US4846559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sensor element with a memory for abnormal changes of the incident light intensity
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1987-01-16
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Granted: 1989-07-11
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Expires: 2007-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A sensor element with a memory for changes of the incident light intensity. The sensor element comprises a light-sensitive element connected in series with a fixed resistor, and a light modulator shunted either across the light-sensitive element or the resistor. The light modulator influences the incidence of light onto the light-sensitive element. The reflection, absorption and/or transmission behavior of the light modulator changes as a function of the applied voltage or the current. The sensor element according to the invention has the advantage that it can be manufactured simply and cost-effectively so that it is also suitable for use in large arrays.
Inventors
- 👤 Norbert Kniffler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/42; G01J1/10; G01J1/20; G01J1/22; G01J1/24; G01J1/26; G01J1/02; G01J2001/0276
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A sensor element having a memory for changes of the incident light intensity, comprising a light-sensitive element connected in series with a resistor, either the light-sensitive element or the resistor being shunted by a light modulator which influences the light incident on the light-sensitive element, said modulator having a reflection, absorption and/or transmission behavior which changes as a function of the voltage applied to the modulator or the current through the modulator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
A sensor element having a memory for changes of the incident light intensity, comprising a light-sensitive element connected in series with a resistor, either the light-sensitive element or the resistor being shunted by a light modulator which influences the light incident on the light-sensitive element, said modulator having a reflection, absorption and/or transmission behavior which changes as a function of the voltage applied to the modulator or the current through the modulator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor element recited in claim 1, wherein the light modulator is arranged in front of the light-sensitive element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor element recited in claim 1 wherein the light modulator comprises a liquid-crystal element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sensor element recited in claim 1, wherein the light-sensitive element comprises a photodiode biased in the backward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The sensor element recited in claim 1, wherein, for the storage of light flashes or light failure, the light modulator reflects the inncident light if the applied voltage is high, and is connected in parallel with the light-sensitive element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The sensor element recited in claim 1, wherein the light modulator reflects the incident light if the applied voltage is low, and is connected in parallel with the resistor, thereby providing storage for incident light flashes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sensor element recited in claim 7, wherein the light-sensitive element and the resistor are fabricated by a thin-film technique.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
111 words
An electronic drawing board in which drawings are generated by a light stylus directed at the board, information generated by the board being transmittable to an information receiving device, for example, a computer, the board comprising a plurality of sensor elements arranged on a common substrate, each of said sensor elements comprising a light-sensitive element connected in series with a resistor, either the light sensitive element or the resistor being shunted by a light modulator which influences the light incident on the light-sensitive element, said modulator having a reflection, absorption and/or transmission behavior which changes as a function of the voltage applied to the modulator or the current through the modulator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
111 words
An electronic drawing board in which drawings are generated by a light stylus directed at the board, information generated by the board being transmittable to an information receiving device, for example, a computer, the board comprising a plurality of sensor elements arranged on a common substrate, each of said sensor elements comprising a light-sensitive element connected in series with a resistor, either the light sensitive element or the resistor being shunted by a light modulator which influences the light incident on the light-sensitive element, said modulator having a reflection, absorption and/or transmission behavior which changes as a function of the voltage applied to the modulator or the current through the modulator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electronic drawing board recited in claim 8, wherein the light modulator is arranged in front of the light-sensitive element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electronic drawing board recited in claim 8 wherein the light modulator comprises a liquid-crystal element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electronic drawing board recited in claim 8, wherein the light-sensitive element comprises a photodiode biased in the backward direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The electronic drawing board recited in claim 8, wherein, for the storage of light flashes or light failure, the light modulator reflects the incident light if the applied voltage is high, and is connected in parallel with the light-sensitive element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electronic drawing board recited in claim 8, wherein the light modulator reflects the incident light if the applied voltage is low, and is connected in parallel with the resistor, thereby providing storage for incident light flashes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electronic drawing board recited in claim 8, wherein the light-sensitive element and the resistor are fabricated by a thin-film technique.
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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) | 1992-07-10 | 1993-01-09 | 1993-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-10 | 1997-01-09 | 1997-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-10 | 2001-01-09 | 2001-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |