US3746446A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Exposure control system and method for photoplotters
Assignee: Prime Computer Inc
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Filing: 1971-05-05
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A velocity independent exposure control system and method for photoplotters which uses exposure feedback to control the ON-OFF cycle of a light source. A photodetector produces a voltage that is proportional to the amount of light impinging upon a photosensitive plotting surface. The photodetector output is integrated by a resettable integrator and the output of the integrator is used as one input to a voltage comparator. The other input to the comparator is a preselected, variable voltage which represents the desired exposure. When the integrated photodetector output voltage equals the reference voltage, the comparator produces an equality signal. A light source control circuit that is responsive to the comparator equality signal then turns the light source off.
Inventors
- 👤 J Sliwkowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/22; G06K15/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
In a photoplotter having a light source, a light aperture, an optical system for imaging the light aperture on a photosensitive plotting surface and means for producing incremental relative movement between the image of the light aperture and the photosensitive surface, an exposure control system comprising: 1. means for repetitively actuating said incremental relative movement producing means; 2. means for initiating a plurality of incremental light exposures of said photosensitive plotting surface in synchronization with the repetitive actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means; 3. means for producing an output voltage which is proportional to the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive plotting surface during each incremental light exposure; 4. integrator means coupled to said output voltage producing means for integrating the output voltage thereof; 5. comparator means coupled to said integrator means for comparing the integrated output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage, said comparator means producing a comparator signal when the integrated output voltage and the reference voltage are equal; 6. means responsive to said comparator signal for terminating each incremental light exposure to said photosensitive plotting surface prior to the next actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means; and 7. means responsive to said comparator signal for resetting said integrator means prior to the initiation of the next incremental light exposure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a photoplotter having a light source, a light aperture, an optical system for imaging the light aperture on a photosensitive plotting surface and means for producing incremental relative movement between the image of the light aperture and the photosensitive surface, an exposure control system comprising: 1. means for repetitively actuating said incremental relative movement producing means; 2. means for initiating a plurality of incremental light exposures of said photosensitive plotting surface in synchronization with the repetitive actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means; 3. means for producing an output voltage which is proportional to the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive plotting surface during each incremental light exposure; 4. integrator means coupled to said output voltage producing means for integrating the output voltage thereof; 5. comparator means coupled to said integrator means for comparing the integrated output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage, said comparator means producing a comparator signal when the integrated output voltage and the reference voltage are equal; 6. means responsive to said comparator signal for terminating each incremental light exposure to said photosensitive plotting surface prior to the next actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means; and 7. means responsive to said comparator signal for resetting said integrator means prior to the initiation of the next incremental light exposure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
means for initiating a plurality of incremental light exposures of said photosensitive plotting surface in synchronization with the repetitive actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
means for initiating a plurality of incremental light exposures of said photosensitive plotting surface in synchronization with the repetitive actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
initiating an incremental light exposure of said photosensitive surface by said light formed image in synchronization with the initiation of said relative incremental movement of the photosensitive surface;
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
initiating an incremental light exposure of said photosensitive surface by said light formed image in synchronization with the initiation of said relative incremental movement of the photosensitive surface;
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
initiating an incremental light exposure of said photosensitive surface by said light formed image in synchronization with the initiation of said relative incremental movement of the photosensitive surface;
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
initiating an incremental light exposure of said photosensitive surface by said light formed image in synchronization with the initiation of said relative incremental movement of the photosensitive surface;
Claim 9
Independent Claim
26 words
A method for controlling incremental light exposures to a photosensitive surface which is incrementally moved relative to a light formed image thereon, comprising the steps of:
Claim 10
Independent Claim
26 words
A method for controlling incremental light exposures to a photosensitive surface which is incrementally moved relative to a light formed image thereon, comprising the steps of:
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
means for initiating a plurality of incremental light exposures of said photosensitive plotting surface in synchronization with the repetitive actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means;
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
means for initiating a plurality of incremental light exposures of said photosensitive plotting surface in synchronization with the repetitive actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means;
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
means for producing an output signal having a characteristic which represents the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive plotting surface during each incremental light exposure;
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
means for producing an output signal having a characteristic which represents the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive plotting surface during each incremental light exposure;
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
producing an output signal having a characteristic which represents the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive surface;
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
producing an output signal having a characteristic which represents the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive surface;
Claim 17
Independent Claim
26 words
A method for controlling incremental light exposures to a photosensitive surface which is incrementally moved relative to a light formed image thereon, comprising the steps of:
Claim 18
Independent Claim
26 words
A method for controlling incremental light exposures to a photosensitive surface which is incrementally moved relative to a light formed image thereon, comprising the steps of:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
means for producing an output voltage which is proportional to the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive plotting surface during each incremental light exposure;
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
means for producing an output voltage which is proportional to the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive plotting surface during each incremental light exposure;
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a voltage which is proportioned to the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive surface;
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
generating a voltage which is proportioned to the amount of light impinging upon said photosensitive surface;
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
integrator means coupled to said output voltage producing means for integrating the output voltage thereof;
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
integrator means coupled to said output voltage producing means for integrating the output voltage thereof;
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
7 words
integrator means for integrating said output signal;
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
7 words
integrator means for integrating said output signal;
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
3 words
integrating said voltage;
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
3 words
integrating said voltage;
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a photoplotter having a light source, a light aperture, an optical system for imaging the light aperture on a photosensitive plotting surface and means for producing incremental relative movement between the image of the light aperture and the photosensitive surface, an exposure control system comprising:
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a photoplotter having a light source, a light aperture, an optical system for imaging the light aperture on a photosensitive plotting surface and means for producing incremental relative movement between the image of the light aperture and the photosensitive surface, an exposure control system comprising:
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
4 words
integrating said output signal;
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
4 words
integrating said output signal;
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
terminating the incremental light exposure to said photosensitive surface when the integrated voltage reaches a predetermined value which represents the desired incremental exposure; and
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
terminating the incremental light exposure to said photosensitive surface when the integrated voltage reaches a predetermined value which represents the desired incremental exposure; and
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
comparator means coupled to said integrator means for comparing the integrated output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage, said comparator means producing a comparator signal when the integrated output voltage and the reference voltage are equal;
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
comparator means coupled to said integrator means for comparing the integrated output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage, said comparator means producing a comparator signal when the integrated output voltage and the reference voltage are equal;
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
terminating the incremental light exposure to said photosensitive surface when the integratEd output signal reaches a predetermine value which represents the desired incremental exposure; and
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
terminating the incremental light exposure to said photosensitive surface when the integratEd output signal reaches a predetermine value which represents the desired incremental exposure; and
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
comparator means for producing a comparator signal when the integrated output signal reaches a predetermined value representing the desired incremental light exposure;
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
comparator means for producing a comparator signal when the integrated output signal reaches a predetermined value representing the desired incremental light exposure;
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
means responsive to said comparator signal for terminating each incremental light exposure to said photosensitive plotting surface prior to the next actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means; and
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
means responsive to said comparator signal for terminating each incremental light exposure to said photosensitive plotting surface prior to the next actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means; and
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
8 words
repeating steps (1) - (5) at least once.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
8 words
repeating steps (1) - (5) at least once.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
30 words
means responsive to said comparator signal for terminating each incremental light exposure to said photosensitive plotting surface prior to the next actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means; and
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
means responsive to said comparator signal for terminating each incremental light exposure to said photosensitive plotting surface prior to the next actuation of said incremental relative movement producing means; and
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
7 words
repeating steps (1) -(5) at least once.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
7 words
repeating steps (1) -(5) at least once.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
means responsive to said comparator signal for resetting said integrator means prior to the initiation of the next incremental light exposure.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
means responsive to said comparator signal for resetting said integrator means prior to the initiation of the next incremental light exposure.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
means responsive to said comparator signal for resetting said integrator means prior to the initiation of the next incremental light exposure.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
21 words
means responsive to said comparator signal for resetting said integrator means prior to the initiation of the next incremental light exposure.
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) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |