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US4618958A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Device for controlling the radiating output of a semiconductor laser

Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1985-02-08
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Granted: 1986-10-21
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Expires: 2005-02-08
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Abstract

Abstract A device detects the radiating output from a semiconductor laser and compares a detected signal with a reference signal in a comparator. An up/down counter is controlled an output signal from the comparator to supply the semiconductor laser with a current proportional to a count output from the up/down counter. The current supplied to the semiconductor laser is controlled and held so as to equalize the input signals to the comparator at all times.

Inventors

  • 👤 Isamu Shibata
  • 👤 Yoshiaki Kanmoto

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 13:29
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/06; H01S5/068; H01S5/0683

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 121 words
A device for controlling the radiating output of a semiconconductor laser, comprising: (a) a photodetector for detecting the radiating output of the semiconductor laser; (b) a comparator for comparing an output signal from said photodetector with a reference signal; (c) an up/down counter for counting clock signals in a count mode controlled by an output signal from said comparator; (d) a digital-to-analog converter for converting a count output from said up/down counter into an analog signal; (e) a semiconductor laser driver for supplying said semiconductor laser with a current proportional to the analog signal from said digital-to-analog converter; and (f) means for controlling and holding the current supplied to said semiconductor laser to equalize the input signals applied to said comparator.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 121 words
A device for controlling the radiating output of a semiconconductor laser, comprising: (a) a photodetector for detecting the radiating output of the semiconductor laser; (b) a comparator for comparing an output signal from said photodetector with a reference signal; (c) an up/down counter for counting clock signals in a count mode controlled by an output signal from said comparator; (d) a digital-to-analog converter for converting a count output from said up/down counter into an analog signal; (e) a semiconductor laser driver for supplying said semiconductor laser with a current proportional to the analog signal from said digital-to-analog converter; and (f) means for controlling and holding the current supplied to said semiconductor laser to equalize the input signals applied to said comparator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
A device according to claim 1, including means for ceasing the holding of said current supplied to said semiconductor laser.
Claim 4
Independent Claim 142 words
A device for controlling the radiating output of a semiconconductor laser, comprising: (a) a photodetector for detecting the radiating output of the semiconductor laser; (b) a comparator for comparing an output signal from said photodetector with a reference signal; (c) an up/down counter for counting clock signals in a count mode controlled by an output signal from said comparator; (d) a digital-to-analog converter for converting a count output from said up/down counter into an analog signal; (e) a semiconductor laser driver for supplying said semiconductor laser with a current proportional to the analog signal from said digital-to-analog converter; and (f) an edge detector for releasing said up/down counter from a disable mode in response to a timing signal and for disabling said up/down counter in response to the detection of inversion of the output signal from said comparator in a predetermined direction.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 142 words
A device for controlling the radiating output of a semiconconductor laser, comprising: (a) a photodetector for detecting the radiating output of the semiconductor laser; (b) a comparator for comparing an output signal from said photodetector with a reference signal; (c) an up/down counter for counting clock signals in a count mode controlled by an output signal from said comparator; (d) a digital-to-analog converter for converting a count output from said up/down counter into an analog signal; (e) a semiconductor laser driver for supplying said semiconductor laser with a current proportional to the analog signal from said digital-to-analog converter; and (f) an edge detector for releasing said up/down counter from a disable mode in response to a timing signal and for disabling said up/down counter in response to the detection of inversion of the output signal from said comparator in a predetermined direction.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3636250A Cited
US3555453A Cited
US4068197A Cited
US3977788A Cited
US4488305A Cited
US4412331A Cited
US4516242A Cited
US4523089A Cited
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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) 1989-10-20 1990-04-21 1990-10-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-10-20 1994-04-21 1994-10-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-10-20 1998-04-21 1998-10-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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