Patent ID: 8743346
Filing Date: 2014-06-03
Classification: G01C,G01S,G02B

Abstract:
1. A range image sensor comprising: a parallel-light generating unit that, in a coordinate space defined by an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, generates parallel light that advances in the z-axis direction; a diffraction unit that includes a diffractive grating that changes a traveling direction of the generated parallel light such that (i) the generated parallel light is split into split light beams, and (ii) angles become predetermined angles on a predetermined projection plane intersecting the z-axis, each of the angles being formed by (a) the x-axis and (b) each of line segments determined by one of projected light spots formed by the split light beams; an image pickup unit that picks up the projected light spots formed on an object by the split light beams outputted from the diffraction unit; and a distance determining unit that determines a plurality of distances to the projected light spots based on a tilting with respect to the x-axis of the line segments determined by the projected light spots picked up by the image pickup unit.