Sony patents depth sensor that adjusts itself to lighting conditions
Sony describes a depth sensor that projects light patterns onto objects to measure distance. It includes a control unit that automatically adjusts its settings to improve accuracy based on the current lighting environment.
In the filing’s own words
A sensor device for generating depth information for an object, comprising a projector unit that is configured to project illumination patterns to the object; a receiver unit that is configured to detect intensities of light reflected from the object stemming from the illumination with the illumination patterns and/or from illumination with ambient light; and a control unit. The control unit comprises a system parameter unit that is configured to set system parameters of the sensor device, a decoder unit that is configured to generate the depth information based on the illumination patterns reflected from the object and detected by the receiver unit, and an optimizer unit that is configured to determine system parameter changes that maximize the depth sensing performance in current environmental conditions.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A sensor device for generating depth information for an object, comprising: a projector unit that is configured to project illumination patterns to the object; a receiver unit that is configured to detect intensities of light reflected from the object stemming from the illumination with the illumination patterns and/or from illumination with ambient light; and a control unit comprising a system parameter unit that is configured to set system parameters of the sensor device, a decoder unit that is configured to generate the depth information based on the illumination patterns reflected from the object and detected by the receiver unit, and an optimizer unit that is configured to determine system parameter changes that maximize the depth sensing performance in current environmental conditions.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation)
- Official title
- DEPTH SENSOR DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A DEPTH SENSOR DEVICE
- Publication number
- US20260266598A1
- Application number
- 19166049
- Filed
- Mar 7, 2024
- Published
- Sep 10, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 15
Classified under
G01B 11/2513 Physics & computingG01B 11/2518 Physics & computingG01B 11/2531 Physics & computingH04N 25/47 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/707 Electricity & electronicsMore from Sony in Cameras & imaging
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.