US4097142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical pattern tracer
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1976-12-14
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Granted: 1978-06-27
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Expires: 1996-12-14
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to apparatus for automatically tracing patterns under the control of a program recorded in a computer. Said apparatus comprises means for initially recording the pattern in a liquid crystal cell by a known method under the control of said computer, and means for projecting the pattern thus recorded onto a photosensitive surface which records it on a reduced scale. It may also be projected on a large scale onto a monitor screen.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Cyril Moutou
- 👤 Michel Hareng
- 👤 Serge Le Berre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 04:10
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for tracing under the control of a set of external control signals a pattern onto a substrate coated with a photo-sensitive product, which comprises: a liquid crystal cell; means for recording an enlarged copy of said pattern onto said cell under the control of said external control signals; said recording means comprising a light source for emitting a beam comprising substantially infrared radiations, means for deflecting said beam along two seaprate directions, delivering a deflected beam, means for focusing said deflected beam onto said cell, and means for occulating said beam; first means for optically projecting said enlarged copy on a reduced scale onto said substrate; a monitoring screen; and second means for optically projecting said enlarged copy on a far more enlarged scale onto said monitoring screen; said substrate said monitoring screen, and said first and second projecting means being secured to a frame movable between a monitoring position and a tracing position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for tracing under the control of a set of external control signals a pattern onto a substrate coated with a photo-sensitive product, which comprises: a liquid crystal cell; means for recording an enlarged copy of said pattern onto said cell under the control of said external control signals; said recording means comprising a light source for emitting a beam comprising substantially infrared radiations, means for deflecting said beam along two seaprate directions, delivering a deflected beam, means for focusing said deflected beam onto said cell, and means for occulating said beam; first means for optically projecting said enlarged copy on a reduced scale onto said substrate; a monitoring screen; and second means for optically projecting said enlarged copy on a far more enlarged scale onto said monitoring screen; said substrate said monitoring screen, and said first and second projecting means being secured to a frame movable between a monitoring position and a tracing position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for applying to said liquid-crystal cell a reorienting voltage for selectively erasing said enlarged copy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, said pattern being divided into a plurality of adjacent zones, means for displacing said liquid-crystal cell-step-by-step for successively recording said adjacent zones.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for displacing said substrate step-by-step for successively projecting said enlarged copy onto a pluraty of separate areas of said substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3573849A
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US3704946A
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US3732796A
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US3764211A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-26 | 1981-12-26 | 1982-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-26 | 1985-12-26 | 1986-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-26 | 1989-12-26 | 1990-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |