Optical scanner system having a laser beam power attentuation mechanism
First Claim
1. An optical scanner assembly for exposing an image on a scanned surface, the optical scanner assembly comprising:
- a laser mechanism for producing a modulated laser beam representative of the image to be exposed on the scanned surface, the laser beam defining an optical path between the laser mechanism and the scanned surface;
a laser beam shaping system positioned along said optical path for focusing and shaping the laser beam onto the scanned surface;
a scanning and directing system positioned along said optical path for directing the laser beam to the scanned surface and scanning the laser beam across the scanned surface in an image-wise pattern;
a single unibody variable density attenuation mechanism positioned along said optical path for power attenuation of the laser beam along a single polarization axis which is shifted laterally of said optical path, wherein the unibody attenuation mechanism is a linear density wedge; and
an optical device for correcting said lateral shift of said laser beam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical scanner assembly for exposing an image on a scanned surface. The optical scanner assembly includes a laser mechanism for producing a laser beam representative of the image to be exposed on the scanned surface. The laser beam defines an optical path between the laser mechanism and the scanned surface. A laser beam shaping system is positioned along the optical path for focusing and shaping the laser beam onto the scanned surface. A scanning and directing system is provided for directing the laser beam to the scanned surface and scanning the laser beam across the scanned surface in an image-wise pattern. A unibody attenuation mechanism is positioned along the optical path for power attenuation of the laser beam, wherein the unibody variable density power attenuation mechanism is a linear density wedge.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An optical scanner assembly for exposing an image on a scanned surface, the optical scanner assembly comprising:
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a laser mechanism for producing a modulated laser beam representative of the image to be exposed on the scanned surface, the laser beam defining an optical path between the laser mechanism and the scanned surface; a laser beam shaping system positioned along said optical path for focusing and shaping the laser beam onto the scanned surface; a scanning and directing system positioned along said optical path for directing the laser beam to the scanned surface and scanning the laser beam across the scanned surface in an image-wise pattern; a single unibody variable density attenuation mechanism positioned along said optical path for power attenuation of the laser beam along a single polarization axis which is shifted laterally of said optical path, wherein the unibody attenuation mechanism is a linear density wedge; and an optical device for correcting said lateral shift of said laser beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An optical scanner assembly used in an internal drum type scanner, for exposing an image on a photosensitive film, the optical scanner assembly comprising:
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a laser mechanism for producing a modulated laser beam representative of the image to be exposed on the photosensitive film, the laser beam defining an optical path between the laser mechanism and the photosensitive film; a laser beam shaping system positioned along said optical path for focusing and shaping the laser beam; a scanning and directing system positioned along said optical path for directing the laser beam and scanning the laser beam radially across the photosensitive film in an image-wise pattern; a single variable density unibody attenuation mechanism having a first end and a second end, wherein a degree of density varies from the first end to the second end, and wherein the unibody attenuation mechanism is positioned along the optical path for power attenuation of the laser beam along a single polarization axis and for laterally shifting said laser beam relating to said optical path; and an optical device for correcting said lateral shift of said laser beam. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A laser imaging system comprising:
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a film feed mechanism; a film exposure mechanism; a film processor mechanism; a film receiving area; and a film transport system for moving a piece of photosensitive film between the film feed mechanism, the film exposure mechanism, the film processor mechanism, and the film receiving area; wherein the film exposure mechanism includes an optical scanner assembly having a single unibody attenuation mechanism for power attenuation of a laser beam passing therethrough, wherein the single unibody attenuation mechanism is a linear density wedge. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification