Abstract: A device for image transmission includes a first scanner at a first location and a second scanner at a second location, with an optical fiber linking the scanners. The first scanner scans the first location and couples light from the first location to the optical fiber. The fiber transmits the light to the second location where the second scanner constructs an image of the second location from the light. The two scanners are synchronized so that the constructed image corresponds directly to the scanned scene. The second scanner may be part of a retinal scanner, so that the image is formed directly on the user's retina. In another embodiment, the each of the scanners acts as a transceiver so that imaging is bi-directional.

Abstract: A scanned beam display includes compensation for pattern-dependant heating of a light source. According to some embodiments, received image data is transformed to corrected data that compensates for pattern-dependent heating of one or more light sources.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a scanning assembly that scans about two or more axes, typically in a raster pattern. A plurality of light sources emit light from spaced apart locations toward the scanning assembly such that the scanning assembly simultaneously scans more than one of the beams. The scanning assembly includes a plurality of mirrors that sweep their respective beams through respective regions of an image field. The regions are immediately adjacent so that an overall image is produced by “tiling” of the regions. Because sweeps of the scanning assembly scan a plurality of tiles simultaneously the resolution and/or field of view of a display for a given scan angle and mirror size is increased relative to a single mirror sweeping a single beam. In alternative embodiments, tiling is used for imaging. Also, various approaches to controlling the frequency responses of the various scanners are described, including active control of MEMs scanners and passive frequency tuning.

Abstract: An image capture device includes provision for projecting indicia onto an object surface. For a scanned beam image capture device, the image may be projected from the scan engine. The light source includes provision for modulating the intensity of its output. A controller modulates the output of the light source according to its position, forming a projected pattern. When the image capture device is an indicia reader such as a linear or 2D bar code scanner, the results of a decode attempt may be used to determine the contents of projected information. When a “no decode” is returned, the user may be prompted to scan again. When a decoded symbol includes directly useful data, all or a portion of the data may be projected. When the data refers to a look-up table, information from the look-up table may be projected. The device may additionally project finder patterns to aid aiming.

Abstract: A MEMS scanning device includes more than one type of actuation. In one approach capacitive and magnetic drives combine to move a portion of the device along a common path. In one such structure, the capacitive drive comes from interleaved combs. In another approach, a comb drive combines with a pair of planar electrodes to produce rotation of a central body relative to a substrate. In an optical scanning application, the central body is a mirror. In a biaxial structure, a gimbal ring carries the central body. The gimbal ring may be driven by more than one type of actuation to produce motion about an axis orthogonal to that of the central body. In another aspect, a MEMS scanning device is constructed with a reduced footprint.

Abstract: A scanning control circuit generates a clock signal corresponding to an expected scan timing of a resonant scanner. In one approach, the control circuit uses a pair of direct digital synthesis (DDS) integrated circuits. A first DDS chip provides a system clock that is synchronized to the monitored period of the scanner. A second DDS chip generates a frequency chirped signal that has a frequency profile corresponding to a desired pixel clock timing. To control phase precisely, four complementary clock signals are weighted and mixed at light source drivers to produce relative phase shifts for different light sources.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes an image source that scans about two axes. To offset motion about a first of the axes during sweeps about the second axis, the apparatus includes a structure to produce offsetting motion about the first axis at a scanning rate equal to the twice-scanning rate about the second axis. The offsetting scan can be a ramp or other motion. In one embodiment, the offsetting motion is a resonant sinusoid. The offsetting motion may be produced by an auxiliary scanner such as a mechanical scanner, a piezoelectric scanner, a MEMs scanner or other scanner. Because the offsetting motion is very small, the auxiliary scanner can function with a very small scan angle.

Abstract: A beam scanner is operable to scan light in two or more axes, typically in a raster pattern that includes a fast scan axis and a slow scan axis. Plural beams of light are scanned, each beam of light producing a scanned region that at least partially overlaps at least one adjoining scanned region. Scanned regions may be aligned to adjoin and overlap along a dimension corresponding to the slow scan axis. The beam scanner may comprise a scanned beam display and/or a scanned beam image capture device. In a display, the power level of overlapping displayed pixels may be scaled to provide smooth transitions between adjoining regions to improve the image quality presented to a viewer. In an image capture device, one or more detectors is operable to collect light scattered from adjoining regions and a controller is operable to produce an image from the scanned regions.

Abstract: A display system includes a diffraction grating that generates exit-pupil images, where one of the exit-pupil images has a first intensity and the remaining exit-pupil images each have or approximately have a second intensity that is less than the first intensity. The system also includes a filter that attenuates the intensity of the one exit-pupil image. In one example, the filter attenuates the 0th-order exit-pupil image so that all of the exit-pupil images have the same or approximately the same intensities.

Abstract: An image projection system includes an image generator and first and second projection screens. The image generator respectively generates the first and second portions of the image on the first and second projection screens. The first projection screen projects the first portion of the image in a first color, and the second projection screen projects the second portion of the image in a second color. Such an image projection system is often less complex and less expensive than a conventional image projection system such as a projection television system. In addition, such a projection system often provides a higher-quality image than a conventional image projection system.

Abstract: A system comprising a linerless pressure sensitive label stock and a printer for printing on linerless pressure sensitive label stock exhibit reduced tendency for exposed adhesive to stick to printer components. The linerless pressure sensitive label stock has a plurality of regions that are substantially non-tacky formed along the length of the label stock web. In one embodiment, the non-tacky regions are formed by printing an adhesive deadening agent over the pressure sensitive adhesive. In another embodiment, the adhesive is printed in a pattern having non-tacky regions. Optional perforations in the non-tacky regions aid separation of printed regions from the rest of the web. Various means of web position sensing allow the printer to track the positions of the substantially non-tacky regions. After printing, the web of linerless pressure sensitive label stock is moved to positions where it is unlikely to stick to printer components.