The present invention relates to laser printers and video display systems comprising a resonant high speed scanning mirror for generating scan lines to produce a printed page or an image on a display. In addition for video display systems, there is also included a low frequency mirror operating substantial orthogonal to the high speed mirror for positioning each of the scan lines. More particularly, the present invention relates to maintaining a constant image amplitude even when the resonant frequency of the high speed scanning mirror varies from the nominal or central frequency.
In recent years torsional hinged high frequency mirrors (and especially resonant high frequency mirrors) have made significant inroads as a replacement for spinning polygon mirrors as the drive engine for laser printers. These torsional hinged high speed resonant mirrors are less expensive and typically require less energy or drive power than the earlier polygon mirrors.
As a result of the observed advantages of using the torsional hinged mirrors in high speed printers, interest has developed concerning the possibility of also using a similar mirror system or arrangement for video displays that are generated by visible scan lines on a display surface in a manner somewhat similar to scan lines produced by the electron beam of a CRT (cathode ray tube) type TV.
CRT's and some mirror based systems for displaying such scan-line signals use a low frequency positioning circuit or mirror, which synchronizes the display frame rate with an incoming video signal, and a high frequency drive circuit or mirror, which generates the individual image lines (scan lines) of the video or printed page. In the prior art CRT type TV systems, the high speed circuit operates at a frequency that is an even multiple of the frequency of the low speed drive and this relationship simplifies the task of synchronization. Therefore, it would appear that a very simple corresponding torsional hinged mirror system could use a first high speed scanning mirror to generate scan lines and a second slower torsional hinged mirror to provide the orthogonal motion necessary to position or space the scan lines to produce a raster “scan” similar to the raster scan of the electron beam of a CRT. Unfortunately, the problem is more complex than that. The scanning motion of a high speed resonant scanning mirror cannot simply be selected to have a precise predetermined frequency, much less a predetermined frequency that is an even multiple of the positioning motion of the low frequency mirror.
More specifically, the positioning motion of the low speed mirror and consequently the low frequency drive signal must be tied to the incoming image frame rate of the video signals to avoid noticeable artifacts. For example, tying the drive signal to the incoming image frame rate of a video display avoids jumps or jitter in the display. At the same time, however, the high frequency mirror must run or oscillate at substantially its resonant frequency if the advantages of using a resonant mirror are to be realized. This is because driving a high-Q (quality factor) mirror at a frequency only slightly different than the resonant frequency will result in a significant decrease in the amplitude of the beam sweep (i.e. reduce the beam travel envelope). This amplitude decrease would cause a significant and unacceptable compression of the image on the printed page or display and change the aspect ratio of the final image. Therefore, the high speed mirror drive is decoupled from the low speed mirror drive. That is, as mentioned above, the high speed resonant mirror must oscillate substantially at its resonant frequency regardless of the frequency or movement of the slow speed mirror.
Also, as will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art, if the torsional hinges of a resonant torsional hinged device are subjected to compressive or tensional stress, the resonant frequency of the mirror will decrease or increase respectively. This is because the torsional hinged device is typically made of a material that has a very low TCE (Thermal Coefficient of Expansion), such as for example silicon, and the support structure is likely to be made of a metal such as aluminum or steel, which has a higher TCE. As a result of the differences in the two TCE temperature changes during the operation of the torsional hinged device often causes mechanical stress, which results in changes in the resonant frequency of the device.
Therefore, a mirror based video system that overcomes the above mentioned problems would be advantageous.
These and other problems are generally solved or circumvented, and technical advantages are generally achieved by the embodiments of the present invention, which provide a method of maintaining a constant image width of a printer or mirror display system using a high speed, high-Q resonant scanning mirror. More specifically, the method comprises the step of providing a high frequency drive signal (such as for example a sinusoidal drive signal) for driving the high-Q resonant mirror. Sensors are provided to monitor the sweep amplitude of the resonant mirror, and then a parameter of the high frequency drive signal is adjusted to maintain the amplitude of the high-Q resonant mirror at a constant level.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the amplitude or drive power of the drive signal is increased as necessary to increase the sweep amplitude of the resonant mirror.
According to another embodiment, the frequency of the drive signal is continually adjusted to always be the same or substantially the same as the resonant frequency of the mirror, even when the resonant frequency of the scanning mirror changes due to mechanical or thermal stress. This is accomplished by temporarily changing the frequency of the drive signal by a selected amount in a first direction (i.e. either increase or decrease the frequency). The sweep amplitude of the mirror is then monitored to determine if the frequency change results in an amplitude increase or an amplitude decrease. If the amplitude of the mirror increases, the nominal or central frequency of the drive signal is reset to the adjusted frequency. Then on the next cycle, the frequency will again be adjusted in the same direction and again the sweep amplitude monitored to see if the amplitude decreases or increases. If the amplitude again increases, the nominal or central frequency of the drive signal is again reset. This continues until the sweep amplitude decreases when the frequency is adjusted. When the amplitude decreases, the frequency of the drive signal is again adjusted by the selected small amount, but this time the adjustment is in the opposite direction. The sweep amplitude is again monitored to determine if the amplitude increases or decreases as discussed above. Then, depending on whether the amplitude increases or decreases, the appropriate action follows as discussed above.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures or processes for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
The making and using of the presently preferred embodiments are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.
Referring now to the prior art
As shown in the prior art
Further, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, driving a resonant mirror at a speed only slightly off of its resonant speed can drastically reduce the sweep amplitude of the mirror, which in turn can significantly change or distort the display or printed page. For example, if
The present invention solves these problems by providing methods and apparatus for maintaining a constant sweep amplitude of the high speed resonant mirror.
It is also important to note that for some applications or embodiments, it may be possible that the required steps or calibration adjustment for maintaining the sweep amplitude of the high speed mirror can be accomplished during the upper peak portions of the drive signal (the portion above line 22), while the signal is blanked or cut off. It would also be possible, or course, that similar and effective adjustments could be made in the lower peak portion (i.e. portions below line 24). Alternately, a portion of the adjustment could take place in the upper peak portions and another portion in the lower peak portions. When possible, carrying out the adjustments during the upper and/or lower peak portions would be an excellent choice. Unfortunately, because of the very high-Q and the high speed of the resonant mirror, the time available during the upper (or lower) peak portions, for many if not for most applications, would be insufficient to complete the calibrations. Therefore, according to another embodiment, the calibration process is continuous. That is, it occurs during the display portions as well as the upper and lower peak portions of the movement of the pivoting mirror. This continuous calibration process is possible since the response of the mirror is so slow, that any glitches or artifacts would be so minor for most applications they should not be noticeable. In addition, when only a single image is generated for each sweep of the slow speed mirror, the appropriate adjustment could also occur during the reverse travel of the mirror (fly back portion) or drive signal (i.e. between points 20 and 14 of
However, to increase brightness, some embodiments of mirror display systems may also provide a second image during the linear portion of the slow speed mirror as it travels in the opposite direction. Of course, if images are produced in both the forward and reverse travel portion of the slow speed positioning mirror, there would not be a “fly back” blanked period for making adjustments or calibrations.
Referring now to
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that a slow speed or orthogonally positioning mirror 32 is not normally used with mirror based printing. The movement orthogonal to the resonant scanning for spacing or positioning the image or scan lines is typically provided by movement of the photo sensitive medium, such as for example a rotating drum. Therefore, for printer applications, one single axis mirror is used. The laser and mirror arrangement would be similar to
The oscillations of the high frequency scanning mirror 30 (as indicated by arcuate arrow 44) around pivot axis 46 results in light beam 34b (the scan lines) sweeping across the surface 42, whereas the oscillation of the positioning mirror 32 about axis 48 (as indicated by double headed arrow 50) results in the scan lines being positioned vertically (or orthogonally to the scan lines) on the display surface 42. It is again noted that the terms horizontal and vertical are for explanation purposes only. Therefore, since the scanning motion of light beam 34b across display surface 42 may occur several hundred or even a thousand times during orthogonal movement in one direction of the low speed positioning mirror 32, as indicated by arrow 52, a raster scan type image can be generated or printed on display surface 42 as indicated by image lines 54a, 54b, 54c, and 54d. The light beam 34 often paints another image in the reverse direction as indicated by arrow 52a. That is, the second image is painted as the light beam returns to the starting point 56.
Referring to
That is, oscillations of the positioning mirror 32 about axis 48, as indicated by double headed arcuate arrow 50, still move the reflected modulated light beam 34a with respect to scanning mirror 30 such that the light beam 34a moves orthogonally to the scanning motion of the light beam as indicated by line 58 in the middle of the reflecting surface of scanning mirror 30. Thus, it will be appreciated that in the same manner as discussed above with respect to
The above discussion, with respect to
As was discussed above, the embodiments of the present invention synchronize the incoming stream of video signals with the motion of the slow speed positioning mirror and the resonant mirror. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the motion and corresponding position of the slow speed mirror can be determined and/or reasonably predicted or inferred from the signals used to drive the slow speed positioning mirror about its respective axis. For example, referring again to
Similarly, there is included a high speed drive mechanism 66 responsive to high frequency signals on input line 68 for driving the high speed mirror at its resonant frequency. There is also shown, computing circuitry 70 that receives the slow speed drive signals so that the position of the positioning or low speed mirror can be calculated. However, the drive signal for the high speed resonant mirror cannot be used to infer the position of the high speed mirror since there is a 180° phase shift in the transfer function of the resonant mirror in the neighborhood of the resonant frequency. Therefore, computing circuitry 70 also receives signals from position sensors (discussed hereinafter) representing the actual or monitored position of the high speed resonant mirror. It will be appreciated, of course, that other position sensors could be used to provide signals indicative of the actual position of the slow speed mirror.
The above discussion assumes that the high speed mirror is running at its resonant frequency such that the sweep amplitude substantially covers the display screen and produces an image with a proper amplitude and aspect ratio such as shown in
Therefore, it is important that the sweep amplitude be maintained at substantially a constant level under such stress. However, if the sweep amplitude is to be maintained substantially at a constant level, it is necessary to know when changes start to appear in the amplitude. Therefore, referring again to
In the embodiment of
Therefore, if it is determined that the sweep amplitude has decreased, according to the present invention, one of the parameters of the high speed drive signal that is received on line 68 and applied to the drive mechanism 66 is adjusted to maintain the beam sweep amplitude to the nominal value. One simple and direct way of doing this is to increase the amplitude or power of the drive signal to the necessary level to drive the beam sweep amplitude to the nominal or desired level. This approach works well for applications where the excess power required is readily available, and where power consummation is not an issue. It is also suitable for applications, which require a high bandwidth as well as tighter amplitude control.
However, as was discussed, if the drive signal frequency is very different from the resonant frequency of the mirror 30, the sweep amplitude change can be significant, and the increase in the drive signal power necessary to maintain the beam sweep amplitude may simply be too great for such a technique to be effective. Consequently, according to another embodiment, the frequency of the drive signal is changed to be the same or substantially the same as the new resonant frequency of the high speed mirror 30.
To accomplish this, according to an embodiment of this invention, the frequency of the drive signal is intentionally temporarily changed by a small selected or known amount in a first direction (i.e. increase the frequency of the drive signal or decrease the frequency) on a regular or periodic basis. To avoid noticeable changes in the image during this calibration, the change in frequency is preferably on the order of about 0.1 Hz. Sensors 72a and/or 72b, continually determine if the change in the drive signal frequency resulted in an increase or decrease in the sweep amplitude. If the sweep amplitude of the mirror increases, the frequency of the high speed drive signal is permanently reset as the new nominal or center drive frequency. Then during the next monitoring period, the frequency will again be adjusted in the same direction by the selected amount, and the sensors will again determine if the beam sweep amplitude increases or decreases. This process will repeat until the sensor determines that the beam sweep amplitude decreases with the frequency change. Then, the frequency of the drive signal is changed by the selected amount in the opposite direction and the sensors again determine if the beam sweep amplitude increases or decreases. It should also be noted that because of the high-Q of the mirror, the process of changing to a new central frequency may require several hundred cycles. Thus, it will be appreciated that according to this embodiment, the frequency of the drive signal is continually adjusted to be the same as the resonant frequency of the mirror. For more precise control of the beam sweep amplitude and to make the frequency changes less noticeable, the drive signal amplitude may also be changed (as was discussed above) along with change in the frequency of the drive signal. In addition, it will be appreciated that ideally the adjustments to the selected parameters of the high speed drive signal will occur during the upper and lower turn-around portion of the drive signal. However, as was discussed above, the high-Q of the mirror may not allow sufficient time for the adjustments during the upper and lower peak portions, which means the adjustments may be carried out continuously including the display period. For laser printer applications, the adjustment may occur between the printing of pages.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the system, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, system, processes, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such system, processes, methods, or steps.