Oscillating-Mirror Projector Circuit for Real-Time Beam Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing projectors using oscillating mirrors for scanning light beams face challenges in synchronizing pixel projection with mirror oscillation, leading to time-consuming and power-intensive tasks, and are unable to compensate for short-term changes in the scan pattern due to mirror fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
An electric circuit with dedicated hardware, comprising a projection and summation sub-circuit, calculates the reflection vector of the light beam on-the-fly using mirror normal and incidence vectors, allowing for fast and accurate pixel determination and synchronization, thereby reducing the need for large memory storage and compensating for mirror oscillation changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pixel sequences are predetermined and stored in memory for synchronization with mirror oscillation, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but memory size and access time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pixel sequence determination from pre-stored memory data and performs it dynamically through hardware calculation. The reflection vector calculation circuit computes the correct pixel sequence on-the-fly based on real-time mirror position feedback, eliminating the need to store large pixel sequence tables in memory while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/memory-based pixel sequence storage and retrieval system with a hardware calculation system that computes reflection vectors in real-time. This substitution uses dedicated arithmetic circuits to calculate pixel positions based on mirror oscillation state, replacing the bulky memory storage approach with a computationally efficient hardware solution.
2Measurement precision
If pixel sequences are simulated or measured in a CPU, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but processing time and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the software-based CPU simulation or measurement approach with a dedicated hardware calculation circuit. This hardware circuit performs reflection vector calculations directly in parallel with mirror oscillation, eliminating the time-consuming sequential processing that would occur in a CPU while maintaining high synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs pixel sequence determination in advance of actual pixel projection by continuously calculating reflection vectors based on predicted mirror positions. This preliminary hardware calculation ensures that the correct pixel data is ready before the mirror reaches the corresponding position, achieving high synchronization without CPU processing delays.
3Manufacturing precision
If a large memory is used to store pixel sequences, then image resolution is improved, but memory access speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts pixel sequence determination from large stored memory tables and performs it through real-time hardware calculation. This allows the system to support high image resolutions without requiring large memory capacity, as the pixel positions are computed dynamically rather than pre-stored, thereby maintaining fast access speeds.
4Device complexity
If a predetermined fixed pixel sequence is used, then synchronization is simplified, but adaptability to mirror fluctuations is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic pixel sequence determination system that continuously adapts to mirror oscillation variations. The hardware calculation circuit computes reflection vectors based on real-time mirror position feedback, automatically adjusting the pixel sequence to compensate for drifts and fluctuations while maintaining relatively simple synchronization control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback from the actual mirror oscillation state into the pixel sequence determination process. The hardware calculation circuit uses real-time mirror position information to compute the correct reflection vectors, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for mirror fluctuations without requiring complex external synchronization control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances frame rate and image resolution by eliminating the need for intricate predetermination of pixel sequences, saves energy, and compensates for mirror fluctuations, ensuring accurate pixel projection.
Implementation Method 1
a projection sub-circuit connected to the input and configured to compute a dot product of said mirror normal vector and said incidence vector from the obtained coordinates
Implementation Method 2
a summation sub-circuit connected to the input and to the projection sub-circuit and configured to add the computed projection vector to the incidence vector to determine the reflection vector
Implementation Method 3
The mirror, e.g., a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) mirror or a galvo mirror, oscillates about two axes to reflect the light beam into subsequent directions
Data Source
AI summary
An electric circuit determines a reflection vector of a light beam incident on and reflected by an oscillating mirror, and comprises an input configured to obtain coordinates of a mirror normal vector of the oscillating mirror and of an incidence vector of the incident light beam in a common three-dimensional coordinate system; a projection sub-circuit configured to compute a dot product of said mirror normal vector and said incidence vector from the obtained coordinates, and each coordinate of a projection vector as a product of the respective coordinate of the mirror normal vector and said dot product times minus two; and a summation sub-circuit configured to add the computed projection vector to the incidence vector to determine the reflection vector. A projector utilises the electric circuit to control a light source emitting said light beam.