Amazon.com, Inc.
High intensity pattern projection and general illumination using rolling shutter camera and a synchronized scanning laser

Abstract:

An imaging system for general illumination and range imaging in strong ambient illumination conditions includes a light source, at least one image sensor with a rolling shutter, a steering device, and a controller. The light source transmits laser pulses with a structured pattern towards a scene. The steering apparatus spatially directs each of the laser pulses towards a different region of interest within the scene. The image sensor receives reflected laser pulses, via the rolling shutter, from the different regions of interest. The controller triggers the image sensor to read each of the pixels in the image sensor with the rolling shutter at a time instance when one of the laser pulses having the structured pattern is reflected onto the pixel from one of the different regions of interest.