1. An improved method for projecting one or more images onto a surface with a projection device comprising a light-scanning optical fiber, the method comprising:
generating a sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and a scan pattern of the optical fiber;
articulating the optical fiber in the scan pattern; and
projecting the sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber to form the one or more images on the surface, wherein the fiber is scanned within a Q factor of a resonant frequency of the optical fiber.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the scan pattern comprises at least one of a spiral pattern, an expanding ellipse pattern, or a Lissajous pattern.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the scan pattern in a single frame comprises a first portion providing a first resolution and a second portion providing a second resolution that is different from the first resolution.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating a sequence of light comprises varying an amount of light in the sequence of light in response to a positional rate of change of the optical fiber in the scan pattern.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein varying the amount of light comprises at least one of varying an intensity of light in the sequence of light or varying a light pulse duration in the sequence of light.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
articulating the optical fiber in a second scan pattern in a second frame, the second scan pattern having a different throw angle than the first scan pattern in a first frame;
generating a second sequence of light in response to a second one or more image representations and the second scan pattern; and
projecting the second sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber to form the second one or more images on the surface.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
articulating the optical fiber in a second scan pattern in a second frame, the second scan pattern providing a different resolution than the first scan pattern in a first frame;
generating a second sequence of light in response to a second one or more image representations and the second scan pattern; and
projecting the second sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber to form the second one or more images on the surface.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the sequence of light comprises buffering an image representation in a memory device and reading the buffered image representation according to the scan pattern.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the images include video images; and
the method further comprises adjusting the number of settling cycles to match the video frame rate.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
determining an orientation of the projection device; and
modifying the projected light output based on the determined projection device orientation.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the projected one or more images comprise a first portion and a second portion;
the first portion corresponding to the one or more image representations; and
the second portion is projected by a portion of the scan pattern that is not used to project the first portion, the second portion including additional image content.
12. A method for projecting one or more images onto a surface and obtaining feedback with an optical input-output assembly, the input-output assembly comprising a light-scanning optical fiber and a sensor, the method comprising:
generating a sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and a scan pattern of the optical fiber;
articulating the optical fiber in the scan pattern;
projecting the sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber to form the one or more images on the surface; and
generating a feedback signal with the sensor in response to reflections of the sequence of light.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein:
the sequence of light comprises a non-visible wavelength; and
the feedback signal comprises a signal generated in response to reflections of the non-visible wavelength.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the non-visible wavelength comprises an infrared wavelength.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating an input signal to an electronic device in response to the feedback signal.
16. The method of claim 12, wherein the input signal is generated in response to a position of the projected light in the scan pattern corresponding to a user input.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein the scan pattern comprises at least one of a spiral pattern, an expanding ellipse pattern, or a Lissajous pattern.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein a formed image in a single frame comprises a first portion comprising a first image resolution and a second portion comprising a second image resolution that is different from the first resolution.
19. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the sequence of light comprises varying an amount of light in the sequence of light in response to a positional rate of change of the optical fiber in the scan pattern.
20. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
articulating the optical fiber in a second scan pattern, the second scan pattern having a different throw angle than the first scan pattern;
generating a second sequence of light in response to a second one or more image representations and the second scan pattern;
projecting the second sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber to form the second one or more images on the surface; and
generating a feedback signal with the sensor in response to reflections of the second sequence of light.
21. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
articulating the optical fiber in a second scan pattern, the second scan pattern providing a different image resolution than the first scan pattern;
generating a second sequence of light in response to a second one or more image representations and the second scan pattern;
projecting the second sequence of light from the articulated optical fiber to form the second one or more images on the surface; and
generating a feedback signal with the sensor in response to reflections of the second sequence of light.
22. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
determining at least one of an orientation of the surface or a distance to the surface in response to the feedback signal;
generating a second sequence of light based on the determined at least one of an orientation of the surface or a distance to the surface, the second sequence of light adapted to compensate for the determined at least one of an orientation of the surface or a distance to the surface; and
projecting the second sequence of light from the light-scanning optical fiber to form the second one or more images on the surface.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein the projecting the second sequence of light is accomplished using a different throw angle so as to maintain a desired projected image size.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the determining at least one of an orientation of the surface or a distance to the surface comprises comparing reflected light intensities with corresponding projected light intensities.
25. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
determining an orientation of the input-output assembly; and
modifying the projected light output based on the determined input-output assembly orientation.
26. The method of claim 12, wherein:
the one or more images comprises video images; and
the method further comprises adjusting the number of settling cycles to match the video frame rate.
27. The method of claim 12, wherein:
the projected one or more images comprise a first portion and a second portion;
the first portion corresponding to the one or more image representations; and
the second portion is projected by a portion of the scan pattern that is not used to project the first portion, the second portion including at least one of additional image content or user feedback features.
28. A system for projecting one or more images onto a surface, the system comprising:
a projection device comprising a light-scanning optical fiber, the projection device operable to project a sequence of light from the light-scanning fiber onto a surface according to a scan pattern;
a laser assembly coupled with the light-scanning optical fiber and operable to generate the sequence of light; and
a processor coupled with the light-scanning assembly and the laser assembly, the processor comprising a tangible medium, the tangible medium comprising instructions that when executed cause the processor to:
generate the sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and the scan pattern, and
provide control signals to the laser assembly and the light-scanning assembly to project the sequence of light according to the scan pattern to form the one or more images on the surface.
29. The system of claim 28, wherein the laser assembly comprises:
at least one of a red laser, a green laser, and a blue laser; and
a combiner to combine output from the at least one of a red laser, a green laser, and a blue laser, wherein the combined output is projected from the light scanning fiber.
30. The system of claim 29, wherein at least one of the red laser, the green laser, or the blue laser are remotely located relative to the combiner and coupled with the combiner via a separate optical path.
31. The system of claim 28, wherein a formed image comprises a first portion comprising a first image resolution and a second portion comprising a second image resolution that is different from the first resolution.
32. The system of claim 28, further comprising a memory buffer to store an image representation, and wherein the processor reads the buffered image representation according to the scan pattern.
33. The system of claim 28, wherein the processor generates the sequence of light by varying an amount of light in the sequence of light in response to a positional rate of change of the optical fiber in the scan pattern.
34. The system of claim 28, wherein the processor can vary the scanning of the light-scanning fiber so as to provide different throw angles.
35. The system of claim 28, wherein the processor can vary the scanning of the light-scanning fiber so as to provide different image resolutions.
36. The system of claim 28, wherein the processor can vary the scanning of the light-scanning fiber so as to match a video frame rate.
37. A system for projecting one or more images on a surface and obtaining feedback, the system comprising:
a projection assembly comprising a light-scanning optical fiber, the projection assembly operable to project a sequence of light from the light-scanning optical fiber onto a surface according to a scan pattern;
a sensor operable to measure reflections from light projected on the surface by the light-scanning optical fiber and generate a feedback signal corresponding thereto;
a laser assembly coupled with the light-scanning optical fiber and operable to generate the sequence of light; and
a processor coupled with the light-scanning assembly, the sensor, and the laser assembly, the processor comprising a tangible medium, the tangible medium comprising instructions that when executed cause the processor to:
determine the sequence of light in response to one or more image representations and the scan pattern,
provide control signals to the laser assembly and the light-scanning assembly to project the sequence of light from the light-scanning optical fiber according to the scan pattern to form the one or more images on the surface, and
receive a feedback signal generated by the sensor in response to reflections of the sequence of light.
38. The system of claim 37, wherein:
the sequence of light comprises a non-visible wavelength; and
the feedback signal comprises a signal generated in response to reflections of the non-visible wavelength.
39. The system of claim 37, wherein the processor generates an input signal to an electronic device in response to the feedback signal.
40. The system of claim 39, wherein the input signal is generated in response to a position of the projected light in the scan pattern corresponding to a user input.
41. The system of claim 37, wherein a formed image comprises a first portion comprising a first image resolution and a second portion comprising a second image resolution that is different from the first resolution.
