Illumination modules that emit structured light
First Claim
1. A depth camera system, comprising:
- an illumination module configured to output structured light that illuminates a capture area; and
an image detector module configured to capture an image of the structured light as reflected from one or more objects within the capture area;
the illumination module includinga VCSEL array comprising a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), wherein each of the VCSELs is configured to emit a separate beam of light, and wherein the plurality of VCSELs are configured to collectively emit a light pattern; and
projection optics configured to receive the light pattern emitted by the VCSELs of the VCSEL array and project the light pattern;
wherein the structured light output by the illumination module is created at least in part based on the light pattern projected by the projection optics;
wherein the projection optics includea field lens that is positioned adjacent the VCSEL array and configured to receive the beams of light emitted by the VCSELs of the VCSEL array and converge the beams to a single pupil; and
an objective lens that is positioned adjacent the field lens at the single pupil and configured to receive the converged beams from the field lens and diverge the beams to produce the light pattern projected by the projection optics.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A depth camera includes an illumination module and an image detector module. The illumination module outputs structured light that illuminates a capture area. The image detector module captures an image of the structured light as reflected from object(s) within the capture area. The illumination module includes a VCSEL array and optical element(s), such as projection optics, an MLA or DOE, or combinations thereof. Projection optics receive a light pattern emitted by the VCSEL array and project the light pattern. An optical element, downstream from the projection optics, can cause a total number of features included in the structured light to be greater than the number of features included in the light pattern projected by the projection optics. In an embodiment, a pitch of an MLA is offset relative to a pitch of the VCSEL array. Various structures can include alignment elements to aid manufacture of the illumination module.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A depth camera system, comprising:
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an illumination module configured to output structured light that illuminates a capture area; and an image detector module configured to capture an image of the structured light as reflected from one or more objects within the capture area; the illumination module including a VCSEL array comprising a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs), wherein each of the VCSELs is configured to emit a separate beam of light, and wherein the plurality of VCSELs are configured to collectively emit a light pattern; and projection optics configured to receive the light pattern emitted by the VCSELs of the VCSEL array and project the light pattern; wherein the structured light output by the illumination module is created at least in part based on the light pattern projected by the projection optics; wherein the projection optics include a field lens that is positioned adjacent the VCSEL array and configured to receive the beams of light emitted by the VCSELs of the VCSEL array and converge the beams to a single pupil; and an objective lens that is positioned adjacent the field lens at the single pupil and configured to receive the converged beams from the field lens and diverge the beams to produce the light pattern projected by the projection optics. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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emitting a separate beam of light from each of a plurality of vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSELs) of a VCSEL array to thereby collectively emit a light pattern; receiving the beams of light emitted by the VCSELs of the VCSEL array, at a field lens that is adjacent the VCSEL array, and using the field lens to converge the beams to a single pupil; receiving the converged beams from the field lens, at an objective lens that is positioned adjacent the field lens at the single pupil, and using the objective lens to diverge the beams to produce a projected light pattern; illuminating a capture area with structured light that is created at least in part based on the projected light pattern produced using the objective lens; and capturing an image of the structured light as reflected from one or more objects within the capture area. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification