Scanning laser projection display devices and methods for projecting one or more images onto a surface with a light-scanning optical fiber
Inventors
Melville, Charles D. • Johnston, Richard S. • Lee, Cameron M. • Seibel, Eric J. • Schowengerdt, Brian T.
Assignees
WASHINGTON UW TECH TECH TRANSFER - INVENTION LIC, University of • University of Washington
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Publication Number
US-8757812-B2
Publication Date
2014-06-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
Image projection devices, high-speed fiber scanned displays and related methods for projecting an image onto a surface and interfacing with the projected image are provided. A method for projecting one or more images and obtaining feedback with an optical input-output assembly is provided. The input-output assembly comprising a light-scanning optical fiber and a sensor. The method includes generating a sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and a scan pattern of the optical fiber, articulating the optical fiber in the scan pattern, projecting the sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber, and generating a feedback signal with the sensor in response to reflections of the sequence of light.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a scanning-laser projection display that projects one or more images onto a surface using a projection device comprising a light-scanning optical fiber. A laser assembly generates a sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and a scan pattern determined by a drive signal. The sequence of light is projected from the light-scanning fiber to form the one or more images on the surface.
A key aspect is articulating the optical fiber in the scan pattern based on the drive signal so that a distal tip of the fiber has variable velocity. The fiber is scanned within a Q factor of a resonant frequency of the optical fiber. The generated sequence of light includes varying a light intensity based on both a position in the one or more image representations and a positional rate of change of the optical fiber in the scan pattern, where the intensity increases based on the variable velocity increasing.
The disclosed architecture further describes control and interaction using an integrated projection-plus-feedback arrangement in which a sensor detects reflections from the projected sequence, potentially using a non-visible wavelength illumination for the reflections. The system includes an image buffer and scan-pattern-aligned readout to match non-raster scan patterns. The described display system also includes compensations and timing considerations such as frame-rate matching using settling-cycle adjustment and orientation compensation for device roll.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims that define an improved method for projecting images using a light-scanning optical fiber with Q-factor resonant scanning and variable-velocity intensity compensation, and a corresponding system with a projection device, laser assembly, and processor that generates control signals to implement that behavior. The inventive features focus on variable-velocity distal tip scanning within a Q factor and intensity variation based on both image position and positional rate of change.
Q-factor scanning with variable-velocity distal tip
Articulating the optical fiber in the scan pattern based on the drive signal so that a distal tip of the fiber has a variable velocity, wherein the fiber is scanned within a Q factor of a resonant frequency of the optical fiber.
Intensity variation based on image position and positional rate of change
Generating a sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and a drive signal determining a scan pattern such that a varying light intensity is based on both a position in the one or more image representations and a positional rate of change of the optical fiber in the scan pattern, wherein the intensity increases based on the variable velocity increasing.
Scan pattern defined by drive signal
Generating the sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and a drive signal determining a scan pattern of the optical fiber, and projecting the generated sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber to form the one or more images on the surface according to the scan pattern.
Processor-based control of intensity increase with variable velocity
Providing control signals to the laser assembly and the light-scanning assembly to increase the intensity based on the variable velocity increasing, in order to project the sequence of light according to the scan pattern to form the one or more images on the surface.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive coverage centers on scanning a light-scanning optical fiber within a Q factor so the distal tip has variable velocity, while modulating projected light intensity based on image position and the optical fiber’s positional rate of change, increasing intensity as the variable velocity increases.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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