US4788593A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High resolution scanning system including optical enlargement
Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices Inc
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Filing: 1986-10-15
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Granted: 1988-11-29
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Expires: 2006-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for the high resolution sensing of a pattern of information so as to provide an output signal corresponding thereto includes the novel steps of optically generating an enlarged image of the pattern of information and sensing that enlarged image with a thin film photosensor array. By the use of optical enlargement, the effective resolution of the sensor array is increased. Apparatus utilizing this method may be employed in conjunction with printers or display devices to provide high resolution images of information being scanned.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanford R. Ovshinsky
- 👤 Lawrence G. Norris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/04; H04N1/19; H04N1/195
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for the high resolution sensing of a pattern of information, said apparatus comprising: optical means adapted to generate an enlarged image of the pattern of information; a thin film photosensor array operatively disposed relative to said optical system so as to sense the enlarged image and provide a signal corresponding thereto; and said thin film photosensor array including a plurality of layers of semiconductor material chosen from the group consisting essentially of: amorphous silicon alloy materials, amorphous germanium alloy materials, and amorphous silicon germanium alloy materials.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
Apparatus for the high resolution sensing of a pattern of information, said apparatus comprising: optical means adapted to generate an enlarged image of the pattern of information; a thin film photosensor array operatively disposed relative to said optical system so as to sense the enlarged image and provide a signal corresponding thereto; and said thin film photosensor array including a plurality of layers of semiconductor material chosen from the group consisting essentially of: amorphous silicon alloy materials, amorphous germanium alloy materials, and amorphous silicon germanium alloy materials.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said optical means include a lens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said optical means include a mirror.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said optical means is further adapted to project the enlarged image directly onto the thin film photosensor array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said optical means is further adapted to project the enlarged image onto a screen and the thin film photosensor array is disposed so as to sense the image on the screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the pattern of information is a transparency and said optical means is adapted to project an enlarged image of the transparency.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the pattern of information is a three dimensional body and said optical means is adapted to generate an enlarged two dimensional image of at least a portion of the surface of said three dimensional body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the thin film photosensor array is a planar array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said optical means is adapted to generate an enlarged image at a focal plane thereof and the thin film photosensor array is flexible and has a contour generally corresponding to the focal plane of the optical means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said thin film photosensor array is a linear array of photosensitive elements; said apparatus further including means for scanning said enlarged image with the linear photosensor array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said thin film photosensor array is a two dimensional photosensor array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said thin film photosensor array includes photoresponsive elements selected from the group consisting essentially of: photodiodes, phototransistors, photoconductive devices, photovoltaic devices, and combinations thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said thin film photosensor array includes a plurality of photoresponsive devices, each device including two oppositely doped layers of semiconductor material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein said thin film photosensor array includes a layer of substantially intrinsic semiconductor material interposed between said oppositely doped semiconductor layers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, adapted to provide a digital electronic signal corresponding to the pattern of information being sensed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, adapted to provide an analog signal corresponding to said pattern of information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, further including a display device and adapted to provide a high resolution display of the pattern of information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, further including a printer, said apparatus adapted to provide a high resolution hard copy of the pattern of information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the pattern of information is a fingerprint.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4607168A
Cited
US4660095A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-29 | 1992-05-30 | 1992-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-29 | 1996-05-30 | 1996-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-29 | 2000-05-30 | 2000-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |