English:
[0001] Scanned beam video projectors ideally project a grid of evenly spaced virtual pixels onto a surface. Due to the geometry, optical path distortion, and changing scanner velocity, each virtual pixel is scanned across the surface in a continually changing time period. One challenge of digital scanned beam projection is matching this continually changing time period to the fixed clock period of a digital control system. Another challenge of laser based scanned beam video projectors is that generating a continuous low light power from a laser is far less efficient than generating higher laser powers. It is much more efficient to generate low optical powers by modulating between off and a higher optical power. This modulation can reduce the maximum brightness of the video content.
[0002] In the past, scanning laser based video projectors have used constant sample frequency digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to generate laser drive waveforms. To resynchronize these waveforms with the continually changing virtual pixel frequency, digital upsampling and interpolation may be used. Upsampling involves a far higher DAC sample rate which has a high bus transaction power cost. Interpolation may cause a loss of image sharpness particularly for computer generated video content. Modulation of the laser optical power has been tried in two orthogonal ways both using a constant frequency DAC. The first method provides each non-zero DAC sample with the same waveform. This method shows a reduction in laser speckle artifacts and an increase in efficiency but drastically reduces the maximum brightness of the projector. The second method zeroes all but one DAC sample in each pixel period. This method shows an increase in laser efficiency but shows a reduction in brightness and significant video artifacts since the active sample is not locked to the position of each pixel.
[0004] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a laser beam scanner having a pulsed pixel controller in accordance with one or more embodiments;
[0005] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of portions of the laser beam scanner of FIG. 1 illustrating alignment of a beam pulse with a virtual pixel and waveform selection of the beam pulse in accordance with one or more embodiments;
[0007] FIG. 4 is a diagram of waveform selection with an energy duty cycle selector illustrating dynamically aligned pulses having constant pixel widths but varying beam pulse widths in accordance with one or more embodiments;
[0008] FIG. 5 is a diagram of waveform selection with an energy duty cycle selector illustrating dynamically aligned pulses having a constant energy pulse widths but varying pixel widths in accordance with one or more embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a dynamic edge engine and programmable delay lines time updates to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to place a beam pulse waveform in a selected region of a virtual pixel in accordance with one or more embodiments;
[0010] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method to project an image on a surface in accordance with one or more embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an information handling system to control pulsed pixels for a scanned beam projector in accordance with one or more embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of an information handling system that includes a scanned beam projector having controlled pulsed pixels in accordance with one or more embodiments; and
[0013] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a vehicle that includes a scanned beam projector having controlled pulsed pixels deployed as a head-up display (HUD) in accordance with one or more embodiments; and
[0014] FIG. 11 is a diagram of eyewear that includes a scanned beam projector having controlled pulsed pixels deployed as a head-mounted display (HMD) in accordance with one or more embodiments.
[0015] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and/or clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, if considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding and/or analogous elements.
[0016] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimed subject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and/or circuits have not been described in detail.
[0017] In the following description and/or claims, the terms coupled and/or connected, along with their derivatives, may be used. In particular embodiments, connected may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical and/or electrical contact with each other. Coupled may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical and/or electrical contact. However, coupled may also mean that two or more elements may not be in direct contact with each other, but yet may still cooperate and/or interact with each other. For example, "coupled" may mean that two or more elements do not contact each other but are indirectly joined together via another element or intermediate elements. Finally, the terms "on," "overlying," and "over" may be used in the following description and claims. "On," "overlying," and "over" may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other. However, "over" may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other. For example, "over" may mean that one element is above another element but not contact each other and may have another element or elements in between the two elements. Furthermore, the term "and/or" may mean "and", it may mean "or", it may mean "exclusive-or", it may mean "one", it may mean "some, but not all", it may mean "neither", and/or it may mean "both", although the scope of claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. In the following description and/or claims, the terms "comprise" and "include," along with their derivatives, may be used and are intended as synonyms for each other.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a laser beam scanner having a pulsed pixel controller in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. As shown in FIG. 1, a laser beam scanner 100 may comprise a scanning engine 110 comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) mirror 112 that may be actuated to oscillate about a first axis in a first direction, and to oscillate about a second axis in a second direction. A laser diode 114 may emit a beam such as a laser beam 116 that is reflected off of scanning engine 110 wherein the MEMS mirror 112 scans the reflected beam 116 to generate an image 118 on surface 120. Although FIG. 1 illustrates one type of a scanned beam display system for purposes of discussion, for example a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) based display, it should be noted that other types of scanning displays including those that use two uniaxial scanners, rotating polygon scanners, or galvonometric scanners as well as systems that use the combination of a one-dimensional spatial light modulator with a single axis scanner as some of many examples, may also utilize the claimed subject matter and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.
[0019] In one or more particular embodiments, the laser beam scanner 100 as shown in FIG. 1 may comprise a pi co-projector developed by Microvision Inc., of Redmond, Wash., USA, referred to as PicoPTM In such embodiments, laser diode 114 of such a pico-projector may comprise one red, one green, and one blue laser diode with a lens near the output of the respective lasers that collects the light from the laser and provides a very low numerical aperture (NA) beam at the output. The light from the lasers may then be combined with dichroic elements into a single white beam 116. Using a beam splitter and/or basic fold-mirror optics, the combined beam 116 may be relayed onto a biaxial MEMS scanning mirror 112 disposed on scanning engine 100 that scans the output beam 116 in a raster pattern on surface 120. Modulating the lasers synchronously with the position of the scanned output beam 116 may create the projected image 118. In one or more embodiments the laser beam scanner 100 may comprise a single module known as an Integrated Photonics Module (IPM) which in some embodiments may be 7 millimeters (mm) in height or less, and in some embodiments the IPM may be less than 5 mm in height. Furthermore, IPM 100 may be less than 5 cubic centimeters (cc) in total volume, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. In one or more embodiments, laser beam scanner may comprise a standalone device that is capable of generating an image 118 on a surface 120 in response to a receiving a display signal as an input. In one or more embodiments, laser beam scanner 100 may be integrated in or with, or otherwise coupled to, an information handling system as shown in and described with respect to FIG. 8, below.
[0020] In one or more embodiments, laser beam scanner 100 includes a pulsed pixel controller 126 to control the pulsing of the scanned beam 116 when the beam 116 is scanned along surface 120 in a raster pattern to generate image 118. The pulsed beam generates a waveform at intended pixel positions of image 118 wherein the intended pixel positions may be referred to as virtual pixels. The waveforms generated on surface 120 from the beam pulses comprise the actual physical pixels of image 118. Pulsed pixel controller 126 may be configured to generate the beam pulses so that the physical locations of the beam pulses correspond with the locations of the virtual pixels by aligning the beam pulses in time as the virtual pixels vary in location on surface 120. Furthermore, pulsed pixel controller 126 may be configured to maximize the power efficiency of the beam pulses per pixel by selecting a maximally efficient waveform for each pixel. Alignment of the beam pulses with the virtual pixels and waveform selection are discussed in greater detail, below.
[0021] In one or more embodiments, a video processor 122 receives input video data and provides the video data to a video buffer which in turn feeds the video data to pulsed pixel controller 126. Pulsed pixel controller provides a digital signal corresponding to the video data to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 128 which converts the digital signal to an analog signal to drive laser diode 114 to emit laser beam 116 in response to the analog signal. To facilitate determining the position of the beam pulses with respect to the virtual pixels, a sensor (not shown) may be disposed on scanning engine 110 to provide feedback regarding an instantaneous position of MEMS mirror 112, for example via a piezoelectric sensor disposed on a flexure arm of MEMS mirror 112 to produce an electrical signal proportional to the amount of deflection of the flexure arm which indicates an amount of rotation of MEMS mirror 112 about the flexure arm. The feedback signal may be provided to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 132 as sensor feedback 130 to provide the sensor feedback signal as a digital signal to mirror positon estimator 134. Mirror position estimator 134 estimates a position of MEMS mirror 112 and provides the estimated mirror positing to a memory address calculator 136. The memory address calculator 136 determines the pixel addresses of pixels of image 118 for corresponding beam pulses. The pixel addresses are fed to pulsed pixel controller 126 so that pulsed pixel controller 126 may determine an amount of adjustment in time, or delay, to provide to the beam pulses to align the beam pulses with the virtual pixels of image 118. In addition, another sensor (not shown) may determine an intensity of the beam 116 emitted by laser diode 114 to provide sensor feedback 138 to another analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 140 which in turn provides a digital signal to laser feedback processor 142. The laser feedback processor 142 determines the intensity of the pulsed beam waveform and provides this information to pulsed pixel controller 126 to allow pulsed pixel controller 126 to control the energy of the beam pulses generated by laser diode 114. As a result, pulsed pixel controller 126 is able to utilize sensor feedback 130 and sensor feedback 138 to facilitate alignment of the beam pulses with the virtual pixels of image 118, and to control the waveform of the beam pulses to maximize the off- time of the laser beam 116 while maintaining sufficient pixel energy. Further details of beam pulse alignment and waveform selection are shown in and described with respect to FIG. 2, below.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of portions of the laser beam scanner of FIG. 1 illustrating alignment of a beam pulse with a virtual pixel and waveform selection of the beam pulse in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. As shown in FIG. 2, scanned beam display 100 may include a dynamic edge engine (DEE) 210, an energy duty cycle selector (EDS) 214, and programmable delay lines 216, all of which may comprise functional blocks of pulsed pixel controller 126 of FIG. 1. It should be noted that the arrangement of laser beam display 100 of FIG. 2 is simplified for purposes of example, and furthermore the element shown are not necessarily depicted in proportion or scale. In the conceptual arrangement shown in FIG. 2, laser diode 114 emits a laser beam 116 that is reflected off of MEMS mirror 112 of scanning engine 110 to generate beam pulses 224, which comprise physical pixels, at desired locations comprising the virtual pixels 222 of image 118. The dynamic edge engine 210 aligns the beam pulses 224 with the corresponding virtual pixels 222. As scanning engine 110 directs the laser beam 116 along its horizontal scan path, the dynamic edge engine 210 controls the timing of the beam pulses 224 with respect to the virtual pixels 222 by controlling a delay time of the beam pulses 224 with programmable delay lines 216. As the video data 218 is received at regular clock intervals as controlled by clock 220, the video data may be slightly delayed in time on a per clock basis for each pixel to align a given beam pulse 224 within a given corresponding virtual pixel 222.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, a diagram of the blocks of the pulsed pixel controller of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. As shown in FIG. 3, pulsed pixel controller 126 may comprise a pixel timing decoder 310 that receives pixel address and energy signals, and outputs pixel position, width, and energy signals to energy duty cycle selector 214. The energy duty cycle selector 214 provides position, width, energy, and waveform signals to a laser inverse models block 312. The laser inverse models block receives a signal from a model parameter estimation block 314 which receives sensor feedback signals 130 and 138, and a feed forward signals 316 which include energy and waveform signals from energy duty cycle selector 214. In addition, model parameter estimation block 314 receives internal feedback 318 which is the DAC value from laser inverse models block 312. Internal feedback 318 may be utilized in conjunction with feed forward signals 316 to adjust the parameters of laser inversion models block 312 on a faster time scale than may be allowed with sensor feedback signals 130 and 138. The laser inverse models block 312 provides DAC value, DAC position, and clear position signals for DAC 128 to dynamic edge engine 210. Dynamic edge engine 210 provides alignment of the DAC samples as shown in and described with respect to FIG. 6, below. Energy duty cycle controller 214 provides selection of a waveform for the beam pulses as shown in and described with respect to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, below.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 4, a diagram of waveform selection with an energy duty cycle selector illustrating dynamically aligned pulses having constant pixel widths but varying beam pulse widths in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. As shown in FIG. 4, energy duty cycle selector 214 provides waveform selection for beam pulses of laser beam 116 for corresponding virtual pixels 222. To maximize power efficacy, energy duty cycle selector 214 determines the maximally efficient achievable waveform for each pixel. The waveform may be determined based on the commanded optical energy and time period of the virtual pixel 222. The waveform is chosen which maximizes the off-time of the laser diode 114 and thus the laser beam 116 while maintaining sufficient pixel energy accuracy. Such a waveform selection process may result in an increase in overall efficiency of laser beam display 100 over a single scaled pulse waveform architecture. Furthermore, the waveform selection process allows scanned beam display 100 to maintain the same maximum brightness of an equivalent non-pulsed display by using a waveform that is a constant value over the entire pixel for the brightest pixels.
[0025] Graph 410 shows desired pixel optical energy in millijoules (mJ) versus pixel width in nanoseconds (ns). In region 412 the pixel widths are unachievable because the pixel widths are too narrow. In region 414 the optical energy is unachievable because the laser diode 114 cannot achieve those levels of pixel energy in the shorter periods of time in this region. In region 416 the optical energy is achievable but there is insufficient time to turn the pulse off within the pixel period and still maintain sufficient pixel energy. In region 418, the widths of the virtual pixels 222 are constant but the widths of the beam pulses 224 may vary. As shown in FIG. 4, vertical line 420 in region 416 represents pixel widths of a constant value. To increase the desired pixel optical energy in region 416, the amplitudes of the corresponding beam pulses 224 increase in amplitude with increasing pixel energy values while the widths of the beam pulses 224 remain constant. To increase the desired pixel optical energy in region 418 for example along vertical line 422, the widths of the beam pulses 224 increase in width with increasing pixel energy values while the amplitudes of the beam pulses 224 remain constant. Thus, energy duty cycle selector 214 selects a waveform for the beam pulses 224 from region 418 for the dynamically aligned beam pulses 224. As a result, in region 418 the dynamic alignment and waveform selection of beam pulses 224 allows a maximum amplitude to be selected that always exceeds the threshold value of operation (ITH) of laser diode 114 is always exceeded and does not approach or fall below the threshold value which provides for greater efficiency of operation of laser diode 114. In addition, the beam pulses 224 are aligned within the center of the virtual pixels 222 which avoids blurring of the pixels that may otherwise occur if the beam pulses 224 were at the edges of the virtual pixels 222. In addition, maximum brightness of each pixel may be achieved when the beam pulses 224 are aligned with the centers of the virtual pixels 222.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, a diagram of waveform selection with an energy duty cycle selector illustrating dynamically aligned pulses having a constant energy pulse widths but varying pixel widths in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. Graph 510 of FIG. 5 is substantially similar to graph 410 of FIG. 4 with the following exceptions. Graph 510 shows desired pixel optical energy (Ej) versus pulse width (Wi). For a constant pixel energy along horizontal line 512, the width of the virtual pixels 222 may change. In region 416, for a constant pixel energy along line 512 the beam pulses 224 increase in width and the beam pulses 224 decrease in amplitude. In region 418, for a constant energy along line 512, the width of the virtual pixels 220 may be variable in width but the widths and heights of the beam pulses 224 remain constant. Thus, energy duty cycle selector 214 may select a waveform for the beam pulses 224 from region 418 based on the width of a given virtual pixel 222.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 6, a diagram of a dynamic edge engine and programmable delay lines time updates to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to place a beam pulse waveform in a selected region of a virtual pixel in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. As shown in FIG. 6, dynamic edge engine 210 controls programmable delay lines 216 and the values provided to DAC 128 to control the alignment of the beam pulses 224 emitted from laser diode 114 as beam 116 within the corresponding virtual pixels 222, for example at the centers of the virtual pixels 222 rather than at or near the edges of the virtual pixels 222. Alignment, or realignment, of the samples provided to DAC 128 may be performed by dynamic edge engine 210 by dynamically reconfiguring the programmable delay lines 216 on a clock by clock basis. The programmable delay lines 216 precisely time the updates to DAC 128 to place and form a commanded beam pulse 224 at or near a center of its virtual pixel 222. Such alignment of the beam pulses 2224 by dynamic edge engine 210 may provide an increase in the sharpness of image 118, for example by avoiding the use of DAC sample interpolation which may soften the appearance of image 118. Furthermore, alignment of the beam pulses 224 by dynamic edge engine 210 may avoid image artifacts that may arise if the beam pulses 224 otherwise were not aligned with the virtual pixels 222.
[0028] Once a widths of the beam pulses 224 are known, the values for the beam pulses 224 may be packetized by dynamic edge engine 210. The input 610 waveforms provided to dynamic edge engine 210 comprise a packetized DAC waveform 614 for DAC code values, DAC position values, and clear position values. The output 612 waveforms provided to DAC 128 comprise DAC clock, DAC clear, and DAC code values received from the programmable delay lines 216 to align the beam pulses 224 with the virtual pixels 222. By packetizing the DAC waveform 614 in the pulse domain rather than the continuous domain, a maximum or nearly maximum efficiency and brightness may be achieved. In some embodiments, if the image 118 is zoomed out then some of the pixels of the image 118 may be too small. In this case, the width of a virtual pixel 222 may be less than a minimum threshold for a waveform of a beam pulse 224 to be applied. As a result, dynamic edge engine 210 may wait for image data for a next address, and the two virtual pixels 222 may be combined with a waveform of a single beam pulse 224, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 7, a flow diagram of a method to project an image on a surface in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. FIG. 7 illustrates one particular order and number of the operations of method 700, whereas in other embodiments method 700 may include more of fewer operations in various other orders, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. In some embodiments the operations of some blocks may occur concurrently or at least partially concurrently and the operations of some blocks may occur sequentially, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. At block 710, a beam 116 may be generated to be scanned on surface 120, and at block 712 the beam may be scanned on surface 120 in response to a video signal corresponding to an image to be projected on surface 120. Beam pulses 224 may be generated at block 714 on surface 120 at virtual pixels of the image 118. At block 716 the beam pulses 224 may be aligned with the virtual pixels 224 by delaying the beam pulses 224 on a clock by clock basis. At block 718 a waveform may be selected for the beam pulses 224 for each of the corresponding virtual pixels 222. At block 720, the off-time of the laser beam 116 may be maximized while maintaining sufficient energy for the virtual pixel 222, for example to maximize energy efficiency while also maximizing brightness of the pixel. It should be noted that in some embodiments method 700 of FIG. 7 may be implemented as code or instructions stored in an article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory storage medium such as electronic memory wherein the code or instructions are capable of causing a processor, logic, or other circuitry to execute the method, in whole or in part, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. An example of such processors and memory devices comprising non-transitory storage media are shown in and described with respect to FIG. 8, below.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 8, a block diagram of an information handling system having a MEMS laser beam display utilizing pulsed laser control in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. Although information handling system 800 represents one example of several types of computing platforms, such as a smartphone, tablet, hand held gaming device, personal computer or the like, information handling system 800 may include more or fewer elements and/or different arrangements of elements than shown in FIG. 8, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. Information handling system 800 may utilize the laser beam display 100 of FIG. 1, for example as a projection display to project an image on a display surface, and further to implement pulsed laser control, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.
[0031] In one or more embodiments, information handling system 800 may include an applications processor 810 and a baseband processor 812. Applications processor 810 may be utilized as a general purpose processor to run applications and the various subsystems for information handling system 800. Applications processor 810 may include a single core or alternatively may include multiple processing cores, for example wherein one or more of the cores may comprise a digital signal processor or digital signal processing core. Furthermore, applications processor 810 may include a graphics processor or coprocessor disposed on the same chip, or alternatively a graphics processor coupled to applications processor 810 may comprise a separate, discrete graphics chip. Applications processor 810 may include on board memory such as cache memory, and further may be coupled to external memory devices such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) 814 for storing and/or executing applications during operation, and NAND flash 816 for storing applications and/or data even when information handling system 800 is powered off. In one or more embodiments, instructions to operate or configure the information handling system 800 and/or any of its components or subsystems to operate in a manner as described herein may be stored on an article of manufacture comprising a non-transitory storage medium. In one or more embodiments, the storage medium may comprise any of the memory devices shown in and described herein, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect. Baseband processor 812 may control the broadband radio functions for information handling system 800. Baseband processor 812 may store code for controlling such broadband radio functions in a NOR flash 818. Baseband processor 812 controls a wireless wide area network (WW AN) transceiver 820 which is used for modulating and/or demodulating broadband network signals, for example for communicating via a Third Generation (3G) or Fourth Generation (4G) network or the like or beyond, for example a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. The WW AN transceiver 820 couples to one or more power amps 822 respectively coupled to one or more antennas 824 for sending and receiving radio-frequency signals via the WW AN broadband network. The baseband processor 812 also may control a wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver 826 coupled to one or more suitable antennas 828 and which may be capable of communicating via a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and/or an amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency modulation (FM) radio standard including an IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n standard or the like. It should be noted that these are merely example implementations for applications processor 810 and baseband processor 812, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. For example, any one or more of SDRAM 814, NAND flash 816 and/or NOR flash 818 may comprise other types of memory technology such as magnetic memory, chalcogenide memory, phase change memory, or ovonic memory, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.
[0032] In one or more embodiments, applications processor 810 may drive a display 830 for displaying various information or data, and may further receive touch input from a user via a touch screen 832 for example via a finger or a stylus. An ambient light sensor 834 may be utilized to detect an amount of ambient light in which information handling system 800 is operating, for example to control a brightness or contrast value for display 830 as a function of the intensity of ambient light detected by ambient light sensor 834. One or more cameras 836 may be utilized to capture images that are processed by applications processor 810 and/or at least temporarily stored in NAND flash 816. Furthermore, applications processor may couple to a gyroscope 838, accelerometer 840, magnetometer 842, audio coder/decoder (CODEC) 844, and/or global positioning system (GPS) controller 846 coupled to an appropriate GPS antenna 848, for detection of various environmental properties including location, movement, and/or orientation of information handling system 800. Alternatively, controller 846 may comprise a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) controller. Audio CODEC 844 may be coupled to one or more audio ports 850 to provide microphone input and speaker outputs either via internal devices and/or via external devices coupled to information handling system via the audio ports 850, for example via a headphone and microphone jack. In addition, applications processor 810 may couple to one or more input/output (I/O) transceivers 852 to couple to one or more I/O ports 854 such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, a high-definition multimedia interface (UDMI) port, a serial port, and so on. Furthermore, one or more of the I/O transceivers 852 may couple to one or more memory slots 856 for optional removable memory such as secure digital (SD) card or a subscriber identity module (SFM) card, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. In one or more embodiments, laser beam display 100 may be coupled to one or more of the I/O transceivers 852 and may be integrated within a housing of information handling system 800 or alternatively may be disposed exterior to the housing, although the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 9, an isometric view of an information handling system that includes a laser beam display 100 utilizing pulsed laser control in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. The information handling system 900 of FIG. 9 may represent a tangible embodiment of the information handling system 800 of FIG. 8. Information handling system 900 may comprise any of several types of computing platforms, including cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), netbooks, notebook computers, internet browsing devices, tablets, pads, and so on, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects. In the example shown in FIG. 9, information handling system 900 may comprise a housing 910 to house laser beam display 100 as discussed herein, for example to provide a scanned output beam 920 to project an image and/or to pulsed laser control as discussed herein. Information handling system 900 optionally may include a display 912 which may be a touch screen display, keyboard 914 or other control buttons or actuators, a speaker or headphone jack 916 with optional microphone input, control buttons 918, memory card slot 920, and/or input/output (I/O) port 922, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, information handling system 900 may have other form factors and fewer or greater features than shown, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in these respects.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 10, a diagram of a vehicle that includes a laser beam display utilizing pulsed laser control deployed as a head-up display (HUD) in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the laser beam display 100 may be deployed in a vehicle 1010 such as in the dashboard of the automobile 1010, and which may project an image 1020 that may be viewable by an operator or passenger of the vehicle. Although FIG. 10 shows one example deployment of a laser beam display 100 utilizing pulsed laser control as a display projector, other types of deployments likewise may be provided, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 11, a diagram of eyewear that includes a laser beam display utilizing pulsed laser control as a head-mounted display (HMD) in accordance with one or more embodiments will be discussed. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the laser beam display beam scanner 100 may be deployed in eyewear 1110 or other head worn device, for example attached to a frame of the eyewear 1110, and which may project an image 1120 that may be viewable by the wearer of the eyewear 1110. Although FIG. 11 shows one example deployment of a laser beam display 100 utilizing mixed-mode depth detection as a display projector, other types of deployments likewise may be provided, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

中文:
[0001]理想地,扫描光束视频投影仪将均匀间隔的虚拟像素的网格投影到表面上。由于几何结构、光路失真以及变化的扫描仪速度,在不断变化的时间周期内在表面上扫描每个虚拟像素。数字扫描光束投影的一个挑战是将这个不断变化的时间周期与数字控制系统的固定时钟周期相匹配。基于激光的扫描光束视频投影仪的另一个挑战是,从激光产生连续的低光功率远不如产生更高的激光功率效率高。通过在关断和更高光功率之间进行调制来产生低光功率会更有效率。这种调制可以降低视频内容的最大亮度。
[0002]过去,基于扫描激光的视频投影仪已经使用恒定采样频率数模转换器(DAC)来生成激光驱动波形。为了使这些波形与不断变化的虚拟像素频率重新同步,可以使用数字上采样和内插。上采样涉及更高的DAC采样率,其具有高总线交易功率成本。内插可能会导致图像清晰度下降,特别是对于计算机生成的视频内容。已经使用恒定频率DAC以两种正交方式尝试了激光光功率的调制。第一种方法为每个非零DAC采样提供相同的波形。该方法显示了激光斑点伪影的减少和效率的提高,但是大幅降低了投影仪的最大亮度。第二种方法在每个像素周期内将除一个DAC样本之外的所有样本零化。该方法显示了激光效率的增加,但是由于有效样本没有锁定到每个像素的位置,因此显示亮度降低和显著的视频伪影。
[0004]图1是根据一个或多个实施例的具有脉冲像素控制器的激光束扫描仪的框图;
[0005]图2是根据一个或多个实施例的图1的激光束扫描仪的部分的框图,图示了光束脉冲与虚拟像素的对齐和光束脉冲的波形选择;
[0007]图4是根据一个或多个实施例的利用能量占空比选择器进行的波形选择的图,图示了具有恒定像素宽度但变化的光束脉冲宽度的动态对齐脉冲;
[0008]图5是根据一个或多个实施例的利用能量占空比选择器的波形选择的图,图示了具有恒定能量脉冲宽度但变化的像素宽度的动态对齐脉冲;
[0009]图6是根据一个或多个实施例的动态边缘引擎(dynamic edgeengine)和可编程延迟线的图,用于定时对数模转换器(DAC)的更新以将光束脉冲波形放置在虚拟像素的选定区域中;
[0010]图7是根据一个或多个实施例的在表面上投影图像的方法的流程图;
[0011]图8是根据一个或多个实施例的用于控制用于扫描光束投影仪的脉冲像素的信息处理系统的框图;
[0012]图9是根据一个或多个实施例的包括具有受控脉冲像素的扫描光束投影仪的信息处理系统的等距视图;以及
[0013]图10是根据一个或多个实施例的包括被配置为平视显示器(HUD)的具有受控脉冲像素的扫描光束投影仪的车辆的图;以及
[0014]图11是根据一个或多个实施例的包括被配置为头戴式显示器(HMD)的具有受控脉冲像素的扫描光束投影仪的眼镜的图。
[0015]应该理解的是,为了说明的简单和/或清楚起见,附图中示出的元件不一定按比例绘制。例如,为了清楚起见,一些元件的尺寸可能相对于其他元件被夸大。此外,如果认为合适,附图中的附图标记被重复以指示对应的和/或类似的元件。
[0016]在以下详细描述中,阐述了许多具体细节以提供对要求保护的主题的透彻理解。然而,本领域技术人员将理解,可以在没有这些具体细节的情况下实施所要求保护的主题。在其他情况下,没有详细描述公知的方法、程序、组件和/或电路。
[0017]在以下说明书和/或权利要求中,可以使用术语耦合和/或连接及其派生词。在特定实施例中,连接可用于指示两个或更多个元件彼此直接物理和/或电接触。耦合可能意味着两个或更多个元件直接的物理和/或电接触。然而,耦合也可能意味着两个或更多个元件可能不彼此直接接触,但仍然可以彼此协作和/或交互。例如,“耦合”可以表示两个或更多个元件彼此不接触,而是通过另一个元件或中间元件间接结合在一起。最后,在下面的描述和权利要求书中可以使用术语“在......上”、“覆盖在......上”和“在......上方”。“在......上”、“覆盖在......上”和“在......上方”可以用于指示两个或更多个元件彼此直接物理接触。然而,“在......上方”也可能意味着两个或更多个元件不彼此直接接触。例如,“在......上方”可能意味着一个元素位于另一个元素的上方但不彼此接触,并且可能在这两个元素之间具有另一个或多个元素。此外,术语“和/或”可能意味着“和”,它可能意味着“或”,它可能意味着“互斥或”,它可能意味着“一个”,它可能意味着“一些,但不是全部”,它可能意味着“都不”,和/或它可能意味着“两者都”,尽管所要求保护的主题的范围在这方面不受限制。在下面的说明书和/或权利要求中,可以使用术语“包括”和“包含”及其派生词并且其意图作为彼此的同义词。
[0018]现在参考图1,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的具有脉冲像素控制器的激光束扫描仪的框图。如图1所示,激光束扫描仪100可以包括扫描引擎110,该扫描引擎110包括微机电系统(MEMS)反射镜112,该微机电系统(MEMS)反射镜112可以被致动以在第一方向上围绕第一轴振荡并且在第二方向上围绕第二轴振荡。激光二极管114可以发射诸如从扫描引擎110反射的激光束116的光束,其中,MEMS反射镜112在表面120上扫描反射光束116以产生图像118。虽然为了讨论的目的图1示出了一种类型的扫描光束显示系统,例如基于微机电系统(MEMS)的显示器,但是应当注意,其他类型的扫描显示器——作为许多示例中的一些,包括使用两个单轴扫描仪、旋转多边形扫描仪或者Galvonometric扫描仪的那些以及使用一维空间光调制器与单轴扫描仪的组合的系统——也可以利用所要求保护的主题,并且所要求保护的主题的范围在此方面不受限制。
[0019]在一个或多个特定实施例中,如图1所示的激光束扫描仪100可以包括称为PicoPTM的、由美国华盛顿州雷德蒙德的美国微电子公司(Microvision Inc.)开发的微型投影仪。在这样的实施例中,这种微型投影仪的激光二极管114可以包括一个红色、一个绿色和一个蓝色激光二极管,其在靠近各自激光器输出的位置安装透镜,用于收集来自激光器的光线,并在输出端提供非常低的数值孔径(NA)光束。来自激光器的光然后可以与二向色元件组合成单个白光束116。使用分束器和/或基本折叠式反射镜光学器件,组合光束116可以被中继到设置于在表面120上以光栅图案扫描输出光束116的扫描引擎100上的双轴MEMS扫描镜112上。与扫描的输出光束116的位置同步地调制激光器可以产生投影图像118。在一个或多个实施例中,激光束扫描仪100可以包括称为集成光子模块(IPM)的单个模块,其在一些实施例中高度可以是7毫米(mm)或更小,并且在一些实施例中,IPM的高度可以小于5mm。此外,IPM 100的总体积可小于5立方厘米(cc),但所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。在一个或多个实施例中,激光束扫描仪可以包括独立设备,其能够响应于接收作为输入的显示信号而在表面120上产生图像118。在一个或多个实施例中,激光束扫描仪100可以集成在信息处理系统中或与信息处理系统集成,或者以其它方式耦合到信息处理系统,如在下面参考图8所示和所描述的。
[0020]在一个或多个实施例中,激光束扫描仪100包括脉冲像素控制器126,以当以光栅图案沿表面120扫描光束116以产生图像118时,控制扫描光束116的脉冲。脉冲光束在图像118的预期像素位置处产生波形,其中,预期像素位置可以被称为虚拟像素。从光束脉冲在表面120上产生的波形包括图像118的实际物理像素。脉冲像素控制器126可以被配置成产生光束脉冲,使得光束脉冲的物理位置通过当虚拟像素在表面120上在位置变化时在时间上对齐光束脉冲,与虚拟像素的位置对应。此外,脉冲像素控制器126可以被配置成通过为每个像素选择最大效率的波形来最大化每个像素的光束脉冲的功率效率。下面将更详细地讨论光束脉冲与虚拟像素的对齐和波形选择。
[0021]在一个或多个实施例中,视频处理器122接收输入视频数据并将视频数据提供给视频缓冲器,视频缓冲器又将视频数据馈送到脉冲像素控制器126。脉冲像素控制器提供对应于视频的数字信号数据到数模转换器(DAC)128,其将数字信号转换为模拟信号以驱动激光二极管114响应于模拟信号而发射激光束116。为了便于确定光束脉冲相对于虚拟像素的位置,传感器(未示出)可以设置在扫描引擎110上,以例如经由压电传感器提供关于MEMS反射镜112的瞬时位置的反馈,压电传感器布置在MEMS反射镜112的挠曲臂以产生与指示MEMS反射镜112围绕挠曲臂的旋转量的挠曲臂的偏转量成比例的电信号。可以将反馈信号作为传感器反馈130提供给模数转换器(ADC)132,以将传感器反馈信号作为数字信号提供给反射镜位置估计器134。反射镜位置估计器134估计MEMS反射镜112的位置,并且将估计的反射镜位置提供给存储器地址计算器136。存储器地址计算器136确定用于对应的光束脉冲的图像118的像素的像素地址。像素地址被馈送到脉冲像素控制器126,使得脉冲像素控制器126可以确定时间的调整量或延迟以提供给光束脉冲以使光束脉冲与图像118的虚拟像素对齐。另外,另一个传感器(未示出)可以确定由激光二极管114发射的光束116的强度,以向另一个模数转换器(ADC)140提供传感器反馈138,该模数转换器140又向激光反馈处理器142提供数字信号。激光反馈处理器142确定脉冲光束波形的强度并将该信息提供给脉冲像素控制器126以允许脉冲像素控制器126控制由激光二极管114产生的光束脉冲的能量。结果,脉冲像素控制器126能够利用传感器反馈130和传感器反馈138来促进光束脉冲与图像118的虚拟像素的对齐,并且控制光束脉冲的波形以在保持足够的像素能量的同时最大化激光束116的关断时间。下面在图2中示出并且参考图2描述光束脉冲对齐和波形选择的进一步细节。
[0022]现在参考图2,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的图1的激光束扫描仪的部分的框图,其图示了光束脉冲与虚拟像素的对齐和光束脉冲的波形选择。如图2所示,扫描光束显示器100可以包括动态边缘引擎(DEE)210、能量占空比选择器(EDS)214和可编程延迟线216,其全部可以包括图1的脉冲像素控制器126的功能块。应该注意的是,图2的激光束显示器100的布置被简化为了示例的目的,并且所示的元件不一定按比例或比率绘制。在图2所示的概念布置中,激光二极管114发射从扫描引擎110的MEMS反射镜112反射的激光束116,以在包括图像118的虚拟像素222的期望位置处产生包括物理像素的光束脉冲224。动态边缘引擎210将光束脉冲224与对应的虚拟像素222对齐。随着扫描引擎110沿着其水平扫描路径引导激光束116,动态边缘引擎210通过使用可编程延迟线216控制光束脉冲224的延迟时间来控制光束脉冲224相对于虚拟像素222的定时。由于以由时钟220控制的规则时钟间隔接收视频数据218,所以视频数据可以对于每个像素在每个时钟周期的基础上在时间上稍微延迟以便在给定的对应虚拟像素222内对齐给定光束脉冲224。延迟量可以在逐个时钟周期的基础上变化,使得对于每个对应的虚拟像素222可以单独地调整每个光束脉冲224的对齐。另外,能量占空比选择器214可以为每个单独的光束脉冲224选择波形以使每个虚拟像素224的波形的效率最大化或几乎最大化。下面在图3和图4中示出并且参考图3和图4描述关于光束脉冲的波形选择的进一步细节。
[0023]现在参考图3讨论根据一个或多个实施例的图1的脉冲像素控制器的框图。如图3所示,脉冲像素控制器126可包括像素定时解码器310,其接收像素地址和能量信号,并将像素位置、宽度和能量信号输出到能量占空比选择器214。能量占空比选择器214提供位置、宽度、能量和波形信号给激光反转模型块(laser inversion models block)312。激光反转模型块从模型参数估计模块314接收信号,该模型参数估计块314从能量占空比选择器214接收传感器反馈信号130和138以及包括能量和波形信号的前馈信号316。另外,模型参数估计块314接收内部反馈318,该内部反馈318是来自激光反转模型块312的DAC值。内部反馈318可以与前馈信号316结合使用,以在比对于传感器反馈信号130和138所允许的更快的时间标度上调整激光反转模型块312的参数。激光反转模型块312提供用于DAC 128的DAC值、DAC位置和清除位置信号给动态边缘引擎210。动态边缘引擎210提供DAC样本的对齐,如下面在图6中所示和参考图6所述。能量占空比控制器214提供光束脉冲的波形,如下面在图4和图5中所示和参考图4和图5所述。
[0024]现在参考图4,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的利用能量占空比选择器进行的波形选择的图,其图示具有恒定像素宽度但是不同光束脉冲宽度的动态对齐脉冲。如图4所示,能量占空比选择器214为对应的虚拟像素222提供激光束116的光束脉冲的波形选择。为了使功率效率最大化,能量占空比选择器214确定每个像素的最高效可实现波形。可以基于虚拟像素222的命令的光能和时间周期来确定该波形。选择在保持足够的像素能量精度的同时使得激光二极管114的关断时间最大化并且因此使得激光束116最大化的波形。这样的波形选择过程可以导致激光束显示器100在单个缩放脉冲波形体系结构上的整体效率的增加。此外,波形选择过程允许扫描光束显示器100通过使用在最亮像素的整个像素上为恒定值的波形来保持等效非脉冲显示器的相同最大亮度。
[0025]图形410示出了以毫焦(mJ)为单位的期望像素光能对以毫微秒(ns)为单位的像素宽度。在区域412中,像素宽度不可实现,因为像素宽度太窄。在区域414中,光能是不可实现的,因为激光二极管114不能在该区域中在较短时间段内实现那些水平的像素能量。在区域416中,光能是可实现的,但没有足够的时间在像素周期内关断脉冲并仍保持足够的像素能量。在区域418中,虚拟像素222的宽度是恒定的,但是光束脉冲224的宽度可以变化。如图4所示,区域416中的垂直线420表示恒定值的像素宽度。为了增加区域416中期望的像素光能,在光束脉冲224的宽度保持恒定的同时,对应的光束脉冲224的振幅随着像素能量值的增加而在幅度上增加。为了例如沿垂直线422增加区域418中的期望像素光能,在光束脉冲224的幅度保持恒定的同时,随着像素能量值的增加,光束脉冲224的宽度增加。因此,能量占空比选择器214为来自区域418的光束脉冲224选择用于动态对齐的光束脉冲224的波形。结果,在区域418中,光束脉冲224的动态对齐和波形选择允许总是超过要选择的、总是超过激光二极管114的操作阈值(ITH)的最大幅度,并且不接近或低于阈值,这提供了激光二极管114的更高的操作效率。另外,光束脉冲224在虚拟像素222的中心内对齐,这避免了如果光束脉冲224位于虚拟像素222的边缘处可能发生的像素模糊。另外,当光束脉冲224与虚拟像素222的中心对齐时可以实现每个像素的最大亮度。
[0026]现在参考图5,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的利用能量占空比选择器进行的波形选择的图,其图示具有恒定能量脉冲宽度但变化的像素宽度的动态对齐的脉冲。图5的图形510基本上类似于图4的图形410,但有以下例外。图形510示出了期望的像素光能(Ei)对脉冲宽度(Wi)。对于沿着水平线512的恒定像素能量,虚拟像素222的宽度可以改变。在区域416中,对于沿线512的恒定像素能量,光束脉冲224的宽度增加并且光束脉冲224的幅度减小。在区域418中,对于沿着线512的恒定能量,虚拟像素220的宽度可以是宽度可变的,但是光束脉冲224的宽度和高度保持恒定。因此,能量占空比选择器214可以基于给定的虚拟像素222的宽度从区域418选择光束脉冲224的波形。
[0027]现在参考图6,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的动态边缘引擎和可编程延迟线,用于定时对数模转换器(DAC)的更新以将光束脉冲波形放置在虚拟像素的选定区域中。如图6所示,动态边缘引擎210控制可编程延迟线216和提供给DAC 128的值,以控制例如在虚拟像素222中心而不是在虚拟像素222的边缘处或附近作为在对应虚拟像素222内的光束116从激光二极管114发射的光束脉冲224的对齐。可以由动态边缘引擎210通过在逐个时钟周期的基础上动态地重新配置可编程延迟线216来执行提供给DAC 128的样本的对齐或重新对齐。可编程延迟线216精确地对于对DAC 128的更新进行定时,以在其虚拟像素222的中心处或其附近布置并形成命令的光束脉冲224。由动态边缘引擎210进行的光束脉冲2224的这种对齐可以例如通过避免使用可以软化图像118的外观的DAC采样插值来提供图像118的锐度上的提高。此外,动态边缘引擎210对光束脉冲224的对齐可以避免如果光束脉冲224没有与虚拟像素222对齐则可能出现的图像伪影。
[0028]一旦已知光束脉冲224的宽度,光束脉冲224的值可由动态边缘引擎210打包。提供给动态边缘引擎210的输入610波形包括用于DAC代码值、DAC位置值和清除位置值的打包DAC波形614。提供给DAC128的输出612波形包括从可编程延迟线216接收的DAC时钟、DAC清除和DAC代码值,用于将光束脉冲224与虚拟像素222对齐。通过将DAC波形614打包在脉冲域中而不是在连续域中,可以实现最大或接近最大的效率和亮度。在一些实施例中,如果图像118被缩小,则图像118的一些像素可能太小。在这种情况下,虚拟像素222的宽度可以小于要施加的光束脉冲224的波形的最小阈值。结果,动态边缘引擎210可以等待下一个地址的图像数据,并且两个虚拟像素222可以与单个光束脉冲224的波形组合,但是所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。
[0029]现在参考图7,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的在表面上投影图像的方法的流程图。图7示出了方法700的操作的一个特定顺序和数量,而在其他实施例中,方法700可以包括以各种其他的顺序的更多或更少的操作,并且所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。在一些实施例中,一些块的操作可以同时发生或者至少部分同时发生,并且一些块的操作可以顺序发生,尽管所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。在框710处,可以生成光束116以在表面120上进行扫描,并且在框712处,响应于与待投影到表面120上的图像对应的视频信号,可以在表面120上扫描光束。可以在框714处在表面120处在图像118的虚拟像素处生成光束脉冲224。在框716处,可以通过在逐个时钟周期的基础上延迟光束脉冲224来使光束脉冲224与虚拟像素224对齐。在框718处,可针对每个对应虚拟像素222为光束脉冲224选择波形。在框720处,激光束116的关断时间可被最大化,同时保持用于虚拟像素222的足够能量,以例如最大化能量效率同时还使像素的亮度最大化。应该注意的是,在一些实施例中,图7的方法700可以被实现为存储在包括诸如电子存储器之类的非暂时性存储介质的制品中的代码或指令,其中,该代码或指令能够使得处理器、逻辑或其他电路全部或者部分地执行所述方法,尽管所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。下面在图8中示出和参考图8描述这种处理器和包括非临时性存储介质的存储器设备的示例。
[0030]现在参考图8,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的具有利用脉冲激光控制的MEMS激光束显示器的信息处理系统的框图。尽管信息处理系统800表示诸如智能电话、平板电脑、手持式游戏设备或个人计算机等的几种类型的计算平台的一个示例,但是信息处理系统800可以包括与图8中所示相比较更多或更少的元件和/或元件的不同布置,并且所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。信息处理系统800可以利用图1的激光束显示器100例如作为投影显示器以在显示表面上投影图像,并进一步实施脉冲激光控制,但所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。
[0031]在一个或多个实施例中,信息处理系统800可以包括应用处理器810和基带处理器812。应用处理器810可以用作通用处理器以运行信息处理系统800的应用和各种子系统。应用处理器810可以包括单个核心或者可选地可以包括多个处理核心,例如其中,一个或多个核心可以包括数字信号处理器或数字信号处理核心。此外,应用处理器810可以包括设置在同一芯片上的图形处理器或协处理器,或者替代地,耦合到应用处理器810的图形处理器可以包括单独的独立图形芯片。应用处理器810可以包括诸如高速缓存存储器的板上存储器,并且还可以耦合到外部存储器设备,诸如用于在操作期间存储和/或执行应用的同步动态随机存取存储器(SDRAM)814,以及用于即使当信息处理系统800断电时也存储应用和/或数据的NAND闪存816。在一个或多个实施例中,用于操作或配置信息处理系统800和/或其任何组件或子系统以便以本文所述的方式操作的指令可以存储在包括非临时性存储介质的制品上。在一个或多个实施例中,存储介质可包含本文中所示出且描述的存储器设备中的任一者,但所要求保护主题的范围在此方面不受限制。基带处理器812可以控制信息处理系统800的宽带无线电功能。基带处理器812可以在NOR闪存818中存储用于控制这种宽带无线电功能的代码。基带处理器812控制无线广域网(WWAN)收发器820,其用于调制和/或解调宽带网络信号,例如用于经由第三代(3G)或第四代(4G)网络等等或更远(例如长期演进(LTE)网络)进行通信。WWAN收发器820耦合到分别耦合到一个或多个天线824的一个或多个功率放大器822,用于经由WWAN宽带网络发送和接收无线电频率信号。基带处理器812还可以控制无线局域网(WLAN)收发器826,其耦合到一个或多个合适的天线828,并且可能能够经由Wi-Fi、蓝牙和/或包括IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n标准等的调幅(AM)或者调频(FM)无线电标准进行通信。应该注意的是,这些仅仅是应用处理器810和基带处理器812的示例实施方式,并且所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。例如,SDRAM 814、NAND闪存816和/或NOR闪存818中的任何一个或多个可以包括其他类型的存储器技术,诸如磁存储器、硫族化物存储器、相变存储器或双向存储器,并且所要求保护的主题的范围在这方面不受限制。
[0032]在一个或多个实施例中,应用处理器810可以驱动用于显示各种信息或数据的显示器830,并且还可以接收来自用户的诸如经由手指或触笔的经由触摸屏832的触摸输入。环境光传感器834可以用于检测环境光的量,信息处理系统800正在其中操作,以例如随着环境光传感器834检测到的环境光的强度而变化地控制显示器830的亮度或对比度值。一个或多个相机836可以用于捕捉由应用处理器810处理和/或至少临时存储在NAND闪存816中的图像。此外,应用处理器可以耦合到陀螺仪838、加速度计840、磁力计842、音频编码器/解码器(CODEC)844和/或耦合到合适的GPS天线848的全球定位系统(GPS)控制器846,用于检测包括信息处理系统800的位置、移动和/或定向的各种环境属性。或者,控制器846可以包括全球导航卫星系统(GNSS)控制器。音频编解码器844可以耦合到一个或多个音频端口850,以经由音频端口850例如经由耳机和麦克风插孔经由内部设备和/或经由耦合到信息处理系统的外部设备提供麦克风输入和扬声器输出。另外,应用处理器810可以耦合到一个或多个输入/输出(I/O)收发器852以耦合到一个或多个I/O端口854,诸如通用串行总线(USB)端口、高分辨率多媒体接口(UDMI)端口和串行端口等。此外,I/O收发器852中的一个或多个可以耦合到用于诸如安全数字(SD)卡或订户身份模块(SFM)卡之类的可选的可移动存储器的一个或多个存储器插槽856,但是所要求保护的主题在这些方面不受限制。在一个或多个实施例中,激光束显示器100可以耦合到I/O收发器852中的一个或多个,并且可以集成在信息处理系统800的外壳内,或者可以设置在该外壳外部,尽管所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。
[0033]现在参考图9,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的包括利用脉冲激光控制的激光束显示器100的信息处理系统的等距视图。图9的信息处理系统900可以表示图8的信息处理系统800的有形实施例。信息处理系统900可以包括几种类型的计算平台中的任何一种,包括蜂窝电话、个人数字助理(PDA)、上网本、笔记本电脑、互联网浏览设备、平板计算机和平板电脑等,并且所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。在图9所示的示例中,信息处理系统900可以包括外壳910,用于容纳如本文所讨论的激光束显示器100,例如用于提供扫描输出光束920以投影图像,和/或提供脉冲激光器控制,如本文所述。信息处理系统900可选地可以包括显示器912,其可以是触摸屏显示器、键盘914或其它控制按钮或致动器、具有可选麦克风输入的扬声器或耳机插孔916、控制按钮918、存储卡插槽920和/或输入/输出(I/O)端口922或其组合。此外,信息处理系统900可以具有其他形式因素以及比所示更少或更多的特征,并且所要求保护的主题的范围在这些方面不受限制。
[0034]现在参考图10,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的包括布置为平视显示器(HUD)的利用脉冲激光控制的激光束显示器的车辆的图。在图10所示的实施例中,激光束显示器100可以部署在诸如汽车1010的仪表板中的车辆1010中,并且其可以投影可以由车辆的操作者或乘客观看的图像1020。虽然图10示出了作为显示投影仪的利用脉冲激光控制的激光束显示器100的一个示例部署,但是同样可以提供其他类型的部署,并且所要求保护的主题的范围在这方面不受限制。
[0035]现在参考图11,将讨论根据一个或多个实施例的包括作为头戴式显示器(HMD)的利用脉冲激光控制的激光束显示器的眼镜的图。在图11所示的实施例中,激光束显示束扫描仪100可以被部署在眼镜1110或其他头戴式设备中,例如附着到眼镜1110的框架上,并且其可以投影可以被眼镜1110的佩戴者看到的图像1120。虽然图11示出了作为显示投影仪的利用混合模式深度检测的激光束显示器100的一个示例部署,但是同样可以提供其他类型的部署,并且所要求保护的主题的范围在这方面不受限制。