Abstract: In one implementation, a LIDAR system includes a laser emission unit configured to generate a laser beam; a scanning unit configured to deflect the laser beam toward a field of view of the LIDAR system, and cyclically scan the laser beam over the field of view during a plurality of frame capture events; and a processor programmed to: determine an actual frame capture progression for the LIDAR system based on an actual frame capture rate of the scanning unit; receive, from a location external to the LIDAR system, an indicator of a current external time; determine an expected frame capture progression for the LIDAR system based on a target frame capture rate for the scanning unit and based on the indicator of the current external time; and adjust the actual frame capture rate of the scanning unit in response to a detected difference between the actual frame capture progression and the expected frame capture progression.

Abstract: A light projection system includes a MEMS mirror operating on a mirror drive signal to generate a mirror sense signal resulting from operation of the MEMS mirror based on the mirror drive signal. A mirror driver generates the mirror drive signal from a drive control signal. A controller receives the mirror sense signal from the MEMS mirror, obtains a first sample of the mirror sense signal at a first phase thereof, obtains a second sample of the mirror sense signal at a second phase thereof, wherein the first and second phases are separated by a half period of the mirror drive signal, with the second phase occurring after the first phase, and generates the drive control signal based on a difference between the first and second samples to keep the mirror drive signal separated in phase from the mirror sense signal by a desired amount of phase separation.

Abstract: A light projection system includes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) mirror configured to operate in response to a mirror drive signal and to generate a mirror sense signal as a result of the operation. A mirror driver is configured to generate the mirror drive signal in response to a drive control signal. A zero cross detector is configured to detect zero crosses of the mirror sense signal. A controller is configured to generate the drive control signal as a function of the detected zero crosses of the mirror sense signal.

Abstract: A control circuit includes a first control circuit generating a first drive control signal from a pre-drive signal (that is a frequency at which an opening angle of the first and second mirrors is equal) for the first mirror. A second control circuit generates a second drive control signal from the pre-drive signal for the second mirror. First and second drivers generate first and second drive signals for the first and second mirrors from the first and second drive control signals. The first and second drive control signals are generated so that the first and second drive signals each have a same frequency as the pre-drive signal but are different in amplitude from one another to cause the first and second mirrors to move at a same frequency, with a same and substantially constant given opening angle as one another, and in phase with one another.

Abstract: A light projection system includes a MEMS mirror operating on a mirror drive signal to generate a mirror sense signal resulting from operation of the MEMS mirror based on the mirror drive signal. A mirror driver generates the mirror drive signal from a drive control signal. A controller receives the mirror sense signal from the MEMS mirror, obtains a first sample of the mirror sense signal at a first phase thereof, obtains a second sample of the mirror sense signal at a second phase thereof, wherein the first and second phases are separated by a half period of the mirror drive signal, with the second phase occurring after the first phase, and generates the drive control signal based on a difference between the first and second samples to keep the mirror drive signal separated in phase from the mirror sense signal by a desired amount of phase separation.

Abstract: A system includes a mirror controller driving fast and slow axis mirrors of a projector with fast and slow axis drive signals to reflect a collimated light beam in a scan pattern across the target. The scan pattern includes trace lines which cause display of an input video stream on the target, and retrace lines which operate to return the slow axis mirror to a proper location to begin a next frame of the scan pattern. The slow axis drive signal is generated to maintain a number of trace lines in each frame of the scan pattern constant across frames, but the slow axis drive signal is modified to lock a phase and frequency of the displayed video to a phase and frequency of the input video stream by changing a number of retrace lines in each frame of the scan pattern on a frame-by-frame basis by a non-integer number.

Abstract: A control circuit includes a first control circuit generating a first drive control signal from a pre-drive signal (that is a frequency at which an opening angle of the first and second mirrors is equal) for the first mirror. A second control circuit generates a second drive control signal from the pre-drive signal for the second mirror. First and second drivers generate first and second drive signals for the first and second mirrors from the first and second drive control signals. The first and second drive control signals are generated so that the first and second drive signals each have a same frequency as the pre-drive signal but are different in amplitude from one another to cause the first and second mirrors to move at a same frequency, with a same and substantially constant given opening angle as one another, and in phase with one another.

Abstract: A light projection system includes a microelectromechanical (MEMS) mirror configured to operate in response to a mirror drive signal and to generate a mirror sense signal as a result of the operation. A mirror driver is configured to generate the mirror drive signal in response to a drive control signal. A zero cross detector is configured to detect zero crosses of the mirror sense signal. A controller is configured to generate the drive control signal as a function of the detected zero crosses of the mirror sense signal.

Abstract: A light projection system includes a GPU that receives video data containing video images, defines a two-dimensional grid (each element of which represents a position of a light beam at a different time), designates which elements of the two-dimensional grid correspond to positions of the light beam in a designated area, designates which elements correspond to positions of the light beam outside of the designated area with some positions outside being designated as calibration positions, maps each element corresponding to positions in the designated area to a corresponding pixel of a frame of a video image, and maps elements corresponding to calibration positions to calibration pixels. An ASIC receives the mapped pixels and mapped calibration pixels from the GPU, and generates a beam position control signal therefrom. A controller controls a movable mirror based on the beam position control signal.

Abstract: Described herein is a video projection system including an optical module with at least one collimated light source to generate a light beam and at least one movable mirror to reflect the light beam. The video projection system also includes a video source producing a digital video stream in accordance with a clock signal and a movement synchronization signal, as well as a projector system. The projector system includes mirror control circuitry configured to control movement of the at least one movable mirror in accordance with the clock signal and the movement synchronization signal, a light source controller configured to control generation of collimated light by the at least one collimated light source, and processing circuitry configured to receive the digital video stream, and to generate control signals for the light source controller based upon the received digital video stream.

Abstract: A light projection system includes a GPU that receives video data containing video images, defines a two-dimensional grid (each element of which represents a position of a light beam at a different time), designates which elements of the two-dimensional grid correspond to positions of the light beam in a designated area, designates which elements correspond to positions of the light beam outside of the designated area with some positions outside being designated as calibration positions, maps each element corresponding to positions in the designated area to a corresponding pixel of a frame of a video image, and maps elements corresponding to calibration positions to calibration pixels. An ASIC receives the mapped pixels and mapped calibration pixels from the GPU, and generates a beam position control signal therefrom. A controller controls a movable mirror based on the beam position control signal.

Abstract: A light projection system includes a light module emitting a light beam and a movable mirror reflecting the light beam toward a surface. A graphics processing unit processes video data to compensate for a response of the light module. The response is an optical power of the light beam produced by the light module for a given forward current through the light module. A light source driver controls the light module as a function of the processed video data. Colors of the images from the video data produced on the surface by the light beam would otherwise not look as they are intended to look due to changing of the response of the light module, but the processing of the video data alters the video data such that the colors of the images from the video data produced on the surface look as they are intended to look.

Abstract: Described herein is a video projection system including an optical module with at least one collimated light source to generate a light beam and at least one movable mirror to reflect the light beam. The video projection system also includes a video source producing a digital video stream in accordance with a clock signal and a movement synchronization signal, as well as a projector system. The projector system includes mirror control circuitry configured to control movement of the at least one movable mirror in accordance with the clock signal and the movement synchronization signal, a light source controller configured to control generation of collimated light by the at least one collimated light source, and processing circuitry configured to receive the digital video stream, and to generate control signals for the light source controller based upon the received digital video stream.

Abstract: A light projection system includes a light module emitting a light beam and a movable mirror reflecting the light beam toward a surface. A graphics processing unit processes video data to compensate for a response of the light module. The response is an optical power of the light beam produced by the light module for a given forward current through the light module. A light source driver controls the light module as a function of the processed video data. Colors of the images from the video data produced on the surface by the light beam would otherwise not look as they are intended to look due to changing of the response of the light module, but the processing of the video data alters the video data such that the colors of the images from the video data produced on the surface look as they are intended to look.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a laser projection system including a laser projector emitting a laser beam, a movable mirror apparatus reflecting the laser beam toward a surface, and a graphics processing unit (GPU). The GPU is configured to receive video data, estimate a varying speed of movement of the movable mirror apparatus for different positions of the laser beam across the surface, and process the video data based upon the estimated varying speed of movement. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) receives the processed video data, and to generate a beam position control signal based upon required or desired movement of the movable mirror apparatus. A laser driver controls the laser projector as a function of the processed video data, and a mirror controller controls the movable mirror apparatus as a function of the beam position control signal.