Methods and devices for determining position or distance

A device for detecting the positioning of an entity, comprising:

• a projector, which comprises a laser and a MEMS micro minor arranged to receive light from the laser and which can oscillate about at least one oscillation axis, to project light towards the entity to project an image which is composed of pixels onto the entity, wherein the image has a first density of pixels;
• a controller which is configured to adjust the device so as to change the density of pixels in the projected image;
• and
• a sensor which is configured to sense at least a portion of the light of the projected image which is reflected from the entity and configured to use the sensed portion of the light to determine the position of the entity.

A method of measuring distance, comprising the steps of:

• (a) using a projector to project light towards an entity to project an image which composed of pixels onto the entity, wherein the image has a first density of pixels;
• (b) changing the density of pixels in the projected image;
• (c) sensing at least a portion of light of the projected image which is reflected from the entity;
• and
• (d) using the sensed portion of the light to determine the distance of the entity from the projector.

A device for measuring distance, comprising:

• a projector, which comprises a laser and a MEMS micro minor arranged to receive light from the laser and which can oscillate about at least one oscillation axis, to project light towards the entity to project an image which is composed of pixels onto the entity, wherein the image has a first density of pixels;
• a controller which is configured to change the density of pixels in the projected image;
• and
• a sensor which is configured to sense at least a portion of the light of the projected image which is reflected from the entity and configured to use the sensed portion of the light to determine the distance of the entity away from the projector.