JP2019517418A - Apparatus and method for projecting a light pattern - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for projecting a light pattern (70). The device (10) is a laser device (12) capable of generating a plurality of laser beams (51, 52, 53) of different colors and insertable into the photonic crystal fiber (1) of the device (10) And a laser device (12) capable of producing a coupled and collimated beam (54) in the photonic crystal fiber (1), and for projecting a light pattern (70) A selector device (14) is provided which is capable of selectively transmitting the light beam (54) spatially to the diffusing disc (16) of the device (10).

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for projecting a light pattern. The device is used in particular in vehicles, in particular as part of an adaptive headlight or adaptive headlight, as a taillight or turn indicator (flasher), or of a taillight or turn indicator It can be used as a part.

  In modern headlight systems for vehicles, in part adaptive headlight systems are used, and in such headlight systems the lighting direction or characteristics of the headlight system are dynamically adapted to the traffic situation It is possible to adapt. For example, in so-called "cornering lamps", the headlights of the vehicle are controlled such that the light cone follows the curve that the vehicle with the headlights actually passes, rather than illuminating tangentially outward from the curve. A headlight system capable of projecting a light pattern adaptable to traffic conditions can, for example, be controlled so that oncoming vehicles are properly excluded from the light cone of the headlight system.

  U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 079,836 describes a laser scanner for projecting a light pattern.

  Photonic crystal fibers ("English" "photonic-crystal fibers" PCT) are fibers based on the properties of photonic crystals and transmitting light in a preferred form, eg, light into a small core ("core" in English) It is possible to concentrate on

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/079836

  The invention discloses an apparatus for projecting a light pattern comprising the features of claim 1 and a method of projecting a light pattern comprising the features according to claim 10.

Thus, an apparatus for projecting a light pattern is
A laser capable of generating multiple laser beams of different colors and insertable into the photonic crystal fiber of the device, whereby coupled and collimated light beams, in particular laser beams, can be generated in the photonic crystal fiber A device,
And a selector device capable of selectively transmitting the combined light beam spatially to the diffuser disc of the device to project the light pattern.

Furthermore, in the method of projecting a light pattern,
Controlling a laser device for generating a plurality of laser beams of different colors;
Inserting the plurality of laser beams generated into the photonic crystal fiber, thereby generating coupled and collimated light beams, in particular laser beams, in the photonic crystal fiber;
Selectively transmitting the combined beam spatially to the diffusing disc to project the light pattern;
Methods are proposed.

  The plurality of laser beams generated may comprise, in particular, red, green and blue laser beams or may consist of red, green and blue laser beams. The combined and collimated rays may in particular be white rays.

  By using a photonic crystal fiber, the device can be made particularly simple, which allows the device to be made with particularly small dimensions. It is easily possible to spatially separate the laser source, ie the laser device and the selector device, eg the scanner unit. This, on the one hand, preferably increases the design freedom. On the other hand, such an arrangement which is spatially separated allows for cooling of the device, which increases the lifetime of the laser device as compared, for example, to a freely emitted configuration without photonic crystal fibres.

  Furthermore, preferably no phosphor converter may be supplied or used. The phosphor converter generally converts the blue laser light to a blend of blue and yellow laser light to obtain a totally white laser light with corresponding losses. In contrast to the solution by means of a phosphor converter, according to the invention, it is used in particular to project light patterns in operation by controlling the individual laser diodes (for example red, green, blue) of the laser device The color temperature of the laser beam can be adapted.

  Preferred embodiments and configurations are described in the dependent claims as well as in the description with reference to the drawings.

  According to a preferred configuration, the selector device is configured as a deflection device configured to deflect a white laser beam. The deflection device may, for example, comprise one or more micro mirrors. This enables scanning of the spatial area in the form of a laser scanner in order to project the light pattern.

