Pen projection display

• US 7,036,938 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Wang, Jian, Zhang, Chunhui
• Primary Examiner(s): Dowling, William C.
• Application Number:
  US10/284,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20040085523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 353/42, 353/46, 353/48, 353/49, 353/122, 362/559, 362/579, 359/213, 345/179, 345/180, 345/182, 385/901
• US Class Current: 353/46
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/00 Combinations of writing implements with other articles
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 29/10 with illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/14 using optical-mechanical scanning means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/3129 scanning a light beam on the display screen scanning a light beam on a screen in displays other than projection devices G09G3/02; scanning systems in general G02B26/10; projectors using laser light sources in general H04N9/3161

Abstract

The projection display includes a light projector unit for generating and projecting light, an oscillator unit for oscillating light projected from the light projector unit, and a frequency generation and modulation unit. The frequency generation and modulation unit drives the oscillator unit and modulates the light projected by the light projector unit. In turn, the oscillator unit oscillates the light projected by the light projector unit in two dimensions, so that the projected light scans an incident surface in a raster pattern. At the same time, the frequency generation and modulation unit modulates the light produced by the light projector unit in synchronization with the scanning process and image data supplied so that the projected light produces images corresponding to the image data over a scanned area.

Claims

1. A projection display, comprising

a light projector, the light projector including

a light source;

and

a light transmission device having an optical fiber with a length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters;

a modulator for modulating light projected from the light projector; and

an oscillator for oscillating light projected from the light projector in multiple directions, wherein the oscillator moves the light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

2. The projection display recited in claim 1, wherein the light source is a laser diode.

3. The projection display recited in claim 1, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

4. The projection display recited in claim 1, wherein the oscillator includes

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector in an X-direction, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector in a Y-direction.

5. The projection display recited in claim 4, wherein the second oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of approximately 80 Hz.

6. The projection display recited in claim 4, wherein the first and second oscillating units include piezoelectric oscillators.

7. The projection display recited in claim 4, wherein the first oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of approximately 4.5 kHz to 5 kHz.

8. The projection display recited in claim 7, wherein the second oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of approximately 80 Hz.

9. The projection display recited in claim 1, wherein the oscillator includes

a rotation device that rotates the light projector about an axis, and

an oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector to and away from the axis.

10. The projection display recited in claim 1, wherein the modulator modulates creation of light by the light projector.

11. The projection display recited in claim 1, wherein the modulator modulates transmission of light by the light projector.

12. The projection display recited in claim 1, further comprising a writing instrument positioned proximal to the light projector.

13. The projection display recited in claim 12, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

14. A pen projection display comprising,

a light projector;

a modulator for modulating light projected from the light projector; and

an oscillator for oscillating light projected from the light projector in multiple directions,

the oscillator moves the light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,

the oscillator including a first oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector in an X-direction, the first oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of approximately 4.5 kHz to 5 kHz, and a second oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector in a Y-direction.

15. The projection display recited in claim 14, wherein the second oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of approximately 80 Hz.

16. The projection display recited in claim 14, wherein the light projector includes:

a light source; and

a light transmission device.

17. The projection display recited in claim 16, wherein the light transmission device includes an optical fiber.

18. The projection display recited in claim 17, wherein the optical fiber has length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters.

19. The projection display recited in claim 16, wherein the light source is a laser diode.

20. The projection display recited in claim 16, wherein the light source is selected form the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

21. The projection display recited in claim 14, wherein the first and second oscillating units include piezoelectric oscillators.

22. The projection display recited in claim 14, wherein the modulator modulates creation of light by the light projector.

23. The projection display recited in claim 14, wherein the modulator modulates transmission of light by the light projector.

24. The projection display recited in claim 14, further comprising a writing instrument positioned proximal to the light projector.

25. The projection display recited in claim 24, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

68. The projection display recited in claim 19, wherein

the first light projector includes:

a first light source, and

a first light transmission device; and

the second light projector includes

a second light source, and

a second light transmission device.

69. The projection display recited in claim 68, wherein the first light transmission device includes a first optical fiber and the second light transmission device includes a second optical fiber.

70. The projection display recited in claim 69, wherein both the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber have a length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters.

71. The projection display recited in claim 68, wherein the first light source and the second light source are selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

26. A pen projection display, comprising:

a light projector;

a modulator for modulating light projected from the light projector; and

an oscillator for oscillating light projected from the light projector in multiple directions, wherein the oscillator moves the light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the oscillator including

a rotation device that rotates the light projector about an axis, and

an oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector to and away from the axis.

