Patent ID: 7636150
Filing Date: 2009-12-22
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
1. For use with a time-of-flight (TOF) imaging system that includes an optical energy emitter unit, and an array of optical detectors operable synchronously relative to signals from a TOF system clock governing operation of said optical energy emitter unit, said array detecting at least a fraction of emitted optical energy reflected by a target object, and further includes means for determining distance Z to the target object from detected reflected optical energy, an enhanced measurement system that improves measurement accuracy of said TOF system comprising: a timing generator that generates at least one clock signal whose average clock frequency is controlled to better than about ±1% of nominal frequency, said timing generator coupled to said TOF system clock; and a feedback mechanism, operable absent coupling to said array of optical detectors, coupled to said timing generator and responsive to a signal representative of optical energy from said optical energy emitter unit; wherein at least one temporal characteristic of optical energy emitted by said optical energy emitter unit is more precisely controlled than if said TOF imaging system operated without said enhanced measurement system.