Mirror scanner
US4941739A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 17, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06K2207/1016
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A mirror scanning system comprises a single mirror mounted to rotate on a first axis that is substantially in the plane of the mirror reflecting surface and on a second axis perpendicular to and intersecting the first axis. Both the mirror and the first axis rotate around the second axis. An optical system is directed at a portion of the reflecting surface of the mirror at or adjacent to the intersection of the two axes and has a focal axis substantially aligned with the second axis. By aligning the reflecting surface in a direction so as to maximize a signal emanating from a source and detected at a selected position on a detector forming part of the optical system and measuring the angular displacement of the mirror around each of the first and second axes with the reflecting surface so aligned, the direction of a detected source can be determined. Alternatively if the optic system includes the source in place of the detector the energy emitted from the source located in the optical system can be reflected in a selected direction that can be easily and rapidly changed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.