US4560994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two dimensional electro-optic modulator for printing
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1984-08-17
•
Granted: 1985-12-24
•
Expires: 2004-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A two dimensional electro-optic modulator comprises an electro-optic element and a two dimensional planar array of individually addressable electrodes for spatially modulating a light beam along a plurality of transverse axes or for imparting a geometric phase front to the light beam. Such a modulator may be used, for example, (1) in a real time or in a time delay and integration mode as a multigate light valve for (a) electro-optic line printing or (b) optical displays, or (2) in a real time mode as (a) a beam focusing and tracking device for optical memories or (b) an arcal input device, a Fourier plane filter, or an image plane correlation mask for optical processing.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Sprague
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:25
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/04; H04N1/19; H04N1/195; H04N1/19505; H04N1/19515; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/0305; G02F1/0316; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/315; H04N1/024; H04N1/032; H04N1/036; H04N1/19521; H04N1/19526; H04N1/19531; H04N1/19547; H04N1/19573
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
An electro-optic line printer comprising an electro-optic element; means for applying a light beam to said electro-optic element, said light beam being collimated laterally of said electro-optic element; a photosensitive recording medium; means for advancing said recording medium at a predetermined rate in a cross line direction relative to said electro-optic element; a rectilinear, two dimensional, planar array of electrodes intimately associated with said electro-optic element, said array including a plurality of separate rows and columns of electrodes, with the electrodes of each row being spaced apart laterally of said electro-optic element; means for applying respective sets of data samples to the electrodes of each of said rows, each of said data sample sets representing picture elements for a respective line of an image, whereby said electrodes couple electric fields into said electro-optic element to spatially modulate said light beam essentially simultaneously along a plurality of transverse axes in accordance with the picture elements for respective lines of said image; and read out means optically aligned between said electro-optic element and said recording medium for imparting an intensity profile to said light beam corresponding to the spatial modulation thereof, whereby said recording medium is exposed in accordance with said picture elements for said lines of said image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
An electro-optic line printer comprising an electro-optic element; means for applying a light beam to said electro-optic element, said light beam being collimated laterally of said electro-optic element; a photosensitive recording medium; means for advancing said recording medium at a predetermined rate in a cross line direction relative to said electro-optic element; a rectilinear, two dimensional, planar array of electrodes intimately associated with said electro-optic element, said array including a plurality of separate rows and columns of electrodes, with the electrodes of each row being spaced apart laterally of said electro-optic element; means for applying respective sets of data samples to the electrodes of each of said rows, each of said data sample sets representing picture elements for a respective line of an image, whereby said electrodes couple electric fields into said electro-optic element to spatially modulate said light beam essentially simultaneously along a plurality of transverse axes in accordance with the picture elements for respective lines of said image; and read out means optically aligned between said electro-optic element and said recording medium for imparting an intensity profile to said light beam corresponding to the spatial modulation thereof, whereby said recording medium is exposed in accordance with said picture elements for said lines of said image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The electro-optic line printer of claim 1 wherein said electro-optic element has a reflecting surface, said light beam is applied to said electro-optic element at a grazing angle of incidence relative to said reflecting surface for total internal reflection therefrom, said electrodes are proximate said reflecting surface to couple electric fringe fields into said electro-optic element in response to said data samples, and said light beam illuminates said reflecting surface over an area which is substantially coextensive with said array, whereby the internally reflected light beam is spatially modulated in accordance with the picture elements for said lines of said image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The electro-optic line printer of claim 2 wherein said data sample sets represent picture elements for adjacent lines of said image, and further including means for shifting each of said data sample sets from one of said electrode rows to the next as said recording medium advances a predetermined line pitch distance relative to said electro-optic element, whereby said recording medium is repeatedly exposed to substantially registered images of each of said lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The electro-optic line printer of claim 3 wherein said input data samples are differentially encoded for application to said electrodes, and said electrodes are supported closely adjacent the reflecting surface of said electro-optic element to proximity couple said fringe fields into said electro-optic element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3517200A
Cited
US3644017A
Cited
US3958862A
Cited
US4125318A
Cited
US4281904A
Cited
US4423426A
Cited
US4367925A
Cited
US4370029A
Cited
US4404571A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |