PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11710945-B2
Application Number: US-202117223047-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Projection of patterned and flood illumination

Abstract:
An optoelectronic apparatus includes a heat sink, which is shaped to define a base, a first platform at a first elevation above the base, and a second platform alongside the first platform at a second elevation above the base, which is different from the first elevation. A first monolithic emitter array is mounted on the first platform and is configured to emit first optical beams. A second monolithic emitter array is mounted on the second platform and is configured to emit second optical beams. An optical element is configured to direct both the first and the second optical beams toward a target region.

Claims:
The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An optoelectronic apparatus, comprising:
 a heat sink, which is shaped to define a base, a first platform at a first elevation above the base, and a second platform alongside the first platform at a second elevation above the base, which is different from the first elevation; 
 a first monolithic emitter array, which is mounted on the first platform and is configured to emit first optical beams; 
 a second monolithic emitter array, which is mounted on the second platform and is configured to emit second optical beams; and 
 an optical element, which is positioned relative to the heat sink so that the first monolithic emitter array is located at a rear focal plane of the optical element, while the second monolithic emitter array is displaced axially from the rear focal plane and is configured to direct both the first and the second optical beams with different divergences toward a target region. 
 
     
     
       2. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises a metal. 
     
     
       3. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises a ceramic material. 
     
     
       4. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises a central portion having greater thermal conductivity than a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. 
     
     
       5. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises a unitary piece of material, which is shaped to define the base and the first and second platforms. 
     
     
       6. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat sink comprises a first piece of heat sink material, which is shaped to define the base, and a second piece of heat sink material, which is mounted on the first piece of heat sink material and defines the second platform. 
     
     
       7. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second monolithic emitter arrays respectively comprise first and second semiconductor substrates and first and second pluralities of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) disposed respectively on the first and second semiconductor substrates. 
     
     
       8. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical element is configured to focus the first optical beams so as to project patterned radiation onto the target region and to defocus the second optical beams so as to project flood radiation onto the target region. 
     
     
       9. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical element is configured to focus the first optical beams so as to project first patterned radiation onto the target region with a first focal quality and to defocus the second optical beams so as to project second patterned radiation onto the target region with a second focal quality, different from the first focal quality. 
     
     
       10. The optoelectronic apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the first optical beams are projected toward the target region with a first divergence, and the second optical beams are projected toward the target region with a second divergence, greater than the first divergence. 
     
     
       11. A method for depth mapping, comprising:
 projecting a first pattern of radiation, with a first divergence, onto a target region; 
 projecting a second pattern of radiation, with a second divergence, different from the first divergence, onto the target region; 
 capturing respective first and second images of the first and second patterns projected onto the target region; and 
 computing depth coordinates of points in the target region responsively to respective displacements of the first and second patterns in the first and second images and to a defocus of the second pattern relative to the first pattern in the first and second images. 
 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein projecting the first and second patterns comprises applying an optical element to direct toward the target region beams of the radiation that are emitted respectively by first and second emitter arrays, which are mounted at different locations relative to a rear focal plane of the optical element. 
     
     
       13. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second patterns comprise spots of the radiation, and wherein computing the depth coordinates comprises comparing respective sizes of the spots in the first and second patterns in order to compute the defocus. 
     
     
       14. A method for fabricating optoelectronic apparatus, comprising:
 shaping a heat sink to define a base, a first platform at a first elevation above the base, and a second platform alongside the first platform at a second elevation above the base, which is different from the first elevation; 
 mounting a first monolithic emitter array, which is configured to emit first optical beams, on the first platform; 
 mounting a second monolithic emitter array, which is configured to emit second optical beams, on the second platform; and 
 positioning an optical element relative to the heat sink so that the first monolithic emitter array is located at a rear focal plane of the optical element, while the second monolithic emitter array is displaced axially from the rear focal plane, so as to direct both the first and the second optical beams with different divergences toward a target region. 
 
     
     
       15. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the heat sink comprises a central portion having greater thermal conductivity than a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. 
     
     
       16. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first and second monolithic emitter arrays respectively comprise first and second semiconductor substrates and first and second pluralities of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) disposed respectively on the first and second semiconductor substrates. 
     
     
       17. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the optical element is configured to focus the first optical beams so as to project patterned radiation onto the target region and to defocus the second optical beams so as to project flood radiation onto the target region. 
     
     
       18. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the optical element is configured to focus the first optical beams so as to project first patterned radiation onto the target region with a first focal quality and to defocus the second optical beams so as to project second patterned radiation onto the target region with a second focal quality, different from the first focal quality.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/029,499, filed May 24, 2020, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/105,361, filed Oct. 26, 2020, which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to optoelectronic devices, and particularly to sources of optical radiation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various sorts of portable computing devices (referred to collectively as “portable devices” in the description), such as smartphones, augmented reality (AR) devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, smart watches, and smart glasses, comprise compact sources of optical radiation. (The terms “optical rays,” “optical radiation,” and “light,” as used in the present description and in the claims, refer generally to any and all of visible, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation.) For example, one source may emit flood radiation, illuminating a target region with a broad and uniform illumination for the purpose of feature illumination and recognition. Another source may, for example, project patterned radiation so as to illuminate the target region with a pattern of dots for three-dimensional (3D) mapping of the region. Effective heat dissipation is one of the major challenges in design of high-power optoelectronic emitters, such as vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs). Such devices generate large amounts of heat in the emitter active regions, resulting in high emitter junction temperatures, which tend to reduce VCSEL efficiency and lead to a reduced optical power output at a given drive current, shift the emission wavelength, degrade the quality of the laser modes, and reduce operating lifetime and reliability. In VCSEL array devices, inefficient heat dissipation causes temperature non-uniformity among emitters, leading to variations in emitter optical power and wavelength across the array. 
     In response to this problem, U.S. Pat. No. 9,735,539, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes an optoelectronic device, which includes a semiconductor substrate, having front and back sides and having at least one cavity extending from the back side through the semiconductor substrate into proximity with the front side. At least one optoelectronic emitter is formed on the front side of the semiconductor substrate in proximity with the at least one cavity. A heat-conducting material at least partially fills the at least one cavity and is configured to serve as a heat sink for the at least one optoelectronic emitter. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention that are described hereinbelow provide improved designs and methods of fabrication of sources of optical radiation. 
     There is therefore provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, optoelectronic apparatus, including a heat sink, which is shaped to define a base, a first platform at a first elevation above the base, and a second platform alongside the first platform at a second elevation above the base, which is different from the first elevation. A first monolithic emitter array is mounted on the first platform and is configured to emit first optical beams. A second monolithic emitter array is mounted on the second platform and is configured to emit second optical beams. An optical element is configured to direct both the first and the second optical beams toward a target region. 
     In one embodiment, the heat sink includes a metal. Additionally or alternatively, the heat sink includes a ceramic material. In a disclosed embodiment, the heat sink includes a central portion having greater thermal conductivity than a peripheral portion surrounding the central portion. 
     In some embodiments, the heat sink includes a unitary piece of material, which is shaped to define the base and the first and second platforms. Alternatively, the heat sink includes a first piece of heat sink material, which is shaped to define the base, and a second piece of heat sink material, which is mounted on the first piece of heat sink material and defines the second platform. 
     In a disclosed embodiment, the first and second monolithic emitter arrays respectively include first and second semiconductor substrates and first and second pluralities of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) disposed respectively on the first and second semiconductor substrates. 
     In some embodiments, the heat sink is positioned relative to the optical element so that the first monolithic emitter array is located at a rear focal plane of the optical element, while the second monolithic emitter array is displaced axially from the rear focal plane. In one embodiment, the optical element is configured to focus the first optical beams so as to project patterned radiation onto the target region and to defocus the second optical beams so as to project flood radiation onto the target region. Alternatively, the optical element is configured to focus the first optical beams so as to project first patterned radiation onto the target region with a first focal quality and to defocus the second optical beams so as to project second patterned radiation onto the target region with a second focal quality, different from the first focal quality. In a disclosed embodiment, the first optical beams are projected toward the target region with a first divergence, and the second optical beams are projected toward the target region with a second divergence, greater than the first divergence. 
     There is also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for depth mapping, which includes projecting a first pattern of radiation, with a first divergence, onto a target region and projecting a second pattern of radiation, with a second divergence, different from the first divergence, onto the target region. Respective first and second images are captured of the first and second patterns projected onto the target scene. Depth coordinates of points in the target region are computed responsively to respective displacements of the first and second patterns in the first and second images and to a defocus of the second pattern relative to the first pattern in the first and second images. 
     In a disclosed embodiment, projecting the first and second patterns includes applying an optical element to direct toward the target scene beams of the radiation that are emitted respectively by first and second emitter arrays, which are mounted at different locations relative to a rear focal plane of the optical element. Additionally or alternatively, the first and second patterns include spots of the radiation, and computing the depth coordinates includes comparing respective sizes of the spots in the first and second patterns in order to compute the defocus. 
     There is additionally provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for fabricating optoelectronic apparatus. The method includes shaping a heat sink to define a base, a first platform at a first elevation above the base, and a second platform alongside the first platform at a second elevation above the base, which is different from the first elevation. A first monolithic emitter array, which is configured to emit first optical beams, is mounted on the first platform, and a second monolithic emitter array, which is configured to emit second optical beams, is mounted on the second platform. An optical element is positioned to direct both the first and the second optical beams toward a target region. 
     The present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof, taken together with the drawings in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic sectional view of an optoelectronic apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS.  2   a  and  2   b    are schematic side views of optoelectronic apparatus illuminating a target region with patterned radiation and flood radiation, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS.  2   c  and  2   d    are schematic side views of optoelectronic apparatus illuminating a target region by patterned radiation with different focal properties, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic sectional view of a heat sink on which emitter arrays are mounted, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic sectional view of a heat sink on which emitter arrays are mounted, in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic sectional view of a heat sink and emitter arrays mounted on a ceramic mount, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic sectional view of a heat sink and emitter arrays mounted on a ceramic mount, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS.  7   a  and  7   b    are schematic sectional views of a heat sink, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS.  8   a  and  8   b    are schematic sectional views of a heat sink, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG.  9    is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for depth mapping using patterned radiation of different focal qualities, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Overview 
     In embodiments of the present invention, radiation sources of different focal qualities are combined into a single optoelectronic apparatus comprising an optical element, such as a lens, and two monolithic emitter arrays, both of which emit optical beams through the optical element. One of the arrays is positioned at the rear focal plane of the optical element, while the other array is displaced from the rear focal plane, for example by axial shift of 100 μm or more. The beams emitted by the array at the rear focal plane are projected by the element as collimated beams, thus projecting patterned radiation on a target region in a pattern corresponding to the layout of the emitters in the array. The beams emitted by the array that is displaced from the rear focal plane are defocused. In the disclosed embodiments, the monolithic arrays comprise arrays of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs), disposed on semiconductor substrates, such as a gallium-arsenide (GaAs) substrate; but alternatively, other types of emitters may be used. 
     The position of the defocused array is chosen depending on the desired degree of defocus. In some embodiments, the defocus is sufficient so that the projected beams create a broad and largely uniform field of flood illumination. In an alternative embodiment, the defocus is chosen so that the beams projected from the defocused array also create patterned radiation. The apparatus thus projects two different patterns, with pattern elements (such as spots) whose sizes vary differently as a function of distance from the apparatus. 
     Positioning the two arrays precisely within the required range of distances from the optical element can be difficult. This difficulty is exacerbated by the need to sink away the substantial amount of heat that is generated by the emitters. 
     Embodiments of the present invention that are described herein address these problems by providing a heat sink, which is shaped to define two platforms at different elevations above the base of the heat sink. The two monolithic arrays of emitters are mounted respectively on the two platforms, thus positioning the two arrays at different elevations. 
     In the disclosed embodiments, mounting the two monolithic arrays on the two platforms provides the required differential focal distances (distances from the optical element) for the two arrays. The heat sink may be fabricated from a metal, such as copper (Cu) or copper-tungsten alloy (CuW), or from a ceramic material, such as aluminum nitride (AlN), or other suitable materials with a high thermal conductivity. 
     Thermal gradients of the VCSEL arrays may be compensated in the heat sink by fabricating it from a composite material, such as Cu/CuW, or by opening vias in the heat sink, as described, for example, in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 9,735,539. 
     System Description 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic sectional view of an optoelectronic apparatus  20 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Optoelectronic apparatus  20  comprises a heat sink  22  comprising a unitary piece of material, which is shaped to define a base  24  and first and second platforms  26  and  28 , respectively, wherein the first platform is above the base by an elevation E 1 , and the second platform is above the base by an elevation E 2 , and wherein E 1 ≠E 2 . Heat sink  22  may be fabricated from a metal, such as copper (Cu) or copper-tungsten alloy (CuW), or from a ceramic material, such as aluminum nitride (AlN), as these materials have a high thermal conductivity. VCSEL arrays  30  and  32  are mounted on respective platforms  26  and  28 . Apparatus  20  further comprises an optical element  34  with a rear focal plane  36 . Heat sink  22  is positioned relative to optical element  34  so that VCSEL array  30  is located at rear focal plane  36 , while array  32  is displaced axially from the rear focal plane by a distance Δ. Typical values for Δ vary, depending on the focal length of optical element  34 , for example from 50 μm to 500 μm, although Δ may also assume values outside this range. 
       FIGS.  2   a  and  2   b    are schematic side views of optoelectronic apparatus  20  illuminating a target region respectively with patterned radiation  42  and flood radiation  44 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Where applicable, labels from  FIG.  1    are used for similar items in  FIGS.  2   a    and  2   b.    
     In  FIG.  2   a   , VCSEL array  30  is driven to emit first optical beams  46  towards optical element  34 . As VCSEL array  30  is located at rear focal plane  36  of optical element  34 , beams  46  are collimated and projected by the optical element towards target region  40  as collimated beams  48 . Beams  48  illuminate target region  40  with patterned radiation  42 , comprising discrete spots  50  of radiation (with the pattern shown in an enlarged scale), in a pattern determined, for example, by the layout of the VCSELs in array  30 . Although spots  50  appear in the figures to be laid out in a regular pattern, it can be advantageous for purposes of depth mapping that the arrangement of the VCSELs in array  30 , and hence of spots  50 , be irregular, for example laid out in a pseudorandom pattern. 
     In  FIG.  2   b   , VCSEL array  32  is driven to emit second optical beams  52  towards optical element  34 . As VCSEL array  32  is displaced axially from rear focal plane  36 , beams  52  are defocused and projected by the optical element towards target region  40  as diverging beams  54 . Beams  54  illuminate target region  40  with flood radiation  44 , comprising blurred, overlapping spots  56 , resulting in a broad and substantially uniform illumination of the target region. 
       FIGS.  2   c  and  2   d    are schematic side views of optoelectronic apparatus  57  illuminating target region  40  respectively with patterned radiation  42  and  59  of different focal qualities, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. The components of apparatus  57  are similar to those of apparatus  20 , and the same indicator numbers are used to refer to the same components in  FIGS.  2   c - d    as in  FIGS.  2   a - b   . In apparatus  57 , however, the displacement of VCSEL array  32  from rear focal plane  36  is chosen so that beams  54  form distinct spots  58  on target region  40 . Typically, in this embodiment the displacement of VCSEL array  32  from rear focal plane  36  is relatively smaller than in apparatus  20 . 
     Due to the defocus of beams  52 , spots  58  are typically larger than spots  50  and have larger divergence, i.e., spots  58  grow more rapidly as a function of distance from apparatus  57  than do spots  50 . The difference in spot size and the divergence can be set by appropriate choice of the displacement of VCSEL array  32  from rear focal plane  36 , as well as adjusting other optical parameters of apparatus  57 . For example, in a miniaturized device of short focal length, displacement of VCSEL array  32  by as little as 20 μm from rear focal plane  36  can result in a difference of 50% in the far-field size of spots  58  relative to spots  50 . The combination of two different patterns of radiation  42  and  59  with different divergences can be helpful in enhancing the accuracy of depth mapping using apparatus  57 . This feature of the apparatus is described further hereinbelow with reference to  FIG.  9   . 
     Heat Sink Designs 
       FIG.  3    is a schematic sectional view of a heat sink  60 , in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Where applicable, labels from  FIGS.  1 - 2    are used for similar items in  FIG.  3   . 
     Heat sink  60  is similar to heat sink  22  in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , but whereas heat sink  22  comprises a unitary piece, heat sink  60  comprises a first piece  62  of heat sink material, which is shaped to define base  24  and first platform  26 , and a second piece  64  of heat sink material, which is mounted on the first piece and defines second platform  28 . First and second pieces  62  and  64  may be fabricated from the same material, as described above, or from two different materials. For example, first piece  62  may be fabricated from AlN, and second piece  64  may be fabricated from Cu. 
       FIG.  4    is a schematic sectional view of a heat sink  70 , in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention. Where applicable, labels from  FIGS.  1 - 2    are used for similar items in  FIG.  4   . Heat sink  70  is similar to heat sink  22 , but whereas in heat sink  22  second platform  28  is built up above base  24 , in heat sink  70  first platform  26  is contained within a cavity, which may be machined or etched down into the material of the heat sink, for example. 
       FIG.  5    is a schematic sectional view of heat sink  22  and VCSEL arrays  30  and  32  ( FIG.  1   ) mounted on a ceramic mount  80 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Where applicable, labels from  FIGS.  1 - 2    are used for similar items in  FIG.  5   . Heat sink  22  is mounted on ceramic mount and attached to it by, for example, suitable cement. Ceramic mount  80  comprises electrical conductors  82 , fabricated for example from gold (Au). VCSEL arrays  30  and  32  are coupled to conductors  82  by wire bonds  84 . 
       FIG.  6    is a schematic sectional view of heat sink  70  ( FIG.  4   ) and VCSEL arrays  30  and  32  mounted on a ceramic mount  90 , in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. Where applicable, labels from  FIGS.  1 - 4    are used for similar items in  FIG.  6   . Similarly to  FIG.  5   , heat sink  70  is mounted on ceramic mount  90  and attached to it by, for example, suitable cement. Ceramic mount  90  comprises, similarly to ceramic mount  80 , electrical conductors  92  fabricated from Au. VCSEL arrays  30  and  32  are coupled to conductors  92  by wire bonds  94 . 
       FIGS.  7   a  and  7   b    are schematic sectional views of a heat sink  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The features of heat sink  100  may be incorporated in heat sink  22  or in the other heat sinks described above. 
     In  FIG.  7   a   , a VCSEL array  102  is mounted on heat sink  100 , and together they form a part of an optoelectronic apparatus similar to apparatus  20 . For example, heat sink  100  and VCSEL array  102  may replace second piece  64  and VCSEL array  32  in  FIG.  3   . Heat sink  100  is fabricated from a metal or a ceramic material, similarly to heat sink ( FIG.  1   ). 
     Heat sink  100  comprises vias  104 , which are configured to modify the thermal conductivity of the heat sink so as to compensate for thermal gradients of VCSEL array  102 . Specifically, the VCSELs in the central region of array  102  tend to operate under a heavier heat load than those in the peripheral regions, due to heat dissipation from neighboring VCSELs. Vias  104  are useful in sinking heat preferentially away from the central region, so that operating temperatures are roughly equalized. 
       FIG.  7   b    is a schematic sectional view of heat sink  100  along a section A-A of  FIG.  7   a   . Vias  104  are arranged in a concentric configuration, with a central via of greater diameter than the peripheral vias, thus aiding in compensating for thermal gradients of VCSEL array  102 . The arrangement and dimensions of vias  104  may be modified in order to accommodate different designs and thermal gradients of VCSEL array  102 . 
       FIGS.  8   a  and  8   b    are schematic sectional views of a heat sink  120 , in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. In this case, too, the features of heat sink  120  can be incorporated in heat sink  22  or in the other heat sinks described above. 
     In  FIG.  8   a   , a VCSEL array  122  is mounted on heat sink  120 , and together they form a part of an optoelectronic apparatus similar to apparatus  20 . For example, heat sink  120  and VCSEL array  122  may replace second piece  64  and VCSEL array  32  in  FIG.  3   . Heat sink  120  is fabricated as a composite material comprising a central Cu-core  124  and a CuW-mantle  126 , wherein the core has a higher thermal conductivity than the mantle, thus compensating for thermal gradients of VCSEL array  122 . 
       FIG.  8   b    is a schematic sectional view of heat sink  120  along a section B-B of  FIG.  8   a   . The arrangement, dimensions, and materials of core  124  and mantle  126  may be modified in order to accommodate different designs and thermal gradients of VCSEL array  122 . 
     Depth Mapping Using Dual Structured Light Patterns 
       FIG.  9    is a flow chart that schematically illustrates a method for depth mapping using radiation patterns of different focal qualities, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This method is described hereinbelow, for the sake of clarity and concreteness, specifically with reference to patterned radiation  42  and  59 , as shown in  FIGS.  2   c - d   . The principles of this embodiment may alternatively be applied using other sorts of pattern projectors with suitable capabilities. The description that follows assumes that an image capture assembly (not shown in the figures) captures images of the patterns of spots  50  and  58  that are projected onto target region  40 , from a location that is offset relative to apparatus  57  that projects the patterned radiation, as is known in the art of depth mapping using structured light. An arrangement of this sort, in which both the spot locations and shape characteristics are detected by an image capture assembly and analyzed by a processor in order to create a 3D map (also referred to as a depth map), is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,050,461, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Apparatus  57  is actuated to project patterned radiation  42  in alternation with patterned radiation  59 , by applying drive currents to the corresponding VCSEL arrays  30  and  32 . Patterned radiation  42  and  59  respectively define different patterns on target region  40 , referred to in  FIG.  9    as “pattern A” and “pattern B.” The image capture assembly captures images of both patterns. The processor compares the locations of spots  50  and  58  in the images to corresponding reference patterns of the spots, and calculates two sets of depth coordinates (shown in  FIG.  9    as “depth A” and “depth B”) of points in the target region based on the displacement between the spots in the images and their reference locations. The use of two different patterns thus enables the processor to find the depth coordinates with improved spatial resolution, relative to the resolution achievable using only a single projected pattern. 
     The processor can improve the depth resolution still further by computing and applying the relative defocus A of spots  58  relative to spots  50 . For this purpose, the processor may extract and use either the absolute sizes of spots  50  and  58  or the relative sizes, or both absolute and relative sizes, in estimating the distance to each spot in the images based on the different, known divergences of beams  48  and  54 . The defocus gives an additional, independent measure of depth, which can be used to refine and resolve ambiguities in the displacement-based depth coordinates depth A and depth B. 
     It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above are cited by way of example, and that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove, as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not disclosed in the prior art.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20210406
Publication Date: 20230725
Grant Date: 20230725
Priority Date: 20200525
Inventors: ALNAHHAS, YAZAN Z.
GOVINDARAJAN, HARISH
SVENSEN, OYVIND
TSUR, YUVAL
MIAO, ZHENGYU
WRIGHT, CHRISTOPHER M.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01S5/423", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01B11/254", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01S5/02469", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01S5/423", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01S5/02476", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01S5/0071", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01S5/423", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01S5/423", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01S5/02253", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01B11/254", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01B11/2513", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 75625359