Sony might have bowed out from its VAIO PC business, but its mobile dreams are still as strong as ever. Testament to that is a new super small projector module that is touted to deliver high quality images inside a device that will fit your hand.

Whereas other pico projectors are only able to project images of 640×480 or 800×480 resolutions, Sony’s latest module promises a resolution of 1920×720 pixels with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio. In addition, this module will be able to project those images clearly at any distance without the need to refocus. At a distance of one meter, it will be able to project a screen size of 40 inches, while at 3 meters the screen size can reach up to 120 inches, all in clear and crisp quality.

According to Sony, it is able to accomplish this feat by eschewing panel-based systems employed by other projectors and instead opting for a laser-based scanning or LBS system. This makes use of semiconductor lasers that project beams that are then reflected and controlled by a Micro Electronic Mechanical System or MEMS mirror. This particular MEMS mirror incorporates technology developed by display technology company MicroVision. Sony also developed a video processor to further control and improve the image output.

Sony envisions this very small Pico projector module, which only measures 52.5 mm x 63.0 mm x 7.2 mm, to be used in handheld projectors, particularly those with wireless connectivity that can project images sent from mobile devices. It might even end up in other kinds of devices, like a projector hotspot or even a projector smartphone.

SOURCE: Sony