# US 6,724,510 B2 · Method and apparatus for generating an angular sweep of a directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,724,510 B2 - Document ID: US6724510B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/935,517 - Filed: 2001-08-23 - Published: 2002-09-26 - Granted: 2004-04-20 - Earliest claimed: 2000-08-23 - Assignees: Intermec IP Corp. - Inventors: Denis Jolivet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6724510B2 ## CPC - G02B 26/105: {with one or more pivoting mirrors or galvano-mirrors (G02B26/101 takes precedence)} - H01Q 3/20: wherein the primary active element is fixed and the reflecting device is movable - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) ## Abstract An angular sweep of a directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation is generated by a first oscillating or vibrating reflector that cooperates with at least one fixed reflector. Electromagnetic radiation, for example a laser beam, incident upon the first reflector is reflected to the fixed reflector with an angular sweep created by movement of the first reflector and in turn is reflected back to the first reflector at least once, each reflection back to the first reflector increasing again the angular sweep created by the previous reflection from the first reflector. Multiple reflections creating a wide angular sweep relative to the magnitude of the first reflector's movement. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for generating an angular sweep of a directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a first reflector adapted to move over a first angular range of movement; and at least two fixed reflectors to reflect the directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation incident upon and reflected by the first reflector onto the fixed reflectors and back to the first reflector; said fixed reflectors are arranged on a first and a second side of the directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation incident on the first reflector; wherein the first angular range of movement of the first reflector creates an increasing sweep of the directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation with each reflection from the first reflector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and the at least one fixed reflector are normal to a common plane. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation is selected from the visible and non-visible electromagnetic radiation and combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, the first reflector and the at least two fixed reflectors are mirrors. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the mirrors are planar. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a means for oscillation drives the movement of the first reflector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement of the first reflector is adapted to have a variable amplitude. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement of the first reflector is adapted to have a variable frequency. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the movement of the first reflector is adapted to have a variable frequency and a variable amplitude. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance between the first reflector and at least one of the fixed reflectors is adjustable. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a track, wherein said the at least one fixed reflector is slidable along said track to adjust the distance. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation has a defined width. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation is visible electromagnetic radiation, non-visible electromagnetic radiation, or combinations thereof. ### Claim 14 An apparatus for generating an angular sweep of a directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a first reflector adapted to move over a first angular range of movement; and a plurality of fixed reflectors disposed to create a reflective path wherein the directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the first reflector is reflected to the at least one fixed reflector and back to the first reflector with a first sweep; the first sweep incident on the first reflector is increased by reflection again off of the first reflector, creating a final sweep with a magnitude greater than the first angular range of movement; and wherein the plurality of the fixed reflectors are disposed to direct the reflective path onto the first reflector more than once. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of fixed reflectors comprises a first fixed reflector and a second fixed reflector, and said second fixed reflector is angled with respect to said first fixed reflector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the plurality of the fixed reflectors comprises a first fixed reflector and a second fixed reflector separated by a gap and the width of the gap is less that 2% the combined length of the first and second fixed reflectors. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the directed propagation of electromagnetic radiation has a defined width.