EP0257747A2 — Photoelectric array for scanning large-area non-p…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 74 words

An image scanning device (ll) including, in combination: a non-planar surface (3l4,3O8,3l4) having features to be scanned; a large area, flexible substrate (7O); a large area array (56) of discrete, small area, thin film photosensitive elements (64) electrically and operationally interconnected; said array disposed upon said flexible substrate; and said large area array operatively flexed into a condition generally corresponding to at least the general overall contour of the non-planar surface to be scanned.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 74 words

An image scanning device (ll) including, in combination: a non-planar surface (3l4,3O8,3l4) having features to be scanned; a large area, flexible substrate (7O); a large area array (56) of discrete, small area, thin film photosensitive elements (64) electrically and operationally interconnected; said array disposed upon said flexible substrate; and said large area array operatively flexed into a condition generally corresponding to at least the general overall contour of the non-planar surface to be scanned.

Claim 3

Independent Claim 17 words

A device as in Claim l, wherein the array is permanently flexed into a preselected non-planar configuration.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 25 words

A device as in Claim l, further including biasing means (3l8) adapted to flex said array from an equilibrium condition into a desired non-planar condition.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 21 words

A device as in Claim l, wherein the array is flexed into a preselected configuration which includes an irregular nonsymmetrical shape.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

A device as in Claim 3, wherein the biasing means is adapted to urge the array against said surface to be scanned.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 34 words

A device as in Claim l, wherein the array includes a body of surface-contacting material (3l6), said body forming a non-abrasive, deformable mask for preventing spurious radiation from impinging on the discrete photosensitive elements.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 11 words

A device as in Claim 6, wherein the mask is lubricious.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 140 words

Imaging apparatus (ll) for generating signals representive of detectable conditions of an image-bearing surface (4OO) including: at least one elongated array (56) of distinct, spaced apart photosensitive elements (64), each element being continuous and including at least one one thin film layer of photoresponsive semiconductor material (82) and being operatively disposed so as to convert light energy emanating from a corresponding portion of the surface and incident thereupon into an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light energy emanating from said surface portion; and, lensless optical (4O2) means for directing light from each particular surface portion onto a corresponding photosensitive element, said optical means operatively disposed in close proximity to the surface and including mask means (4O4) for limiting light energy incident on a discrete photosensitive element substantially to that light energy which emanates from the corresponding surface portions.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 140 words

Imaging apparatus (ll) for generating signals representive of detectable conditions of an image-bearing surface (4OO) including: at least one elongated array (56) of distinct, spaced apart photosensitive elements (64), each element being continuous and including at least one one thin film layer of photoresponsive semiconductor material (82) and being operatively disposed so as to convert light energy emanating from a corresponding portion of the surface and incident thereupon into an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light energy emanating from said surface portion; and, lensless optical (4O2) means for directing light from each particular surface portion onto a corresponding photosensitive element, said optical means operatively disposed in close proximity to the surface and including mask means (4O4) for limiting light energy incident on a discrete photosensitive element substantially to that light energy which emanates from the corresponding surface portions.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 58 words

Apparatus as in Claim 8, wherein said mask means includes at least first and second sets of apertures (4O6) through which light energy emanating from said surface portions may pass; the apertures of said first and second sets being spaced apart a preselected distance along optical axes which extend between the surface portions and the corresponding photosensitive elements.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 50 words

lO. Apparatus as in Claim 9, wherein said mask means is formed as a solid body having a plurality of holes extending therethrough; each of said photosensitive elements respectively associated with one of said holes; and said first and second sets of apertures defined by opposite ends of said holes.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus as in Claim lO, wherein the interior sidewalls of said holes are substantially absorptive of light energy impinging thereon.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus as in Claim lO, wherein said body is defined by a thick strip of opaque material mounted so as to contact said elongated array, and wherein certain of said holes are aligned with corresponding photosensitive elements of said array.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus as in Claim 9, wherein each of the apertures in said first and second sets is substantially circular in shape.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

Apparatus as in Claim 9, wherein said mask means is formed by a pair of spaced opaque sheets.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 11 words

Apparatus as in Claim l4, wherein said opaque sheets are light-absorbing.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 39 words

Apparatus as in Claim 8, wherein said mask means includes a substantially planar, opaque member of predetermined thickness having an elongated array of spaced holes formed therethrough; and said array of photosensitive elements is mounted on said planar member.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 18 words

Apparatus as in Claim l6, wherein said planar member is a printed circuit board having electrical components thereon.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus as in Claim l7, wherein said mask means further includes a wear plate mounted on said planar member.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 17 words

Apparatus as in Claim 9, further comprising elongated light means (34) fixedly disposed adjacent said mask means.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 37 words

2O. Apparatus as in Claim l9, wherein said elongated light means includes at least a first linear array of discrete light emitting diodes corresponding to said first and second sets of apertures for illuminating respective surface portions.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 55 words

2l. Apparatus as in Claim 2O, further comprising a second light means including a second linear array of discrete light sources corresponding to one set of apertures for respectively illuminating respective surface portions; said first and second linear arrays of light means arranged to direct light energy onto respective surface portions from substantially opposing angles.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 63 words

Apparatus as in Claim 8, further comprising: an elongated opaque arm (l8) including a plurality of apertures (52) therein which comprises said mask means; a source of light (34) on said arm for illuminating said surface portions (42); and means (35) on said arm for intensifying light radiating from said source onto respective surface portions which are disposed substantially directly under said apertures.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus as in Claim 22, wherein said elongated array is mounted in intimate overlying relationship to said apertures with individual ones of said photosensitive elements in registration with corresponding apertures.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 50 words

Apparatus as in Claim 22, wherein said arm includes a substantially closed chamber (32)therein, said chamber having an elongated opening through which light energy from said source of light may pass; and said intensifying means includes at least a first elongated optical lens (45) disposed within the said elongated opening.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 33 words

Apparatus as in Claim 24, wherein said elongated opening has a tapered cross-section, with the larger end thereof disposed nearer the light source and the smaller end thereof disposed nearer said surface portions.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 49 words

Apparatus as in Claim 24, wherein the central optical axis of each of said apertures extends in a plane essentially perpendicular to the plane of said planar surface and the plane of the optical axis of said optical lens is inclined relative to the plane of said planar surface.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus as in Claim 22, including means on said arm rollable along said planar surface for maintaining a substantially constant spacing between said photosensitive elements and said planar surface.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 32 words

Apparatus as in Claim 26, wherein said elongated array is secured to said mask means, and said apparatus further includes means for biasing said mask means into contact with said planar surface.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus as in Claim 27, including a wear-resistant member secured to said mask means and interposed between said mask means and said planar surface for slidably engaging said planar surface.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 138 words

3O. Line imaging apparatus (ll) for generating a set of signals representive of detectable conditions of a surface (lO), comprising: a large area surface (lO); an arm (l8) adapted to movably extend over substantially one entire dimension of said surface; an elongated array (56) of distinct photosensitive elements (64) mounted on a flexible substrate (7O) and extending along substantially the entire length of said arm, each of said elements formed from at least one thin film layer of photoresponsive amorphous semiconductor material (82); each element operatively disposed closely proximate said surface to convert light energy emanating from a portion of said surface and incident thereupon into an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of said light energy; and means (l6) for moving said arm over said surface, whereby substantially the entire surface may be scanned by said array.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 138 words

3O. Line imaging apparatus (ll) for generating a set of signals representive of detectable conditions of a surface (lO), comprising: a large area surface (lO); an arm (l8) adapted to movably extend over substantially one entire dimension of said surface; an elongated array (56) of distinct photosensitive elements (64) mounted on a flexible substrate (7O) and extending along substantially the entire length of said arm, each of said elements formed from at least one thin film layer of photoresponsive amorphous semiconductor material (82); each element operatively disposed closely proximate said surface to convert light energy emanating from a portion of said surface and incident thereupon into an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of said light energy; and means (l6) for moving said arm over said surface, whereby substantially the entire surface may be scanned by said array.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 19 words

3l. Apparatus as in Claim 3O, wherein said surface is rectangularly-shaped and said arm is adapted for movement thereacross.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 21 words

Apparatus as in Claim 3O, wherein said surface is circularly shaped (lOl) and said arm is adapted for rotational movement thereacross.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus as in Claim 3O, wherein said semiconductor material is an amorphous alloy of silicon.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 40 words

Apparatus as in Claim 3O, wherein said photosensitive elements operate in a photovoltaic mode, and each of said electrical signals corresponds to the total amount of light energy emanating from a corresponding surface portion over a predetermined period of time.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 70 words

Apparatus as in Claim 3O, wherein said array includes at least one linear group (56) of photosensitive elements formed on a common substrate by a plurality of layers of semiconductor material of differing conductivity types; at least certain of said layers extending continuously over interstitial portions of said substrate; and a plurality of discrete, spaced apart linearly arranged electrodes defined by a conductive material atop said layers of semiconductor material.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 54 words

Apparatus as in Claim 35, including: a plurality of electrically conductive pads (68); a discrete pad disposed atop each of said photosensitive elements (64); and a plurality of electrically conductive traces (66) connecting respective ones of said pads with respective electrodes, said pads formed by electrically conductive material overlying said layers of semiconductor material.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 32 words

Apparatus as in Claim 35, wherein said plurality of layers of semiconductor material form a p-i-n photodiode adapted to operate in a forward bias mode in quadrant IV of its current-voltage curve.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 29 words

Apparatus as in Claim 36, wherein said array includes a plurality of said groups, each group formed on a discrete substrate, said discrete substrates being arranged in end-to-end relationship.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus as in Claim 3O, further comprising means (35) on said arm for directing light energy emanating from said surface portions onto respectively associated photosensitive elements.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 17 words

4O. Apparatus as in Claim 3l, further comprising means for shielding said photosensitive elements from ambient radiation.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 69 words

4l. Apparatus as in Claim 3O, including a mask of opaque material having an elongated group of apertures (52) therein associated with respective ones of said photosensitive elements; said group of apertures being spaced a preselected distance from and aligned with adjacent apertures so as to substantially limit light energy incident upon the associated photosensitive element to that light energy which emanates from the corresponding portion of said surface.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 41 words

Apparatus as in Claim 38, including an elongated array of a plurality of lens (45) means mounted on said arm and respectively associated with said photosensitive elements for focusing light energy emanating from said surface portions onto the corresponding photosensitive elements.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus as in Claim 3O, further comprising means (86) for multiplexing the electrical signals produced for said photosensitive elements; and circuit board means (36) mounted on said arm for carrying said multiplexing means, said photosensitive elements mounted on said circuit board means.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus as in Claim 3O, wherein each element includes means for filtering out different wavelengths of light to tailor the response thereof.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 31 words

Apparatus as in Claim 44, wherein said filtering means includes one of blue, green and red filtering means operatively associated with each discrete element so as to correspondingly sensitize said elements.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 30 words

Apparatus as in Claim 45, wherein the relative number of blue, green and red sensitized elements (7lO) are selected so as to approximate the light sensitivity of the human eye.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus as in Claim 46, wherein the relative number of green sensitized elements is greater than the number of red or blue sensitized elements.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus as in Claim 47, wherein differently sensitized elements are periodically interposed throughout the length of the elongated array.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 41 words

Apparatus as in Claim 3O, wherein said elongated array includes at least three columns of photosensitive elements aligned so as to define an m × n matrix; each of said columns is dedicated to a different portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 38 words

5O. Apparatus as in Claim 44, further including means (lOl) for receiving the signal generated by each element and means (9O) for comparing said element generated signal with stored reference signal (88) corresponding to different wavelengths of light.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 31 words

5l. Apparatus as in Claim 44, further including a surface adapted to bear an image; and a plurality of differently colored markers capable of forming an image on said image-bearing surface.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus as in Claim 5l, wherein said printer means is capable of substantially accurately replicating the color of each of each different colored markers.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 32 words

Apparatus as in Claim 52, wherein said filtering means are adapted to specifically tailor the response of said photosensitive elements to at least the colors of each of said differently colored markers.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus as in Claim 44, wherein the light incident electrode is formed of transparent conductive oxide, said oxide forming the filtering means so as to tailor the response of said elements to incident light.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 201 words

An imaging system (ll) for generating signals representative of detectable conditions of an image bearing surface (lO), comprising: sensor means (56) for scanning the surface, said sensor means including an elongated array of thin film photosensitive elements (64) operatively disposed to sense the intensity of light received from a small portion of the surface and generate an electrical signal corresponding thereto; means (9O) for storing individual values representative of the light intensity sensed by at least certain of the photosensitive elements during the scanning of said surface; first means (92) for comparing the value representing the signal sensed by each of said elements with at least one stored value to determine which of said values represents a greater light intensity, and for causing a sensed signal which said comparison indicates is of greater intensity to be stored in said storage means; and second means (98) for comparing the sensed signal generated by each element with a threshold value which corresponds to a predetermined fraction of the greatest light intensity yet received by a corresponding element and stored in the storage means; and said second comparing means adapted to produce a corresponding electrical output signal representative of the results of said comparison.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 201 words

An imaging system (ll) for generating signals representative of detectable conditions of an image bearing surface (lO), comprising: sensor means (56) for scanning the surface, said sensor means including an elongated array of thin film photosensitive elements (64) operatively disposed to sense the intensity of light received from a small portion of the surface and generate an electrical signal corresponding thereto; means (9O) for storing individual values representative of the light intensity sensed by at least certain of the photosensitive elements during the scanning of said surface; first means (92) for comparing the value representing the signal sensed by each of said elements with at least one stored value to determine which of said values represents a greater light intensity, and for causing a sensed signal which said comparison indicates is of greater intensity to be stored in said storage means; and second means (98) for comparing the sensed signal generated by each element with a threshold value which corresponds to a predetermined fraction of the greatest light intensity yet received by a corresponding element and stored in the storage means; and said second comparing means adapted to produce a corresponding electrical output signal representative of the results of said comparison.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 43 words

A system as in Claim 55, wherein said array of photosensitive elements includes at least one group of photosensitive elements integrally formed on a common substrate, and each of the elements of the array includes one thin film layer of semiconductor material (82).

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 27 words

A system as in Claim 56, wherein each photosensitive elements also includes a thin film layer of conductive material configured so as to form a discrete electrode.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 32 words

A system as in Claim 57, wherein said group of photosensitive elements is formed from at least one common layer of semiconductor material and at least one common layer of conductive material.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 48 words

A system as in Claim 55, wherein said elongated array is arranged with respect to said surface so as to define a scanning direction; and the sensor means and the surface move relative to one another in a subscanning direction that is substantially perpendicular to said scanning direction.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 48 words

6O. A system as in Claim 55, wherein all of said photosensitive elements sense light intensity; and said second comparison means compares the sensed signal generated by each photosensitive element with a predetermined fraction of a value representing the greatest light intensity yet received by said photosensitive element.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 19 words

6l. A system as in Claim 55, including means for resetting said storage means prior to scanning said surface.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 30 words

A system as in Claim 55, wherein said storage means stores only one value, said value representative of the light intensity sensed by each commonly addressed group of photosensitive elements.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 36 words

A system as in Claim 55, wherein each of said photosensitive elements is adapted to integrate the intensity of light received from its corresponding small area portion of the surface over a predetermined period of time.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system as in Claim 63, wherein each photosensitive element acts as a photodiode adapted to generate a current or voltage in response to illumination thereof.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 53 words

system as in Claim 64, wherein the fourth quadrant of the current-voltage curve of each of said photosensitive elements includes a knee portion, a shallow slope portion before the knee portion, and a steeply sloped portion after the knee portion; and each of said elements is operated exclusively in the shallow slope portion.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 29 words

A system as in Claim 65, wherein each of said photosensitive elements are operable in a reverse biased mode, whereby a previously imposed charge is discharged by photogenerated current.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 58 words

A system as in Claim 55, wherein said first comparison means includes: analog-to-digital conversion means (l52) for producing a digital signal respresentative of each sensed signal at least when said sensed signal represents a greater light intensity value than said corresponding stored value; and wherein said storage means (92) includes digital memory connected to said analog-to-digital conversion means.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 36 words

A system as in Claim 67, further comprising: digital-to-analog conversion means for converting stored values in said digital memory into analog signals (lO7) prior to the receipt of said stored values by said first comparison means.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 40 words

A system as in Claim 55, further comprising: circuit means for sampling and temporarily holding said sensed values, said sample and hold circuit means interposed between and electrically connected to said sensor means and said first and second comparison means.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 24 words

7O. A system as in Claim 55, further comprising: means (86) for multiplexing the sensed signals from the photosensitive elements in a predetermined order.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 27 words

7l. A system as in Claim 7O, wherein said multiplexing means includes at least one analog bus (lO7) and at least one multiconductor digital address bus (l5O).

Claim 76

Independent Claim 32 words

A system as in Claim 7O, further comprising means (lOO) for amplifying said sensed signals, said amplifying means interposed between and electrically connected to said multiplexing means and said first comparison means.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 15 words

A system as in Claim 55, wherein said first comparison means includes an analog comparator.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 15 words

A system as in Claim 55, wherein said second comparison means includes an analog comparator.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as in Claim 67, wherein the value of said predetermined fraction is in the range from about O.5 to about O.9.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 104 words

A system as in Claim 55, further comprising: means (84) for controlling the sequence of operation of said storage means, said first comparison means and second comparison means during the period of time allocated for reading each photosensitive element; said sequence control means adapted to successively operate during said time period (l) said storage means to obtain said corresponding stored value, (2) said first and second comparison means to perform their respective comparison functions, and (3) said storage means, if necessary, to store a sensed value which said first comparison means indicates is of greater intensity than the value to which it was compared.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 173 words

A line imaging system (ll) for generating signals representative of detectable conditions of an image bearing surface (lO), comprising: an elongated array (56) of thin film photosensitive elements (64) including at least one group of said elements linearly arranged on a common substrate, of each of said elements formed from at least one thin film layer of semiconductor material (82) and adapted to convert light energy emanating from a portion of surface and incident upon said elements into an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light energy emanating from said surface portion; an analog bus (lO7) having at least one conductor; a digital address bus (l5O) adapted to receive digital addresses from address control means; time-division multiplexing circuit means (86) connected to said analog bus and said digitial bus for selectively providing a low impedance connection between at least one of said elements from said group and said analog bus upon command from said address control means; and means (lOO) for amplifying analog signals from said elements impressed upon said analog bus.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 173 words

A line imaging system (ll) for generating signals representative of detectable conditions of an image bearing surface (lO), comprising: an elongated array (56) of thin film photosensitive elements (64) including at least one group of said elements linearly arranged on a common substrate, of each of said elements formed from at least one thin film layer of semiconductor material (82) and adapted to convert light energy emanating from a portion of surface and incident upon said elements into an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light energy emanating from said surface portion; an analog bus (lO7) having at least one conductor; a digital address bus (l5O) adapted to receive digital addresses from address control means; time-division multiplexing circuit means (86) connected to said analog bus and said digitial bus for selectively providing a low impedance connection between at least one of said elements from said group and said analog bus upon command from said address control means; and means (lOO) for amplifying analog signals from said elements impressed upon said analog bus.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 34 words

