Imaging system and method using projection apparatus

An imaging system comprising:

• at least one camera;
• a projection apparatus comprising:
• an array of infrared emitters, the infrared emitters of said array being arranged in a first pattern;
• and
• a plurality of liquid-crystal cells and corresponding control circuits, a given liquid-crystal cell being arranged in front of a corresponding infrared emitter of said array;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• generate drive signals for driving the control circuits in a random or pseudorandom manner;
• control the plurality of liquid-crystal cells individually, via the corresponding control circuits, to project a second pattern of light spots onto objects present in a real-world environment, wherein, when driven by a given drive signal, a given control circuit electrically controls a corresponding liquid-crystal cell to any of:
• block light emanating from a corresponding infrared emitter,
• transmit the light in an unbended manner,
• bend the light;
• control the at least one camera to capture an image of reflections of the light spots from surfaces of the objects;
• and
• process the captured image to gather information pertaining to at least one of:
• an optical depth of a given object, a texture of a given surface of the given object, a shape of the given surface, a material of the given surface.

A method of imaging, via an imaging system comprising at least one camera and a projection apparatus comprising an array of infrared emitters arranged in a first pattern, a plurality of liquid-crystal cells and corresponding control circuits, wherein a given liquid-crystal cell is arranged in front of a corresponding infrared emitter of said array, the method comprising:

• generating drive signals for driving the control circuits in a random or pseudorandom manner;
• controlling the plurality of liquid-crystal cells individually, via the corresponding control circuits, to project a second pattern of light spots onto objects present in a real-world environment, wherein, when driven by a given drive signal, a given control circuit electrically controls a corresponding liquid-crystal cell to any of:
• block light emanating from a corresponding infrared emitter,
• transmit the light in an unbended manner,
• bend the light;
• capturing, via the at least one camera, an image of reflections of the light spots from surfaces of the objects;
• and
• processing the captured image to gather information pertaining to at least one of:
• an optical depth of a given object, a texture of a given surface of the given object, a shape of the given surface, a material of the given surface.