US4636807A — Apparatus and method for light value gray scale r…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 166 words

In a marking apparatus comprising projection means for projecting a beam of light, an elongated light gate including a layer of electro-optical material positioned in the path of said beam for blocking selected portions thereof, control means for controlling said gate to select those portions of said beam which are to be blocked, and an imaging member for receiving those portions of said beam which are not blocked and producing a corresponding series of markings: the improvement wherein said gate comprises common electrode means and a plurality of side-by-side active electrode groups for cooperatively causing blockage of selectively different proportions of said beam; each said active electrode group being positioned for selective blocking of an associated region of said beam and each comprising a plurality of switchable active electrodes configured for at least partially encompassing a common interior point; said control means comprising means for activating the active electrodes in each said group to cause the imaging of a predetermined gray level on said imaging member.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 166 words

In a marking apparatus comprising projection means for projecting a beam of light, an elongated light gate including a layer of electro-optical material positioned in the path of said beam for blocking selected portions thereof, control means for controlling said gate to select those portions of said beam which are to be blocked, and an imaging member for receiving those portions of said beam which are not blocked and producing a corresponding series of markings: the improvement wherein said gate comprises common electrode means and a plurality of side-by-side active electrode groups for cooperatively causing blockage of selectively different proportions of said beam; each said active electrode group being positioned for selective blocking of an associated region of said beam and each comprising a plurality of switchable active electrodes configured for at least partially encompassing a common interior point; said control means comprising means for activating the active electrodes in each said group to cause the imaging of a predetermined gray level on said imaging member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

The improvement of claim 1 wherein the active electrodes in each said group are positioned at successively greater distances from their common interior point.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

The improvement of claim 2 wherein said light gate comprises common electrode means; said active electrode groups and said common electrode means being positioned on opposite sides of said layer.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The improvement of claim 3 wherein said common electrode means comprises a transparent electrode coextensive with said active electrode groups.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 11 words

The improvement of claim 4 wherein said active electrodes are transparent.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 74 words

A light gate for use with a light beam comprising a layer of electrooptically responsive material, a transparent common electrode on one face thereof and a plurality of groups of transparent active electrodes on the face opposite said one face; each of said groups being positioned for selective blocking of an associated region of said light beam and comprising a plurality of active electrodes configured for at least partially encompassing a common interior point.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 74 words

A light gate for use with a light beam comprising a layer of electrooptically responsive material, a transparent common electrode on one face thereof and a plurality of groups of transparent active electrodes on the face opposite said one face; each of said groups being positioned for selective blocking of an associated region of said light beam and comprising a plurality of active electrodes configured for at least partially encompassing a common interior point.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

A light gate according to claim 6 wherein the active electrodes in each said group are positioned at successively greater distances from their common interior point.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 31 words

A light gate according to claim 7 wherein said electro-optically responsive material is birefringent; said light gate further comprising a pair of differently polarized polarizers oppositely positioned outwardly of said faces.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 147 words

Method of image recording comprising the steps of: projecting a beam of light toward a photosensitive surface, placing in the path of said beam a light gate comprising a series of active electrodes arranged in a plurality of side-by-side electrode groups, each group comprising a plurality of switchable active electrodes configured for at least partially encompassing a common interior point, and gating means responsive to activation of any of said active electrodes for spatially gating a corresponding portion of said beam, producing a series of signals representing gray levels in a plurality of side-by-side picture elements to be recorded, switching said active electrodes groupwise in accordance with said signals so that signals representing the gray level on any picture element cause a corresponding spatial gating of said beam, and treating said photosensitive surface to produce visual images in spatial correspondence with the gating pattern of said beam.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 147 words

Method of image recording comprising the steps of: projecting a beam of light toward a photosensitive surface, placing in the path of said beam a light gate comprising a series of active electrodes arranged in a plurality of side-by-side electrode groups, each group comprising a plurality of switchable active electrodes configured for at least partially encompassing a common interior point, and gating means responsive to activation of any of said active electrodes for spatially gating a corresponding portion of said beam, producing a series of signals representing gray levels in a plurality of side-by-side picture elements to be recorded, switching said active electrodes groupwise in accordance with said signals so that signals representing the gray level on any picture element cause a corresponding spatial gating of said beam, and treating said photosensitive surface to produce visual images in spatial correspondence with the gating pattern of said beam.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 46 words

Method according to claim 9 wherein said photosensitive surface comprises a developer and photohardenable microcapsules containing a chromogenic material which is reactive with said developer; said treating step comprising the sub-step of crushing those of said microcapsules which are not hardened by exposure to said beam.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-01-12	1990-07-14	1991-01-13	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-01-12	1994-07-14	1995-01-13	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-01-12	1998-07-14	1999-01-13	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Apparatus and method for light value gray scale recording

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