Patent ID: 7411711

Claim:
An optical pattern generator that generates a plurality of figures, the pattern generator comprising: a first multi-faceted rotating optical element having a first rotational axis and a plurality of different refractive facets that rotate around the first rotational axis, wherein: each facet deflects an incident optical beam to generate a figure from the plurality of figures as the facet rotates through the optical beam; and a majority of facets each include a respective offset component that offsets the figure along an offset direction, wherein the offset direction is generally aligned with a radial direction of the optical element; and a second multi-faceted rotating optical element having a second rotational axis and a plurality of different refractive facets that rotate around the second rotational axis, the second optical element located downstream of the first optical element, wherein each facet on the first optical element has a corresponding facet on the second optical element, and corresponding facets rotate through the optical beam in synchronization and cause the optical beam to generate a figure from the plurality of figures as the corresponding facets rotate through the optical beam.