Improved 3d sensing

This invention describes a way to create 3D images of a scene using a camera that measures how long light takes to bounce back. Instead of lighting up the entire scene evenly, it shines light in specific, non-uniform patterns that are moved across the scene by a mechanism. The claims specify these patterns cover a small portion, between 1% and 50%, of the camera's view at any given time.

Why it matters: Filed before widespread adoption of compact, high-speed micro-actuators. By 2026, these components, combined with more powerful embedded processors, make real-time 3D reconstruction from selectively scanned ToF data more practical and efficient.

Status: Not in forceListed as no longer active. The specific reason is not in the record we hold.
How hard to build: SpecializedToF camera, optical modulator, actuation mechanism

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