SCANNING LASER PROJECTOR SYSTEM UTILIZING PHOTODIODES INSIDE SCAN AREA BUT OUTSIDE OF PROJECTION AREA FOR FEEDBACK

A scanning laser projector (40) includes an optical module (10) and projection engine (41). The optical module includes a laser generator outputting a laser beam, and a movable mirror (20, 24) scanning the laser beam across an exit window defined through the housing in a scanning pattern wider than the exit window such that the laser beam is directed through the exit window in a projection pattern that is smaller than and within the scanning pattern. A first light detector (18a, 18b) is positioned about a periphery of the exit window such that as the movable mirror scans the laser beam in the scan pattern, at a point in the scan pattern where the laser beam is scanned across an interior of the housing and not through the exit window, the laser beam impinges upon the first light detector. The projection engine (41) adjusts driving of the movable mirror based upon output from the first light detector (18a, 18b).