Unfolded optics for multiple row spatial light modulators
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsCharles H. Anderson, William E. Nelson
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Abstract
An optical system is described for combining separate deformable mirror device images into a single image. The resulting image is a single continuous image comprising left and right halves corresponding to the original individual images. The system is particularly useful for presenting spatial light modulator images to the printing drum of a xerographic process for letter quality documents. The combined image width allows a substantially greater printing width than was previously possible.
Claims4
An optical system for combining and projecting at least two spatial light modulator row images onto an exposure plane, said system comprising:
- a spatial light modulator row operable for modulating an impinging light source into a first image;
- a second spatial light modulator row operable for modulating an impinging light source into a second image, said second spatial light modulator aligned generally parallel to said first SLM;
- and
- an optical guide for guiding images from said first and second spatial light modulator such that said images are projected immediately adjacent to and in a continuous line with one another onto an exposure plane, said optical guide comprising:
- an imaging lens forming an axis of projection between said spatial light modulator rows and said exposure plane;
- a first pair of reflecting surfaces to separate said spatial light modulator images into left and right images projecting along left and right optical paths;
- a second pair of mutually orthogonal reflecting surfaces disposed along said left path for elevating said left image to said axis and reflecting said left image towards said axis;
- a third pair of mutually orthogonal reflecting surfaces disposed adjacent said right path for lowering said right image to said axis and reflecting said right image towards said axis;
- and
- a fourth pair of reflecting surfaces for directing said reflected left and right images towards said exposure plane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.