US 12,112,493 B2
Structured light projector
Srikanth Gurrapu, Frisco, TX (US); Yangxi Wang, Plano, TX (US); and Zhongyan Sheng, Allen, TX (US)
Assigned to TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED, Dallas, TX (US)
Filed by Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US)
Filed on Dec. 7, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/213,634.
Prior Publication US 2020/0184662 A1, Jun. 11, 2020
Int. Cl. G06T 7/521 (2017.01); G03B 21/00 (2006.01); G06T 7/70 (2017.01)
CPC G06T 7/521 (2017.01) [G03B 21/008 (2013.01); G06T 7/70 (2017.01); G06T 2207/10028 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a spatial light modulator configured to produce first modulated light, wherein the first modulated light has a pixel pattern of dark pixels and bright pixels;
a diffractive optical element;
a lens optically coupled between the spatial light modulator and the diffractive optical element, the lens configured to focus the pixel pattern of dark pixels and bright pixels towards the diffractive optical element, wherein the diffractive optical element is configured to modulate the pixel pattern of dark pixels and bright pixels, to produce second modulated light, the second modulated light having dark regions and bright regions, the bright regions each having the pixel pattern of dark pixels and bright pixels;
a camera configured to receive an image of a reflection of the second modulated light;
a controller coupled to the spatial light modulator; and
a processor coupled to the controller and to the camera, the processor configured to:
process the image, to produce a processed image; and
instruct the controller to control the spatial light modulator, based on the processed image.