US4805038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging apparatus which includes a light-valve array having electrostatically deflectable elements
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1987-07-30
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Granted: 1989-02-14
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Expires: 2007-07-30
Abstract
Abstract Imaging apparatus is disclosed for exposing a recording medium to produce an image in accordance with information contained in an electrical signal. The apparatus comprises a light source, optical means for imaging light onto the recording medium, and a light-valve array to control the light reaching selected areas of the recording medium. In order to provide an improved means for controlling the light, the light-valve array is comprised of a plurality of electrostatically deflectable elements each of which contains a transmitter waveguide for transmitting light from the source to a receptor waveguide. The elements can be deflected from a first position in which the transmitter and receptor waveguides are axially aligned for transmitting light therethrough to a second position in which no light can be transmitted from the transmitter waveguides to the receptor waveguides; each of the elements is selectively deflectable in response to an information signal. Light from the receptor waveguides is imaged onto the recording medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Joel L. Seligson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 08:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/024; H04N1/032; H04N1/036; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/447; B41J2/45; G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G02B26/103; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3502; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3548; G02B6/3552; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3566; G02B6/3568; G02B6/357
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
Imaging apparatus for exposing a recording medium, said apparatus comprising: a light source; a light-valve array for receiving light from said source, said array having a plurality of individually deflectable elements, each of said elements including a transmitter multimode waveguide and an electrode, a plurality of receptor multimode waveguides arranged opposite said transmitter waveguides, each of said elements being deflectable upon application of a threshold voltage to the electrode thereof from a first position in which its transmitter waveguide is axially aligned with a corresponding one of said receptor waveguides for transmitting a light beam therethrough to a second position in which no light beam can be transmitted from its transmitter waveguide to said corresponding receptor waveguide, each of said elements being selectively deflectable in response to an information signal; and optical means for receiving said light beams from said elements and for imaging said light beams on said recording medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
Imaging apparatus for exposing a recording medium, said apparatus comprising: a light source; a light-valve array for receiving light from said source, said array having a plurality of individually deflectable elements, each of said elements including a transmitter multimode waveguide and an electrode, a plurality of receptor multimode waveguides arranged opposite said transmitter waveguides, each of said elements being deflectable upon application of a threshold voltage to the electrode thereof from a first position in which its transmitter waveguide is axially aligned with a corresponding one of said receptor waveguides for transmitting a light beam therethrough to a second position in which no light beam can be transmitted from its transmitter waveguide to said corresponding receptor waveguide, each of said elements being selectively deflectable in response to an information signal; and optical means for receiving said light beams from said elements and for imaging said light beams on said recording medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Imaging apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein said optical means comprises an array of multimode waveguides, and said array of multimode waveguides includes a multimode waveguide opposite each of said receptor waveguides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Imaging apparatus, as defined in claim 2, wherein said optical means includes a lens array for transmitting individual light beams from said array of multimode waveguides to said recording medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
Imaging apparatus, as defined in claim 3, wherein said array of multimode waveguides has a first end adjacent said light-valve array and a second end adjacent said lens array, and said second end is substantially wider than said first end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
Imaging apparatus, as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes a lens for imaging said light source onto said light-valve array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
94 words
A light valve comprising: a body of semiconductive material having an insulating layer thereon, said body having an opening therein which extends through said insulating material to said semiconductor material and defines first and second sections of said body; an elongated element extending from said first section and projecting over said opening, said element having a bottom layer formed of said insulating material, an electrode on said insulating material, and a transmitter waveguide on said electrode; and a receptor waveguide on said second section, said receptor waveguide being axially aligned with said transmitter waveguide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
94 words
A light valve comprising: a body of semiconductive material having an insulating layer thereon, said body having an opening therein which extends through said insulating material to said semiconductor material and defines first and second sections of said body; an elongated element extending from said first section and projecting over said opening, said element having a bottom layer formed of said insulating material, an electrode on said insulating material, and a transmitter waveguide on said electrode; and a receptor waveguide on said second section, said receptor waveguide being axially aligned with said transmitter waveguide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A light valve, as defined in claim 6, wherein said transmitter waveguide extends over the insulating material on said first section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A light valve, as defined in claim 6, wherein said waveguides are formed of a material having a higher refractive index than the refractive index of said insulating material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A light valve, as defined in claim 6, wherein said waveguides are formed from poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A light valve, as defined in claim 6, wherein said insulating material is silicon dioxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light valve, as defined in claim 6, wherein said waveguides have a thickness of between about 10 um and about 38 um.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A light valve, as defined in claim 6, wherein said element has a length of between about 1 mm and about 6.3 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
A light valve, as defined in claim 6, wherein said electrode is wider than said transmitter waveguide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A light valve for use in a light-valve array, said light valve comprising an electrostatically deflectable element having a first waveguide and an electrode, and a second waveguide disposed opposite said first waveguide, characterized in that said element includes a layer of material under said first waveguide having a refractive index lower than said first waveguide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
A light valve for use in a light-valve array, said light valve comprising an electrostatically deflectable element having a first waveguide and an electrode, and a second waveguide disposed opposite said first waveguide, characterized in that said element includes a layer of material under said first waveguide having a refractive index lower than said first waveguide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light valve according to claim 14, characterized in that said electrode is under a portion of said first waveguide.
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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) | 1992-02-14 | 1992-08-15 | 1993-02-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-02-14 | 1996-08-15 | 1997-02-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-02-14 | 2000-08-15 | 2001-02-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |