Abstract: Devices and methods are described that provide for scanning surfaces and generating 3-dimensional point clouds that describe the depth of the measured surface at each point. In general, the devices and methods utilize scanning mirror(s) that reflect a laser beam into a pattern of scan lines. When the raster pattern of scan lines is directed at a surface, reflections of the laser beam from the surface are received and used to the generate 3-dimensional point clouds that describe the measured surface depth at each point. The motion of the scanning mirror(s) can be dynamically adjusted to modify the characteristics of the resulting 3-dimensional point cloud of the surface. For example, the adjustment of the scanning mirror motion can modify the resolution or data density of the resulting 3-dimensional point cloud that describes the measured depths of the surface.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described herein for combining image projection with surface scanning. In general, the devices and methods utilize at least one source of laser light to generate a laser beam, and scanning mirror(s) that reflect the laser beam into a pattern of scan lines. The source of light is controlled to selectively generate projected image pixels during a first portion of the pattern of scan lines, and to selectively generate depth mapping pulses during a second portion of the pattern of scan lines. The projected image pixels generate a projected image, while the depth mapping pulses are reflected from the surface, received, and used to generate a 3-dimensional point clouds that describe the measured surface depth at each point. Thus, during each scan of the pattern both a projected image and a surface depth map can be generated.

Abstract: A scanning display system includes hybrid data acquisition. Data can be acquired in a time-of-flight mode, or in a non-time-of-flight mode. Infrared light pulses may be used in both modes. The infrared light pulses may have different characteristics. Time-of-flight data acquisition and non-time-of-flight data acquisition may be used sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described that provide for scanning surfaces and generating 3-dimensional point clouds that describe the depth of the measured surface at each point. In general, the devices and methods utilize scanning mirror(s) that reflect a laser beam into a pattern of scan lines. When the raster pattern of scan lines is directed at a surface, reflections of the laser beam from the surface are received and used to the generate 3-dimensional point clouds that describe the measured surface depth at each point. The motion of the scanning mirror(s) can be dynamically adjusted to modify the characteristics of the resulting 3-dimensional point cloud of the surface. For example, the adjustment of the scanning mirror motion can modify the resolution or data density of the resulting 3-dimensional point cloud that describes the measured depths of the surface.

Abstract: A scanning projector includes a MEMS device with a scanning mirror that sweeps a beam in two dimensions. Actuating circuits receive scan angle information and provide signal stimulus to the MEMS device to control the amount of mirror deflection on two axes. The scan angle information may be modified to maintain a constant image size, a constant image brightness, and/or to correct for keystone distortion.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, an information handling system comprises a scanning system to scan one or more component wavelength beams into a combined multi-component beam in a first field of view, and a redirecting system to redirect one or more of the component wavelength beams into a second field of view. A first subset of the one or more component wavelength beams is projected in the first field of view and a second subset of the one or more component wavelength beams is projected in the second field of view. The first subset may project a visible image in the first field of view, and user is capable of providing an input to control the information handling system via interaction with the second subset in the second field of view.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a MEMS scanned beam projector includes a light source to emit a light beam, a scanning platform to redirect the light beam impinging on the platform, and a display controller to control the light source and the scanning platform to cause the scanning platform to scan the light beam in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction in a scan pattern to project an image onto a projection surface. The display controller is configured to correct for image distortion in the projected image by providing a compensated drive signal to the scanning platform to compensate for the image distortion.

Abstract: An apparatus with autofocus includes a scanning laser projector to provide autofocus assist. The scanning laser projector may project visible or nonvisible light in contrasting patterns to provide passive autofocus assist. The scanning laser projector may include a time-of-flight determination circuit to measure distances to provide active autofocus assist. Passive and active autofocus assist are combined to provide hybrid autofocus assist.

Abstract: A scanning display system includes hybrid data acquisition. Data can be acquired in a time-of-flight mode, or in a non-time-of-flight mode. Infrared light pulses may be used in both modes. The infrared light pulses may have different characteristics. Time-of-flight data acquisition and non-time-of-flight data acquisition may be used sequentially or simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus with autofocus includes a scanning laser projector to provide autofocus assist. The scanning laser projector may project visible or nonvisible light in contrasting patterns to provide passive autofocus assist. The scanning laser projector may include a time-of-flight determination circuit to measure distances to provide active autofocus assist. Passive and active autofocus assist are combined to provide hybrid autofocus assist.

Abstract: A device with a touchscreen includes a transparent virtual touch overlay used to modify content on a secondary display. The device may send display content to the secondary display either wired or wirelessly. The secondary display may be separate from the device or integrated in the device. The secondary display may use any display technology including a fixed installation monitor or a projector.

Abstract: A scanning projector includes a MEMS device with a scanning mirror that sweeps a beam in two dimensions. Actuating circuits receive scan angle information and provide signal stimulus to the MEMS device to control the amount of mirror deflection on two axes. The scan angle information may be modified to maintain a constant image size, a constant image brightness, and/or to correct for keystone distortion.

Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a housing (101). A control circuit (224) disposed within the housing (101). A projector (102) is disposed within the housing (101) and is operable with the control circuit (224). The projector (102) is configured to create images (104) with an image cone (106). A gesture recognition device (103) is disposed within the housing (101) and is operable with the control circuit (224). The gesture recognition device (103) is configured to detect gestures (107) in a gesture recognition cone (108). The projector (102) and the gesture recognition device (103) can be arranged within the housing (101) such that the image cone (106) and the gesture recognition cone (108) exit the housing (101) without overlap.

Abstract: Regions are defined in projected content to create a virtually segmented display. When reflections are received from objects within a defined region, the reflections are recognized and passed to a user interface circuit. When reflections are received from objects outside a defined region, the reflections are gated and not recognized.

Abstract: Regions are defined in projected content to create a virtually segmented display. When reflections are received from objects within a defined region, the reflections are recognized and passed to a user interface circuit. When reflections are received from objects outside a defined region, the reflections are gated and not recognized.

Abstract: An imaging system (100) includes a housing (101). A control circuit (224) disposed within the housing (101). A projector (102) is disposed within the housing (101) and is operable with the control circuit (224). The projector (102) is configured to create images (104) with an image cone (106). A gesture recognition device (103) is disposed within the housing (101) and is operable with the control circuit (224). The gesture recognition device (103) is configured to detect gestures (107) in a gesture recognition cone (108). The projector (102) and the gesture recognition device (103) can be arranged within the housing (101) such that the image cone (106) and the gesture recognition cone (108) exit the housing (101) without overlap.

Abstract: A projection apparatus memorizes settings as a function of location, orientation, elevation, or any combination. The projection apparatus recalls the settings when the location, orientation, elevation, or combination of the projection apparatus matches memorized values. Memorized settings may include projector settings, image source settings, audio output settings, audio source settings, and the like.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting a phase error between a clock signal and a beam position includes a beam generator, sensor, and phase detector. The beam generator directs a beam toward a beam sweeper in response to a clock signal. The sensor, which is disposed at a mid line of a region that the beam sweeper scans, detects the beam from the beam sweeper, and the phase detector detects an error in the clock phase from the detected beam. Such a circuit can automatically detect the phase error in the pixel clock and correct this error, thus eliminating the need for a manual phase-error corrector.

Abstract: A device for driving a plant such as a beam scanner includes a memory, drive-signal generator, and a calibrator. The memory stores data corresponding to the drive signal, and the generator generates the drive signal from the data and couples the drive signal to the plant. The calibrator measures a response of the plant to the drive signal, calculates a difference between the measured response and a corresponding target response, and reduces the difference by altering the drive signal. Such a device can force the output response of the driven plant to equal a target output response, or to be sufficiently close to the target response for a particular application, while the device is operating in an open-loop configuration. Furthermore, while operating in an open-loop configuration, such a device often has a greater stability margin and greater noise immunity than a comparable device that operates in a closed-loop configuration.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting a phase error between a clock signal and a beam position includes a beam generator, sensor, and phase detector. The beam generator directs a beam toward a beam sweeper in response to a clock signal. The sensor, which is disposed at a mid line of a region that the beam sweeper scans, detects the beam from the beam sweeper, and the phase detector detects an error in the clock phase from the detected beam. Such a circuit can automatically detect the phase error in the pixel clock and correct this error, thus eliminating the need for a manual phase-error corrector.