US 11,876,111 B2
Sensors for simultaneous passive imaging and range finding
John Angelo Wieners, Morrisville, PA (US)
Assigned to Sensors Unlimited, Inc., Princeton, NJ (US)
Filed by Sensors Unlimited, Inc., Princeton, NJ (US)
Filed on Mar. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/205,192.
Application 17/205,192 is a division of application No. 16/156,392, filed on Oct. 10, 2018, granted, now 10,985,203.
Prior Publication US 2021/0225925 A1, Jul. 22, 2021
Int. Cl. H01L 27/146 (2006.01); G01S 7/4863 (2020.01); G01S 17/08 (2006.01); H04N 5/33 (2023.01); H04N 25/76 (2023.01); G01S 7/4865 (2020.01); H04N 23/45 (2023.01)
CPC H01L 27/14649 (2013.01) [G01S 7/4863 (2013.01); G01S 17/08 (2013.01); H01L 27/14634 (2013.01); H01L 27/14643 (2013.01); H04N 5/33 (2013.01); H04N 25/76 (2023.01); G01S 7/4865 (2013.01); H04N 23/45 (2023.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of imaging comprising:
collecting passive imaging data from a sensor array; and
collecting time of flight (TOF) imaging data from the sensor array wherein collecting passive imaging data includes collecting passive imaging data on passive imaging pixels of the sensor array, and wherein collecting TOF imaging data includes collecting TOF imaging data on TOF pixels of the sensor array, wherein the passive imaging pixels are arranged in an alternating pattern with the TOF imaging pixels on the sensor array, wherein the alternating pattern includes alternating unbroken columns of a plurality of passive imaging pixels and unbroken columns of a plurality of TOF imaging pixels across the sensor array, wherein the passive imaging pixels each include a PIN photodiode, wherein the TOF imaging pixels each include an avalanche photodiode, wherein the passive imaging pixels and the TOF pixels are all sensitive to SWIR illumination.