Abstract: An optical scanning device for raster scanning applications based on galvanometric scanner technology incorporates a nonlinear biasing element, such as a nonlinear magnetic or mechanical spring to assist in the acceleration and deceleration of the motor shaft at the turn around points of the sawtooth motion. The galvanometric scanning device includes a moving magnet motor using more than four poles, e.g., eight poles. The moving magnet motor has a plurality of laminations each having a number of teeth, e.g., eight, extending inward toward the rotor and having coils mounted thereon. In one embodiment, coils are mounted on every other tooth. The motor is driven with a fourth order polynomial sawtooth command signal to reduce resonances caused by high acceleration and deceleration. In addition, the motor may be driven by pulse width modulation to reduce power dissipation.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for raster scanning applications based on galvanometric scanner technology incorporates a nonlinear biasing element, such as a nonlinear magnetic or mechanical spring to assist in the acceleration and deceleration of the motor shaft at the turn around points of the sawtooth motion. The galvanometric scanning device includes a moving magnet motor using more than four poles, e.g., eight poles. The moving magnet motor has a plurality of laminations each having a number of teeth, e.g., eight, extending inward toward the rotor and having coils mounted thereon. In one embodiment, coils are mounted on every other tooth. The motor is driven with a fourth order polynomial sawtooth command signal to reduce resonances caused by high acceleration and deceleration. In addition, the motor may be driven by pulse width modulation to reduce power dissipation.

Abstract: A graphic input system for digitizing the location of an object moving on a planar surface and utilizing two or more primary laser light beams, the output beam of each scanning the planar surface through interposed controllably pivotally mounted beam deflecting scan mirrors. A stylus is moved over the planar surface in response to the position of the deflected position of the scanning beam. A signal generating beam detector positioned adjacent the planar surface delivers signals to a logical circuit to create the instantaneous value of a position voltage signal which is proportional to the tangent of the scan angle of each of the controllably deflected laser beams.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improved scanning device which uses a S shaped flexure (S-flex). The use of the S-flexures in opposition provides a very rigid structure that is significantly lower in cross axial error displacement and also halves the radius of gyration which in turn provides for highly accurate scans at very high resonant frequencies. The resonant scanner also can have high levels of deflection with minimal wobble which opens new areas of use. This scanner is without bearings and the stress loads on the spring members are significantly lower than previously available at the same accuracy level and the shape of the S-flex members readily lends to attachment of mirrors or other scanning devices. Improvements in the index of performance of 5 to 20 times the performance of currently available scanners are possible with the invention.