Laser Arrangement Irregular Emission Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser arrangements for structured light patterns are limited by strict boundary conditions and processing constraints, making it impractical to produce a large number of unique patterns, especially for security applications, and they lack flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A laser arrangement combining a laser array with a multitude of localized optical structures that redirect laser light to create an irregular pattern of apparent emission points, allowing for flexible and cost-effective generation of millions of different patterns through simple shifts and rotations of the optical device with respect to the laser array.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional laser arrangements with regular patterns are used, then manufacturing and processing is simpler, but the ability to generate unique randomized patterns for security applications is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device is segmented into multiple localized optical structures, each associated with specific lasers. This segmentation allows independent manipulation of light paths from different laser groups, enabling generation of complex irregular patterns while maintaining modular manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates apparent positions that are optical copies of the actual laser positions. By redirecting laser light to appear from different apparent positions, the system generates irregular patterns without physically manufacturing irregular laser arrangements, thus simplifying manufacturing while achieving pattern uniqueness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of lasers is increased to create more unique patterns, then pattern diversity improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates apparent positions that are optical copies of the actual laser positions. By redirecting laser light to appear from different apparent positions, the system generates irregular patterns without physically manufacturing irregular laser arrangements, thus simplifying manufacturing while achieving pattern uniqueness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of pattern generation by creating apparent positions in space through optical redirection. Instead of increasing the number of physical lasers, the system uses the spatial dimension of light redirection to generate multiple apparent emission points, effectively increasing pattern diversity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If regular laser arrays are used, then manufacturing precision requirements are lower, but the ability to create highly randomized patterns is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates apparent positions that are optical copies of the actual laser positions. By redirecting laser light to appear from different apparent positions, the system generates irregular patterns without physically manufacturing irregular laser arrangements, thus simplifying manufacturing while achieving pattern uniqueness.
Solution Approach 2:
The localized optical structures act as intermediaries between the regular laser array and the final irregular pattern. These optical structures redirect the light to create apparent positions, serving as a mediator that transforms regular physical arrangements into randomized apparent patterns, thereby decoupling manufacturing precision requirements from pattern randomization quality.
4Reliability
If more lasers are used to reduce single pixel failure rates, then reliability improves, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates apparent positions that are optical copies of the actual laser positions. By redirecting laser light to appear from different apparent positions, the system generates irregular patterns without physically manufacturing irregular laser arrangements, thus simplifying manufacturing while achieving pattern uniqueness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple lasers into fewer physical laser units by using optical redirection to create multiple apparent positions from fewer actual lasers. This merging reduces the total number of physical components needed while maintaining the functional equivalent of having more lasers, thereby reducing cost and complexity while improving reliability.
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 solution enables the creation of highly randomized and unique structured light patterns, increasing the apparent number of lasers and reducing single pixel failure rates, while being more cost-effective and flexible than conventional approaches, making it suitable for security applications.
Implementation Method 1
Each localized optical structure is arranged to redirect laser light emitted by at least one laser comprised by the laser array such that the laser light emitted by each laser appears to be emitted from at least one apparent position of the laser array
Data Source
AI summary
A laser arrangement includes a laser array including a multitude of lasers and an optical device configured to provide a defined illumination pattern in a defined field-of-view. The optical device includes a multitude of localized optical structures, each respective localized optical structure being associated with at least one respective laser of the laser array and being arranged to redirect laser light emitted by the at least one respective laser such that laser light emitted by the at least one respective laser appears to be emitted from at least one apparent position of the laser array. The localized optical structures are arranged such that laser light emitted by at least one respective selected laser appears to be emitted from at least two apparent positions of the laser array. The optical device is arranged such that the apparent positions are distributed in an irregular pattern.