42. The system of claim 37, wherein generating the sequence of light comprises varying an amount of light in the sequence of light in response to a positional rate of change of the optical fiber in the scan pattern.
43. The system of claim 37, wherein:
the optical fiber is articulated in a second scan pattern, the second scan pattern having a different throw angle than the first scan pattern;
the processor generates a second sequence of light in response to a second one or more image representations and the second scan pattern;
the second sequence of light is projected from the articulated optical fiber to form the second one or more images on the surface; and
the sensor generates a feedback signal in response to reflections of the second sequence of light.
44. The system of claim 37, wherein:
the optical fiber is articulated in a second scan pattern, the second scan pattern providing a different image resolution than the first scan pattern;
the processor generates a second sequence of light in response to a second one or more image representations and the second scan pattern;
the second sequence of light is projected from the articulated optical fiber to form the second one or more images on the surface; and
the sensor generates a feedback signal in response to reflections of the second sequence of light.
45. The system of claim 37, wherein:
the processor determines an orientation of the surface in response to the sequence of light, the feedback signal, and the scan pattern; the processor generates a second sequence of light in response to:
a second one more image representations,
a second scan pattern, and
the orientation of the surface; and
the second sequence of light is projected from the light-scanning optical fiber according to the second scan pattern to form the second one or more images on the surface so that the second one or more images are not substantially distorted by the orientation of the surface.
46. The system of claim 45, wherein the determining an orientation of the surface comprises comparing reflected light intensities with corresponding projected light intensities.
47. The system of claim 37, wherein:
the one or more images comprises video images; and
the processor adjusts the number of settling cycles to match the video frame rate.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A positioning method for orthodontic appliance and structure thereof, comprising the steps of:
a), fabricating a dental mold according to the dental profile of the patient, and drawing crossed reference lines on the dental mold using a specific instrument;
b), fabricating different base units based on different teeth portions and different forms of orthodontic appliance, wherein each of the base units is provided with crossed reference lines, and each of the base units is allocated with a serial number;
c), embedding the orthodontic appliance to the base unit after heating, and binding and fixedly positioning the orthodontic appliance using a flexible member, thereby causing the base unit to form a stabilizing base for the orthodontic appliance according to the shape of the orthodontic appliance;
d), attaching each of the base units together with the respective orthodontic appliance bound to the base unit to the dental mold, aligning with the crossed reference lines of the dental mold, and appropriately adjusting the positions of the orthodontic appliances;
e), attaching light curing composite resin to each of the base units to enable the inner edge of the light curing composite resin to form occlusal surfaces, and then mutually connecting each of the base units using the same light curing composite resin;
f), forming series connected base units after coagulation of the light curing composite resin;
g), taking off each of the series connected base units together with the respective orthodontic appliance bound to the base unit from the dental mold;
h), directly attaching each of the series connected base units together with the corresponding orthodontic appliance bound to the base unit to each respective teeth portion of the patient requiring straightening after applying an adhesive layer to each of the orthodontic appliances;
i), prizing off of the flexible member bound to each of the base units using a specific tool after the adhesive layer is fixed, and dismantling each of the base units from the respective orthodontic appliance, thereby fixing the orthodontic appliances to the surfaces of the teeth portions requiring straightening, whereupon each of the orthodontic appliances are tightly connected, thus completing the fitting process of the orthodontic appliances.
2. The positioning method for orthodontic appliance and structure thereof according to claim 1, wherein the basic units are fabricated using plastic injection molding means.
3. The positioning method for orthodontic appliance and structure thereof according to claim 1, wherein the basic unit comprises a horizontal hook portion and a vertical portion extending downward from the horizontal hook portion, thereby enabling the horizontal hook portion to be used to hold onto the dental mold and the teeth portion of the patient.
4. The positioning method for orthodontic appliance and structure thereof according to claim 3, wherein the vertical portion of the base unit is provided with a transverse positioning channel and a vertical alignment groove, thereby forming crossed reference lines.