  According to another preferred configuration, the selector device is configured as an array of pixels switchable to selectively transmit or not transmit the laser beam. The device is thus preferably usable, for example, as a projector, ie an image projector, in a so-called "DLP projector". In this case, the light pattern to be projected may be, for example, a picture, a video, a slide or the like. Furthermore, the device can also be used to illuminate an object which is preferably detected by an external device.

  According to another preferred configuration, the array may be an array of micro-optics, eg mirrors. According to another preferred configuration, the array is a grating light valve (GLV). The grating light valve allows high brightness and good contrast values of the light pattern to be projected. Grating light valves provide high resolution and can be manufactured with relatively little technical effort.

  According to another preferred configuration, the device is configured as a portable or stationary projector. According to another preferred configuration, the device is configured as a headlight, in particular as a vehicle headlight or a searchlight installed in a building. According to another preferred configuration, the device is configured as a taillight or turn indicator.

  The invention will now be described in detail on the basis of the embodiments shown in the schematic drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an apparatus for projecting a light pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the preferred optical transmission capability distribution of the diffusing disc shown in FIG. 1 as a function of the radiation angle. Figure 2 shows a preferred configuration of the photonic crystal fiber of the device of Figure 1; FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for projecting a light pattern according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for projecting a light pattern according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for projecting a light pattern according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic flow diagram for explaining a method of projecting a light pattern according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Elements and devices that are the same or have the same function in all the drawings are given the same reference numerals unless otherwise indicated. The numbering of method steps is not particularly indicative of any particular temporal order, unless otherwise indicated. In particular, several method steps can also be carried out simultaneously.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 10 for projecting a light pattern 70 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Apparatus 10 is configured or configured to generate a plurality of laser beams 51, 52, 53 of different colors, in particular red laser beam 51, green laser beam 52, and blue laser beam 53. Including. A smaller or larger number of laser beams or laser beams of other wavelengths may be generated by the laser device 12 or may be generated. The laser device 12 is configured or configured to transmit or transmit the generated plurality of laser beams 51, 52, 53 of different colors to the photonic crystal fiber 1 of the device 10. The light beam 54 that has been tuned and which is coupled and collimated in the photonic crystal fiber 1, in particular a coupled and collimated laser beam, can or can be generated. The combined light beam 54 may in particular be a white light beam.

  The light beam 54 generated, coupled and collimated by the photonic crystal fiber 1 can be selectively transmitted by the selector device 14 of the device 10 into a plurality of solid angle ranges for projecting the light pattern 70. For example, based on internal programming or externally set control signals, respectively depending on the solid angle range which actually transmits the light beam 54 coupled through the selector device 14, for example coupled by the controller The laser 12 can be controlled to actually generate or not generate the light beam 54.

  Thus, if light ray 54 is generated, then a white pixel is generated or can be generated in the corresponding solid angle range. Thus, if light ray 54 is not generated, then a dark or black pixel is generated or can be generated in the corresponding solid angle range. By using corresponding color filters, each white pixel can be converted to a bright pixel, for example a red, green or blue pixel.

  Thus, the projected light pattern 7 may be constituted by bright and black pixels as a whole by white and black pixels as a whole, and in this way it is also possible to display eg photographs It is also possible to generate a light cone of headlights which is or can be spatially resolved. Thus, the device 10 may in particular be configured as a headlight of a vehicle or be integrated into the headlight of a vehicle and provide an adaptive light cone of the headlight, for example a so-called "cornering lamp" It can also play a role. It is also preferred to use in or as a taillight or as a turn indicator (flasher).

  In the case of the device 10, the diffuser disk 16 of the device 10 is arranged behind the selector device 14 in the path of the combined light beam 54. The diffuser disc 16 can also be called a diffuser. A diffusive disc is an optical element used to diffuse light, in particular the effect of diffuse reflection is used in the refracted state of the light. In particular, the diffusive disc 16 acts on the combined light beam 54 incident on the diffusive disc 16 as the diffusive disc 16 acts, in particular the light pattern 70 to be projected onto the light path behind the diffusive disc 16 by diffusion of the combined light ray 54 Are configured to occur.

