Patent ID: 8477403
Filing Date: 2013-07-02
Classification: G02B,G03F

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for generating a scan line image in response to received image data, the apparatus comprising: at least one homogenous light source for generating homogenous light, a plurality of spatial light modulators, each spatial light modulator including: a plurality of anamorphic optical systems, each said anamorphic optical system being positioned to receive modulated light portions from an associated spatial light modulator and configured to generate an associated anamorphically imaged and concentrated light field in response to said receive modulated light portions; a scan structure having an imaging surface and positioned relative to the plurality of anamorphic optical systems such that the anamorphically imaged and concentrated light field respectively form scan line portions in an elongated imaging region defined on the imaging surface; and an image stitching controller for modifying said received image data such that when said modified image data is transmitted to said plurality of spatial light modulators said plurality of light modulating elements of all of said plurality of spatial light modulators are cooperatively controlled such that the scan line portions collectively form said scan line image in the elongated imaging region, wherein the plurality of light modulating elements of each of the plurality of spatial light modulators are arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each said column includes an associated group of said plurality of light modulating elements, wherein the plurality of anamorphic optical systems are arranged such that, when all of the spatial light elements of first and second spatial light modulators of said plurality of spatial light modulators are in the first modulated state, first and second scan line portions generated by said first and second anamorphic optical systems form an overlapping pattern in said elongated imaging region, and wherein the image stitching controller includes means for disabling one or more groups of said plurality of light modulating elements in one or more associated columns such that adjacent end portions of the first and second scan line portions are aligned in a scan direction to produce a seamlessly stitched portion of said single-pass scan line.