Patent ID: 6914705
Filing Date: 2005-07-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical scanning device for scanning a plurality of light beams on one or more scanned surfaces, the optical scanning device comprising: a light source for emitting said plurality of light beams; a front optical system for receiving said plurality of light beams from the light source along an optical axis that extends within the optical scanning device; a deflector for receiving said plurality of light beams from said front optical system and for deflecting said plurality of light beams in a first direction so that said plurality of light beams scan in said first direction; a rear optical system for receiving said plurality of light beams from said deflector and for directing said plurality of light beams toward the one or more scanned surfaces so that said plurality of light beams are separated farther in a second direction that is orthogonal to said first direction within said rear optical system than at said deflector; wherein two light beams of said plurality of light beams are deflected by said deflector, and said two light beams travel parallel to one another in a plane that includes said second direction before said two light beams enter said rear optical system; and other light beams of said plurality of light beams are deflected by said deflector and said other light beams progressively separate from one another in said plane before said other light beams enter said rear optical system.