Optical scanning system with correction

• US 20060284790A1
• Filed: 07/24/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clarence T. Tegreene, David L. Dickensheets
• Original Assignee: Clarence T. Tegreene, David L. Dickensheets
• Inventors: Tegreene, Clarence T., Dickensheets, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,428,093 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/014 comprising information/image processing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/10 Scanning systems
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/101 with both horizontal and vertical deflecting means, e.g. raster or XY scanners colour television using laser beams scanning a display screen H04N9/3129
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0031 for scanning purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/01 Head-up displays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0101 characterised by optical features G02B27/0172 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/02 by tracing or scanning a light beam on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/047 Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position H04N1/0402 and H04N1/17 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0471 using dedicated detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04744 by detecting the scanned beam or a reference beam
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0476 using an optical, electro-optical or acousto-optical element

Abstract

A scanning system device has a predetermined aberration as it scans or switches light along selected optical paths. A deformable membrane receives the light and introduces an inverse “aberration” that offsets that of the scanning system. In one embodiment the scanning system includes a torsion arm that supports an oscillatory body. The torsion arm and/or body can be machined from metal, micromachined in silicon or formed in a variety of other ways. Alternatively, the scanning system may include a rotating polygonal scanner or other type of optical scanner. In another approach, an optical switch replaces the scanner.

Claims

1. An optical imaging apparatus comprising:

a scanner having an input aligned to a scan field and an output, the scanner being configured to redirect light sequentially from respective locations in the scan field to the output, the scanner having a predetermined optical response that includes an aberration;

an optical detector aligned to the output and responsive to the redirected light to produce a signal indicative of the redirected light; and

an electrically controlled corrective optical element positioned between the scanner and the optical detector, the optical element being responsive to the electrical signal to introduce an optical path length correction inverse to the aberration.