Laser scanner

Details Laser scanner Laser scanner

1995-06-07

1997-07-08

Phan, James

Optical: systems and elements

Deflection using a moving element

Using a periodically moving element

359201, 250234, G02B 2608

Patent

active

056467656

ABSTRACT:
A laser scanner having first and second scanning mirrors and a correction circuit that removes distortions caused by interaction between the scanning mirrors. Preferably, the first scanner mirror is an off-axis mirror that is positioned to produce a single, substantially invariant pupil on the second scanning mirror. Preferably the scanner uses a reflective beam expander to magnify an input laser beam received from a laser source. Preferably, the reflective beam expander is implemented using two spherical mirrors positioned to form the input laser beam into a Z-folded beam path. The folded beam path increases the distance between the laser source and the focusing lens, which results in a clear focused spot and does so using spherical mirrors which are much less expensive than the infrared lenses used in the prior art. The reflective beam expander is also wavelength insensitive. In one embodiment, the correction circuit employs analog elements to implement a quadratic approximation of the geometric distortions caused by interaction of the scanning axes. In another embodiment, the correction circuit employs programmable logic devices to create corrected mirror control signals based on correction values stored in digital memory units.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3717772 (1973-02-01), Engman
patent: 3764192 (1973-10-01), Wheeler
patent: 4003626 (1977-01-01), Reinke et al.
patent: 4024545 (1977-05-01), Dowling et al.
patent: 4311384 (1982-01-01), Keene
patent: 4314154 (1982-02-01), Minoura et al.
patent: 4318582 (1982-03-01), Minoura et al.
patent: 4714830 (1987-12-01), Usui
patent: 5048904 (1991-09-01), Montagu
patent: 5130838 (1992-07-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 5161045 (1992-11-01), Hutchin
patent: 5168386 (1992-12-01), Galbraith
patent: 5185676 (1993-02-01), Nishiberi
patent: 5383052 (1995-01-01), Okazaki et al.
patent: 5430666 (1995-07-01), DeAngelis et al.
Smith, Modern Lens Design, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, 1992, Chapter 22, "Scanner/f-.THETA. and Laser Disk/Collimator Lenses," pp. 411-430.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Laser scanner does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Laser scanner, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Laser scanner will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2411978