Apparatus for producing patterned illumination including at least one array of light sources and at least one array of microlenses
US9273846B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 29, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 1, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21Y2115/30
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for producing structured light comprises a first optical arrangement which comprises a microlens array comprising a multitude of transmissive or reflective microlenses which are regularly arranged at a lens pitch P and an illumination unit for illuminating the microlens array. The illumination unit comprises an array of light sources 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 appliesP2=2LD/N, wherein N is an integer with N≧1. High-contrast high-intensity light patterns can be produced.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.