Abstract: A lightweight, compact image projection module, especially for mounting in a housing having a light-transmissive window, is operative for causing selected pixels in a raster pattern to be illuminated to produce an image of high resolution of VGA quality in color.

Abstract: A plastic lens includes refractive and diffractive optical apparatus configured to produce optothermal changes substantially canceling each other over a predetermined working temperature range to render the plastic lens substantially athermalized over the range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to controllably reduce power of a laser projection display (LPD) in response to detecting a variation in a viewing surface. During the operation of the LPD, a controller 142 monitors laser light being reflected from the viewing surface. Since the controller 142 “knows” the amount of power that the LPD is being instructed to deliver, it may compare the known power to the reflected laser light to determine if a foreign object may be in the path of the laser light, and therefore, affecting the magnitude of the laser light. The controller 142 responds to detecting such an event by reducing power to the lasers.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining light beam position in an electro-optical reader, image projector and like devices includes a drive for moving a scanning light beam at a scan frequency across a target as a scan line, and an electro-optical feedback assembly operatively connected to the drive, for optically detecting scan line position during beam movement, and for generating a feedback signal at the scan frequency, the feedback signal being indicative of the scan line position. A feedback coil in the drive is eliminated to avoid electromagnetic coupling between multiple coils in the drive.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to controllably compensate for distortions in an image produced by an LPD, where the distortion arises from the shape and/or angle of the viewing surface relative to the LPD. For example, the LPD can determine the angle of the viewing surface relative to the LPD and then adjust the horizontal and vertical scan mechanisms to return the image to its original configuration, such as rectangular.

Abstract: A system for transferring data between a centrally located site and a portable communications terminal via a telephone network, the site having associated therewith a look up table containing plurality of data records correlating to items disposed at a retail establishment, wherein each of the items has associated therewith a bar code encoded with the indicia unique to each item, with each of the bar coded indicia corresponding to a particular record in the table, the data containing at least a portion of said record.

Abstract: A portable instrument incorporates an electro-optical assembly for reading indicia during for projecting a bit-mapped image during a display mode. A manually operable switch on the instrument is disposed for selecting one of the modes. The image is formed by pulsing a laser at selected times on selected scan lines.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to controllably reduce power of a laser projection display (LPD) in response to detecting a variation in a viewing surface. During the operation of the LPD, a controller 142 monitors laser light being reflected from the viewing surface. Since the controller 142 “knows” the amount of power that the LPD is being instructed to deliver, it may compare the known power to the reflected laser light to determine if a foreign object may be in the path of the laser light, and therefore, affecting the magnitude of the laser light. The controller 142 responds to detecting such an event by reducing power to the lasers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to compensate for variations in the alignment of a plurality of lasers 102, 104, 106. A controller 142 varies the time at which the lasers 102, 104, 106 are energized so that the laser light emitted therefrom is reflected from a scanning mirror 118 at varying times so that each of the beams of light is reflected along a substantially common path and delivered to a substantially common point.

Abstract: A portable instrument incorporates an electro-optical assembly for reading indicia during a reading mode, and for projecting a bit-mapped image during a display mode. A manually operable switch on the instrument is disposed for selecting one of the modes. The image is formed by pulsing a laser at selected times on selected scan lines.

Abstract: A portable electronic device, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is coupled with a foldable keyboard and a laser projection device (LPD). The LPD may be controllable to display in a first format or size on a back lit screen contained with the PDA or in a second format or size on an external screen or wall.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling a laser projection device (LPD). The apparatus is comprised of a liquid crystal display controller, a laser projection display controller, and a laser projection display engine. The liquid crystal display controller is adapted to receive video signals indicative of a visual display and convert the video signals to control signals suitable for controlling a liquid crystal display panel. The laser projection device controller is adapted to receive the control signals from the liquid crystal display controller and use the control signals to control a laser projection display. The laser projection device engine is adapted to display an image under the control of the laser projection device controller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to controllably reduce power of a laser projection display (LPD). Light is scanned from a laser onto a viewing surface to produce an image thereon, and power used by the laser is reduced used while scanning at least a portion of the viewing surface.

Abstract: A laser projection device suitable for displaying full color images is disclosed. The LPD includes a variety of techniques for modulating laser beams produced by one or more lasers with image data to controllably produce the image using a modified raster scan.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to controllably reduce power of a laser projection display (LPD) in response to detecting a variation in a viewing surface. During the operation of the LPD, a controller 142 monitors laser light being reflected from the viewing surface. Since the controller 142 “knows” the amount of power that the LPD is being instructed to deliver, it may compare the known power to the reflected laser light to determine if a foreign object may be in the path of the laser light, and therefore, affecting the magnitude of the laser light. The controller 142 responds to detecting such an event by reducing power to the lasers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to provide a laser projection display (LPD).

Abstract: A portable instrument incorporates an electro-optical assembly for reading indicia during a reading mode, and for projecting a bit-mapped image during a display mode. A manually operable switch on the instrument is disposed for selecting one of the modes. The image is formed by pulsing a laser at selected times on selected scan lines.

Abstract: A laser projection device (LPD) suitable for displaying color images is disclosed. The LPD is used to excite various photoluminescent materials located on a display screen so as to produce multi-color displays. Additionally, the screen may be movably mounted so as to reduce laser speckling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling the operation of a Laser Projection Display (LPD). Generally, the LPD is comprised of a laser, an optical system and a controller. The laser is adapted to emit a beam of laser light. The optical system is adapted to scan the beam of laser light on a display surface in a two-dimensional raster pattern. The controller is adapted to control the rate at which the laser beam is scanned to produce regions of varying resolution on the display surface. The controller is also adapted to present laser light onto the display surface within only selected portions of the two-dimensional raster scan pattern so that spaced apart image regions may be created.

Abstract: An arrangement for and a method of collecting and displaying information in real time along a line of sight from a human operator to remote targets located at variable distances therefrom and identifiable by machine-readable indicia. A two-dimensional image is automatically projected along the line of sight on the target alongside the indicia while maintaining the image size relatively constant over an extended range of working distances.