An approach for projecting light may be implemented using a acousto-optical depth switch that uses surface acoustic waves produced along a substrate to guide image light to different areas. The surface acoustic waves may be generated on a substrate using a transducer. Surface acoustic waves of different frequencies can guide image light onto different optical elements at different physical positions. The optical elements may be configured to show objects in an image at different distances from a viewer.

An approach for projecting light may be implemented using a acousto-optical depth switch that uses surface acoustic waves produced along a substrate to guide image light to different areas. The surface acoustic waves may be generated on a substrate using a transducer. Surface acoustic waves of different frequencies can guide image light onto different optical elements at different physical positions. The optical elements may be configured to show objects in an image at different distances from a viewer.

A modulated light source comprises a laser diode and a drive circuit coupled operatively to the laser diode. The laser diode is configured to lase upon passing an above-threshold current for an accumulation period. The drive circuit is configured to draw a priming current through the laser diode over a priming period, the priming current being insufficient to cause the laser diode to lase during the priming period, but sufficient to shorten the accumulation period. The drive circuit is further configured to draw the above-threshold current through the laser diode after the priming period, thereby triggering emission from the laser diode following a shortened accumulation period.

A modulated light source comprises a laser diode and a drive circuit coupled operatively to the laser diode. The laser diode is configured to lase upon passing an above-threshold current for an accumulation period. The drive circuit is configured to draw a priming current through the laser diode over a priming period, the priming current being insufficient to cause the laser diode to lase during the priming period, but sufficient to shorten the accumulation period. The drive circuit is further configured to draw the above-threshold current through the laser diode after the priming period, thereby triggering emission from the laser diode following a shortened accumulation period.

An approach for projecting light may be implemented using a acousto-optical depth switch that uses surface acoustic waves produced along a substrate to guide image light to different areas. The surface acoustic waves may be generated on a substrate using a transducer. Surface acoustic waves of different frequencies can guide image light onto different optical elements at different physical positions. The optical elements may be configured to show objects in an image at different distances from a viewer.

An approach for projecting light may be implemented using a acousto-optical depth switch that uses surface acoustic waves produced along a substrate to guide image light to different areas. The surface acoustic waves may be generated on a substrate using a transducer. Surface acoustic waves of different frequencies can guide image light onto different optical elements at different physical positions. The optical elements may be configured to show objects in an image at different distances from a viewer.

A scanning projector and method is provided that generates a feedback signal from at least one photodetector. In the scanning projector, a scanning mirror is configured to reflect laser light into an image region and an over scanned region. The at least one photodetector is configured to receive a portion of the reflected laser light impacting the over scanned region, and provides the feedback signal responsive to the received portion of light. This feedback signal can then be used to provide precise control of the scanning mirror.

A scanning projector and method is provided that generates a feedback signal from at least one photodetector. In the scanning projector, a scanning mirror is configured to reflect laser light into an image region and an over scanned region. The at least one photodetector is configured to receive a portion of the reflected laser light impacting the over scanned region, and provides the feedback signal responsive to the received portion of light. This feedback signal can then be used to provide precise control of the scanning mirror.

Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

An approach for projecting light may be implemented using a acousto-optical depth switch that uses surface acoustic waves produced along a substrate to guide image light to different areas. The surface acoustic waves may be generated on a substrate using a transducer. Surface acoustic waves of different frequencies can guide image light onto different optical elements at different physical positions. The optical elements may be configured to show objects in an image at different distances from a viewer.