ILLUMINATION LIGHT PROJECTION FOR A DEPTH CAMERA

摘要

Various embodiments of TOF depth cameras and methods for illuminating image environments with illumination light are provided herein. In one example, a TOF depth camera configured to collect image data from an image environment illuminated by illumination light includes a light source including a plurality of surface-emitting lasers configured to generate coherent light. The example TOF camera also includes an optical assembly configured to transmit light from the plurality of surface-emitting lasers to the image environment and an image sensor configured to detect at least a portion of return light reflected from the image environment.

主权项

1. A time-of-flight depth camera configured to collect image data from an image environment illuminated by illumination light, the time-of-flight depth camera comprising:
a light source including an array of surface-emitting lasers configured to generate coherent light; a homogenizing light guide positioned to receive at least a portion of coherent light from the light source, the homogenizing light guide being configured to increase an apparent size of the light source; a microlens array positioned to receive at least a portion of the light emitted from the homogenizing light guide, the microlens array adapted to diverge the light received from the homogenizing light guide for projection into the image environment as illumination light; and an image sensor configured to detect at least a portion of return light reflected from the image environment.