Optical scanning system with variable focus lens

Abstract

Apparent distance of a pixel within an optical field of view is determined. Incoming light is scanned along a raster pattern to direct light for a select pixel onto a light distance detector. The distance is sampled for each pixel or for a group of pixels. The light distance detector includes a concentric set of rings sensors. The larger the spot of light corresponding to the pixel, the more rings are impinged. The diameter of the spot is proportional to the distance at which the light originated (e.g., light source or object from which light was reflected). Alternatively, a variable focus lens (VFL) adjusts focal length for a given pixel to achieve a standard spot size. The distance at which the light originated correlates to the focal length of the VFL.

1 . A system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images comprising: 
 a scanning image capture apparatus operable to capture a three-dimensional image of a field-of-view and generate a signal corresponding to the three-dimensional image; and    a controller coupled to the scanning image capture apparatus and operable to receive the signal corresponding to the three-dimensional image from the scanning image capture apparatus and operable to output a display signal corresponding to the three-dimensional image.    
   
   
       2 . The system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a display apparatus coupled to the controller and operable to receive the display signal corresponding to the three-dimensional image from the controller and display the three-dimensional image.    
   
   
       3 . The system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 2  wherein the display apparatus includes a scanning display.  
   
   
       4 . The system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 2  wherein the display apparatus is operable to display a three-dimensional representation of the captured three-dimensional image.  
   
   
       5 . The system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 1  wherein the controller is further operable to store the captured three-dimensional image in memory storage.  
   
   
       6 . The system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 5  wherein the controller is further operable to output the stored three-dimensional image as a display signal.  
   
   
       7 . The system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 1  wherein the three-dimensional image includes a video image comprising a plurality of frames.  
   
   
       8 . The system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 1  wherein the three-dimensional image includes at least one still image comprising a single frame.  
   
   
       9 . The system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 1  wherein the scanning image capture apparatus further includes a variable focus lens operable to variably converge light.  
   
   
       10 . The system for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 9  wherein the variable focus lens is operable to variably converge light from the field-of-view.  
   
   
       11 . A method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images comprising the steps of: 
 operating a scanning image capture apparatus to capture a three-dimensional image of a field-of-view and generate a signal corresponding to the three-dimensional image; and    operating a controller coupled to the scanning image capture apparatus to receive the signal corresponding to the three-dimensional image from the scanning image capture apparatus and output a display signal corresponding to the three-dimensional image.    
   
   
       12 . The method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of: 
 operating a display apparatus coupled to the controller to receive the display signal corresponding to the three-dimensional image from the controller and display the three-dimensional image.    
   
   
       13 . The method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 12  wherein the display apparatus includes a scanning display.  
   
   
       14 . The method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 12  wherein the display apparatus is operable to display a three-dimensional representation of the captured three-dimensional image.  
   
   
       15 . The method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of: 
 operating the controller to store the captured three-dimensional image in memory storage.    
   
   
       16 . The method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of: 
 operating the controller to output the stored three-dimensional image as a display signal.    
   
   
       17 . The method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 11  wherein the three-dimensional image includes a video image comprising a plurality of frames.  
   
   
       18 . The method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 11  wherein the three-dimensional image includes at least one still image comprising a single frame.  
   
   
       19 . The method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 11  wherein the step of operating the scanning image capture apparatus further includes operating a variable focus lens to variably converge light.  
   
   
       20 . The method for capturing and displaying three-dimensional images of  claim 19  wherein the step of operating the variable focus lens includes operating the variable focus lens to variably converge light from the field-of-view.