27. The projection display recited in claim 26, wherein the modulator modulates creation of light by the light projector.

28. The projection display recited in claim 26, wherein the modulator modulates transmission of light by the light projector.

29. The projection display recited in claim 26, wherein the light projector includes:

a light source; and

a light transmission device.

30. The projection display recited in claim 29, wherein the light transmission device includes an optical fiber.

31. The projection display recited in claim 29, wherein the light source is a laser diode.

32. The projection display recited in claim 29, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

33. The projection display recited in claim 26, wherein the oscillating unit includes a piezoelectric oscillator.

34. The projection display recited in claim 26, further comprising a writing instrument positioned proximal to the light projector.

35. The projection display recited in claim 34, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

36. A projector display comprising

a light projector;

a modulator for modulating light projected from the light projector;

an oscillator for oscillating light projected from the light projector in multiple directions, wherein the oscillator moves the light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and

a writing instrument positioned proximal to the light projector.

37. The projection display recited in claim 36, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic sheet.

38. The projection display recited in claim 36, wherein the light projector includes:

a light source; and

a light transmission device.

39. The projection display recited in claim 38, wherein the light transmission device includes an optical fiber.

40. The projection display recited in claim 38, wherein the light source is a laser diode.

41. The projection display recited in claim 38, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

42. The projection display recited in claim 36, wherein the oscillator includes

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector in an X-direction, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector in a Y-direction.

43. The projection display recited in claim 42, wherein the first oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of approximately 4.5 kHz to 5 kHz.

44. The projection display recited in claim 43, wherein the second oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of approximately 80 Hz.

45. The projection display recited in claim 42, wherein the second oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of approximately 80 Hz.

46. The projection display recited in claim 42, wherein the first and second oscillating units include piezoelectric oscillators.

47. The projection display recited in claim 36, wherein the oscillator includes

a rotation device that rotates the light projector about an axis, and

an oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector to and away from the axis.

48. The projection display recited in claim 36, wherein the modulator modulates creation of light by the light projector.

49. The projection display recited in claim 36, wherein the modulator modulates transmission of light by the light projector.

50. A projection display, comprising:

a light projector, the light projector including a light source and a light transmission device;

a modulator for modulating light projected from the light projector; and

an oscillator for oscillating light projected from the light projector in multiple directions, wherein the oscillator

includes a first oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector in an X-direction, and a second oscillating unit for oscillating the light projector in a Y-direction, and

moves the light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and

a writing instrument positioned proximal to the light projector.

51. The projection display recited in claim 50, wherein:

the light transmission device is an optical fiber having a length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters,

the first oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of 4.5 kHz to 5 kHz, and,

the second oscillating unit oscillates the light projector at a frequency of approximately 80 Hz.

52. The projection display recited in claim 50, wherein the light source is a laser diode.

53. The projection display recited in claim 50, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

54. The projection display recited in claim 50, wherein the first and second oscillating units include piezoelectric oscillators.

55. The projection display recited in claim 50, wherein the modulator modulates creation of light by the light projector.

56. The projection display recited in claim 50, wherein the modulator modulates transmission of light by the light projector.

57. The projection display recited in claim 50, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

58. A projection display, comprising:

a first light projector for projecting light of a first color, the first light projector including

a first light source, and

a first light transmission device, the first light transmission device including a first optical fiber having a length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters;

a first modulator for modulating light projected from the first light projector;

a second light projector for projecting light of a second color, the second light projector including

a second light source, and

a second light transmission device, the second light transmission device including a second optical fiber having a length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters;

a second modulator for modulating the light projected from the second light projector; and

at least one oscillator for moving the light projected from the first light projector and the second light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

59. The projection display recited in claim 58, wherein the first light source and the second light source are selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

60. The projection display recited in claim 58, wherein the at least one oscillator includes

a first oscillating unit for oscillating both the first light projector and the second light projector in an X-direction, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating both the first light projector and the second light projector in a Y-direction.

61. The projection display recited in claim 58, wherein the at least one oscillator includes

a first oscillator that moves the light projected from the first light projector in multiple directions, and

a second oscillator that moves the light projected from the second light projector in multiple directions.

62. The projection display recited in claim 58, wherein the at least one oscillator includes

a rotation device that rotates the first light projector and the second light projector about an axis, and

an oscillating unit for oscillating the both the first light projector and the second light projector to and away from the axis.

63. The projection display recited in claim 61, wherein

the first oscillator includes

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector in an X-direction, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector in a Y-direction;

and the second oscillator includes

a third oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector in an X-direction, and

a fourth oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector in a Y-direction.

64. The projection display recited in claim 61, wherein

the first oscillator includes

a first rotation device that rotates the first light projector about a first axis, and

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector to and away from the first axis;

and

the second oscillator includes

a second rotation device that rotates the second light projector about a second axis, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector to and away from the second axis.

65. The projection display recited in claim 58, further comprising a writing instrument positioned proximal to both the first light projector and the second light projector.

66. The projection display recited in claim 65, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

67. A projection display, comprising:

a first light projector for projecting light of a first color;

a first modulator for modulating light projected from the first light projector;

a second light projector for projecting light of a second color;

a second modulator for modulating light projected from the second light projector; and

at least one oscillator for moving the light projected from the first light projector and the second light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the at least one oscillator including

a rotation device that rotates the first light projector and the second light projector about an axis, and

an oscillating unit for oscillating the both the first light projector and the second light projector to and away from the axis.

72. The projection display recited in claim 67, further comprising a writing instrument positioned proximal to both the first light projector and the second light projector.

73. The projection display recited in claim 72, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

74. A projection display, comprising:

a first light projector for projecting light of a first color;

a first modulator for modulating light projected from the first light projector;

a second light projector for projecting light of a second color;

a second modulator for modulating light projected from the second light projector; and

at least one oscillator for moving the light projected from the first light projector and the second light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the at least one oscillator including

a first oscillator that moves the light projected from the first light projector in multiple directions, the first oscillator having

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector in an X-direction, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector in a Y-direction; and

a second oscillator that moves the light projected from the second light projector in multiple directions, the second oscillator having

a third oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector in an X-direction, and

a fourth oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector in a Y-direction.

75. The projection display recited in claim 74, wherein

the first light projector includes:

a first light source; and

a first light transmission device; and

the second light projector includes

a second light source, and

a second light transmission device.

76. The projection display recited in claim 75, wherein the first light transmission device includes a first optical fiber and the second light transmission device includes a second optical fiber.

77. The projection display recited in claim 76, wherein both the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber have a length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters.

78. The projection display recited in claim 75, wherein the first light source and the second light source are selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

79. The projection display recited in claim 74, further comprising a writing instrument positioned proximal to both the first light projector and the second light projector.

80. The projection display recited in claim 79, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

81. The projection display recited in claim 74, further comprising a writing instrument positioned proximal to both the first light projector and the second light projector.

82. The projection display recited in claim 81, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

83. A projection display comprising,

a first light projector for projecting light of a first color;

a first modulator for modulating light projected from the first light projector;

a second light projector for projecting light of a second color;

a second modulator for modulating light projected from the second light projector; and

at least one oscillator for moving the light projected from the first light projector and the second light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the at least one oscillator including

a first oscillator that moves the light projected from the first light projector in multiple directions, first oscillator having

a first rotation device that rotates the first light projector about a first axis, and

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector to and away from the first axis; and

a second oscillator that moves the light projected from the second light projector in multiple directions, the second oscillator having

a second rotation device that rotates the second light projector about a second axis, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector to and away from the second axis.

84. The projection display recited in claim 83, wherein

the first light projector includes:

a first light source, and

a first light transmission device; and

the second light projector includes

a second light source, and

a second light transmission device.

85. The projection display recited in claim 84, wherein the first light transmission device includes a first optical fiber and the second light transmission device includes a second optical fiber.

86. The projection display recited in claim 85, wherein both the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber have a length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters.

87. The projection display recited in claim 84, wherein the first light source and the second light source are selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, a incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

88. A projection display, comprising

a first light projector for projecting light of a first color;

a first modulator for modulating light projected from the first light projector;

a second light projector for projecting light of a second color;

a second modulator for modulating light projected from the second light projector; and

at least one oscillator for moving the light projected from the first light projector and the second light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; and

a writing instrument positioned proximal to both the first light projector and the second light projector.

89. The projection display recited in claim 88, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

90. The projection display recited in claim 88, wherein

the first light projector includes:

a first light source, and

a first light transmission device; and

the second light projector includes

a second light source, and

a second light transmission device.

91. The projection display recited in claim 90, wherein the first light transmission device includes a first optical fiber and the second light transmission device includes a second optical fiber.

92. The projection display recited in claim 90, wherein the first light source and the second light source are selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

93. The projection display recited in claim 88, wherein the at least one oscillator moves the light projected from the first light projector and the light projected from the second light projector in multiple directions.

94. The projection display recited in claim 93, wherein the at least one oscillator moves both the first light projector and the second light projector in a first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

95. The projection display recited in claim 88, wherein the at least one oscillator includes

a first oscillating unit for oscillating both the first light projector and the second light projector in an X-direction, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating both the first light projector and the second light projector in a Y-direction.

96. The projection display recited in claim 88, wherein the at least one oscillator includes

a first oscillator that moves the light projected from the first light projector in multiple directions, and

a second oscillator that moves the light projected from the second light projector in multiple directions.

97. The projection display recited in claim 96, wherein

the first oscillator includes

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector in an X-direction, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector in a Y-direction;

and

the second oscillator includes

a third oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector in an X-direction, and

a fourth oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector in a Y-direction.

98. The projection display recited in claim 88, wherein

the first oscillator includes

a first rotation device that rotates the first light projector about a first axis, and

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector to and away from the first axis;

and

the second oscillator includes

a second rotation device that rotates the second light projector about a second axis, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector to and away from the second axis.

99. A method of projecting an image, comprising:

projecting light from a light projector;

moving the projected light projected from the light projector by rotating the light projector about an axis while oscillating the light projector toward and away from the axis; and

modulating the projected light in synchronism with the movement of the light projector.

100. The method of projecting an image recited in claim 99, wherein modulating the projected light further comprises modulating generation of light by the light projector.

101. The method of projecting an image recited in claim 99, wherein modulating the projected light further comprises modulating transmission of light by the light projector.

102. A projection display, comprising:

a first light projector for projecting light of a first color, the first light projector including a first light source and a first light transmission device;

a first modulator for modulating light projection from the first light projector;

a second light projector for projecting light of a second color, the second light projector including a second light source and a second light transmission device;

a second modulator for modulating light projected from the second light projector; and

a first oscillator that moves the light projected from the first light projector in multiple directions, the first oscillator including

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector in an X-direction, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector in a Y-direction; and

a second oscillator that moves the light projected from the second light projector in multiple directions, the second oscillator including

a third oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector in an X-direction, and

a fourth oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector in a Y-direction.

103. The projection display recited in claim 102, wherein the first light transmission device includes a first optical fiber and the second light transmission device includes a second optical fiber.

104. The projection display recited in claim 103, wherein both the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber have a length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters.

105. The projection display recited in claim 102, wherein the first light source and the second light source are selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

106. The projection display recited in claim 102, further comprising a writing instrument positioned proximal to both the first light projector and the second light projector.

107. The projection display recited in claim 106, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.

108. A projection display, comprising:

a first light projector for projecting light of a first color, the first light projector including a first light source and a first light transmission device;

a first modulator for modulating light projected from the first light projector;

a second light projector for projecting light of a second color, the second light projector including a second light source and a second light transmission device;

a second modulator for modulating light projected from the second light projector; and

a first oscillator that moves the light projected from the first light projector in multiple directions, the first oscillator including

a first rotation device that rotates the first light projector about a first axis, and

a first oscillating unit for oscillating the first light projector to and away from the first axis; and

a second oscillator that moves the light projected from the second light projector in multiple directions, the second oscillator including

a second rotation device that rotates the second light projector about a second axis, and

a second oscillating unit for oscillating the second light projector to and away from the second axis.

109. The projection display recited in claim 108, wherein the first light transmission device includes a first optical fiber and the second light transmission device includes a second optical fiber.

110. The projection display recited in claim 109, wherein both the first optical fiber and the second optical fiber have a length of approximately 4 millimeters or 12 millimeters.

111. The projection display recited in claim 108, wherein the first light source and the second light source are selected from the group consisting of a laser, a light emitting diode, an incandescent light, and a fluorescent light.

112. The projection display recited in claim 108, further comprising a writing instrument positioned proximal to both the first light projector and the second light projector.

113. The projection display recited in claim 112, wherein the writing instrument is an ink pen or a stylus for activating a graphic tablet.