US4725890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible array of photosensitive elements
Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices Inc
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Filing: 1986-07-15
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Granted: 1988-02-16
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Expires: 2006-07-15
Abstract
Abstract An imaging system including at least one array of discrete photosensitive elements is formed on a flexible substrate so as to read detectable conditions of a non-planar, image bearing surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Zvi Yaniv
- 👤 Vincent D. Cannella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/024; H04N1/028; H04N1/03; H04N1/031; H04N1/0311; H04N1/0312; H04N1/04; H04N1/10; H04N1/1013; H04N1/1017; H04N1/103; H04N1/1039; H04N1/1043; H04N1/1048; H04N1/19; H04N1/40; H04N1/401; H04N1/191; H04N1/192; H04N1/193; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/04; H04N2201/0402; H04N2201/0438
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
An image scanning device including, in combination: a non-planar surface having features to be scanned; a large area, flexible substrate; a large area array of discrete, small area, thin film photosensitive elements electrically and operationally interconnected; said array disposed upon said substrate; biasing means; said large area array operatively flexed by said biasing means into a condition generally corresponding to at least the general overall contour of the non-planar surface to be scanned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image scanning device including, in combination: a non-planar surface having features to be scanned; a large area, flexible substrate; a large area array of discrete, small area, thin film photosensitive elements electrically and operationally interconnected; said array disposed upon said substrate; biasing means; said large area array operatively flexed by said biasing means into a condition generally corresponding to at least the general overall contour of the non-planar surface to be scanned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the array is permanently flexed into a preselected non-planar configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said biasing means is adapted to flex said array from an equilibrium condition into a desired non-planar condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 2, wherein the array is permanently flexed into a generally curved configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as in claim 3, wherein the array is permanently flexed into a generally cylindrically shaped configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 3, wherein the array is permanently flexed into a preselected configuration which includes an irregular nonsymmetrical shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as in claim 3, wherein the biasing means is adapted to urge the array against said surface to be scanned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as in claim 7, wherein the biasing means operatively cooperates with the array so as to alter the configuration of the array to conform said array to the configuration of the surface to be scanned.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said array is curved and the surface to be scanned is spherically shaped.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein said array is cylindrically shaped and the surface to be scanned is the interior of a tubular cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein the array includes a body of surface-contacting material, said body forming a non-abrasive, deformable mask for preventing spurious radiation from impinging on the discrete photosensitive elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device as in claim 11, wherein the mask is lubricious.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as in claim 1, wherein each of the photosensitive elements define a photodiode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 12, wherein the photodiode operates by charging an uncharged element with photogenerated current and measuring the resultant voltage or current.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 12, wherein the photodiode operates by discharging an externally imposed charge and measuring the decrease in voltage or current.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as in claim 15, wherein the photodiode is formed by a plurality of layers of semiconductor alloy material and an upper electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device as in claim 16, wherein the layers of semiconductor alloy material define a p-i-n diode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as in claim 16, wherein the upper electrode material is selectively etched to define the size and shape of the discrete photosensitive elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1991-02-15 | 1991-08-17 | 1992-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-15 | 1995-08-17 | 1996-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-15 | 1999-08-17 | 2000-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |