Staggered Light-Emitting Array for Gapless Angular Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the location of objects in an environment are inefficient and lack precision, particularly in scanning wide angular ranges without gaps, and often require complex setups with masks and light dumps.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting device with an array of individually addressable light-emitting elements and an astigmatic optical element that produces a staggered, substantially linear illumination pattern across an angular range, allowing continuous scanning with minimal equipment beyond the array and optical element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional scanning system uses a single light source with masks and light dumps to scan wide angular ranges, then the angular coverage can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and gaps in illumination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning function into multiple independently addressable light-emitting elements arranged in an array. Each element can be controlled separately to illuminate different angular segments, eliminating the need for complex masks and light dumps while achieving continuous wide-angle coverage through sequential activation of the segmented elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point light source to a two-dimensional array of light-emitting elements. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous control of multiple illumination angles, eliminating gaps in coverage and reducing the need for mechanical scanning components while maintaining wide angular range capability.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional illumination systems use masks and light dumps to achieve patterned illumination, then the illumination patterns can be formed, but energy loss increases due to blocked light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-positions multiple light-emitting elements at specific locations in the array, each oriented to emit light in a predetermined direction. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for masks to block light, as each element inherently emits only in its designated direction, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining patterned illumination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the masking components from the illumination system. Instead of using masks to create patterns by blocking light, the system uses individually controlled light-emitting elements that directly emit light only in the required patterns, eliminating the energy-wasting blocking mechanism entirely.
3Device complexity
If light-emitting elements are arranged in a non-staggered array, then the structure is simpler, but gaps appear in the illumination coverage across the angular range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric staggered arrangement of light-emitting elements in the array, where elements are positioned at offset locations rather than in uniform rows. This asymmetric positioning ensures that the illumination patterns from adjacent elements overlap or abut perfectly, eliminating gaps in coverage while maintaining a relatively simple array structure without requiring complex positioning mechanisms.
4Volume of moving object
If a single light source is used for scanning, then the device is more compact, but the scanning speed and precision are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sequential activation of light-emitting elements in the array, where each element is activated in rapid succession to create the appearance of continuous scanning. This periodic switching between multiple elements achieves high scanning speed and precision while maintaining a compact form factor, as no mechanical moving parts are required.
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
The solution enables efficient, precise determination of object location with continuous scanning across wide angular ranges, reducing energy consumption and eliminating gaps in illumination, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
an astigmatic optical element arranged to focus light emitted from each individually addressable light-emitting element to produce a substantially linear illumination pattern at a different corresponding scan angle within an angular range
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to staggered arrays of individually addressable light-emitting elements for sweeping out angular ranges. One example device includes an astigmatic optical element. The device may also include an array of individually addressable light-emitting elements arranged to emit light towards the astigmatic optical element. The astigmatic optical element may be arranged to focus light emitted from each individually addressable light-emitting element to produce a substantially linear illumination pattern at a different corresponding scan angle within an angular range. The example device may further include a control system operable to sequentially activate the individually addressable light- emitting elements such that the substantially linear illumination pattern sweeps out the angular range. The individually addressable light-emitting elements may be staggered with respect to one another in the array such that the substantially linear illumination pattern sweeps out the angular range continuously.