A system as in Claim 77, wherein said photosensitive elements form a photodiode which includes said one thin film layer of semiconductor material, each of said photodiodes adapted to receive charge from photogenerated current.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system as in Claim 78, wherein each of said photodidodes is an amorphous silicon alloy p-i-n diode.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 31 words

8O. A system as in Claim 79, wherein each of said photosensitive elements includes a second amorphous silicon alloy p-i-n photodiode arranged physically and electrically in series with said first photodiode.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 35 words

8l. A system as in Claim 77, wherein said amplifying means includes a high impedance input voltage amplifier and a resistor (l27) connected to said analog bus for providing a voltage input to said amplifier.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 47 words

A system as in Claim 79, wherein said time division multiplexing means maintains the low impedance connection between said at least one element and said analog bus for a sufficient period of time for the voltage input to reflect the rate of discharge of said photosensitive element.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 38 words

A system as in Claim 77, wherein said amplifying means includes a current amplifier having a relatively low impedance input connected to said analog bus (83), and wherein said photosensitive elements are substantially discharged through said amplifier input.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 48 words

A system as in Claim 77, wherein said group of photosensitive elements is divided into a plurality of subgroups; said multiplexing means includes a plurality of individually addressable multiplexer circuits corresponding to the subgroups; and each such multiplexer circuit connected to one of said subgroups of photosensitive elements.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 14 words

A system as in Claim 84, wherein said multiplexer circuits are digitally address controlled.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 25 words

A system as in Claim 84, wherein the electrical signal of each photosensitive elements passes through only one multiplexer circuit before reaching said amplifier means.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 27 words

A system as in Claim 84, wherein each subgroup includes at least 8 photosensitive elements, and said group of photosensitive elements includes at least l28 photosensitive elements.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 43 words

A system as in Claim 78, wherein said multiplexing means includes means for preventing spurious discharge of said photodiodes except for that period of time when each said photodiode is specifically addressed to be read and is in communication with said amplifier means.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 35 words

A system as in Claim 77, wherein said elongated array includes a plurality of groups (36) of photosenstive elements, each group being formed on a discrete elongated substrate strip; said strips arranged in end-to-end relationship.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 21 words

9O. A system as in Claim 89, wherein said strips are physically arranged to form a continous line (55) of elements.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 56 words

9l. A system as in Claim 77, further including a printed circuit board (36); at least one group of elements attached to said circuit board; said analog bus and said address bus formed at least in part on said printed circuit board; and said multiplexing means mounted at least in part on said printed circuit board.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 16 words

A system as in Claim 77, wherein said elongated array is formed on an elongated substrate.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 88 words

A system as in Claim 77, wherein said photosensitive elements each includes a contact pad portion (68) for making an electrical connection thereto; said printed circuit board includes a corresponding plurality of contact pads (66) for making a discrete electrical connection to said multiplexing means; said system further comprising flexible connector means having multiple conductors arranged in parallel and insulated from one another, said connector means adapted to interconnect the contact pad portions of said elements of said group to corresponding contact pads of said printed circuit board.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 66 words

A system as in Claim 93, wherein said photosensitive elements of said group each includes a sensor portion (66) for receiving light energy, said sensor portion spaced from its contact pad portion; and a trace portion interconnecting said sensor portion and said contact pad portion; and said flexible connector means being substantially opaque and substantially covering said trace portions and contact pad portions of said elements.

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 17 words

A system as in Claim 77, wherein said common substrate is formed of a thin flexible material.

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 14 words

A system as in Claim 77, wherein said substrate is formed of stainless steel.

Claim 102

Dependent Claim 24 words

A system as in Claim 77, wherein said substrate is conductive which defines a common bottom electrode for the photosenstive elements of said group.

Claim 103

Dependent Claim 79 words

A system as in Claim 97, further comprising: a plurality of printed circuit boards (56); an interboard analog bus; and said elongated array includes a plurality of said groups with at least one group mounted on each of said printed circuit boards; said printed circuit boards being arranged in end-to-end relationship such that the groups of elements located thereon form one long continuous array of elements; and said interboard bus interconnects the outputs of said amplifying means in parallel.

Claim 104

Dependent Claim 24 words

A system as in Claim 98, wherein each amplifying means includes isolation means for selectively providing a high impedance output to said interboard bus.

Claim 105

Dependent Claim 119 words

lOO. Apparatus (ll) for producing electronic signals representative of detectable surface conditions on an image-bearing surface (lO) comprising: an elongated array (56) of distinct small area photosensitive elements (64), said array including at least one elongated group of photosensitive elements disposed upon a common, flexible, large area, conductive substrate so as to form a large area thin film photovoltaic structure; said structure including a plurality of thin film layers, at least one layer of which comprises a noncrystalline silicon or germanium alloy material and at least a second layer of which comprises a highly conductive material; said photosensitive elements individually defined by patterning at least said conductive layer into shaped regions so as to determine the surface area thereof.

Claim 106

Dependent Claim 119 words

lOO. Apparatus (ll) for producing electronic signals representative of detectable surface conditions on an image-bearing surface (lO) comprising: an elongated array (56) of distinct small area photosensitive elements (64), said array including at least one elongated group of photosensitive elements disposed upon a common, flexible, large area, conductive substrate so as to form a large area thin film photovoltaic structure; said structure including a plurality of thin film layers, at least one layer of which comprises a noncrystalline silicon or germanium alloy material and at least a second layer of which comprises a highly conductive material; said photosensitive elements individually defined by patterning at least said conductive layer into shaped regions so as to determine the surface area thereof.

Claim 107

Dependent Claim 45 words

lOl. Apparatus as in Claim lOO, wherein each individually shaped region includes a photosensor portion for receiving illumination and a contact pad (66) portion to which an individual electrical connection may be made, whereby a discrete electrical signal may be transmitted by each photosensitive element.

Claim 108

Dependent Claim 43 words

lO2. Apparatus as in Claim lOl, wherein said photosensor and contact pad portions are spaced apart, and each shaped region includes a track portion (68)electrically interconnecting its photosensor portion and pad portion; said trace portion being significantly narrower than said contact pad portion.

Claim 109

Dependent Claim 47 words

lO3. Apparatus as in Claim lO2, wherein the combined area of the contact pad portion and trace portion of each shaped region is selected to provide added capacitance of a predetermined magnitude in parallel with the inherent capacitance attributable to the photosensor portion of each shaped region.

Claim 110

Dependent Claim 36 words

lO4. Apparatus as in Claim lO3, wherein said elongated array includes opaque means covering the trace and contact pad portions of said individually shaped regions for preventing light from illuminating the trace and contact pad portions.

Claim 111

Dependent Claim 20 words

lO5. Apparatus as in Claim lOO, wherein said elongated array includes a plurality of said elongated groups of photosensitive elements.

Claim 112

Dependent Claim 40 words

lO6. Apparatus as in Claim lO5, wherein each elongated group of photosensitive elements is substantially similar in the structure and patterning of its individually shaped regions, and said groups are linearly arranged to form said elongated array of photosensitive elements.

Claim 113

Dependent Claim 27 words

lO7. Apparatus as in Claim lOO, wherein each of said elongated groups is at least about two inches long and includes at least 5O aligned photosensitive elements.

Claim 114

Dependent Claim 16 words

lO8. Apparatus as in Claim lOO, wherein said photosensitive elements are operable in a photovoltaic mode.

Photoelectric array for scanning large-area non-planar image-bearing surfaces

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