Dual-Optic Scene Illumination for Simultaneous Spot and Flood Lighting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices for cameras require either two separate light sources or a single light source that can be switched between flood and spot lighting, leading to structural complexity and cost, limiting either measuring distance or resolution.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with an array of light sources and dual optics, where the first optic projects beams as spots and the second optic partially widens them to create simultaneous flood and spot lighting without requiring separate control or movable optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used for both flood and spot lighting with switching capability, then device complexity is reduced, but the lighting profile cannot be simultaneously optimized for both measurement distances and resolutions
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is divided into multiple independent light-emitting elements (first light-emitting element and second light-emitting element) that can be individually controlled. Each element has different emitting characteristics, allowing simultaneous generation of flood lighting and spot lighting patterns without requiring complex switching mechanisms or movable optics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light source array are assigned different functional characteristics. The first light-emitting element is optimized for flood illumination while the second light-emitting element is optimized for spot illumination. This local differentiation enables simultaneous provision of both lighting profiles with a single stationary lighting device.
2Manufacturing precision
If flood illumination is used to illuminate the entire scene, then resolution is maintained, but measuring distance is limited due to eye safety requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination is segmented into two distinct patterns generated by separate light-emitting elements: flood illumination for maintaining resolution and spot illumination for extending measuring distance. Both patterns are emitted simultaneously from the same device, allowing the camera to capture both high-resolution details and distant scene information.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device alternates between different illumination patterns in time, with the first light-emitting element providing flood illumination for resolution-critical measurements and the second light-emitting element providing spot illumination for distance-critical measurements. This temporal separation allows optimization for both resolution and distance without compromising either.
3Length of moving object
If structured light pattern is used to increase measuring distance, then spot illumination is achieved, but resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into multiple independently controllable elements that can generate different illumination patterns. By activating specific elements (first for flood, second for spot), the system can switch between resolution-optimized and distance-optimized modes, or combine both patterns simultaneously to achieve both high resolution and extended measuring distance.
Solution Approach 2:
A single lighting device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can generate flood illumination patterns for high-resolution imaging, spot illumination patterns for extended-distance measurement, and simultaneously provide both patterns. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate lighting devices or complex switching mechanisms while maintaining both resolution and measuring distance capabilities.
4Adaptability or versatility
If two separate light sources are used for flood and spot lighting, then lighting profile versatility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light-emitting elements with different functional characteristics are merged into a single integrated lighting device. The first and second light-emitting elements are positioned and controlled within one device housing, eliminating the need for separate flood light and spot light devices. This integration reduces structural complexity while maintaining the ability to generate both flood and spot lighting patterns simultaneously or independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device is designed as a universal illumination system that can generate multiple lighting profiles (flood, spot, and combinations) using a single device structure. By incorporating multiple light-emitting elements with different characteristics into one device, the system achieves lighting profile versatility without requiring separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
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
Achieves simultaneous flood and spot lighting with reduced structural complexity and cost, enhancing measurement distance and resolution for 3D imaging, especially with TOF cameras.
Implementation Method 1
the first optic is an imaging optic that projects the individual beams of light into the scene as spots
Implementation Method 2
a second diffractive optic that receives the light beams from the first optic and expands a proportion of less than 90% of the light intensity of the light beams
Implementation Method 3
the second optic is a widening optic that partially widens the beams of light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to an illumination device for illuminating a scene, said illumination device comprising an array (104) of light sources (106) which are each designed to emit a light beam (108). The illumination device also has a first optical unit (110) and a second optical unit (118), wherein the first optical unit (110) receives the light beams (108) emitted by the light sources (106) and directs them towards the second optical unit (118). The first optical unit (110) is an imaging optical unit that projects the individual light beams (108) into the scene as spots (152) in order to illuminate the scene with a spot pattern, and the second optical unit (118) is an expanding optical unit that partially expands the light beams (108) in order to use the expanded portion of the light beams (108) to illuminate the scene with a substantially homogeneous illumination profile (154) simultaneously with the spot pattern. The expanded portion of the light beams (108) is less than 90% of the light intensity of the light beams (108) emitted by the light sources (106). The invention also relates to a camera system comprising such an illumination device and to a method for illuminating a scene.