US4290689A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Moving exposure system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1980-08-11
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Granted: 1981-09-22
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Expires: 2000-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A moving exposure system is provided having a semiconductor light source, which may be incorporated in a module with modulating electronics, and disposed on a moveable platform for exposing a special surface to light rays. The moving exposure system can be optically coupled to a printer's photoconductive element by means of a flat field correction device such as a lens or a fiber optic bundle, in the case of rotating motion of the light source, which maximizes the area exposed while minimizing the bulk of the exposure apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J. Kleinschnitz, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/04; H04N1/12; H04N1/126; H04N1/1295
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for exposing a special surface to light rays comprising: a semi-conductor light source with a light output; means coupled to said light source for modulating said light source; means for enabling scanning by the light output; and means optically coupled to the light output for optically modifying said light output whereby any optical aberration in the light output due to the scanning is corrected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus for exposing a special surface to light rays comprising: a semi-conductor light source with a light output; means coupled to said light source for modulating said light source; means for enabling scanning by the light output; and means optically coupled to the light output for optically modifying said light output whereby any optical aberration in the light output due to the scanning is corrected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for enabling scanning by the light output comprises: a rotatable platform disposed under the light source; a shaft connected to said platform; means for rotating said shaft; and wherein said means for modulating said light source is coupled to said light source by means disposed on said shaft for electrically coupling the light souce to the means for modulating.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus for exposing a special surface to light rays comprising: at least one light source module each comprising a semiconductor light source with a light output, and modulating circuitry coupled and disposed adjacent to said light source; and means for moving said light source module whereby scanning by the light output is provided.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus for exposing a special surface to light rays comprising: at least one light source module each comprising a semiconductor light source with a light output, and modulating circuitry coupled and disposed adjacent to said light source; and means for moving said light source module whereby scanning by the light output is provided.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said module further comprises: a light output modification element connected to said light source; and means for encasing said light source, modulating circuitry, and light output modification element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means for moving said module comprises: a first rotatable platform for supporting said module; and means for rotating said platform so that the light output travels along a predetermined arc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said means for rotating said platform comprises: a shaft connected to said platform; a motor mechanically coupled to said shaft; and motor control means coupled to said motor for driving said motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 further comprising: means optically coupled to said light output for providing a flat field correction to the light output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further comprising: means for detecting a first position of the light output; and means for detecting a second position of the light output, whereby completion of the scanning by the light output can be detected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means for providing a flat field correction comprises: an optical lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means for providing a flat field correction comprises: a fiber optic plate having a plurality of optical fibers, each of said fibers having one end disposed along the arc defined by the path of travel of the light output, and another end disposed adjacent to the special surface, and wherein said light output modification element comprises a single optical fiber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
78 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 wherein said means for providing a flat field correction comprises: a fiber optic bundle having a plurality of optical fibers, each of said fibers having one end disposed on the arc defined by the path of travel by the light output, and another end disposed adjacent to the special surface, said fibers being bundled together in between said ends and wherein said light output modification element comprises a single optical fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 comprising: two modules disposed on said platform.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further comprising: at least a second platform; at lest one module disposed on said second platform; and means for rotating said second platform.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said means for rotating said first and second platforms comprises: a shaft attached to each of said platforms; a motor; and means for mechanically coupling said motor to said shafts.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for exposing a special surface with light rays comprising: a movable platform; a semi-conductor light source having a light output and disposed on said platform; modulating circuitry electronically coupled to said light source and disposed immediately adjacent to said light source; a light output modification element connected to said light source; means for encasing said light source, modulating circuitry and light output modification element in a single module disposed on said platform; a shaft connected to said platform; a motor mechanically coupled to said shaft; and optical means optically coupled to the light output for providing a flat field correction.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for exposing a special surface with light rays comprising: a movable platform; a semi-conductor light source having a light output and disposed on said platform; modulating circuitry electronically coupled to said light source and disposed immediately adjacent to said light source; a light output modification element connected to said light source; means for encasing said light source, modulating circuitry and light output modification element in a single module disposed on said platform; a shaft connected to said platform; a motor mechanically coupled to said shaft; and optical means optically coupled to the light output for providing a flat field correction.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for exposing a special surface to light rays comprising: a rotatable hollow shaft; a stationary semi-conductor light source disposed within said shaft and having a light output along said shaft; means coupled to said light source for modulating said light source; optical means mounted on said shaft for deflecting the light output towards the special surface; and a motor mechanically coupled to said shaft whereby the shaft can be rotated to provide scanning by the light output.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for exposing a special surface to light rays comprising: a rotatable hollow shaft; a stationary semi-conductor light source disposed within said shaft and having a light output along said shaft; means coupled to said light source for modulating said light source; optical means mounted on said shaft for deflecting the light output towards the special surface; and a motor mechanically coupled to said shaft whereby the shaft can be rotated to provide scanning by the light output.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
80 words
In an electro-photographic printer having a photoconductive surface, and an exposure system for changing a charge in the photo-conductive surface, an improved exposure system comprising: a semi-conductor light source with a light output; means coupled to said light source for modulating said light source; means for enabling scanning by the light output; and means optically coupled to the light output for optically modifying said light output whereby any optical aberration in the light output due to the scanning is corrected.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
80 words
In an electro-photographic printer having a photoconductive surface, and an exposure system for changing a charge in the photo-conductive surface, an improved exposure system comprising: a semi-conductor light source with a light output; means coupled to said light source for modulating said light source; means for enabling scanning by the light output; and means optically coupled to the light output for optically modifying said light output whereby any optical aberration in the light output due to the scanning is corrected.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
93 words
In an electro-photographic printer having a photoconductive surface and a light source for changing a charge in the photo-conductive surface; an improved exposure system comprising: a rotatable hollow shaft; a stationary semi-conductor light source disposed within said shaft and having a light output along said shaft; means coupled to said light source for modulating said light source; optical means mounted on said shaft for deflecting the light output towards the special surface; and a motor mechanically coupled to said shaft whereby the shaft can be rotated to provide scanning by the light output.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
93 words
In an electro-photographic printer having a photoconductive surface and a light source for changing a charge in the photo-conductive surface; an improved exposure system comprising: a rotatable hollow shaft; a stationary semi-conductor light source disposed within said shaft and having a light output along said shaft; means coupled to said light source for modulating said light source; optical means mounted on said shaft for deflecting the light output towards the special surface; and a motor mechanically coupled to said shaft whereby the shaft can be rotated to provide scanning by the light output.
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) | 1984-09-21 | 1985-03-23 | 1985-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-21 | 1989-03-23 | 1989-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-21 | 1993-03-23 | 1993-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |