Texas Instruments Corporation

Stephen Aldridge Shaw

Terry Alan Bartlett

Zhongyan Sheng

David Patrick Magee

Nirmal Chindhu Warke

Michael Terry Davis

Patrick Ian Oden

Alexander Lyubarsky

Vivek Kumar Thakur

Rick Oden

Vikrant R Bhakta

Steven Edward Smith

Jeff Farris

An optical distance measuring system includes a first transmitter, a first solid state device, and a receiver. The first transmitter is configured to generate a first optical waveform. The first solid state device is configured to receive the first optical waveform and steer the first optical waveform toward a target object. The receiver is configured to receive the first optical waveform reflected off of the first target object and determine a distance to the first target object based on a time of flight from the transmitter to the first target object and back to the receiver.

Optical distance measurement system using solid state beam steering

Described examples include a display having a first light source configured to provide a first light and a second light source configured to provide a second light. The display also having a spatial light modulator configured to produce a first modulated light by modulating the first light and configured to produce a second modulated light by modulating the second light. The display also having a first diffractive optical element configured to receive the first modulated light and configured to provide a first image having a first characteristic to display optics; and a second diffractive optical element configured to receive the second modulated light and configured to provide a second image having a second characteristic to the display optics.

Compact display with extended pixel resolution

Described examples a three-dimensional printer includes a vat having a transparent bottom, the vat configured to contain a photo-polymerizing resin and a lift plate movably positioned within the vat. The three-dimensional printer also includes an optical device configured to project a pattern of light through the transparent bottom. The optical device includes a light source configured to provide light at a light source output and a light integrator configured to provide divergent light at a light integrator output responsive to the light at the light source output. The optical device also includes projection optics configured to project projection output light at an optics output through the transparent bottom responsive to a modulated light at the optics input and a spatial light modulator configured to provide the modulated light responsive to the divergent light.

Low cost optical engine

Described examples include an optical device, having a light source with a light source output and a light integrator having a light integrator input and a light integrator output, the light integrator input optically coupled to the light source output, and the light integrator configured to provide divergent light at the light integrator output responsive to the light at the light source output. The optical device also has projection optics with an optics input and an optics output, the projection optics configured to project output light at the optics output responsive to modulated light at the optics input, in which a focal point of the optics input matches a divergence of the modulated light and a spatial light modulator optically coupled between the light integrator output and the optics input, the spatial light modulator configured to provide the modulated light responsive to the divergent light.

A spatial light modulator outputs modulated light including: modulated first light when the spatial light modulator receives first light; and modulated second light when the spatial light modulator receives second light. Projection optics project the modulated light onto: a first pixel region when a component or the spatial light modulator has a first position; and a second pixel region when the component or the spatial light modulator has a second position. The first and second pixel regions partially overlap. A pixel shifter moves the component or the spatial light modulator between: the first position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated first light; and the second position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated second light.

Optical engine for three-dimensional printing

A spatial light modulator (SLM) has an array of pixels configured to modulate light in patterns responsive to first control signals. The modulated light forms at least one patterned light beam in a field of view. An illumination source is optically coupled to the SLM. The illumination source is configured to illuminate the array of pixels, responsive to second control signals. Circuitry is coupled to the SLM and to the illumination source. The circuitry is configured to provide the first control signals to the SLM and the second control signals to the illumination source. At least one detector is configured to detect a reflection of the patterned light beam in the field of view.

LIDAR with spatial light modulator

Optical display with spatial light modulator

In described examples, a system for outputting a patterned light beam includes a digital micro-mirror device having an array of micro-mirrors. Diffraction patterns displayed using the digital micro-mirror device create at least one patterned light beam in a field of view. An illumination source illuminates the array of micro-mirrors in the digital micro-mirror device. The system includes a processor coupled to provide display diffraction patterns for display using the digital micro-mirror device and to control the illumination source, and at least one detector to detect light from the patterned light beam that reflects from objects in the field of view.

Methods and apparatus for LIDAR with DMD

A headlamp includes a digital micromirror device (DMD) reflector, a light source, and projection optics. The DMD reflector includes a DMD and a static reflector disposed on a plurality of sides of the DMD. The light source is disposed to illuminate the DMD reflector. The projection optics are configured to project light reflected by the DMD and light reflected by the static reflector via a same lens system.

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Plano, TX, United States of America

Stephen Aldridge Shaw