US3903364A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High resolution line scanner
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1974-08-23
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Granted: 1975-09-02
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Expires: 1994-08-23
Abstract
Abstract A high resolution line scanner for converting optical images into electrical signals by a means of photoconductor switches and strain induced resistor sensing. The line scanner includes (1) a plurality of parallel magnetoresistive stripes spaced apart on a low acoustic loss substrate, e.g., fused quartz, glass, etc., (2) a layer of photoconductive material having a time constant less than the time needed to read a line on a moving page covering one end of the magnetoresistive stripes and (3) a transparent electrode covering the photoconductor material and electrically connected to a power source. A scanning acoustic pulse is propagated in the substrate under the magnetoresistive stripes and induces an output by altering the resistivity of the magnetoresistive stripes when the photoconductive layer selectively connects the power source to the magnetoresistive stripes in accordance with an optical image impressed upon the layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Gung-Hwa Lean
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 01:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/10; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A high resolution line scanner comprising: a low acoustic loss substrate; a plurality of parallel magnetoresistive stripes on said substrate for conducting electrical current therethrough; a high conductivity transparent layer having a source of power electrically connected thereto; a photoconductor layer of line width covering a first end of said magnetoresistive stripes and sandwiched between said stripes and said transparent layer for selectively electrically connecting said stripes to said transparent layer in accordance with the light and dark spots of an optical pattern incident thereon; strain generating means connected to said substrate for propagating strain pulses normal to said magnetoresistive stripes, producing a transient change in the electrical current flowing through said magneto-resistive stripes; detector means electrically connected to the second end of said magnetoresistive stripes for sensing the transient change in the current flowing therethrough and producing an output indicative of said change.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A high resolution line scanner comprising: a low acoustic loss substrate; a plurality of parallel magnetoresistive stripes on said substrate for conducting electrical current therethrough; a high conductivity transparent layer having a source of power electrically connected thereto; a photoconductor layer of line width covering a first end of said magnetoresistive stripes and sandwiched between said stripes and said transparent layer for selectively electrically connecting said stripes to said transparent layer in accordance with the light and dark spots of an optical pattern incident thereon; strain generating means connected to said substrate for propagating strain pulses normal to said magnetoresistive stripes, producing a transient change in the electrical current flowing through said magneto-resistive stripes; detector means electrically connected to the second end of said magnetoresistive stripes for sensing the transient change in the current flowing therethrough and producing an output indicative of said change.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
164 words
A high resolution line scanner comprising: a low acoustic loss substrate; a plurality of parallel current conducting magnetoresistive stripes of uniform width and spacing on said substrate; a high conductivity transparent layer connected to a source of power; a photoconductor layer of line width covering a first end of said magnetoresistive stripes and sandwiched between said stripes and said transparent layer for selectively electrically connecting said magnetoresistive stripes to said transparent layer in accordance with the light and dark spots of an optical pattern incident thereon; conductor means commonly connected to the second end of said magnetoresistive stripes for receiving electrical signals therefrom; strain generating means connected to said substrate and propagating strain pulses normal to the magnetoresistive stripes for producing a transient change in the electrical signal received by said conductor means; detector means electrically connected to said conductor means for sensing the transient change in the electrical signal received by said conductor means and producing an output signal indicative of said change.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
A high resolution line scanner comprising: a low acoustic loss substrate; a plurality of parallel current conducting magnetoresistive stripes of uniform width and spacing on said substrate; a high conductivity transparent layer connected to a source of power; a photoconductor layer of line width covering a first end of said magnetoresistive stripes and sandwiched between said stripes and said transparent layer for selectively electrically connecting said magnetoresistive stripes to said transparent layer in accordance with the light and dark spots of an optical pattern incident thereon; conductor means commonly connected to the second end of said magnetoresistive stripes for receiving electrical signals therefrom; strain generating means connected to said substrate and propagating strain pulses normal to the magnetoresistive stripes for producing a transient change in the electrical signal received by said conductor means; detector means electrically connected to said conductor means for sensing the transient change in the electrical signal received by said conductor means and producing an output signal indicative of said change.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
193 words
A high resolution line scanner for converting optical images into electrical signals comprising: a low acoustic loss substrate; a plurality of parallel magnetoresistive stripes on said substrate for conducting electrical current therethrough; a plurality of conducting pads electrically connected to a first end of said magnetoresistive stripes; a high conductivity transparent layer having a source of power electrically connected thereto; a photoconductor layer of line width sandwiched between said conductivity pads and said transparent layer, said photoconductor layer functioning as a plurality of switches to selectively turn on said magnetoresistive stripes in accordance with the illuminated regions of an optical pattern impressed thereon; conductor means commonly connected to the second end of said magnetoresistive stripes for recieving electrical signals from said stripes; strain generating means mounted on said strain responsive substrate for propagating strain pulses in said substrate to said magnetoresistive stripes, said strain pulses producing transient resistance changes in said magnetoresistive stripes resulting in a corresponding transient change in the signals received by said conductor means; and sensing means electrically connected to said conductor means for sensing the transient changes in the signals in said conductor means for producing an output signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
193 words
A high resolution line scanner for converting optical images into electrical signals comprising: a low acoustic loss substrate; a plurality of parallel magnetoresistive stripes on said substrate for conducting electrical current therethrough; a plurality of conducting pads electrically connected to a first end of said magnetoresistive stripes; a high conductivity transparent layer having a source of power electrically connected thereto; a photoconductor layer of line width sandwiched between said conductivity pads and said transparent layer, said photoconductor layer functioning as a plurality of switches to selectively turn on said magnetoresistive stripes in accordance with the illuminated regions of an optical pattern impressed thereon; conductor means commonly connected to the second end of said magnetoresistive stripes for recieving electrical signals from said stripes; strain generating means mounted on said strain responsive substrate for propagating strain pulses in said substrate to said magnetoresistive stripes, said strain pulses producing transient resistance changes in said magnetoresistive stripes resulting in a corresponding transient change in the signals received by said conductor means; and sensing means electrically connected to said conductor means for sensing the transient changes in the signals in said conductor means for producing an output signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The high resolution line scanner of claim 3 wherein said conducting means includes conducting pads deposited on the second end of each of said magnetoresistive stripes, and a dielectric layer deposited on said conducting pads electrically connecting said pads together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The high resolution line scanner of claim 1 wherein said strain generating means is an acoustic transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The high resolution line scanner of claim 1 wherein the space between the conducting pads and the width of the pads is uniform.
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) | 1978-09-01 | 1979-03-03 | 1979-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-01 | 1983-03-03 | 1983-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-01 | 1987-03-03 | 1987-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |