Phase-Tuned Structured Light Illumination for Flexible Dot Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination apparatuses for depth mapping are limited by the fixed relationship between dot size and pitch in structured light patterns, adhering to Equation 1, which restricts design freedom and increases cost, complexity, and size in electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

An illumination apparatus with an array of optical elements, such as microlenses or metalenses, configured with varying optical phase-retardation characteristics, allowing for high-contrast dot patterns without adhering to Equation 1, achieved by modifying optical path differences through thickness adjustments or refractive index variations of the optical elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the illumination apparatus uses a microlens array with regular arrangement and radiation-emitting elements at a specific distance to achieve high contrast structured light pattern, then the contrast of the dot pattern is improved, but the design freedom and flexibility in selecting dot sizes and pitches are reduced due to the fixed relationship defined by Equation 1

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast of structured light patternVSAvoiddesign freedom in dot size and pitch selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the optical phase-retardation characteristics of individual optical elements within the array. Instead of using identical microlenses throughout, each optical element has customized phase-retardation properties that can be independently adjusted to generate different dot sizes and pitches while maintaining high contrast patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical phase-retardation parameter of the optical elements to achieve the desired dot pattern characteristics. By adjusting this parameter (through thickness variations or refractive index changes), the system can generate high-contrast structured light patterns with flexible dot sizes and pitches without being constrained by the fixed relationship in Equation 1.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the illumination apparatus adheres to Equation 1 to generate high contrast dot patterns, then the pattern quality is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrast of dot patternVSAvoidcomplexity of optical system design

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the optical phase-retardation parameter of the optical elements to achieve high-contrast dot patterns without strictly adhering to Equation 1. This parameter change approach simplifies the design by allowing flexible selection of dot sizes and pitches while maintaining pattern quality, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the illumination apparatus uses fixed relationship between pitch and dot size as defined by Equation 1, then the structured light pattern generation is simplified, but the adaptability for different depth mapping applications is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of optical designVSAvoidadaptability to different depth mapping applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making each optical element in the array have unique phase-retardation characteristics. This allows the system to generate diverse dot patterns with different sizes and pitches for various depth mapping applications while maintaining a relatively simple overall optical design structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes in the optical phase-retardation to enable the same optical apparatus to generate different dot patterns suitable for various depth mapping applications. This flexibility in parameter adjustment maintains design simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables the generation of high-contrast structured light patterns with flexible dot sizes and pitches, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining performance in depth mapping applications for electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

An optical phase-retardation of each optical element of radiation emitted by the at least one radiation-emitting element is configured such that the structured light pattern comprises a regular array of dots

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical phase-retardation: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

modifying optical path differences through thickness adjustments or refractive index variations of the optical elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical path difference: Interference

Data Source

PatentUS20250271119A1Illumination apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 AMS INTERNATIONAL AG

AI summary

Disclosed herein is an illumination apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same. The illumination apparatus comprises an array of optical elements, and at least one radiation-emitting element configured to generate, in cooperation with the array, a structured light pattern. An optical phase-retardation of each optical element of radiation emitted by the at least one radiation-emitting element is configured such that the structured light pattern comprises a regular array of dots.