Optical element for authenticating a user

Abstract

The invention relates to an optical element (110) wherein the optical element (110) comprises: (1) at least one first vertical cavity surface emitting laser (112) wherein the first vertical cavity surface emitting laser (112) comprises an active area located on a bottom surface of the first vertical cavity surface emitting laser (112); (2) at least one second vertical cavity surface emitting laser (118), where the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser (118) comprises an active region on a top surface of the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser (118), where the top surface is opposite a bottom surface of the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser (118); (3) at least one support member (126); wherein the first vertical cavity surface emitting laser (112) is arranged with a bottom surface on the support member (126); and wherein the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser (118) is arranged with the bottom surface on the support member (126).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical element. The present invention further relates to a device. The device according to the present invention can be used in particular in various fields of everyday life, security technology, gaming, traffic technology, production technology, photography (such as digital photography or video photography for artistic, documentary or technical purposes), safety technology, information technology, agriculture, crop protection, maintenance, cosmetics, medical technology or for science. However, other applications are also possible. BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known that optical elements are efficient tools for emitting light, such as illumination light, which comprises infrared floodlight or infrared light patterns. The illumination light can be generated by a plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. Typically, an optical element comprising a plurality of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers has the same distance to an optical lens.

[0003] US 2023 / 108210 A1 discloses a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) device including a substrate layer and a first set of epitaxial layers for a bottom-emitting VCSEL disposed on the substrate layer. The first set of epitaxial layers can include a first set of mirrors and at least one first active layer. The VCSEL device can include a second set of epitaxial layers for a top-emitting VCSEL disposed on the first set of epitaxial layers for the bottom-emitting VCSEL. The second set of epitaxial layers can include a second set of mirrors and at least one second active layer. The top-emitting VCSEL and the bottom-emitting VCSEL can be configured to emit light in opposite light emission directions.

[0004] CN 114 779 491 A discloses a terminal display module and a mobile terminal. The terminal display module comprises a display panel and a three-dimensional imaging module, a vertical projection of the three-dimensional imaging module on a plane where the display panel is located is located in an auxiliary display area of the display panel. The three-dimensional imaging module comprises a transmitting module and a receiving module, the transmitting module comprises a structured light source and a floodlight source, both of which use HCG-VCSEL as a light source and emit linearly polarized light with the same polarization direction, and the receiving module is used for receiving a light beam penetrating a linear polarization layer and imaging; the terminal display module further comprises a linear polarization layer located on the light incidence path of the receiving module, and the direction of the light transmission axis of the linear polarization layer is consistent with the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light emitted by the HCG-VCSEL. The problem that the three-dimensional structured light imaging of the existing terminal display is easily affected by the external environment light and the display panel transmittance, and thus the imaging quality is poor, is solved, and the three-dimensional structured light imaging quality can be improved.

[0005] CN 114 428 437 A discloses a structured light and flood illumination combined 3D projector, comprising a laser source and optical elements for collimation and diffraction arranged on the light emitting side of the laser source; the laser source has a structured light projection mode and a flood illumination mode; in the structured light projection mode, the laser emitted by the laser source is collimated and diffracted by the optical elements to obtain a structured spot pattern; in the flood mode, the laser emitted by the laser source is collimated and diffracted by the optical elements to obtain a uniform infrared spot pattern. The present invention further discloses an electronic device provided with a structured light and flood illumination combined 3D projector. According to the present invention, one projection light source is used to simultaneously realize the functions of structured light projection and flood illuminator, reducing one emission light source, and saving device cost and space. Problem to be solved

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a device which at least partially solves the above-mentioned technical challenges and which at least substantially avoids the disadvantages of known devices. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to enable a single optical element to have multiple functions, such as emitting infrared flood light and infrared light patterns, by using the same optical means. SUMMARY

[0007] This problem is solved by the optical element and the device as specified in the features of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments which can be realized in an independent manner or in any arbitrary combination are listed in the dependent claims as well as throughout the description.

[0008] In a first aspect, an optical element is disclosed. As used herein, the term "optical element" is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically can refer, without limitation, to any device configured for generating or providing light, in particular illumination light. As will be outlined in further detail below, the optical element generally can be implemented in various ways. Thus, the optical element can be, for example, part of a device in a housing of the device. However, alternatively or additionally, the at least one optical element can also be arranged outside the housing, for example as a separate optical element. The optical element can be arranged separately from the object and illuminate the object from a distance.

[0009] As used herein, the term "light" is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically can refer, without limitation, to electromagnetic radiation within one or more of the infrared spectral range, the visible spectral range and the ultraviolet spectral range. Herein, the term "ultraviolet spectral range" generally refers to electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of 1 nm to 380 nm, preferably 100 nm to 380 nm. Further, the term "visible spectral range" generally refers to a spectral range of 380 nm to 760 nm, partly according to the standard ISO-21348 of the effective version of the date of this document. The term "infrared spectral range" (IR) generally refers to electromagnetic radiation of 760 nm to 1000 pm, wherein the range of 760 nm to 1.5 pm is generally referred to as "near infrared spectral range" (NIR), while the range of 1.5 pm to 15 pm is referred to as "mid infrared spectral range" (MidIR) and the range of 15 pm to 1000 pm is referred to as "far infrared spectral range" (FIR). Preferably, light for typical purposes of the present application is light within the infrared (IR) spectral range, more preferably within the near infrared (NIR) and / or mid infrared spectral range (MidIR), especially light with a wavelength of 1 pm to 5 pm, preferably 1 pm to 3 pm. This is because the material properties of many objects or properties with respect to chemical composition can be derived from the near infrared spectral range. However, it should be noted that spectral analysis of other spectral ranges is also applicable and within the scope of the present application.

[0010] The optical element comprises:

[0011] (1) at least one first vertical cavity surface emitting laser, wherein the first vertical cavity surface emitting laser comprises an active region located on a bottom surface of the first vertical cavity surface emitting laser;

[0012] (2) at least one second vertical cavity surface emitting laser, wherein the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser comprises an active region located on a top surface of the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser, wherein the top surface is opposite to a bottom surface of the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser;

[0013] (3) at least one support member;

[0014] wherein the first vertical cavity surface emitting laser is arranged on the support member with the bottom surface; and wherein the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser is arranged on the support member with the bottom surface.

[0015] The optical element comprises at least one first vertical cavity surface emitting laser, wherein the first vertical cavity surface emitting laser comprises an active region located on a bottom surface of the first vertical cavity surface emitting laser; and at least one second vertical cavity surface emitting laser, wherein the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser comprises an active region located on a top surface of the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser, wherein the top surface is opposite to a bottom surface of the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

[0016] As used herein, the term “vertical cavity surface emitting laser” is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically can refer, without limitation, to a semiconductor laser diode that emits light perpendicular to a top surface of the vertical cavity surface emitting laser. The vertical cavity surface emitting laser can comprise a bottom surface, in particular opposite to the top surface, which is in contact and / or fixed to a support member.

[0017] As used herein, the term “active region” is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically can refer, without limitation, to a region that generates illuminating light. Typically, the active region can comprise one or more quantum wells and / or one or more quantum dots in which the illuminating light is generated. To generate the illuminating light, an electric current can be applied to the active region.

[0018] As used herein, the term “top surface” is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically can refer, without limitation, to a region located at the uppermost layer of an element. The top surface can be the portion of the element that is exposed or visible in a top view. As used herein, the term “bottom surface” is a broad term and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning. The term specifically can refer, without limitation, to a region located at the lowermost layer of an element. The bottom surface can be the portion of the element that is exposed or visible in a bottom view.

[0019] Typically, the vertical cavity surface emitting laser comprises a plurality of layers. The top surface of the vertical cavity surface emitting laser is located on a different side of the vertical cavity surface emitting laser than the bottom surface of the vertical cavity surface emitting laser. The top surface and the bottom surface can be corresponding faces.

[0020] The optical element comprises at least one support member; wherein the first vertical cavity surface emitting laser is arranged on the support member with the bottom surface; and wherein the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser is arranged on the support member with the bottom surface. The first vertical cavity surface emitting laser and the second vertical cavity surface emitting laser can be arranged on the same support member.

[0021] As used herein, the term "supporting element" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, at least one structural element designed to bear loads and / or provide support for at least one additional structural element. In particular, according to the invention, the supporting element may bear and / or support at least one of the following: a first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser; a second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0022] To allow the bottom surface of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) to be positioned on the support member, the bottom surface of the first VCSEL can be fixed to the support member. Similarly, to allow the top surface of the second VCSEL to be positioned on the support member, the top surface of the second VCSEL can be fixed to the support member.

[0023] As used herein, the term "fixed" or any grammatical variation thereof is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, stabilizing and / or fixing a first element to a second element. A stabilized and / or fixed first element may be in a predetermined relative position to a second element in such a manner that the first and second elements maintain their relative positions and can withstand at least one force and / or at least one stress acting on at least one of the first and second elements.

[0024] Please select at least one of the following:

[0025] A first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser; and

[0026] Second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser;

[0027] Arrangement and / or fixation to the supporting member can be performed by at least one of the following:

[0028] Welding process;

[0029] The gluing process; and

[0030] Diffusion bonding process.

[0031] The supporting member can be at least one of the following:

[0032] heat sink;

[0033] Electrical connectors, specifically printed circuit boards; and

[0034] Reinforcing components.

[0035] As used herein, the term "heat sink" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, any heat exchanger configured to dissipate heat generated by at least one component. Typically, a heat sink can be a passive heat exchanger. A heat sink can transfer heat from a component to a fluid medium (typically, air). A heat sink can dissipate heat from one or more of the following: a first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser; and a second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0036] As used herein, the term "electrical connector" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, any electronic device configured to create at least one electrical connection between multiple parts of a circuit or between different circuits.

[0037] As used herein, the term "reinforcing element" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, any element configured for reinforcement, particularly a support member.

[0038] As used herein, the term "printed circuit board" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, elements configured to connect multiple electronic components to each other. Typically, a printed circuit board comprises a laminated sandwich structure of conductive and insulating layers. Electrical components may be attached to conductive pads on the outer layers of the printed circuit board in such a way that the electrical components are electrically connected to the conductive pads. Thus, in particular, a printed circuit board may include at least one conductive pad, to which wires may be electrically connected.

[0039] The optical element may further include at least one optical lens. A first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser and / or a second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser may be configured to emit illumination light through the optical lens. A first distance between the active region of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, specifically the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, and the at least one optical lens may differ from a second distance between the active region of the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, specifically the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, and the at least one optical lens.

[0040] As used herein, the term "optical lens" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, a medium that is at least partially transparent and configured to bend and / or focus light rays.

[0041] An optical lens may have at least one focal length, wherein a first distance or a second distance is equal to the focal length. Specifically, this allows the corresponding optical lens to be located at the focal point of the optical lens and to generate a sharp image, particularly for generating illumination light including an infrared pattern. Furthermore, this allows an additional optical lens to be located outside the focal point of the optical lens and to generate a blurred image, particularly by generating illumination light including an infrared floodlight.

[0042] As used herein, the term "focal length" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, the intensity with which an optical system (specifically, an optical lens) converges and / or diverges light rays. An optical system may refer to the reciprocal of its optical power. Typically, the focal length of an optical system can be calculated by considering and / or evaluating the image formation of an object. The focal length f can be calculated using known lens formulas.

[0043] ,

[0044] Here, v is related to the image distance, and u is related to the object distance. An optical lens can have one or more different focal lengths.

[0045] As used herein, the term "light pattern" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a specific or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, at least one arbitrary pattern comprising multiple light spots. The light spots may extend at least partially in space. At least one light spot, or any light spot, may have any shape. In some cases, a circular shape of at least one light spot, or any light spot, may be preferred. The light pattern may be an infrared light pattern. As used herein, the term "infrared light pattern" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to a specific or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, light patterns comprising light spots within the infrared spectral range. An infrared light pattern may be a near-infrared light pattern.

[0046] As used herein, the term "floodlight" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to a specific or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, substantially continuous spatial illumination, particularly diffuse and / or uniform illumination. Floodlight may have wavelengths in the infrared range, particularly in the near-infrared range. Floodlight sources may include at least one LED or at least one VCSEL, preferably multiple VCSELs. As used herein, the term "substantially continuous spatial illumination" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to a specific or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, uniform spatial illumination, wherein non-uniform areas are possible. The area illuminated from the floodlight source, for example, covering a user, a portion of a user, and / or the user's face, may be continuous. Power may be distributed across the entire illumination field. In contrast, illumination provided by a light pattern may include at least two continuous areas, particularly multiple continuous areas, and / or power may be concentrated in a smaller area of ​​the illumination field (compared to the entire illumination field). Infrared floodlight illumination may be suitable for illuminating continuous areas, particularly one continuous area. Infrared patterning can be used to illuminate at least two consecutive areas.

[0047] The first distance and the second distance can differ by the thickness of either the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser or the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0048] As used herein, the term "thickness" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, the distance between two opposing surfaces of an element (such as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser). Thickness can be the shortest distance between the top and bottom surfaces of a corresponding vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. This distance can be a length.

[0049] The first and second vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) can be parallel. Therefore, specifically, the geometrical central axis of the first and second VCSELs can be parallel. As used herein, the term "geometric central axis" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to a specific or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, an imaginary axis passing through the center of an object (such as a VCSEL). The center can be the geometric center of the object.

[0050] The first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and the second VCSEL can be coaxial. Therefore, in particular, the geometric center axis of the first VCSEL and the geometric center axis of the second VCSEL can be coaxial.

[0051] The first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) and the second VCSEL can be coaxial. Therefore, in particular, the geometrical center axis of the first VCSEL and / or the geometrical center axis of the second VCSEL can be parallel to the geometrical center axis of at least one optical lens.

[0052] A first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), including an active region located on its bottom surface, can be configured to emit illumination light at least partially in the direction of its top surface. By emitting illumination light at least partially in the direction of its top surface, the illumination light can be emitted in such a way that it is guided toward an optical lens, and particularly in such a way that it at least partially propagates through the optical lens. The first and second VCSELs can emit illumination light in the same direction.

[0053] Various light sources and optical paths will be distinguished. In the context of this invention, a nomenclature is used, which firstly refers to light propagating from an optical element, particularly a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, to an object as "illuminating light." Secondly, light propagating from the object to the detector is referred to as "detection light." Detection light is generated during the illuminating of the object with the illuminating light. The generated detection light can include at least one of the following: illuminating light reflected by the object, illuminating light scattered by the object, illuminating light transmitted by the object, and emission light generated by the object (e.g., phosphorescence or fluorescence generated by the object after optical, electrical, or acoustic excitation by the illuminating light). Therefore, detection light can be generated directly or indirectly by illuminating the object with the illuminating light.

[0054] At least one additional component of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser may be at least partially transparent to the illumination light emitted by the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0055] At least one additional component of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser can be the substrate of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0056] At least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser can emit illumination light from the active region, and at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser can emit illumination light from the active region.

[0057] At least one first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) can cause illumination light to be emitted from the active region through at least one first VCSEL, preferably wherein the emitted illumination light can pass through at least one first VCSEL. At least one second VCSEL can cause illumination light to be emitted directly from the active region from the top surface of at least one second VCSEL, preferably wherein the emitted illumination light does not pass through at least one second VCSEL.

[0058] Irradiation light emitted by at least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser and illumination light emitted by at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser can be emitted at different heights with respect to at least one optical lens.

[0059] As used herein, the term "height" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, a distance measurement along an axis defined by an object, extending from the top to the bottom of the object. This axis may be orthogonal to the surface of the substrate on which the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser is arranged.

[0060] Alternatively or additionally, the bottom surfaces of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser and the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser may be arranged on the support member at the same height with respect to at least one optical lens, wherein the maximum deviation is 10%, preferably 5%.

[0061] Alternatively or additionally, the top surfaces of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser and the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser may be arranged at the same height with respect to at least one optical lens, wherein the maximum deviation is 10%, preferably 5%.

[0062] On the other hand, a device is provided for authenticating a user of the device to perform at least one operation requiring authentication on the device. The device includes:

[0063] - At least one optical element as explained elsewhere herein, wherein the optical element is configured to emit illumination light, wherein the illumination light comprises specifically an infrared flood and specifically an infrared light pattern, the infrared light pattern comprising a plurality of infrared light spots;

[0064] - At least one image generation unit, the at least one image generation unit being configured to capture at least one pattern image when the optical element emits the specific infrared light pattern, and being configured to capture at least one floodlight image when the optical element emits the specific infrared floodlight;

[0065] - Optionally, at least one display, wherein the specific infrared light pattern passes through the display when illuminated from the optical element, and / or the specific infrared floodlight passes through the display when illuminated from the optical element, wherein the display of the device is at least partially transparent in at least one continuous area covering the optical element and / or the image generating unit.

[0066] - At least one authentication unit, which is configured to use the floodlight image and the pattern image to perform at least one authentication process for a user.

[0067] In this regard, reference may be made to any other aspect, and in particular to any definition, embodiment or claim given in the context of any other aspect.

[0068] The device can be selected from the group consisting of: point-of-sale terminals; computers in motor vehicles; television equipment; game consoles; personal computers; mobile devices, especially mobile phones, and / or smartphones, and / or tablet computers, and / or laptop computers, and / or tablet computers, and / or virtual reality devices, and / or wearable devices such as smartwatches; or other types of portable computers.

[0069] As disclosed above, the device includes at least one optical element as explained elsewhere herein, wherein the optical element is configured to emit illumination light, wherein the illumination light includes an infrared floodlight and an infrared light pattern, the infrared light pattern including a plurality of infrared light spots.

[0070] As disclosed above, the device includes at least one image generation unit configured to capture at least one pattern image when the optical element emits an infrared light pattern, and configured to capture at least one floodlight image when the optical element emits an infrared floodlight.

[0071] As used herein, the term "pattern image" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, an image generated by an image generation unit while the image is illuminated (e.g., on an object and / or a user) with an infrared light pattern. A pattern image may include an image showing at least a portion of a user, particularly the user's face, when the user is illuminated with an infrared light pattern, particularly over a corresponding region of interest included in the image. A pattern image can be generated by imaging and / or recording light reflected from an object and / or user illuminated by an infrared light pattern. A pattern image showing a user may include at least a portion of the illuminated infrared light pattern on at least a portion of the user. For example, illumination from the pattern source and imaging using an optical sensor may be synchronized, for example, by using at least one control unit of an optoelectronic device.

[0072] As used herein, the term "floodlight image" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, an image generated by an image generation unit when an illumination source emits infrared floodlight (e.g., on an object and / or a user). A floodlight image may include an image showing a user, particularly the user's face, when illuminated by the floodlight. A floodlight image can be generated by imaging and / or recording light reflected from an object and / or user illuminated by the floodlight. A floodlight image showing a user may include at least a portion of the floodlight on at least a portion of the user. For example, illumination from the floodlight source and imaging using an optical sensor may be synchronized, for example, by using at least one control unit of an optoelectronic device.

[0073] As used herein, the term "image generation unit" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, at least one unit configured to capture at least one image, particularly for generating image data. As used herein, the term "capture" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, generating and / or determining and / or recording at least one image using an image generation unit. Capture may include recording a single image and / or multiple images, such as an image sequence. For example, capture may include continuously recording an image sequence, such as a video or movie. Image generation may be initiated by a user action or may be initiated automatically, for example, when at least one object or user is automatically detected within and / or a predetermined area of ​​the field of view of the image generation unit.

[0074] As disclosed above, the device may include at least one display, wherein the infrared light pattern passes through the display when illuminated from the optical element and / or the infrared floodlight passes through the display when illuminated from the optical element, wherein the display of the device is at least partially transparent in at least one continuous area covering the optical element and / or the image generation unit.

[0075] As used herein, the term "display" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art, and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, a device of any shape configured for displaying information. This information can be any type of information, such as at least one image, at least one chart, at least one histogram, at least one graphic, text, numbers, at least one symbol, operation menus, etc. A display may be or may include at least one screen. A display may have any shape, such as a rectangular shape. A display may be a front-facing display. A display may be an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display and / or a light-emitting diode (LED) display, specifically a micro-LED display. Other types of displays are also possible.

[0076] As used herein, the term "at least partially transparent" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, the property of a display to allow light, particularly light of a specific wavelength range (e.g., light in the infrared spectral region, particularly light in the near-infrared spectral region), to pass through at least partially. For example, a display may be semi-transparent in the near-infrared region. For example, a display may have 10% to 50% transparency in the near-infrared region. A display may have different transparency for other wavelength ranges. The present invention may propose an optoelectronic device comprising an image generating unit and two illumination sources that can be placed behind the display of the device. The transparent areas(s) of the display may allow the optoelectronic device to operate behind the display. As described above, the display is at least partially transparent. The display may have a reduced pixel density and / or a reduced pixel size and / or may include at least one transparent conductive path. The transparent areas(s) of the display may have a pixel density of 360 to 440 PPI (pixels per inch). Other areas of the display (e.g., non-transparent areas) may have a pixel density higher than 400 PPI, for example, 460 to 500 PPI.

[0077] As disclosed above, the device includes at least one authentication unit configured to perform at least one authentication process for a user using the floodlight image and the pattern image.

[0078] As used herein, the term "authentication" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, verifying the identity of a user. Specifically, authentication may include distinguishing a user from other humans or objects, particularly distinguishing authorized access from unauthorized access. Authentication may include verifying the identity of the corresponding user and / or assigning an identity to the user. Authentication may include generating and / or providing identity information, for example, providing it to other devices or units (e.g., providing it to at least one authorizing unit) for authorizing access to that device. Identity information can be proven through authentication. For example, identity information may be and / or may include at least one identity token. If authentication is successful, the facial image recorded by the image generation unit can be verified as the user's facial image, and / or the user's identity is verified. Authentication can be performed using at least one authentication process. The authentication process may include multiple steps, such as at least one face detection for a floodlight image, and at least one recognition step in which an identity is assigned to the detected face and / or at least one identity check and / or verification of the user's identity is performed.

[0079] As used herein, the term "authentication unit" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to any particular or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, at least one unit configured to perform at least one authentication process for a user. An authentication unit may be or may include at least one processor. A processor may be any logic circuit configured to perform basic operations of a computer or system, and / or generally refers to a device configured to perform computations or logical operations. In particular, a processor may be configured to process basic instructions that drive a computer or system. As an example, a processor may include at least one arithmetic logic unit (ALU), at least one floating-point unit (FPU), such as a math coprocessor or a number coprocessor, multiple registers, specifically configured to provide operands to the ALU and store the results of operations, and memories such as L1 and L2 cache memories. In particular, a processor may be a multi-core processor. Specifically, a processor may be or may include a central processing unit (CPU). Additionally or alternatively, a processor may be or may include a microprocessor; therefore, specifically, the elements of the processor may be contained within a single integrated circuit (IC) chip. Alternatively or additionally, the processor may be or may include one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and / or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and / or one or more tensor processing units (TPUs) and / or one or more chips, such as dedicated machine learning optimization chips. Specifically, the processor may be configured, for example, by software programming, to perform one or more evaluation operations. At least one or any component of the computer program configured to perform the authentication process may be executed by the processing device. Alternatively or additionally, the authentication unit may be or may include a connectivity interface. The connectivity interface may be configured to transfer data from one device to a remote device; or vice versa. At least one or any component of the computer program configured to perform the authentication process may be executed by a remote device.

[0080] For example, the authentication unit can perform at least one face detection using a floodlight image. Face detection can be performed locally on the device. However, face recognition (i.e., assigning identity to detected faces) can be performed remotely, for example, in the cloud, especially when identification rather than just verification is required. User templates can be stored at a remote device, such as in the cloud, and do not need to be stored locally. This can be advantageous from a storage and security perspective.

[0081] The authentication unit can be configured to identify a user based on a floodlight image. Therefore, in particular, the authentication unit can forward data to a remote device. Alternatively or additionally, the authentication unit can perform user identification based on a floodlight image, particularly by running an appropriate computer program with corresponding functionality. As used herein, the term "identification" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to a specific or custom meaning. The term can specifically refer to, but is not limited to, assigning identity to a detected face and / or at least one identity check and / or verification of the user's identity.

[0082] The authentication process may include multiple steps. For example, the authentication process may include performing at least one face detection. The face detection step may include analyzing a floodlight image. Alternatively, for example, the authentication process may include identification. Identification may include assigning an identity to a detected face and / or at least one identity check and / or verification of the user's identity. Identification may include performing face verification on the imaged face to confirm whether it is the user's face. Identifying the user may include matching the floodlight image (e.g., showing the outline of parts of the user, particularly parts of the user's face) with a template. Identifying the user may include determining whether the imaged face is the user's face, and in particular determining whether the imaged face corresponds to at least one image of the user's face stored in at least one memory of a device, for example.

[0083] Analysis of a flood image may include one or more of the following: filtering; selecting at least one region of interest; forming a difference image between the flood image and at least one offset; inverting the flood image; background correction; decomposing into color channels; decomposing into hue, saturation, and luminance channels; frequency decomposition; singular value decomposition; applying a Canny edge detector; applying a Laplacian Gaussian filter; applying a difference Gaussian filter; applying the Sobel operator; applying the Laplacian operator; applying the Scharr operator; applying the Prewitt operator; applying the Roberts operator; applying the Kirsch operator; applying a high-pass filter; applying a low-pass filter; applying a Fourier transform; applying the Radon transform; applying the Hough transform; applying the wavelet transform; thresholding; and creating a binary image. The region of interest may be manually determined by the user or may be automatically determined, for example, by identifying the user within the image. In particular, analysis of a flood image may include the use of at least one image recognition technique, especially facial recognition technology. Image recognition technology includes at least one process for identifying a user in an image. Image recognition may include at least one technique using a combination of the following: color-based image recognition, for example using features such as template matching; image segmentation and / or connected component analysis, for example using size or shape; machine learning and / or deep learning, for example using at least one convolutional neural network.

[0084] Analysis of the floodlight image may include determining multiple facial features. The analysis may include comparing the determined facial features with template features, specifically performing a matching process. Template features may be features extracted from at least one template. The template may be or may include at least one image generated during registration (e.g., when initializing the device). The template may be an image of an authorized user. Template features and / or facial features may include vectors. Feature matching may include determining the distance between vectors. User identification may include comparing the distance between vectors to at least one predefined limit, wherein if the distance is at least within tolerance ≤ the predefined limit, the user is successfully identified. Otherwise, the user is rejected and / or denied.

[0085] For example, image recognition may include using at least one model, particularly a trained model that includes at least one face recognition model. Analysis of floodlight images can be performed using a face recognition system, such as FaceNet, as described, for example, in Florian Schroff, Dmitry Kalenichenko, and James Philbin, “FaceNet: A Unified Embedding for Face Recognition and Clustering,” arXiv:1503.03832. The trained model may include at least one convolutional neural network. For example, a convolutional neural network may be designed as described in the following literature: MD Zeiler and R. Fergus, “Visualizing and understanding convolutional networks,” CoRR, abs / 1311.2901, 2013; or C. Szegedy et al., “Going deeper with convolutions,” CoRR, abs / 1409.4842, 2014. For more details on convolutional neural networks for face recognition systems, please refer to: Florian Schroff, Dmitry Kalenichenko, and James Philbin, “FaceNet: A Unified Embedding for Face Recognition and Clustering,” arXiv:1503.03832. Labeled image data from image databases can be used as training data.Specifically, labeled faces can be used from one or more of the following sources: GB Huang, M. Ramesh, T. Berg, and E. Learned-Miller, “Labeled faces in the wild: A database for studying face recognition in unconstrained environments,” Technical Report 07-49, University of Massachusetts Amherst, October 2007; the YouTube® Faces database as described in L. Wolf, T. Hassner, and I. Maoz, “Face recognition in unconstrained videos with matched background similarity,” IEEE International Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR), 2011; or the Google® Facial Expression Comparison Dataset. Training of convolutional neural networks can be described as in "FaceNet: A Unified Embedding for Face Recognition and Clustering" by Florian Schroff, Dmitry Kalenichenko, and James Philbin, arXiv:1503.03832.

[0086] The authentication unit can be further configured to determine material data based on patterned images. Therefore, in particular, the authentication unit can forward data to a remote device. Alternatively or additionally, the authentication unit can perform material determination based on patterned images, particularly by running an appropriate computer program with corresponding functions. Specifically, by treating the material as a parameter for verifying the authentication process, the authentication process can be robust to prevent deception through the use of recorded user images.

[0087] The authentication unit can be configured to extract material data from a patterned image by beam profile analysis of the light spots. For information on beam profile analysis, refer to WO 2018 / 091649 A1, WO 2018 / 091638 A1, and WO 2018 / 091640A1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Beam profile analysis can allow for reliable classification of a scene based on several light spots. Each light spot in a patterned image can include a beam profile. As used herein, the term "beam profile" generally refers to at least one intensity distribution of a light spot on an optical sensor as a function of pixels. Beam profiles can be selected from the group consisting of: trapezoidal beam profiles; triangular beam profiles; conical beam profiles; and linear combinations of Gaussian beam profiles.

[0088] The authentication unit can be configured to outsource at least one step of the authentication process (such as user identification) and / or at least one step of the verification process (such as consideration of material data) to a remote device, specifically a server and / or a cloud server. This device and the remote device can be part of a computer network, particularly the Internet. Thus, the device can function as a field device used by the user to generate data required in the authentication process and / or its verification. The device can transmit the generated data and / or data associated with intermediate steps of the authentication process and / or its verification to the remote device. In this scenario, the authentication unit can be and / or may include a connection interface configured to transmit information to the remote device. Data generated by the remote device used in the authentication process and / or its verification can be further transmitted to the device. This data can be received by the connection interface included in the device. The connection interface can be specifically configured to transmit or exchange information. In particular, the connection interface can provide a data transmission connection. As an example, the connection interface can be or may include at least one port, including one or more of a network or Internet port, a USB port, and a disk drive.

[0089] It is important to emphasize that data from a device can be transferred to a specific remote device based on at least one circumstance (e.g., date, day, load of a particular remote device, etc.). A field device may not be able to select a specific remote device. Conversely, another device may choose which specific remote device the data can be transferred to. The authentication process and / or the generation of verification data may involve several different entities using the remote device. At least one entity may generate intermediate data and transfer that intermediate data to at least one other entity.

[0090] The authentication unit can be configured for facial recognition authentication processes that operate on floodlight images, pattern images, and / or extracted material data. The authentication unit can also be configured to extract material data from pattern images.

[0091] Extracting material data from a pattern image can include generating material types and / or data derived from those material types. Preferably, material data extraction can be based on a pattern image. Material data can be extracted using at least one model. Extracting material data can include providing a pattern image to the model and / or receiving material data from the model. Providing the image to the model can include, and subsequently may be, receiving the pattern image at the model's input layer or via a model loss function. The model can be a data-driven model. A data-driven model can include convolutional neural networks and / or encoder-decoder structures, such as autoencoders. Other examples for generating representations can be FFT, wavelets, deep learning (such as CNNs), energy models, normalized flow, GANs, visual transformers or transformers for natural language processing, autoregressive image modeling, normalized flow, deep autoencoders, and deep energy-based models. Supervised or unsupervised schemes can be applied to generating representations and also to generating embeddings in ML languages, such as cosine or Euclidean metrics. The data-driven model can be parameterized based on a training dataset comprising at least one image and material data, preferably at least one pattern image and material data. In another embodiment, material data extraction can include providing an image to the model and / or receiving material data from the model. In another embodiment, the data-driven model can be trained based on a training dataset comprising at least one image and material data. In another embodiment, the data-driven model can be parameterized based on a training dataset comprising at least one image and material data. The data-driven model can be parameterized based on the training dataset to receive images and provide material data based on the received images. The data-driven model can be trained based on the training dataset to receive images and provide material data as output based on the received images. The training dataset can include at least one image and material data (preferably material data associated with at least one image). The image can include a representation of the image. The representation can be a low-dimensional representation of the image. The representation can include at least a portion of the data or information associated with the image. The image representation can include feature vectors. In embodiments, determining the representation, particularly the low-dimensional representation, can be based on principal component analysis (PCA) mapping or radial basis function (RBF) mapping. Determining the representation can also be referred to as generating the representation. Generating a representation based on PCA mapping can include clustering based on features in patterned images and / or portions of images. Additionally or alternatively, the generating representation can be based on a neural network structure suitable for dimensionality reduction. A neural network structure suitable for dimensionality reduction can include an encoder and / or a decoder. In an example, the neural network structure can be an autoencoder. In the example, the neural network architecture may include a convolutional neural network (CNN). A CNN may include at least one convolutional layer and / or at least one pooling layer. A CNN can reduce the dimensionality of a portion of an image and / or an image by applying convolutions (e.g., based on convolutional layers) and / or by pooling.Applying convolution can be suitable for selecting features that are relevant to the material information of a patterned image.

[0092] The model can be adapted to determine the output based on the input. Specifically, the model can be adapted to determine material data based on an image as input. The model can be a deterministic model, a data-driven model, or a hybrid model. Preferably, the deterministic model reflects the physical phenomenon in a mathematical form, for example, including first-principles models. The deterministic model can include a set of equations describing the interaction between the material and patterned electromagnetic radiation, thereby producing measures of condition, vital signs, etc. The data-driven model can be a classification model. The hybrid model can be a classification model that includes at least one machine learning architecture and model parameters with deterministic or statistical adjustments. Statistical or deterministic adjustments can be introduced to improve the quality of the results because these adjustments provide a systematic relationship between empiricism and theory. In an embodiment, the data-driven model can be a classification model. The classification model can include at least one machine learning architecture and model parameters. For example, the machine learning architecture can be or can include one or more of the following: linear regression, logistic regression, random forest, piecewise linear, nonlinear classifier, support vector machine, Naive Bayes classification, nearest neighbor, neural network, convolutional neural network, generative adversarial network, support vector machine, or gradient boosting algorithm, etc. In the case of neural networks, the model can be a multi-scale neural network or a recurrent neural network (RNN), such as, but not limited to, a gated recurrent unit (GRU) recurrent neural network or a long short-term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network. The data-driven model can be parameterized based on a training dataset. The data-driven model can be trained on a training dataset. Training the model can include parameterizing the model. The term "training" can also mean "learning." Specifically, the term can refer to, but is not limited to, the process of building a classification model, particularly determining and / or updating the parameters of a classification model. Updating the parameters of a classification model can also be referred to as retraining. Training as discussed in this paper can include retraining. The training dataset can include at least one image and material information.

[0093] Extracting material data from an image using a data-driven model can include feeding the image to the data-driven model. Alternatively or additionally, extracting material data from an image using a data-driven model can include generating an embedding associated with the image based on the data-driven model. The embedding can refer to a low-dimensional representation associated with the image, such as a feature vector. The feature vector can be adapted to suppress the background while preserving the material signature indicating the material data. In this context, the background can refer to information independent of the material signature and / or the material data. Further, the background can refer to information related to biometric features, such as facial features. Based on the embedding associated with the image, the material data can be determined using the data-driven model. Alternatively or additionally, extracting material data from an image by feeding the image to the data-driven model can include transforming the image into material data, particularly material feature vectors indicating the material data. Therefore, the material data can further include material feature vectors and / or the material feature vectors can be used to determine the material data.

[0094] The authentication process can be verified based on extracted material data. Verification based on the extracted material data can include determining whether the extracted material data corresponds to expected material data. Determining whether the extracted material data matches the expected material data can be termed verification. Allowing or denying a user and / or object from performing at least one operation requiring authentication on the device based on material data can include verifying the authentication or authentication process. Verification can be based on material data and / or images. Determining whether the extracted material data corresponds to expected material data can include determining the similarity between the extracted material data and the expected material data. Determining the similarity between the extracted material data and the expected material data can include comparing the extracted material data with the expected material data. The expected material data can refer to predetermined material data. In an example, the expected material data could be skin. It can be determined whether the material data corresponds to the expected material data. In an example, the material data could be a non-skin material or silicon. Determining whether the material data corresponds to the expected material data can include comparing the material data with the expected material data. The comparison of the material data with the expected material data can lead to allowing and / or denying a user and / or object from performing at least one operation requiring authentication. In the example, skin as the desired material data can be compared with non-skin materials or silicon as material data, and the result can be rejection because silicon or non-skin materials may differ from skin.

[0095] The certification process or its verification may include capturing at least one feature vector from the material data and matching the material feature vector with the material’s associated reference template vector.

[0096] The authentication unit can be configured to authenticate a user if the user can be identified and / or if the material data matches the expected material data. The device may include at least one authorization unit configured to allow the user to perform at least one operation on the device, such as unlocking the device, if authentication is successful, or to deny the user from performing at least one operation on the device if authentication is unsuccessful. Thus, the user is aware of the authentication result.

[0097] As used herein, the terms “have,” “include,” or “contain,” or any of their grammatical variations, are used in a non-exclusive manner. Thus, these terms can refer either to a situation where no other features exist in the entity described in the context besides those introduced by these terms, or to a situation where one or more other features exist. For example, the statements “A has B,” “A includes B,” and “A contains B” can refer either to a situation where no other elements exist in A besides B (i.e., A consists solely of B), or to a situation where entity A contains one or more other elements besides B (such as element C, elements C and D, or even other elements).

[0098] Furthermore, it should be noted that the terms "at least one," "one or more," or similar expressions indicating a feature or element may appear once or more, but are typically used only once when describing the corresponding feature or element. In most cases, the expressions "at least one" or "one or more" are not repeated when referring to the corresponding feature or element, but in fact, the corresponding feature or element may appear once or more.

[0099] Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “preferredly,” “more preferably,” “particularly,” “more particularly,” “specifically,” “more specifically,” or similar terms are used in combination with optional features without limiting the possibility of alternatives. Therefore, the features introduced by these terms are optional features and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the invention can be practiced by using alternative features. Similarly, features introduced by phrases such as “in embodiments of the invention” are intended to be optional features and do not limit any alternative embodiments of the invention, the scope of the invention, or the possibility of combining features introduced in this way with other optional or non-optional features of the invention.

[0100] In one or more of the above embodiments and / or in one or more of the embodiments described in further detail below, the optical elements and devices according to the invention provide numerous advantages over known devices and methods of similar types.

[0101] At least two vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) can be used to illuminate an optical lens. The first VCSEL can be a top-surface emitting VCSEL, such as in a "standard" design, and the second VCSEL can be a bottom-surface emitting VCSEL, such as in a flip-chip design. The distances from the two VCSELs to the optical lens can differ, particularly due to a difference in the thickness of the VCSEL chip. This length difference may be caused by different positions of the emitting surfaces.

[0102] Several additional advantages are anticipated. Two separate vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) allow for power and size optimization designs for each CCSEL. Furthermore, the close positioning and optimized size of the CCSELs allow for small illumination apertures on the optical lenses. Moreover, the size of the optical lenses can be kept to a minimum.

[0103] Furthermore, the "flip-chip packaging" technology can be expected to produce better thermal performance, particularly for bottom-surface emitting vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), because the emitting bottom surface is closer to the support structure. Therefore, VCSELs with a "flip-chip packaging" design can be selected for the channel that benefits most from higher efficiency.

[0104] In summary, and without excluding other possible embodiments, the following embodiments are conceivable:

[0105] Example 1: An optical element, wherein the optical element comprises:

[0106] (1) At least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, wherein the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser includes an active region located on the bottom surface of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser;

[0107] (2) At least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, wherein the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser includes an active region located on the top surface of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, wherein the top surface is opposite to the bottom surface of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser;

[0108] (3) At least one supporting member;

[0109] The first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser is arranged on the support member with its bottom surface; and the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser is arranged on the support member with its bottom surface.

[0110] Example 2: The optical element according to the previous example, wherein the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser and the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser are arranged on the same support member.

[0111] Example 3: The optical element according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the support member is at least one of the following:

[0112] heat sink;

[0113] Electrical connectors, specifically printed circuit boards;

[0114] Reinforcing components.

[0115] Example 4: An optical element according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the optical element further includes at least one optical lens, wherein the first distance between the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, specifically the active region of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, and the at least one optical lens is different from the second distance between the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, specifically the active region of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, and the at least one optical lens.

[0116] Example 5: An optical element according to the previous example, wherein the optical lens has at least one focal length, wherein the first distance or the second distance is equal to the focal length.

[0117] Example 6: The optical element according to the previous example, wherein the first distance and the second distance differ by the thickness of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser or the thickness of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0118] Example 7: The optical element according to the previous example, wherein the thickness of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser is the same as the thickness of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0119] Example 8: An optical element according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the geometric center axis of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser is parallel to the geometric center axis of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0120] Example 9: According to the optical element described in the previous example, the geometric center axis of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser and the geometric center axis of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser are coaxial.

[0121] Example 10: An optical element according to any one of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the geometric center axis of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser and / or the geometric center axis of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser are parallel to the geometric center axis of the at least one optical lens.

[0122] Example 11: An optical element according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser, including an active region located on the bottom surface, is configured to emit illumination light at least partially in the direction of the top surface of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0123] Example 12: An optical element according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one additional component of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser is at least partially transparent to the illumination light emitted by the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0124] Example 13: The optical element according to the previous embodiment, wherein the at least one additional component of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser is

[0125] The substrate of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser.

