US4712017A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photocoupler device having reflecting surface enhance signal transmission
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1985-06-27
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Granted: 1987-12-08
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Expires: 2005-06-27
Abstract
Abstract A photocoupler device which comprises a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element which comprises a 4-layer structure of the PNPN conductivity type, and wherein that portion of said light-receiving element where a light entered does not contribute to its operation is covered with a light-reflecting membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 Keiji Kamasaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:47
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F30/00; H10F30/20; H10F30/21; H10F30/26; H10F30/263; H10F30/24; H10F30/245; H10F55/00; H10F55/20; H10F55/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A photocoupler device, comprising: a light-emitting element for emitting light; a semiconductor light-receiving element having a light-receiving planar surface region for receiving light emitted from said light-emitting element, said light-receiving planar surface region having an effective portion and an ineffective portion, said effective portion converting light impinging thereon into an electricla signal; and a light-reflecting layer formed on said ineffective portion of said light-receiving planar surface region for reflecting at least a portion of said light emitted from said light-emitting element onto said effective portion of said light-receiving planar surface region, thereby making an effective use of said reflected light to generate said electric signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A photocoupler device, comprising: a light-emitting element for emitting light; a semiconductor light-receiving element having a light-receiving planar surface region for receiving light emitted from said light-emitting element, said light-receiving planar surface region having an effective portion and an ineffective portion, said effective portion converting light impinging thereon into an electricla signal; and a light-reflecting layer formed on said ineffective portion of said light-receiving planar surface region for reflecting at least a portion of said light emitted from said light-emitting element onto said effective portion of said light-receiving planar surface region, thereby making an effective use of said reflected light to generate said electric signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The photocoupler device according to claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light-receiving element is a photothyristor, said photothyristor including: an anode region of a first conductivity type; an emitter region; a first base region of a second conductivity type formed on said emitter region; a second base region formed on said first base region and having said first conductivity type; a cathode region formed in said second base region and having said second conductivity type; and an isolation laying having said first conductivity type and surrounding said first base region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The photocoupler device according to claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light-receiving element is a phototransistor element, said phototransistor element including: a collector region of a first conductivity type; a base region formed in said collector region and having a second conductivity type; and an emitter region formed in said base region and having said first conductivity type.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The photocoupler device according to claim 1, wherein said semiconductor light-receiving element is a photodiode element, said photodiode element including: a cathode region of a first conductivity type; and an anode region formed on said cathode region and having a second conductivity type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The photocoupler device according to claim 2, wherein said first base region and said second base region define a PN junction therebetween and said ineffective portion comprises that portion of said first base region which is outside a portion defined by said PN junction and the carrier diffusion length in said first base region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The photocoupler device according to claim 3, wherein said collector region and said base region define a PN junction therebetween and said ineffective portion comprises that portion of said collector region which is outside a portion defined by said PN junction and the carrier diffusion length in said collector region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The photocoupler device according to claim 4, wherein said cathode region and said anode region define a PN junction therebetween and said ineffective portion comprises that portion of said cathode region which is outside a portion defined by said PN junction and the carrier diffusion length in said cathode region.
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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) | 1990-12-07 | 1991-06-08 | 1991-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-07 | 1995-06-08 | 1995-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-07 | 1999-06-08 | 1999-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |