US Patent 11054728 Imaging system and method using projection apparatus

A projection apparatus including an array of infrared emitters, the infrared emitters of said array being arranged in a first pattern; a plurality of liquid-crystal cells and corresponding control circuits, a given liquid-crystal cell being arranged in front of a corresponding infrared emitter of said array; and a processor configured to generate drive signals for driving the control circuits in a random or pseudorandom manner; and control the plurality of liquid-crystal cells individually, via the corresponding control circuits, to project a second pattern of light spots onto objects present in a real-world environment, wherein, when driven by a given drive signal, a given control circuit electrically controls a corresponding liquid-crystal cell to any of: block light emanating from a corresponding infrared emitter, transmit the light in an unbended manner, bend the light.