Patent US2511611A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3824604A
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US
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Alphanumeric printing system employing liquid crystal matrix
Assignee: AKARI IMEJI COMPANY A CORP OF ILLINOIS
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Filing: 1972-10-12
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Granted: 1974-07-16
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Expires: 1992-10-12
Abstract
Abstract A completely solid state printing system having a keyboard or computer input, a bit encoder or data translator, a matrix switching system, a liquid crystal matrix to optically form the characters to be printed, a fiber optics translator, and a xerographic printing machine to reproduce the character impressions received from the fiber optics translator.
Inventors
- 👤 E Stein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:55
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/465; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/1313; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S101/00; Y10S101/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A solid state electro-optical printing system for composing and printing an infinite variety of characters and/or designs comprising memory bank output means for outputting bit data to be translated and subsequently printed in preselected character and/or design format, matrix bit encoding means fed from said memory bank output means, matrix switching means operable by said bit encoding means, non-mechanical electro-optical graphic character display means for displaying said preselected character and/or design format, activated periodically from said bit encoding means, optical image transfer means associated in fixed, immovable relationship with said graphic character display means, said electro-optical display means functioning solely as a light shutter with said optical image transfer means to form and convey by said latter means said preselected character and/or design format, and optical input printing means for printing images received from said optical image transfer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A solid state electro-optical printing system for composing and printing an infinite variety of characters and/or designs comprising memory bank output means for outputting bit data to be translated and subsequently printed in preselected character and/or design format, matrix bit encoding means fed from said memory bank output means, matrix switching means operable by said bit encoding means, non-mechanical electro-optical graphic character display means for displaying said preselected character and/or design format, activated periodically from said bit encoding means, optical image transfer means associated in fixed, immovable relationship with said graphic character display means, said electro-optical display means functioning solely as a light shutter with said optical image transfer means to form and convey by said latter means said preselected character and/or design format, and optical input printing means for printing images received from said optical image transfer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said electro-optical graphic character display means comprise a plurality of graphic character image blocks, each block comprising a plurality of electrically actuated liquid crystals, each liquid crystal being selectively activated from said bit encoding means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein said electro-optical graphic character display means comprise means for displaying alphanumeric characters.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein each said liquid crystal is a cholesteric nematic liquid crystal, substantially optically clear in an undisturbed state, and substantially optically opaque under influence of an electrical impulse passing therethrough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein each said liquid crystal is a cholesteric nematic liquid crystal, substantially optically opaque in an undisturbed state, and substantially optically clear under influence of an electrical impulse passing therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said optical image transfer means comprise a bundle of optical fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said optical input printing means comprise a xerographic printer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said xerographic printer means further comprise a web supply of paper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said electro-optical graphic character display means comprise a circular liquid crystal matrix, each liquid crystal therein being selectively activated from said bit encoding means, optical signal transfer means from said liquid crystal matrix, and graphic character display means activated by said optical signal transfer means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein said graphic character display means comprise means for displaying alphanumeric characters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein each said liquid crystal is a cholesteric nematic liquid crystal substantially optically clear in an undisturbed state, and substantially optically opaque under influence of an electrical impulsE passing therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as recited in claim 9 wherein each said liquid crystal is a cholesteric nematic liquid crystal substantially optically opaque in an undisturbed state and substantially optically clear under influence of an electrical signal passing therethrough.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said electro-optical graphic character display means comprise a line display capable of differential character spacing display of alphanumeric characters.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said electro-optical graphic character display means comprise a multiple line display capable of differential character spacing display of alphanumeric characters.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as recited in claim 1 wherein said electro-optical character display means comprise a multiple line display capable of displaying graphic designs.
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) | 1977-07-15 | 1978-01-14 | 1978-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-15 | 1982-01-14 | 1982-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-15 | 1986-01-14 | 1986-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |