US4777534A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light piping substrate for contact type image replication
Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices Inc
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Filing: 1987-10-22
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Granted: 1988-10-11
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Expires: 2007-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the photogeneration of electrical signals representative of a detectable condition of an image-bearing surface. The apparatus includes an array of spaced, photosensitive elements formed from semiconductor alloy material and operatively disposed on a substantially loss-free, light transmitting faceplate preferably formed from a fused array of oriented optical fibers.
Inventors
- 👤 Zvi Yaniv
- 👤 Vincent D. Cannella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:31
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/80; H10F39/806; H10F39/8063; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/024; H04N1/028; H04N1/02805; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/701; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/198
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
Imaging apparatus adapted to generate electrical signals representative of a detectable condition of an image-bearing surface; said apparatus comprising: a light-piping substrate having spacedly opposed relatively large area faces, said substrate adapted to transmit radiation directed from small area segments of an image-bearing surface and incident on corresponding small area segments of a light incident face of the substrate operatively positioned proximate thereto, with relatively little loss, onto the corresponding small area segment of the spacedly opposed, light receiving face of said substrate; a large area array of spacedly disposed, small area thin film photosensitive elements operatively disposed upon said light receiving face of said light piping substrate, each of said elements aligned with and adapted to generate an electrical signal substantially corresponding in intensity to the amount of light transmitted by corresponding small area segments of said light-receiving face; and means for selectively addressing each discrete photosensitive element of the large area array for sensing the photogenerated signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
Imaging apparatus adapted to generate electrical signals representative of a detectable condition of an image-bearing surface; said apparatus comprising: a light-piping substrate having spacedly opposed relatively large area faces, said substrate adapted to transmit radiation directed from small area segments of an image-bearing surface and incident on corresponding small area segments of a light incident face of the substrate operatively positioned proximate thereto, with relatively little loss, onto the corresponding small area segment of the spacedly opposed, light receiving face of said substrate; a large area array of spacedly disposed, small area thin film photosensitive elements operatively disposed upon said light receiving face of said light piping substrate, each of said elements aligned with and adapted to generate an electrical signal substantially corresponding in intensity to the amount of light transmitted by corresponding small area segments of said light-receiving face; and means for selectively addressing each discrete photosensitive element of the large area array for sensing the photogenerated signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said light piping substrate comprises a faceplate formed from a fused array of individually clad optical fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein interstitial portions of said light incident face are defined between photosensitive elements and are degraded to facilitate the scattering and diffusion of light emanating therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said interstitial portions of said light incident face are etched.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said interstitial portions of said light incident face are degraded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said light receiving face of said substrate is substantially smooth for the deposition thereupon of said photosensitive elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the light incident face of said light piping substrate is formed in a substantially non-planar configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said light incident face of said substrate is adapted to contact an image-bearing surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 8, further including a hard protective covering overlying said light incident face.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the thickness of said faceplate is about 1/10 inch to 1/2 inch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the preferred thickness of said faceplate is 1/4 inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said thin film photosensitive elements are photovoltaic cells.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive elements are formed from contiguous layers of deposited semiconductor alloy material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said layers of semiconductor alloy material include an amorphous silicon alloy material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 14, wherein said amorphous silicon semiconductor alloy material further includes at least one density of states reducing element selected from the group consisting essentially of hydrogen and fluorine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive elements comprise p-i-n-type photodiodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said photovoltaic cells include at least a first doped region of semiconductor alloy material; a substantially intrinsic region of semiconductor alloy material; and a second doped region of semiconductor alloy material of opposite conductivity with respect to said first doped region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as in claim 17, further including a layer of opaque, electrically conductive material deposited atop the uppermost layer of semiconductor alloy material so as to limit illumination of said photosensitiv elements to radiation emanating from the light incident face of the substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 18, wherein said opaque conductive layer further functions as the upper electrode of said photosensitive elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 18, wherein said opaque conductive layer is selected from the group consisting essentially of aluminum, molybdenum, nickel, chromium, and combinations thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said photosensitive elements further include a layer of transparent electrically conductive material disposed directly upon the light receiving face of said light piping substrate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as in claim 21, wherein said layer of transparent conductive material is selected from the group consisting essentially of transparent cermets, nickel silicide, chromium silicide, molybdenum silicide, conductive oxides, and combinations thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 22, wherein said layer of transparent conductive material forms a distinct pad upon which said photosensitive element is deposited.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as in claim 23, further including at least one isolation element associated with each photosensitive element, said isolation elements adapted to facilitate selective addressing of said photosensitive elements; said isolation elements deposited on the same pads a the photosensitive element associated therewith.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 24, wherein said isolation elements comprises diodes.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 25, wherein said diodes are formed of layers of deposited semiconductor alloy material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 25, wherein said isolation elements comprise thin film transistors.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 27, wherein said thin film transistors are field effect transistors.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 24, further including light shielding means disposed upon the photosensitive elements.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 29, further including light shielding means disposed upon the isolation elements.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as in claim 30, wherein said light shielding layer comprises a layer of opaque, electrically conductive material deposited upon the surface of both said isolation means and said photosensitive element opposite said light piping substrate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 30, wherein said opaque shielding layer is selected from the group essentially consisting of aluminum, chromium, molybdenum, nickel and combinations thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as in claim 32, wherein said opaque shielding layer further provides an address lead connecting said isolation elements to a first plurality of address lines and connecting said photosensitive elements to a second plurality of address lines; said second plurality of address lines electrically insulated from said first plurality of address lines.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as in claim 31, further including a light source adapted to project light through said imaging apparatus onto an image bearing surface operatively disposed therebelow; said light source positioned above the light incident face of said light piping substrate.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as in claim 34, wherein said light shielded isolation elements and said light shielded photosensitive elements are spacedly disposed in a common horizontal plane so as to provide for radiation from said light source to pass vertically therebetween and illuminate an image bearing surface disposed therebeneath.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as in claim 35, wherein the number and size of spacedly disposed photosensitive elements and isolation elements provide sufficient unshielded interstitial area to provide for the transmission therebetween of about 20-80 percent of radiation from said light source.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, further including a protective layer deposited atop the exposed surface of said photosensitive elements.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in claim 37, wherein said protective layer comprises a wide band gap material selected from the group consisting essentially of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, and combinations thereof.
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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) | 1991-10-11 | 1992-04-11 | 1992-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-11 | 1996-04-11 | 1996-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-11 | 2000-04-11 | 2000-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |