Patent•
Apparatus for producing patterned illumination including at least one array of light sources and at least one array of microlenses
29 Jan 2015-
TL;DR: In this paper, an apparatus for producing structured light comprises a first optical arrangement which comprises a microlens array comprising a multitude of transmissive or reflective microlenses which are regularly arranged at a lens pitch P and an illumination unit comprising an array of light sources for emitting light of a wavelength L each and having an aperture each.
Abstract: An apparatus for producing structured light comprises a first optical arrangement which comprises a microlens array comprising a multitude of transmissive or reflective microlenses which are regularly arranged at a lens pitch P and an illumination unit for illuminating the microlens array. The illumination unit comprises an array of light sources for emitting light of a wavelength L each and having an aperture each, wherein the apertures are located in a common emission plane which is located at a distance D from the microlens array. For the lens pitch P, the distance D and the wavelength L, the following equation applies P 2=2LD/N, wherein N is an integer with N≧1. High-contrast high-intensity light patterns can be produced.
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Patent•
21 Oct 2014
TL;DR: In this article, a system and method for obtaining a dimension measurement that conforms to conformance criteria is disclosed, which provides either feedback to confirm that the measurement complies with the criteria or information on how the measurement geometry could be adjusted in order to provide a compliant measurement in a subsequent dimension measurement.
Abstract: A system and method for obtaining a dimension measurement that conforms to a conformance criteria is disclosed. The dimensioning system provides either (i) feedback to confirm that the measurement complies with the criteria or (ii) information on how the measurement geometry could be adjusted in order to provide a compliant measurement in a subsequent dimension measurement.
257 citations
Patent•
06 Aug 2014
TL;DR: In this paper, the alignment software uses range information from a range sensor in order to generate alignment messages to help a user define a frame of reference and align the dimensioning system's range sensor for improved dimensioning performance.
Abstract: A dimensioning system including a computing device running an alignment software program is disclosed. The alignment software uses range information from a range sensor in order to generate alignment messages. The alignment messages may help a user define a frame of reference and align the dimensioning system's range sensor for improved dimensioning performance.
250 citations
Patent•
25 Sep 2015
TL;DR: In this paper, a system and a method for validating items gathered (i.e., picked) as part of a logistics process are disclosed, which uses one or more sensors to sense the physical attributes of an item (e.g., weight, color, size/shape, etc.).
Abstract: A system and a method for validating items gathered (i.e., picked) as part of a logistics process are disclosed. The picking system uses one or more sensors to sense the physical attributes of an item (e.g., weight, color, size/shape, etc.). The sensed-physical attributes are compared to expected-physical attributes stored for the item. Based on the comparison, a user may receive feedback confirming or rejecting the picked item. In some embodiments, the picking system uses the collected physical data to improve, or add to, the expected-physical attributes. The picking system may also be integrated with a powered-industrial vehicle and/or a warehouse management system to improve usability and effectiveness.
148 citations
Patent•
23 Jun 2015
TL;DR: In this article, an optical pattern projector used for projecting a structured-light pattern onto an object for dimensioning is presented, where the pattern repetition is based on the grid pattern of laser array.
Abstract: An optical pattern projector used for projecting a structured-light pattern onto an object for dimensioning is presented. The optical pattern projector utilizes a laser array, a lenslet array, a lens, and a diffractive optical element to create a repeated pattern of projected dots. The pattern repetition is based on the grid pattern of laser array. Each laser's collimated beam, when projected through the lens, impinges on the diffractive optical element from a slightly different direction. The diffractive optical element creates a sub-patterns that continue propagating along these different directions and combine on a target to produce a repeating optical pattern.
137 citations
Patent•
01 Oct 2015
TL;DR: In this paper, an indicia reading terminal has a three-dimensional depth sensor, a two-dimensional image sensor, an autofocus lens assembly, and a processor, and the processor is communicatively coupled to the 2D image sensor and the 3D depth sensor.
Abstract: An indicia reading terminal has a three-dimensional depth sensor, a two dimensional image sensor, an autofocus lens assembly, and a processor. The three dimensional depth sensor captures a depth image of a field of view and create a depth map from the depth image, the depth map having one or more surface distances. The two dimensional image sensor receives incident light and capture an image therefrom. The autofocusing lens assembly is positioned proximate to the two dimensional image sensor such that the incident light passes through the autofocusing lens before reaching the two dimensional image sensor. The processor is communicatively coupled to the two dimensional image sensor, the three dimensional depth sensor, and the autofocusing lens assembly.
136 citations
References
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Patent•
02 Apr 2008
TL;DR: In this article, a light source transilluminates the single transparency with optical radiation so as to project the pattern onto the object, and a processor processes the image captured by the image capture assembly to reconstruct a 3D map of the object.
Abstract: Apparatus for mapping an object includes an illumination assembly, which includes a single transparency containing a fixed pattern of spots. A light source transilluminates the single transparency with optical radiation so as to project the pattern onto the object. An image capture assembly captures an image of the pattern that is projected onto the object using the single transparency. A processor processes the image captured by the image capture assembly so as to reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) map of the object.
529 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the Talbot effect is equivalent to the Lau effect in terms of the theory of partial coherence, and suggest two applications of the Lau Effect, a simple interferometer and a Fourier spectrometer.
182 citations
Patent•
21 Dec 2009TL;DR: In this paper, a 3D imaging device is described that includes a light source consisting of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array and a collimating lens array for focusing the light emitted from each VCSEL.
Abstract: A projector is disclosed for use in a 3-D imaging device. The projector includes a light source formed of a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, or VCSEL array. The VCSEL array provides a light source for illuminating a capture area. Light from the VCSEL array is reflected off of objects in the capture area and received within a sensing device such as a 3-D camera. The projector may further include a collimating lens array for focusing the light emitted from each VCSEL in the array, as well as a DOE for patterning the light from the collimating lens array to enable the sensing device to generate a 3-D image of the objects in the capture area.
150 citations
Patent•
17 Oct 2004
TL;DR: In this paper, an optical system and method are presented to produce a desired illuminating light pattern, which consists of a light source (202) system configured and operable to produce structured light in the form of a plurality of spatially separated light beams; and a beam shaping arrangement (210).
Abstract: An optical system and method are presented to produce a desired illuminating light pattern. The system comprises a light source (202) system configured and operable to produce structured light in the form of a plurality of spatially separated light beams; and a beam shaping arrangement (210). The beam shaping arrangement is configured as a diffractive optical unit configured and operable to carry out at least one of the following: (i) combining an array of the spatially separated light beams into a single light beam thereby significantly increasing intensity of the illuminating light; (ii) affecting intensity profile of the light beam to provide the illuminating light of a substantially rectangular uniform intensity profile.
98 citations
Patent•
[...]
06 Aug 2012
TL;DR: In this article, a beam homogenizer includes a first optical surface, including a first microlens array, which has a first pitch equal to the spacing between the light sources and which is aligned with the matrix so that a respective optical axis of each micro-lens in the array intercepts a corresponding light source in the matrix and transmits light emitted by the corresponding light sources.
Abstract: Optical apparatus includes a matrix of light sources arranged on a substrate with a predetermined, uniform spacing between the light sources. A beam homogenizer includes a first optical surface, including a first microlens array, which has a first pitch equal to the spacing between the light sources and which is aligned with the matrix so that a respective optical axis of each microlens in the array intercepts a corresponding light source in the matrix and transmits light emitted by the corresponding light source. A second optical surface, including a second microlens array, is positioned to receive and focus the light transmitted by the first microlens array and has a second pitch that is different from the first pitch.
93 citations