US 12,407,946 B2
Imaging system and depth detection system combining light-field imaging and structured-light imaging
Xiaoyuan Liu, Kowloon (HK); Mu Ku Chen, Kowloon (HK); and Din Ping Tsai, Kowloon (HK)
Assigned to City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon (HK)
Filed by City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon (HK)
Filed on Jan. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/155,201.
Claims priority of application No. 202211093767.4 (CN), filed on Sep. 8, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0089615 A1, Mar. 14, 2024
Int. Cl. H04N 5/335 (2011.01); G02B 27/28 (2006.01); G06T 7/557 (2017.01); H04N 23/957 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 23/957 (2023.01) [G02B 27/285 (2013.01); G06T 7/557 (2017.01); G02B 2207/101 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10028 (2013.01); G06T 2207/20081 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An imaging system, comprising:
an image acquisition device;
a light-field imaging arrangement including a meta-lens array operable to facilitate imaging of a light-field of a target scene; the meta-lens array comprising a plurality of achromatic meta-lenses; and
a structured-light imaging arrangement including the meta-lens array that is shared by the light-field imaging arrangement, the meta-lens array operable to facilitate generation of a focused light spot array as a structured-light to be provided to a target scene to facilitate imaging of the target scene;
a sensor operable to detect light in an environment in which the imaging system and/or the target scene is arranged; and
a controller operably coupled with the sensor to control operation of the imaging system in the light-field imaging mode and/or the structured-light imaging mode based on the light detected by the sensor;
wherein the light-field imaging arrangement and the structured-light imaging arrangement are operably coupled with the image acquisition device such that the imaging system is selectively operable in, at least, a light-field imaging mode for performing light-field imaging of the target scene and a structured-light imaging mode for performing structured-light imaging of the target scene;
wherein in the structured-light imaging mode, the image acquisition device is adapted to generate a light spot array image based on reflected structured-light from the target scene, the light spot array image adapted to be processed to obtain depth information associated with the target scene; and
wherein the controller is operable to:
operate or facilitate operation of the imaging system in the light-field imaging mode when an amount of light detected by the sensor is at or above a threshold; and/or
operate or facilitate operation of the imaging system in the structured-light imaging mode when an amount of light detected by the sensor is at or below a threshold.