Apparatus for producing patterned illumination using arrays of light sources and lenses

US10509147B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• AMS SENSORS SINGAPORE PTE. LTD. · SG

Inventors

• Markus Rossi · Jona, CH
• Hans Peter Herzig · Taunusstein, DE
• Philipp Mueller · Glückstadt, DE
• Ali Naqavi · Neuchâtel, CH
• Daniel Infante Gomez · Neuchâtel, CH
• Moshe Doron · San Francisco, US
• Matthias Gloor · Boswil, CH
• Alireza Yasan · San Jose, US
• Hartmut Rudmann · Jona, CH
• Martin Lukas Balimann · Singapore, SG
• Mai-Lan Elodie Boytard · Zürich, CH
• Bassam Hallal · Thalwil, CH
• Daniel Pérez Calero · Zürich, CH
• Julien Boucart · Milpitas, US
• Hendrik J Volkerink · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 26, 2016
• Grant date: Dec 17, 2019
• Expiry date: Jul 20, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G02B2207/123
• WIPO field: Optics
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for producing structured light comprises a first optical arrangement which comprises a microlens array (L1) comprising a multitude of transmissive or reflective microlenses (2) which are regularly arranged at a lens pitch P and an illumination unit for illuminating the microlens array. The illumination unit comprises an array (S1) of light sources (1) for emitting light of a wavelength L each and having an aperture each, wherein the apertures are located in a common emission plane which is located at a distance D from the microlens array. For the lens pitch P, the distance D and the wavelength L, the following equation applies P2=2LD/N, wherein N is an integer with N≥1. High-contrast high-intensity light patterns can be produced. Devices comprising such apparatuses can be used for depth mapping.