Multiple beam scanning imager
First Claim
1. An image capture device, comprising:
- a first plurality of beam emitters, each operable to emit a corresponding beam of light along a respective beam path;
at least one beam scanner aligned to receive the plurality of beams and operable to scan the beams in respective two-dimensional patterns arranged in abutting and substantially non-overlapping respective regions of a field of view, wherein each region comprises a plurality of immediately adjacent scan lines;
a first plurality of photodetectors, each aligned to receive at least a portion of reflected light from one of the corresponding regions in the field of view and operable to output electrical signals corresponding to the detected light; and
a decoder coupled to receive the electrical signals from the first plurality of photodetectors and operable to decode an image of the field of view.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A display apparatus includes a scanning assembly that scans about two or more axes, typically in a raster pattern. A plurality of light sources emit light from spaced apart locations toward the scanning assembly such that the scanning assembly simultaneously scans more than one of the beams. The light sources are positioned such that their beams each illuminate discrete regions of the image field that are substantially non-overlapping with respect to the other discrete regions. The image is thus formed from a set of “tiles”. By activating a first light source during a forward sweep of the mirror and activating a second light source during a reverse sweep of the mirror, two halves a common line can be written during a single sweep of the mirror. Shifting the position of the sources such that the two halves are aligned reduces raster pinch. In alternative embodiments, the same approach is used for imaging. Also, various approaches to controlling the frequency responses of the various scanners are described, including active control of MEMs scanners and passive frequency tuning.
102 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An image capture device, comprising:
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a first plurality of beam emitters, each operable to emit a corresponding beam of light along a respective beam path; at least one beam scanner aligned to receive the plurality of beams and operable to scan the beams in respective two-dimensional patterns arranged in abutting and substantially non-overlapping respective regions of a field of view, wherein each region comprises a plurality of immediately adjacent scan lines; a first plurality of photodetectors, each aligned to receive at least a portion of reflected light from one of the corresponding regions in the field of view and operable to output electrical signals corresponding to the detected light; and a decoder coupled to receive the electrical signals from the first plurality of photodetectors and operable to decode an image of the field of view. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A bar code scanner, comprising:
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at least two beam scanners operable to sweep respective beams in two-dimensional scan patterns across respective substantially non-overlapping regions of a field of view, wherein each region comprises a plurality of immediately adjacent scan lines; at least two photodetectors aligned to receive light from respective regions of field of view and operable to output electrical signals corresponding to the received light; and a decoder coupled to receive the electrical signals from the photodetectors and operable to decode bar code symbols within the field of view. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification