US4724323A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image line sensor unit, photosensors for use in the sensor unit and method of making the photosensors
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1985-09-30
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Granted: 1988-02-09
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Expires: 2005-09-30
Abstract
Abstract A photosensor comprising a photoconductive layer provided on a substrate. The layer contains amorphous silicon. At least a portion of the layer has a refractive index varying continuously through the thickness of the layer. The refractive index of the layer is 3.2 or less at a wavelength of 6,328 ANGSTROM in the vicinity of the surface of the substrate. A pair of electrodes are provided in electrical contact with the photoconductive layer. A photoreceptor is also provided, part of which is constituted by the spacing between the electrodes of the pair.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaki Fukaya
- 👤 Toshiyuki Komatsu
- 👤 Tatsumi Shoji
- 👤 Masaru Kamio
- 👤 Nobuyuki Sekimura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/024; H04N1/028; H04N1/03; H04N1/031; H04N1/0311; H04N1/0312; H04N1/0315; H04N1/0318; H04N1/04; H04N1/19; H04N1/191; H04N1/192; H04N1/193; H04N1/1931; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/191; H10F39/80; H10F39/805; H10F39/8053; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/024; H04N2201/028; H04N2201/03; H04N2201/031; H04N2201/03104; H04N2201/03108; H04N2201/03112; H04N2201/03141; H04N2201/03145; H04N2201/0315; H04N2201/03158; H04N2201/03179
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
A photosensor comprising: a photoconductive layer provided on a substrate, said layer including amorphous silicon, at least a portion of said layer having a refractive index varying continuously through the thickness thereof, the refractive index of the layer being 3.2 or less at a wavelength of 6,328 Å near a surface of said substrate; a pair of electrodes provided in electrical contact with said photoconductive layer; and a photoreceptor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
A photosensor comprising: a photoconductive layer provided on a substrate, said layer including amorphous silicon, at least a portion of said layer having a refractive index varying continuously through the thickness thereof, the refractive index of the layer being 3.2 or less at a wavelength of 6,328 Å near a surface of said substrate; a pair of electrodes provided in electrical contact with said photoconductive layer; and a photoreceptor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A photosensor according to claim 1, wherein said photosensor further includes a color filter at a position corresponding to said photoreceptor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A photosensor according to claim 2, wherein said color filter includes a coloring matter layer formed by evaporation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A photosensor according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said at least a portion in which the refractive index of said photoconductive layer near said surface of said substrate is 3.2 or less at a wavelength of 6,328 Å is 1,000 Å or less.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An photosensor according to claim 1, wherein said pair of electrodes are provided at a predetermined spacing on the side of the same surface of said photoconductive layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A photosensor according to claim 1, wherein said amorphous silicon includes hydrogenated amorphous silicon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A photosensor according to claim 1, wherein said photoconductive layer includes hydrogen atoms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A photosensor according to claim 1, wherein said pair of electrodes each has a comb tooth type pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A photosensor according to claim 1, wherein one of said electrodes of said pair is electrically provided in common among respective photosensors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
An image line sensor unit comprising: an array of photosensors, each including: a photoconductive layer provided on a substrate, said layer including amorphous silicon, at least a portion of said layer having a refractive index varying continuously through the thickness thereof, the refractive index of the layer being 3.2 or less at a wavelength of 6,328 Å near a surface of said substrate; a pair of electrodes provided in electrical contact with said photoconductive layer; and a photoreceptor; and a light source for illuminating an original document.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
An image line sensor unit comprising: an array of photosensors, each including: a photoconductive layer provided on a substrate, said layer including amorphous silicon, at least a portion of said layer having a refractive index varying continuously through the thickness thereof, the refractive index of the layer being 3.2 or less at a wavelength of 6,328 Å near a surface of said substrate; a pair of electrodes provided in electrical contact with said photoconductive layer; and a photoreceptor; and a light source for illuminating an original document.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An image line sensor unit according to claim 10, wherein said light source includes an array of LED light sources.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image line sensor unit according to claim 3, further including a plurality of LED light sources.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image line sensor unit according to claim 10, wherein said light source includes a fluorescent lamp.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image line sensor unit according to claim 2, further including a focusing optically imaging array provided in the optical path between an original document and said array of said photosensors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An image sensor unit according to claim 10, further including matrix drive circuit means for matrix driving each of said photosensors.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An image line sensor unit according to claim 10, wherein said array of photosensors are divided into a plurality of block units, each including a predetermined number of said photosensors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
An image line sensor unit according to claim 10, further including storage means for storing the output signals from the photosensors, and switching means for taking out the stored signals sequentially.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
An image line sensor unit according to claim 2, further including heat dissipation means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image reader comprising an image line sensor unit which comprises: an array of photosensors, each including: (a) a photoconductive layer provided on a substrate, said layer including amorphous silicon, at least a portion of said layer having a refractive index varying continuously through the thickness thereof, the refractive index being 3.2 or less at a wavelength of 6,328 Å near a surface of said substrate; (b) a pair of electrodes provided in electrical contact with said photoconductive layer; and (c) a photoreceptor; and a light source for illuminating an original document.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
92 words
An image reader comprising an image line sensor unit which comprises: an array of photosensors, each including: (a) a photoconductive layer provided on a substrate, said layer including amorphous silicon, at least a portion of said layer having a refractive index varying continuously through the thickness thereof, the refractive index being 3.2 or less at a wavelength of 6,328 Å near a surface of said substrate; (b) a pair of electrodes provided in electrical contact with said photoconductive layer; and (c) a photoreceptor; and a light source for illuminating an original document.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-08 | 1991-08-10 | 1992-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-08 | 1995-08-10 | 1996-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-08 | 1999-08-10 | 2000-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |