The present invention relates generally to display devices, and more specifically to scanned beam display devices.
In a typical scanned display system, a point of illumination is scanned in two dimensions to form a rasterized image. Typically, one scan axis (fast-scan axis) is scanned at an integer multiple of the other axis (slow-scan axis). Both axes are typically scanned with a unidirectional ramp or sawtooth function having an active video portion in which the point of illumination constructs the image and a “flyback” time during which illumination is disabled (i.e. blanked). The resulting fast-scan lines are all parallel to each other and this ensures a very uniform spatial resolution.
Some systems contain inertia that limits the frequency of the scan function in the fast-scan axis. Use of a sinusoidal scan function rather than a ramp allows the scan frequency to be increased. In this case, the image can be scanned bidirectionally (e.g., both left-to-right and right-to-left). Use of the sinusoidal scan function eliminates the need to “flyback” in the fast-scan axis which reduces or eliminates the blanking time.
As shown in
Blanking waveform 280 is also shown in
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described herein in connection with one embodiment may be implemented within other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the location or arrangement of individual elements within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, appropriately interpreted, along with the full range of equivalents to which the claims are entitled. In the drawings, like numerals refer to the same or similar functionality throughout the several views.
Multi-phased scanning trajectories in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention may be produced in many ways. For example, in some embodiments, trajectory 310 is scanned from top-to-bottom, then the beam flies back to the top, and then trajectory 360 is scanned from top-to-bottom. In other embodiments, trajectory 310 is scanned from top-to-bottom, and then trajectory 360 is scanned from bottom-to-top. Deflection waveforms for various embodiments are described below with reference to later figures.
By including multiple trajectories with phase offsets, the visual effects of raster pinch can be mitigated because blank areas within the image field of view existing in the prior art (
In some embodiments, each horizontal sweep corresponds to a row of pixels. For example, each horizontal sweep 312 of trajectory 310 from left-to-right corresponds to one row 112 and the following sweep from right-to-left 322 may correspond to the next row 122. Also for example, each horizontal sweep 362 of trajectory 360 from right-to-left corresponds to one row 112 and the following sweep from left-to-right 372 may correspond to the next row 122. In these embodiments, each trajectory paints all of the pixels. For example, trajectory 310 paints pixels in rows 112 and 122 during sweeps 312 and 322, and trajectory 360 also paints pixels in rows 112 and 122 during sweeps 362 and 372.
In some embodiments, displayed pixel data is interpolated. For example, pixel 334 may display data interpolated from actual pixel data in the rows above and below. Interpolation may be performed vertically, horizontally, or both.
As shown in
T
V=(n+½)TH (1)
where n is an integer. The offset value of ½ results in a phase offset of 180 degrees between successive vertical trajectories as shown in
T
V=(n+1/x)TH (2)
where both n and x are integers. For example, in some embodiments, x=3, phase offsets between successive vertical trajectories are 120 degrees, and there are three vertical trajectories before they repeat.
Sawtooth vertical deflection waveform 410 includes vertical sweep portions 412 and 414 corresponding to trajectories 310 and 360 (
Blanking waveform 480 is also shown in
In operation, image processing component 702 receives video data on node 701, receives a pixel clock at frequency FP from digital control component 790, and produces commanded luminance values to drive the laser light sources when pixels are to be displayed. Red, green, and blue light is provided by the laser light sources, although other light sources, such as color filters or light emitting diodes (LEDs) or edge-emitting LEDs, could easily be substituted. One advantage of lasers is that their light is collimated, and emerges as a narrow beam. When each beam is directed at the MEMS mirror (either directly or through guiding optics) the colors of light can be mixed on the surface of the mirror, pixel by pixel.
The MEMS mirror rotates on two axes in response to electrical stimuli received on node 793 from MEMS driver 792. The two axes are referred to as the fast-scan axis and the slow-scan axis. In the example embodiments described herein, the fast-scan axis is the horizontal axis, but this is not a limitation of the present invention. The fast-scan axis can be the vertical axis without departing from the scope of the present invention.
In some embodiments, the mirror sweeps back and forth on the fast-scan axis at a resonant frequency. In these embodiments, the pixel clock and the slow scan-axis frequency are derived from the resonant frequency of the MEMS device. Digital control component 790 receives a MEMS horizontal sync signal from MEMS device 760 and derives the horizontal frequency FH, the vertical frequency FV, and the pixel clock frequency FP. Various embodiments of digital control block 790 are described below with reference to
As described with reference to previous figures, the relationship(s) between the horizontal and vertical deflection signals provide phase offsets between successive traversals through the image field of view. For example, in some embodiments, the beam may sweep back and forth horizontally in a sinusoidal pattern while the beam sweeps vertically in a sawtooth pattern. Also for example, in some embodiments, the beam may sweep back and forth horizontally in a sinusoidal pattern while the beam sweeps vertically in a triangular or sinusoidal pattern. Pixels may be displayed when the beam is sweeping in one direction or in both directions. For example, in some embodiments, pixels may be displayed as the beam sweeps down in the vertical direction, but not when the beam sweeps back up. Also for example, in some embodiments, pixels may be displayed as the beam sweeps down as well as when the beam sweeps up in the vertical direction.
The MEMS based projector is described as an example, and the various embodiments of the invention are not so limited. For example, other projector types may be included in scanned beam display systems with multi-phased trajectories without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The horizontal sync signal is also provided to phase locked loop (PLL) 810. PLL 810 includes phase detector 812, filter 814, voltage controlled oscillator 816, and frequency dividers 818 and 820. PLL 810 operates to multiply the horizontal sync signal up to the pixel frequency FP. The pixel frequency is related to the horizontal frequency as:
F
P
=F
H
×P×N (3)
where P×N is the number of pixels in one horizontal deflection period, and N is the number of non-overlapping trajectories before the scan trajectory repeats.
Component 800 also includes frequency divider 830. Frequency divider 830 divides the input signal by M where M is the number of horizontal deflection signal periods in all non-overlapping trajectories. The combination of PLL 810 and divider 830 operate to divide the horizontal sync signal down to the frequency of the vertical deflection signal. The vertical frequency is related to the horizontal frequency as:
F
V
=F
H
×N/M. (4)
The following values for the various parameters in
With N=2 and M=725, the ratio of the vertical deflection signal period to the horizontal deflection signal period is equal to 725/2, or 362.5. This fits with equation 1, above, with n=362.
In another embodiment, FH=21.5 KHz, P=1500, N=3, and M=1087, yielding FP=96.75 MHz and FV=59.3 Hz.
With N=3 and M=1087, the ratio of the vertical deflection signal period to the horizontal deflection signal period is equal to 1087/3, or 362+⅓. This fits with equation 2, above, with n=362 and x=3.
Component 900 includes frequency dividers 910, 920, and 930. Frequency dividers 910 and 920 operate to produce the horizontal frequency by dividing the pixel clock by P and N, where P×N is the number of pixels in one horizontal deflection period, and N is the number of non-overlapping vertical trajectories before the scan trajectory repeats. Accordingly:
F
V
=F
P/(P×N). (5)
Frequency dividers 910 and 930 operate to produce the vertical frequency by dividing the pixel clock by P and M, where P is the number of pixels in a scan line, and M is the number of horizontal deflection signal periods in all non-overlapping trajectories. Accordingly:
F
H
=F
P/(P×M) (6)
Mobile device 1000 includes scanning projection device 1001 to create an image with light 1008. Similar to other embodiments of projection systems described above, mobile device 1000 may include a projector with multi-phased scan trajectories.
In some embodiments, mobile device 1000 includes antenna 1006 and electronic component 1005. In some embodiments, electronic component 1005 includes a receiver, and in other embodiments, electronic component 1005 includes a transceiver. For example, in GPS embodiments, electronic component 1005 may be a GPS receiver. In these embodiments, the image displayed by scanning projection device 1001 may be related to the position of the mobile device. Also for example, electronic component 1005 may be a transceiver suitable for two-way communications. In these embodiments, mobile device 1000 may be a cellular telephone, a two-way radio, a network interface card (NIC), or the like.
Mobile device 1000 also includes memory card slot 1004. In some embodiments, a memory card inserted in memory card slot 1004 may provide a source for video data to be displayed by scanning projection device 1001. Memory card slot 1004 may receive any type of solid state memory device, including for example, Multimedia Memory Cards (MMCs), Memory Stick DUOs, secure digital (SD) memory cards, and Smart Media cards. The foregoing list is meant to be exemplary, and not exhaustive.
Mobile device 1000 also includes data connector 1020. In some embodiments, data connector 1020 can be connected to one or more cables to receive analog or digital video data for projection by scanning projection device 1001. In other embodiments, data connector 1020 may mate directly with a connector on a device that sources video data.
Method 1100 is shown beginning with block 1110 in which a light beam is scanned on a first trajectory having a sinusoidal pattern in a first dimension while sweeping the light beam in a second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension. In some embodiments, the first dimension is a horizontal fast-scan dimension, and the second dimension is a vertical slow-scan dimension. The sinusoidal pattern may be as shown in
At 1120, the light beam is scanned on a second trajectory having a phase offset from the first trajectory. In some embodiments, this includes a flyback and a subsequent trajectory in the same direction (e.g., top-to-bottom) as the first trajectory. In other embodiments, this includes a trajectory in the opposite direction. For example, the first trajectory may be from top-to-bottom, and the second trajectory may be from bottom-to-top. Pixels may be painted in both trajectories: top-to-bottom, bottom-to-top, left-to-right, and right-to-left.
Phase offsets may have any value, and any number of non-overlapping trajectories may be included. For example, a phase offset of 180 degrees may be used with two trajectories over an image field of view before the scan trajectory repeats. Also for example, a phase offset of 120 degrees may be used with three trajectories over the image field of view before the scan trajectory repeats.
At 1130, the light beam is modulated to display pixels on the first and second trajectories. In some embodiments, the light beam includes multiple colors, and each color is modulated separately. In other embodiments, the light beam is monochromatic, an only one color is modulated. By including multiple trajectories having phase offsets, the effects of raster pinch may be mitigated.
Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as those skilled in the art readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the invention and the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60381569 | May 2002 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10441916 | May 2003 | US |
Child | 12032988 | US |