Self calibrating solid state scanner

A solid-state scanner for reading bar codes or projecting images is described. The scanner operates either in a reading mode or a calibrate mode using the same hardware. Use of two-dimensional array light sources minimizes the size of the semiconductor chips containing the light source arrays is provided. Use of oversampling or anamorphic optical systems increase tolerances to angular misorientations is also discussed. Used in conjunction with a mechanical scanning device, the scanner is capable of reading two-dimensional bar codes or generating two-dimensional images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a semiconductor laser array, optics, 
detector and processor configured with the capability of reading bar codes 
without the use of moving parts or in the presence of defects in some of 
the laser elements or in the optics. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Bar codes and bar code scanners are used in increasingly broad 
applications, the most familiar being in the supermarket. Most bar code 
scanners use a single light source, typically a semiconductor laser, and 
rely upon a rotating or vibrating mirror or upon relative motion between 
the scanner and the bar code to read the bar code. Power consumption by 
these moving elements is a detriment for hand-held scanners. Furthermore 
the mechanical assemblies are not as rugged as solid-state mechanisms. If 
either the laser or the scanning mechanism fails, the scanner will be 
rendered inoperable. Other bar code scanners have no moving parts. These 
scanners use a single light source or a simultaneously driven plurality of 
sources, typically light-emitting diodes (LED's), and an array of 
detectors onto which a bar code is imaged. These scanners suffer from 
limited depth of focus and signal to noise ratio. 
Metlitsky et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,605, describes a bar code scanner 
employing electronic rather than mechanical means for causing the light 
beam to scan a bar code symbol by using a linear array of light sources. 
While the invention represents a significant advance in the art, it has 
shortcomings, including restriction to a linear array configuration, the 
need for a separate monitoring photodetector and lack of ability to 
compensate for transmission nonuniformity in the optical system. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state 
scanner comprising an array of semiconductor diode lasers, a detector, and 
logic circuitry which will provide the ability to read bar codes in the 
absence of any mechanical motion. 
It is a further object to provide a solid-state scanner or reader which 
combines the best features of the prior art scanners, namely large depth 
of field, large signal to noise ratio, and solid-state operation. 
It is yet another object to provide a solid-state scanner which is capable 
of reading bar codes even under conditions that some of the light sources 
are defective or completely inoperative. 
It is yet another object to provide a solid-state scanner which makes use 
of two-dimensional arrays of light sources and may employ the same 
photodetector for reading bar codes and for individually calibrating the 
light source outputs and optical system transmission. 
It is yet another object to utilize the results of calibration for 
individually adjusting the power applied to the light sources to increase 
output uniformity and/or to modify the signals obtained from subsequent 
readings to increase the accuracy of the readings. 
It is yet another object to provide a solid-state scanner having a number 
of light source elements which may be larger than the resolution elements 
of the bar code and therefore by oversampling the target, the scanner has 
increased tolerance to angular misalignment and to failure of a light 
source. 
It is yet another object to provide a solid-state scanner having an array 
of light sources with typically 200 or more elements and is preferably a 
two-dimensional array. 
It is yet another object to provide a solid-state scanner having optical 
means for further improving the scanner's performance. 
It is yet another object to provide a solid-state scanner which may be 
utilized as a bar code scanner. 
In all of the above embodiments, it is an object to provide a solid-state 
scanner which comprises an array of light sources having sufficient number 
and configuration and configured such that a standard bar code may be read 
without the need of mechanical motion and in the condition that some of 
the light sources have defective outputs. Although the scanner is designed 
for reading bar codes, it may be used for displaying images. 
According to one broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 
solid-state scanner which comprises an array of light sources, each of the 
light sources emitting a light beam when activated, at least one of the 
light sources being inactive at a given time; a power supply for 
selectively activating the light sources; a target which reflects or 
scatters at least a portion of the light beams; a transmitting optical 
system for relaying the light beams to the target; at least one 
photodetector for monitoring light from the sources which is reflected or 
scattered by the target, the photodetector generating a signal in response 
thereto; transmitting means for transmitting the signal away from the 
detector, the signal being useable either for being indicative of bar code 
patterns on the target or for calibration of light transmitted through the 
transmitting optical system; processing means for interpreting said signal 
to recognize one or more bar code patterns contained on the target, the 
processing means including error preventing means to compensate for 
defects in at least one of the light sources. 
Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from 
the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With reference to the Figures, wherein like reference characters indicate 
like elements throughout the several views and, in particular, with 
reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a top sectional view of a scanner 10, 
which exemplifies the prior art. Laser 12, illustrated here as a 
semiconductor laser, emits a light beam 14 of which a portion passes 
through beamsplitter 16, is collected by lens 18 and is reflected by 
rotating reflector 20. When rotating reflector 20 is in position 22, 
deflected light beam 24 is incident upon bar code 26 at position 28. For 
illustrative purposes, bar code 26 is shown in a face-on view, rather than 
the top view. Some of deflected light beam 24 is reflected and/or 
scattered from position 28 of bar code 26, such that it retraces the 
incident path, forming returning light beam 30. Returning light beam 30 
reflects from rotating reflector 20 (still in position 22) and passes 
through lens 18. Some of returning beam 30 then reflects from beamsplitter 
16 and is incident onto photodetector 32. Although not shown in FIG. 1, it 
is well known in the art that photodetector 32 will send a signal to 
processing means which enables the bar code to be interpreted by means of 
the scan. When rotating reflector 20 is in another position 34, deflected 
light beam 36 is incident upon bar code 26 at position 38, a portion of 
which is reflected and/or scattered to form returning light beam 40, and 
eventually reaches photodetector 32 in a similar fashion as described for 
returning light beam 30. 
Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, there are shown top and side views of 
solid-state scanner 60 in accordance with the present invention. The top 
view of FIG. 2A shows light source array 62, residing in housing 64, and 
emitting an array of light beams 66, typically in a rastered sequence. 
Light beams 66 are directed onto bar code 26 by lens 68. With the bar code 
26 and scanner 60 positioned, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, it is seen that 
scanner 60 scans light beams 66 over a wider area than bar code 26. This 
allows for tolerance in the relative lateral positioning of bar code 26 
with respect to scanner 60. Light beam 70 incident on the boundary 72 of 
bar code 26 therefore does not necessarily originate from an outermost 
element of light source array 62. Preferably, light source array 62 
comprises an array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSEL'S). 
In a preferred mode of operation, the elements of light source array 62 
are activated sequentially, one at a time, each element addressing a 
different position on bar code 72. A typical example of bar code 26 has 
one-hundred twenty-eight lines or spaces. In order to read such a barcode 
with reasonable lateral positional tolerance and angular tolerance, it is 
desirable to have approximately 500 elements in light source 62. More or 
fewer elements may be used in light source array 62 to accommodate greater 
or smaller tolerances, or to read greater or smaller numbers of 
lines/spaces in bar code 26. 
Referring now to the side view of FIG. 2B, there is shown returning beam 
74, resulting from reflection and/or scattering of light beam 70 from bar 
code 26, which passes through lens 68 and reaches photodetector 76. 
Although FIG. 2B shows returning beam 74 passing through the same optical 
system 68 upon its return, it is possible to have a receiving optical 
system (not shown) through which returning beam 74 is directed onto 
photodetector 76. It is possible to have light source array 62 and 
photodetector 76 integrated onto a single semiconductor chip to minimize 
costs of assembling scanner 60. Photodetector 76 generates a signal stream 
78 whose amplitude is approximately proportional to the intensity of 
returning beam 74, and sends signal stream 78 into decoding means 80. 
Processing means 80 comprises means necessary for reading the scan and may 
include feedback means 82. Processing means 80 may control the power to 
light source array through power controller 84. In operation of scanner 
60, nonuniform output power of the elements of light source array 62 may 
cause degradation of the scanning reliability. To provide a calibration of 
the light source outputs and the transmission of lens 68, uniform screen 
86 may be placed in the path of light beams 66. The signals thus read, 
provides processing means 80 with information of the output strengths of 
the elements of light source array 62, which may be sent to power 
controller 84 to modify the power sent to light source array 62. This 
technique may be used to increase the uniformity of returning beams 74. 
Alternatively, compensation for nonuniform light sources may be performed 
by modification of signal stream 78 or by modification of the 
interpretation of signal stream 78 by decoding means 80. Uniform screen 86 
may typically comprise a white sheet of paper, cardboard, or other 
material, and uniform screen 86 may be configured to reside in a precise 
location when a calibration is being performed. It may be advantageous for 
processing means 80 to include calibration switch 87, which may be set in 
order to indicate to processing means 80 that a calibration reading is 
taken. Alternatively, processing means 80 may include sufficient 
complexity to recognize when a uniform screen is being scanned and, in 
such cases, automatically perform a calibration and compensation routine. 
Use of the calibration techniques described herein is advantageous in that 
it allows compensation for any defects in the entire system, e.g., 
nonuniform transmission of optical system 68, as well as nonuniform output 
from light source array 62. Compensation for defects found in the 
described calibration readings may extend even to the case where one or 
more light sources completely fail. In this case, processing means 80 will 
ignore readings corresponding to failed light sources. Additionally, 
processing means 80 may instruct power controller 84 not to send power to 
failed light sources. 
Referring now to FIG. 2C, there is shown a side view of a modified 
configuration of scanner 60. Light source array 62 emits light beam 70, a 
portion of which is reflected or scattered into returning beams 88 and 
88', which are incident onto photodetectors 90 and 90', respectively. The 
configuration illustrated in FIG. 2C provides increased tolerance to the 
elevational orientation 92. Both photodetectors 90 and 90' may be used 
both for reading bar codes 26 or for scanning uniform screens 86. 
In operation of scanner 60, it is advantageous for processing means 80 to 
include means for recognition of the extreme ends of bar code 26 and to 
use this information to determine the translational and rotational 
orientations of bar code 26 with respect to the array of light beams 70. 
Knowledge of these orientations is desired for proper interpretation of 
signal stream 78. Electronic scanning allows the possibility of scanning 
at higher rates than are practical by mechanical scanning. In this case, 
multiple scans may be averaged to improve the reliability over a single 
scan. It is advantageous to determine the orientation of bar code 26 with 
respect to array of light beams 70 more frequently than the orientations 
are likely to change, otherwise changes in the orientation during a series 
of averaged scans would adversely affect the reliability of the averaged 
scan. When orientations are determined with appropriate frequency, 
advantage may be taken of random motions, caused for example by an 
unsteady hand holding the scanner, during a series of averaged scans. For 
example, if a light source element is not operating, the "dark spot" 
resulting from the failed element will move about, allowing every position 
to be read within at least one of the multiple scans to be averaged. 
Combined with appropriate compensation in processing means 80 for 
defective or failed light sources, the use of averaged multiple scans may 
almost completely eliminate undesirable effects resulting from failed 
light sources. It is also possible to adjust the rate of scanning in 
scanner 60 for optimum adaptation to various scanning conditions. 
In the simplest operation of source array 62, or other source arrays 
described hereafter, at most, one light source element will be activated 
at any one time. Through use of signal separation means (not shown) within 
processing means 80, it is possible to operate two or more light sources 
simultaneously and separate the signals. For example, light sources may be 
simultaneously activated and modulated at different frequencies, e.g., 50 
and 100 MHz, each of which are much higher than the scan rates of scanner 
60. In this case, processing means 80 should contain frequency filters 
appropriate for separating electronic signals at 50 and 100 MHz. 
The capability of scanner 60 may be extended through combination with a 
mechanical scanning means which may be similar to rotating reflector 20 of 
FIG. 1. In this case, the effective one-dimensional 
electronically-generated scan combines with the orthogonally oriented 
mechanical scan to produce a two-dimensional scan, suitable for reading of 
two-dimensional bar codes or multiple bar codes. 
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a face-on view of portions of 
linear light source array 62 and photodetector 76. Light sources 94 are 
shown arranged in a linear array. Due to the large number (approximately 
500) of light sources 94, the entire source array 62 is not shown in FIG. 
3 or the following figures. Light sources 94 are electrically addressed 
via individual contacts 96. Light beams 66 (not shown) emit perpendicular 
to the illustration, i.e., straight out from the page. Photodetector 76 is 
shown in a rectangular form whose dimensions are approximately the same as 
the dimensions of linear light source array 62, however, photodetector may 
take any form. Furthermore, photodetector 76 may comprise a plurality of 
photodetectors, an example of which is illustrated in FIG. 2C with 
photodetectors 90 and 90'. In practice, linear light source array 62 has 
practical limitations. If 500 elements are spaced on a close 20 .mu.m 
pitch, a 1 cm long chip is required, which uses a large chip area or is 
easily broken during manufacturing. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown staggered light source array 98 
having a width W and a length L. Due to the size of staggered light source 
array 98 and of similar light source arrays to follow, the full extent of 
length L is not completely shown, but length L is understood to be the 
distance between the centers of the two light sources 94 at the extreme 
ends of staggered light source array 98. An advantage of staggered light 
source array 98 over linear light source array 62 is that light sources 94 
are spaced further apart, resulting in reduced crosstalk and heating 
effects. Alternatively, light sources 94 may have a smaller length spacing 
100 in staggered light source array 98 than in linear light source array 
62 and, therefore, may be contained in a smaller chip. Length spacing 100 
is understood to be the spacing between the centers of adjacent light 
sources 94 in the direction of the length L. Variations of staggered light 
source array 98 are also possible, for example, having more than two rows, 
irregular configurations, or more than one light source. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown sequenced light source array 102 in 
which light sources 94 are addressed through dividers 104, which block or 
pass electrical current from power supply line 106. Sequencers 108 
generate sequences of electrical pulses (not shown) which are fed into 
dividers 104. Typically, when there are N dividers 112 connected to a 
sequencer 108, dividers 112 will gate the current from power supply lines 
106 at every Nth electrical pulse counted. Furthermore, different dividers 
104 typically gate the current at different times, resulting in a 
sequential activation of light sources 94. If more than one sequencer 108 
is used, as illustrated in FIG. 5, it is advantageous to connect them 
through controlling element 110. Controlling element 110 may control the 
timing of the pulses sent to dividers 104, for example, to prevent more 
than one light source 94 from being activated at one time. It is also 
possible to activate more than one light source 94 at a time in a 
controlled manner. Sequencing electronics may be used advantageously to 
greatly reduce the number of electrical connections made between 
processing means 80 (shown in FIG. 2B) and the chip containing light 
source array 102 and its associated sequencing electronics. An 
individually-addressed light source array comprising 500 elements requires 
at least 500 connections. Use of sequencing electronics has the potential 
to reduce the number of connections to less than 10. 
Whether or not sequencing electronics are used, it is possible to modify 
the power of light sources 94 by use of power modifiers 112, which are 
controlled by power controllers 114. An example of the use of power 
modifiers 112 and power controllers 114 is to increase the output 
uniformity of light sources 94. In the description of FIG. 2B, uniform 
screen 86 was used to provide output power information to processing means 
80. Processing means 80 may process the output power information and send 
appropriate signals to power controllers 114, which in turn cause power 
modifiers to pass an increased or decreased electrical power to light 
sources 94. The power modification may be in the form of modifying the 
electrical current or voltage supplied to light sources 94, or in 
modifying the length of time which light sources 94 are activated, or by 
other means. Power modifiers 112 and power controllers 114 may also reside 
remotely from light source array 102 as exemplified by power controller 84 
of FIG. 2B. In this case a reduced number of power modifiers 112 or even a 
single power modifier 112 may replace the power modifiers 112, which in 
the example illustrated in FIG. 5, exist on a one-to-one basis with light 
sources 94. 
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a face-on planar view of 
matrix-addressed array 116 comprising light sources 94 which are matrix 
addressed by row contacts 118 and column contacts 120. The contacts are 
electrically connected to entire rows or columns of light sources 94. Only 
when both contacts of a light source 94 are activated will light source 94 
emit light. For example, if only row contact 122 and column contact 124 
are activated, the only light source 94 in all of matrix addressed array 
116 which will emit light is the one labeled 126. One advantage of the 
matrix-addressed configuration is reduced number of contacts compared to 
individual addressing. For a two-dimensional M.times.N array (M elements 
per column, N elements per row), individual addressing requires M 
multiplied by N (M.times.N) contacts, while matrix addressing requires 
only M added to N (M+N) contacts. For bar code scanning, an 8.times.64 
matrix configuration may be used to address a 512-element matrix-addressed 
array 116. FIG. 6 shows a 4-row matrix-addressed array 116 for 
illustrative purposes. An advantage of having many rows in a 
two-dimensional array is that the length spacing 100 may be reduced to a 
distance much smaller than the size of light sources 94, allowing for 
continuous scanning in the length dimension. 
Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a schematic view of two-dimensional 
array 128 which illustrates the inherent sensitivity to angular 
misorientation. Array 128 is designed to read bars 130 oriented as shown. 
With proper orientation, the length spacing 132 between light sources 94 
in a column is equal to the length spacing 134 between adjacent columns, 
in which case a bar code may be scanned continuously. However if the bar 
code is not properly oriented, for example rotated by angle 136, and 
exemplified by bar 138, there exists the possibility of a bar 138 not 
being read by scanning of array 128. 
If the spots of light incident on a bar code have diameters approximately 
equal to their length spacing 132 multiplied by the magnification of the 
transmitting optical system exemplified by lens 68 in FIG. 2B, the angular 
tolerance f may be easily estimated to be approximately one half of angle 
140. Angle 140 is defined by two lines 142 and 144, both passing through 
the center of light source 146. Line 142 also passes through the center of 
light source 148, and line 144 is parallel to the lines which define the 
proper angular orientation by having equal length spacings 132 and 134. 
The tangent of angle 140 is equal to the tangent of the value of the 
length spacing 132 divided by the width W. For an 8.times.64 array, a 
typical angular tolerance f is slightly larger than 1 degree, or 0.01745 
radians. Thus, a straightforward approach to using a two-dimensional array 
is limited to applications where strict control is held on the relative 
angular orientation between light source array 128 and bar code 26. 
There are at least three basic approaches to increasing the angular 
tolerance f: (1) modification of the arrangements of light sources 94; (2) 
use of oversampling; and (3) modification of the arrangements of light 
beams 70. FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D illustrate a variety of light source 
array configurations which modify the arrangements of light sources 94 
and/or implement oversampling to increase the angular tolerance f. 
Referring now to FIG. 8A, there is shown linear light source array 150. 
Linear light source array 150 is highly tolerant to angular orientation. 
The angle which is analogous to angle 140 of FIG. 7 is 90 degrees, i.e., 
only the most extreme angular misorientation causes a scanning failure. As 
previously described however, linear light source array 150 has practical 
limitations. 
Referring now to FIG. 8B, there is shown light source array 152 which has 
the same configuration as light source array 128 of FIG. 7. Angle 154, 
analogous to angle 140 of FIG. 7 is very small. Angle 154 may be increased 
by a factor of N times by extending each column 156 by N elements. 
Referring now to FIG. 8C, there is shown light source array 158 having only 
a slightly larger number of elements than light source array 152 in which 
the angular tolerance f is greatly increased. In light source array 158, 
it is seen that the length spacing 160 occurs between light sources 94 
which are not adjacent. In light source array 158, array columns 162 are 
seen to be "tilted" at an angle about twice that of the array columns 156 
of light source array 152. Also in light source array 158, there are two 
length spacings 160 between adjacent column elements. To make light source 
array more effective, it is desirable to add at least one oversampling 
light source 164 into each array column 162 as shown. 
Referring now to FIG. 8D, there is shown irregular light source array 166 
in which light sources 94 of array column 168 do not lie in a straight 
line. In characterizing light source array 152 of FIG. 8B, it is seen that 
the angular tolerance is asymmetric, i.e., it is much more sensitive to 
angular misorientation in one direction than in the other direction. 
Irregular light source array 166 has a more symmetric angular sensitivity. 
The angular tolerance f of irregular light source array 166 is difficult 
to quantify, since light sources 94 may be placed in any configuration. It 
may be seen however, just as in the case of light source array 158 of FIG. 
8C, that in the absence of any oversampling, the angular tolerance f will 
be very small. Oversampling may be accomplished through addition of light 
sources 94 within the array as was illustrated in FIG. 8C, or by extending 
array columns 168. Oversampling may also be accomplished by overlapping 
adjacent array columns 168, which is the configuration illustrated in FIG. 
8D. The overlap of adjacent array columns 168 may be seen in FIG. 8D by 
observing that light source 170 lies to the left of light source 172. 
Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a method for modifying the 
configuration of light beams 70 relative to the configuration of light 
sources 94 in light source array 174, in order to increase the angular 
tolerance f. FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of a simplified array column 
of width W of light sources 94. Optical system 176 decreases width W of 
light source array 174 to a reduced width W' of modified beam array 178. 
Optical system 176 may have entrance surface 180 and exit surface 182, and 
may comprise a single component, as shown. Optical system 176 may comprise 
entrance elements 184 and exit elements 186 as illustrated in FIG. 9, or 
it may comprise a birefringent material or other means for modifying 
reduced width W' of modified beam array 178. The configuration in the 
horizontal dimension of light source array 174, not illustrated in FIG. 9, 
may or may not be affected by optical system 176. When optical system 176 
differently affects the vertical and horizontal dimensions of modified 
beam array 178, optical system 176 is said to be anamorphic. 
Referring now to FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, there is shown the effects of 
optical system 176 on modified beam array 178. In FIG. 10A, configuration 
188 illustrates the configuration of light beams 70 as they are emitted 
from light source array 174. For simplicity of illustration, configuration 
188 has only 20 elements. It is to be understood that the specific 
configuration 188 illustrated is only an example. Configuration 188 may 
take on any configuration, including those illustrated in FIG. 8. FIG. 10B 
shows modified beam array 190 in which the ratio W'/L has been reduced by 
approximately a factor of two. Reducing W'/L by a factor of two may 
increase the angular tolerance f by a factor of approximately two or more. 
FIG. 10C illustrates the extreme case when the reduced width W' is zero, 
i.e., modified beam array 192 becomes a linear array. FIG. 10C also 
illustrates that the diameters of modified beams 194 may also be modified 
by optical system 176, however the most important factor for angular 
tolerance is the ratio W'/L. 
Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, there are shown face-on planar views of 
entrance surface 180 and exit surface 182 of an example of an anamorphic 
optical system such as optical system 176 shown in FIG. 9. In this 
example, diffractive lenses 196 on entrance surface 180 simultaneously 
focus and deflect light beams 70 (not shown) to exit surface 182. 
Diffractive lenses 198 collimate and deflect the beams of modified beam 
array 178. Diffractive lenses 196 have a configuration approximating the 
configuration of light source array 174, and diffractive lenses 198 have a 
configuration approximating the configuration of modified beam array 178. 
FIG. 11B shows only four diffractive lenses 198, corresponding to the four 
diffractive lenses 196 comprising a single column of light source array 
174. Although the illustrated diffractive lenses 196 and 198 represent a 
preferred embodiment of optical system 176, other methods may be used, for 
example, off-axis refractive or gradient index lenses, lenses with prisms, 
lenses with diffraction gratings, holographic elements or other beam 
deflecting methods. Optical system 176 may be manufactured, for example, 
by molding a single piece of glass or plastic. Alternatively, optical 
system 176 may be formed on a wafer of sapphire or glass or other material 
by photolithography and etching or by embossing. 
Referring now to FIG. 12, there is shown another approach to decreasing the 
width W' of modified beam array 178. Polarized light source array 200, 
comprising polarized light emitters 202 and 204, emits at least 2 light 
beams 206 and 208, such that light beam 206 has a polarization state 
approximately orthogonal to the polarization state of light beam 208. 
Polarization sensitive material 210 will then act differently on light 
beams 206 and 208. Light beam 206', in this example an ordinary beam, 
propagates through polarization sensitive material 210 in accordance with 
Snell's Law of refraction, which is well known in the art of optics. Light 
beam 208' is termed an extraordinary beam which does not follow Snell's 
Law. Polarization sensitive material 210 may, therefore, affect light 
beams 206' and 208' differently, and in this example, bring them together. 
Light beams 206' and 208' emerge from polarization sensitive material 210 
as modified beams 212 and 214 and propagate normally in the absence of any 
other polarization sensitive material, and in the illustrative example, 
the width W' of the beam array has been reduced to zero. Polarization 
sensitive material 210 may comprise a birefringent material, in which case 
light beams 206 and 208 are preferably linearly polarized, or it may 
comprise an optically active material in which case light beams 206 and 
208 are preferably circularly polarized. Use of polarization sensitive 
material 210 is advantageous in that no fine alignment is required, 
however, it is limited to producing only two different propagation 
configurations corresponding to two orthogonal polarization states. 
It is to be appreciated and understood that the specific embodiments of the 
invention are merely illustrative of the general principles of the 
invention. Various modifications may be made upon the preferred 
embodiments described consistent with the principles set forth. In 
particular, the scanner may be used for the projection of images, either 
in one dimension or in two dimensions, and may be used to project moving 
images. The scope of this invention is indicated by the appended claims, 
rather than by the foregoing description.