There is no public information on what patents Microvision obtained from Motorola's Symbol unit on Nov. 5th, 2010. With some better guess to search the US patent office, we can still find a possible list of those patents. With search criteria (AN/symbol AND (("scanning" OR "laser") AND ("projection" OR "projector"))) at the US patent office website, the search result is 179 patents.
The more I dig into these patents, the more exciting and comfortable about the prospect of Microvision. I am surprised to see there are so many innovative patents in the possible offerings. Here is the list :
(1) Patent No 7845801 : Multiple control data interface between different hosts and controller for an image projection arrangement
Field of invention : "The present invention generally relates to an image projection arrangement and, more particularly, to simplifying integration of a controller for the arrangement with different types of hosts by giving a plurality of choices for the type of control interface that can be used between a host and the controller. "
This is possibly the most important patent Microvision acquired from Motorola's Symbol unit. Why? Let me explain this to you. Imagine no mater what host interface is, your pico projector can adapt to the different host interfaces and essentially replace all of the existing display devices.
For example, an hand-held host ( a networked navigation system such as Androoid cellphone, or a gaming unit ) to be connected to the built-in in-car laser projector ( like Pioneer's HUD ).
Or an hand-held host ( smart cellphone or a gaming unit ) to be connected to an built-in laser projector eyewear device.
For example, an hand-held host ( a networked navigation system such as Androoid cellphone, or a gaming unit ) to be connected to the built-in in-car laser projector ( like Pioneer's HUD ).
Or an hand-held host ( smart cellphone or a gaming unit ) to be connected to an built-in laser projector eyewear device.
This is probably why Pioneer signed deal with Microvision right after MVIS acquired the patents from Moto's symbol unit. Only one sentence can describe it : The possibilities are endless. In my opinion, the value of this patent alone is much more than the whole deal.
(2) Patent No 7425073 : Method and apparatus for conserving power in a laser projection display
Here are some excerpts from the description:
(A) Describe how to conserve power in a two mirrors laser-based projector design but a single mirror design can also apply the similar path.
(B) A light detector in the LPD can be used to sense the ambient lighting conditions, and can reduce the laser brightness when the ambient lighting conditions are low.
(B) A light detector in the LPD can be used to sense the ambient lighting conditions, and can reduce the laser brightness when the ambient lighting conditions are low.
(D) The laser modulation for setting the brightness of any displayed pixel can be achieved by pulse width modulation. This will save power by turning each laser current completely off and on so that the laser consumes no power when the pixel is dark. If pulse width modulation is not used, then the laser current will be modulated to a low level when the pixel is dark. In this case, the laser current can still be turned completely off when it is known that there will be a long dark row of pixels in the display, and turned back on before the next bright pixel.
(E) Security or Anti-piracy: The LPD can have an additional infrared laser included. The infrared laser would be invisible to the human eye, but visible to a camera. This method could be used to obliterate the projected image, to prevent photographing. This would add security to sensitive information, or prevent movie piracy.
(F) Laser Pointer/Mouse : A specially designed laser pointer can be used to interact with the LPD image.
(G) Common Electronics : For multi-screen LPD applications, two or more laser projector modules could share some electronics.
This is a very interesting patent which covers not only some of the techniques Picop uses currently, but also future potential applications.
(3) Patent No 7302174 : Method and apparatus for capturing images using a color laser projection display
One interesting part of the patent is that "Touch screen" input can be implemented. The laser projection display projects "icons" on a screen. The product has a photodiode that captures the scattered laser light during a frame, and the processor remembers where the icons are in the frame. A user can touch a particular icon on the screen with his/her finger. The photodiode and electronics in the terminal senses the change in the reflected light in that area and knows that particular "icon" was selected. Hence, the laser display is inherently a "touchscreen."
(4) Patent No 7273281 : Method and apparatus for aligning a plurality of lasers in an electronic display device
This precise alignment for multiple lasers is difficult to achieve in mass production and accuracy over distance is also an issue. The invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing, the effects of one or more of the problems set forth above.
(5) Patent No 7163294 : Method and apparatus for providing an interface between a liquid crystal display controller and a laser projection display
This patent is to use existing Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) controller to drive Laser Projector Display (LPD) to save money and time. In my view, the same thing can be applied for LCD TV. What a brilliant idea! The market is huge.
(6) Patent No 7425073 : Method and apparatus for conserving power in a laser projection display
LPD can be used by momentarily turning off the lasers to measure only the ambient lighting conditions.
(7) Patent No 7857219 : Imaging reader target object finder system
This is to utilize a strategic search routine for locating a target object.
(8) Patent No 4607156 : Shock-resistant support structure for use in portable laser scanning heads
This is an import patent especially for the in-car HUD to be more shock-resistant so that the reliability of the projector system is higher.
(9) Patent No 7815119 : Monitoring scan mirror motion in laser scanning arrangements
This is to detect mirror error in a two mirrors system for fault detection.
(10) Patent No 7665852 : Arrangement for and method of projecting an image with safety circuitry
This is another one for the safety of laser-based mirror scanning pico projector.
(11) Patent No 7566004 : Method and apparatus for extending the range of a product authentication device
This is an invention for anti-counterfeiting technology
(12) Patent No 7302174 : Method and apparatus for capturing images using a color laser projection display
Other than capturing image, it may also be used to display the picture, to operate as a viewfinder, to print the picture, to operate as a range finder, and the like.
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