US3734608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Machine programmer
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1971-07-29
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Granted: 1973-05-22
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Expires: 1991-07-29
Abstract
Abstract A machine programmer is provided for controlling work performed on a work piece which moves through separate work stations wherein a shift register selectively energizes and de-energizes the work stations in response to movement of the work. The shift register includes a multisectioned cylinder which is divided into individual light-tight sectors each of which has a slot along the periphery of the cylinder through which light can pass and is rotatably driven in response to movement of an endless photoconductive member. Each sector has a switching circuit which includes a lamp and a photosensitive device. The lamp is turned on by an input signal from a radiation device, such as an initiator light, adjacent the cylinder when it is desired to make electrophotographic copies of an original. As each sector moves along a circular path past the initiator light the photosensitive device turns on the lamp, whose light by means of a photosensitive device maintains the circuit in actiavted condition so that the lamp remains illuminated. The initiator light remains on until the number of sectors illuminated corresponds with the number of document copies to be made. As the cylinder is rotated the light therein activates each of a series of photosensitive devices sapced around the cylinder which energize circuits connected to various electrophotographic stations along the path of the photoconductive element in response to movement of the photoconductive element to cause copies of the original to be made.
Inventors
- 👤 L Hickey
- 👤 E Mccune
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 18:26
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/06; G05B19/063; G03; G03G; G03G21/00; G03G21/14; G03G21/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
184 words
An electrophotographic device for making multiple toner images from an original, said device comprising: a photoconductive member movable along an endless path; a plurality of electrophotographic stations along said endless path which are individually rendered operable in response to sequential control signals to perform electrophotographic functions on said photoconductive member as it moves along said endless path; means for moving said photoconductive member along said endless path; a control element movable along a second path; means for moving said element along said second path in timed relation to movement of said photoconductive member; first radiation means on said element; a switching circuit to selectively energize said first radiation means; activatable means to enable said switching circit in response to said movement of said element; a plurality of radiation sensing means long said path for providing control signals to said respective electrophotographic stations in response to radiation from said first radiation means upon movement of said element along said path past said respective radiation sensing means; and means for disabling said switching circuit after movement of said first radiation means past said radiation sensing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
184 words
An electrophotographic device for making multiple toner images from an original, said device comprising: a photoconductive member movable along an endless path; a plurality of electrophotographic stations along said endless path which are individually rendered operable in response to sequential control signals to perform electrophotographic functions on said photoconductive member as it moves along said endless path; means for moving said photoconductive member along said endless path; a control element movable along a second path; means for moving said element along said second path in timed relation to movement of said photoconductive member; first radiation means on said element; a switching circuit to selectively energize said first radiation means; activatable means to enable said switching circit in response to said movement of said element; a plurality of radiation sensing means long said path for providing control signals to said respective electrophotographic stations in response to radiation from said first radiation means upon movement of said element along said path past said respective radiation sensing means; and means for disabling said switching circuit after movement of said first radiation means past said radiation sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An electrophotographic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photoconductive member comprises an endless belt.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
An electrophotographic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrophotoconductive stations comprise: a charging station for placing a generally uniform electrostatic charge on said photoconductive member; an exposure station for exposing said charged photoconductive member to a pattern of radiation corresponding to the original to form an electrostatic image; a development station for forming a toner image corresponding to said electrostatic image; and a transfer station for transferring said toner image to a receiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electrophotographic device as claimed in claim 1, further including: means to activate said enabling means a pre-selected number of times.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
205 words
An electrophotographic device for making multiple toner images from an original, said device comprising: a photoconductive member movable Along an endless path; a plurality of electrophotographic stations along said path which are operable sequentially in response to a control signal to perform electrophotographic functions on said photoconductive member as it moves along said path; means for moving said photoconductive member along said path; a rotatable control cylinder divided into light-tight sectors, each sector having a peripheral slit; means for rotating said cylinder in response to movement of said photoconductive member; circuit means in each of said secotrs, each circuit means including a lamp and a photocell; a plurality of photosensitive devices spaced around said cylinder and each being electrically connected to one of said electrophotoconductive stations; and means for enabling one or more of said circuit means sequentially upon rotation of said cylinder to turn on the lamp associated with each of said circuit means, said respective lamps shining on said respective photocells to maintain each said circuit in enabled condition and to maintain said respective sectors lighted so that upon further rotation of said cylinder said respective lamps shine through said slits onto said photosensitive devices to provide control signals to said electrophotographic stations.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
205 words
An electrophotographic device for making multiple toner images from an original, said device comprising: a photoconductive member movable Along an endless path; a plurality of electrophotographic stations along said path which are operable sequentially in response to a control signal to perform electrophotographic functions on said photoconductive member as it moves along said path; means for moving said photoconductive member along said path; a rotatable control cylinder divided into light-tight sectors, each sector having a peripheral slit; means for rotating said cylinder in response to movement of said photoconductive member; circuit means in each of said secotrs, each circuit means including a lamp and a photocell; a plurality of photosensitive devices spaced around said cylinder and each being electrically connected to one of said electrophotoconductive stations; and means for enabling one or more of said circuit means sequentially upon rotation of said cylinder to turn on the lamp associated with each of said circuit means, said respective lamps shining on said respective photocells to maintain each said circuit in enabled condition and to maintain said respective sectors lighted so that upon further rotation of said cylinder said respective lamps shine through said slits onto said photosensitive devices to provide control signals to said electrophotographic stations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electrophotographic device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said enabling means includes: an initiator light adjacent said cylinder which is shinable through said respective slits as said cylinder is rotated to energize said respective photocells to turn on said respective lamps.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-21 | 1976-11-20 | 1977-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-21 | 1980-11-20 | 1981-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-21 | 1984-11-20 | 1985-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |