individually addressable light-emitting element to produce a substantially linear illumination pattern at a different corresponding scan angle within an angular range. The device may further include a control system operable to sequentially activate the individually addressable light-emitting elements such that the substantially linear illumination pattern sweeps out the angular range.

Curved array of light-emitting elements for sweeping out an angular range

The present disclosure relates to staggered arrays of individually addressable light-emitting elements for sweeping out angular ranges. One example device includes an astigmatic optical element. The device may also include an array of individually addressable light-emitting elements arranged to emit light towards the astigmatic optical element. The astigmatic optical element may be arranged to focus light emitted from each individually addressable light-emitting element to produce a substantially linear illumination pattern at a different corresponding scan angle within an angular range. The example device may further include a control system operable to sequentially activate the individually addressable light-emitting elements such that the substantially linear illumination pattern sweeps out the angular range. The individually addressable light-emitting elements may be staggered with respect to one another in the array such that the substantially linear illumination pattern sweeps out the angular range continuously.

Staggered array of individually addressable light-emitting elements for sweeping out an angular range

A light emitter is provided to emit, into an environment of interest, a plurality of different patterns of light during respective periods of time. Each of the different patterns of light varies according to angle in a first direction such the location of a light detector disposed in the environment can be determined based on illumination from the light emitter that is detected by the light detector over time. The light emitter includes an astigmatic optical element and a die on which are disposed multiple sets of one or more light emitters, each set corresponding to a respective pattern of illumination emitted from the light emitter. Such a configuration of the light emitter can provide means for producing the different patterns of illumination in an energy-efficient, low-cost, and/or size-constrained manner.

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San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Sameer Ansari