[0126] Example 14: An optical element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser emits illumination light from the active region, and wherein the at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser emits illumination light from the active region.

[0127] Example 15: The optical element according to the preceding claim,

[0128] Wherein, the at least one first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser causes the illumination light to be emitted from the active region through the at least one first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser; preferably, the emitted illumination light passes through the at least one first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser; and

[0129] The at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) causes the illumination light to be emitted directly from the top surface of the at least one second VCSEL from the active region. Preferably, the emitted illumination light does not pass through the at least one second VCSEL.

[0130] Example 16: An optical element according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein the illumination light emitted by the at least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser and the illumination light emitted by the at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser are emitted at different heights with respect to the at least one optical lens, wherein the bottom surfaces of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser and the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser are arranged on the support member at the same height with respect to the at least one optical lens, wherein the maximum deviation is 10%, preferably 5%.

[0131] Example 17: An optical element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top surface of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser and the top surface of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser are arranged at the same height with respect to the at least one optical lens, wherein the maximum deviation is 10%, preferably 5%.

[0132] Example 18: A device for authenticating a user of the device to perform at least one operation requiring authentication on the device, the device comprising:

[0133] - At least one optical element as explained elsewhere herein, wherein the optical element is configured to emit illumination light, wherein the illumination light comprises specifically an infrared flood and specifically an infrared light pattern, the infrared light pattern comprising a plurality of infrared light spots;

[0134] - At least one image generation unit, the at least one image generation unit being configured to capture at least one pattern image when the optical element emits the specific infrared light pattern, and being configured to capture at least one floodlight image when the optical element emits the specific infrared floodlight;

[0135] - Optionally, at least one display, wherein the specific infrared light pattern passes through the display when illuminated from the optical element, and / or the specific infrared floodlight passes through the display when illuminated from the optical element, wherein the display of the device is at least partially transparent in at least one continuous area covering the optical element and / or the image generating unit.

[0136] - At least one authentication unit, which is configured to use the floodlight image and the pattern image to perform at least one authentication process for a user.

[0137] Example 19: The device according to the previous embodiment, wherein the display is or includes at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display.

[0138] Example 20: The device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments of the device, wherein the display includes a display area.

[0139] Example 21: The device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments relating to the device, wherein the display is made of glass and / or covered by glass.

[0140] Example 22: The device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments involving the device, wherein the display of the device is at least partially transparent in at least two consecutive areas.

[0141] Example 23: The device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments of the device, wherein the display has a first region associated with a first pixel density value and a second region associated with a second pixel density value, wherein the first pixel density value is lower than the second pixel density value, preferably, the first pixel density value is equal to or lower than 450 PPI.

[0142] Example 24: The device according to the previous embodiment, wherein the first pixel density value is associated with the at least one continuous region that is at least partially transparent.

[0143] Example 25: The device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments relating to the device, wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of: point-of-sale terminals; computers in motor vehicles; television equipment; game consoles; personal computers; mobile devices, particularly mobile phones, and / or smartphones, and / or tablet computers, and / or laptop computers, and / or tablet computers, and / or virtual reality devices, and / or wearable devices such as smartwatches; or other types of portable computers.

[0144] Example 26: The device according to any one of the foregoing embodiments of the device, wherein the authentication unit is configured for a facial recognition authentication process that operates on the pattern image, the floodlight image and / or the extracted material data. Attached Figure Description

[0145] Further optional details and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the dependent claims. In this context, specific features may be implemented individually or in combination with other features. The invention is not limited to exemplary embodiments. Exemplary embodiments are schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the various drawings refer to the same elements or elements having the same function, or elements that correspond to each other in terms of their function.

[0146] In the attached diagram:

[0147] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary optical element is shown in side view; and

[0148] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an exemplary device is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0149] Figure 1 An exemplary optical element 110 is shown. The optical element 110 includes:

[0150] (1) At least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 112, wherein the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser includes an active region 114 located on the bottom surface 116 of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 112.

[0151] (2) At least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118, wherein the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118 includes an active region 120 located on a top surface 122 of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118, wherein the top surface 122 is opposite to the bottom surface 124 of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118.

[0152] (3) At least one supporting member 126;

[0153] The first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 122 is disposed on the support member 126 with the bottom surface 116; and the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 is disposed on the support member 126 with the bottom surface 124. The first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 122 and the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be disposed on the same support member 126.

[0154] Support member 126 may be at least one of the following:

[0155] Radiator 127;

[0156] Electrical connector 129, specifically a printed circuit board.

[0157] Reinforcing components.

[0158] Optical element 110 may further include at least one optical lens 128. A first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and / or a second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be configured to emit illumination light 144, 146 through the optical lens. A first distance 130 between the active region 114 of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and at least one optical lens 128 is different from a second distance 132 between the active region 120 of the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 and at least one optical lens 128.

[0159] The optical lens 128 may have at least one focal length, wherein either the first distance 130 or the second distance 132 is equal to the focal length. The first distance 130 and the second distance 132 may differ from the thickness 132 of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 or the thickness of the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118. The thickness of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and the thickness of the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be the same.

[0160] The geometrical central axis 138 of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and the geometrical central axis 140 of the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be parallel. The normal vector of the emitting surface of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and the normal vector of the emitting surface of the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be parallel. The normal vector of the emitting surface of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and / or the normal vector of the emitting surface of the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be parallel to the central ray of the emitting cone of the respective vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112, 118. The emitting surface may include an active region. The geometrical central axis 138 of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and the geometrical central axis 140 of the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be coaxial. The geometrical central axis 138 of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and / or the geometrical central axis 140 of the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be parallel to the geometrical central axis 142 of at least one optical lens 128.

[0161] A first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112, including an active region 114 located on a bottom surface 116, can be configured to emit illumination light 144 at least partially in the direction of a top surface 147 of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112. At least one additional component 148 of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 may be at least partially transparent to the illumination light 144 emitted by the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112. At least one additional component 148 of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 may be a substrate 150 of the vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112.

[0162] At least one first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 can emit illumination light 144 from the active region 114. At least one second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 can emit illumination light 146 from the active region 120.

[0163] At least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 112 can cause illumination light 144 to be emitted from the active region 114 through at least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 112, preferably wherein the emitted illumination light 144 can pass through at least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 112.

[0164] At least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118 can emit illumination light 146 directly from the top surface 122 of the at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118 from the active region 120, preferably wherein the emitted illumination light 146 may not pass through the at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118.

[0165] Irradiation light 144 emitted by at least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and irradiation light 146 emitted by at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118 can be emitted at different heights with respect to at least one optical lens 128.

[0166] As used herein, the term "height" is a broad term and will be given its common and conventional meaning to those skilled in the art and is not limited to a specific or custom meaning. Specifically, the term may refer to, but is not limited to, a distance measurement along an axis defined by the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and / or the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118, wherein the axis extends from the top to the bottom of the respective vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers 112, 118. This axis may be orthogonal to the surface of the substrate 150 on which the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and / or the second vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser 118 are arranged. Figure 1 In this context, the axis may be parallel to the first distance 130 and / or the second distance 132.

[0167] Alternatively or additionally, the bottom surface 116 of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and the bottom surface 128 of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be arranged on the support member 126 at the same height with respect to at least one optical lens 128, wherein the maximum deviation is 10%, preferably 5%.

[0168] Alternatively or additionally, the top surface 147 of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 112 and the top surface 122 of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser 118 may be arranged at the same height with respect to at least one optical lens 128, wherein the maximum deviation is 10%, preferably 5%.

[0169] Figure 2 An exemplary device is shown for authenticating a user 154 on the device to perform at least one operation requiring authentication on the device. The device includes:

[0170] - At least one optical element 110 as explained elsewhere herein, wherein the optical element 110 is configured to emit illumination light 144, 146, wherein the illumination light 144, 146 includes specifically infrared floodlight and specifically infrared light pattern, the infrared light pattern including a plurality of specifically infrared light spots;

[0171] - At least one image generation unit 158, which is configured to capture at least one pattern image when the optical element 110 emits a specific infrared light pattern, and is configured to capture at least one floodlight image when the optical element 110 emits a specific infrared floodlight.

[0172] - Optionally, at least one display 156, wherein the specific infrared light pattern passes through the display 156 when illuminated from the optical element 110, and / or the specific infrared floodlight passes through the display 156 when illuminated from the optical element 110, wherein the display 156 of the device 152 is at least partially transparent in at least one continuous area covering the optical element 110 and / or the image generation unit 158.

[0173] - At least one authentication unit 160, which is configured to perform at least one authentication process for user 154 using a floodlight image and a pattern image.

[0174] Display 156 may be or may include at least one organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. Display 156 may include a display area. The display may be made of glass and / or may be covered by glass. Display 156 of the device may be at least partially transparent in at least two consecutive areas. Display 156 may have a first area associated with a first pixel density value and a second area associated with a second pixel density value, wherein the first pixel density value may be lower than the second pixel density value, preferably, the first pixel density value may be equal to or lower than 450 PPI. The first pixel density value may be associated with at least one consecutive area that is at least partially transparent.

[0175] Device 152 is selected from the group consisting of: point-of-sale terminals; computers in motor vehicles; television equipment; game consoles; personal computers; mobile devices, especially mobile phones, and / or smartphones, and / or tablet computers, and / or laptop computers, and / or tablet computers, and / or virtual reality devices, and / or wearable devices such as smartwatches; or other types of portable computers.

[0176] The authentication unit 160 can be configured for a facial recognition authentication process that operates on pattern images, floodlight images, and / or extracted material data.

[0177] List of reference signs

[0178] .

Claims

1. An optical element (110), wherein, The optical element (110) includes: (1) At least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112), wherein the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) includes an active region (114) located on the bottom surface (116) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112). (2) At least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118), wherein the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) includes an active region (120) located on the top surface (122) of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118), wherein the top surface (122) is opposite to the bottom surface (124) of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118); (3) At least one supporting member (126); The first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) is arranged on the support member (126) with the bottom surface (116); and the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) is arranged on the support member (126) with the bottom surface (124).

2. The optical element (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) and the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) are arranged on the same support member (126).

3. The optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The support member (126) is at least one of the following: Radiator (127); Electrical connector (129), specifically a printed circuit board, Reinforcing components.

4. The optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The optical element (110) further includes at least one optical lens (128), wherein the first distance (130) between the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112), specifically the active region (114) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112), and the at least one optical lens (128) is different from the second distance (132) between the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118), specifically the active region (120) of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118), and the at least one optical lens (128).

5. The optical element (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The optical lens (128) has at least one focal length, wherein the first distance (130) or the second distance (132) is equal to the focal length.

6. The optical element (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The first distance (130) and the second distance (132) differ from the thickness of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) or the thickness of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118).

7. The optical element (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The thickness (134) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) is the same as the thickness (136) of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118).

8. The optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The geometric center axis (138) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) and the geometric center axis (140) of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) are parallel.

9. The optical element (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The geometric center axis (138) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) and the geometric center axis (140) of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) are coaxial.

10. The optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The geometric center axis (138) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) and / or the geometric center axis (140) of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) are parallel to the geometric center axis (142) of the at least one optical lens (128).

11. The optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112), including the active region (114) located on the bottom surface (116), is configured to emit illumination light (144) in the direction of the top surface (147) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) at least partially.

12. The optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, At least one additional component (148) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) is at least partially transparent to the illumination light (144) emitted by the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112).

13. The optical element (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one additional component (148) of the first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (112) is: The substrate (150) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112).

14. The optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) emits illumination light (144) from the active region (114), and wherein the at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) emits illumination light (146) from the active region (120).

15. The optical element (110) according to the preceding claim. in, The at least one first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (112) causes the illumination light (144) to be emitted from the active region (114) through the at least one first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (112), preferably wherein, The emitted illumination light (144) passes through the at least one first vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (112); and The at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) causes the irradiation light (146) to be emitted directly from the top surface (122) of the at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) from the active region (120), preferably wherein the emitted irradiation light (146) does not pass through the at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118).

16. The optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein, The illumination light (144) emitted by the at least one first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) and the illumination light (146) emitted by the at least one second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) are emitted at different heights with respect to the at least one optical lens (128), wherein the bottom surface (116) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) and the bottom surface (128) of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) are arranged on the support member (126) at the same height with respect to the at least one optical lens (128), wherein the maximum deviation is 10%, preferably 5%.

17. The optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The top surface (147) of the first vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (112) and the top surface (122) of the second vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (118) are arranged at the same height with respect to the at least one optical lens (128), wherein the maximum deviation is 10%, preferably 5%.

18. A device (152) for authenticating a user (154) of the device (152) to perform at least one operation requiring authentication on the device (152), the device comprising: - At least one optical element (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the optical element (110) is configured to emit illumination light (144, 146), wherein the illumination light (144, 146) includes floodlight and light pattern, the light pattern including a plurality of infrared spots; - At least one image generation unit (158) is configured to capture at least one pattern image when the optical element (110) emits the light pattern, and is configured to capture at least one floodlight image when the optical element (110) emits the floodlight; - Optionally, at least one display (156) is provided, wherein the light pattern passes through the display (156) when illuminated from the optical element (110), and / or the floodlight passes through the display (156) when illuminated from the optical element (110), wherein the display (156) of the device (152) is at least partially transparent in at least one continuous area covering the optical element (110) and / or the image generation unit (158). - At least one authentication unit (160) configured to use the floodlight image and the pattern image to perform at least one authentication process for a user (154).

19. The device (152) according to the preceding claim, wherein, The device (152) is selected from the group consisting of: point-of-sale terminals; computers in motor vehicles; television equipment; game consoles; personal computers; mobile devices, especially mobile phones, and / or smartphones, and / or tablet computers, and / or laptop computers, and / or tablet computers, and / or virtual reality devices, and / or wearable devices such as smartwatches; or other types of portable computers.

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