Compact laser source for active illumination for hybrid three-dimensional imagers
AssigneeIee International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
InventorsNorbert Herschbach, Jean-Luc Kaiser
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Abstract
The invention generally relates to hybrid three-dimensional imagers and to a laser source for active illumination for hybrid three-dimensional imagers (i.e. 3D imagers that make combined use of different 3D imaging technologies). The invention is applicable to three-dimensional imaging systems which use a combination of different imaging techniques (hybrid technologies) to achieve a higher precision or a higher level of reliability.
Claims6
A hybrid three-dimensional imaging instrument, comprising a laser based illumination source including an array of individual Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) and a switchable diffuser mounted in front of said array of VCSELs, said switchable diffuser being configured to be switchable between a structured-light mode, in which said diffuser is essentially transparent, and a diffuse operation mode, in which said diffuser generates a smooth and unstructured illumination field.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.