Structured Light Projection With Diffractive Irregular Pattern Tiling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structured light projection systems struggle to create irregular patterns effectively, limiting their ability to enhance three-dimensional imaging and texture in low-light or low-texture environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that transforms a regular array of light emitting elements, such as VCSELs, into an irregular pattern using diffractive optical elements to project a uniformly distributed, tiled, or interlaced pattern of light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a regular array of light emitting elements is used, then the device structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the ability to create irregular patterns for enhanced three-dimensional imaging is limited
Solution Approach 1:
A diffractive optical element is introduced as an intermediary component between the regular VCSEL array and the target scene. This element transforms the regular light pattern into an irregular structured light pattern, enabling enhanced three-dimensional imaging capabilities without modifying the simple VCSEL array structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive optical element modifies the spatial distribution parameters of the light pattern, transforming a regular grid pattern into an irregular pattern with varying dot densities and positions. This parameter transformation enables the system to achieve complex pattern characteristics while maintaining a simple light source array.
2Measurement precision
If an irregular structured light pattern is projected, then additional texture is provided for low-light and low-texture objects, but the optical system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffractive optical element serves as a mediator that adds the necessary pattern complexity for accurate depth measurement without requiring a complex light source array. It transforms the simple regular pattern into an irregular pattern that provides the texture information needed for low-light and low-texture object imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive optical element creates multiple copies of the light pattern with varying spatial distributions. This copying mechanism generates the irregular structured light pattern that enhances texture information while using a relatively simple optical component rather than a complex multi-element system.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple instances of irregular pattern are reproduced, then uniform distribution of light is achieved across the scene, but the optical element complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple instances of the irregular light pattern are merged or superimposed to create a uniformly distributed illumination across the scene. The diffractive optical element is designed to generate these multiple instances simultaneously, combining them into a comprehensive illumination pattern that covers the entire field of view uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffractive optical element utilizes diffraction to create light patterns in multiple spatial dimensions. By controlling the diffraction orders and angles, it reproduces multiple instances of the irregular pattern arranged in a two-dimensional array, achieving uniform distribution across the projection area through dimensional expansion rather than mechanical movement.
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
Enhances three-dimensional imaging by providing additional texture and accuracy in low-light or low-texture environments, improving the functionality of smartphones and other computing devices.
Implementation Method 1
projecting the light to a first diffractive optical element to generate the irregular pattern of light
Implementation Method 2
a second optical element configured to receive the irregular pattern of light generated by the first optical element and to produce a pattern comprising multiple instances of the first irregular pattern
Data Source
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AI summary
A structured light projection system includes an array of light emitting elements operable, collectively, to emit a regular pattern of light. A first optical element is configured to alter the pattern of light emitted by the array of light emitting elements to generate a first irregular pattern of light, and a second optical element is configured to receive the irregular pattern of light generated by the first optical element and to produce a pattern comprising multiple instances of the first irregular pattern.