Abstract A rotating polygon scanner includes a rotatable, multi-surface mirror assembly (12), said surfaces having a predetermined draft angle (D.A.) with the axis of rotation of said assembly. A source (10) of infinite conjugate light directs the light (RAY 1) towards the multi-surface mirror assembly, the light being reflected in turn by each active surface (22) of the mirror assembly. A first mirror (18) having optical power is placed in the path of light (RAY 2) reflected from the active surface of the multi-surface mirror assembly, and a second mirror (20) having optical power is placed in the path of the reflected light (RAY 3) from the first mirror, the second mirror (20) reflects the light (RAY 4) back to the active surface (22) of the multi-surface mirror assembly for reflection toward a surface (24) to be scanned, the scanning light beam (RAY 5) having no wobble effects and reduced bow effects, and being focussed at the surface to be scanned. In addition to their wobble correction function, the optical powered mirrors provide the scan and focus functions of conventional f-6 scan lens optics and hence such f-0 scan lens optics can be eliminated from the scanner system, thereby providing an all mirror scanner system.
A scanning system including a rotatable, multi-surface mirror assembly (12), said surfaces having a predetermined draft angle (D.A.) with the axis of rotation of said assembly, first means (10) for introducing a source of infinite conjugate light (RAY 1) toward said multi-surface mirror assembly, said light being reflected in turn by each active surface (22) of said mirror assembly, a first mirror (18) placed in the path of light (RAY 2) reflected from the active surface of said multi-surface mirror assembly, a second mirror (20) placed in the path of the reflected light (RAY 3) from said first mirror, said second mirror reflecting said light (RAY 4) back to the active surface (22) of said multi-surface mirror assembly for reflection toward a surface (24) to be scanned, the scanning light beam (RAY 5) having no wobble effects and reduced bow effects, and being focussed at said surface to be scanned, characterised in that the first and second mirrors (18, 20) have optical power.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A scanning system including a rotatable, multi-surface mirror assembly (12), said surfaces having a predetermined draft angle (D.A.) with the axis of rotation of said assembly, first means (10) for introducing a source of infinite conjugate light (RAY 1) toward said multi-surface mirror assembly, said light being reflected in turn by each active surface (22) of said mirror assembly, a first mirror (18) placed in the path of light (RAY 2) reflected from the active surface of said multi-surface mirror assembly, a second mirror (20) placed in the path of the reflected light (RAY 3) from said first mirror, said second mirror reflecting said light (RAY 4) back to the active surface (22) of said multi-surface mirror assembly for reflection toward a surface (24) to be scanned, the scanning light beam (RAY 5) having no wobble effects and reduced bow effects, and being focussed at said surface to be scanned, characterised in that the first and second mirrors (18, 20) have optical power.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The scanning system of Claim 1 wherein said optical power of each of said first and second mirrors (18, 20) is provided by an aspheric surface.