Coded Pattern Projector

• US 20170115497A1
• Filed: 10/07/2016
• Published: 04/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Princeton Optronics Inc (Ams-Osram AG)
• Original Assignee: Princeton Optronics Inc (Ams-Osram AG)
• Inventors: Chen, Tong, Ghosh, Chuni, Watkins, Laurence
• Granted Patent: US 9,946,089 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/004 using microlenses
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/005 using microprisms
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/008 Combination of two or more successive refractors along an optical axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/04 of lens shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/043 the lens having cylindrical faces, e.g. rod lenses, toric lenses
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/30 Semiconductor lasers
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2513 with several lines being projected in more than one direction, e.g. grids, patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/08 for measuring distance only indirect measurement G01S17/46; active triangulation systems G01S17/48
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4815 using multiple transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/12 operating by refraction only
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/126 The splitting element being a prism or prismatic array, including systems based on total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/30 Collimators
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/425 in illumination systems mask illumination systems in photolithographic systems G03F7/70158
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/46 Systems using spatial filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0037 characterized by the distribution or form of lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/2033 LED or laser light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/521 from laser ranging, e.g. using interferometry; from the projection of structured light
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/145 Illumination specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. using gratings
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/20 Movements or behaviour, e.g. gesture recognition recognition of facial expressions G06V40/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/207 : using a single 2D image sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/254 : in combination with electromagnetic radiation sources for illuminating objects

Abstract

A coded pattern projector apparatus comprises a surface-emitting array of emitters comprising a plurality of emitters where each of the plurality of emitters generates one of a plurality of optical beams in response to an electrical drive signal applied to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. A first optical element projects each the plurality of optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array of emitters. A second optical element collimates the plurality of optical beams in a first dimension and diverges the plurality of optical beams in a second dimension such that the plurality of optical beams form at least one stripe patterns. A controller has a plurality of electrical outputs, each of the plurality of electrical outputs is connected to a respective electrical inputs of each of the plurality of emitters. The controller generating desired electrical drive signals that produce a desired coded stripe pattern.

Claims

1. A coded pattern projector apparatus comprising:

a) a surface-emitting array of emitters comprising a plurality of emitters, each of the plurality of emitters generating one of a plurality of optical beams in response to an electrical drive signal applied to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters;

b) a first optical element positioned in an optical path of the plurality of optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array of emitters, the first optical element projecting each of the plurality of optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array of emitters;

c) a second optical element that is positioned in the optical path of the plurality of optical beams, the second optical element collimating the plurality of optical beams in a first dimension and diverging the plurality of optical beams in a second dimension such that the plurality of optical beams form at least one stripe pattern; and

d) a controller having a plurality of electrical outputs, each of the plurality of electrical outputs being connected to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters, the controller generating desired electrical drive signals that produce a desired coded stripe pattern.

2. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second optical element is positioned in the optical path of the plurality of optical beams after the first optical element.

3. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first optical element is positioned in the optical path of the plurality of optical beams after the second optical element.

4. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first optical element comprises a lens.

5. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first optical element comprises a collimating lens.

6. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second optical element comprises a diffractive optical element (DOE).

7. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second optical element comprises a cylindrical lens.

8. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least three of the plurality of emitters are positioned to form a row of the surface-emitting array of emitters such that at least one of the at least one stripe pattern comprises a uniform stripe pattern.

9. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of emitters are positioned to form a first row of the surface-emitting array of emitters and at least some other of the plurality of emitters are positioned to form a second row of the surface-emitting array of emitters, wherein the first and second rows are offset such that at least two of the stripe patterns coalesce.

10. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least some of the plurality of emitters comprise a group of emitters and wherein the respective electrical inputs of each of the plurality of emitters comprising the group of emitters is a same electrical input.

11. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third optical element that replicates each of the at least one stripe pattern and projects each replicated stripe pattern at a corresponding angle.

12. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of the corresponding angles is chosen to project a non-overlapping array of stripes.

13. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of the corresponding angles is chosen to project a coalesced pattern of stripes.

14. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 11 wherein the third optical element is a diffractive optical element (DOE).

15. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a micro-prism array positioned between the surface-emitting array of emitters and the first optical element, the micro-prism array comprising a plurality of micro-optic prism elements each aligned to a respective one of the plurality of emitters, the micro-prism array bending the plurality of optical beams such that they propagate through an aperture of the first optical element.

16. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 15 wherein a surface angle for each of the plurality of micro-optic prism elements of the micro-prism array presented to each of the respective one of the plurality of emitters increases proportionally from a center of the micro-optic prism array.

17. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a microlens array positioned adjacent to the surface-emitting array.

18. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 17 wherein an array pitch of the microlens array is smaller than an array pitch of the plurality of emitters, and wherein the microlens array is aligned and registered to the plurality of emitters such that the plurality of optical beams is collimated and converged.

19. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 17 wherein an array pitch of the microlens array is larger than an array pitch of the plurality of emitters, and wherein the microlens array is aligned and registered to the plurality of emitters such the plurality of optical beams is collimated and diverged.

20. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a microlens array integrated onto the surface-emitting array of emitters.

21. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a third optical element positioned in the optical path that produces a desired field-of-view of the desired coded stripe pattern.

22. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 21 wherein the third optical element comprises a fly'"'"'s-eye lens.

23. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface-emitting array of emitters comprises a VCSEL array.

24. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface-emitting array of emitters comprises a high-brightness VCSEL array.

25. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface-emitting array of emitters comprises a RC-LED array.

26. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the surface-emitting array of emitters comprises a high-brightness RC-LED array.

27. A coded pattern projector apparatus comprising:

a) a two-dimensional surface-emitting array of emitters comprising a plurality of emitters, each of the plurality of emitters generating an optical beam in response to an electrical drive signal applied to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters, wherein the optical beams generated by the plurality of emitters form a two-dimensional pattern of optical beams;

b) a first optical element positioned in an optical path of the plurality of optical beams generated by the two-dimensional surface-emitting array of emitters, the first optical element projecting the two-dimensional pattern of optical beams;

c) a second optical element positioned in the optical path of the plurality of optical beams generated by the two-dimensional surface-emitting array of emitters, the second optical element replicating the two-dimensional pattern of optical beams, thereby generating a plurality of two-dimensional optical beam patterns that are projected at respective angles to produce a replicated two-dimensional pattern; and

d) a controller having a plurality of electrical outputs, each of the plurality of electrical outputs being connected to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters, the controller generating desired electrical drive signals that produce a desired coded replicated two-dimensional pattern.

28. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein the plurality of two-dimensional optical beam patterns are projected at respective angles that produce a non-overlapping replicated two-dimensional pattern.

29. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein the plurality of two-dimensional optical beam patterns are projected at respective angles that produce a coalesced replicated two-dimensional pattern.

30. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein the plurality of two-dimensional optical beam patterns are projected at respective angles that produce a replicated two-dimensional pattern offset by ¼

of a size of the two-dimensional pattern of optical beams.

31. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein at least some of the plurality of emitters comprise a group of emitters and wherein the respective electrical inputs of each of the plurality of emitters comprising the group of emitters is a same electrical input.

32. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 29 further comprising a third optical element that replicates the coalesced replicated two-dimensional beam pattern to produce a plurality of coalesced replicated two-dimensional beam patterns, the third optical element projecting each of the plurality of coalesced replicated two-dimensional beam patterns at a respective angle.

33. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein the first optical element comprises a lens.

34. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein the second optical element comprises a diffractive optical element (DOE).

35. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a micro-prism array positioned between the surface-emitting array of emitters and the first optical element, the micro-prism array comprising a plurality of micro-optic prism elements each aligned to a respective one of the plurality of emitters, the micro-prism array bending the plurality of optical beams such that they propagate through an aperture of the first optical element.

36. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 35 wherein a surface angle for each of the plurality of micro-optic prism elements of the micro-prism array presented to each of the respective one of the plurality of emitters increases proportionally from a center of the micro-optic prism array.

37. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a microlens array positioned adjacent to the surface-emitting array.

38. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 37 wherein an array pitch of the microlens array is smaller than an array pitch of the plurality of emitters, and wherein the microlens array is aligned and registered to the plurality of emitters such that the plurality of optical beams is collimated and converged.

39. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 37 wherein an array pitch of the microlens array is larger than an array pitch of the plurality of emitters, and wherein the microlens array is aligned and registered to the plurality of emitters such the plurality of optical beams is collimated and diverged.

40. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a microlens array integrated onto the surface-emitting array of emitters.

41. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein the surface-emitting array of emitters comprises a VCSEL array.

42. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein the surface-emitting array of emitters comprises a high-brightness VCSEL array.

43. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein the surface-emitting array of emitters comprises a RC-LED array.

44. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 27 wherein the surface-emitting array of emitters comprises a high-brightness RC-LED array.

45. A coded pattern projector apparatus comprising:

a) a surface-emitting array of emitters comprising a plurality of emitters, each of the plurality of emitters generating a shaped optical beam in response to an electrical drive signal applied to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters, wherein the shaped optical beams generated by the plurality of emitters form a two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical beams centered on an axis;

b) a micro-prism array comprising a plurality of micro-optic prism elements, each of the plurality of micro-optic prism elements aligned to a respective one of the plurality of emitter of the surface-emitting array, wherein a surface angle for each micro-optic prism element of the micro-prism array presented to each respective one of the plurality of emitters of the surface-emitting array increases proportionally from a center of the micro-optic prism array such that two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical beams is bent toward the axis;

c) a lens positioned to receive the two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical beams, the lens producing an image of the two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical beams, and

d) a controller having a plurality of electrical outputs, each of the plurality of electrical outputs being connected to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters, the controller generating desired electrical drive signals that produce a desired coded image of a two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical spots.

46. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 45 wherein a shape of each of the plurality of shaped optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array is defined by an aperture shape of a respective one of the plurality of emitters of the surface-emitting array.

47. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 46 wherein the shape of each of the plurality of shaped optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array is a round shape and the desired coded image of a two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical spots is a coded image of a two-dimensional pattern of round optical spots.

48. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 45 wherein the two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical beams received by the lens fully fills an aperture of the lens.

49. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 45 wherein the two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical beams received by the lens uniformly fills an aperture of the lens.

50. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 45 wherein the micro-prism array is integrated onto the surface-emitting array.

51. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 45 wherein at least some of the plurality of emitters comprise a group of emitters and wherein the respective electrical inputs of each of the plurality of emitters comprising the group of emitters is a same electrical input

52. The coded pattern projector apparatus of claim 45 further comprising a third optical element that replicates the image of the two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical beams to produce a plurality of images of the two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical beams, the third optical element projecting each of the plurality of images of the two-dimensional pattern of shaped optical beams at a respective angle.