Technical / Research

QuickLogic announced a new Proven System Block (PSB) called the Background Color Compensator (BCC). This technology is aimed towards pico-projectors and make better images when projecting on non-white surfaces. QuickLogic says that projectors are calibrated for a white background, but with pico projectors, that isn't always so. Projecting on non-white surfaces can result in inaccurate color reproduction and reduced contrast.

QuickLogic's new BCC technology gathers projected surface color characteristics either from an on-system color light sensor or user-provided data and modifies the projected content through an on-chip proprietary color balancing algorithm. Additionally, BCC is tightly coupled with QuickLogic's Visual Enhancement Engine (VEE) technology, which allows the color-compensated video to be further enhanced to provide the highest 'effective lumens,' critical to the user's viewing experience.

Here's a nice interview with Syndiant's VP sales & marketing - Keith Lewis. The interview is from the "Grow Your Business" channel - by Microsoft ERP, so most of the talk is about Syndiant's supply chain and how they manage it, but it is still interesting:

QD Laser is showing a new frequency-doubled 532 nm compact green laser diode. The device is housed in a module of approximately 0.5 cm³ total volume. The prototype module developed green light output of more than 100 mW under continuous wave conditions and high-speed modulation of above 100 Mhz. The linewidth of the output was less than 0.01 nm, and the 100 mW output power was obtained with power dissipation of about 900 mW, equating to a wall-plug efficiency of more than 10 percent.

QD Laser also revealed that they already started shipping samples of a 5 mW version of this module, and will start sample shipments of a module capable of over 50 mW in 2Q 2012. Mass production of the product is planned for 4Q 2012.

The Way-Go flashlight is a prototype device by Sriranjan Rasakatla that combines a laser pico projector, a GPS and altitude and heading reference system. Way-Go can be a simple flashlight - but the idea is that it can also show you which way to go (you have to input your destination location of course), and also display information about your local area while you walk with it. Rasakatla says this can be used for search and rescue parties, trekking and tour guides.

Here's a nice video showing Microvision's new PicoMagic interactive (touch) laser pico projector platform:

And here's a photo showing the actual device (opened):

Update: we've got a nice photo and video of the PicoMagic

Back in June 2011 Microvision mentioned that they are working on a reversible pico projector, and today they have officially announced PicoMagic - a demonstration platform that enables focus-free interactive (touch) and 3D displays. The PicoMagic is powered by Microvision's new PicoP Gen 2 HD engine.

Microvision will offer PicoMagic "applications" (interactive images and 3D displays) to OEMs - aimed towards business users, educators and gamers.

Microvision officially announces and unveils the PicoP Gen 2 HD laser pico projector module. The Gen 2 is based on direct green laser diodes, a new MEMS mirror and features 720p resolution. Microvision will demonstrate the PicoP Gen 2 with brightness ranging from 15 to 25 lumens. They expect to begin shipping early samples for testing and evaluation in Q1 2012.

Microvision didn't say when it expects mass production, though. Obviously this depends on the laser diodes production...