20240077648.Integrated spot and flood illumination projector simplified abstract (apple inc.)

Integrated spot and flood illumination projector

Organization Name

apple inc.

Inventor(s)

Yuval Tsur of Tel Aviv-Yafo (IL)

Roey Zuitlin of Tel Aviv-Yafo (IL)

Refael Della Pergola of Jerusalem (IL)

Maoz Ovadia of Kiryat Ono (IL)

Roei Remez of Tel Aviv (IL)

Yaron Gross of Netanya (IL)

Integrated spot and flood illumination projector - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240077648 titled 'Integrated spot and flood illumination projector

Simplified Explanation

The optoelectronic apparatus described in the patent application includes arrays of emitters, an optical metasurface, and an optical projection element. The emitters emit beams of optical radiation, which are collimated and diffused by the optical metasurface. The optical projection element intercepts the beams and directs them towards a target, focusing the second beams to form a pattern of spots on the target.

• Arrays of emitters emitting beams of optical radiation
• Optical metasurface collimating and diffusing the beams
• Optical projection element intercepting and directing the beams towards a target

Potential Applications

The technology described in the patent application could be applied in various fields such as:

• LiDAR systems
• Optical communication systems
• Laser processing systems

Problems Solved

The technology addresses the following issues:

• Efficient collimation and diffusion of optical beams
• Precise focusing of beams onto a target
• Creation of patterns on a target using optical radiation

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

• Improved accuracy in directing optical beams
• Enhanced control over the distribution of optical radiation
• Increased efficiency in optical projection systems

Potential Commercial Applications

The technology could find commercial applications in:

• Automotive LiDAR systems
• Laser cutting and engraving machines
• Optical sensors for industrial applications

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art for this technology could be the use of diffractive optical elements in optical systems to manipulate the propagation of light beams.

How does the optical metasurface collimate and diffuse the beams?

The patent application does not provide detailed information on the specific mechanisms employed by the optical metasurface to achieve collimation and diffusion of the optical beams.

What materials are used in the construction of the optical metasurface?

The patent application does not specify the materials used in the fabrication of the optical metasurface or their properties that enable the desired optical manipulation.

Original Abstract Submitted

an optoelectronic apparatus includes a substrate and first and second arrays of emitters disposed on the substrate and configured to emit respective first and second beams of optical radiation. the apparatus further includes an optical metasurface disposed on the substrate and configured to collimate and diffuse the first beams without diffusing the second beams, and an optical projection element, configured to intercept both the first and the second beams that have passed through the optical metasurface and to direct both the first and the second beams toward a target while focusing the second beams to form a pattern of spots on the target.