US 12,292,506 B2
Imaging apparatus and method
Amit Frank, Givatayim (IL)
Assigned to TERVIZIO 3D LTD., Givatayim (IL)
Appl. No. 18/015,306
Filed by TERVIZIO 3D LTD., Givatayim (IL)
PCT Filed Jul. 6, 2021, PCT No. PCT/IL2021/050829
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jan. 9, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/009202, PCT Pub. Date Jan. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 275896 (IL), filed on Jul. 7, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0273316 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. G01S 17/894 (2020.01); G01J 5/48 (2022.01); G01S 17/86 (2020.01); H04N 13/254 (2018.01); H04N 13/296 (2018.01); H04N 23/23 (2023.01); G01J 5/00 (2022.01)
CPC G01S 17/86 (2020.01) [G01J 5/48 (2013.01); G01S 17/894 (2020.01); H04N 13/254 (2018.05); H04N 13/296 (2018.05); H04N 23/23 (2023.01); G01J 2005/0077 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
6. A method for an imaging apparatus comprising a 3D thermal camera, a signal processor, a laser, an optical scanner, and a controller, the method comprising:
using a slow response thermal detector for deriving a detected analog signal from an emitted laser pulse returned from a target,
asynchronously sampling the detected signal for deriving therefrom two series of time events, respectively t1i and t2i,
deriving a time Tbg by use of one of:

OG Complex Work Unit Math
wherein T is a time constant of the slow response detectors, t1i is a first time event, PW is a pulse width of the laser pulse, t2i is a second time event, tr is the rise time of the laser pulse and tf is the fall time of the laser pulse, and
calculating the range to the target by use of
R=c*Tbg/2  (equ. 5),
wherein Tbg equals the time of flight.