Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for illuminating a scene with light containing speckle patterns. A plurality of instances of coherent light are generated in sequence. From each instance of coherent light of the plurality of instances of coherent light, a corresponding instance of illumination light is generated that contains a respective speckle pattern, thereby generating a plurality of instances of illumination light containing a plurality of respective speckle patterns. The plurality of speckle patterns are configured such that a summation of the plurality of speckle patterns forms a substantially uniform illumination pattern. The plurality of instances of illumination light are projected into an illumination environment in sequence.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for creating multiple patterns of flood illumination for a time of flight (TOF) camera system. Light is generated, and from the generated light, illumination light is formed that is projected into an image environment. The illumination light is formed by: diverging the generated light to form divergent light characterized by a light profile that is less intense in a first region centered on an optical axis of the divergent light than in a second region that at least partially rings the first region, and converting the divergent light into a plurality of illumination light patterns to be projected into the illumination environment. The illumination light patterns are each projected to a corresponding region of the illumination environment.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for illuminating a scene with light containing speckle patterns. A plurality of instances of coherent light are generated in sequence. From each instance of coherent light of the plurality of instances of coherent light, a corresponding instance of illumination light is generated that contains a respective speckle pattern, thereby generating a plurality of instances of illumination light containing a plurality of respective speckle patterns. The plurality of speckle patterns are configured such that a summation of the plurality of speckle patterns forms a substantially uniform illumination pattern. The plurality of instances of illumination light are projected into an illumination environment in sequence.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided for creating multiple patterns of flood illumination for a time of flight (TOF) camera system. Light is generated, and from the generated light, illumination light is formed that is projected into an image environment. The illumination light is formed by: diverging the generated light to form divergent light characterized by a light profile that is less intense in a first region centered on an optical axis of the divergent light than in a second region that at least partially rings the first region, and converting the divergent light into a plurality of illumination light patterns to be projected into the illumination environment. The illumination light patterns are each projected to a corresponding region of the illumination environment.

Abstract: A projection system (900) includes a scanner (802) and light source (801). The scanner (802) is configured to crate a scan cone (994) for forming images (995). A principal beam (992) defines a traveling direction of the scan cone (994). An optical device (880) having decentered, free-form major faces is disposed at an output of the projection system (900) such that the scan cone (994) passes through the optical device (880). The optical device (880) is configured to redirect the principal beam (992), and accordingly the traveling direction of the scan cone (994), by a predetermined amount and to correct both anamorphic distortion and vertical smile distortion initially present in the image.

Abstract: A projection system (900) includes a scanner (802) and light source (801). The scanner (802) is configured to crate a scan cone (994) for forming images (995). A principal beam (992) defines a traveling direction of the scan cone (994). An optical device (880) having decentered, free-form major faces is disposed at an output of the projection system (900) such that the scan cone (994) passes through the optical device (880). The optical device (880) is configured to redirect the principal beam (992), and accordingly the traveling direction of the scan cone (994), by a predetermined amount and to correct both anamorphic distortion and vertical smile distortion initially present in the image.

Abstract: A projection system (900) includes a scanner (802) and light source (801). The scanner (802) is configured to crate a scan cone (994) for forming images (995). A principal beam (992) defines a traveling direction of the scan cone (994). An optical device (880) having decentered, free-form major faces is disposed at an output of the projection system (900) such that the scan cone (994) passes through the optical device (880). The optical device (880) is configured to redirect the principal beam (992), and accordingly the traveling direction of the scan cone (994), by a predetermined amount and to correct both anamorphic distortion and vertical smile distortion initially present in the image.

Abstract: In imaging system (100), a spatial light modulator (101) is configured to produce images (102) by scanning a plurality light beams (104,105,106). A first optical element (107) is configured to cause the plurality of light beams to converge along an optical path (114) defined between the first optical element and the spatial light modulator. A second optical element (115) is disposed between the spatial light modulator and a waveguide (1401). The first optical element and the spatial light modulator are arranged such that an image plane (117) is created between the spatial light modulator and the second optical element. The second optical element is configured to collect the diverging light (118) from the image plane and collimate it. The second optical element then delivers the collimated light to a pupil (120) at an input of the waveguide.

Abstract: An exit pupil expander (904), operable as a numerical aperture expander and suitable for use with high angle of incidence scanned laser projection systems, includes a microlens array (910) and a varied thickness optical element (900). The varied thickness optical element can be configured to transform a principal beam (953) of a received scan cone (952) to be substantially orthogonal with an output of the exit pupil expander (904) or major surface of the microlens array (910). Further, the varied thickness optical element (900) can be configured to cause the received scan cone (952) to exit the varied thickness optical element (900) substantially symmetrically about the principal beam (953). The varied thickness optical element (900) can also be configured to introduce a controlled amount of spread to the received scan cone (952). The varied thickness optical element (900) is useful in correcting distortion, such as keystone distortion introduced by high angle of incidence feed.

Abstract: In imaging system (100), a spatial light modulator (101) is configured to produce images (102) by scanning a plurality light beams (104,105,106). A first optical element (107) is configured to cause the plurality of light beams to converge along an optical path (114) defined between the first optical element and the spatial light modulator. A second optical element (115) is disposed between the spatial light modulator and an output of the imaging system. The first optical element and the spatial light modulator are arranged such that an image plane (117) is created between the spatial light modulator and the second optical element. The second optical element is configured to collect the diverging light (118) from the image plane and collimate it. The second optical element then delivers the collimated light to a pupil (120) on the other side of the second optical element relative to the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: In imaging system (100), a spatial light modulator (101) is configured to produce images (102) by scanning a plurality light beams (104,105,106). A first optical element (107) is configured to cause the plurality of light beams to converge along an optical path (114) defined between the first optical element and the spatial light modulator. A second optical element (115) is disposed between the spatial light modulator and an output of the imaging system. The first optical element and the spatial light modulator are arranged such that an image plane (117) is created between the spatial light modulator and the second optical element. The second optical element is configured to collect the diverging light (118) from the image plane and collimate it. The second optical element then delivers the collimated light to a pupil (120) on the other side of the second optical element relative to the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: In imaging system (100), a spatial light modulator (101) is configured to produce images (102) by scanning a plurality light beams (104,105,106). A first optical element (107) is configured to cause the plurality of light beams to converge along an optical path (114) defined between the first optical element and the spatial light modulator. A second optical element (115) is disposed between the spatial light modulator and a waveguide (1401). The first optical element and the spatial light modulator are arranged such that an image plane (117) is created between the spatial light modulator and the second optical element. The second optical element is configured to collect the diverging light (118) from the image plane and collimate it. The second optical element then delivers the collimated light to a pupil (120) at an input of the waveguide.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanned beam display, comprises a light source to generate a beam to be scanned and a scanning platform to scan the beam into an exit cone. The scanning platform receives the beam at a selected feed angle, and the scanning platform has a surface structure to redirect the exit cone at an exit angle that is less than the feed angle.

Abstract: A wavelength combining apparatus includes first and second optical devices. The first optical device collects and collimates or focuses light from multiple laser light sources. The second optical device includes multiple nonparallel dichroic surfaces to combine light received from the first optical device.

Abstract: A projection system (900) includes a scanner (802) and light source (801). The scanner (802) is configured to crate a scan cone (994) for forming images (995). A principal beam (992) defines a traveling direction of the scan cone (994). An optical device (880) having decentered, free-form major faces is disposed at an output of the projection system (900) such that the scan cone (994) passes through the optical device (880). The optical device (880) is configured to redirect the principal beam (992), and accordingly the traveling direction of the scan cone (994), by a predetermined amount and to correct both anamorphic distortion and vertical smile distortion initially present in the image.

Abstract: An exit pupil expander (904), operable as a numerical aperture expander and suitable for use with high angle of incidence scanned laser projection systems, includes a microlens array (910) and a varied thickness optical element (900). The varied thickness optical element can be configured to transform a principal beam (953) of a received scan cone (952) to be substantially orthogonal with an output of the exit pupil expander (904) or major surface of the microlens array (910). Further, the varied thickness optical element (900) can be configured to cause the received scan cone (952) to exit the varied thickness optical element (900) substantially symmetrically about the principal beam (953). The varied thickness optical element (900) can also be configured to introduce a controlled amount of spread to the received scan cone (952). The varied thickness optical element (900) is useful in correcting distortion, such as keystone distortion introduced by high angle of incidence feed.

Abstract: A encoded image projection system (100) is configured to determine the proximity of the system to a projection surface (106). The encoded image projection system (100) includes a light encoder (105) that scans a non-visible light beam (115) on the projection surface (106) selectively when scanning visible light to create an image. A detector (118) is then configured to receive reflections of the non-visible light beam (115) from the projection surface (106). A control circuit (120) is configured to determine the distance (124) between the projection surface (106) and the system from, for example, intensity data or location data received from the detector (118). Where the distances (124) are below a threshold, the control circuit (120) can either reduce the output power of the system or turn the system off.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanned beam display may utilize one or more post-scan optics while at least partially maintaining an infinite focus, or nearly infinite focus, property of the display. The display may comprise a light source to generate a light beam, a scanning platform to generate a raster scan from the light beam projected as a projected image, one or more post-scan optics to at least partially adjust the projected image, and one or more collimating optics to focus the light beam from the light source, the one or more collimating optics having a selected focal length to at least partially provide infinite, or nearly infinite focus, of the projected image at or beyond a selected distance.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a dichroic optic having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, wherein the second side has an optical filter, wherein each of a light beam having a first wavelength, a second wavelength and a third wavelength enter, exit or reflect from the dichroic optic only from at least one of the first or second sides, wherein prior to incidence on the dichroic optic each of the light beams having the first, second and third wavelengths are non-collinear with each other, wherein the light beam having the first wavelength and the light beam having the second wavelength are substantially collinear within the dichroic optic, wherein the optical filter has a response capable of transmitting at least one of the light beam having the first wavelength and the light beam having the second wavelength, while reflecting the light beam having the third wavelength, and wherein the light beam having the first wavelength, the second wavelength, and the third wavel

Abstract: A scanning beam projection system includes a two-mirror scanning system. One mirror scans in one direction, and a second mirror scans in a second direction. A fast scan mirror receives a modulated light beam from a fold mirror and directs the modulated light beam to a slow can mirror. The fold mirror may be formed on an output optic or may be formed on a common substrate with the slow scan mirror.