US 8810803

Here's a concise summary of US patent 8810803:

• Title: Lens system
• Assignee: The current assignee is Longhorn Automotive Group LLC. The original assignee was Intellectual Ventures Holding 67 LLC.
• Inventor: Matthew Bell
• Filing Date: April 16, 2012 (for application number US13/448,321)
• Issue Date: August 19, 2014
• Abstract: A fragmented lens system is disclosed for creating an invisible light pattern useful for computer vision systems. The system generates random or semi-random dot patterns, enabling a computer to uniquely identify each patch of a projected pattern. This allows the computer to determine the position and distance of an object by recognizing the illumination pattern on the object.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1 (System for projecting a pattern of light): This claim describes a system comprising three main components:

  1. A light source that has multiple light-emitting elements arranged in a specific pattern.
  2. A cluster of lenses positioned in front of the light source. Each lens in this cluster is designed to receive light from all the emitters, and the cluster as a whole focuses and projects light from each individual emitter in various directions simultaneously.
  3. A condenser lens situated between the light source and the cluster of lenses. This condenser lens functions to gather and direct the light from each emitter towards the central area of the lens cluster.

• Claim 8 (Method for projecting a pattern of infrared light): This claim outlines a method involving four steps:

  1. Emitting multiple lights from a plurality of emitters, with these lights arranged in a pattern.
  2. Using a condenser lens to concentrate these emitted lights towards the central location of a cluster of lenses.
  3. The cluster of lenses then receives this concentrated light at various points within itself.
  4. Each lens within the cluster concurrently focuses and projects the received and concentrated light from each of the emitters in a multitude of directions.

• Claim 15 (System for projecting a pattern of light): This claim describes another system for projecting light, which includes:

  1. A light source equipped with multiple emitters that are configured to emit light.
  2. A cluster of lenses, where each lens is set up to receive light emitted from each of the numerous emitters.
  3. A condenser lens positioned between the light source and the lens cluster, which concentrates the light from each of the emitters towards the center of the lens cluster.

Litigation Information (as of April 26, 2026):
The patent US8810803B2 is currently active and is associated with litigation.

• A PTAB case, IPR2025-00955, was filed but not instituted (procedural) in 2025.
• Several US cases have been filed in the Texas Eastern District Court, including:
  • 2:26-cv-00235 (filed in 2026).
  • 2:24-cv-00933 (filed in 2024).
  • 2:24-cv-00686 (filed in 2024).
  • 2:24-cv-00685 (filed in 2024).
  • 2:24-cv-00603 (filed in 2024).
  • 2:24-cv-00554 (filed in 2024).
  • 2:24-cv-00397 (filed in 2024).

Here is a list of known litigation involving US patent 8810803:

1. PTAB Case IPR2025-00955

• Plaintiff(s): Petitioner (details not specified in the provided snippet, but "Unified Patents PTAB Data" is mentioned as a source).
• Defendant(s): Longhorn Automotive Group LLC (current assignee of US8810803).
• Jurisdiction: Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).
• Case Number: IPR2025-00955.
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated in the provided text, but the IPR number suggests a 2025 filing.
• Outcome/Current Status: Not Instituted - Procedural.

2. US Case filed in Texas Eastern District Court (2:26-cv-00235)

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court.
• Case Number: 2:26-cv-00235.
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case number suggests a 2026 filing.
• Outcome/Current Status: Active.

3. US Case filed in Texas Eastern District Court (2:24-cv-00933)

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00933.
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case number suggests a 2024 filing.
• Outcome/Current Status: Active.

4. US Case filed in Texas Eastern District Court (2:24-cv-00686)

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00686.
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case number suggests a 2024 filing.
• Outcome/Current Status: Active.

5. US Case filed in Texas Eastern District Court (2:24-cv-00685)

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00685.
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case number suggests a 2024 filing.
• Outcome/Current Status: Active.

6. US Case filed in Texas Eastern District Court (2:24-cv-00603)

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00603.
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case number suggests a 2024 filing.
• Outcome/Current Status: Active.

7. US Case filed in Texas Eastern District Court (2:24-cv-00554)

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00554.
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case number suggests a 2024 filing.
• Outcome/Current Status: Active.

8. US Case filed in Texas Eastern District Court (2:24-cv-00397)

• Plaintiff(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Defendant(s): Not specified in the provided text.
• Jurisdiction: Texas Eastern District Court.
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-00397.
• Filing Date: Not explicitly stated, but the case number suggests a 2024 filing.
• Outcome/Current Status: Active.

Proceedings overview

There is one Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceeding on file for US Patent 8810803, which was not instituted due to procedural reasons. This means no claims of the patent have been challenged on the merits and found unpatentable by the PTAB, leaving the patent's claims entirely untested and presenting a patent owner with an unhardened defensive posture.

IPR2025-00955 — Unified Patents, LLC v. Longhorn Automotive Group LLC

• Type: Inter Partes Review
• Filed: The filing date is not explicitly available in the provided patent text or the Unified Patents portal snippet, but the case number IPR2025-00955 indicates it was filed in the 2025 fiscal year.
• Status: Not Instituted - Procedural
• Judge panel: Not publicly available from the provided information.
• Petition grounds: Not publicly available from the provided information due to non-institution.
• Institution decision: Denied (Procedural). The patent text explicitly states "(Not Instituted - Procedural)". The panel's reasoning for procedural denial is not detailed in the provided snippet.
• Final Written Decision: Not issued, as institution was denied.
• Settlement / termination: Not applicable, as institution was denied.
• Appeal: No appeal possible as the petition was not instituted on the merits.
• Defensive value: This proceeding indicates that a petitioner (Unified Patents) attempted to challenge the patent but failed on procedural grounds, not on the merits of the patentability of the claims. This leaves the patent's claims fully intact and untested by the PTAB. Any future challenge would need to overcome the procedural hurdles that led to the denial in this case, and potentially different prior art if the same petitioner (or its privies) were to file again.

Strategic summary

All claims of US8810803 remain untested and sustained from a PTAB perspective, as the single IPR filed (IPR2025-00955) was denied institution on procedural grounds. This means the patent has not been narrowed through IPR, and all claims are currently available for assertion by the patent owner.

Regarding the estoppel landscape, since IPR2025-00955 was not instituted, no statutory estoppel under 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) applies. Petitioners (and their privies) are not barred from raising any ground they raised or reasonably could have raised, because no trial was ever instituted. Therefore, all prior-art grounds remain available for potential future challenges by any party.

The filing of an IPR by Unified Patents, LLC, indicates a defensive aggregator's involvement. Unified Patents typically targets patents in certain technology areas to reduce patent assertion risk for its members. The procedural denial suggests a potential flaw in the petition itself or the circumstances surrounding its filing, rather than a strong merits-based defense by the patent owner.

Recommended next steps

The patent currently has no claims invalidated by the PTAB. Given that the IPR was "Not Instituted - Procedural", the underlying patentability of the claims has not been examined by the PTAB.

For a defendant facing assertion of this patent:

• A thorough prior art search is advisable to identify strong non-prior art that could form the basis of a new IPR petition. Since no estoppel applies, all prior art arguments are available.
• Review the public docket for IPR2025-00955 (https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/ptab/case/IPR2025-00955) if further details become available regarding the procedural grounds for denial. Understanding why institution was denied could inform the strategy for any subsequent IPR filing to avoid similar pitfalls.
• The absence of an institution decision on the merits means that the patent owner has not yet "hardened" their claims against PTAB challenges. This could signal that a well-constructed IPR petition, addressing potential procedural issues, might still be an effective defensive strategy.

Inventors

• Matthew Bell - Employer at the time of filing not explicitly stated in the patent document. However, the original assignee was Intellectual Ventures Holding 67 LLC.

Original assignee

The original assignee named on the issued patent US8810803B2 was Intellectual Ventures Holding 67 LLC.

Intellectual Ventures (IV) is primarily known as a patent assertion entity (PAE) or patent troll, focused on acquiring and licensing patents across various technology sectors. They generally do not ship products embodying the claims themselves, but rather monetize patents through licensing and litigation. Their primary line of business was patent acquisition and licensing.

Intellectual Ventures Holding 67 LLC is an operating entity within the broader Intellectual Ventures organization. The overall Intellectual Ventures group continues to operate, managing its vast patent portfolio.

Assignment timeline

• 2012-06-25 (executed) / recorded 2012-06-25 — Reel 028099/0426
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: DHANDO INVESTMENTS, INC.
  • Assignee: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES HOLDING 67 LLC
  • Correspondent: BRENT W. LABARGE, ESQ.
  • Context: Transfer from a precursor entity to the primary Intellectual Ventures holding entity.
• 2015-10-02 (executed) / recorded 2015-10-02 — Reel 035626/0890
  • Conveyance: Merger
  • Assignor: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES HOLDING 67 LLC
  • Assignee: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES HOLDING 81 LLC
  • Correspondent: LORNA HAGAN, KIRKLAND & ELLIS LLP, 300 NORTH LASALLE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, 60654
  • Context: Internal reorganization/merger within the Intellectual Ventures family of entities.
• 2023-09-25 (executed) / recorded 2023-10-02 — Reel 060596/0927
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES HOLDING 81 LLC
  • Assignee: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 190 LLC
  • Correspondent: CHRISTINA NEWMAN, INTELLECTUAL VENTURES, 3450 188TH AVE NE, REDMOND, WA, 98052
  • Context: Internal transfer within the Intellectual Ventures portfolio, likely for further aggregation or divestment.
• 2023-10-13 (executed) / recorded 2023-10-24 — Reel 060714/0628
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS 190 LLC
  • Assignee: AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Correspondent: ERIC M. ABER, MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP, 2000 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW, SUITE 6000, WASHINGTON, DC, 20006-1888
  • Context: Transfer from an Intellectual Ventures entity to AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC.
• 2024-03-26 (executed) / recorded 2024-03-28 — Reel 061327/0507
  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
  • Assignee: LONGHORN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LLC
  • Correspondent: MARK A. NELSON, 7924 SOUTHPARK PLAZA, SUITE 210, LITTLETON, CO, 80120
  • Context: Transfer from AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC to LONGHORN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LLC.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 8810803
    2008 : Application filed
    2012 : Issued to Intellectual Ventures Holding 67 LLC
    2015 : Merged to Intellectual Ventures Holding 81 LLC
    2023 : Assigned to Intellectual Ventures Assets 190 LLC
         : Assigned to AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    2024 : Assigned to LONGHORN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LLC
         : Litigation initiated

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present.
   • Intellectual Ventures Holding 67 LLC and subsequent Intellectual Ventures entities (e.g., Intellectual Ventures Holding 81 LLC, Intellectual Ventures Assets 190 LLC) are known patent licensing and assertion vehicles, not product-shipping companies.
   • AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC and LONGHORN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LLC appear to be shell entities, based on common NPE naming conventions and the rapid transfer of the patent. No evidence of product sales for either. The transfers are to named entities that are distinct from the original operating company (Dhando Investments, Inc. which initially assigned to IV).
2. Known asserter in the chain — present. Intellectual Ventures Holding 67 LLC, Intellectual Ventures Holding 81 LLC, and Intellectual Ventures Assets 190 LLC are all part of Intellectual Ventures, a well-known NPE. These entities appear in the assignment chain from 2012 (Reel 028099/0426) to 2023 (Reel 060596/0927).
3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — unclear. There isn't a single correspondent attorney or firm that appears on multiple assignments across different ultimate owners (e.g., from IV to AI-Core or AI-Core to Longhorn). Different correspondents are listed for each transfer outside the internal IV transfers.
4. Cascading transfers — present.
   • The patent was assigned from Intellectual Ventures Assets 190 LLC to AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC on 2023-10-13 (recorded 2023-10-24, Reel 060714/0628).
   • Then, shortly after, from AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC to LONGHORN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LLC on 2024-03-26 (recorded 2024-03-28, Reel 061327/0507).
   • This represents two transfers in approximately five months between different entities, fitting the pattern of cascading transfers.
5. Pre-litigation transfer — present. The patent was assigned to LONGHORN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LLC on 2024-03-26 (recorded 2024-03-28, Reel 061327/0507). Multiple litigations against US8810803 were filed in the Texas Eastern District Court in 2024, including cases 2:24-cv-0933, 2:24-cv-00686, 2:24-cv-00685, 2:24-cv-00603, 2:24-cv-00554, and 2:24-cv-00397. This close proximity between the final assignment and the initiation of lawsuits strongly indicates a pre-litigation transfer to enable assertion.
6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. No evidence in the patent record or Google Patents legal events suggests a bankruptcy sale for Intellectual Ventures or any subsequent assignors.
7. Privateering — unclear. While Intellectual Ventures has been involved in privateering in the past, the current chain does not provide direct evidence (e.g., SEC filings detailing an arrangement) that Longhorn Automotive Group LLC is asserting on behalf of an operating company.
8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain does not terminate at a known defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence. The presence of Intellectual Ventures, a known NPE, early in the chain, combined with rapid cascading transfers to successive shell-like entities (AI-CORE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC and LONGHORN AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LLC) and the clear pattern of pre-litigation transfers immediately preceding multiple infringement suits filed in 2024, strongly indicates NPE behavior. These patterns are evident in the assignment records, particularly Reels 028099/0426 (Intellectual Ventures), 060714/0628 (transfer to AI-CORE), and 061327/0507 (transfer to Longhorn Automotive Group LLC just before litigation filings).

USPTO Assignment Center search: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 8810803, I will focus on the patent citations explicitly marked as "Cited by examiner" from the "Citations" section of the Google Patents record for US8810803. The priority date for US8810803 is November 12, 2007, so any anticipatory prior art must have a publication or filing date before this.

Here's an analysis of the examiner-cited prior art:

Most Relevant Prior Art for US8810803

1. US5418583A

• Full Citation: US5418583A, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., "Optical illumination system and projection display apparatus using the same"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: May 23, 1995. Priority: March 31, 1992. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes an optical illumination system that uses a light source (e.g., a lamp) and an integrator, such as a fly's eye lens, to obtain uniform illumination. It mentions a lenticular lens array for beam shaping.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent potentially anticipates elements of Claims 1 and 15 related to a "light source" and a "cluster of lenses" (fly's eye lens or lenticular array can be considered a cluster of lenses for illumination). It describes an illumination system, but the specific configuration with a condenser lens concentrating light towards the center of the cluster, and the application to projecting a pattern of light for computer vision to determine object location, would need further detailed comparison.

2. US5473396A

• Full Citation: US5473396A, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., "Display apparatus and method of making the same"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 5, 1995. Priority: September 8, 1993. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a display apparatus with a light source, a light deflecting sheet (e.g., a prism array sheet), and a projection lens. The deflecting sheet scatters or diffuses light from the light source.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is broadly related to display and light manipulation. Its relevance to US8810803's specific combination of emitters in a pattern, a condenser lens, and a cluster of lenses for projecting a pattern for computer vision is less direct but might broadly cover aspects of a "light source" and "lenses."

3. US5662401A

• Full Citation: US5662401A, Philips Electronics North America Corporation, "Integrating lens array and image forming method for improved optical efficiency"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: September 2, 1997. Priority: December 13, 1995. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent details an integrating lens array for improved optical efficiency in illumination systems, particularly for projection displays. It focuses on homogenizing light.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference discusses an "integrating lens array," which is analogous to a "cluster of lenses" in US8810803. It also relates to optical efficiency, which the condenser lens in US8810803 aims to improve. The core difference would likely lie in the purpose (homogenizing light vs. projecting a distinct pattern for computer vision) and the specific arrangement with a patterned emitter array for that purpose.

4. US5900982A

• Full Citation: US5900982A, Projectavision, Inc., "High efficiency light valve projection system"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: May 4, 1999. Priority: December 31, 1987. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a projection system with a light source, an integrating lens array (e.g., fly's eye lens), and a condenser lens to direct light efficiently to a light valve.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly mentions a "light source," an "integrating lens array" (cluster of lenses), and a "condenser lens" for efficient light delivery. This combination is central to Claims 1 and 15 of US8810803. The key distinction for US8810803 would be the "plurality of emitters arranged in a pattern" in the light source, and the concurrent focusing and projecting light from each of the emitters in a plurality of directions to form a detectable pattern for object location determination by a computing device.

5. US5997150A

• Full Citation: US5997150A, Texas Instruments Incorporated, "Multiple emitter illuminator engine"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: December 7, 1999. Priority: October 25, 1995. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes an illuminator engine with multiple emitters (e.g., LEDs) arranged in an array, and optical elements to combine and project light from these emitters.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent directly addresses a "light source including multiple emitters configured to emit light, the plurality of emitters arranged in a pattern," which is a core element of Claims 1, 8, and 15. The "optical elements to combine and project light" could potentially overlap with the function of a condenser lens and a cluster of lenses. The specificity of US8810803's lens cluster concurrently focusing and projecting light from each of the emitters in a plurality of directions to create a pattern for computer vision would be the differentiating factor.

6. US6254246B1

• Full Citation: US6254246B1, Industrial Technology Research Institute, "Illumination device and image projection apparatus comprising the device"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: July 3, 2001. Priority: May 26, 1998. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent discloses an illumination device that includes a plurality of light sources (e.g., LEDs) and a collimator (lens array) to collimate the light from each source, then a condenser lens and an integrator to provide uniform illumination.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent is highly relevant as it features a "plurality of light sources" (emitters), a "collimator (lens array)" (cluster of lenses), and a "condenser lens," a combination directly recited in Claims 1, 8, and 15. The distinction likely lies in the overall goal (uniform illumination vs. specific patterned projection for computer vision) and the "concurrently focusing and projecting light from each of the emitters in a plurality of directions" aspect of US8810803's lens cluster.

7. US6464375B2

• Full Citation: US6464375B2, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., "Lens element and illumination optical apparatus and projection display apparatus"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 15, 2002. Priority: March 12, 1998. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes an illumination optical apparatus with a light source, a first lens array, and a second lens array, designed to improve illumination uniformity and efficiency.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent involves a light source and multiple lens arrays, which could correspond to the light source and cluster of lenses in US8810803. The condenser lens element from US8810803's claims might be represented by one of the lens arrays or an implied optical component. Similar to other illumination patents, the primary distinction would likely be the specific configuration for patterned light projection for computer vision.

8. US6513953B1

• Full Citation: US6513953B1, Seiko Epson Corporation, "Illumination system and projector"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 4, 2003. Priority: February 23, 1999. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes an illumination system using a light source and a fly-eye lens array (integrator) to homogenize light, along with other optical components for projection.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent presents a light source and a "fly-eye lens array," which directly relates to US8810803's "cluster of lenses." The presence and function of a condenser lens, and the precise interaction of the patterned emitters with the lens cluster to produce a computer-vision-detectable pattern, would be critical for differentiation.

9. US6882480B2

• Full Citation: US6882480B2, Seiko Epson Corporation, "Optical device, optical unit and projector"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: April 19, 2005. Priority: August 8, 2002. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes an optical device for a projector, including a light source and a lens array for optical integration and homogenization.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to other Epson patents, this references a "light source" and "lens array." The specific claim elements of US8810803 concerning a condenser lens and the patterned nature of emitters and projected light for computer vision differentiate it.

10. US6902310B2

• Full Citation: US6902310B2, [[Samsung Electronics Co.](/litigations/by-defendant/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.), Ltd.](/litigations/by-plaintiff/Samsung%20Electronics%20Co.%2C%20Ltd.), "Illumination system and projection display device employing the same"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 7, 2005. Priority: February 1, 2002. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent discloses an illumination system with a light source, a first lens array, and a second lens array, aiming for improved light utilization.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent broadly covers a "light source" and multiple "lens arrays" (cluster of lenses). Differentiation would depend on the specific features of US8810803's claims, such as the condenser lens and the generation of a specific pattern for computer vision.

11. US20050147135A1

• Full Citation: US20050147135A1, Eastman Kodak Company, "Multi-spectral laser array and optical system"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: July 7, 2005. Priority: November 25, 2002. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This application describes a multi-spectral laser array used with an optical system to generate a combined output. It focuses on using different wavelengths of light.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference mentions a "laser array" (multiple emitters) and an "optical system" which could include lenses. While it deals with "multi-spectral" light, similar to US8810803 discussing different frequencies, it does not explicitly disclose the specific lens cluster and condenser lens arrangement for projecting a pattern for computer vision.

12. US6939027B2

• Full Citation: US6939027B2, Kabushiki Kaisha Topcon, "Light source system"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: September 6, 2005. Priority: July 9, 2002. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a light source system comprising multiple LED arrays and a diffusion plate for uniform illumination.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent mentions "multiple LED arrays" which can be considered "plurality of emitters arranged in a pattern." However, it focuses on uniform illumination using a diffusion plate, not the specific lens cluster and condenser lens arrangement of US8810803 to project a unique, discernible pattern for computer vision.

13. US20060001760A1

• Full Citation: US20060001760A1, Canon Technology Europe Ltd., "Apparatus and method for object shape detection"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: January 5, 2006. Priority: June 23, 2004. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This application describes an apparatus for object shape detection that projects a pattern (e.g., random dots) onto an object and uses a camera to capture images to determine 3D shape.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is highly relevant in terms of application (projecting a pattern for object detection/computer vision), which is a key utility of US8810803. While it discloses the concept of projecting a pattern (e.g., random dots), the specific optical system to generate such a pattern as defined in Claims 1, 8, and 15 (light source with patterned emitters, condenser lens, and lens cluster) would need a detailed comparison.

14. US20060078015A1

• Full Citation: US20060078015A1, United States Of America As Represented By The Dept Of The Army, "Zonal lenslet array"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: April 13, 2006. Priority: October 7, 2004. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This application describes a zonal lenslet array that can be used for beam steering or other optical manipulations.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): A "zonal lenslet array" can be considered a type of "cluster of lenses." This directly relates to a key component of US8810803. The differentiating features would be the overall system context including the patterned light source, condenser lens, and the specific function of projecting a discernible pattern for computer vision.

15. US20060132725A1

• Full Citation: US20060132725A1, Fusao Terada, "Illuminating device and projection type image display unit"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: June 22, 2006. Priority: December 26, 2002. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This application describes an illuminating device with a light source and a lens array (e.g., a fly's eye lens) to improve light uniformity for a projection display.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference discloses a "light source" and a "lens array," similar to the components in US8810803. The primary difference, again, would be the intent and specific design for pattern projection for computer vision as opposed to general illumination uniformity.

16. US7142285B2

• Full Citation: US7142285B2, Carl Zeiss Smt Ag, "Illumination system particularly for microlithography"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 28, 2006. Priority: May 5, 1998. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes an illumination system designed for microlithography, often involving complex optical elements like fly's eye condensers and lens arrays for highly uniform and precise illumination.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent involves a "light source" and sophisticated "lens arrays" (like fly's eye condensers) to manage light. While the application (microlithography) is different, the optical components are similar to the "cluster of lenses" and potentially the "condenser lens" of US8810803. The distinct "pattern of emitters" and the "concurrent focusing and projecting light from each emitter in a plurality of directions" to create a specific pattern for computer vision are likely differentiating features.

17. US7331681B2

• Full Citation: US7331681B2, Litepanels Llc, "Lighting apparatus with adjustable lenses or filters"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: February 19, 2008. Priority: September 7, 2001. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This patent describes a lighting apparatus, typically using LEDs, with adjustable lenses or filters to modify the light output, such as beam spread or color.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This patent discloses a "light source" (LEDs) and "adjustable lenses," which could broadly relate to US8810803's light source and cluster of lenses. However, it focuses on adjustability for general lighting purposes rather than the specific patterned projection for computer vision with a condenser lens as claimed in US8810803. Note that the publication date (Feb 19, 2008) is after the priority date of US8810803 (Nov 12, 2007), but its priority date (Sept 7, 2001) is earlier, making it valid prior art.

18. US20080245952A1

• Full Citation: US20080245952A1, Troxell John R, "Synchronous imaging using segmented illumination"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: October 9, 2008. Priority: April 3, 2007. (Date is prior to US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This application describes a system for synchronous imaging that uses segmented illumination. It involves illuminating a scene with a pattern for imaging purposes.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is highly relevant due to its focus on "segmented illumination" and using a "pattern" for imaging, which aligns with the computer vision application of US8810803. The description of the optical components to generate this segmented illumination (i.e., whether it explicitly discloses the specific combination of patterned emitters, condenser lens, and lens cluster as in US8810803) would be key to determining anticipation. The publication date (Oct 9, 2008) is after US8810803's priority date, but its priority date (April 3, 2007) is earlier, making it valid prior art.

19. US20120080411A1

• Full Citation: US20120080411A1, Panasonic Corporation, "Laser illumination system with reduced speckle"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: April 5, 2012. Priority: September 30, 2010. (Date is after US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This application describes a laser illumination system designed to reduce speckle, often by using multiple light sources and optical elements.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is not prior art to US8810803 because its priority date (September 30, 2010) is after the priority date of US8810803 (November 12, 2007).

20. US20120293625A1

• Full Citation: US20120293625A1, Sick Ag, "3d-camera and method for the three-dimensional monitoring of a monitoring area"
• Publication/Filing Date: Publication: November 22, 2012. Priority: May 18, 2011. (Date is after US8810803's priority date of 2007-11-12)
• Brief Description: This application describes a 3D camera system for monitoring areas, which likely involves structured light projection and depth sensing.
• Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is not prior art to US8810803 because its priority date (May 18, 2011) is after the priority date of US8810803 (November 12, 2007).

Summary of Most Relevant Prior Art:

The most relevant prior art appears to be patents that combine aspects of multiple light emitters, lens arrays/clusters, and potentially condenser lenses. Specifically:

• US5900982A (Projectavision, Inc.): Directly mentions a light source, integrating lens array, and condenser lens, which are all components of US8810803's Claims 1 and 15. The key distinction would be the specific "patterned" nature of emitters and projected light for computer vision.
• US5997150A (Texas Instruments Incorporated): Focuses on a "multiple emitter illuminator engine" with emitters in an array, directly addressing the "light source including a plurality of emitters configured to emit light, the plurality of emitters arranged in a pattern" element of US8810803's claims.
• US6254246B1 (Industrial Technology Research Institute): Highly relevant as it discloses a plurality of light sources, a lens array (collimator), and a condenser lens, directly mirroring the core structural components of Claims 1 and 15.
• US20060001760A1 (Canon Technology Europe Ltd.): Highly relevant in its application of projecting a pattern (e.g., random dots) for object shape detection/3D sensing, which is the problem US8810803 seeks to solve.
• US20080245952A1 (Troxell John R): Relevant for its concept of "synchronous imaging using segmented illumination" for imaging purposes, further aligning with the application area of US8810803.

For the above references, the novelty of US8810803 would likely rest on the precise combination of these elements, especially the specific configuration of the lens cluster to "concurrently focus and project light from each of the emitters in a plurality of directions" to create a discernible, often semi-random or irregular, pattern specifically tailored for a computer vision system to determine object location, and the inclusion of a condenser lens that concentrates light towards the center of the cluster. The use of invisible infrared light for this purpose (as in Claim 8 and dependent claims of Claim 1) is also a differentiating feature.

Obviousness Analysis of US Patent 8810803 Under 35 U.S.C. § 103

This analysis identifies combinations of prior art references that would render the independent claims of US patent 8810803 obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) at the time of the invention (priority date: November 12, 2007). The motivation to combine these references stems from addressing known challenges in computer vision systems, specifically improving object detection and tracking by generating more effective light patterns.

General Obviousness Argument

The disclosed lens system in US8810803 aims to overcome a problem in existing interactive display systems, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,747 (referred to as the '747 patent). The '747 patent teaches a system where a light source projects a pattern of invisible light into a three-dimensional space, and a camera and computer system track objects based on this pattern. The problem identified by US8810803 is that if this projected pattern is "too regular... the object may disappear relative to the background when at a particular distance," leading to inaccurate object position determinations. To resolve this, US8810803 proposes generating "random or semi-random dot patterns" using a light source, an optional condenser lens, and a cluster of lenses.

Prior art, such as US Pat. No. 6,254,246 B1 (hereinafter '246 patent), teaches illumination devices that include a light source, a condenser lens, and a microlens array (which constitutes a cluster of lenses) to project patterns or uniformize light. A PHOSITA would have been motivated to combine the teachings of the '747 patent and the '246 patent to improve the object tracking capabilities of the interactive display system. Specifically, a PHOSITA would recognize that the '246 patent's optical system, capable of generating various light patterns, could be integrated with the '747 patent's computer vision system to produce patterns that are less regular or more complex, thereby addressing the "disappearing object" problem identified in US8810803. The use of a condenser lens in such a system is a well-known optical technique for improving light efficiency, a benefit also noted in US8810803.

Obviousness of Independent Claim 1

Claim 1: A system for projecting a pattern of light, the system comprising:

• a light source including a plurality of emitters configured to emit light, the plurality of emitters arranged in a pattern;
• a cluster of lenses located in front of the light source, wherein each lens of the cluster of lenses is configured to receive light from the plurality of emitters and the cluster of lenses is configured to concurrently focus and project light from each of the emitters in a plurality of directions; and
• a condenser lens located between the light source and the cluster of lenses, wherein the condenser lens is configured to concentrate light from each of the plurality of emitters towards a center of the cluster of lenses.

Combination: U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,747 B2 (the '747 patent) in view of U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,246 B1 (the '246 patent).

Analysis:

1. Light source including a plurality of emitters configured to emit light, the plurality of emitters arranged in a pattern: The '747 patent describes an "interactive video display system" where "a light source delivers a pattern of invisible light to a three-dimensional space." US8810803 itself states that its "Lighting source 110 may be akin to the lamp of the '747 patent" and "may also be comparable to the light source of component 10 in FIG. 2 of the '747 patent." This clearly teaches a light source with emitters arranged to project a pattern.
2. A cluster of lenses located in front of the light source, wherein each lens of the cluster of lenses is configured to receive light from the plurality of emitters and the cluster of lenses is configured to concurrently focus and project light from each of the emitters in a plurality of directions: The '246 patent discloses an "illumination device" including a "microlens array" in front of a light source unit. A microlens array functions as a cluster of lenses and is configured to receive light from the light source and project patterns. This inherently involves individual lenses receiving light from emitters and the array collectively focusing and projecting light in various directions. Other references such as US5662401A (integrating lens array) and US6513953B1 (illumination system with lens array) further reinforce the commonality of lens clusters/arrays for light projection.
3. A condenser lens located between the light source and the cluster of lenses, wherein the condenser lens is configured to concentrate light from each of the plurality of emitters towards a center of the cluster of lenses: The '246 patent explicitly describes a "condenser lens" located between the "light source unit" and the "microlens array" in its illumination device. The function of a condenser lens to concentrate light is well-established in optics and is described in the '246 patent's context. US8810803 itself highlights this benefit, stating, "Condenser lens 120 reduces wasted light by redirecting the emitters' light toward the center of the lens cluster 130."

Motivation for Combination:
A PHOSITA, aiming to enhance the performance of the computer vision system taught by the '747 patent—specifically to address the problem of object detection suffering due to overly regular light patterns, as explained in US8810803's background—would be motivated to incorporate a known illumination system like that of the '246 patent. The '246 patent provides the optical components (light source, condenser lens, microlens array) and their functional arrangement for effectively generating and projecting light patterns. By integrating these components into the '747 system, a PHOSITA could produce more varied and discernible light patterns, thereby improving the reliability and accuracy of object tracking. The inclusion of a condenser lens, as taught by the '246 patent, would be an obvious design choice to optimize light utilization efficiency, a common goal in optical systems.

Obviousness of Independent Claim 8

Claim 8: A method comprising:

• emitting, from a plurality of emitters, a plurality of lights arranged in a pattern;
• concentrating, via a condenser lens, the plurality of lights towards a central location of a cluster of lenses;
• receiving the concentrated light at a plurality of points within the cluster of lenses; and
• concurrently focusing, from each lens of the cluster of lenses, the received and concentrated light from each of the plurality of emitters in a plurality of directions.

Combination: U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,747 B2 (the '747 patent) in view of U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,246 B1 (the '246 patent).

Analysis:

1. Emitting, from a plurality of emitters, a plurality of lights arranged in a pattern: Taught by the '747 patent, which describes a "light source" delivering "a pattern of invisible light."
2. Concentrating, via a condenser lens, the plurality of lights towards a central location of a cluster of lenses: This method step is inherent in the operation of the illumination device described in the '246 patent, which positions a "condenser lens" between a "light source unit" and a "microlens array" to direct light.
3. Receiving the concentrated light at a plurality of points within the cluster of lenses: This step naturally follows the concentrating step in the '246 patent's configuration, where the "microlens array" (cluster of lenses) receives the light.
4. Concurrently focusing, from each lens of the cluster of lenses, the received and concentrated light from each of the plurality of emitters in a plurality of directions: This method step is the inherent function of the "microlens array" in the '246 patent, which processes the received light for projection.

Motivation for Combination:
The motivation for combining these method steps is analogous to that for Claim 1. A PHOSITA, aware of the issues with regular patterns in computer vision systems (as highlighted by US8810803) and the solutions offered by optical systems like the '246 patent, would find it obvious to apply the known methods of light pattern generation (emitting, concentrating, receiving, and focusing light using a condenser and lens cluster) within the context of the '747 patent's interactive display system to achieve more effective object tracking.

Obviousness of Independent Claim 15

Claim 15: A system for projecting a pattern of light, the system comprising:

• a light source including a plurality of emitters configured to emit light;
• a cluster of lenses, each lens included in the cluster of lenses being configured to receive the emitted light from each of the plurality of emitters; and
• a condenser lens located between said light source and said cluster of lenses, the condenser lens concentrating light from each of the plurality of emitters towards a center of the cluster of lenses.

Combination: U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,747 B2 (the '747 patent) in view of U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,246 B1 (the '246 patent).

Analysis:

1. A light source including a plurality of emitters configured to emit light: Taught by the '747 patent's "light source" delivering "invisible light."
2. A cluster of lenses, each lens included in the cluster of lenses being configured to receive the emitted light from each of the plurality of emitters: Taught by the '246 patent's "microlens array" positioned to receive light from the "light source unit."
3. A condenser lens located between said light source and said cluster of lenses, the condenser lens concentrating light from each of the plurality of emitters towards a center of the cluster of lenses: Taught by the '246 patent's explicit arrangement of a "condenser lens" between the "light source unit" and the "microlens array."

Motivation for Combination:
The motivation remains the same as for Claim 1. This claim describes a fundamental optical arrangement for pattern projection, where each component (light source, condenser lens, lens cluster) and their relative positions and functions are well-established in the prior art, particularly the '246 patent. A PHOSITA would readily combine these known elements to construct a system for projecting light patterns, especially when seeking to improve the efficacy of computer vision systems as described in the '747 patent.

Conclusion

The combination of U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,747 B2 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,246 B1, driven by the desire to address the problem of inconsistent object tracking in computer vision systems due to regular light patterns (as articulated in US8810803 itself), would render independent claims 1, 8, and 15, and many of their dependent claims, obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art. The '747 patent provides the context of the computer vision application and the need for patterned illumination, while the '246 patent provides the specific optical components and their functional arrangement for generating and projecting such patterns efficiently.

Here's a detailed analysis of US patent 8810803, including its patent term adjustments, extensions, and related applications:

Patent Term Adjustments (PTA):
US patent 8810803 has an "Adjusted expiration" date of November 17, 2028. Utility patents generally have a term of 20 years from their earliest effective filing date. The earliest priority date for US8810803 is November 12, 2007, derived from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/987,315. A 20-year term from November 12, 2007, would typically result in an expiration date of November 12, 2027. The difference between the adjusted expiration date (November 17, 2028) and the base 20-year term expiration (November 12, 2027) indicates a Patent Term Adjustment of approximately 1 year and 5 days. This adjustment is granted to compensate for certain administrative delays by the USPTO during patent prosecution.

Patent Term Extensions (PTE):
There is no indication that US patent 8810803 has received a Patent Term Extension (PTE). PTEs are typically available for patents claiming products (such as human drugs, medical devices, food additives, or color additives) that require regulatory approval prior to commercial marketing. As US8810803 is titled "Lens system," it does not fall into these categories, making it ineligible for PTE.

Continuation Applications:
US patent 8810803 has a related child application that is a continuation:

• US14/458,566 (which issued as US9229107B2, titled "Lens system") was filed on August 13, 2014, and claims priority from the same November 12, 2007 date. This is explicitly listed as a "Continuation" within the patent's family information.

Divisional Applications:
US patent 8810803 (application number US13/448,321) is a divisional application of:

• U.S. application Ser. No. 12/269,849 (which issued as US8159682B2, titled "Lens system"), filed on November 12, 2008.

Related Family Members:
The patent family of US8810803 is primarily linked through priority claims stemming from the provisional application. The key members include:

• US Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/987,315: Filed on November 12, 2007 (the earliest priority date).
• US12/269,849 (US8159682B2): The parent application, filed November 12, 2008, and claiming priority to the 2007 provisional.
• US13/448,321 (US8810803B2): The current patent, filed April 16, 2012, as a divisional of US12/269,849, and claiming priority to the 2007 provisional.
• US14/458,566 (US9229107B2): A continuation application filed August 13, 2014, also claiming priority to the 2007 provisional.

Projected Expiration Date:
The projected expiration date for US patent 8810803 is November 17, 2028. This date reflects the standard 20-year patent term from its earliest effective filing date of November 12, 2007, plus any Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) applied to the patent.

Defensive Disclosure: Derivative Variations for US8810803

This document outlines derivative variations of US patent 8810803, "Lens system," intended to serve as defensive disclosure. The aim is to establish prior art for future incremental improvements, thereby rendering them obvious or non-novel, and to broaden the scope of publicly available knowledge in the relevant technical fields.

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Derivatives for Independent Claim 1: System for projecting a pattern of light

Core elements of Claim 1:
A system comprising:

• A light source including a plurality of emitters configured to emit light, the plurality of emitters arranged in a pattern.
• A cluster of lenses located in front of the light source, wherein each lens of the cluster of lenses is configured to receive light from the plurality of emitters and the cluster of lenses is configured to concurrently focus and project light from each of the emitters in a plurality of directions.
• A condenser lens located between the light source and the cluster of lenses, wherein the condenser lens is configured to concentrate light from each of the plurality of emitters towards a center of the cluster of lenses.

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1. Material & Component Substitution

Derivative 1.1: Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) Lens Cluster with VCSEL Emitters

• Enabling Description: The system replaces the traditional refractive lens cluster with a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE) array. Each element in the DOE array is designed to split incident light from each Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) emitter into a predefined, non-overlapping or partially overlapping pattern of light points. The light source comprises a two-dimensional array of individually addressable VCSELs operating at 940 nm. The condenser lens is a silicon-based micro-lens array, precisely fabricated using photolithography, designed to collimate and direct the divergent VCSEL emissions onto the corresponding DOE array elements with minimal loss. This allows for highly precise and compact pattern generation with reduced chromatic aberration.

graph TD
    A[VCSEL Array (940nm)] --> B{Micro-Lens Array (Condenser)}
    B --> C[DOE Array (Lens Cluster)]
    C --> D[Projected Pattern]

Derivative 1.2: Liquid Crystal Lens Array with Quantum Dot Emitters

• Enabling Description: This variation utilizes a light source composed of a dense matrix of colloidal quantum dot (QD) emitters, selected for narrow-band emission in the near-infrared spectrum (e.g., 850 nm). The QD emitters are integrated onto a flexible substrate. The condenser lens is a gradient-index (GRIN) lens array, specifically tailored to collect and gently converge the broad angular emission from the QDs. The cluster of lenses is implemented as a liquid crystal (LC) lens array, where the focal length and displacement of each individual LC lens can be dynamically adjusted via applied electrical fields. This enables on-the-fly pattern adjustment, focusing, and aberration correction without mechanical movement.

graph TD
    A[Quantum Dot Emitters] --> B{GRIN Lens Array (Condenser)}
    B --> C[LC Lens Array (Cluster)]
    C -- Electrical Control --> D(LC Control Unit)
    C --> E[Dynamically Adjusted Pattern]

Derivative 1.3: Fiber Optic Light Source with Molded Polymer Lens Cluster

• Enabling Description: The light source consists of an array of optical fibers, where the distal end of each fiber acts as a light emitter. These fibers are bundled and precisely arranged in a semi-random pattern. Light is injected into the proximal ends of the fibers from a central, high-power infrared laser diode module. The condenser lens is a large, injection-molded aspheric polymer lens (e.g., Zeonex) that efficiently collects light from the fiber array and directs it towards the cluster. The lens cluster itself is also an injection-molded array of polymer micro-lenses, selected for their low cost, high transmittance in the IR spectrum, and suitability for complex, non-spherical geometries, allowing for intentional pattern distortion or unique focal characteristics per lens element.

graph TD
    A[High-Power IR Laser Diode] --> B[Fiber Optic Array (Emitters)]
    B --> C{Molded Aspheric Polymer Lens (Condenser)}
    C --> D[Molded Polymer Lens Cluster]
    D --> E[Projected Pattern]

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2. Operational Parameter Expansion

Derivative 1.4: Nanoscale Emitter Array for Micro-Pattern Projection

• Enabling Description: The system features a light source composed of an array of plasmonic nano-antennas or sub-wavelength apertures, functioning as nanoscale emitters. These emitters are fabricated on a transparent substrate with a pitch of 100-500 nm, allowing for extremely dense patterns. The illumination is achieved by coupling light from a compact solid-state laser into the substrate. The condenser lens is a highly-numerical-aperture (NA) immersion objective lens designed for deep-UV or EUV wavelengths, concentrating the excitation light onto the nano-emitters. The lens cluster comprises a metasurface lens array, engineered to simultaneously collect and project the highly localized emissions into a micro-pattern (e.g., 10-100 micrometers in size) onto nearby surfaces, useful for micro-inspection or nanofabrication.

graph TD
    A[Solid-State Laser] --> B[Plasmonic Nano-Antenna Array (Emitters)]
    B --> C{Immersion Objective Lens (Condenser)}
    C --> D[Metasurface Lens Array (Cluster)]
    D --> E[Micro-Pattern Projection]

Derivative 1.5: High-Power Pulsed Laser System for Long-Range Detection

• Enabling Description: This system is engineered for long-range object detection (100m to 1km+). The light source consists of a phased array of high-power pulsed fiber lasers, each operating at 1550 nm for eye-safe outdoor use. Each laser emits short (nanosecond) high-peak-power pulses. The emitters are arranged in a sparse, rectangular grid. The condenser lens is a large-aperture, highly robust f-theta scan lens, designed to withstand high optical power and to accurately direct the pulsed laser beams over a wide field of view towards the lens cluster. The lens cluster consists of an array of ruggedized, thermally stable fused silica lenses, each engineered with a slightly different angular displacement to create a wide-area, high-density pattern for improved signal-to-noise ratio in outdoor environments. The entire system is enclosed in a weather-sealed, temperature-controlled housing.

graph TD
    A[Pulsed Fiber Laser Array (1550nm)] --> B{F-Theta Scan Lens (Condenser)}
    B --> C[Fused Silica Lens Cluster]
    C --> D[Long-Range Projected Pattern (100m-1km+)]

Derivative 1.6: Terahertz Frequency Pattern Projection for Material Characterization

• Enabling Description: This system operates in the terahertz (THz) frequency range for non-destructive material characterization. The light source consists of a multi-element array of quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) operating at distinct THz frequencies, arranged in a structured pattern. Each QCL acts as an emitter. The condenser lens is a large, low-loss TPX (polymethylpentene) lens, designed to efficiently collect and concentrate the THz radiation. The cluster of lenses is an array of custom-fabricated silicon-on-insulator (SOI) resonant cavity lenses, which individually shape and project the THz beams. This allows for the creation of a THz pattern that can penetrate various materials, and the interaction of the pattern with the material can be analyzed to determine material composition, density, and defects, particularly useful for non-metallic substances.

graph TD
    A[THz QCL Array (Emitters)] --> B{TPX Condenser Lens}
    B --> C[SOI Resonant Cavity Lens Cluster]
    C --> D[THz Pattern for Material Characterization]

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3. Cross-Domain Application

Derivative 1.7: Surgical Navigation and Tissue Characterization

• Enabling Description: In surgical applications, the system provides real-time guidance and tissue characterization. The light source, comprising a cluster of narrow-band LED emitters (e.g., 650nm, 850nm, 980nm), projects a multi-spectral, randomized light pattern onto the surgical field. A condenser lens concentrates these emissions. The lens cluster focuses and projects these patterns onto target tissues. A stereo camera system captures the distorted patterns, and a computing device uses stereopsis algorithms to reconstruct the 3D surface of the tissue and identify specific tissue types (e.g., nerve, artery, tumor margins) based on their unique spectral absorption and scattering properties of the projected multi-spectral pattern. This enhances precision and safety during complex procedures.

graph TD
    A[Multi-Spectral LED Emitters] --> B{Condenser Lens}
    B --> C[Lens Cluster]
    C --> D[Multi-Spectral Pattern on Tissue]
    D -- Reflected Light --> E[Stereo Camera System]
    E --> F[Computing Device (3D Reconstruction & Tissue ID)]
    F --> G[Surgical Display (Overlay)]

Derivative 1.8: Autonomous Vehicle Terrain Mapping and Obstacle Avoidance

• Enabling Description: For autonomous vehicles, the system projects a dynamic pattern of infrared light onto the road and surrounding environment. The light source uses a MEMS-based laser scanning emitter array to project the pattern. A condenser lens collimates the individual beams. The lens cluster features a steerable micro-lens array that can adjust the projection angle and density of the pattern in real-time, focusing on areas of interest (e.g., upcoming obstacles, lane markers, road surface anomalies). This structured light pattern is captured by an onboard IR camera. The computing device analyzes the deformation of the projected pattern to generate high-resolution 3D point clouds of the terrain, detect pedestrian gestures, and identify potential hazards, even in low-light conditions.

graph TD
    A[MEMS Laser Scanner Emitter Array] --> B{Condenser Lens}
    B --> C[Steerable Micro-Lens Array]
    C --> D[Dynamic IR Pattern on Terrain]
    D -- Reflected Light --> E[Onboard IR Camera]
    E --> F[Computing Device (3D Point Cloud, Obstacle Detection)]
    F --> G[Autonomous Vehicle Control System]

Derivative 1.9: Industrial Quality Control and Defect Detection

• Enabling Description: In manufacturing, the system is integrated into a quality control station to inspect surfaces of products (e.g., automotive panels, electronic circuit boards). The light source uses a high-density array of blue LEDs to project a finely detailed, pseudo-random light pattern onto the product surface. A wide-angle condenser lens ensures broad illumination. The lens cluster consists of a high-resolution Fresnel lens array. Two synchronized cameras capture the projected pattern from different angles. A computing device performs sub-pixel analysis of the pattern deformation to detect microscopic defects, surface irregularities, scratches, and inconsistencies in material finish that are invisible to the naked eye. This enables automated, high-speed inspection with precise defect localization.

graph TD
    A[High-Density Blue LED Array] --> B{Wide-Angle Condenser Lens}
    B --> C[Fresnel Lens Array]
    C --> D[Pseudo-Random Pattern on Product]
    D -- Captured Images --> E[Synchronized Dual Cameras]
    E --> F[Computing Device (Sub-Pixel Defect Analysis)]
    F --> G[QC Reporting System]

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4. Integration with Emerging Tech

Derivative 1.10: AI-Optimized Adaptive Pattern Projection System

• Enabling Description: This system integrates an AI-driven optimization engine. The light source consists of a reconfigurable emitter array (e.g., digital micromirror device - DMD, or dynamically addressable LED matrix). The condenser lens and lens cluster remain conventional. A high-speed camera captures the projected pattern on an object. The AI optimization engine, utilizing deep reinforcement learning, analyzes the camera feedback (e.g., pattern resolution, contrast, coverage, computational load for object tracking) and dynamically adjusts the emitter pattern, intensity, and the focal characteristics (if dynamic lenses are used) to achieve optimal object location and tracking performance for varying object geometries, distances, and ambient lighting conditions. The AI learns optimal patterns for specific recognition tasks.

graph TD
    A[Reconfigurable Emitter Array] --> B{Condenser Lens}
    B --> C[Lens Cluster]
    C --> D[Adaptive Pattern]
    D -- Feedback --> E[High-Speed Camera]
    E -- Image Data --> F(AI Optimization Engine)
    F -- Control Signals --> A

Derivative 1.11: IoT-Enabled Real-time Pattern Monitoring and Maintenance

• Enabling Description: This system incorporates IoT sensors for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. Each component within the light source (individual emitters), condenser lens, and lens cluster (individual lenses) is equipped with embedded micro-sensors for temperature, current, light output, and optical alignment. These sensors communicate wirelessly via a low-power IoT network (e.g., LoRaWAN) to a central gateway. A cloud-based IoT platform aggregates this data, applying machine learning algorithms to detect anomalies, predict potential failures, and schedule proactive maintenance for the optical components. For instance, if an emitter shows reduced output or a lens begins to misalign, the system can self-diagnose and recommend corrective actions or activate redundant emitters/lenses to maintain pattern integrity.

graph TD
    subgraph Emitter/Lens Unit
        A[Emitter] -- Data --> Z(Micro-Sensors)
        B[Condenser Lens] -- Data --> Z
        C[Lens Cluster] -- Data --> Z
    end
    Z -- Wireless (LoRaWAN) --> D[IoT Gateway]
    D --> E[Cloud-based IoT Platform]
    E -- ML for Anomaly Detection --> F(Predictive Maintenance System)
    F --> G[Maintenance Alerts/Actions]

Derivative 1.12: Blockchain-Secured Pattern Projection for Authenticity Verification

• Enabling Description: This system enhances security and data integrity by integrating blockchain technology. The specific characteristics of the projected pattern (e.g., emitter arrangement, dynamic adjustments, temporal sequences) are digitally signed and recorded as transactions on a private blockchain. A cryptographic hash of the pattern configuration is generated and timestamped. Any detected pattern by the camera system is then verified against the blockchain record to confirm its authenticity and integrity. This prevents tampering or spoofing of the projected light pattern, which is critical for applications like secure authentication (e.g., verifying a user's presence or action in a secure zone) or validating the provenance of scanned objects in a supply chain.

graph TD
    A[Light Source] --> B[Pattern Generator]
    B --> C[Projected Pattern]
    B -- Cryptographic Hash --> D[Blockchain Network]
    D -- Record Pattern Config --> E(Distributed Ledger)
    C -- Detected Pattern --> F[Camera System]
    F -- Hash Comparison --> G[Verification Module]
    G -- Validate against --> E

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5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode

Derivative 1.13: Safe-Failure Redundant Illumination System

• Enabling Description: This system is designed with redundancy and a safe-failure mode. The light source comprises multiple independent emitter sub-arrays. The condenser lens is segmented, with each segment focusing light from a corresponding sub-array. The lens cluster also features redundant sections. In the event of a failure detected in any primary emitter, lens segment, or control circuit, the system automatically switches to a pre-configured, lower-power, and often wider-angle "safe mode" illumination pattern using the redundant components. This safe pattern might be visible (e.g., red LEDs) to indicate system degradation or a diagnostic pattern, ensuring that critical operations are not abruptly halted and operators are alerted to a reduced functionality state. The primary goal is to maintain minimal, stable illumination for continued (albeit degraded) object detection until full repair.

graph TD
    subgraph Primary Sub-System
        A[Primary Emitter Sub-Array] --> B{Primary Condenser Segment}
        B --> C[Primary Lens Cluster Section]
    end
    subgraph Redundant Sub-System
        D[Redundant Emitter Sub-Array] --> E{Redundant Condenser Segment}
        E --> F[Redundant Lens Cluster Section]
    end
    G(Failure Detection Unit) -- Detects Fault --> A
    G -- Activates --> D
    G -- Switches Pattern --> H(System Control Unit)
    C --> I[Normal Pattern]
    F --> J[Safe-Mode Pattern]
    H -- Selects --> I
    H -- Selects on Failure --> J

Derivative 1.14: Low-Power Diagnostic Pattern System

• Enabling Description: This system includes a low-power diagnostic mode. The light source incorporates a dedicated set of very low-power emitters, distinct from the primary high-power emitters (e.g., miniature IR LEDs for primary, low-mA visible LEDs for diagnostic). The condenser lens and lens cluster are designed such that they can also direct light from these diagnostic emitters. Upon system startup, or when instructed, the system projects a simplified, low-density, and stable diagnostic light pattern using only these low-power emitters. This pattern is easily recognizable and can be used for initial system alignment, sensor calibration, or to verify basic functionality of the optical path without engaging the full high-power illumination, thus saving energy and extending component lifespan during idle periods or setup.

graph TD
    A[High-Power Emitters (IR)]
    B[Low-Power Diagnostic Emitters (Visible)]
    A --> C{Condenser Lens}
    B --> C
    C --> D[Lens Cluster]
    E(System Control) -- Normal Mode --> A
    E -- Diagnostic Mode --> B
    D --> F[Full Pattern]
    D --> G[Diagnostic Pattern]

---

Derivatives for Independent Claim 8: Method for projecting a pattern of infrared light

Core elements of Claim 8:
A method comprising:

• Emitting, from a plurality of emitters, a plurality of lights arranged in a pattern.
• Concentrating, via a condenser lens, the plurality of lights towards a central location of a cluster of lenses.
• Receiving the concentrated light at a plurality of points within the cluster of lenses.
• Concurrently focusing, from each lens of the cluster of lenses, the received and concentrated light from each of the plurality of emitters in a plurality of directions.

---

1. Material & Component Substitution (Method perspective)

Derivative 8.1: Method Using Electrically Tunable Organic LED (OLED) Emitters and Liquid Polymer Lenses

• Enabling Description: This method involves emitting light from a dynamic array of electrically tunable Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), where the brightness and effective emission area of each OLED can be individually controlled to form an active light pattern. The light emitted is then concentrated by a dynamically shape-changing liquid polymer lens (e.g., electrowetting-based or mechanically deformable polymer), which acts as the condenser lens, towards the central region of a cluster composed of electro-optic polymer lenses. These electro-optic polymer lenses, in turn, concurrently focus and project the incident light, with their refractive indices (and thus focal lengths/displacements) being rapidly modulated by applied electric fields, allowing for fast, programmable pattern variations in multiple directions.

sequenceDiagram
    participant OLEDs
    participant LPL(Condenser)
    participant EOPL(Cluster)
    participant Object

    OLEDs->>LPL(Condenser): Emit tunable light pattern
    LPL(Condenser)->>EOPL(Cluster): Concentrate and shape light
    EOPL(Cluster)->>Object: Concurrently focus and project dynamic pattern

Derivative 8.2: Method Employing Micro-LED Emitters and Meta-Lens Array

• Enabling Description: The method begins by emitting light from an extremely high-density array of inorganic micro-LEDs (e.g., GaN-based, operating at 850 nm). The pattern is formed by selective activation of these micro-LEDs. A multi-layer metasurface lens functions as the condenser lens, designed to collect and coherently guide the emitted light from the micro-LEDs towards a central focal region. This light is then received by a second metasurface lens array, which acts as the cluster of lenses. Each element of this meta-lens array concurrently manipulates the phase and amplitude of the incident light, focusing and projecting it in multiple, precisely engineered directions to form a complex, high-resolution light pattern without bulky refractive elements.

sequenceDiagram
    participant MicroLEDs
    participant MetaLens1(Condenser)
    participant MetaLens2(Cluster)
    participant Object

    MicroLEDs->>MetaLens1(Condenser): Emit high-density pattern
    MetaLens1(Condenser)->>MetaLens2(Cluster): Coherently guide light
    MetaLens2(Cluster)->>Object: Concurrently focus & project complex pattern

---

2. Operational Parameter Expansion (Method perspective)

Derivative 8.3: Method for Sub-millimeter Resolution Pattern Projection

• Enabling Description: This method focuses on generating patterns with sub-millimeter resolution for precision measurement. It involves emitting highly collimated laser beams from an array of single-mode fiber-coupled laser diodes. The pattern is created by digitally modulating each laser diode. The emitted light is concentrated by a telecentric condenser lens system, ensuring that light rays approach the cluster of lenses parallel to the optical axis, minimizing distortion. The cluster of lenses consists of a microlens array with precisely controlled sag and pitch. The method includes a step of actively controlling the temperature of the entire optical path to maintain thermal stability, allowing for the concurrent focusing and projection of the sub-millimeter light pattern with high angular accuracy across the entire field of view.

sequenceDiagram
    participant LaserDiodes
    participant TelecentricCondenser
    participant MicrolensCluster
    participant Object
    participant TempControl

    LaserDiodes->>TelecentricCondenser: Emit collimated beams
    TelecentricCondenser->>MicrolensCluster: Concentrate with telecentricity
    MicrolensCluster->>Object: Concurrently focus & project sub-mm pattern
    TempControl->>MicrolensCluster: Maintain thermal stability
    TempControl->>TelecentricCondenser: Maintain thermal stability

Derivative 8.4: Method for Adaptive Pattern Generation at Varying Environmental Pressures

• Enabling Description: This method is designed for systems operating under varying ambient pressures (e.g., deep-sea exploration, high-altitude atmospheric monitoring). Light is emitted from a robust, pressure-sealed array of high-brightness LEDs. The pattern of light is adapted in real-time based on pressure sensor feedback. The condenser lens, encased in a pressure-resistant housing, concentrates the light, with its optical properties compensated for pressure-induced changes in refractive index of the surrounding medium (e.g., water, rarefied air). The cluster of lenses, also pressure-compensated, concurrently focuses and projects the adapted pattern. The method includes a real-time calibration step where the projected pattern's characteristics are measured and adjusted to counteract optical distortions caused by external pressure fluctuations, ensuring consistent pattern quality.

sequenceDiagram
    participant LEDs
    participant PressureSensor
    participant Condenser(Pressure-Compensated)
    participant LensCluster(Pressure-Compensated)
    participant Environment

    LEDs->>Condenser(Pressure-Compensated): Emit pattern
    PressureSensor->>LEDs: Report ambient pressure
    Condenser(Pressure-Compensated)->>LensCluster(Pressure-Compensated): Concentrate light
    LensCluster(Pressure-Compensated)->>Environment: Project adapted pattern
    Environment-->>PressureSensor: Measure pressure
    PressureSensor->>LensCluster(Pressure-Compensated): Adjust for pressure distortion

---

3. Cross-Domain Application (Method perspective)

Derivative 8.5: Method for Precision Agriculture Plant Growth Monitoring

• Enabling Description: This method is applied in precision agriculture to monitor plant growth and health. A drone-mounted system emits specific spectral patterns (e.g., narrow-band red, green, near-IR) from an array of LEDs onto crops. A wide-angle condenser lens concentrates these emissions. A ruggedized lens cluster concurrently focuses and projects these spectral patterns over a large area. A multispectral camera on the drone detects the scattered light. The method then involves analyzing the spectral reflectance/absorbance patterns of individual plants to determine growth stages, detect nutrient deficiencies, identify disease outbreaks, and assess water stress, enabling targeted intervention and optimizing resource use.

sequenceDiagram
    participant Drone(Emitters)
    participant Condenser
    participant LensCluster
    participant Crops
    participant MultispectralCamera
    participant ProcessingUnit

    Drone(Emitters)->>Condenser: Emit multi-spectral pattern
    Condenser->>LensCluster: Concentrate light
    LensCluster->>Crops: Project patterns
    Crops-->>MultispectralCamera: Scatter light
    MultispectralCamera->>ProcessingUnit: Capture multispectral images
    ProcessingUnit->>ProcessingUnit: Analyze spectral data for plant health

Derivative 8.6: Method for Underwater Object Detection and Mapping

• Enabling Description: This method describes underwater pattern projection for object detection and mapping. Short-pulse blue-green laser diodes (selected for water penetration) emit light in a pattern. A pressure-resistant condenser lens concentrates the light, compensating for water's refractive index. A specially designed, anti-fouling lens cluster concurrently focuses and projects the laser pulses through the water. A synchronized underwater camera array captures the reflections. The method involves compensating for light absorption and scattering in water, using time-of-flight measurements from the pulsed pattern to generate high-resolution 3D maps of submerged structures, marine life, or seabed topography, overcoming the limitations of acoustic sonar in certain scenarios.

sequenceDiagram
    participant LaserDiodes
    participant Condenser(Water-Compensated)
    participant LensCluster(Anti-Fouling)
    participant Water
    participant UnderwaterCamera
    participant ComputingDevice

    LaserDiodes->>Condenser(Water-Compensated): Emit blue-green pulses
    Condenser(Water-Compensated)->>LensCluster(Anti-Fouling): Concentrate light
    LensCluster(Anti-Fouling)->>Water: Project pulsed pattern
    Water-->>UnderwaterCamera: Reflects pulses from objects
    UnderwaterCamera->>ComputingDevice: Capture synchronized images
    ComputingDevice->>ComputingDevice: Generate 3D underwater map (time-of-flight)

---

4. Integration with Emerging Tech (Method perspective)

Derivative 8.7: Method for Real-time Edge-AI Pattern Generation and Analysis

• Enabling Description: This method integrates edge-AI for real-time pattern generation and analysis directly at the illumination source. Light is emitted from a smart emitter array, where each emitter's behavior is controlled by an embedded AI module. The condenser lens concentrates the light, and the lens cluster focuses and projects the pattern. The camera system is coupled directly to the emitter array, forming a closed-loop system. The method involves an edge-AI model, pre-trained on diverse object recognition tasks, analyzing the camera's raw image data of the projected pattern. This AI instantaneously adapts the emitted pattern (e.g., changes density, adds unique identifiers to regions) to optimize real-time object tracking or feature extraction for various tasks, minimizing data latency and bandwidth requirements by processing locally.

sequenceDiagram
    participant EmitterArray(Edge-AI)
    participant Condenser
    participant LensCluster
    participant Object
    participant Camera

    EmitterArray(Edge-AI)->>Condenser: Emit AI-optimized pattern
    Condenser->>LensCluster: Concentrate light
    LensCluster->>Object: Project pattern
    Object-->>Camera: Reflect light
    Camera->>EmitterArray(Edge-AI): Real-time image data
    EmitterArray(Edge-AI)->>EmitterArray(Edge-AI): Analyze & adapt pattern (Edge-AI)

Derivative 8.8: Method for Federated Learning-Enabled Pattern Optimization

• Enabling Description: This method utilizes federated learning for continuous improvement of pattern projection across multiple distributed systems. Light is emitted, concentrated by a condenser lens, and focused/projected by a lens cluster as described. Instead of a single AI model, local AI models (running on edge devices) at each projection system generate optimal patterns based on local environmental conditions and object types. These local models periodically send only their learned parameter updates (not raw data) to a central server. The central server aggregates these updates to create a global, more robust AI model for pattern optimization, which is then pushed back to the distributed systems. This iterative process continuously refines the pattern projection method, improving its effectiveness and adaptability while preserving data privacy.

sequenceDiagram
    participant System1(Local AI)
    participant System2(Local AI)
    participant CentralServer(Global AI)
    participant Emitters

    System1(Local AI)->>Emitters: Project pattern (optimized locally)
    System2(Local AI)->>Emitters: Project pattern (optimized locally)
    System1(Local AI)->>CentralServer(Global AI): Send parameter updates
    System2(Local AI)->>CentralServer(Global AI): Send parameter updates
    CentralServer(Global AI)->>CentralServer(Global AI): Aggregate & update global model
    CentralServer(Global AI)->>System1(Local AI): Distribute global model updates
    CentralServer(Global AI)->>System2(Local AI): Distribute global model updates

---

5. The "Inverse" or Failure Mode (Method perspective)

Derivative 8.9: Method for Dynamic Pattern Degradation for Privacy Preservation

• Enabling Description: This method implements dynamic pattern degradation to preserve privacy or reduce intrusiveness. The emitters are capable of emitting multiple distinct patterns. In a normal operational state, a complex, high-resolution pattern is projected for accurate object tracking. However, if the system detects the presence of unauthorized individuals, or enters a designated "privacy zone," the method automatically switches to emitting a significantly degraded, low-resolution, and simplified pattern (e.g., a few widely spaced dots or a diffuse glow). This degraded pattern is sufficient to confirm presence but insufficient for individual identification or detailed tracking, thereby preserving privacy while maintaining basic functionality. The transition can be triggered by external sensors, predefined geofences, or internal recognition algorithms.

stateDiagram-v2
    state "High_Resolution_Tracking" as HRT
    state "Privacy_Preservation_Mode" as PPM

    HRT --> PPM: Unauthorized_Presence_Detected / Enter_Privacy_Zone
    PPM --> HRT: Authorized_Presence / Exit_Privacy_Zone

    HRT: Project complex pattern for detailed tracking
    PPM: Project degraded pattern for presence detection only

Derivative 8.10: Method for Energy-Harvesting Aperiodic Pattern Projection

• Enabling Description: This method describes a low-power system where the pattern projection is dynamically influenced by harvested energy. Light is emitted from an array of ultra-low-power LEDs or electro-chromic pixel elements. The condenser lens and lens cluster are passive components. The method involves harvesting ambient energy (e.g., solar, kinetic vibration) to power the emitters. When energy levels are high, a denser, more complex aperiodic pattern is generated. As energy levels drop, the method gracefully degrades the pattern, reducing the number of active emitters or the refresh rate, creating a sparser, less complex pattern while maintaining basic detectability. This ensures continuous, albeit variable, operation in energy-constrained environments.

sequenceDiagram
    participant EnergyHarvester
    participant PowerManagement
    participant UltraLowPowerLEDs
    participant PassiveOptics
    participant Environment

    EnergyHarvester->>PowerManagement: Supply harvested energy
    PowerManagement->>UltraLowPowerLEDs: Control power based on availability
    UltraLowPowerLEDs->>PassiveOptics: Emit pattern (variable density)
    PassiveOptics->>Environment: Project aperiodic pattern
    Environment-->>EnergyHarvester: Provide ambient energy

---

Combination Prior Art Scenarios

Here are three combination prior art scenarios where US8810803 could be combined with existing open-source standards to demonstrate obviousness or lack of novelty for certain improvements:

1. US8810803 + Open-Source Computer Vision Libraries (e.g., OpenCV)

• Scenario: An improvement claiming novel methods for processing the projected pattern to determine object location or gestures.
• Combination: The core system/method of US8810803 (projecting a random/semi-random light pattern using an emitter array, condenser, and lens cluster) combined with publicly available, open-source computer vision algorithms (e.g., those found in OpenCV's modules for feature detection, stereo correspondence, optical flow, or background subtraction) for analyzing the detected pattern on an object.
• Enabling Description: A person skilled in the art would recognize that after detecting the pattern on an object with a camera (as taught by US8810803, e.g., in Claim 7), standard computer vision techniques readily available in libraries like OpenCV could be applied. For instance, cv2.StereoBM or cv2.StereoSGBM (for block matching or semi-global block matching) could be used to process images from two cameras capturing the projected pattern, deriving disparity maps and thus 3D depth information. Similarly, feature descriptors like SIFT or ORB (also in OpenCV) could be applied to uniquely identify patches of the projected pattern as mentioned in the patent's detailed description. Therefore, a system performing these steps would be an obvious application of known computer vision methods to the output of US8810803's projection system.

2. US8810803 + MQTT Protocol for IoT Data Communication

• Scenario: An improvement claiming an IoT-enabled system for monitoring the health or status of the light projection components.
• Combination: The system of US8810803 integrated with widely adopted open-source IoT communication protocols like MQTT for transmitting sensor data related to the illuminator's operational parameters.
• Enabling Description: Consider a system as described in Claim 1 of US8810803. It would be obvious for a person skilled in the art to incorporate sensors (e.g., thermistors for LED emitters, current sensors for power consumption, photodetectors for monitoring light output) into the light source and lens assembly. To enable remote monitoring or predictive maintenance, these sensor readings could be transmitted using a lightweight, publish-subscribe messaging protocol like MQTT (an OASIS standard, with open-source client libraries available for various platforms). An embedded microcontroller at the illumination system (acting as an MQTT client) would publish sensor data to an MQTT broker, which would then distribute it to subscribed monitoring applications. This combination integrates the existing optical system with standard, open-source networking practices for industrial monitoring, rendering such a data transmission "improvement" obvious.

3. US8810803 + Linux Kernel's GPIO/PWM Drivers for Emitter Control

• Scenario: An improvement claiming software-defined control over the individual emitters in the light source, particularly for creating dynamic patterns.
• Combination: The light source with multiple emitters (as in Claim 1 or 8 of US8810803) controlled by a computing device utilizing open-source drivers and interfaces available in the Linux kernel for General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) or Pulse Width Modulation (PWM).
• Enabling Description: The patent specifies that emitters in the light source can be "turned on or off via an electronic control system thereby allowing the pattern emitted from the light source 110 to vary" (Description, Col. 6, lines 34-36). For a computing device (e.g., an embedded Linux board) controlling an array of LEDs, it is well-known in the art to use GPIO pins for simple on/off control or PWM signals for brightness modulation. The Linux kernel provides standard, open-source drivers and userspace interfaces (e.g., /sys/class/gpio or /sys/class/pwm) to control these hardware peripherals. Thus, implementing a software system on a Linux-based controller to dynamically switch or dim individual emitters to create variable patterns, building upon the basic electronic control described in the patent, would be an obvious engineering task for a skilled practitioner familiar with embedded Linux development.