Patent ID: 6373557
Filing Date: 2002-04-16
Classification: B60N,B60R,G01S

Abstract:
A method for picking up a three-dimensional range image of spatial objects using an optoelectronic sensor with pixel resolution having electronic short-time integrators for each pixel element within the sensor, wherein an integration time can be adjusted, comprising the steps of:illuminating an object having a plurality of object points with one or more light pulses each having a predetermined period &Dgr;L; sensing light pulses with the sensor that have been backscattered by object points of the object at corresponding pixels of the sensor within a predetermined short integration time &Dgr;A, where &Dgr;A&lE;&Dgr;L, and wherein a time instant for a beginning of the predetermined short integration time &Dgr;A precedes incidence of the first backscattered light pulse at the sensor, which corresponds to a nearest object point; registering intensities of each of the sensed light pulses that have been backscattered by the object points; and computing distance values from different registered intensities of the backscattered light pulses resulting from their different transit times.