Patent ID: 6987280
Filing Date: 2006-01-17
Classification: G01T

Abstract:
1. A light collector and detector apparatus for collecting and detecting light emitted, reflected or transmitted by a scanned information medium, comprising: a planar mirror assembly for extending the width of a scanned information medium and for disposition substantially perpendicular thereto, said planar mirror assembly having a lower edge adjacent to the scanned medium and an upper edge spaced from the lower edge; first and second pyramidal mirrors located side by side facing said planar mirror, said pyramidal mirrors having respective upper edges spaced from said upper edge of said planar mirror and respective lower edges spaced from said lower edge of said planar mirror, thereby to form aligned upper and lower slots for the passage of a scanning beam of light to a medium to be scanned and for allowing light emitted by, reflected from, or transmitted by the scanned medium to enter the collector; wherein said first pyramidal mirror has a first aperture in an apex region thereof and wherein said second pyramidal mirror has a second aperture in an apex region thereof; a first photodetector having a light receiving face coextensive with said aperture of said first pyramidal mirror; a second photodetector having a light receiving face coextensive with said aperture of said second pyramidal mirror; wherein light from said scanned medium and reflected by said collector mirrors are received by said light receiving faces of said first and second photodetectors which generate electrical signals in response thereto.