US4873436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Nondestructive readout of a latent electrostatic image formed on an insulating material
Assignee: Optical Diagnostic Systems Inc
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Filing: 1987-05-04
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Granted: 1989-10-10
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Expires: 2007-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are described for the nondestructive readout of a latent electrostatic image formed on a sheet or layer of insulating material. A sheet or layer of semiconductor material is disposed in relatively close proximity to the insulating material. A latent electrostatic image formed on the insulating material (by any known means) causes a surface depletion layer to be produced by induction at the surface of the semiconductor material. The location and distribution of the accumulated charges on the semiconductor material are read out as analog electrical signals corresponding to the AC surface photovoltage induced on the semiconductor material as the semiconductor material is scanned with a low intensity modulated light beam of appropriate wavelength, the magnitude of the analog signals depending on the local charge density. The analog electrical signals so obtained are then digitized, processed and stored and/or displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Emil Kamieniecki
- 👤 Leszek Reiss
- 👤 William C. Goldfarb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 14:21
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/28; G01R; G01R29/00; G01R29/24; G01R31/00; G01R31/26; G01R31/265; G01R31/2656; G01T1/24; G01T1/246; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/054; G03G15/22; G03G15/221; G03G5/00; G03G5/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a reference electrode, b. a photoconductive insulator, and c. a semiconductor/pickup electrode combination, and d. wherein either said reference electrode or said semiconductor pickup electrode combination or both of said reference electrode and said semiconductor/pickup electrode are segmented.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a reference electrode, b. a photoconductive insulator, and c. a semiconductor/pickup electrode combination, and d. wherein either said reference electrode or said semiconductor pickup electrode combination or both of said reference electrode and said semiconductor/pickup electrode are segmented.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a recording unit for recording said charge distribution pattern, said recording unit including reference electrode and a photoconductive insulator, b. a readout unit for use in reading out the charge distribution pattern, said readout unit including a semiconductor/pickup electrode combination said readout unit being sized smaller than said recording unit and being movable relative to said recording unit, and c. light beam means for scanning said readout unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a recording unit for recording said charge distribution pattern, said recording unit including reference electrode and a photoconductive insulator, b. a readout unit for use in reading out the charge distribution pattern, said readout unit including a semiconductor/pickup electrode combination said readout unit being sized smaller than said recording unit and being movable relative to said recording unit, and c. light beam means for scanning said readout unit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and further including means for moving said recording unit relative to said readout unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein said recording unit is stationary and said readout unit is movable relative to said recording unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein said recording unit is in the shape of a block or plate and the readout unit is in the shape of a portion of a cylinder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein said readout unit is rotationally and translationally movable relative to said recording unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a recording unit for recording said charge distribution pattern, said recording unit including a segmented reference electrode and a photoconductive insulator, and b. a readout unit for use in reading out the charge distribution pattern, said readout unit including a semiconductor/pickup electrode combination.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a recording unit for recording said charge distribution pattern, said recording unit including a segmented reference electrode and a photoconductive insulator, and b. a readout unit for use in reading out the charge distribution pattern, said readout unit including a semiconductor/pickup electrode combination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The photoreceptor of claim 7 and wherein said recording unit and said readout unit are separately constructed units.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The photoreceptor of claim 8 and wherein the segmented reference electrode comprises a plurality of parallel unconnected conductive strips.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a recording unit for recording said charge distribution pattern, said recording unit including: i. a non-conductive substrate, ii. a segmented reference electrode on said non-conductive substrate, iii. a protective insulating layer on said segmented reference electrode, and iv. a photoconductive insulating layer on said protective insulating layer, b. a readout unit for use in reading out the charge distribution pattern, said readout unit including a semiconductor/pickup electrode combination.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
83 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a recording unit for recording said charge distribution pattern, said recording unit including: i. a non-conductive substrate, ii. a segmented reference electrode on said non-conductive substrate, iii. a protective insulating layer on said segmented reference electrode, and iv. a photoconductive insulating layer on said protective insulating layer, b. a readout unit for use in reading out the charge distribution pattern, said readout unit including a semiconductor/pickup electrode combination.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a recording unit of recording said charge distribution pattern, said recording unit including reference electrode and a photoconductive insulator, b. a readout unit for use in reading out the charge distribution pattern, said readout unit including a segmented semiconductor and a segmented pickup electrode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a charge distribution pattern comprising: a. a recording unit of recording said charge distribution pattern, said recording unit including reference electrode and a photoconductive insulator, b. a readout unit for use in reading out the charge distribution pattern, said readout unit including a segmented semiconductor and a segmented pickup electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The photoreceptor of claim 11 and wherein said reference electrode in said recording unit is segmented.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
81 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a change distribution pattern comprising: a. a first nonconductive substrate, b. a segmented reference electrode on said first nonconductive substrate, c. a protective insulating layer on said segmented reference electrode, d. a photoconductive insulative layer on said protective insulating layer, e. a second nonconductive substrate, f. a pickup electrode on said second nonconductive substrate, g. a semiconductor layer on said pickup electrode, and h. a protective insulating layer on said semiconductor layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
81 words
A photoreceptor for use in recording and reading out a change distribution pattern comprising: a. a first nonconductive substrate, b. a segmented reference electrode on said first nonconductive substrate, c. a protective insulating layer on said segmented reference electrode, d. a photoconductive insulative layer on said protective insulating layer, e. a second nonconductive substrate, f. a pickup electrode on said second nonconductive substrate, g. a semiconductor layer on said pickup electrode, and h. a protective insulating layer on said semiconductor layer.
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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) | 1992-10-09 | 1993-04-10 | 1993-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-09 | 1997-04-10 | 1997-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-09 | 2001-04-10 | 2001-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |