US 12,113,951 B2Granted

High-resolution pseudo-random dots projector module for depth sensing

AssigneeGoogle Inc.

InventorsXi Chen, Andrew Huibers

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Abstract

A system for projecting dots onto a three-dimensional image is configured to activate multiple pseudo-random dot projectors sequentially. Each pseudo-random dot projector includes an illumination source and a wavefront modulating element (WME) located along an optical axis in a path traversed by radiation produced by the illumination source. The system is configured to form images of dots in the projection plane along the optical axis. The system may also include controlling circuitry configured to perform a sequential projection operation on the plurality of pseudo-random dot projection systems to produce a temporal sequence of images and aggregate and process the temporal sequence of images to produce a high-resolution depth image of the three-dimensional surface.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of pseudo-random dot projection systems, each of the plurality of pseudo-random dot projection systems including:
a respective wavefront modulating element (WME) located along an optical axis in a path traversed by radiation produced by a respective illumination source, the respective WME including a diffractive optical element (DOE), the DOE including features configured to form an image of a respective plurality of dots in a vicinity of a respective projection plane, the respective projection plane being located a distance from the respective WME along the optical axis;
and
a controlling device, the controlling device including
memory;
and
controlling circuitry coupled to the memory, the controlling circuitry being configured to:
perform a projection operation on each of the plurality of pseudo-random dot projection systems according to a specified schedule, the projection operation including, forming an image of the respective plurality of dots on a three-dimensional surface in the vicinity of the respective projection plane to produce a temporal sequence of images;
and
aggregate the temporal sequence of images to produce a high-resolution depth image of the three-dimensional surface.

7 more elements

A method comprising:

performing a projection operation on each of a plurality of pseudo-random dot projection systems according to a specified schedule, the projection operation including forming an image of a respective plurality of dots on a three-dimensional surface in a vicinity of a respective projection plane to produce a temporal sequence of images, the respective plurality of dots formed by features included in a diffractive optical element (DOE) included in a respective wavefront modulating element (WME), the respective WME being located along an optical axis in a path traversed by radiation produced by a respective illumination source, the respective projection plane being located a distance from the respective WME along the optical axis;
and
aggregating the temporal sequence of images to produce a high-resolution depth image of the three-dimensional surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/450,351Filed 8 Oct 2021
Published: US 2023/0112542 A113 Apr 2023
Granted: 8 Oct 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification14 codes

G02B 27/18
Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00: for optical projection, e.g. combination of…
H04N 13/254
Using stereoscopic image cameras: in combination with electromagnetic radiation sources for illuminating objects
G01B 11/2513
By projecting a pattern, e.g. one or more lines, moiré fringes on the object: with several lines being projected in more than one direction, e.g.…
G01B 11/2527
Projection by scanning of the object: with phase change by in-plane movement of the patern

Family

US 2023/0112542 A1Pre-grant publication · published 13 Apr 2023
US 12,113,951 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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