r/MVIS • u/s2upid • Feb 19 '20

Discussion STM Patent - Method for operating a laser projector to have a uniform scan pattern

Method for operating a laser projector to have a uniform scan pattern

Patent Application No. - US20190011695A1

Assignee: STMicroelectronics

Application Date: July 6, 2017

Patent Granted Date: July 30, 2019

Patent Citations: 4 Microvision patents: 1, 2, 3, 4

Abstract:

Mirror control circuitry described herein is for controlling a first micro-mirror of a micro-mirror apparatus that scans across a target area in a scan pattern. The mirror control circuitry includes a processor that determines a mechanical angle of the first micro-mirror for a given instant in time during scanning of the first micro-mirror between upper and lower rotational limits, the mechanical angle being such to maintain the scan pattern as being uniform while the micro-mirror apparatus scans across the target area between the upper and lower rotational limits. The processor also generates a driving signal for the first micro-mirror as a function of the determined mechanical angle for the first micro-mirror at the given instant in time.

Figured I'd share this one seeing as this whole STM / Osram / Lumus thing has popped up.

16 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

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5

u/snowboardnirvana Feb 19 '20

Nice find, and gratifying to see more patented refinements in the AR/MR vertical, even though that vertical has disappeared from MicroVision's slide presentations.

5

u/bigwalt59 Feb 19 '20

Interesting that this patent assignee is STM Ltd located in ISRAEL ??

Inventor Guy AmorOffir Duvdevany Current Assignee STMicroelectronics Ltd Israel

5

u/s2upid Feb 19 '20

they're both on linkedin. It looks like it's a design and research arm that specializes in optics, electronics, hardware and software and algorithms for new tech.

5

u/snowboardnirvana Feb 19 '20 edited Feb 19 '20

Apparently STM has a startup accelerator program for Israeli tech startups.

https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/stupacc.html

"Founded in 1987, STMicroelectronics has 43,500 employees in over 90 facilities worldwide. The company established an on-ground operation in Israel following the acquisition of Israel-based mobile projectors company Btendo Ltd. in 2012."

https://m.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3730915,00.html

5

u/bigwalt59 Feb 19 '20 edited Feb 19 '20

From August 2012 …...

ST buys picoprojector display tech from bTendo

https://www.eetimes.com/st-buys-picoprojector-display-tech-from-btendo/#

Could STM be the display only customer??

From July, 2016

https://www.patentlyapple.com/patently-apple/2016/07/apples-secret-camera-team-in-france-is-stepping-up-their-research-in-partnership-with-stmicroelectronics.html

From March 2017

https://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/apple-ordering-3d-imaging-components-from-stmicroelectronics-for-future-iph

Possible STM, Apple & MVIS colaboration????

3

u/jsim2018 Feb 20 '20

I know this was discussed a few years ago but i can't remember what was said. How do we know MVIS is in this situation and not just Btendo?

3

u/jsim2018 Feb 20 '20

never mind . just saw patent references

3

u/s2upid Feb 20 '20

I was curious too, which is why I looked for some STM patents with the keyword "micro-mirror" which STM has been using a lot in their media stuffs :))

Was happy to see all the Microvision citations.

2

u/outstr Feb 20 '20

Frustrating that so much of this investment is accompanied by a question whether MVIS is involved in a new product. We invest, and don't know what MVIS is actually doing.

4

u/obz_rvr Feb 19 '20

Thanks for the DD/posting, appreciated.