Reflector for Laser Interrogation of Three-Dimensional Objects

Abstract

A digital control for light beams. A position of an output light beam is changed based on a digital input control formed of a plurality of bits. The device may use movable mirrors to change the position of the output light beams.

1 . A method, comprising:
 applying an input optical beam to an array of reflector elements;   reflecting said input optical beam through said array to form an output optical beam; and   controlling said reflector elements using digital bits, such that each change of each single digital bit changes an output position of said output optical beam.   
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said mirror array includes a plurality of moving mirrors, each of which deflects said input optical beam according to said digital bits. 
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein at least some of said plurality of moving mirrors are each moved by a different amount than others of said moving mirrors. 
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein said plurality of moving mirrors are each moved by the same amount. 
   
   
       5 . A method as in  claim 2  wherein each of said plurality of moving mirrors has a substantially different size. 
   
   
       6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said mirror array includes an array of movable mirrors, and at least one unmovable mirror, positioned in a location to reflect light from one of said movable mirrors to another of said movable mirrors. 
   
   
       7 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said unmovable mirror is substantially flat. 
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said unmovable mirror is substantially curved. 
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said unmovable mirror includes a plurality of separated parts, collectively defining a curved profile, but each of said separated parts being substantially flat. 
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said unmovable mirror includes a plurality of angled surfaces. 
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 6 , wherein said angled surfaces are Fresnel surfaces. 
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 4 , further comprising changing an angle of attack for each of a plurality of reflections. 
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said mirror array includes a first sub array of movable mirrors extending along a first specified shaped surface, and a second sub array of movable mirrors extending along a second specified shaped surface. 
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein said first and second shaped surfaces are substantially flat. 
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein said first and second specified shaped surfaces are substantially curved. 
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein each of said mirrors are substantially flat. 
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein each of said reflector elements includes a reflective membrane which is moved between first and second positions. 
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein each of said reflector elements includes first and second parts which are movable relative to one another. 
   
   
       19 . An optical device comprising:
 an array of movable reflector elements; and   a controller for said array of reflector elements, said controller operating based on a plurality of digital bits which operate to change a position of said array of reflector elements to produce an output beam at a position based on said digital bits.   
   
   
       20 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein each of said reflector elements comprises a movable, reflective membrane. 
   
   
       21 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein each of said reflector elements comprises first and second parts, which reflect light from a first location when touching one another, and reflect light from a second location when not touching one another, and an element for moving said first and second parts relative to one another. 
   
   
       22 . A device as in  claim 19 , further comprising a plane mirror, which reflects between different ones of said reflector elements. 
   
   
       23 . A device as in  claim 21 , wherein said plane mirror is substantially flat. 
   
   
       24 . A device as in  claim 21 , wherein said plane mirror is formed along a curved area. 
   
   
       25 . A device as in  claim 24 , wherein said plane mirror is formed of a plurality of different mirrored elements, each of which is substantially flat. 
   
   
       26 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein each of said reflector elements are movable by different amounts. 
   
   
       27 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein each of said reflector elements are movable by the same amount. 
   
   
       28 . A device as in  claim 19 , wherein each of said plurality of moving mirrors has a substantially different size. 
   
   
       29 . A device as in  claim 28 , wherein there are a series of said movable mirrors, and at least a plurality of said movable mirrors are twice as large as a movable mirror prior to it in said series.