WO1993000696A1 - Optical scanned-beam position sensing system - Google Patents

Optical scanned-beam position sensing system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1993000696A1
WO1993000696A1 PCT/US1991/004432 US9104432W WO9300696A1 WO 1993000696 A1 WO1993000696 A1 WO 1993000696A1 US 9104432 W US9104432 W US 9104432W WO 9300696 A1 WO9300696 A1 WO 9300696A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
scanning
position sensing
scanned surface
encoding
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1991/004432
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jeffrey Lynn Page
Original Assignee
Zera, Gary, William
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Zera, Gary, William filed Critical Zera, Gary, William
Priority to PCT/US1991/004432 priority Critical patent/WO1993000696A1/en
Publication of WO1993000696A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993000696A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10544—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum
    • G06K7/10821—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices
    • G06K7/10861—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels
    • G06K7/10871—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation by scanning of the records by radiation in the optical part of the electromagnetic spectrum further details of bar or optical code scanning devices sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels randomly oriented data-fields, code-marks therefore, e.g. concentric circles-code
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B26/00—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements
    • G02B26/08—Optical devices or arrangements for the control of light using movable or deformable optical elements for controlling the direction of light
    • G02B26/10—Scanning systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/12—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers by photographic printing, e.g. by laser printers
    • G06K15/1204—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers by photographic printing, e.g. by laser printers involving the fast moving of an optical beam in the main scanning direction
    • G06K15/1219—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position, e.g. synchronisation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/04—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa
    • H04N1/047—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N1/053—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position in main scanning direction, e.g. synchronisation of line start or picture elements in a line
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/04—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa
    • H04N1/113—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using oscillating or rotating mirrors
    • H04N1/1135—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using oscillating or rotating mirrors for the main-scan only
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/04—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa
    • H04N1/12—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using the sheet-feed movement or the medium-advance or the drum-rotation movement as the slow scanning component, e.g. arrangements for the main-scanning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/024—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof deleted
    • H04N2201/02406—Arrangements for positioning elements within a head
    • H04N2201/02439—Positioning method
    • H04N2201/02443—Positioning method using adhesive
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/04—Scanning arrangements
    • H04N2201/047—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04701—Detection of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/0471—Detection of scanning velocity or position using dedicated detectors
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/04—Scanning arrangements
    • H04N2201/047—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04701—Detection of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04732—Detecting at infrequent intervals, e.g. once or twice per line for main-scan control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/04—Scanning arrangements
    • H04N2201/047—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04701—Detection of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04734—Detecting at frequent intervals, e.g. once per line for sub-scan control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/04—Scanning arrangements
    • H04N2201/047—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04701—Detection of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04744—Detection of scanning velocity or position by detecting the scanned beam or a reference beam
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/04—Scanning arrangements
    • H04N2201/047—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04701—Detection of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04744—Detection of scanning velocity or position by detecting the scanned beam or a reference beam
    • H04N2201/04746—Detection of scanning velocity or position by detecting the scanned beam or a reference beam after modulation by a grating, mask or the like
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/04—Scanning arrangements
    • H04N2201/047—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04753—Control or error compensation of scanning position or velocity
    • H04N2201/04758—Control or error compensation of scanning position or velocity by controlling the position of the scanned image area
    • H04N2201/04767—Control or error compensation of scanning position or velocity by controlling the position of the scanned image area by controlling the timing of the signals, e.g. by controlling the frequency o phase of the pixel clock
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/04—Scanning arrangements
    • H04N2201/047—Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position
    • H04N2201/04753—Control or error compensation of scanning position or velocity
    • H04N2201/04794—Varying the control or compensation during the scan, e.g. using continuous feedback or from line to line
    • H04N2201/04798—Varying the main-scan control during the main-scan, e.g. facet tracking

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the technical field of deflected beam optical scanning technology and, more particularly, to systems for sensing the location of the spot at which a scanning beam impinges upon a scanned surface.
  • an optical scanning system may be either an input scanner, an output scanner, or a system that combines both of these functions.
  • the "heart" of a scanning system is a device that deflects a beam of light to form a scanning pattern. Stated more precisely, a scanning device deflects or sweeps a light beam repetitively through a prescribed pattern, for example, a TV- type raster pattern, while the entire optical scanning system either builds an image on the scanned surface, or analyzes the scanned surface.
  • a rotating mirror optical deflector might include a shaft angle encoder whose output signal measures the angle of the beam deflecting mirror as it rotates. The output signal from this shaft angle encoder is then used in calculating the position of the optical beam on the scanned surface as the mirror rotates.
  • the optical beam deflector's position permits more accurately positioning the beam on the scanned surface, it does not eliminate all positioning errors. For example, if the optical beam deflected by a rotating mirror scans a flat surface, the output signal from a shaft angle encoder coupled to the rotating mirror must be converted from polar coordinates to " Cartesian coordinates. The accuracy of the computation required for that conversion is extremely sensitive to the actual distance between the rotating mirror and the scanned surface. Similarly, any imperfection in the shape of the rotating mirror or in the relationship between mirror position and encoder position will introduce uncorrec- table errors in beam position on the scanned surface.
  • the optical beam passes through a lens along its path from the deflector to the scanned surface, the characteristics of that lens may introduce uncorrectable errors in beam positioning.
  • a lens designed to contribute only an insignificant positioning error in a scanned optical beam system is extremely compli ⁇ cated, precise and expensive. Accordingly, the precision required for each of the various components of a convention ⁇ al optical system designed to compensate for all the various sources of scanning beam positioning errors makes its cost prohibitive for any low cost product.
  • An electrical signal applied to the acousto-optic cell via a coaxial cable, deflects a portion of the incident light beam and splits it up spatially into seven different beams. After passing through the acousto- optic cell, all seven light beams impinge upon the front surface of an oscillating mirror. Oscillating rotary motion of the mirror causes all seven beams to scan back and forth in a linear pattern. While the oscillatory linear tracks of six of the seven beams ultimately impinge upon a surface of a drum, one of them, the beam that passes through the acousto-optic cell undeflected, impinges upon a ruled transmission grating.
  • a lens not illustrated in any of the figures of the street patent but described in its text, collects the light that passes through the transmission grating and concentrates it on a photodetector depicted only in FIG. 3 of the Street patent.
  • the beam of light that passes undeflected through the acousto-optic cell provides a reference beam for establishing the instantaneous position of the other six beams on the scanned surface of the drum.
  • this reference beam moves along the transmission grating in synchronism with the movement of the six beams on the surface of the drum, it produces a series of electrical pulses at the output of the photodetector.
  • an up-down counter illustrated in FIG. 3 of the patent, receives the output signal from the photodetector. At any instant in time, the number present in the up-down counter indicates the current position of the six beams of light along the length of the path scanned on the surface of the drum.
  • the Street patent discloses a system for sensing the position of a scanned optical beam that solves some of the beam positioning problems described above, there are certain difficulties with the apparatus disclosed there.
  • One difficul ⁇ ty is that the optical path for the six scanned beams that impinge upon the drum differs from that of the position scanning beam.
  • FIG. 1 of the street patent after deflection by the rotating mirror all seven scanning beams impinge upon a curved field flattening mirror, then six of the beams impinge on an auxiliary inclined mirror that directs them to the scanned surface of the drum.
  • the Street patent discloses that the seventh, undeflected beam used for sensing the position of the six other scanning beams passes the auxiliary inclined mirror and proceeds directly to the grating.
  • the auxiliary inclined mirror introduces any difference between the relative positions of the six scanning beams on the surface of the drum and the position of the seventh beam on the grating, the number present in the up- down counter will not indicate the true positions of the six beams on the surface of the drum.
  • Another difficultywith the beam position sensing apparatus disclosed in the Street patent is the amount of space occupied by the optical system that collects the light from the transmission grating and focuses it onto the photodiode. While the Street patent fails to disclose the details of that light collecting and focusing system, clearly if the six beams scan an 8 inch wide drum, the transmission grating would necessarily be of a similar length. Conversely, the photo-sensitive area of a photodetector is usually very small. Collecting a significant amount of light from only a single spot along a several inch length of a transmission grating with a lens and focusing it onto the photo-sensitive area of a photodetector as disclosed in the Street patent requires a comparatively voluminous and relatively expensive optical system. Further ⁇ more, the comparatively voluminous structure of the optical system will require a correspondingly comparatively large and relatively expensive mechanical structure to house and rigidly support the optical components.
  • Another disadvantage of the beam position sensing apparatus disclosed in the Street patent is its use of the same wave ⁇ length of light for all six scanning beams and the reference beam. Because the apparatus of the Street patent uses the same wavelength of light for all seven beams, stray light from the scanning beams can deleteriously affect the operation of the reference beam and conversely. For example, if the apparatus disclosed in the Street patent were used for scanning docu- ments, light propagating off the scanned surface and stray light from the reference beam would pass equally well through any colored filter placed over a sensor for detecting the light from the scanned surface. Conversely, if the apparatus disclosed in the Street patent were used for forming a two- dimensional image, the photosensitive material in which that image is formed would also image of any stray light from the reference beam.
  • the present invention provides a simplified device for reducing errors in beam position on a surface scanned by an optical beam scanning system.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective device for reducing errors in optical scanning beam position on a scanned surface.
  • Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an easily manufactured device for reducing errors in optical scanning beam position on a scanned surface.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact device for reducing errors in optical scanning beam position on a scanned surface.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical beam scanning system in which light from a position sensing beam does not interact deleteriously with light from a scanning beam and conversely.
  • an optical beam scanning system in accordance with the present invention includes a means for generating at least two different light beams.
  • One of these beams is a scanning beam that impinges at a spot upon a scanned surface.
  • Another of these beams is a position sensing beam for sensing the location at which the scanning beam impinges upon the scanned surface. Both the scanning beam and the position sensing beam impinge upon a device that simultaneously deflects both the scanning beam and the position sensing beam.
  • the deflector Since the position sensing beam also impinges upon the beam deflector, the deflector also causes the position sensing beam to move in synchronism with movement of the scanning beam.
  • the position sensing beam impinges at a spot upon a surface of an encoding means. Because the position sensing beam and the scanning beam move synchronously, the spot at which the position sensing beam impinges upon the surface of the encoding means moves in synchronism with movement of the scanning beam's spot of impingement across the scanned surface. As the spot of impingement of the position sensing beam moves across the encoding means, the encoding means imposes a modulation on the light of the position sensing beam that indicates movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface.
  • a light pipe collecting means gathers the light of the position sensing beam as modulated by the encoding means and supplies it to a position measuring means. The position measuring means receives the light of the position sensing beam as modulated and gathered by the encoding means and gathered by the collecting means and uses the modulation of the light to obtain a continuous measurement of the present location of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
  • red light is used for of the scanning beam and near infra-red light is used for the position sensing beam.
  • the preferred material for the scanned surface is photo-sensitive to red light but insensitive to near infra-red light.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram depicting the optical portion of a beam scanning device in accordance with the present invention including its encoding means and collecting means;
  • FIG. 2 is a enlarged perspective diagram taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 depicting in greater detail the encoding means, collecting means and the scanned surface of an optical beam scanning device in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a functional-type block diagram depicting an output scanner incorporating an optical beam scanning device in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 depicts a portion of an alternative embodiment encoding means and the collecting means adapted for producing a direct measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
  • FIG. 1 depicts the optical portion of a beam scanning system in accordance with the present invention referred to by the general reference character 10.
  • the optical scanning device 10 includes a scanning laser 12 for generating a scanning beam 14 of light.
  • the optical scanning device 10 also includes a position sensing laser 16 for generating a position sensing beam 18 of light.
  • the optical scanning device 10 includes a prism 22 through which the scanning beam 14 passes and off which the position sensing beam 18 reflects.
  • the prism 22 optically combines the scanning beam 14 and the position sensing beam 18 into a single, composite beam 24 of light.
  • the prism 22 directs the composite beam 24 onto a reflecting surface 26 of a polygonally-shaped rotating mirror 28.
  • the optical scanning device 10 includes an electric motor 32 for spinning the rotating mirror 28 about an axis 33 in the direction indicated by an arrow 34.
  • the optical scanning device 10 also includes a lens 36 located between the rotating mirror 28 and a cylindrically-shaped scanned surface 38.
  • the locations respectively of the scanning laser 12, the prism 22, the rotating mirror 28 and the lens 36 are arranged such that the lens 36 focuses the scanning beam 14 to a spot 42 on the scanned surface 38.
  • the motor 32 spins the rotating mirror 28, the spot 42 at which the scanning beam 14 impinges upon the scanned surface 38 moves along a linear path 44 across the scanned surface 38.
  • the rotating mirror 28 simultaneously deflects both the scanning beam 14 and the position sensing beam 18 thereby causing the position sensing beam 18, after being reflected from the reflecting surface 26, to move in synchronism with movement of the scanning beam 14 across the scanned surface 38.
  • the optical scanning device 10 also includes an elongated, square-shaped, unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 formed from a material that is transparent to light generated by the position sensing laser 16.
  • the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 has a longitudinal axis 54 that is arranged parallel to the linear path 44 along which the spot 42 of the scanning beam 14 moves across the scanned surface 38, and the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is juxtaposed with the path 44.
  • the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 includes an elongated encoding surface 56 having its length disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis 54 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52.
  • the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is positioned with respect to the lens 36, the rotating mirror 28, the prism 22, and the position sensing laser 16 so the lens 36 focuses the position sensing beam 18 at a spot 58 on the encoding surface 56. Therefore, simultaneous deflection of the scanning beam 14 and the position sensing beam 18 by the rotating mirror 28 cause the spot 58 at which the scanning beam 14 impinges upon the encoding surface 56 to move in synchronism with movement of the spot 42 along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38.
  • continuous spinning of the rotating mirror 28 causes both the scanning beam 14 and the position sensing beam 18 to repetitively sweep, over and over, along the length, respectively, of the path 44 on the scanned surface 38 and of the encoding surface 56 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52.
  • incremental rotary motion of the scanned surface 38 in the direction indicated by an arrow 59 between each successive traversal of the path 44 by the scanning beam 14 permits the scanning beam 14 to cover the entire area of the two-dimensional scanned surface 38.
  • the encoding surface 56 is formed by securing a film 62 of material to a surface of a square- shaped rod.
  • an elongated patterned structure 64 consisting of a set of narrow, parallel line segments 66 is formed on the film 62 with the line segments 66 arranged such that they will be orthogonal to the movement of the spot 58 along the encoding surface 56 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52.
  • the line segments 66 of the patterned structure 64 are formed from a material that is opaque to the light generated by the position sensing laser 16 while the material forming the film 62 is transpar ⁇ ent to light generated by the position sensing laser 16.
  • the film 62 imposes an intensity modulation on the light from the position sensing laser 16 that passes through it into the unitary ericoding and collecting rod 52. Because the position sensing beam 18 is deflected synchronously with the scanning beam 14, this modulation of the light from the position sensing laser 16 indicates movement of the scanning beam 14 across the scanned surface 38.
  • the material of the rod 52 scatters some fraction of the light from the position sensing laser 16 in various directions. That light in the position sensing beam 18 which is not scattered by the material of the rod 42 passes straight through the rod 52.
  • all the longitudinal surfaces of the unitary encoding and collect ⁇ ing rod 52 other than its encoding surface 56 are clad with a film 68 of material that reflects light generated by the position sensing laser 16.
  • any light in the position sensing beam 18 that is not scattered by the material of the rod 52 is reflected by the film 68 back into the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 where it may again be scattered by the material of the rod 52.
  • the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 functions as a light pipe to gather modulated light that impinges upon it and to direct that light toward both longitudinal ends of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52.
  • an encoder light-detection diode 72 that receives the light from the position sensing laser 16 which the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 gathers and directs toward that end of the rod 52.
  • the opposite end of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is clad with the film 68 to reflect any light from the position sensing laser 16 reaching that end of the rod 52 back along the length of the rod 52 toward the encoder light-detection diode 72.
  • start lens 74 Formed in the encoding surface 56 at one end of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is a start lens 74.
  • the start lens 74 and the reflecting film 68 are formed such that when the position sensing beam 18 impinges on start lens 74 light from the position sensing laser 16 passes directly through the rod 52 to be received by a start-of-scan light-detection diode 76.
  • FIG. 3 the functional-type block diagram depicted there illustrates an output scanner incorporating an optical beam scanning device in accordance with the present invention.
  • one signal lead from the encoder light-detection diode 72 connects to a non-inverting input 82 of a clock-pulse operational amplifier 84.
  • the other signal lead from the encoder light-detection diode 72 connects to an inverting input 86 of a start-of-scan operational amplifier 88.
  • one signal lead from the start-of- scan light-detection diode 76 connects to an inverting input 92 of the clock-pulse operational amplifier 84 while the other signal lead from the diode 72 connects to a non-inverting input 94 of the start-of-scan operational amplifier 88.
  • Output signals from the clock-pulse operational amplifier 84 and from the start-of-scan operational amplifier 88 are respectively applied as input signals to a clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 and to a start-of-scan Schmitt trigger circuit 98.
  • the clock- pulse Schmitt trigger 96 converts the analog output signal from the clock-pulse operational amplifier 84 into a digital signal.
  • the modulation imposed on the intensity of the position sensing beam 18 by the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is sensed by the combined encoder light-detection diode 72, clock-pulse operational amplifier 84 and clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96.
  • one state of the output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 indicates that light from the position sensing laser 16 is obscured by opaque material on the film 62, and that therefore the spot 58 at which the position sensing beam 18 impinges on the encoding surface 56 is located more over one of the line segments 66 than over the space between two immediately adjacent line segments 66.
  • the opposite state of the output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 indicates that light from the position sensing laser 16 passes through the film 62 and is gathered by the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52, and that therefore the spot 58 at which the position sensing beam 18 impinges on the encoding surface 56 is located mostly off of line segments 66.
  • the state of the output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 alternates back and forth providing a train of clock pulses indicating movement of the scanning beam 14 along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38.
  • one output state of the signal from the start- of-scan operational amplifier 88 indicates that the spot 58 at which the position sensing beam 18 impinges on the encoding surface 56 is located on the start lens 74.
  • the other output state of the signal from the operational amplifier 88 indicates that the spot 58 is located somewhere on the encoding surface 56 other than over the start lens 74.
  • the output signal from the start-of-scan Schmitt trigger circuit 98 is supplied as an input signal to a microprocessor 102.
  • a computer program executed by the microprocessor 102 can determine when the scanning beam 14 begins each successive scan along the length of the path 44 across the scanned surface 38.
  • the output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 is supplied to a frequency doubling circuit 104.
  • the preferred embodiment of the output scanner in accordance with the present invention includes the frequency doubling circuit 104 because the diameter of the spot 42 of the position sensing beam 18 on the encoding surface 56 is approximately 0.05 to 0.10 mm in diameter while the ' output scanner is designed to write individual pixels on the scanned surface 38 that are ap ⁇ proximately 0.075 mm in diameter.
  • each of the line segments 66 and each of the spaces between immediately adjacent line segments 66 must also be approximate ⁇ ly 0.05 to 0.10 mm wide. Consequently, the output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 changes state only once for each pixel movement of the scanning beam 14 along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38.
  • the output scanner in accor ⁇ dance with the present invention includes the frequency doubling circuit 104 to provide a clock signal that changes state twice for each pixel to be written on the scanned surface 38.
  • an optical beam scanning system in accordance with the present invention may include or may omit a frequency multiplying circuit such as the frequency doubling circuit 104 depicted in FIG. 3.
  • the output signal from the frequency doubling circuit 104 is supplied as an input signal both to the microprocessor 102 and to a serial clock output circuit 106.
  • the computer program executed by the microprocessor 102 can directly and continuously monitor the movement of the spot 42 at which scanning beam 14 impinges on the scanned surface 38 as spot 42 moves along the path 44, and thereby directly and continuously measure the position of the scanning beam 14 on the scanned surface 38.
  • the output signal from the serial clock output circuit 106 is also supplied as an input signal to a serial clock switch 108.
  • the microprocessor 102 supplies a second input signal to the serial clock switch 108 for inhibiting or activating the transmission of clock signals through the serial clock switch 108.
  • the computer program determines the scanning beam 14 will impinge positions along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38 at which pixels are located, the computer program transmits a signal from the microprocessor 102 to the serial clock switch 108 which permits clock signals to pass from the serial clock output circuit 106 through the serial clock switch 108 to a parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112.
  • the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112 In addition to the clock signal that the parallel-to- serial converting circuit 112 receives from the serial clock switch 108, the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112 also receives parallel transfers of image data from the microproces ⁇ sor 102 that indicate which pixels along the path 44 scanned by the scanning beam 14 are to be written and which pixels are to remain blank.
  • the computer program executed by the microprocessor 102 initially receives this data as image data input 114. While receiving the image data input 114, the microprocessor 102 stores it into an image data buffer 116.
  • the computer program executed by the microprocessor 102 successive ⁇ ly transfers image data in parallel from the image data buffer 5 116 to the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112.
  • the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112 When activated by clock signals from the serial clock switch 108, the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112 transmits successive bits of image data to a scanning laser modulation circuit 118 in synchronism with the clock signals that the parallel-t ⁇ -serial converting circuit 112 receives from the serial clock switch 108. In response to the value of successive bits of data from the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112, the scanning laser modulation circuit 118 controls the operation of the scanning laser 12 to either generate or inhibit the generation of the scanning beam 14.
  • This process of either generating or inhibiting the scanning beam 14 the spot 42 moves along the path 44 of successive scans across the scanned surface 38 as the scanned surface moves orthogonally to the linear path 44 permits an output scanner in accordance with the present invention to build a two-dimensional image on the scanned surface 38.
  • the position sensing laser 16 continuously generates the position sensing beam 18 throughout the operation of any optical beam scanning system in accordance with the present invention.
  • the scanning laser 12 generates red light at a wavelength of approximately 670 nanometers.
  • the position sensing laser 16 generates near infra-red light at a wavelength of ap- proximately 810 nanometers.
  • the preferred material for the scanned surface 38 is a photo-sensitive material that may be exposed by the red light generated by the scanning laser 12 but that is insensitive to the near infra-red light generated by the position sensing laser 16.
  • FIG. 1 depicts a polygonally-shaped rotating mirror 28 having its reflecting surfaces located at a distance from the axis 33 about which the mirror 28 rotates.
  • a deflector One characteristic of such a deflector is that the spot at which the composite beam 24 impinges on each reflecting surface moves across that surface as the mirror 28 rotates to sweep the beams 14 and 18 respectively across the scanned surface 38 and the encoding surface 56.
  • FIG. l illustrates the deflector with a polygonally shaped rotating mirror 28, the preferred beam deflecting device is a rotating mirror on which the spot at which the composite beam 24 impinges remains fixed on the reflecting surface as the mirror rotates to change only the angle at which the composite beam 24 impinges on the reflecting surface.
  • One form for such a rotating mirror 28 has its reflective surface passing through the axis 33.
  • Other forms of beam deflectors on the surface of which the composite beam 24 does not move are known in the art of optical scanned- beam deflectors.
  • a scanning device in accordance with the present invention may use a single position sensing beam 18 together with a plurality of scanning beams 14 that may be generated in various different ways known to those skilled in the art including such ways as the acousto-optic cell disclosed in the Street patent.
  • the shape of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 need not be square. Rather its cross-sectional shape can be other shapes such as round or elliptical. Moreover the material of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 cannot be completely transparent to the light generated by the position sensing laser 16. Rather, it must scatter the light generated by the position sensing laser 16 to some extent so the scattered light may be collected for reception by the encoder light-detection diode 72. To enhance scattering of the light which impinges on the collecting rod 52, the surface upon which the modulated position sensing beam 18 irst impinges may be frosted.
  • the position sensing laser 16 generates light at a wavelength to which acrylic plastic is transparent.
  • the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is preferably formed from that material. Depending upon the sensitivity of the encoder light- detection diode 72, it may not be necessary to clad the surfaces of the rod 52 with a reflective film 68.
  • An alternative form for both the patterned structure 64 and the reflecting film 68 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is a metallic coating, for example aluminum or copper, applied directly upon and intimately bonded to the surface of the rod 52. An appropriate coating of this type may be formed either by plating or by vacuum deposition onto an acrylic rod.
  • all surfaces of the rod 52 may be coated with apertures formed through the reflective coating to provide the transparent regions between immediately adjacent line segments 66 making up the patterned structure 64.
  • the encoding surface 56 and the light pipe provided by the rod 52 into a unitary structure with the encoding surface 56 on the surface of the rod 52, the advantages of the present invention may still be obtained by spacing the encoding surface 56 at a distance from the rod 52. Even though the encoding surface 56 is spaced at a distance from the rod 52, the rod 52 still functions as a light pipe for providing a simple, compact, and economical means for gathering modulated light for sensing the position of the spot 42 at which the scanning beam 14 impinges on scanned surface 38.
  • the modulated light gathered by the rod 52 passes through the scanned surface 38, for the reason set forth in the immediately prededing paragraph the light gathered by the rod 52 could reflect off of reflec ⁇ tive line segments 66 rather than being blocked by opaque line segments 66. With such reflect line segments 66, the rod 52 would be located on the opposite side of the encoding surface 56 from that illustrated in FIGs. 1, 2 and 4.
  • the encoder light-detection diode 72 and the start-of- scan light-detection diode 76 may be either a PIN high speed photo-diode Sharp PD43PI or an optical fiber communications silicon avalanche photo-diode model NDL1202 manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. If the signal from a single encoder light- detection diode 72 has insufficient strength for the input signal to the circuit depicted in FIG. 3, then encoder light- detection diodes 72 may be positioned at each end of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 and the output signals from the two diodes 72 summed to provide the input signal to the circuit depicted in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 4 depicts a portion of an alternative embodiment of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52.
  • the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' each one of which has a different pattern formed in the patterned structure 64' on its encoding surface 56'.
  • the patterns on these several unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' are formed and arranged with respect to each other, and a sufficiently large number of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' greater than the four depicted in FIG.
  • This arrangement of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52• for directly measuring the location of at which the scanning beam 14' impinges on the scanned surface 38 requires the use of a position sensing beam 18' that impinges in an oval-shaped spot 58' simultaneously on all of the unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' .
  • the direct position arrangement of sensing unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' illustrated in FIG. 4 may be used with any of the various different means for deflecting the composite beam 24* such as oscillating mirrors, rotating mirrors, holographic deflectors, and acousto-optic deflectors.
  • unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 depicted in FIGs. 1 and 2 may work improperly with any means for deflecting the composite beam 24 that does not begin each successive sweep across the scanned surface 38 from the same end of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52.
  • the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 depicted in FIGs. 1 and 2 may not work properly with an oscillating mirror deflector that first sweeps the scanning beam 14 in one direction along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38, and then sweeps it back in the opposite direction along the path 44.
  • One technique for properly sensing the position of an oscillating scanned-beam is to include start lenses 74 and start-of-scan light-detection diode 76 at both ends of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52.
  • An alternative technique for correctly detecting the motion of the scanning beam 14 in a system in which successive sweeps of the beam 14 occur in opposite directions is to use of a pair of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' having patterns formed on their encoding surfaces 56' which produce quadrature signals from their pair of encoder light-detection diodes 72* .
  • the characteristic of quadrature signals produced from such a pair of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' is that the combined signals indicate both movement and the direction of movement of both beams 14' and 18'.

Abstract

A deflected beam optical scanning system is disclosed including means for generating a composite beam (24) having at least one scanning beam (14) which impinges at spot (42) on scanned surface (38) and a position sensing beam (18) which impinges at spot (58) on encoding surface (56) of encoding and collecting rod (52). A rotating mirror (28) causes spots (42 and 58) to move synchronously respectively across scanned surface (38) and encoding surface (56). As spot (58) moves along encoding surface (56), a patterned structure (64) on its surface imposes modulation on position sensing beam (18). Modulation of position sensing beam (18) indicates movement of scanning beam (14) across scanned surface (38). Encoding and collecting rod (52) gathers the modulated light and supplies it to encoder light-detection diode (72). An electronic circuit uses the modulation of beam (18), sensed by the encoder light-detection diode (72), to continuously measure the location of scanning beam (14) on scanned surface (38).

Description

OPTICAL SCANNED-BEAM POSITION SENSING SYSTEM
Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the technical field of deflected beam optical scanning technology and, more particularly, to systems for sensing the location of the spot at which a scanning beam impinges upon a scanned surface.
Background Art Deflected beam optical scanning systems are a well recognized and established technology. For example, this technology is used in supermarket checkout scanners, in laser printers used with computers, and in color photo-copiers. From the preceding examples it is readily apparent that an optical scanning system may be either an input scanner, an output scanner, or a system that combines both of these functions. The "heart" of a scanning system is a device that deflects a beam of light to form a scanning pattern. Stated more precisely, a scanning device deflects or sweeps a light beam repetitively through a prescribed pattern, for example, a TV- type raster pattern, while the entire optical scanning system either builds an image on the scanned surface, or analyzes the scanned surface.
Well recognized techniques for deflecting an optical beam through such a repetitive pattern include oscillating mirrors, rotating mirrors, holographic deflectors, and acousto-optic deflectors. However, various mechanical and optical phenomena limit the precision with which each of these different types of deflectors position the optical beam on the scanned surface. For example, in widely used rotating mirror deflectors, noise from bearings supporting a rotating shaft bearing the mirror results in beam position errors.
One technique for sensing and correcting correct optical beam positioning errors is to incorporate an encoder into the beam deflector to indicate the deflector's actual position. Thus, a rotating mirror optical deflector might include a shaft angle encoder whose output signal measures the angle of the beam deflecting mirror as it rotates. The output signal from this shaft angle encoder is then used in calculating the position of the optical beam on the scanned surface as the mirror rotates.
However, while sensing the optical beam deflector's position permits more accurately positioning the beam on the scanned surface, it does not eliminate all positioning errors. For example, if the optical beam deflected by a rotating mirror scans a flat surface, the output signal from a shaft angle encoder coupled to the rotating mirror must be converted from polar coordinates to" Cartesian coordinates. The accuracy of the computation required for that conversion is extremely sensitive to the actual distance between the rotating mirror and the scanned surface. Similarly, any imperfection in the shape of the rotating mirror or in the relationship between mirror position and encoder position will introduce uncorrec- table errors in beam position on the scanned surface. If the optical beam passes through a lens along its path from the deflector to the scanned surface, the characteristics of that lens may introduce uncorrectable errors in beam positioning. A lens designed to contribute only an insignificant positioning error in a scanned optical beam system is extremely compli¬ cated, precise and expensive. Accordingly, the precision required for each of the various components of a convention¬ al optical system designed to compensate for all the various sources of scanning beam positioning errors makes its cost prohibitive for any low cost product.
A solution to this problem of sensing the position of an optical scanning beam is disclosed in U.S. Patent no. 4,279,472 issued July 21, 1981, to Graham S. B. Street entitled "Laser Scanning Apparatus With Beam Position Correction" ("the Street patent") . The street patent discloses a scanning apparatus in which a spot of light sweeps over a receiving surface either to build up a two-dimensional image, or to analyze the receiving surface such as scanning an image present there. As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the Street patent, it discloses an apparatus in which a beam of light from a laser first passes through an acousto-optic cell. An electrical signal, applied to the acousto-optic cell via a coaxial cable, deflects a portion of the incident light beam and splits it up spatially into seven different beams. After passing through the acousto- optic cell, all seven light beams impinge upon the front surface of an oscillating mirror. Oscillating rotary motion of the mirror causes all seven beams to scan back and forth in a linear pattern. While the oscillatory linear tracks of six of the seven beams ultimately impinge upon a surface of a drum, one of them, the beam that passes through the acousto-optic cell undeflected, impinges upon a ruled transmission grating. A lens, not illustrated in any of the figures of the street patent but described in its text, collects the light that passes through the transmission grating and concentrates it on a photodetector depicted only in FIG. 3 of the Street patent.
In the Street patent, the beam of light that passes undeflected through the acousto-optic cell provides a reference beam for establishing the instantaneous position of the other six beams on the scanned surface of the drum. As this reference beam moves along the transmission grating in synchronism with the movement of the six beams on the surface of the drum, it produces a series of electrical pulses at the output of the photodetector. The Street patent discloses that an up-down counter, illustrated in FIG. 3 of the patent, receives the output signal from the photodetector. At any instant in time, the number present in the up-down counter indicates the current position of the six beams of light along the length of the path scanned on the surface of the drum.
While the Street patent discloses a system for sensing the position of a scanned optical beam that solves some of the beam positioning problems described above, there are certain difficulties with the apparatus disclosed there. One difficul¬ ty is that the optical path for the six scanned beams that impinge upon the drum differs from that of the position scanning beam. As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the street patent, after deflection by the rotating mirror all seven scanning beams impinge upon a curved field flattening mirror, then six of the beams impinge on an auxiliary inclined mirror that directs them to the scanned surface of the drum. In contrast, the Street patent discloses that the seventh, undeflected beam used for sensing the position of the six other scanning beams passes the auxiliary inclined mirror and proceeds directly to the grating. If the auxiliary inclined mirror introduces any difference between the relative positions of the six scanning beams on the surface of the drum and the position of the seventh beam on the grating, the number present in the up- down counter will not indicate the true positions of the six beams on the surface of the drum.
Another difficultywith the beam position sensing apparatus disclosed in the Street patent is the amount of space occupied by the optical system that collects the light from the transmission grating and focuses it onto the photodiode. While the Street patent fails to disclose the details of that light collecting and focusing system, clearly if the six beams scan an 8 inch wide drum, the transmission grating would necessarily be of a similar length. Conversely, the photo-sensitive area of a photodetector is usually very small. Collecting a significant amount of light from only a single spot along a several inch length of a transmission grating with a lens and focusing it onto the photo-sensitive area of a photodetector as disclosed in the Street patent requires a comparatively voluminous and relatively expensive optical system. Further¬ more, the comparatively voluminous structure of the optical system will require a correspondingly comparatively large and relatively expensive mechanical structure to house and rigidly support the optical components.
Another disadvantage of the beam position sensing apparatus disclosed in the Street patent is its use of the same wave¬ length of light for all six scanning beams and the reference beam. Because the apparatus of the Street patent uses the same wavelength of light for all seven beams, stray light from the scanning beams can deleteriously affect the operation of the reference beam and conversely. For example, if the apparatus disclosed in the Street patent were used for scanning docu- ments, light propagating off the scanned surface and stray light from the reference beam would pass equally well through any colored filter placed over a sensor for detecting the light from the scanned surface. Conversely, if the apparatus disclosed in the Street patent were used for forming a two- dimensional image, the photosensitive material in which that image is formed would also image of any stray light from the reference beam.
Disclosure of Invention
The present invention provides a simplified device for reducing errors in beam position on a surface scanned by an optical beam scanning system. An object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective device for reducing errors in optical scanning beam position on a scanned surface.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an easily manufactured device for reducing errors in optical scanning beam position on a scanned surface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact device for reducing errors in optical scanning beam position on a scanned surface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical beam scanning system in which light from a position sensing beam does not interact deleteriously with light from a scanning beam and conversely.
Briefly, an optical beam scanning system in accordance with the present invention includes a means for generating at least two different light beams. One of these beams is a scanning beam that impinges at a spot upon a scanned surface.
Another of these beams is a position sensing beam for sensing the location at which the scanning beam impinges upon the scanned surface. Both the scanning beam and the position sensing beam impinge upon a device that simultaneously deflects both the scanning beam and the position sensing beam.
Deflection of the scanning beam by this beam deflector causes its spot of impingement to move across the scanned surface.
Since the position sensing beam also impinges upon the beam deflector, the deflector also causes the position sensing beam to move in synchronism with movement of the scanning beam.
In an optical beam scanning system in accordance with the present invention, the position sensing beam impinges at a spot upon a surface of an encoding means. Because the position sensing beam and the scanning beam move synchronously, the spot at which the position sensing beam impinges upon the surface of the encoding means moves in synchronism with movement of the scanning beam's spot of impingement across the scanned surface. As the spot of impingement of the position sensing beam moves across the encoding means, the encoding means imposes a modulation on the light of the position sensing beam that indicates movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface. A light pipe collecting means gathers the light of the position sensing beam as modulated by the encoding means and supplies it to a position measuring means. The position measuring means receives the light of the position sensing beam as modulated and gathered by the encoding means and gathered by the collecting means and uses the modulation of the light to obtain a continuous measurement of the present location of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention when incor¬ porated into an output scanning device, red light is used for of the scanning beam and near infra-red light is used for the position sensing beam. The preferred material for the scanned surface is photo-sensitive to red light but insensitive to near infra-red light. By using this combination of light beams and this material for the scanned surface, light from the position sensing beam does not interact deleteriously with light from the scanning beam and conversely.
These and other features, objects and advantages will be understood or apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the various drawing figures.
Brief Description of Drawings
FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram depicting the optical portion of a beam scanning device in accordance with the present invention including its encoding means and collecting means;
FIG. 2 is a enlarged perspective diagram taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 depicting in greater detail the encoding means, collecting means and the scanned surface of an optical beam scanning device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a functional-type block diagram depicting an output scanner incorporating an optical beam scanning device in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 4 depicts a portion of an alternative embodiment encoding means and the collecting means adapted for producing a direct measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
FIG. 1 depicts the optical portion of a beam scanning system in accordance with the present invention referred to by the general reference character 10. The optical scanning device 10 includes a scanning laser 12 for generating a scanning beam 14 of light. The optical scanning device 10 also includes a position sensing laser 16 for generating a position sensing beam 18 of light. The optical scanning device 10 includes a prism 22 through which the scanning beam 14 passes and off which the position sensing beam 18 reflects. Thus the prism 22 optically combines the scanning beam 14 and the position sensing beam 18 into a single, composite beam 24 of light. The prism 22 directs the composite beam 24 onto a reflecting surface 26 of a polygonally-shaped rotating mirror 28. The optical scanning device 10 includes an electric motor 32 for spinning the rotating mirror 28 about an axis 33 in the direction indicated by an arrow 34.
Referring now to both FIGs. 1 and 2, the optical scanning device 10 also includes a lens 36 located between the rotating mirror 28 and a cylindrically-shaped scanned surface 38. The locations respectively of the scanning laser 12, the prism 22, the rotating mirror 28 and the lens 36 are arranged such that the lens 36 focuses the scanning beam 14 to a spot 42 on the scanned surface 38. As the motor 32 spins the rotating mirror 28, the spot 42 at which the scanning beam 14 impinges upon the scanned surface 38 moves along a linear path 44 across the scanned surface 38. Because the composite beam 24, that includes both the scanning beam 14 and the position sensing beam 18, impinges upon the reflecting surface 26 of the rotating mirror 28, the rotating mirror 28 simultaneously deflects both the scanning beam 14 and the position sensing beam 18 thereby causing the position sensing beam 18, after being reflected from the reflecting surface 26, to move in synchronism with movement of the scanning beam 14 across the scanned surface 38.
The optical scanning device 10 also includes an elongated, square-shaped, unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 formed from a material that is transparent to light generated by the position sensing laser 16. The unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 has a longitudinal axis 54 that is arranged parallel to the linear path 44 along which the spot 42 of the scanning beam 14 moves across the scanned surface 38, and the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is juxtaposed with the path 44. The unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 includes an elongated encoding surface 56 having its length disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis 54 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52. The unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is positioned with respect to the lens 36, the rotating mirror 28, the prism 22, and the position sensing laser 16 so the lens 36 focuses the position sensing beam 18 at a spot 58 on the encoding surface 56. Therefore, simultaneous deflection of the scanning beam 14 and the position sensing beam 18 by the rotating mirror 28 cause the spot 58 at which the scanning beam 14 impinges upon the encoding surface 56 to move in synchronism with movement of the spot 42 along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38. Furthermore, continuous spinning of the rotating mirror 28 causes both the scanning beam 14 and the position sensing beam 18 to repetitively sweep, over and over, along the length, respectively, of the path 44 on the scanned surface 38 and of the encoding surface 56 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52. Moreover, incremental rotary motion of the scanned surface 38 in the direction indicated by an arrow 59 between each successive traversal of the path 44 by the scanning beam 14 permits the scanning beam 14 to cover the entire area of the two-dimensional scanned surface 38. In the embodiment of the optical scanning device 10 depicted in FIGs. 1 and 2, the encoding surface 56 is formed by securing a film 62 of material to a surface of a square- shaped rod. Before securing the film 62 to the rod, an elongated patterned structure 64 consisting of a set of narrow, parallel line segments 66 is formed on the film 62 with the line segments 66 arranged such that they will be orthogonal to the movement of the spot 58 along the encoding surface 56 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52. The line segments 66 of the patterned structure 64 are formed from a material that is opaque to the light generated by the position sensing laser 16 while the material forming the film 62 is transpar¬ ent to light generated by the position sensing laser 16. Thus, as the spot 58 of the position sensing beam 18 moves along the length of the patterned structure 64 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 passing across successive line segments 66, the film 62 imposes an intensity modulation on the light from the position sensing laser 16 that passes through it into the unitary ericoding and collecting rod 52. Because the position sensing beam 18 is deflected synchronously with the scanning beam 14, this modulation of the light from the position sensing laser 16 indicates movement of the scanning beam 14 across the scanned surface 38.
Within the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52, the material of the rod 52 scatters some fraction of the light from the position sensing laser 16 in various directions. That light in the position sensing beam 18 which is not scattered by the material of the rod 42 passes straight through the rod 52. To gather the light from the position sensing beam 18, all the longitudinal surfaces of the unitary encoding and collect¬ ing rod 52 other than its encoding surface 56 are clad with a film 68 of material that reflects light generated by the position sensing laser 16. Thus any light in the position sensing beam 18 that is not scattered by the material of the rod 52 is reflected by the film 68 back into the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 where it may again be scattered by the material of the rod 52. Some fraction of the light of the position sensing beam 18 entering the rod 52 is scattered in directions such that reflection from the film 68 gathers it and directs it generally along the longitudinal axis 54 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52. Thus, the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 functions as a light pipe to gather modulated light that impinges upon it and to direct that light toward both longitudinal ends of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52.
Located at one end of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is an encoder light-detection diode 72 that receives the light from the position sensing laser 16 which the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 gathers and directs toward that end of the rod 52. The opposite end of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is clad with the film 68 to reflect any light from the position sensing laser 16 reaching that end of the rod 52 back along the length of the rod 52 toward the encoder light-detection diode 72.
Formed in the encoding surface 56 at one end of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is a start lens 74. The start lens 74 and the reflecting film 68 are formed such that when the position sensing beam 18 impinges on start lens 74 light from the position sensing laser 16 passes directly through the rod 52 to be received by a start-of-scan light-detection diode 76.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the functional-type block diagram depicted there illustrates an output scanner incorporating an optical beam scanning device in accordance with the present invention. As depicted in FIG. 3, one signal lead from the encoder light-detection diode 72 connects to a non-inverting input 82 of a clock-pulse operational amplifier 84. The other signal lead from the encoder light-detection diode 72 connects to an inverting input 86 of a start-of-scan operational amplifier 88. Similarly, one signal lead from the start-of- scan light-detection diode 76 connects to an inverting input 92 of the clock-pulse operational amplifier 84 while the other signal lead from the diode 72 connects to a non-inverting input 94 of the start-of-scan operational amplifier 88. Output signals from the clock-pulse operational amplifier 84 and from the start-of-scan operational amplifier 88 are respectively applied as input signals to a clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 and to a start-of-scan Schmitt trigger circuit 98. The clock- pulse Schmitt trigger 96 converts the analog output signal from the clock-pulse operational amplifier 84 into a digital signal. The modulation imposed on the intensity of the position sensing beam 18 by the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is sensed by the combined encoder light-detection diode 72, clock-pulse operational amplifier 84 and clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96. Thus, one state of the output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 indicates that light from the position sensing laser 16 is obscured by opaque material on the film 62, and that therefore the spot 58 at which the position sensing beam 18 impinges on the encoding surface 56 is located more over one of the line segments 66 than over the space between two immediately adjacent line segments 66. Conversely, the opposite state of the output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 indicates that light from the position sensing laser 16 passes through the film 62 and is gathered by the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52, and that therefore the spot 58 at which the position sensing beam 18 impinges on the encoding surface 56 is located mostly off of line segments 66. Thus, as the spot 58 moves along the length of the patterned structure 64 on the film 62, the state of the output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 alternates back and forth providing a train of clock pulses indicating movement of the scanning beam 14 along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38.
Similarly, one output state of the signal from the start- of-scan operational amplifier 88 indicates that the spot 58 at which the position sensing beam 18 impinges on the encoding surface 56 is located on the start lens 74. Conversely, the other output state of the signal from the operational amplifier 88 indicates that the spot 58 is located somewhere on the encoding surface 56 other than over the start lens 74. The output signal from the start-of-scan Schmitt trigger circuit 98 is supplied as an input signal to a microprocessor 102. Thus, by monitoring the state of the output signal from the start-of-scan Schmitt trigger circuit 98, a computer program executed by the microprocessor 102 can determine when the scanning beam 14 begins each successive scan along the length of the path 44 across the scanned surface 38.
The output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 is supplied to a frequency doubling circuit 104. The preferred embodiment of the output scanner in accordance with the present invention includes the frequency doubling circuit 104 because the diameter of the spot 42 of the position sensing beam 18 on the encoding surface 56 is approximately 0.05 to 0.10 mm in diameter while the' output scanner is designed to write individual pixels on the scanned surface 38 that are ap¬ proximately 0.075 mm in diameter. To obtain approximately 80% modulation of the light in the position sensing beam 18 as it moves along the patterned structure 64 of the film 62 on the encoding surface 56 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52, each of the line segments 66 and each of the spaces between immediately adjacent line segments 66 must also be approximate¬ ly 0.05 to 0.10 mm wide. Consequently, the output signal from the clock-pulse Schmitt trigger 96 changes state only once for each pixel movement of the scanning beam 14 along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38. To eliminate errors in sensing the position at which the spot 42 impinges on the scanned surface 38 due to variations in the respective widths of the line segments 66 and the spaces between immediately adjacent pairs of line segments 66 arising from the fabrication process for the patterned structure 64, the output scanner in accor¬ dance with the present invention includes the frequency doubling circuit 104 to provide a clock signal that changes state twice for each pixel to be written on the scanned surface 38. Depending upon the relative diameters of the spot 58 at which the position sensing beam 18 impinges upon the encoding surface 56 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 and of the spot 42 at which the scanning beam 14 impinges upon the scanned surface 38, an optical beam scanning system in accordance with the present invention may include or may omit a frequency multiplying circuit such as the frequency doubling circuit 104 depicted in FIG. 3. The output signal from the frequency doubling circuit 104 is supplied as an input signal both to the microprocessor 102 and to a serial clock output circuit 106. By monitoring the state of the output signal from the frequency doubling circuit 104, the computer program executed by the microprocessor 102 can directly and continuously monitor the movement of the spot 42 at which scanning beam 14 impinges on the scanned surface 38 as spot 42 moves along the path 44, and thereby directly and continuously measure the position of the scanning beam 14 on the scanned surface 38.
In addition to being supplied as an input signal to the microprocessor 102, the output signal from the serial clock output circuit 106 is also supplied as an input signal to a serial clock switch 108. The microprocessor 102 supplies a second input signal to the serial clock switch 108 for inhibiting or activating the transmission of clock signals through the serial clock switch 108. Thus, when in response to signals that the microprocessor 102 receives from the start- of-scan Schmitt trigger circuit 98 and from the frequency doubling circuit 104 the computer program determines the scanning beam 14 will impinge positions along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38 at which pixels are located, the computer program transmits a signal from the microprocessor 102 to the serial clock switch 108 which permits clock signals to pass from the serial clock output circuit 106 through the serial clock switch 108 to a parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112.
In addition to the clock signal that the parallel-to- serial converting circuit 112 receives from the serial clock switch 108, the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112 also receives parallel transfers of image data from the microproces¬ sor 102 that indicate which pixels along the path 44 scanned by the scanning beam 14 are to be written and which pixels are to remain blank. The computer program executed by the microprocessor 102 initially receives this data as image data input 114. While receiving the image data input 114, the microprocessor 102 stores it into an image data buffer 116. After all the data for an image to be written on the scanned surface 38 has been stored in the image data buffer 116 and the output scanner begins operating to produce the image, the computer program executed by the microprocessor 102 successive¬ ly transfers image data in parallel from the image data buffer 5 116 to the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112.
When activated by clock signals from the serial clock switch 108, the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112 transmits successive bits of image data to a scanning laser modulation circuit 118 in synchronism with the clock signals that the parallel-tό-serial converting circuit 112 receives from the serial clock switch 108. In response to the value of successive bits of data from the parallel-to-serial converting circuit 112, the scanning laser modulation circuit 118 controls the operation of the scanning laser 12 to either generate or inhibit the generation of the scanning beam 14. This process of either generating or inhibiting the scanning beam 14 the spot 42 moves along the path 44 of successive scans across the scanned surface 38 as the scanned surface moves orthogonally to the linear path 44 permits an output scanner in accordance with the present invention to build a two-dimensional image on the scanned surface 38.
Because the position sensing beam 18 must always be present for continuously measuring the position at which the scanning beam 14 may impinge upon the scanned surface 38, the position sensing laser 16 continuously generates the position sensing beam 18 throughout the operation of any optical beam scanning system in accordance with the present invention.
Industrial Applicability In the preferred embodiment of the output scanner depicted in FIG. 3, the scanning laser 12 generates red light at a wavelength of approximately 670 nanometers. In the preferred embodiment of that output scanner, the position sensing laser 16 generates near infra-red light at a wavelength of ap- proximately 810 nanometers. In the operation of this output scanner, the preferred material for the scanned surface 38 is a photo-sensitive material that may be exposed by the red light generated by the scanning laser 12 but that is insensitive to the near infra-red light generated by the position sensing laser 16. By using this combination of light generating lasers 12 and 16 and this material for the scanned surface 38, light from the position sensing beam 18 does not interact deleter- iously with light from the scanning beam 14 and conversely.
FIG. 1 depicts a polygonally-shaped rotating mirror 28 having its reflecting surfaces located at a distance from the axis 33 about which the mirror 28 rotates. One characteristic of such a deflector is that the spot at which the composite beam 24 impinges on each reflecting surface moves across that surface as the mirror 28 rotates to sweep the beams 14 and 18 respectively across the scanned surface 38 and the encoding surface 56. While for pedagogical reasons FIG. l illustrates the deflector with a polygonally shaped rotating mirror 28, the preferred beam deflecting device is a rotating mirror on which the spot at which the composite beam 24 impinges remains fixed on the reflecting surface as the mirror rotates to change only the angle at which the composite beam 24 impinges on the reflecting surface. One form for such a rotating mirror 28 has its reflective surface passing through the axis 33. Other forms of beam deflectors on the surface of which the composite beam 24 does not move are known in the art of optical scanned- beam deflectors.
A scanning device in accordance with the present invention may use a single position sensing beam 18 together with a plurality of scanning beams 14 that may be generated in various different ways known to those skilled in the art including such ways as the acousto-optic cell disclosed in the Street patent.
The shape of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 need not be square. Rather its cross-sectional shape can be other shapes such as round or elliptical. Moreover the material of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 cannot be completely transparent to the light generated by the position sensing laser 16. Rather, it must scatter the light generated by the position sensing laser 16 to some extent so the scattered light may be collected for reception by the encoder light-detection diode 72. To enhance scattering of the light which impinges on the collecting rod 52, the surface upon which the modulated position sensing beam 18 irst impinges may be frosted.
In the embodiment of the invention described above, the position sensing laser 16 generates light at a wavelength to which acrylic plastic is transparent. Thus, the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is preferably formed from that material. Depending upon the sensitivity of the encoder light- detection diode 72, it may not be necessary to clad the surfaces of the rod 52 with a reflective film 68. An alternative form for both the patterned structure 64 and the reflecting film 68 of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 is a metallic coating, for example aluminum or copper, applied directly upon and intimately bonded to the surface of the rod 52. An appropriate coating of this type may be formed either by plating or by vacuum deposition onto an acrylic rod. In this alternative structure for the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52, all surfaces of the rod 52 may be coated with apertures formed through the reflective coating to provide the transparent regions between immediately adjacent line segments 66 making up the patterned structure 64.
While for reasons of cost, simplicity of manufacture, physical size, etc. it is preferable to incorporate the encoding surface 56 and the light pipe provided by the rod 52 into a unitary structure with the encoding surface 56 on the surface of the rod 52, the advantages of the present invention may still be obtained by spacing the encoding surface 56 at a distance from the rod 52. Even though the encoding surface 56 is spaced at a distance from the rod 52, the rod 52 still functions as a light pipe for providing a simple, compact, and economical means for gathering modulated light for sensing the position of the spot 42 at which the scanning beam 14 impinges on scanned surface 38.
While in the preferred embodiment the modulated light gathered by the rod 52 passes through the scanned surface 38, for the reason set forth in the immediately prededing paragraph the light gathered by the rod 52 could reflect off of reflec¬ tive line segments 66 rather than being blocked by opaque line segments 66. With such reflect line segments 66, the rod 52 would be located on the opposite side of the encoding surface 56 from that illustrated in FIGs. 1, 2 and 4.
The encoder light-detection diode 72 and the start-of- scan light-detection diode 76 may be either a PIN high speed photo-diode Sharp PD43PI or an optical fiber communications silicon avalanche photo-diode model NDL1202 manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd. If the signal from a single encoder light- detection diode 72 has insufficient strength for the input signal to the circuit depicted in FIG. 3, then encoder light- detection diodes 72 may be positioned at each end of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 and the output signals from the two diodes 72 summed to provide the input signal to the circuit depicted in FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 depicts a portion of an alternative embodiment of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52. Those elements depicted in FIG. 4 that are common to the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 depicted in FIGs. 1 and 2 and carry the same reference numeral distinguished by a prime (""•) designation. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 includes a plurality of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' each one of which has a different pattern formed in the patterned structure 64' on its encoding surface 56'. The patterns on these several unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' are formed and arranged with respect to each other, and a sufficiently large number of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' greater than the four depicted in FIG. 4 are used so that the output signals from the equal number of encoder light-detection diodes 72' (not depicted in FIG. 4), one for each rod 52', provide a plurality of output signals, equal in number to the plurality of rods 52'. This plurality of output signals from the encoder light-detection diodes 72' directly indicate the position of the scanning beam 14 on the scanned surface 38.
This arrangement of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52• for directly measuring the location of at which the scanning beam 14' impinges on the scanned surface 38 requires the use of a position sensing beam 18' that impinges in an oval-shaped spot 58' simultaneously on all of the unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' . The direct position arrangement of sensing unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' illustrated in FIG. 4 may be used with any of the various different means for deflecting the composite beam 24* such as oscillating mirrors, rotating mirrors, holographic deflectors, and acousto-optic deflectors.
It should be noted that the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 depicted in FIGs. 1 and 2 may work improperly with any means for deflecting the composite beam 24 that does not begin each successive sweep across the scanned surface 38 from the same end of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52. Thus, the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52 depicted in FIGs. 1 and 2 may not work properly with an oscillating mirror deflector that first sweeps the scanning beam 14 in one direction along the path 44 across the scanned surface 38, and then sweeps it back in the opposite direction along the path 44.
One technique for properly sensing the position of an oscillating scanned-beam is to include start lenses 74 and start-of-scan light-detection diode 76 at both ends of the unitary encoding and collecting rod 52. An alternative technique for correctly detecting the motion of the scanning beam 14 in a system in which successive sweeps of the beam 14 occur in opposite directions is to use of a pair of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' having patterns formed on their encoding surfaces 56' which produce quadrature signals from their pair of encoder light-detection diodes 72* . The characteristic of quadrature signals produced from such a pair of unitary encoding and collecting rods 52' is that the combined signals indicate both movement and the direction of movement of both beams 14' and 18'.
Although the present invention has been described in terms of the presently preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is purely illustrative and is not to be interpreted as limiting. For example, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the output scanner depicted in FIG. 3 may be easily adapted to function as an input scanner in which the light of the scanning beam 14 is used to analyze the scanned surface 38 rather than forming an image there. Consequently, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, various alterations, modifications, and/or alternative applications of the invention will, no doubt, be suggested to those skilled in the art after having read the preceding disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted as encompassing all alterations, modifications, or alternative applications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

The ClaimsWhat Is Claimed Is:
1. An optical beam scanning system comprising: a. multiple beam generating means for generating a plurality of light beams, i. one beam of said plurality of beams being a scanning beam that impinges at a spot upon a scanned surface; and ii. another beam of said plurality of beams being a position sensing beam for sensing the location at which the scanning beam impinges upon the scanned surface; b. deflection means that simultaneously deflects both the scanning beam and the position sensing beam for moving the spot at which the scanning beam impinges upon the scanned surface along a path across the scanned surface; c. encoding means having a surface upon which the light of the position sensing beam impinges at a spot that moves in synchronism with the movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface, said encoding means imposing a modulation on the light of the position sensing beam which modulation indicates movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface; d. light pipe collecting means upon which light of the position sensing beam impinges after passing through said encoding means, said light pipe collecting means gathering the light of the position sensing beam; and e. position measuring means for receiving the light of the position sensing beam as modulated by said encoding means and gathered by said light pipe collecting means for utilizing the modulation of the light in the position sensing beam to obtain a continuous measurement of the present location of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
2. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein said multiple beam generating means includes a plurality of independent light sources each such source generating a beam of light, one beam generated by a light source being the scanning beam and another beam generated by a different light source being the position sensing beam, said multiple beam generating means further including means for optically combining the beams of light generated by the plurality of light sources and directing the combined beams of light toward said deflection means.
3. The optical beam scanning system of claim 2 wherein the scanning beam light source generates a first wavelength of light and the position sensing beam light source generates a. second wavelength of light that differs in wavelength from the light generated by the scanning beam light source.
4. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein the light of the scanning beam is of a first wavelength and the light of the position sensing beam is of a second wavelength different from the wavelength of the light of the scanning beam.
5. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein said deflection means includes an oscillating mirror.
6. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein said deflection means includes a rotating mirror.
7. The optical beam scanning system of claim l wherein said deflection means includes a holographic deflector.
8. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein said deflection means includes an acousto-optic deflector.
9. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 further including a lens located between said deflection means and the scanned surface for focusing the scanning beam onto the scanned surface, the light of both the scanning beam and the position sensing beam as deflected by said deflection means passing through said lens before the light of said sensing beam impinges upon the scanned surface and the light of said position sensing beam impinges upon said encoding means.
10. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein said encoding means includes an elongated film of light transparent material having a longitudinal surface along the length of which the spot at which the position sensing beam impinges on said encoding means moves synchronously withmotion of the spot at which the scanning beam impinges on the scanned surface, said encoding means including an elongated patterned structure extending along the length of the film for modulat- ing the light of the position sensing beam as its spot of impingement moves along the length of said encoding means synchronously with movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface.
11. The optical beam scanning system of claim 10 wherein said light pipe collecting means includes an elongated rod of light transparent material having a light reflective material covering those longitudinal surfaces of the rod other than that upon which the position sensing beam impinges for directing back into the rod light from the sensing beam that passes through the rod.
12. The optical beam scanning system of claim 11 wherein the light reflective material for reflecting light back into the rod is coated directly upon and intimately bonded to the surface of the elongated rod.
13. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein said encoding means and said light pipe collecting means are a unitary structure with said encoding means being located on a surface of said light pipe collecting means.
14. The optical beam scanning system of claim 13 wherein said unitary encoding means and collecting means are jux¬ taposed with the path of scanning beam movement across the scanned surface.
15. The optical beam scanning system of claim 14 wherein the light of the scanning beam is of a first wavelength and the light of the position sensing beam is of a second wavelength different from the wavelength of the light of the scanning beam.
16. The optical beam scanning system of claim 15 further including means for modulating the light of the scanning beam.
17. The optical beam scanning system of claim 15 further including means for sensing modulation of the light of the scanning beam that propagates off the scanned surface.
18. The optical beam scanning system of claim 15 wherein said unitary encoding means and light pipe collecting means includes an elongated rod of light transparent material having a light reflective material covering the surfaces of the rod, the light reflective material being coated directly upon and intimately bonded to all longitudinal surfaces of the .longated rod, the patterned structure of said encoding means being formed by apertures passing through the reflective coating.
19. The optical beam scanning system of claim 15 wherein the modulation that said encoding means imposes on the light of the position sensing beam creates a clock signal in response to movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface, and the position measuring means counts that clock signal to obtain a measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
20. The optical beam scanning system of claim 14 wherein said unitary encoding means and light pipe collecting means includes an elongated rod of light transparent material having a light reflective material covering the surfaces of the rod, the light reflective material being coated directly upon and intimately bonded to all longitudinal surfaces of the elongated rod, the patterned structure of said encoding means being formed by apertures passing through the reflective coating.
21. The optical beam scanning system of claim 14 wherein the modulation that said encoding means imposes on the light of the position sensing beam creates a clock signal in response to movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface, and the position measuring means counts that clock signal to obtain a measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
22. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein said encoding means imposes intensity modulation on the light of the position sensing beam.
23. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein the modulation that said encoding means imposes on the light of the position sensing beam creates a clock signal in response to movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface, and the position measuring means counts that clock signal to obtain a measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
24. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein the modulation that said encoding means imposes on the light of the position sensing beam creates quadrature signals in response to movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface, and the position measuring means uses the quadrature signals to obtain a measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
25. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein the modulation that said encoding means imposes on the light of the position sensing beam creates signals that provides a direct measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
26. The optical beam scanning system of claim 1 wherein said encoding means is juxtaposed with the path of scanning beam movement across the scanned surface.
27. An encoder and light pipe collector for use in an optical beam scanning system that includes multiple beam generating means for generating a plurality of light beams, one beam of said plurality of beams being a scanning beam that impinges at a spot upon a scanned surface, and another beam of said plurality of beams being a position sensing beam for sensing the location at which the scanning beam impinges upon the scanned surface; deflection means that simultaneously deflects both the scanning beam and the position sensing beam for moving the spot at which the scanning beam impinges upon the scanned surface along a path across the scanned surface; and position measuring means for receiving the light of the position sensing beam for utilizing modulation of the light in the position sensing beam to obtain a continuous measurement of the present location of the scanning beam on the scanned surface; said encoder and light pipe collector comprising: an encoding surface upon which the light of the position sensing beam impinges at a spot that moves in synchronism with the movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface, said encoding surface imposing a modulation on the light of the position sensing beam which modulation indicates movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface; and light pipe means upon which light of the position sensing beam impinges after passing through said encoding surface, said light pipe means gathering the light of the position sensing beam for receipt and utilization by the position measuring means.
28. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 27 wherein the encoding surface is formed from an elongated film of light transparent material along the length of which the spot at which the position sensing beam impinges moves synchro¬ nously with motion of the spot at which the scanning beam impinges on the scanned surface, said encoding surface including an elongated patterned structure extending along the length of the film for modulating the light of the position sensing beam as its spot of impingement moves along the length of said encoding surface synchronously with movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface.
29. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 28 having a light pipe formed by an elongated rod of light transparent material the surfaces of which, other than that upon which the position sensing beam impinges, being covered by a reflective material for directing back into the rod light from the sensing beam that passes through the rod.
30. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 29 wherein the light reflective material for reflecting light back into the rod is coated directly upon and intimately bonded to the surface of the elongated rod.
31. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 27 wherein said encoding surface and said light pipe means are a unitary structure with said encoding surface being located on a surface of said light pipe means.
32. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 31 wherein said unitary encoding sur ace and light pipe means are juxtaposed with the path of scanning beam movement across the scanned surface.
33. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 32 wherein said unitary encoding surface and light pipe means includes an elongated rod of light transparent material having a light reflective material covering the surfaces of the rod, the light reflective material being coated directly upon and intimately bonded to all longitudinal surfaces of the elongated rod, the patterned structure of said encoding surface being formed by apertures passing through the reflective coating.
34. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 32 wherein the modulation that said encoding surface imposes on the light of the position sensing beam creates a clock signal in response to movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface, and the position measuring means counts that clock signal to obtain a measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
35. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 27 wherein said encoder surface imposes intensity modulation on the light of the position sensing beam.
36. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 27 wherein the modulation that said encoder and light pipe means imposes on the light of the position sensing beam creates a clock signal in response to movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface, and the position measuring means counts that clock signal to obtain a measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
37. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 27 wherein the modulation that said encoder and light pipe means imposes on the light of the position sensing beam creates quadrature signals in response to movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface, and the position measuring means uses the quadrature signals to obtain a measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
38. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 27 wherein the modulation that said encoder and light pipe means imposes on the light of the position sensing beam creates signals that provides a direct measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
39. The encoder and light pipe collector of claim 27 wherein the encoding surface upon which the light of the position sensing beam impinges is juxtaposed with the path of scanning beam movement across the scanned surface.
40. A method for optical scanning comprising the steps of: a. generating a plurality of light beams, i. one beam of said plurality of beams being a scanning beam that impinges at a spot upon a scanned surface; and ii. another beam of said plurality of beams being a position sensing beam for sensing the location at which the scanning beam impinges upon the scanned surface; the light of the scanning beam being of a irst wavelength and the light of the position sensing beam being of a second wavelength different from the wavelength of the light of the scanning beam; b. deflecting both the scanning beam and the position sensing beam for moving the spot at which the scanning beam impinges upon the scanned surface along a path across the scanned surface; c. imposing a modulation on the light of the position sensing beam which modulation indicates movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface; d. gathering and receiving the light of the position sensing beam; and e. utilizing the modulation of the light in the position sensing beam to obtain a continuous measurement of the present location of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
41. The method for optical scanning of claim 40 wherein an independent light source generates each of said beams, the method further comprising the step of optically combining the beam of light generated by each light source into a single, composite beam.
42. The method for optical scanning of claim 40 further comprising the step of focusing the scanning beam onto the scanned surface.
43. The method for optical scanning of claim 40 wherein intensity modulation is imposed upon the light of the position sensing beam.
44. The method for optical scanning of claim 40 wherein the modulation imposed on the light of the position sensing beam creates a clock signal in response to movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface.
45. The method for optical scanning of claim 40 wherein the modulation imposed on the light of the position sensing beam creates a quadrature signals in response to movement of the scanning beam across the scanned surface.
46. The method for optical scanning of claim 40 wherein the modulation imposed on the light of the position sensing beam creates a signal that provides a direct measurement of the position of the scanning beam on the scanned surface.
47. The method for optical scanning of claim 40 further comprising the step of modulating the light of the scanning beam.
48. The method for optical scanning of claim 40 further comprising the step of sensing modulation of the light of the scanning beam that propagates off the scanned surface.
PCT/US1991/004432 1991-06-21 1991-06-21 Optical scanned-beam position sensing system WO1993000696A1 (en)

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