Self-mixing based 2D/3D user input detection and scanning laser system

An electronic device, comprising:

• a self-mixing interferometry sensor operable to scan a field of view with a beam of light, the field of view including an input surface;
• and
• a processor operably linked with the self-mixing interferometry sensor and operable to:
• determine first distances from the self-mixing interferometry sensor to the input surface using a self-mixing interferometry signal generated by the self-mixing interferometry sensor;
• determine, at a first time, second distances from the self-mixing interferometry sensor to an object in the field of view using the self-mixing interferometry signal generated by the self-mixing interferometry sensor;
• determine, at a second time after the first time, third distances from the self-mixing interferometry sensor to the object using the self-mixing interferometry signal generated by the self-mixing interferometry sensor;
• identify a deformation of the object due to an interaction of the object with the input surface using at least the first distances, the second distances, and the third distances;
• and
• identify a user input to the electronic device from the identified deformation.

A method of operating an electronic device, comprising:

• performing a first set of scans of a field of view with a beam of light emitted from a self-mixing interferometry sensor of the electronic device;
• determining, from a self-mixing interferometry signal generated by the self-mixing interferometry sensor during the first set of scans, a topography of an input surface within the field of view;
• projecting an image from an image projector of the electronic device onto the input surface;
• performing a second set of scans of the field of view;
• detecting, from the self-mixing interferometry signal measured by the self-mixing interferometry sensor during the second set of scans, an object in the field of view and a three-dimensional position of the object in the field of view;
• modulating a bias current of the self-mixing interferometry sensor, the modulation causing a change in the self-mixing interferometry signal;
• detecting a deformation of the object as the object interacts with the input surface from the self-mixing interferometry signal;
• and
• determining a user input to the electronic device based on the deformation of the object in the field of view.