Deflectable laser source having movable piezu elements for projecting images

• US 6,254,253 B1
• Filed: 01/22/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ViewPoint Technology, Inc. (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ViewPoint Technology, Inc. (Qualcomm, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hingst, Wieland, Daum, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): DELGIZZI, RONALD ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US09/236,037
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 362/259, 362/271, 362/272, 362/286, 362/276, 362/551, 362/419, 362/428
• US Class Current: 362/259
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/0858 the reflecting means being moved or deformed by piezoelectric means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/105 with one or more pivoting mirrors or galvano-mirrors G02B26/101 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention is a device for deflecting a light beam. A system includes a memory unit for memorizing the data of a symbol to be read into the system, a laser beam deflection unit, a laser, and a power source. All parts are integrated in a housing which can be held by the human hand. The light beam is deflected using piezo-responsive elements.

Claims

1. A laser projection device, comprising:

a base;

a first piezo element, attached at a first end to the base and having a second end movable in a first direction;

a second piezo element, attached at a first end to the first piezo element and having a second end movable in a second direction; and

a light source attached to the second piezo element.

2. A laser projection device as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source includes a laser diode mounted on the second piezo element.

3. A laser projection device as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source includes an output end of an optical fiber mounted on the second piezo element, an input end of the optical fiber optically coupled to a laser.

4. A laser projection device as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source is mounted proximate the second end of the second piezo element.

5. A laser projection device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a locking device movable to reduce motion of one of the piezo elements.

6. A laser projection device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a voltage generator operatively coupled to the piezo elements for applying respective, independent controlling voltage signals thereto.

7. A laser projection device as recited in claim 6, further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the voltage generator so as to control application of controlling voltage signals to the piezo elements.

8. A laser projection device as recited in claim 7, wherein the controller is configured to control the device to project symbols related to a current time of day.

9. A laser projection device as recited in claim 7, further comprising a memory unit to store symbol data related to a symbol to be projected by the projection device, the memory unit operatively coupled to the controller to transmit the symbol data thereto, and a power source operatively coupled to the light source, the controller, and the voltage generator, wherein the projection device is contained within a housing adapted to be carried by a human hand.

10. A laser projection device as recited in claim 1, further comprising an optical element disposed at a position to divergence of a light beam transmitted from the light source.

11. A laser projection device as recited in claim 1, wherein the piezo elements taper from their respective first ends towards their respective second ends.

12. A laser projection device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a locking device to lock the piezo elements in place.

13. A laser projection device as recited in claim 1, further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the light source to control an amplitude of light generated by the light source and to the piezo elements to control deflection of the piezo elements.

14. A laser projection device as recited in claim 13, further comprising a light detector operatively coupled to the controller and having a detection angular volume overlapping a projection angular volume, wherein the controller includes a memory unit, the controller being adapted to store piezo control information and detector information so as to record levels of light detected by the detector for different piezo control values.

15. A device for deviating a laser beam, comprising:

a base;

first and second piezo elements attached at respective first ends to the base at independent first and second fixed points;

a focusing element attached to a movable, second end of the first piezo element;

a light source attached to a movable, second end of the second piezo element, and oriented to direct a light beam towards the focusing element;

wherein movement of one or more of the second ends of the piezo elements results in projection of the light beam within a preselected projection angular volume.

16. A device as recited in claim 15, wherein the light source is a laser diode mounted on the second end of the second piezo element.

17. A device as recited in claim 15, wherein the light source is an output end of an optical fiber mounted on the second end of the second piezo element, an input end of the optical fiber being optically coupled to a laser light source.

18. A device as recited in claim 15, wherein the piezo elements taper from their respective first ends towards their respective second ends.

19. A device as recited in claim 15, further comprising a locking device movable to reduce motion of one of the piezo elements.

20. A device as recited in claim 15, further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the light source to control an amplitude of light generated by the light source and to the piezo elements to control deflection of the piezo elements.

21. A device as recited in claim 20, wherein the controller includes a memory unit operatively coupled to a control processor to transmit symbol projection information thereto.

22. A device as recited in claim 20, further comprising a light detector operatively coupled to the controller and having a detection angular volume that overlaps with the projection angular volume, wherein the controller includes a memory unit, the controller being adapted to store piezo control information and detector information so as to record levels of light detected by the detector for different piezo control values.

23. A laser projection device, comprising:

light emitting means for emitting light;

first deflection means, the light emitting means attached at a first end of the first deflection means, for deflecting the light emitting means;

second deflection means, the first deflecting means attached to a first end of the second deflecting means, for deflecting the first deflection means, a first end of the second deflecting means being attached a base.

24. A laser projection device, comprising:

light emitting means for emitting a light beam;

first deflection means, the light emitting means attached at a first end of the first deflection means, for deflecting the light emitting means, a second end of the first deflection means being attached to a base;

light focusing means for focusing light;

second deflection means, the light focusing means attached at a first end of the second deflection means, for deflecting the light focusing means, a second end of the second deflection means being attached to the base;

wherein the light emitting means and the light focusing means are aligned so that relative motion between the light emitting means and the light focusing means results in projection of the light beam within a preselected projection angular volume.