US5237444A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical scanning system
Assignee: General Scanning Inc
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Filing: 1992-06-26
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Granted: 1993-08-17
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Expires: 2012-06-26
Abstract
Abstract In a scanner system (10) in which two scanners (14 and 16) deflect light from a laser (12) in orthogonal directions along a cylindrical object surface (18), the light from the laser is focused by a combination of an image-forming lens (24) disposed between the laser (12) and the first scanner (14) and a negative field-flattening lens (28) disposed between the two scanners (14 and 16) so as to compensate the effective focal length for the change in light-path length that results from deflection by the first scanner (14).
Inventors
- 👤 Mack J. Schermer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:03
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An optical scanning system for scanning in a given dimension an object surface substantially linear in that dimension, comprising: A) a light source or detector; B) a first scanning deflector, defining a variable light path between the object surface and the source or detector, for, by pivoting about a first pivot axis, deflecting, in the given dimension, an object point, at which the light path meets the object surface; C) an image-forming lens disposed in the light path between the source or detector and the first deflector; and D) a negative lens disposed between the first deflector and the object surface and having a field-flattening characteristic, by which the variation with object-point position of the distance between the object surface and the focal point of the combination of the image-forming lens and the negative lens is less than the variation with object-point position of the distance between the object surface and the focal point of the image-forming lens alone throughout a range of deflector angles that exceeds 10°.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An optical scanning system for scanning in a given dimension an object surface substantially linear in that dimension, comprising: A) a light source or detector; B) a first scanning deflector, defining a variable light path between the object surface and the source or detector, for, by pivoting about a first pivot axis, deflecting, in the given dimension, an object point, at which the light path meets the object surface; C) an image-forming lens disposed in the light path between the source or detector and the first deflector; and D) a negative lens disposed between the first deflector and the object surface and having a field-flattening characteristic, by which the variation with object-point position of the distance between the object surface and the focal point of the combination of the image-forming lens and the negative lens is less than the variation with object-point position of the distance between the object surface and the focal point of the image-forming lens alone throughout a range of deflector angles that exceeds 10°.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
An optical scanning system as defined in claim 1 wherein: A) the object surface has substantially the form of a segment of a cylinder having a cylinder axis; and B) the system further includes a second deflector, disposed in the light path between the first deflector and the object surface, for, by pivoting about a second pivot axis substantially coincident with the cylinder axis, deflecting the object point generally in planes perpendicular to the cylinder axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical scanning system as defined in claim 2 wherein the negative lens is disposed in the optical path between the first and second deflectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
A scanning system as defined in claim 1 further including a holder for so supporting a sheet that a surface of the sheet forms the object surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-16 | 1997-02-15 | 1997-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-16 | 2001-02-15 | 2001-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-16 | 2005-02-15 | 2005-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |