Patent ID: 8254638
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
1. A ranging apparatus comprising: a light-emitting unit for emitting a series of modulated lights which are intensity-modulated and have respective different time lengths from a reference time to respective time points at which the modulated lights start being emitted; a light-detecting unit for detecting reflected lights from an object that is irradiated with said modulated lights; and a calculating unit for calculating a distance up to said object based on a phase difference between said modulated lights and said reflected lights, wherein said light-detecting unit samples amounts of the reflected lights in exposure periods established at a constant cycle length from said reference time, wherein said light-detecting unit comprises an exposure period changer for changing terminal ends of said exposure periods based on an external control signal, and wherein said light-emitting unit comprises a reference time changer for changing a start timing of said reference time based on said exposure periods which have been changed by said exposure period changer.