  In particular, the diffusion disk 16 may be configured as described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 shows a diagram which shows the normalized optical transmission power 72 as a function of the radiation angle 71, the radiation angle 71 to the vertical at the diffusing disc 16 being measured.

  FIG. 2 shows a preferred permeation capacity curve 81, ie the permeation capacity distribution. The transmission capacity curve 81 can be provided, for example, by the diffusing disc 16. The diffusion disk 16 is manufactured by forming a polymer structure in glass ("polymer glass"). That is, the diffusion disk 16 comprises a polymeric structure disposed in glass or comprises a polymeric structure disposed in glass. The polymer structure may be formed with a predetermined roughness so as to provide appropriate diffusion characteristics depending on the required use place. The transmission capability curve 81 of the diffusing disc 16 can also be used to adjust the intensity and spot size of the combined light beam 54, which is separated from the device 10 in particular.

  A transmission capability curve 81 with a relatively flat maximum is preferred as it has a lower energy density of the light beam 54 when the emission angle 71 is at 0 °.

  For the normalized optical transmission capability 72, after traversing the diffusing disc 16, for a given emission angle 71 of the combined light beam 54, the diffusing disc 16 may have the preferred characteristics described below. The standardized optical transmission ability is an optical transmission that is set such that the maximum value of the optical transmission ability is set to a value of 1.0 and the minimum value is set to 0.0. It should be understood as an ability.

  Preferably, the diffusive disc 16 exceeds 0.5 if, after traversing the diffusive disc 16, the emission angle 71 of the combined light beam 54 comprises a value between 0 ° and the first emission angle value In particular with a normalized optical transmission capacity of more than 0.6, particularly preferably more than 0.7. The first radiation angle value is at least 5 °, preferably at least 10 °, in particular at least 15 °.

  Furthermore, the diffusion disc 16 is preferably less than 0.5, in particular less than 0.3, particularly preferably when the diffusion angle 71 of the light beam 54 after traversing the diffusion disc 16 is a value above the second emission angle value. Have a standardized optical transmission capacity of less than 0.2.

  The second radiation angle value is equal to or preferably greater than the first radiation angle value. The second radiation angle value is preferably at least 5 °, particularly preferably at least 10 °, in particular at least 15 ° or at least 20 °. The second radiation angle value is more preferably at most 30 °, particularly preferably at most 25 °, in particular at most 20 °.

  The first and / or second radiation angle values are preferably in each case between 10 ° and 20 °, in particular between 15 ° and 20 °. Alternatively or additionally, the first and / or the second radiation angle values are preferably mutually separated by less than 10 °, in particular by less than 5 °. In principle, a configuration in which the normalized optical transmission capability drops particularly sharply is particularly preferred.

  Furthermore, it is dependent only on the rotationally symmetrical distribution of the normalized optical transmission capability, ie the value of the radiation angle 71 and on the orientation of the radiation angle 71 centered on the perpendicular to the diffusing disc 16 No distribution is particularly preferred. For other applications, the diffusing disc 16 may be configured to form a distribution of optical transmission in a rectangular, in particular a square.

  The above characteristics of the diffusive disc 16 with regard to standardized optical transmission capabilities are preferred in order to create advantageous radiation properties by the diffusive disc 16. On the one hand, particularly narrow radiation characteristics, i.e. normalized optical transmission capability, which dips at 0 [deg.], Are preferred for projecting light patterns with high resolution. On the other hand, such narrow emission characteristics may result in an undesirably high light intensity, especially at 0 °. The above-mentioned radiation characteristics of the diffusing disc 16 allow a favorable balance between these two conflicting interests.

  Particularly preferred is a diffusive disk 16 with the features shown by the curve 81 or the ideal curve 85.

