US4774546A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for forming composite images
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1987-01-28
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Granted: 1988-09-27
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Expires: 2007-01-28
Abstract
Abstract An electrophotographic reproduction device is described which is capable of forming images of an original document modified by information added to or replacing information of the original. A latent image of the document is formed on a photosensitive surface and a portion of the image, in a first embodiment, is maintained at the original charge level. This fully charged section is subsequently discharged in an image-wise pattern by a compact annotator device. The annotator includes an illumination source, an addressable light modulator device such as a liquid crystal panel and a lens array for forming the modulated light pattern onto the photosensitive surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen C. Corona
- 👤 William L. Lama
- 👤 Douglas W. Story
- 👤 Donald A. McTarnaghan
- 👤 Gary A. Dir
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 03:33
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/04; G03G15/04018
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for forming a composite latent image on a photosensitive surface, said composite image corresponding to informational areas contained on an original document and to information added thereto, the apparatus comprising: illumination and imaging means for forming a first latent image of an original document on a photosensitive recording medium, an occluder positioned in the optical path during the formation of said first latent image to form an occluded area thereunder at an initial charge level, and annotator means for imposing a second latent image pattern within said first occluded area, said annotator means comprising: an illumination source, a two-dimensional lens array, a light modulating device positioned between said illumination source and said lens array and optically aligned therewith, and control means for periodically energizing said illumination source and for applying a modulation pattern to said modulating device, whereby a modulated light pattern is projected by said lens array onto said occluded area of said first latent image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
Apparatus for forming a composite latent image on a photosensitive surface, said composite image corresponding to informational areas contained on an original document and to information added thereto, the apparatus comprising: illumination and imaging means for forming a first latent image of an original document on a photosensitive recording medium, an occluder positioned in the optical path during the formation of said first latent image to form an occluded area thereunder at an initial charge level, and annotator means for imposing a second latent image pattern within said first occluded area, said annotator means comprising: an illumination source, a two-dimensional lens array, a light modulating device positioned between said illumination source and said lens array and optically aligned therewith, and control means for periodically energizing said illumination source and for applying a modulation pattern to said modulating device, whereby a modulated light pattern is projected by said lens array onto said occluded area of said first latent image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the annotator means is located downstream from the first latent image formation station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the photosensitive recording medium is transparent and wherein the annotator means is positioned beneath the medium and the control means simultaneously activates the first latent image illumination means and the annotator means illumination source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light modulating device is a liquid crystal array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the illumination source is partially enclosed by a light-collimating reflector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for forming a composite latent image on a photosensitive surface, said composite image corresponding to informational areas contained on an original document and to information added thereto, the apparatus comprising: illumination and imaging means for forming a first latent image of an original document on a photosensitive recording medium, a compact sandwich-type annotator means for imposing a second latent image pattern within said first latent image area, said annotator means comprising: an illumination source, a two-dimensional lens array, a light modulating device positioned between said illumination source and said lens array and optically aligned therewith, and control means for periodically energizing said illumination source and for applying a modulation pattern to said modulating device, and whereby a modulated light pattern is projected by said lens array onto a portion of said first latent image on said recording medium forming said second latent image information pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
146 words
Apparatus for forming a composite latent image on a photosensitive surface, said composite image corresponding to informational areas contained on an original document and to information added thereto, the apparatus comprising: illumination and imaging means for forming a first latent image of an original document on a photosensitive recording medium, a compact sandwich-type annotator means for imposing a second latent image pattern within said first latent image area, said annotator means comprising: an illumination source, a two-dimensional lens array, a light modulating device positioned between said illumination source and said lens array and optically aligned therewith, and control means for periodically energizing said illumination source and for applying a modulation pattern to said modulating device, and whereby a modulated light pattern is projected by said lens array onto a portion of said first latent image on said recording medium forming said second latent image information pattern.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said illumination and imaging means include a full frame flash exposure means.
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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) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-03-28 | 1992-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-27 | 1996-03-28 | 1996-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-27 | 2000-03-28 | 2000-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |