PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11480808-B2
Application Number: US-202017067447-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Folded projection system

Abstract:
A compact folded projection system is described that includes a laser light source, a folded lens system comprising a lens stack including two or more refractive lenses and a light folding element (e.g., a prism), and a diffractive beam splitter that includes at least one diffractive surface. The light folding element provides a “folded” optical axis for the lens system to reduce the Z-height of the projection system, for example to within a range of 1.7 to 4 millimeters (e.g., 2 millimeters in some implementations). The laser light source emits light that is refracted by the lens stack to the folding element. The folding element redirects the light to the beam splitter which replicates the light into N×M duplications or tiles to thus generate a larger field of view (FOV) than the internal FOV of the lens system.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A projection system, comprising:
 a light source; 
 a lens system comprising:
 a lens stack comprising a field lens and a collimating lens; and 
 a light folding element; and 
 
 a diffractive beam splitter; 
 wherein the lens stack refracts light emitted by the light source on a first optical axis to the light folding element; 
 wherein the light folding element redirects the light received from the lens stack to the diffractive beam splitter on a second optical axis; and 
 wherein the diffractive beam splitter replicates the light to generate a larger field of view for the projection system than an internal field of view of the lens system. 
 
     
     
       2. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the field lens has at least one aspheric surface to correct for distortion and telecentricity. 
     
     
       3. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the collimating lens has at least one aspheric surface to define diameter of an exit pupil of the lens system, object divergence, and minimal spot diameter of the object. 
     
     
       4. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a refractive lens with at least one aspheric surface located between the field lens and the collimating lens to correct image quality across a field of view of the lens system. 
     
     
       5. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein effective focal length of the lens system is within a range of 2.7 to 3.3 millimeters. 
     
     
       6. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an exit pupil of the lens system is at or near a diffractive surface of the beam splitter. 
     
     
       7. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein maximum Z height of the projection system is within a range of 1.7 to 4 millimeters, and wherein maximum clear aperture of the lenses in the lens stack is within a range of 1.5 to 3.8 millimeters. 
     
     
       8. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein maximum Z height of the projection system is within a range of 1.75 to 2.1 millimeters, and wherein maximum clear aperture of the lenses in the lens stack is within a range of 1.6 to 1.75 millimeters. 
     
     
       9. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lenses in the lens stack include at least one injection molded optical plastic lens. 
     
     
       10. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lenses in the lens stack include at least one epoxy deposited glass wafer lens. 
     
     
       11. The folded projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lenses in the lens stack include at least one molded glass wafer lens. 
     
     
       12. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lenses in the lens stack include at least one sectioned lens. 
     
     
       13. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light source is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array. 
     
     
       14. The projection system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the light folding element is a prism composed of a plastic or glass material with a refractive index that positions an exit pupil of the lens system at an active diffractive surface of the diffractive beam splitter. 
     
     
       15. A lens system, comprising:
 a lens stack comprising:
 a field lens with at least one aspheric surface to correct for distortion and telecentricity; and 
 a collimating lens with at least one aspheric surface to define diameter of an exit pupil of the lens system, object divergence, and minimal spot diameter of the object; and 
 
 a light folding element; 
 wherein the lens stack refracts light emitted by a light source on a first optical axis to the light folding element; and 
 wherein the light folding element redirects the light received from the lens stack to a diffractive beam splitter on a second optical axis. 
 
     
     
       16. The lens system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the lens stack further comprises a refractive lens with at least one aspheric surface located between the field lens and the collimating lens to correct image quality across a field of view of the lens system. 
     
     
       17. The lens system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the light folding element is a prism composed of a plastic or glass material with a refractive index that positions an exit pupil of the lens system at an active diffractive surface of the diffractive beam splitter. 
     
     
       18. The lens system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein maximum clear aperture of the lenses in the lens stack is within a range of 1.5 to 3.8 millimeters. 
     
     
       19. The lens system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein effective focal length of the lens system is within a range of 2.7 to 3.3 millimeters. 
     
     
       20. The projection system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the light source is a laser light source.

Description:
PRIORITY INFORMATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/360,258, filed Mar. 21, 2019, which claims benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/646,322, filed Mar. 21, 2018, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure relates generally to projection systems, and more specifically to small form factor projection systems. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     The advent of small, mobile multipurpose devices such as smartphones and tablet or pad devices has resulted in a need for compact imaging components that include lens systems such as projectors and cameras. In particular, as mobile multipurpose devices have become thinner, the Z space available for imaging components has been constrained. For example, in very thin devices, imaging components may be constrained to 4 millimeters or less in the Z dimension. 
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a compact folded projection system (also referred to as a projector) that may, for example, be used in small, mobile multipurpose devices such as smartphones and tablet or pad devices. Embodiments of the projection system may include a laser light source (e.g., an array of small lasers such as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array), a folded lens system comprising a lens stack including two or more refractive lenses or lens groups and a light folding element (e.g., a prism), and a diffractive beam splitter that includes at least one diffractive surface. The light folding element provides a “folded” optical axis for the lens system (e.g., by bending the optical axis 90 degrees) to reduce the Z-height of the projection system. The laser light source emits light (ray bundles) that are refracted by the lenses in the lens stack to the light folding element. The light folding element redirects the ray bundles to the diffractive beam splitter which replicates the ray bundles into N×M duplications. Replicating the ray bundles generates a larger field of view (FOV) than the internal FOV of the lens system. 
     In some embodiments, the lens stack includes two lenses with refractive power, arranged in order from the laser light source (referred to as the “object side” of the projection system) to the light folding element: a first lens with aspheric shape, referred to as a field lens, and a second lens referred to as a collimating lens. In some embodiments, the field lens has high order aspheric surfaces that correct for distortion and telecentricity in the lens system. In some embodiments, the collimating lens defines the diameter of the exit pupil, the object divergence, and the minimal spot diameter of the object. In some embodiments, the lens stack includes at least one refractive lens between the field lens and the collimating lens to further correct the image quality across the field of view of the lens system. 
     In some embodiments, the lens system is telecentric on the object side to make it suitable to project the array of laser light sources. In some embodiments, the diffractive beam splitter is located at the exit pupil of the lens system to avoid duplication artifacts. 
     The dimensions and optical characteristics of embodiments of the projection system may be dictated or constrained by the particular design requirements for the projection system. For example, the maximum Z height of the projection system may be constrained by the available Z space in a device for which the projection system is intended. 
     In some embodiments, the maximum Z height of the projection system may be within a range of 1.7 to 4 millimeters, and the maximum clear aperture of the lenses may be within a range of 1.5 to 3.8 mm. In some embodiments, the effective focal length (EFL) of the lens system may be within a range of 2.0 to 3.3 mm (e.g., 2.81 mm). 
     In some embodiments, the maximum lens clear aperture is within a range of 1.6 to 1.75 mm (e.g., 1.65 mm or 1.7 mm), and the maximum Z height is within a range of 1.75 to 2.1 mm (e.g., 2 mm). 
     In some embodiments, the maximum lens clear aperture is within a range of 1.65 to 1.7 mm, and the maximum Z height is within a range of 1.9 to 2.0 mm. 
     In some embodiments, the light folding element is a prism. In some embodiments, the prism may be composed of a plastic or glass material with a refractive index within a range of 1.45 to 1.85. In some embodiments, the refractive index of the prism is 1.7. 
     In some embodiments, the diffractive beam splitter includes a single active diffractive surface. In some embodiments, the active diffractive surface is located on the object side of the beam splitter (i.e., adjacent to the light folding element). In some embodiments, the active diffractive surface is located on the image side of the beam splitter. In some embodiments, the beam splitter may include two or more active diffractive surfaces. 
     In some embodiments, total track length (TTL) of the lens system before the folding element is within a range of 3.5 to 5 mm. In some embodiments, TTL of the lens system before the folding element is approximately 4 mm. In some embodiments, the lens system satisfies the relation:
 
0.5&lt;= EFL/TTL&lt;= 1.
 
     In some embodiments, effective range of the tiled FOV of the projection system is within about 15 cm to about 4 meters in front of the projection system. In some embodiments, the FOV of the projection system may be within a range of 40 to 90 degrees in the X (horizontal) direction and 30 to 50 degrees in the Y (vertical) direction. In some embodiments, the FOV of the projection system may be 70 degrees in X and 40 degrees in Y. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates components of an example compact projection system, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the diffractive beam splitter replicating the field of view of the lens system to produce a larger field of view for the projection system, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a device that includes a camera and a projection system as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded lens system that includes two injection molded lenses. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded lens system that includes three injection molded lenses. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded lens system that includes two epoxy on glass lenses. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded lens system that includes three epoxy on glass lenses. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded lens system that includes two molded glass wafer lenses. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded lens system that includes three molded glass wafer lenses. 
         FIG. 10  is a high-level flowchart of a method of operation for a projection system as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 9 , according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an example computer system that may be used in embodiments. 
     
    
    
     This specification includes references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure. 
     “Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units . . . ”. Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphics circuitry, etc.). 
     “Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component. Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) to operate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue. “Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks. 
     “First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and “second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value. 
     “Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.” While in this case, B is a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of a compact projection system are described that that may, for example, be used in small, mobile multipurpose devices such as smartphones and tablet or pad devices.  FIG. 1  illustrates components of an example compact projection system  100 , according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, projection system  100  may include a telecentric light source  110  (e.g., an array of small lasers such as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array), a folded lens system  120  comprising a lens stack  122  including two or more refractive lenses or lens groups and a light folding element  124  (e.g., a prism), and a diffractive beam splitter  130  that includes at least one diffractive surface. The light folding element  124  provides a “folded” optical axis for the lens system  120  (e.g., by bending the optical axis 90 degrees) to reduce the Z-height of the projection system  100 . The light source  110  emits light (ray bundles) that are refracted by the lens stack  122  to the light folding element  124 . The light folding element  124  redirects the ray bundles to the diffractive beam splitter  130  which replicates the ray bundles into N×M duplications that are projected onto an object or surface in front of the projection system  100 . Replicating the ray bundles generates a larger field of view (FOV) than the internal FOV of the lens system  120 . 
     In some embodiments, the lens stack  122  includes two lenses with refractive power, arranged in order from the laser light source (referred to as the “object side” of the projection system) to the light folding element: a first lens  101  with aspheric shape, referred to as a field lens, and a second lens  102  referred to as a collimating lens. In some embodiments, the field lens  101  has high order aspheric surfaces that perform corrections for distortion and telecentricity in the lens system  120 . The field lens  101  also helps to control the exit pupil  140  position. In some embodiments, the collimating lens  102  defines the diameter of the exit pupil  140 , the object divergence, and the minimal spot diameter of the object. In some embodiments, the lens stack  122  includes at least one refractive lens  103  between the field lens  101  and the collimating lens  102  to further correct the image quality across the field of view of the lens system  120 . The collimating lens  102  (and lens  103 , if present) also contribute to collimating or focusing the laser light beams to a predefined distance or infinity. 
     In some embodiments, lenses  101 ,  102  and  103  are single lenses. Alternatively, in some embodiments, at least one of lenses  101 ,  102 , or  103  is a compound lens or lens group including two or more lenses. 
     In some embodiments, the object (i.e., the light source  110 ) may be located close to the field lens  101 ; this allows for minimizing the physical size of the field lens  101 . In some embodiments, the lens system  120  is telecentric on the object side to make it suitable to project the array  110  of laser light sources without clipping the beams inside the lens system  120 . In some embodiments, the diffractive beam splitter  130  is located at the exit pupil  140  of the lens system  120  to avoid duplication artifacts. In some embodiments, the lens system  120  is designed so that the element size near the exit pupil  140  is minimized. For example, the exit pupil  140  of the lens system  120  may be located as close as possible to the collimating lens  102  to minimize the size of the collimating lens  102 . In some embodiments, the lenses may be sectioned (e.g., the lenses may be rectangular) to make the aperture rectangular, for example to meet packaging requirements. 
     In some embodiments, in addition to providing a short Z dimension for the projection system  100 , the optical fold provided by the light folding element  124  acts to push out the exit pupil  140  to the beam splitter  130 . In some embodiments, the light folding element  124  is a prism composed of a plastic or glass material with an index of refraction (diffractive index) that assists in positioning the exit pupil  140  at the diffractive beam splitter  130 , more specifically at an active diffractive surface of the beam splitter  130 . In some embodiments, the refractive index of the prism is within a range of 1.45 to 1.85. In some embodiments, the refractive index of the prism is 1.7. In some embodiments, the beam splitter  130  includes a single active diffractive surface. In some embodiments, the active diffractive surface is located on the object side of the beam splitter (i.e., adjacent to the light folding element  124 ). However, in some embodiments, the active diffractive surface is located on the image side of the beam splitter  130 . In some embodiments, the beam splitter  130  may include two or more active diffractive surfaces 
     In some embodiments, the lenses may be injection molded optical plastic lenses. In some embodiments, the lenses may be epoxy deposited glass wafer lenses, also referred to as replicated lens wafers or epoxy on glass wafer lenses. In some embodiments, the lenses may be molded glass wafers composed of low transition glass material suitable for molding. Example embodiments with two lenses and with three lenses are described for each method of lens manufacture. The two-lens embodiments may allow for generally looser tolerances for easier manufacturability, but may provide reduced off-axis performance. The three-lens embodiments may be diffraction limited, but may require tighter manufacturing tolerances. 
     In some embodiments, athermalization may be achieved with epoxy deposited glass wafer lenses and/or with molded glass wafer lenses so that optical properties of the lens system  120  do not change with variations in temperature. 
     Embodiments of the projection system  100  may be implemented in a small package size suitable for use in small and/or mobile multipurpose devices such as cell phones, smartphones, pad or tablet computing devices, laptop, netbook, notebook, subnotebook, and ultrabook computers, and so on. In particular, the folded lens system design using the folding element  124  to fold the optical axis provides a shorter Z-axis height for the projection system  100  than is achievable with non-folded lens designs, which makes the projection system  100  suitable for use in thin devices where Z space is at a premium.  FIG. 11  illustrates an example device that may include one or more projection systems  100  as described herein. However, note that aspects of the projection system  100  (e.g., the light source  110 , lens stack  122 , prism  124 , and diffraction beam splitter  130 ) may be scaled up or down to provide projection systems  100  with larger or smaller package sizes. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the diffractive beam splitter replicating the field of view of the lens system to produce a larger field of view for the projection system  100 , according to some embodiments. The light source  110  emits light (ray bundles) that are refracted by the lens stack  122  to the light folding element  124 . The light may be visible, infrared, near-infrared, or other wavelengths of light depending on the particular application. The light folding element  124  redirects the ray bundles to the diffractive beam splitter  130  which replicates the ray bundles into N×M duplications that are projected onto an object or surface in front of the projection system  100 . Replicating the ray bundles generates a larger field of view (FOV) for the projector than the internal FOV of the lens system  120 . For example, if the internal FOV is about 10 degrees, the beam splitter  130  may replicate the FOV 7× in the X direction and 3× in the Y direction to produce 21 “tiles” that provide a 70 degree FOV in the X direction and a 40 degree FOV in the Y direction for the projector  100 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a device that includes a camera and a projection system as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , according to some embodiments. A device  10  (e.g., a mobile multipurpose device such as a smartphone, pad, or tablet device) may include a projection system  100  as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 and 2  that projects replicated laser light to a projector FOV as described in reference to  FIG. 2 . Device  10  may also include a camera  190  that acts as a receiver to capture depth images of the field illuminated by the projection system  100 . A depth image includes pixels with range or depth information instead of color information. As an example use case, an object may be located at some distance (e.g., 4 meters or less) in front of the device  10 . The projector  100  may illuminate the object with light emitted by the light source  110  and replicated by the beam splitter  130 . The camera  190  captures depth image(s) of the object. The depth information may, for example, be used in object recognition applications. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the projector FOV may overlap the camera FOV. Generally stated, the camera FOV should be less than or equal to the projector FOV so that the entire FOV of the camera is covered by the FOV of the projector. Thus, if projecting a pattern, the entire FOV of the camera is covered by the projected pattern. In addition, the distance between the projector  100  and the camera  190  may result in parallax at some distances; thus, the projector FOV should cover a region large enough to account for parallax 
     Projection System Dimensions and Optical Characteristics 
     The dimensions and optical characteristics of embodiments of the projection system  100  may be dictated or constrained by the particular design requirements for the projection system  100 . For example, the maximum Z height of the projection system  100  may be constrained by the available Z space in a device for which the projection system  100  is intended. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the Z height of the projection system  100  includes the maximum clear aperture of the lenses in the lens system  120  and the thickness of the beam splitter  130 , which adds to the Z height of the projection system  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the maximum Z height of the projection system  100  may be within a range of 1.7 to 4 millimeters, and the maximum clear aperture of the lenses may be within a range of 1.5 to 3.8 mm. In some embodiments, the effective focal length (EFL) of the lens system  120  may be within a range of 2.0 to 3.3 mm (e.g., 2.81 mm). 
     In some embodiments, the maximum lens clear aperture is within a range of 1.6 to 1.75 mm (e.g., 1.65 mm or 1.7 mm), and the maximum Z height is within a range of 1.75 to 2.1 millimeters (e.g., 2 mm). 
     In some embodiments, the maximum lens clear aperture is within a range of 1.65 to 1.7 mm, and the maximum Z height is within a range of 1.9 to 2.0 mm. 
     In some embodiments, the light folding element  124  is a prism composed of a plastic or glass material with a diffractive index within a range of 1.45 to 1.85. In some embodiments, the diffractive index of the prism is 1.7. 
     In some embodiments, the diffractive beam splitter  130  includes a single active diffractive surface. In some embodiments, the active diffractive surface is located on the object side of the beam splitter  130  (i.e., adjacent to the light folding element  120 ). In some embodiments, the active diffractive surface is located on the image side of the beam splitter  130 . In some embodiments, the beam splitter  130  may include two or more active diffractive surfaces. 
     In some embodiments, total track length (TTL) of the lens system  120  before the folding element  122  (i.e., the length of AX 1  in  FIG. 1 ) is within a range of 3.5 to 5 mm. In some embodiments, TTL of the lens system  120  before the folding element  122  is approximately 4 mm. In some embodiments, the lens system  120  satisfies the relation:
 
0.5&lt;= EFL/TTL&lt;= 1.
 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in some embodiments, the effective range of the tiled FOV of the projector  100  is within about 15 cm to about 4 meters in front of the device. In some embodiments, the FOV of the projection system may be within a range of 40 to 90 degrees in the X (horizontal) direction and 30 to 60 degrees in the Y (vertical) direction. In some embodiments, the FOV of the projection system may be 70 degrees in X and 40 degrees in Y. 
     Example Embodiments 
       FIGS. 4 through 9  provide example embodiments of compact folded projection systems that include lens stacks with two lenses and with three lenses for each method of lens manufacture (injection molded lenses, epoxy on glass lenses, and molded glass wafer lenses). The two-lens embodiments may allow for generally looser tolerances for easier manufacturability, but may provide reduced off-axis performance. The three-lens embodiments may be diffraction limited, but may require tighter manufacturing tolerances. In some embodiments, athermalization may be achieved with epoxy deposited glass wafer lenses and/or molded glass wafer lenses so that optical properties of the lens system do not change with variations in temperature. 
     For each example embodiment, two Tables are provided that provide example values for various optical and physical parameters of the respective projection system. The Tables may be referred to as providing an optical prescription for the respective projection system. The first Table lists the surface type, radius of curvature, and material for the lenses, the material for the prism, and the thickness or separation/spacing for the elements in the respective projection system from the object (i.e., the light source) to the image (i.e., the illuminated field). “Stop” corresponds to the exit pupil. Aspheric coefficients for the surfaces of the lens elements in the respective projection system are provided in the second Table. 
     Note that these example embodiments are given as illustrative examples, and variations on these examples are possible while still achieving similar results. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded projection system  400  that includes two injection molded lenses, field lens  401  and collimating lens  402 . The field lens  401  has high order aspheric surfaces that perform corrections for distortion and telecentricity in the lens system. The field lens  401  also helps to control the exit pupil position. The collimating lens  402  defines the diameter of the exit pupil, the object divergence, and the minimal spot diameter of the object. Tables 1 and 2 provide an optical prescription for projection system  400 . In the Tables, S4 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  401 , S3 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  401 , S2 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  402 , and S1 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  402 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Thickness 
                   
               
               
                 Surface  
                 Surface 
                 Surface 
                 Y 
                 or 
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Name 
                 Type 
                 Radius 
                 Separation 
                 Material 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Object 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 1 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.4500 
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 S4 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.8895 
                 0.6000 
                 660000.20 
               
               
                 3 
                 S3 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.1960 
                 2.5159 
                   
               
               
                 4 
                 S2 
                 Aspheric 
                 −17.3575 
                 0.4341 
                 660000.20 
               
               
                 5 
                 S1 
                 Aspheric 
                 −2.2769 
                 0.0500 
                   
               
               
                 6 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 7 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 8 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 1.6500 
                 700000.30 
               
               
                 9 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 10 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 12 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 900.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Image 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 S4 
                 S3 
                 S2 
                 S1 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Conic Constant (K) 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 −0.5228 
               
               
                 4 th  Order Coefficient (A) 
                 −0.0291 
                 0.0358 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                 6 th  Order Coefficient (B) 
                 −0.5671 
                 −0.1324 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                 8 th  Order Coefficient (C) 
                 1.1567 
                 0.1991 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                 10 th  Order Coefficient (D) 
                 −0.2417 
                 −0.0462 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded projection system  500  that includes three injection molded lenses, field lens  501 , collimating lens  502 , and a third lens  503  located between lenses  501  and  502 . The field lens  501  has high order aspheric surfaces that perform corrections for distortion and telecentricity in the lens system. The field lens  501  also helps to control the exit pupil position. The collimating lens  502  defines the diameter of the exit pupil, the object divergence, and the minimal spot diameter of the object. Lens  503  further corrects the image quality across the field of view of the lens system. Tables 3 and 4 provide an optical prescription for projection system  500 . In the Tables, S6 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  501 , S5 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  501 , S4 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  503 , S3 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  503 , S2 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  502 , and S1 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  502 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Thickness 
                   
               
               
                 Surface  
                 Surface 
                 Surface 
                 Y 
                 or 
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Name 
                 Type 
                 Radius 
                 Separation 
                 Material 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Object 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 1 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 1.0047 
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 S6 
                 Aspheric 
                 −3.0375 
                 0.4229 
                 660000.20 
               
               
                 3 
                 S5 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.1317 
                 1.0540 
                   
               
               
                 4 
                 S4 
                 Aspheric 
                 −0.8910 
                 0.4173 
                 660000.20 
               
               
                 5 
                 S3 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.2689 
                 0.6760 
                   
               
               
                 6 
                 S2 
                 Aspheric 
                 9.8363 
                 0.4252 
                 660000.20 
               
               
                 7 
                 S1 
                 Aspheric 
                 −3.9180 
                 0.0500 
                   
               
               
                 8 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 9 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 10 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 1.6500 
                 700000.30 
               
               
                 11 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 12 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 14 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 900.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Image 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 S6 
                 S5 
                 S4 
                 S3 
                 S2 
                 S1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Conic Constant (K) 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 16.5847 
               
               
                 4 th  Order Coefficient (A) 
                 0.0707 
                 0.2503 
                 1.1905 
                 0.5362 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                 6 th  Order Coefficient (B) 
                 1.5787 
                 0.8559 
                 −0.5918 
                 0.0508 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0792 
               
               
                 8 th  Order Coefficient (C) 
                 −2.3545 
                 0.0650 
                 0.0837 
                 −0.3944 
                 0.0000 
                 −0.0783 
               
               
                 10 th  Order Coefficient (D) 
                 1.3783 
                 −0.3166 
                 0.3163 
                 0.0712 
                 0.0000 
                 0.1216 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 6  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded projection system  600  that includes two epoxy on glass lenses, field lens  601  and collimating lens  602 . The field lens  601  has high order aspheric surfaces that perform corrections for distortion and telecentricity in the lens system. The field lens  601  also helps to control the exit pupil position. The collimating lens  602  defines the diameter of the exit pupil, the object divergence, and the minimal spot diameter of the object. Tables 5 and 6 provide an optical prescription for projection system  600 . In the Tables, S4 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  601 , S3 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  601 , S2 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  602 , and S1 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  602 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Thickness 
                   
               
               
                 Surface  
                 Surface 
                 Surface 
                 Y 
                 or 
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Name 
                 Type 
                 Radius 
                 Separation 
                 Material 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Object 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 1 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.6000 
                   
               
               
                 2 
                 S4 
                 Aspheric 
                 −4.0585 
                 0.1000 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 3 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 4 
                 Wafer 2 
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.3000 
                 510000.56 
               
               
                 5 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.2634 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 6 
                 S3 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.4056 
                 2.1886 
                   
               
               
                 7 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 8 
                 S2 
                 Aspheric 
                 9.4122 
                 0.1445 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 9 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 10 
                 Wafer 1 
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.3000 
                 510000.56 
               
               
                 11 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.1897 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 12 
                 S1 
                 Aspheric 
                 −2.5743 
                 0.0500 
                   
               
               
                 13 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 1.6000 
                 700000.30 
               
               
                 14 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 16 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 900.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Image 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 S4 
                 S3 
                 S2 
                 S1 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Conic Constant (K) 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                 4 th  Order Coefficient (A) 
                 −0.0744 
                 0.0021 
                 0.0379 
                 0.0358 
               
               
                 6 th  Order Coefficient (B) 
                 −0.4297 
                 0.1582 
                 −0.0015 
                 −0.0034 
               
               
                 8 th  Order Coefficient (C) 
                 5.9941 
                 −0.3633 
                 0.0615 
                 0.0758 
               
               
                 10 th  Order Coefficient (D) 
                 −26.8261 
                 0.4695 
                 −0.0798 
                 −0.1129 
               
               
                 12 th  Order Coefficient (E) 
                 56.6720 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0595 
                 0.0907 
               
               
                 14 th  Order Coefficient (F) 
                 −43.8113 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded lens system that includes three epoxy on glass lenses, field lens  701 , collimating lens  702 , and a third lens  703  located between lenses  701  and  702 . The field lens  701  has high order aspheric surfaces that perform corrections for distortion and telecentricity in the lens system. The field lens  701  also helps to control the exit pupil position. The collimating lens  702  defines the diameter of the exit pupil, the object divergence, and the minimal spot diameter of the object. Lens  703  further corrects the image quality across the field of view of the lens system. Tables 7 and 8 provide an optical prescription for projection system  700 . In the Tables, S6 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  701 , S5 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  701 , S4 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  703 , S3 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  703 , S2 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  702 , and S1 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  702 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Thickness 
                   
               
               
                 Surface  
                 Surface 
                 Surface 
                 Y 
                 or 
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Name 
                 Type 
                 Radius 
                 Separation 
                 Material 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Object 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 1 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 2 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.6000 
                   
               
               
                 3 
                 S6 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.2686 
                 0.0781 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 4 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 5 
                 Wafer 3 
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.3000 
                 520000.56 
               
               
                 6 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.2624 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 7 
                 S5 
                 Aspheric 
                 −0.8121 
                 0.8557 
                   
               
               
                 8 
                 S4 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.4648 
                 0.1000 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 9 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 10 
                 Wafer 2 
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.3000 
                 520000.56 
               
               
                 11 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.1963 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 12 
                 S3 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.9663 
                 1.0802 
                   
               
               
                 13 
                 S2 
                 Aspheric 
                 19.7654 
                 0.0750 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 14 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 15 
                 Wafer 1 
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.3000 
                 520000.56 
               
               
                 16 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.1803 
                 520000.54 
               
               
                 17 
                 S1 
                 Aspheric 
                 −2.8309 
                 0.0500 
                   
               
               
                 18 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 1.6000 
                 700000.30 
               
               
                 19 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Image 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 900.0000 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 8 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 S6 
                 S5 
                 S4 
                 S3 
                 S2 
                 S1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Conic Constant (K) 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                 4 th  Order Coefficient (A) 
                 0.3074 
                 0.5903 
                 1.1321 
                 0.5025 
                 0.0888 
                 0.0377 
               
               
                 6 th  Order Coefficient (B) 
                 3.5020 
                 1.1194 
                 −1.6893 
                 −0.4681 
                 −0.2078 
                 −0.0566 
               
               
                 8 th  Order Coefficient (C) 
                 −15.3029 
                 −1.6140 
                 1.6085 
                 −0.1553 
                 0.1569 
                 −0.0444 
               
               
                 10 th  Order Coefficient (D) 
                 35.9089 
                 1.2242 
                 −1.0093 
                 0.1718 
                 −0.1281 
                 0.1095 
               
               
                 12 th  Order Coefficient (E) 
                 −47.1629 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 −0.1212 
                 −0.1641 
               
               
                 14 th  Order Coefficient (F) 
                 24.1734 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 8  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded lens system that includes two molded glass wafer lenses, field lens  801  and collimating lens  802 . The field lens  801  has high order aspheric surfaces that perform corrections for distortion and telecentricity in the lens system. The field lens  801  also helps to control the exit pupil position. The collimating lens  802  defines the diameter of the exit pupil, the object divergence, and the minimal spot diameter of the object. Tables 9 and 10 provide an optical prescription for projection system  800 . In the Tables, S4 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  801 , S3 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  801 , S2 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  802 , and S1 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  802 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Thickness 
                   
               
               
                 Surface  
                 Surface 
                 Surface 
                 Y 
                 or 
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Name 
                 Type 
                 Radius 
                 Separation 
                 Material 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Object 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.6000 
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 S4 
                 Aspheric 
                 −2.2147 
                 0.6000 
                 669000.31 
               
               
                 2 
                 S3 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.2653 
                 2.2999 
                   
               
               
                 3 
                 S2 
                 Aspheric 
                 −6.9504 
                 0.6000 
                 669000.31 
               
               
                 4 
                 S1 
                 Aspheric 
                 −2.1377 
                 0.0500 
                   
               
               
                 5 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 6 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 7 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 1.6000 
                 700000.30 
               
               
                 8 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 9 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 11 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 900.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Image 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 S4 
                 S3 
                 S2 
                 S1 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Conic Constant (K) 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
                 0.0000 
               
               
                 4 th  Order Coefficient (A) 
                 −0.1395 
                 −0.0138 
                 −0.0067 
                 0.0018 
               
               
                 6 th  Order Coefficient (B) 
                 −0.2603 
                 −0.0529 
                 −0.0266 
                 −0.0189 
               
               
                 8 th  Order Coefficient (C) 
                 0.9809 
                 0.1276 
                 0.0726 
                 0.0482 
               
               
                 10 th  Order Coefficient (D) 
                 −1.0504 
                 −0.1000 
                 −0.0765 
                 −0.0456 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example embodiment of a lens stack in a folded lens system that includes three molded glass wafer lenses, field lens  901 , collimating lens  902 , and a third lens  903  located between lenses  901  and  902 . The field lens  901  has high order aspheric surfaces that perform corrections for distortion and telecentricity in the lens system. The field lens  901  also helps to control the exit pupil position. The collimating lens  902  defines the diameter of the exit pupil, the object divergence, and the minimal spot diameter of the object. Lens  903  further corrects the image quality across the field of view of the lens system. Tables 11 and 12 provide an optical prescription for projection system  900 . In the Tables, S6 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  901 , S5 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  901 , S4 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  903 , S3 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  903 , S2 corresponds to the object side surface of lens  902 , and S1 corresponds to the image side surface of lens  902 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 11 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Thickness 
                   
               
               
                 Surface  
                 Surface 
                 Surface 
                 Y 
                 or 
                   
               
               
                 # 
                 Name 
                 Type 
                 Radius 
                 Separation 
                 Material 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 Object 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 1.1519 
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 S6 
                 Aspheric 
                 −7.0998 
                 0.6000 
                 669000.31 
               
               
                 2 
                 S5 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.2954 
                 0.9317 
                   
               
               
                 3 
                 S4 
                 Aspheric 
                 −0.9718 
                 0.5599 
                 669000.31 
               
               
                 4 
                 S3 
                 Aspheric 
                 −1.5592 
                 0.5039 
                   
               
               
                 5 
                 S2 
                 Aspheric 
                 19.2484 
                 0.5919 
                 669000.31 
               
               
                 6 
                 S1 
                 Aspheric 
                 −4.0415 
                 0.0500 
                   
               
               
                 7 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 1.6000 
                 700000.30 
               
               
                 8 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Stop 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                 10 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 900.0000 
                   
               
               
                 Image 
                   
                   
                 Infinity 
                 0.0000 
                   
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
                                                 TABLE 12                       S6   S5   S4   S3   S2   S1                                                                Conic Constant (K)   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   0.0000   18.9357       4 th  Order Coefficient (A)   0.0000   0.1440   0.8917   0.3662   0.0000   0.0000       6 th  Order Coefficient (B)   0.3325   0.3221   −0.3155   0.0064   0.0000   0.0694       8 th  Order Coefficient (C)   0.0000   −0.2634   0.1826   0.0372   0.0000   −0.0823       10 th  Order Coefficient (D)   0.0000   0.6639   0.0260   −0.1440   0.0000   0.1385                    
Example Flowchart
 
       FIG. 10  is a high-level flowchart of a method of operation for a projection system as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 9 , according to some embodiments. As indicated at  1900 , the laser light source emits laser light beams to the lens system. As indicated at  1910 , the light is redirected by the first prism to a second axis. As indicated at  1920 , the lens system refracts the light beams to the light folding element (e.g., a prism). As indicated at  1930 , the light is redirected by the light folding element to the diffractive beam splitter. As indicated at  1940 , the diffractive beam splitter replicates the ray bundles into N×M duplications to provide a larger FOV for the projection system. 
     In some embodiments, the components of the projection system referred to in  FIG. 10  may be configured as illustrated in any of  FIGS. 1 through 9 . However, note that variations on the examples given in the Figures are possible while achieving similar optical results. 
     Example Computing Device 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example computing device, referred to as computer system  2000 , that may include or host embodiments of a projection system as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 10 . In addition, computer system  2000  may implement methods for controlling operations of the projection system and a camera that captures depth images from a field illuminated by the projection system, and/or for performing processing of the depth images captured with the camera. In different embodiments, computer system  2000  may be any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, a personal computer system, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, tablet or pad device, slate, or netbook computer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation, network computer, a camera, a set top box, a mobile device, a wireless phone, a smartphone, a consumer device, video game console, handheld video game device, application server, storage device, a television, a video recording device, a peripheral device such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type of computing or electronic device. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, computer system  2000  includes one or more processors  2010  coupled to a system memory  2020  via an input/output (I/O) interface  2030 . Computer system  2000  further includes a network interface  2040  coupled to I/O interface  2030 , and one or more input/output devices  2050 , such as cursor control device  2060 , keyboard  2070 , and display(s)  2080 . Computer system  2000  may also include one or more projection systems  2092  as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 through 10  which may also be coupled to I/O interface  2030 . Computer system  2000  may also include one or more cameras  2090 , for example a camera as described above with respect to  FIGS. 1 through 10  that may capture depth images from a field illuminated by a projection system  2092 . 
     In various embodiments, computer system  2000  may be a uniprocessor system including one processor  2010 , or a multiprocessor system including several processors  2010  (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors  2010  may be any suitable processor capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments processors  2010  may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors  2010  may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. 
     System memory  2020  may be configured to store program instructions  2022  and/or data  2032  accessible by processor  2010 . In various embodiments, system memory  2020  may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. In the illustrated embodiment, program instructions  2022  may be configured to implement various interfaces, methods and/or data for controlling operations of camera  2090  and for capturing and processing images with integrated camera  2090  or other methods or data, for example interfaces and methods for capturing, displaying, processing, and storing images captured with camera  2090 . In some embodiments, program instructions and/or data may be received, sent or stored upon different types of computer-accessible media or on similar media separate from system memory  2020  or computer system  2000 . 
     In one embodiment, I/O interface  2030  may be configured to coordinate I/O traffic between processor  2010 , system memory  2020 , and any peripheral devices in the device, including network interface  2040  or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices  2050 . In some embodiments, I/O interface  2030  may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory  2020 ) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor  2010 ). In some embodiments, I/O interface  2030  may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/O interface  2030  may be split into two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in some embodiments some or all of the functionality of I/O interface  2030 , such as an interface to system memory  2020 , may be incorporated directly into processor  2010 . 
     Network interface  2040  may be configured to allow data to be exchanged between computer system  2000  and other devices attached to a network  2085  (e.g., carrier or agent devices) or between nodes of computer system  2000 . Network  2085  may in various embodiments include one or more networks including but not limited to Local Area Networks (LANs) (e.g., an Ethernet or corporate network), Wide Area Networks (WANs) (e.g., the Internet), wireless data networks, some other electronic data network, or some combination thereof. In various embodiments, network interface  2040  may support communication via wired or wireless general data networks, such as any suitable type of Ethernet network, for example; via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks; via storage area networks such as Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/or protocol. 
     Input/output devices  2050  may, in some embodiments, include one or more display terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices, voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable for entering or accessing data by computer system  2000 . Multiple input/output devices  2050  may be present in computer system  2000  or may be distributed on various nodes of computer system  2000 . In some embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system  2000  and may interact with one or more nodes of computer system  2000  through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface  2040 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , memory  2020  may include program instructions  2022 , which may be processor-executable to implement any element or action to support an integrated projection system  2092  and camera  2090 , including but not limited to image processing software and interface software for controlling camera  2090 . In some embodiments, images captured by camera  2090  may be stored to memory  2020 . In addition, metadata for images captured by camera  2090  may be stored to memory  2020 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that computer system  2000  is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of embodiments. In particular, the computer system and devices may include any combination of hardware or software that can perform the indicated functions, including computers, network devices, Internet appliances, PDAs, wireless phones, pagers, projection systems, video or still cameras, etc. Computer system  2000  may also be connected to other devices that are not illustrated, or instead may operate as a stand-alone system. In addition, the functionality provided by the illustrated components may in some embodiments be combined in fewer components or distributed in additional components. Similarly, in some embodiments, the functionality of some of the illustrated components may not be provided and/or other additional functionality may be available. 
     Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various items are illustrated as being stored in memory or on storage while being used, these items or portions of them may be transferred between memory and other storage devices for purposes of memory management and data integrity. Alternatively, in other embodiments some or all of the software components may execute in memory on another device and communicate with the illustrated computer system  2000  via inter-computer communication. Some or all of the system components or data structures may also be stored (e.g., as instructions or structured data) on a computer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by an appropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. In some embodiments, instructions stored on a computer-accessible medium separate from computer system  2000  may be transmitted to computer system  2000  via transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link. Various embodiments may further include receiving, sending or storing instructions and/or data implemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon a computer-accessible medium. Generally speaking, a computer-accessible medium may include a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium or memory medium such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD-ROM, volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc. In some embodiments, a computer-accessible medium may include transmission media or signals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via a communication medium such as network and/or a wireless link. 
     The methods described herein may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof, in different embodiments. In addition, the order of the blocks of the methods may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc. Various modifications and changes may be made as would be obvious to a person skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The various embodiments described herein are meant to be illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. Accordingly, plural instances may be provided for components described herein as a single instance. Boundaries between various components, operations and data stores are somewhat arbitrary, and particular operations are illustrated in the context of specific illustrative configurations. Other allocations of functionality are envisioned and may fall within the scope of claims that follow. Finally, structures and functionality presented as discrete components in the example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of embodiments as defined in the claims that follow.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20201009
Publication Date: 20221025
Grant Date: 20221025
Priority Date: 20180321
Inventors: PERGOLA, REFAEL DELLA
KAKANI, Chandra
REMEZ, ROEI
TSUR, YUVAL
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G02B13/003", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B13/0065", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B5/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/283", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B5/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0043", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B13/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/425", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B13/0035", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B3/005", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B3/005", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B5/18", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B5/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/283", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B27/0043", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 72750184