Scanning Laser Projector Depth Mapping Power Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scanning laser projectors face power limitations when combined with depth mapping, and existing depth mapping sensors have limited flexibility in generating 3D maps with fixed resolutions, restricting the combination of image projection and depth mapping capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a scanning laser projector system that temporally separates projected image pixels and depth mapping pulses, allowing for maximum power usage in both functions without overlap, and dynamically adjusts scanning mirror motion to modify the characteristics of the 3D point cloud, such as resolution and data density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If scanning laser projector combines image projection and depth mapping functions, then versatility is improved, but power consumption increases beyond available limits
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between image projection mode and depth mapping mode in periodic time slots. During image projection time slots, the laser projects image pixels. During depth mapping time slots, the laser projects depth mapping pulses. This periodic switching allows both functions to operate at full power without simultaneous power consumption, resolving the contradiction between versatility and power consumption.
2Ease of manufacture
If depth mapping sensor uses fixed-resolution CMOS imaging sensor, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability in resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a scanning mirror with controllable scan parameters (scan rate, scan amplitude, number of scan lines) to dynamically adjust the resolution and data density of the depth map. This dynamic control allows the same simple sensor hardware to produce depth maps at multiple resolutions, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and resolution flexibility.
3Illumination intensity
If scanning laser projector uses maximum power for image projection, then image quality is improved, but power available for depth mapping is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides time into periodic slots: image projection time slots where maximum power is allocated to image pixels for high image brightness, and depth mapping time slots where maximum power is allocated to depth mapping pulses. This temporal separation allows each function to receive full power allocation without compromising the other, resolving the power allocation contradiction.
4Measurement precision
If scanning laser projector allocates power for depth mapping, then depth mapping capability is improved, but image projection power is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic time slot allocation where depth mapping pulses receive full power during their dedicated time slots, ensuring measurement precision. Image projection receives full power during its dedicated time slots, ensuring image brightness. The periodic switching eliminates power competition between the two functions, resolving the contradiction between depth mapping accuracy and image brightness.
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 approach enables full power utilization for both image projection and depth mapping without compromising image quality or resolution, providing flexible and high-resolution 3D surface mapping capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
at least one source of laser light configured to generate a laser beam
Implementation Method 2
at least one scanning mirror configured to reflect the laser beam
Implementation Method 3
depth mapping device configured to receive reflections of the depth mapping pulses from a surface and generate a 3-dimensional point cloud of the surface based at least in part on timing of the received reflections
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Devices are described herein for combining image projection with surface scanning. In general, the devices and methods utilize at least one source of laser light to generate a laser beam (102), and scanning mirror(s) (104) that reflect the laser beam into a pattern of scan lines. The source of light is controlled to selectively generate projected image pixels during a first portion of the pattern of scan lines, and to selectively generate depth mapping pulses during a second portion of the pattern of scan lines. The projected image pixels generate a projected image, while the depth mapping pulses are reflected from the surface, received, and used to generate a 3-dimensional point clouds that describe the measured surface depth at each point. Thus, during each scan of the pattern both a projected image and a surface depth map can be generated.