Detecting interference between time-of-flight cameras using modified image sensor arrays

Abstract

Time-of-flight cameras may be synchronized where the fields of view of the time-of-flight cameras overlap. The time-of-flight cameras may be programmed within intervals of time for illuminating their respective fields of view that do not conflict with one another. When a first time-of-flight camera illuminates a first field of view that overlaps with a second field of view of a second time-of-flight camera, and the second time-of-flight camera detects reflected light from the illumination, the second time-of-flight camera may determine a time to illuminate the second field of view based on the reflected light. A time-of-flight camera may include an image sensor modified to include one or more modulated light sensors among an array of photoreceptors. A modulation frequency or illumination interval may be selected for the time-of-flight camera based on modulation frequencies or illumination intervals of other cameras, as determined based on data captured by the modulated light sensors.