Method and apparatus for generating structural pattern illumination
View Patent ↗A three-dimensional imaging method and system illuminates an object to be imaged with a light pattern that is formed from two or more light sub-patterns. The sub-patterns can each encompass the visible light spectrum or can be spatially varying intensity sub-patterns that each correspond to a red, green, or blue component. The light pattern is generated by a slotted planar member or an optical filter.
1. A system for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene, said system comprising:
a plurality of light sources wherein each light source produces a repeating pattern of light which varies spatially in intensity, wherein each light source produces said repeating pattern of light in a different color;
a projection system for combining light patterns from each of said light sources and projecting a combined pattern on said object; and
an imaging system for imaging said object as illuminated by said combined pattern, wherein said imaging system calculates a range to points on said object.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said imaging system determines a projection angle of light projected onto said points on said object by correlating reflected light color with projection angle.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of said light sources comprises a pattern filter.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein each said pattern filter comprises a slotted plate.
5. The system of claim 3 , wherein each said pattern filter comprises a color filter.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said projection system comprises at least one beam-splitter.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said projection system comprises at least one dichroic filter.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein said projection system comprises a lens.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of said light sources comprises a diffuser and a lens.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said projection system comprises at least one mirror.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein said projection system comprises at least one polarizer.
12. A system for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene, said system comprising:
a plurality of light sources wherein each light source produces light in a different color;
a projection system for projecting light from each of said light sources on said object, said projection system comprising a pattern filter for combining said light from said light sources to produce a pattern of light with spatially varying wavelength including multiple iterations of the color spectrum; and
an imaging system for imaging said object as illuminated by said pattern of light, wherein said imaging system calculates a range to points on said object.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein said projection system comprises at least one lens.
14. The system of claim 12 , wherein said pattern filter comprises a slotted plate.
15. The system of claim 12 , wherein said imaging system determines a projection angle of light projected onto said points on said object by correlating reflected light color with projection angle.
16. A system for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene, said system comprising:
a white light source;
a projection system for projecting light from said light source on said object, said projection system comprising a multi-spectrum filter for filtering light from said light source to produce a pattern of light with spatially varying wavelength including multiple iterations of the color spectrum; and
an imaging system for imaging said object as illuminated by said pattern of light, wherein said imaging system calculates a range to points on said object.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein said multi-spectrum filter comprises a multi-spectrum linear variable wavelength filter.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein said multi-spectrum filter comprises a slotted plate.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein said projection system comprises an aperture.
20. A method for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene, said method comprising:
producing a repeating pattern of light which varies spatially in intensity with a plurality of light sources wherein each light source produces said repeating pattern of light in a different color;
combining light patterns from each of said light sources and projecting a combined pattern on said object;
imaging said object as illuminated by said combined pattern; and
calculating a range to points on said object.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein calculating range comprises determining a projection angle of light projected onto said points on said object by correlating reflected light color with projection angle.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein producing said repeating pattern comprises using a pattern filter for each of said light sources.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein each said pattern filter comprises a slotted plate.
24. The method of claim 22 , wherein each said pattern filter comprises a color filter.
25. The method of claim 20 , wherein combining said light patterns comprises using at least one dichroic filter.
26. The method of claim 20 , wherein combining said light patterns comprises using at least one polarizer.
27. A method for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene, said method comprising:
generating light with a plurality of light sources wherein each light source produces light in a different color;
projecting light from each of said light sources on said object through a single pattern filter for combining said light from said light sources to produce a pattern of light with spatially varying wavelength including multiple iterations of the color spectrum;
imaging said object as illuminated by said pattern of light; and
calculating a range to points on said object.
28. The method of claim 27 , wherein said pattern filter comprises a slotted plate.
29. The method of claim 27 , wherein calculating range comprises determining a projection angle of light projected onto said points on said object by correlating reflected light color with projection angle.
30. A method for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene, said method comprising:
filtering light from a white light source to produce a pattern of light with spatially varying wavelength including multiple iterations of the color spectrum;
projecting said pattern of light on said object;
imaging said object as illuminated by said pattern of light; and
calculating a range to points on said object.
31. The method of claim 30 , wherein said filtering is performed with a multi-spectrum filter.
32. The method of claim 30 , wherein said filtering is performed with a slotted plate.
33. The method of claim 32 , further comprising collimating said light before said filtering.
34. A system for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene, said system comprising:
means for producing a repeating pattern of light which varies spatially in intensity with a plurality of light sources wherein each light source produces said repeating pattern of light in a different color;
means for combining light patterns from each of said light sources and projecting a combined pattern on said object;
means for imaging said object as illuminated by said combined pattern; and
means for calculating a range to points on said object.
35. The system of claim 34 , wherein said means for calculating range comprise means for determining a projection angle of light projected onto said points on said object by correlating reflected light color with projection angle.
36. The system of claim 34 , wherein said means for producing a repeating pattern comprises using a pattern filter for each of said light sources.
37. The system of claim 36 , wherein each said pattern filter comprises a slotted plate.
38. The system of claim 34 , wherein said means for combining said light patterns comprises using at least one dichroic filter.
39. The system of claim 34 , wherein said means for combining said light patterns comprises using at least one polarizer.
40. A system for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene, said system comprising:
means for generating light with a plurality of light sources wherein each light source produces light in a different color;
means for projecting light from each of said light sources on said object through a single pattern filter for combining said light from said light sources to produce a pattern of light with spatially varying wavelength including multiple iterations of the color spectrum;
means for imaging said object as illuminated by said pattern of light; and
means for calculating a range to points on said object.
41. The system of claim 40 , wherein said pattern filter comprises a slotted plate.
42. The system of claim 40 , wherein said means for calculating range comprise means for determining a projection angle of light projected onto said points on said object by correlating reflected light color with projection angle.
43. A system for generating a three-dimensional (3D) image of an object or scene, said system comprising:
means for filtering light from a white light source to produce a pattern of light with spatially varying wavelength including multiple iterations of the color spectrum;
means for projecting said pattern of light on said object;
means for imaging said object as illuminated by said pattern of light; and
means for calculating a range to points on said object.
44. The system of claim 43 , wherein said means for filtering comprise a multi-spectrum filter.
45. The system of claim 43 , wherein said means for filtering comprise a slotted plate.
46. The system of claim 45 , further comprising means for collimating said light before said filtering.