Methods for combining camera and projector functions in a single device

• US 20070040921A1
• Filed: 08/22/2005
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Davis, Michael, Saha, Amit, Morgan, Daniel, Carver, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 8,411,194 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/305
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0089 Image display device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/71 Charge-coupled device [CCD] sensors; Charge-transfer registers specially adapted for CCD sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/7458 the modulator being an array of deformable mirrors, e.g. digital micromirror device [DMD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3132 using one-dimensional electronic spatial light modulators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3176 wherein the projection device is incorporated in a camera details of cameras adapted for combination with a projector not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B17/54

Abstract

Described are handheld devices with combined image capture and image projection functions. One embodiment includes modulating and capturing a light beam along the same optic path. In another embodiment, the optical components are operable to switch between projection and capture modes. In yet another embodiment, the optical components may be formed on the same semiconductor substrate thereby increasing functionality.

Claims

1. A handheld device, comprising:

a light source operable to project a light beam along a first optic path;

a reflective light modulator comprising a plurality of switching elements operable to reflectively modulate the light beam along a second optic path; and

an image sensor situated substantially along the first optic path, wherein the image sensor is configured to capture an image from the second optic path reflected along the first optic path by the switching elements of the reflective light modulator.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the reflective light modulator comprises a digital micromirror device.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor comprises a CCD or a CMOS image sensor.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the processing electronics of the reflective light modulator and the image sensor are integrated.

5. A handheld device, comprising:

a light source operable to project a light beam along a first optic path;

a reflective light modulator comprising a plurality of switching elements operable to reflectively modulate the light beam along a second optic path; and

an image sensor situated substantially along a third optic path, wherein the image sensor is configured to capture an image from the second optic path reflected along the third optic path by the switching elements of the reflective light modulator.

6. A handheld device, comprising:

a light source operable to project a light beam along a first optic path;

a reflective light modulator comprising a plurality of switching elements operable to reflectively modulate the light beam along a second optic path; and

an optical component situated substantially along the second optic path, wherein the optical component is configured to direct an image from the second optic path to an image sensor situated substantially along a third optic path.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the optical component comprises a prism or a mirror.

8. A handheld device comprising a digital micromirror device and an image sensor on a mechanical structure, wherein the mechanical structure is operable to provide the digital micromirror device for projecting a first image along an optic path, and is further operable to provide the image sensor for capturing a second image along the optic path.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the first image and the second image are the same.

10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the mechanical structure is operable to provide the digital micromirror device and the image sensor by a switching mechanism, a translational switching mechanism, a rotational switching mechanism, or a combination of translational and rotational switching mechanism.

11. A device according to claim 8, wherein the digital micromirror device and the image sensor are formed on a common substrate or circuit board.

12. A handheld device, comprising:

a light source operable to project a light beam along a first optic path;

a reflective light modulator formed on a semiconductor substrate, the reflective light modulator comprising a plurality of switching elements operable to reflectively modulate the light beam substantially along a second optic path; and

a plurality of image sensors formed on the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the plurality of switching elements, the image sensors configured to capture an image from the second optic path reflected by the switching elements of the reflective light modulator substantially along subsequent optic paths.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the image sensors are operable to capture an image from the first optic path.

14. A device according to claim 12, wherein the image sensors are operable to capture an image from the second optic path.

15. A device according to claim 12, wherein the subsequent optic paths comprise third, fourth, or fifth optic paths.

16. A semiconductor device, comprising:

a substrate;

a reflective light modulator formed on the substrate, the reflective light modulator comprising a plurality of switching elements operable to reflect light beams; and

a plurality of image sensors formed on the substrate adjacent to the plurality of switching elements, the image sensors configured to capture light beams.

17. A device according to claim 16, wherein the substrate comprises a semiconductor substrate or a circuit board.

18. A device according to claim 16, wherein the switching elements are operable to reflect light beams to each other.

19. A device according to claim 16, wherein the image sensors are further configured to capture the reflected light beams from the plurality of switching elements.

20. A device according to claim 16, wherein the image sensors are further configured to capture reflected light beams from the surface of the substrate.