US3621138A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alphanumeric character recording apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1969-12-17
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-12-17
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus utilizing a character generation control system between a source of light and a light-responsive record medium for recording information in the form of letters, numerals, symbols, etc., which must be recorded in well-registered lines of type fonts across the medium. This is accomplished through the use of a vertical array of individually controlled light beams that are swept simultaneously in a horizontal direction across the surface of the record medium. While doing so the beams of the array are selectively turned on or off in accordance with a predetermined set of character generation requirements. Electrooptic light gating elements are associated with an array of light guides, from which the beams emanate, for effecting the desired on-off conditions for generating a line of characters, and electrooptic light beam deflectors are used to direct the beams to a series of horizontal line positions on the medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph T Mcnaney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L21/00; H04L21/04; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/447
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
333 words
A device for electrically controlling the passage of light from a light admitting end to a light emitting end thereof, and, the passage of light from said admitting end to light-absorbing material within said device so as to prevent said passage of light to said light emitting end, comprising: a. first and second electrodes and said light-absorbing material disposed on opposite sides of said device; b. means for extending means for applying a potential field between said electrodes of an electrical potential between said electrodes; c. said electrodes each having a longitudinal dimension and supported adjacent one another so as to provide intermediate thereof a space extending the length of said longitudinal dimension; d. first light-conducting material, presenting an electrically controllable index of refraction, sandwiched between said electrodes in said space having a predetermined cross-sectional dimension transverse of said longitudinal dimension; e. second light-conducting material, presenting a predetermined index of refraction, first and second ends and an outer surface along a longitudinal dimension thereof, said second lightconducting material embedded in said first material along said longitudinal dimension and thereby included in said sandwich between said electrodes, said second material being in the form of an individual conducTor of light having a cross-sectional dimension transverse of said longitudinal dimension thereof which is less than, and coincident with, said predetermined cross-sectional dimension of said first material; f. said first material presenting a first index of refraction which is less than said predetermined index and in accordance with the extending of said first influence between said electrodes for reflecting light upon entering the first end of said second material toward the second end thereof, and said first material presenting a second index of refraction which is greater than said predetermined index and in accordance with the extending of said second influence between said electrodes for conducting light upon entering the first end of said second material toward said light-absorbing material and thereby preventing the reflecting of said light toward the second end of said second material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
333 words
A device for electrically controlling the passage of light from a light admitting end to a light emitting end thereof, and, the passage of light from said admitting end to light-absorbing material within said device so as to prevent said passage of light to said light emitting end, comprising: a. first and second electrodes and said light-absorbing material disposed on opposite sides of said device; b. means for extending means for applying a potential field between said electrodes of an electrical potential between said electrodes; c. said electrodes each having a longitudinal dimension and supported adjacent one another so as to provide intermediate thereof a space extending the length of said longitudinal dimension; d. first light-conducting material, presenting an electrically controllable index of refraction, sandwiched between said electrodes in said space having a predetermined cross-sectional dimension transverse of said longitudinal dimension; e. second light-conducting material, presenting a predetermined index of refraction, first and second ends and an outer surface along a longitudinal dimension thereof, said second lightconducting material embedded in said first material along said longitudinal dimension and thereby included in said sandwich between said electrodes, said second material being in the form of an individual conducTor of light having a cross-sectional dimension transverse of said longitudinal dimension thereof which is less than, and coincident with, said predetermined cross-sectional dimension of said first material; f. said first material presenting a first index of refraction which is less than said predetermined index and in accordance with the extending of said first influence between said electrodes for reflecting light upon entering the first end of said second material toward the second end thereof, and said first material presenting a second index of refraction which is greater than said predetermined index and in accordance with the extending of said second influence between said electrodes for conducting light upon entering the first end of said second material toward said light-absorbing material and thereby preventing the reflecting of said light toward the second end of said second material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention as set forth in claim 1 additionally including: g. a plurality of said individual conductors of light within said first material and intermediate, respectively, a plurality of said electrodes; and h. means for establishing said first index of refraction in the first material adjacent one of said plurality of individual conductors simultaneously with the establishing of said second index of refraction in the first material adjacent another of said plurality of individual conductors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as set forth in claim 2 additionally including: i. a light-responsive medium; and j. means for exposing said medium to light being reflected toward said second end of an individual conductor of light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |