US3720465A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrophotographic apparatus with synchronized document illumination and scanning feature
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1970-11-20
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Granted: 1973-03-13
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Expires: 1990-11-20
Abstract
Abstract The optical illumination and scanning system for document reproduction consists of two rotatable mirrors mounted in fixed side-by-side relationship. A light source illuminates the first mirror which reflects the light to a section of an original document. This light is reflected by the document to the second mirror which reflects this return beam through a lens system to a photoconductor surface. The mirror assembly oscillates across the entire original without changing the fixed relationship between the light beam reflected to the original and the return beam focused on the photoconductive surface.
Inventors
- 👤 R Fowler
- 👤 G Hobgood
- 👤 G Bruce
- 👤 R Davidge
- 👤 H Locklar
- 👤 Cleave G Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:45
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/522; G03B27/525; G03B27/526
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
428 words
Electrophotographic apparatus having facilities for scanning operations with respect to an original document in order to produce copies from said document, comprising: means for supporting said original document on a curved surface for scanning; a rotating reflector element having planar reflective surfaces said rotating reflector element comprising a pair of mirrors, one of said mirrors serving as an illumination mirror, and the other of said mirrors serving as a light reflecting mirror; means mounting said mirrors for independent but synchronized scanning rotation within a predetermined range of scanning and about an axis that is in parallel With respect to said curved surface for the transmission of light and image information, said axis of rotation being arranged so that a constant predetermined distance is maintained between said axis and said curved surface throughout a scanning operation; a primary source of illumination; means supporting said primary source of illumination for direction of light rays emanating therefrom toward said illumination mirror for reflection from said illumination mirror to said original document; a lens element; means to project light rays from said source to said document and receive reflections from said document for conveyance to said lens element for imaging purposes comprising means positioning said lens element in light conveying relationship with respect to said light reflecting mirror, said lens element being oppositely positioned with respect to said light source to form a generally symmetrical arrangement in relation to the axis of rotation of said reflector element, the arrangement being such that light from said light source is projected along a first light path of constant length to said reflector element, thence to said original document and at a first angle junctured at said axis of rotation, and image information from said document is reflected thereafter along a second light path of constant length back to said rotating reflector element and thence through said lens element to an imaging area and at a second angle junctured at said axis of rotation that is equal to said first angle, said first and second angles combining to form an angle junctured along said curved surface that remains constant throughout scanning operations; and means for driving said rotating reflector element in timed relation to scan said original document for imaging purposes, thereby illuminating the area scanned on said original document throughout the scanning operation with a light path of constant length from said document area to said lens, as well as maintaining constant the first and second angles of said light paths with respect to said axis of rotation throughout the entire range of scanning.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
428 words
Electrophotographic apparatus having facilities for scanning operations with respect to an original document in order to produce copies from said document, comprising: means for supporting said original document on a curved surface for scanning; a rotating reflector element having planar reflective surfaces said rotating reflector element comprising a pair of mirrors, one of said mirrors serving as an illumination mirror, and the other of said mirrors serving as a light reflecting mirror; means mounting said mirrors for independent but synchronized scanning rotation within a predetermined range of scanning and about an axis that is in parallel With respect to said curved surface for the transmission of light and image information, said axis of rotation being arranged so that a constant predetermined distance is maintained between said axis and said curved surface throughout a scanning operation; a primary source of illumination; means supporting said primary source of illumination for direction of light rays emanating therefrom toward said illumination mirror for reflection from said illumination mirror to said original document; a lens element; means to project light rays from said source to said document and receive reflections from said document for conveyance to said lens element for imaging purposes comprising means positioning said lens element in light conveying relationship with respect to said light reflecting mirror, said lens element being oppositely positioned with respect to said light source to form a generally symmetrical arrangement in relation to the axis of rotation of said reflector element, the arrangement being such that light from said light source is projected along a first light path of constant length to said reflector element, thence to said original document and at a first angle junctured at said axis of rotation, and image information from said document is reflected thereafter along a second light path of constant length back to said rotating reflector element and thence through said lens element to an imaging area and at a second angle junctured at said axis of rotation that is equal to said first angle, said first and second angles combining to form an angle junctured along said curved surface that remains constant throughout scanning operations; and means for driving said rotating reflector element in timed relation to scan said original document for imaging purposes, thereby illuminating the area scanned on said original document throughout the scanning operation with a light path of constant length from said document area to said lens, as well as maintaining constant the first and second angles of said light paths with respect to said axis of rotation throughout the entire range of scanning.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
