LCOS Panel On-Chip Pattern Generator for Structured Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current structured light scanning systems require complex and expensive LCOS driver circuits to project narrow light bands, making them costly and complicated to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit display device with an on-chip pattern generator that eliminates the need for a separate driver circuit by generating application-specific display patterns directly on the chip, reducing complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a separate LCOS driver circuit is used to provide pixel data to the LCOS panel, then the system can display structured light patterns, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pattern generator and control circuitry directly into the LCOS panel chip, merging previously separate components (driver circuit and display panel) into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for external driver circuits and reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby reducing both device complexity and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The LCOS panel is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the display element and the pattern generator. The integrated circuit on the chip can generate various structured light patterns (vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, diagonal stripes) and control the LCOS panel to display them, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate driver circuitry.
2Device complexity
If an integrated circuit display device with on-chip pattern generator is used, then device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the system must be application-specific
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated pattern generator is designed to be reconfigurable and adaptable to different structured light scanning applications. The control circuitry can be programmed to generate different patterns (vertical, horizontal, diagonal stripes) and the system can be configured for different scanning geometries, maintaining versatility within the integrated architecture.
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 construction of simpler, cost-effective structured light scanning systems by integrating a pixel array, pattern generator, and control circuitry on a single chip, allowing for the direct display of predetermined patterns without external video data processing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
One or more polarizers modulate the light reflected by individual pixels depending on the amount of polarization rotation induced by the liquid crystal layer, which in turn depends on the voltages asserted on the pixel electrodes.
Implementation Method 2
The light source projects light that passes through a liquid crystal layer, reflects off of the individual pixels of the array, and passes back through the liquid crystal layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A projector panel includes pixel display, a display controller, and a pattern generator. The pattern generator is operative to output pixel data indicative of at least one application specific predetermined pattern. In a particular embodiment, the projector panel is a liquid-crystal-on-silicon panel. In another particular embodiment, the projector panel is adapted for selective use in either structured light projection systems or conventional video projection systems.