Patent ID: 7420656

Claim:
A scannerless loss modulated flash color range imaging apparatus to provide a three-dimensional (3D) image of a target within a field of view, the apparatus comprising: a continuously emitting light source adapted to provide illumination comprising at least three wavelengths of light; delay means for imparting phase delays to each of the at least three wavelengths of light thereby creating phase delayed light, the light source and the delay means adapted to illuminate the target with the phase delayed light; a loss modulator modulated at a frequency in response to a sinusoidal modulation signal, the loss modulator adapted to transmit light from the light source to the delay means and to transmit backscattered phase delayed light from the target, the loss modulator adapted to provide a loss in the transmission of light from the light source and a loss in the transmission of backscattered phase delayed light from the target, the loss in transmission of the backscattered phase delayed light from the target being range and phase delay dependent; and, an array detector adapted to detect the backscattered phase delayed light from the target and transmitted through the loss modulator and generate therefrom an electrical output signal containing information wherefrom the 3D image of the target can be constructed.