Projector System With Multiple Diffractive Optical Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing imaging systems that project structured light for VR/AR applications are limited by the high cost and resolution constraints of single diffractive optical elements (DOEs), which restrict the complexity and resolution of the structured light patterns that can be projected.
Innovation Solution
A projector system with multiple DOEs optically coupled to a light source, where actuators move the DOEs in various planes to combine diffracted light patterns, allowing for the projection of high-resolution structured light patterns using lower-resolution individual DOEs, thereby reducing costs and increasing pattern complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single high-resolution DOE is used to project structured light patterns, then the resolution and complexity of the projected patterns improve, but the cost and manufacturing complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single high-resolution DOE into multiple lower-resolution DOEs arranged in an array. Each DOE in the array contributes a portion of the overall structured light pattern, and through optical combining, these multiple lower-resolution patterns synthesize into a high-resolution projected pattern. This segmentation allows each individual DOE to be manufactured more easily while achieving high overall resolution through their combined operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If a single high-resolution DOE is used, then the structured light pattern resolution improves, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the high-resolution pattern requirement across multiple lower-resolution DOEs, each individual DOE can be manufactured at a lower cost. The array configuration and optical combining mechanism enable the system to achieve high overall resolution without requiring any single DOE to be expensive or difficult to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple lower-resolution DOEs into an array configuration where their diffracted light patterns are optically combined. This combining process creates a synthesized high-resolution structured light pattern from the individual lower-resolution contributions, allowing cost-effective manufacturing of each component while achieving high overall performance.
3Device complexity
If a single DOE is used, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to project multiple different structured light patterns is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control of the DOE array through actuators that can independently position or activate different DOES within the array. This dynamic capability allows the system to switch between different structured light patterns by selectively engaging different subsets of the DOE array, providing versatility without requiring physical reconfiguration of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The DOE array configuration provides multi-functionality where the same physical array can generate multiple different structured light patterns. By controlling which DOES are active or how they are positioned, the system can adapt to different projection requirements, making a single system structure capable of performing multiple pattern projection functions.
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-resolution structured light patterns for accurate mapping of local areas, improving the resolution and complexity of projected patterns while maintaining lower complexity and cost for individual DOEs.
Implementation Method 1
a first DOE, optically coupled with the light source, that produces a first diffracted light pattern, (3) at least one additional DOE, optically coupled with the light source in series with the first DOE, that produces at least one additional diffracted light pattern
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed system may include (1) a light source, (2) a first diffractive optical element (DOE), optically coupled with the light source, that produces a first diffracted light pattern, (3) at least one additional DOE, optically coupled with the light source in series with the first DOE, that produces at least one additional diffracted light pattern, (4) an actuator that moves, in response to a first actuator control signal, the first DOE in a first plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the system, and (5) a lens, optically coupled with the first DOE and the at least one additional DOE, that projects structured light onto a local area based on the first diffracted light pattern and the at least one additional diffracted light pattern. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.