Multi-zone scanned-beam imager
AssigneeMicrovision, Inc.
InventorsJohn R. Lewis, Christopher A. Wiklof
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments relate to scanning a plurality of light beams across a corresponding plurality of zones in a field of view and collecting scattered light to enable an image of the field of view to be formed that spans the plurality of zones. According to an embodiment, a scanning endoscope tip may include structures configured to launch the plurality of scanned beams toward respective zones and receive separate light scattered from the respective beams impinging upon the respective zones. According to an embodiment, an image processor is operable to receive detection signals from corresponding light detectors and reconstruct an image of the field of view spanning the plurality of zones.
Claims34
A scanned beam imager comprising:
- at least one light source operable to launch emitted light as at least one light beam;
- an optical element configured to split the light beam into a plurality of beamlets;
- and
- a beam scanner operable to scan the light beam or the plurality of beamlets in a pattern;
- wherein the plurality of beamlets are arranged to concurrently scan a corresponding plurality of zones of a field of view in the pattern.
A method for scanning a field of view, comprising:
- emitting a beam of light;
- splitting the beam of light into a plurality of beamlets;
- and
- scanning the beamlets across corresponding zones in a field of view.
A scanned beam imager, comprising:
- at least two light sources operable to launch emitted light as at least two light beams;
- a beam scanner configured to receive and scan the at least two light beams in respective patterns in respective scanning zones;
- and
- a controller operable to modulate the light sources to control the delivery of the light beams to the scanning zones.
A method for generating an image of a field of view, comprising:
- sequentially modulating a plurality of light sources to produce a corresponding plurality of modulated beams;
- scanning the modulated beams across corresponding scanning zones with a beam scanner;
- and
- detecting light scattered from the scanning zones and forming a corresponding detection signal comprising a sequence of values corresponding to a sequence of scanning zones.
A scanned beam endoscope comprising a tip having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the tip comprises:
- an illumination optical fiber configured to receive illumination light at the proximal end and transmit the illumination light to the distal end;
- a beam shaping optical element configured to receive the illumination light and launch an illumination beam;
- a beam scanner disposed at the distal end and operable to receive the illumination beam and scan the illumination beam in a pattern as a scanned beam;
- and
- a beam splitter disposed at the distal end and configured to split one of the illumination beam or the scanned beam into beamlets.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.