Arrangement for and method of projecting an image with linear scan lines

An image projection arrangement for projecting a two-dimensional image on a generally planar projection surface, the arrangement including:

• a laser assembly for directing a laser beam along an optical path;
• a scanner including a scan mirror oscillatable about a scan axis, for sweeping the laser beam as a pattern of scan lines during oscillation of the scan mirror at a distance from the laser assembly on the projection surface, each scan line having a number of pixels;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the laser assembly and the scanner, for causing selected pixels along the scan lines to be illuminated, and rendered visible, by the laser beam to produce the image;
• wherein the laser assembly includes a plurality of lasers for respectively generating a plurality of laser beams of different wavelengths, and an optical assembly for focusing and nearly collinearly arranging the laser beams to form the laser beam as a composite beam which is directed to the scan mirror, and wherein the lasers include red and blue semiconductor lasers for respectively generating red and blue laser beams, and wherein the lasers include a diode-pumped YAG laser and optical frequency doubler for producing a green laser beam;
• wherein the arrangement is characterized by:
• the laser assembly directs the laser beam to travel in a plane perpendicular to the scan axis to cause each scan line to be linear, and the illuminated pixels are visible only on linear scan lines to reduce distortion of the image.