428 words
Electrophotographic apparatus having facilities for scanning operations with respect to an original document in order to produce copies from said document, comprising: means for supporting said original document on a curved surface for scanning; a rotating reflector element having planar reflective surfaces said rotating reflector element comprising a pair of mirrors, one of said mirrors serving as an illumination mirror, and the other of said mirrors serving as a light reflecting mirror; means mounting said mirrors for independent but synchronized scanning rotation within a predetermined range of scanning and about an axis that is in parallel With respect to said curved surface for the transmission of light and image information, said axis of rotation being arranged so that a constant predetermined distance is maintained between said axis and said curved surface throughout a scanning operation; a primary source of illumination; means supporting said primary source of illumination for direction of light rays emanating therefrom toward said illumination mirror for reflection from said illumination mirror to said original document; a lens element; means to project light rays from said source to said document and receive reflections from said document for conveyance to said lens element for imaging purposes comprising means positioning said lens element in light conveying relationship with respect to said light reflecting mirror, said lens element being oppositely positioned with respect to said light source to form a generally symmetrical arrangement in relation to the axis of rotation of said reflector element, the arrangement being such that light from said light source is projected along a first light path of constant length to said reflector element, thence to said original document and at a first angle junctured at said axis of rotation, and image information from said document is reflected thereafter along a second light path of constant length back to said rotating reflector element and thence through said lens element to an imaging area and at a second angle junctured at said axis of rotation that is equal to said first angle, said first and second angles combining to form an angle junctured along said curved surface that remains constant throughout scanning operations; and means for driving said rotating reflector element in timed relation to scan said original document for imaging purposes, thereby illuminating the area scanned on said original document throughout the scanning operation with a light path of constant length from said document area to said lens, as well as maintaining constant the first and second angles of said light paths with respect to said axis of rotation throughout the entire range of scanning.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
428 words
Electrophotographic apparatus having facilities for scanning operations with respect to an original document in order to produce copies from said document, comprising: means for supporting said original document on a curved surface for scanning; a rotating reflector element having planar reflective surfaces said rotating reflector element comprising a pair of mirrors, one of said mirrors serving as an illumination mirror, and the other of said mirrors serving as a light reflecting mirror; means mounting said mirrors for independent but synchronized scanning rotation within a predetermined range of scanning and about an axis that is in parallel With respect to said curved surface for the transmission of light and image information, said axis of rotation being arranged so that a constant predetermined distance is maintained between said axis and said curved surface throughout a scanning operation; a primary source of illumination; means supporting said primary source of illumination for direction of light rays emanating therefrom toward said illumination mirror for reflection from said illumination mirror to said original document; a lens element; means to project light rays from said source to said document and receive reflections from said document for conveyance to said lens element for imaging purposes comprising means positioning said lens element in light conveying relationship with respect to said light reflecting mirror, said lens element being oppositely positioned with respect to said light source to form a generally symmetrical arrangement in relation to the axis of rotation of said reflector element, the arrangement being such that light from said light source is projected along a first light path of constant length to said reflector element, thence to said original document and at a first angle junctured at said axis of rotation, and image information from said document is reflected thereafter along a second light path of constant length back to said rotating reflector element and thence through said lens element to an imaging area and at a second angle junctured at said axis of rotation that is equal to said first angle, said first and second angles combining to form an angle junctured along said curved surface that remains constant throughout scanning operations; and means for driving said rotating reflector element in timed relation to scan said original document for imaging purposes, thereby illuminating the area scanned on said original document throughout the scanning operation with a light path of constant length from said document area to said lens, as well as maintaining constant the first and second angles of said light paths with respect to said axis of rotation throughout the entire range of scanning.
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) | 1976-03-12 | 1976-09-11 | 1977-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-12 | 1980-09-11 | 1981-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-12 | 1984-09-11 | 1985-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |