Structured light 3D sensors with variable focal length lenses and illuminators

A method of three-dimensional imaging, the method including:

• emitting an output light with a structured light illuminator in a structured light pattern;
• receiving a trigger command from one or more sensors in data communication with the 3D imaging system;
• changing a field of illumination of the illuminator from a long throw field of illumination to a short throw field of illumination;
• changing a field of view of an imaging sensor from a long throw field of view to a short throw field of view, wherein the field of view and the field of illumination are linked, such that the short throw field of illumination and short throw field of view are approximately the same and the long throw field of illumination and short throw field of view are approximately the same;
• detecting a reflected light of the structured light pattern with the imaging sensor;
• and
• measuring a depth value by calculating a distortion of the structured light pattern.

A method of three-dimensional imaging, the method including:

• emitting an output light with a structured light illuminator positioned in a head-mounted display, wherein the output light is emitted in a structured light pattern;
• receiving a trigger command from one or more sensors in data communication with the head-mounted display;
• changing a field of illumination of the illuminator;
• changing a field of view of an imaging sensor positioned in the head-mounted display, wherein the field of view and the field of illumination are linked, such that the field of view of the imaging sensor is the same as the field of illumination of the illuminator at a short throw field of view and a long throw field of view;
• detecting a reflected light with the imaging sensor;
• and
• measuring a depth value by calculating a distortion of the structured light pattern.