Dual Grating Optical Pattern Projection for Depth Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical pattern projection systems struggle to produce highly irregular or complex patterns for applications like 3D mapping and depth imaging, which limits their ability to enhance textural contrast and facilitate accurate depth calculations.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of first and second diffraction gratings with varying grating parameters, such as profile functions and periods, to diffract light beams in a way that produces a highly irregular or complex pattern by controlling fan-out angles and diffraction orders, allowing for enhanced projection of optical patterns onto objects or scenes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single diffraction grating is used to project optical patterns, then the system structure is simple, but the pattern regularity and complexity are insufficient for enhanced depth mapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the diffraction grating system into multiple separate gratings (first grating and second grating) arranged in sequence. Each grating can be independently designed with specific parameters, allowing the system to achieve complex projection patterns that cannot be obtained with a single grating while maintaining manageable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second grating that operates in a different dimensional aspect of light manipulation. The first grating diffracts light in one set of directions while the second grating further diffracts the already-diffracted light, adding another layer of angular control and creating highly irregular patterns through cumulative diffraction effects
2Measurement precision
If multiple diffraction gratings with varying parameters are used to produce irregular patterns, then textural contrast and depth imaging capability are improved, but the system complexity and alignment requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different local qualities to different gratings in the system. Each grating has specifically tailored parameters (grating periods, groove profiles, orientations) optimized for its position in the sequence. This local optimization allows each component to contribute uniquely to the overall pattern complexity and depth mapping accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic control over the projection pattern by varying the parameters of individual gratings. By adjusting grating periods, groove depths, or orientations in real-time, the system can adaptively modify the irregularity and complexity of projected patterns to match different depth mapping requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the creation of complex and irregular optical patterns that improve textural contrast and depth imaging capabilities, facilitating more accurate stereo matching and depth calculations in applications like 3D mapping.
Implementation Method 1
The emitted light beams collectively are diffracted in accordance with different first grating parameters (e.g., profile functions and grating periods) to produce first diffracted light beams. The first diffracted light beams then collectively are diffracted in accordance with one or more second grating parameters
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes optical systems for projecting an irregular or complex pattern onto a region of space (e.g., a two-dimensional or three-dimensional object or scene). A respective light beam is emitted from each of a plurality of light sources. The emitted light beams collectively are diffracted in accordance with a plurality of different first grating parameters to produce a plurality of first diffracted light beams. The first diffracted light beams then collectively are diffracted in accordance with one or more second grating parameters.