  Thus, for the emission angle 71 of the light beam 54 deflected and combined relative to the perpendicular in the diffusion disk 16 after traversing the diffusion disk 16, the emission angle 71 has a value between 0 ° and the first emission angle value In the case of providing a normalized optical transmission capability of more than 0.5, in particular more than 0.6, particularly preferably more than 0.7, the radiation angle 71 has a value greater than or equal to the second radiation angle value In the case of being provided, a diffusing disc 16 with a standardized optical transmission capacity of less than 0.5, in particular less than 0.3 and particularly preferably less than 0.2 is particularly preferred. The first and second radiation angle values may be selected as described above.

  FIG. 3 shows a preferred configuration of the photonic crystal fiber 1 of the device 10.

  Preferably, the photonic crystal fiber 1 comprises a cladding 3 (“cladding” in English) surrounding the core 2 as shown in the upper FIG. 3 a), in the cladding 3 one another and in the core 2 The periodic lattice 4 is formed by the minute air holes 5 parallel to each other. The regular arrangement of these air holes 5 causes light to be trapped in the core 2 of the crystal fiber 1. The core 2 may be hollow (so-called "hollow core") or may be made of glass. In general, the air holes 5 all have the same diameter 6 and the same spacing 7 (period) inside the grid 4. Around the cladding 3 a layer 8 ("coating" in English) is generally arranged.

  The exemplary refractive index function 9 describes the general correlation of the refractive indices n of different components of the crystal fiber 1. In this case, the refractive index n of the layer 8 is larger than the refractive index n of the cladding 3 but smaller than the refractive index n of the core 2 and the difference in refractive index between the core 2 and the layer 8 It is larger than the difference of the refractive index n between 3 and 3.

  The middle FIG. 3 b) shows a cross section of the cladding 3 with the grating 4 and the lower FIG. 3 c) shows an enlargement of this cross section.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 110 for projecting a light pattern 70 according to another embodiment of the invention. The device 110 is an example of the device 10, and differs from the device 10 in that the selector device 114 of the device 110 is provided instead of the selector device 14 of the device 10.

  The selector device 114 may in particular be configured as a deflection device 114 comprising a first micro mirror 113 and a second micro mirror 115. The deflection device 114 is arranged to deflect the combined beam 54 according to the actual deflection of the deflection device 114, ie the micromirrors 113, 115, respectively. Thus, the deflection device 114 is realized as a plurality of micro mirrors 113, 115 arranged in series in the optical path of the combined beam 54, the plurality of micro mirrors having the combined beam 54 having a predetermined solid angle. And / or can be actuated, for example by an actuator of deflection device 114, to be deflected to scan the separation device of device 110. By means of the deflecting device 114, the combined beam 54 can be deflected in two dimensions.

  Instead of the two micro mirrors 113, 115, the deflection device 114 may comprise more than two micro mirrors arranged in series in the optical path of the combined beam 54. Alternatively, the deflecting device 114 may comprise only one micro mirror, such that the deformation of the micro mirror allows the coupled beam 54 incident on the micro mirror to be deflected in two dimensions. Is configured.

  The optical separation device 118 of the device 110 is adjusted or designed to separate the projected light pattern 70 from the device 110 and transmit it around the vehicle, for example in the case of a vehicle headlight. The separation device 118 may include, for example, a secondary optical system, may consist of a secondary optical system, may comprise a cover disc, or may consist of a cover disc.

  The device 110 is adaptable to all the modifications and configurations described with respect to the device 10, in particular with respect to the diffusing disc 16, and vice versa.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 210 for projecting a light pattern 70 according to yet another embodiment of the invention. This device 210 can be considered as an example of the device 110 and is different from the device 110 as described in detail below.

  The device 110 comprises a laser device 12, which can also be used to generate a red laser beam 51, a green laser beam 52 and a red laser beam independently of one another, to the optical device 201. It can be transmitted. The optical device 201 includes, for example, the photonic crystal fiber 1 shown in FIG. 3, in which the generated laser beams 51, 52, 53 are mutually coupled so as to be a combined beam 54. Can be deflected towards the deflection device 214 of the device 210, in particular towards the micro mirror device 215 of the deflection device 214. The optical device 201 may include, in addition to the photonic crystal fiber 1, another optical element optically disposed in front of and / or behind the photonic crystal fiber 1.

  The micro mirror device 215 may comprise, for example, two micro mirrors each deflecting in one dimension and / or one micro mirror deflecting in two dimensions or the like, as described with respect to the deflecting device 14 of the device 10. Further, deflection device 214 includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 217 configured to operate micro mirror device 215. The circuit 217 may include, for example, a coil.

  In the optical path of the deflected and combined beam 54 behind the deflection device 214, ie behind the micromirror device 215, preferably first of all the Fθ lens 219 is arranged, and in the Fθ lens 219 as described above The diffusion disk 16 configured in FIG.

  The integrated circuit 217 is designed to receive or generate a first control signal, the deflection device 214, in particular the micromirror device 215, being activated by the integrated circuit 217 on the basis of the first control signal, the solid angle range, in particular Based on the first control signal, the Fθ lens 219 and thus the diffusion disk 16 located behind the Fθ lens 219 are scanned. Thus, the first control signal may indicate a light pattern to be projected, for example based on the first control signal may scan a predetermined partial solid angle range with high resolution, for example separated from the device 210 It makes it possible to illuminate the object particularly clearly by means of the combined light beam 54.

  The device 210 further includes a separating device 118 designed or tuned to separate the combined light beam 54 emitted from the diffusing disc 16 from the device 210. The separating device 118 comprises or consists of a second optical system, which may also be referred to as a secondary optical system. The device 210 may in particular be configured as a headlight of a vehicle or be integrated into the vehicle.

  Laser device 12 and integrated circuit 217 are both coupled to controller 230 of device 210. The controller 230 is tuned or designed to control the laser device 12. To this end, control unit 230 receives from circuit 217 a position signal indicating the actual position of micro mirror unit 215 of deflection unit 214. The controller 230 may be configured to control the laser 12 based at least also on this position signal, ie based on the actual position of the micro mirror 215.

  Thus, controller 230 may be designed or tuned to generate the second control signal and transmit it to laser device 12. The laser device 12 can be controlled based on the second control signal in order to illuminate the individual pixels, i.e. the partial solid angle range, with different color temperatures. For example, the second control signal can be used, for example, to control the laser device 12 not to generate the laser beams 51, 52, 53 at a predetermined time, whereby the light pattern to be projected has a dark range , The predetermined object is excluded from the illumination by the device 210.

  Based on the second control signal, for example, only the red laser beam 51 and the green laser beam 52 are generated so as to generate only a part of the different color laser beams 51, 52, 53 that can be generated at a given time. The laser device 12 can be controlled to prevent this. The relative intensities of the generated laser beams 51, 52, 53 of different colors can be matched to one another by means of the laser 12 based on the second control signal.

  First and second control signals can be generated by the circuit 217 or the controller 230, for example based on the respective input signals. The input signal may be transmitted by the interface device 232 of the device 210 to the circuit 217 or, optionally, from outside the device 210 to the control device 230. Each input signal may be, for example, a vehicle control signal of the vehicle in which the device 110 is integrated.

  Instead of generating the first and / or second control signal, the circuit 217 and the control device 230 receive the first and / or second control signal via the interface device 232, thereby providing the range of supply of the control signal. It may be designed or tuned to transmit only within.

  In device 210, interface device 232 receives an input signal from driver assistance and control unit 234, which generates or transmits an input signal, among others. The driver assistance-control unit 234 is connected via a bus 238, for example a CAN bus, to, for example, a driver assistance system (FAS, in English "Advanced Driver Assistance System" (ADAS)) and / or another computing unit, for example a vehicle. Based on the information and signals from these, the driver assistance and control unit 234 generates an input signal. Bus 238 may be configured completely or partially as part of device 210, ie, incorporated into device 210.

