US3724347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for selectively exposing a photosensitive surface
Assignee: Gerber Systems Corp
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Filing: 1971-04-23
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for selectively exposing the photosensitive surface of an article employs a cathode ray tube to generate radiant images which are projected onto the photosensitive surface. The cathode ray tube is connected to a computer which controls the deflection of its beam to generate the images, and the tube and the associated optical system are mounted on a carriage movable relative to the photosensitive surface to enable exposure of different regions of the photosensitive surface and the exposure of lines on the photosensitive surface by moving a projected spot of light. The radiant images are produced both by drawing images on the display screen with the beam and by causing the beam to substantially continuously energize different selected areas of the screen to illuminate predefined images, the shapes of which are determined by masks or similar means, each one of such selected areas having one of the predefined images associated with it.
Inventors
- 👤 H Gerber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:57
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70375; B; B43; B43L; B43L13/00; B43L13/02; B43L13/022; G03B; G03B15/00; G03B15/003
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
An apparatus for selectively exposing a photosensitive surface of an article as defined in claim 1 further including carriage means for moving said projection means relative to said article whereby said radiant images may be projected onto different areas of said photosensitive surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for selectively exposing a photosenSitive surface of an article as defined in claim 2 including a support table for said article, said carriage means including a movable carriage translatable over said support table; and wherein said generating means, said radiant energy emitting means, and said projection means are mounted on said movable carriage.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
78 words
An apparatus for selectively exposing a photosensitive surface of an article as defined in claim 1 wherein said radiant energy emitting means comprises a radiant screen sensitive to impingement of the energized beam, and said means having a substantially opaque portion for defining the shape of an image illuminated by radiant energy from said second area comprises a mask between said second area and said projection means and including an opening which defined said shape of said image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
An apparatus for selectively exposing a photosensitive surface of an article as defined in claim 4 further characterized by said radiant screen including a plurality of second areas located along the peripheral margin thereof, and said mask overlying all of said second areas and including a plurality of shape defining openings each associated with a respective one of said second areas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus for selectively exposing a photosensitive surface of an article as defined in claim 1 wherein said second control means includes a scan generating means for scanning said radiant energy beam over said second area of said radiant energy emitting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for selectively exposing a photosensitive surface of an article as defined in claim 1 wherein said generator means comprises the electron gun of a cathode ray tube, said radiant energy means comprises the screen of said cathode ray tube, and said deflector means comprises the beam deflection means of said cathode ray tube.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for exposing graphic characters on a photosensitive surface of an article comprising: a cathode ray tube having a display screen comprised of first and second radiating portions; a mask overlying said second radiating portion of said display screen of said cathode ray tube, said mask having a cutout uncovering a part of said second radiating portion and defining a graphic character; first control means connected to said cathode ray tube to cause the beam of said tube to draw radiant images of graphic characters in said first radiating portion of said display screen; second control means connected to said cathode ray tube to cause said tube to illuminate the part of said second radiating portion of said display screen uncovered by the cutout of said mask whereby a radiant image of said graphic character is produced from said second radiating portion of said display screen; and projection means for projecting the radiant images of the graphic characters from both the first and second areas onto the photosensitive surface of the article.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said first control means includes beam deflection means connected to said cathode ray tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein aid second control means includes a raster scan generator connected to said beam deflection means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said first radiating portion of said display screen encompasses the central region of said display screen; said second radiating portion of said display extends along the entire peripheral region of said screen; and said mask overlies said second portion along the entire peripheral region of said screen and has a plurality of cutouts defining a plurality of characters.
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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |