Structured Light Projector with Tunable Irradiation Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D image sensing modules using structured light technology have fixed resolution and field of view, making them unsuitable for measuring depth information of targets requiring different resolutions or fields of view.
Innovation Solution
A structured light projector and three-dimensional image sensing module with a light source, irradiation range controlling device, and diffractive optical element, where the irradiation range controlling device modulates the light beam to change the illuminated region of the diffractive optical element, allowing functional modulation of the diffraction pattern's resolution and field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the resolution and field of view of the diffraction pattern are fixed in conventional structured light modules, then the device structure is simple, but the module cannot accommodate measurement requirements with different resolutions or fields of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tunable lens that can dynamically adjust the irradiation range of the light beam on the diffractive optical element. By changing the focal length of the tunable lens, the system can switch between different measurement modes (e.g., wide field of view vs. high resolution) without physical reconfiguration, thus improving adaptability while maintaining relatively simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters (irradiation range, focal length) of the light beam by using a tunable lens with variable focal length. This allows the same hardware configuration to produce different diffraction patterns with varying resolutions and fields of view, enabling the system to adapt to different measurement requirements through parameter modulation rather than structural changes
2Measurement precision
If a single diffractive optical element is used with fixed illumination, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision for different depth ranges is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tunable lens enables dynamic adjustment of the light beam's irradiation range on the diffractive optical element. For close-range measurements, the lens focuses the beam to illuminate a smaller region for higher resolution; for far-range measurements, it expands the illumination area for wider field of view, thereby improving depth measurement precision across different ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary adjustment of the light beam's irradiation range before the measurement process by pre-adjusting the tunable lens to the appropriate focal length based on the expected measurement distance. This ensures that the optimal diffraction pattern is generated in advance, improving measurement precision without requiring complex real-time adjustments during measurement
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 three-dimensional image sensing module to capture depth information with adjustable resolution and field of view, accommodating various measurement requirements by switching between modes, thus improving the versatility and accuracy of depth measurement.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive optical element disposed on a transmission path of the light beam from the irradiation range controlling device
Implementation Method 2
an image sensor adapted to capture an image of a diffraction pattern generated on a target by the light beam illuminating the region of the diffractive optical element
Data Source
AI summary
A structured light projector including a light source, an irradiation range controlling device, and a diffractive optical element is provided. The irradiation range controlling device is disposed on a transmission path of a light beam from the light source. The diffractive optical element is disposed on a transmission path of the light beam from the irradiation range controlling device. The irradiation range controlling device is adapted to control an irradiation range of the light beam transmitted to the diffractive optical element so as to change a size of a region of the diffractive optical element illuminated by the light beam from the irradiation range controlling device. A three-dimensional image sensing module using the same is also provided.