  The device 210 further includes another control unit 236 configured to control the LED devices of the device 210. The LED devices of the device 210 consist of or include a first LED segment 241 for generating a first light beam 55 and a second LED segment 242 for generating a second light beam 56. The first light beam 55 is separated from the device 210 by the optical system 243 of the device 210. The second light beam 56 is separated from the device 210 by the optical system 244 of the device 210.

  Another control unit 236 may likewise be connected to the bus 238 and receives information or signals from the above mentioned external devices, for example a driver assisted camera, on the basis of which the further control unit 236 2 control the LED segments 241 and 242;

  As shown in the right-hand part of FIG. 5, the device 210 is specifically adapted or designed to illuminate different areas 293, 294, 295 around the device 210 of the vehicle in which the device 210 is incorporated by different illumination means. ing. Thus, when traveling straight ahead, the central area 293 corresponding to the distant area where the oncoming vehicle 291 or the preceding vehicle 292 is located is illuminated by the combined light beam 54 separated by the separating device 118 with great probability.

  The immediate neighborhood 294 of the device 210 is illuminated by the second ray 56 of the second LED element 242. The far range 295 located on the side of the central range 294 illuminated by the combined ray 54 is illuminated by the first ray 55 from the first LED segment 241. In this way, suitable illumination means can be optimally adapted, in particular with regard to light intensity, light color, resolution etc., for the different respective ranges 293, 294, 295 around the device 210.

  FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 310 for projecting a light pattern 70 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The device 310 is an example of the device 110 and is compatible with all the modifications and configurations described for the device 110 and vice versa.

  Device 310 differs from device 110 in that selector device 314 of device 310 is provided instead of selector device 114 of device 110.

  Selector device 314 of device 310 is configured as an array of pixels switchable to selectively transmit or not transmit coupled beam 54. The laser device 12 and the diffusing disk 16 are preferably configured and arranged such that in the case of the device 310, the combined beam 54 illuminates the array 314 completely.

  For this purpose, a diffusing disc 16 may be provided, for example for the purpose of expanding the combined light beam 54, which has been produced in a narrow width, which is between the photonic crystal fiber 1 and the array 314. It may be arranged in Thus, selective "transmit" or "do not transmit" switching of the pixels of array 314 results in a light pattern 70 that is to be projected into the light path behind array 314. The device 310 may comprise an optional separating device 118 by means of which the projected light pattern 70 is further projected around the device 310, as already described with respect to the device 210. It is separated from 310.

  The array 314 may, for example, be configured as an array of micro-optics, ie in particular a regular, in particular two-dimensional arrangement of the individual micro mirrors. The position of the individual micromirrors can be changed individually. For each micro mirror of the array 314, there is a respective first position of each micro mirror, which "transmits the combined light beam 54 by the pixels that this micro mirror forms". It corresponds to For each micromirror there is also a second position of the micromirror, which corresponds to "don't transmit by the pixel that this micromirror forms".

  The device 310 may, for example, comprise a light trap, the micro mirrors of the array 314 respectively transmitting into the light trap portions of the coupled light beam 54 incident on the micro mirror at respective second micro mirror positions. Is configured as. The light trap is configured to absorb as much of the incident light ray 54 as completely as possible, and may also be referred to as a "beam stop" or "light collector."

  In addition, the micromirrors of the array 314 are configured to transmit, at each first micromirror position, the portion of the light beam 54 respectively incident on the micromirrors to the optional separation device 118 of the device 310 for projecting the light pattern 70. It may be done.

  The pixels switched to transmit and the whole pixels switched not to transmit provide the appropriate arrangement of white and black pixels representing the light pattern 70 to be projected.

  Alternatively to being configured as an array of micro-optics, the selection device 314 of the device 310 may be configured, for example, as a "grating light valve". In the case of a grating light valve, each pixel of the selection device 314 is formed by a plurality of individually controllable metal bands. The control of these metal bands is performed by selectively bending the individual metal bands by electrostatic fields, thereby variously diffracting the laser beam incident on each pixel.

  For example, if none of the metal bands of the pixel are curved, the portion of the light beam 54 incident on the pixel will be reflected towards the light trap, as described above, and this pixel will be reflected in the light pattern 70 to be projected. Brings a black pixel. For example, if each second metal band is bent, the portion of the light beam 54 incident on the pixel is diffracted and a new light wave is propagated in a direction different from the direction of the light trap, thereby causing the light to be projected The pattern 70 is provided with white pixels. The light waves can propagate, for example, in the direction of the optional separation device 118 of the device 310.

  FIG. 7 shows a schematic flow diagram for explaining a method of projecting a light pattern 70 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method shown in FIG. 6 can be implemented by all the devices 10; 110; 210; 310 according to the invention and can be adapted according to all the modifications and configurations described for these devices and vice versa. .

  In a first step S01, the laser device 12 for generating a plurality of laser beams 51, 52, 53 of different colors is controlled, for example as already described with respect to the device 10; 110; 210; 310, for example.

  In step S02, the plurality of generated laser beams 51, 52, 53 are inserted or introduced into the photonic crystal fiber 1, thereby generating a coupled and collimated light beam 54 in the photonic crystal fiber 1. .

  In step S03, the combined light beam 54 for projecting the light pattern 70 is transmitted selectively to the diffusing disk 16 spatially. In this case, the light pattern 70 is either projected by the diffusing disc 16 itself or, preferably behind the diffusing disc 16, by the action of the diffusing disc 16 on the coupled ray 54, in particular by the diffusion of the coupled ray 54. It is projected.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and can be variously modified. The invention can in particular be varied or modified in a number of ways without departing from the core of the invention.

Claims (10)

In an apparatus (10; 110; 210; 310) for projecting a light pattern (70),
A laser device (12) capable of generating a plurality of laser beams (51, 52, 53) of different colors and inserted in the photonic crystal fiber (1) of said device (10; 110; 210; 310) A laser device (12) capable of producing coupled and collimated light beams (54) within the photonic crystal fiber (14), and
A selector device (14) which is capable of selectively transmitting the combined beam (54) spatially to the diffusing disc (16) of the device (10; 110; 210; 310) to project the light pattern (70). 114; 214; 314),
An apparatus (10; 110; 210; 310) for projecting a light pattern (70) comprising   The device (110; 210) according to claim 1, wherein the selector device (114; 214) is configured as a deflection device (114; 214) configured to deflect the combined beam (54).   The apparatus (310) of claim 1, wherein the selector apparatus is configured as an array (314) of pixels switchable to selectively transmit or not transmit the combined beam (54).   The apparatus (310) of claim 3, wherein the array (314) is an array of micro-optics. The apparatus (310) of claim 3, wherein the array (314) is a grating light valve.
Device (310).   A device (10; 110; 210) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the diffusion disc (16) comprises a glass and a polymer structure arranged adjacent to or on the glass. 310).   7. A control device (230) for controlling a laser device (12) to generate a portion of a plurality of laser beams (51, 52, 53) that can be generated according to an input signal. A device according to any one of the preceding claims (10; 110; 210; 310).   Device (10; 110; 210; 310) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10; 110; 210; 310) is configured as a projector.   A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10; 110; 210; 310) is configured as a headlight, configured as a taillight, or configured as a turn indicator. (10; 110; 210; 310). In the method of projecting a light pattern (70),
Controlling (S01) a laser device (12) for generating a plurality of laser beams (51, 52, 53) of different colors;
Inserting the plurality of generated laser beams (51, 52, 53) into the photonic crystal fiber (1) (S02), thereby coupling and collimating into the photonic crystal fiber (1) Generating an optical ray (54) (S02);
Spatially selectively transmitting (S03) the combined beam (54) to the diffusing disc (16) to project the light pattern (70);
A method of projecting a light pattern (70) comprising

Images