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US4947195A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

LED printer

Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1989-07-03
•
Granted: 1990-08-07
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Expires: 2009-07-03
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Abstract

Abstract An LED printer includes a gradient index lens array for focusing light from the LED's onto an image recording surface positioned at the image plane of the lens. A diffusion plate such as a ground glass plate is placed at the object plane of the lens array. Light from the LED's are slightly diffused by the ground glass plate and improved overlap of exposed pixels results. In one embodiment of the invention, the LED's are mounted on the plate on a "flip-chip" arrangement.

Inventors

  • 👤 James T. Flynn
  • 👤 Yee S. Ng

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 17:12
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/447; B41J2/45; B41J2/451

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 92 words
A non-impact printer apparatus comprising a photoconductive recording medium having an electrostatic charge; a recording head having a plurality of light producing recording elements adapted to be selectively activated for recording on the recording medium; a lens array including a plurality of gradient index fiber optic elements for focusing light from the recording elements onto the recording medium, the recording medium being located at the image plane of the lens array; and a diffusion plate means located at the object plane of the lens array for diffusing light from the recording elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 92 words
A non-impact printer apparatus comprising a photoconductive recording medium having an electrostatic charge; a recording head having a plurality of light producing recording elements adapted to be selectively activated for recording on the recording medium; a lens array including a plurality of gradient index fiber optic elements for focusing light from the recording elements onto the recording medium, the recording medium being located at the image plane of the lens array; and a diffusion plate means located at the object plane of the lens array for diffusing light from the recording elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the recording elements are light-emitting diodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 2 and wherein the light-emitting diodes are arranged in a single row.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and including means for developing the image on the recording medium in areas of the image not receiving exposure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 4 and wherein the plate is a ground glass plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the plate is a ground glass plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 and wherein the recording elements are mounted upon one surface of the diffusion plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 77 words
A non-impact printer apparatus comprising a photosensitive recording medium; a recording head having a plurality of light producing recording elements adapted to be selectively activated for recording on the recording medium; a lens for focusing light from the recording elements onto the recording medium, the recording medium being located at the image plane of the lens; and a diffusion plate means located at the object plane of the lens array for diffusing light from the recording elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 77 words
A non-impact printer apparatus comprising a photosensitive recording medium; a recording head having a plurality of light producing recording elements adapted to be selectively activated for recording on the recording medium; a lens for focusing light from the recording elements onto the recording medium, the recording medium being located at the image plane of the lens; and a diffusion plate means located at the object plane of the lens array for diffusing light from the recording elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 8 and wherein the recording elements are light-emitting diodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 8 and wherein the plate is a ground glass plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 8 and wherein the recording elements are mounted on the diffusion plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus of claim 11 and wherein the recording elements are formed on chips and mounted to one surface of the plate in a flip-chip arrangment and another surface of the plate is ground glass.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 12 and wherein the recording elements are light-emitting diodes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus of claim 8 and wherein the lens is a gradient index lens array.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 77 words
A non-impact printer apparatus comprising a photosensitive recording medium; a recording head having a plurality of light producing recording elements adapted to be selectively activated for recording on the recording medium; a lens for focusing light from the recording elements onto the recording medium, and a diffusion plate means for diffusing light from the recording elements before light impinges upon the recording medium; and means for supporting the recording elements upon the surface of the diffusion plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 77 words
A non-impact printer apparatus comprising a photosensitive recording medium; a recording head having a plurality of light producing recording elements adapted to be selectively activated for recording on the recording medium; a lens for focusing light from the recording elements onto the recording medium, and a diffusion plate means for diffusing light from the recording elements before light impinges upon the recording medium; and means for supporting the recording elements upon the surface of the diffusion plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 15 and wherein the recording elements are formed on chips and are mounted to one surface of the plate in a flip-chip arrangement and another surface of the plate is ground glass.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 16 and wherein the recording elements are light-emitting diodes.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3850517A Cited
US4435064A Cited
JPS62204565A Cited
JPS6333762A Cited
US4749120A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-08-06 1994-02-05 1994-08-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-08-06 1998-02-05 1998-08-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-08-06 2002-02-05 2002-08-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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