US4549784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical fiber-guided scanning device
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-09-13
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Granted: 1985-10-29
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Expires: 2003-09-13
Abstract
Abstract An optical writing or scanning device includes an array of fluorescent light emitting elements provided on a substrate which is embedded with optical fibers for guiding the light emitted to an imaging surface such as a photoreceptor for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon. Such a structure of embedded optical fibers allows to make the device sturdy in structure, compact in size and reliable in operation. Besides, the use of fluorescent light emitting elements allows to fabricate the device with ease and at low cost.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiyuki Inokuchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:28
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/447; B41J2/46; B41J2/4476
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An optical writing device for optically writing an image on an imaging surface, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of first electrodes provided on said substrate as spaced apart from one another and arranged in the form of an array, each of said first electrodes being transparent at least partly; means for driving said plurality of first electrodes selectively in accordance with an image signal supplied thereto from an external source; at least one second electrode disposed generally opposite to said plurality of first electrodes, said second electrode being maintained at a predetermined potential and capable of emitting electrons; light emitting means provided in contact with or above said plurality of first electrodes, said light emitting means being capable of emitting light when said first electrodes are selectively driven to cause the electrons emitted from said at least one second electrode to impinge thereon; and light transmitting means provided as embedded in said substrate, said light transmitting means having one end so located to receive light emitted from said light emitting means and another end so located to direct the light thus received to said imaging surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
An optical writing device for optically writing an image on an imaging surface, comprising: a substrate; a plurality of first electrodes provided on said substrate as spaced apart from one another and arranged in the form of an array, each of said first electrodes being transparent at least partly; means for driving said plurality of first electrodes selectively in accordance with an image signal supplied thereto from an external source; at least one second electrode disposed generally opposite to said plurality of first electrodes, said second electrode being maintained at a predetermined potential and capable of emitting electrons; light emitting means provided in contact with or above said plurality of first electrodes, said light emitting means being capable of emitting light when said first electrodes are selectively driven to cause the electrons emitted from said at least one second electrode to impinge thereon; and light transmitting means provided as embedded in said substrate, said light transmitting means having one end so located to receive light emitted from said light emitting means and another end so located to direct the light thus received to said imaging surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device of claim 1, further comprising a cover whose mouth is sealingly and fixedly attached to said substrate to define a completely enclosed chamber in which at least said light transmitting means and at least one second electrode are disposed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device of claim 2 wherein said chamber is evacuated to a vacuum state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device of claim 3 wherein said at least one second electrode includes a filament acting as a cathode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device of claim 3 wherein said light emitting means includes an elongated film of a light emitting material extending in the logitudinal direction of said array of first electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device of claim 5 wherein said light emitting material includes a luminescent material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device of claim 6 wherein said luminescent material is a fluorescent material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device of claim 3 wherein said light emitting means includes a like plurality of light emitting islands provided one for each of said plurality of first electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device of claim 8 wherein each of said light emitting islands is comprised of a luminescent material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device of claim 9 wherein said luminescent material is a fluorescent material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device of claim 1 wherein said light transmitting means includes a plurality of optical fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device of claim 11 wherein said optical fibers have a high value of NA.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device of claim 1 further comprising a spacer as sandwiched between said substrate and said plurality of first electrodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device of claim 1 further comprising a light shielding member as sandwiched between said substrate and said plurality of first electrodes, said light shielding member being provided with a profiled light passage for limiting the expanse of light emitted from said light emitting means toward said light transmitting means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device of claim 14 wherein said profiled light passage is an elongated slit extending along said array of first electrodes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device of claim 14 wherein said profiled light passage is defined by a like plurality of individual windows located on one-to-one correspondence to said plurality of first electrodes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-10-28 | 1989-04-29 | 1989-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-10-28 | 1993-04-29 | 1993-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-10-28 | 1997-04-29 | 1997-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |