Apple Inc.
Remote sensing device

Abstract:

A compact remote sensing device is described that includes a transmit component that scans a beam of light across a scene or object field, and a receive component that receives return light from the object field. The transmit component includes a small, fast scanning mechanism such as a MEMS mirror or a piezo mirror that scans a beam of light emitted by a light source across a field of view (FOV). The receive component includes a focal plane array (FPA) with a FOV at least large enough to capture the FOV of the scanning mechanism. The FPA may be a low resolution FPA (i.e., with fewer pixels than the resolution of the scanning mechanism), and the light beam may be scanned and captured at multiple spots within the pixels of the FPA.