Scanning projectors and image capture modules for 3D mapping
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsAlexander Shpunt, Benny Pesach, Ronen Akerman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for mapping includes a radiation source, which is configured to emit a beam of radiation, and a detector and optics, which define a sensing area of the detector. A scanning mirror assembly is configured to receive and scan the emitted beam over a selected angular range within a region of interest while scanning the sensing area over the selected angular range in synchronization with the scanned beam from the radiation source. A processor is configured to process signals output by the detector in order to construct a three-dimensional (3D) map of an object in the region of interest.
Claims20
Apparatus for mapping, comprising:
- a radiation source, which is configured to emit a beam of radiation;
- a detector and optics, which define a sensing area of the detector;
- a scanning mirror assembly, which is configured to receive and scan the emitted beam over a selected angular range within a region of interest while scanning the sensing area over the selected angular range in synchronization with the scanned beam from the radiation source;
- and
- a processor, which is configured to process signals output by the detector in order to construct a three-dimensional (3D) map of an object in the region of interest.
A method for mapping, comprising:
- using a scanning mirror assembly, scanning a beam of radiation over a selected angular range within a region of interest while scanning a sensing area of a detector, using the scanning mirror assembly, over the selected angular range in synchronization with the scanned beam;
- and
- processing signals output by the detector in order to construct a three-dimensional (3D) map of an object in the region of interest.
Apparatus for mapping, comprising:
- an illumination module, comprising:
- a first radiation source, which is configured to emit a beam of infrared radiation;
- a second radiation source, which is configured to emit a visible light beam;
- and
- a scanner, which is configured to receive and scan both the infrared beam and the visible light beam simultaneously over a selected angular range onto a region of interest;
- a detector, which is configured to receive the infrared radiation that is reflected from an object in the region of interest;
- and
- a processor, which is configured to process signals output by the detector in order to construct a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object, while modulating the visible light beam so as to project a visible image onto the region of interest.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.