US5132533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for forming probe and apparatus therefor
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1990-12-05
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Granted: 1992-07-21
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Expires: 2010-12-05
Abstract
Abstract A probe closely positioned to an information carrier in apparatus to effect information reading and/or input on the information carrier is formed by opposing an electrode to an end portion of the probe to be formed. The distance between probe end portion and the electrode is detected to control the position of the electrode with respect to the probe. A voltage is applied to the probe end portion through the electrode under positioning control to form the probe end portion. The probe end portion is formed and may be reformed to maintain reliable performance of the information reading and/or input apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshimitsu Kawase
- 👤 Akihiko Yamano
- 👤 Hiroyasu Nose
- 👤 Toshihiko Miyazaki
- 👤 Takahiro Oguchi
- 👤 Ryo Kuroda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:10
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B9/00; G11B9/12; G11B9/14; G11B9/1409; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; B82Y30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising steps of: placing an electrode in opposed manner to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of a probe; detecting information on the distance between said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode; controlling the relative position of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of said detection; and applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe through said electrode under said relative position control, thereby forming the end portion of the probe.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising steps of: placing an electrode in opposed manner to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of a probe; detecting information on the distance between said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode; controlling the relative position of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of said detection; and applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe through said electrode under said relative position control, thereby forming the end portion of the probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said end portion forming part of the probe is composed of a conductive material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the melting point of said electrode is higher than that of said end portion forming part of the probe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said end portion forming part of the probe is fused to form a minute projection by said voltage application.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said relative position control is conducted in such a manner that said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode are maintained at a distance capable of flowing a tunnel current.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising steps of: placing an electrode in opposed manner to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of a probe; detecting information on the distance between said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode; controlling the relative position of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of said detection, and applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe through said electrode under said relative position control, thereby forming the end portion of the probe, wherein said electrode is provided with a projecting part in a position thereof close to said end portion forming part of the probe.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising steps of: placing an electrode in opposed manner to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of a probe; detecting information on the distance between said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode; controlling the relative position of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of said detection, and applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe through said electrode under said relative position control, thereby forming the end portion of the probe, wherein said electrode is provided with a projecting part in a position thereof close to said end portion forming part of the probe.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising: an electrode for applying a voltage to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of the probe; detection means for detecting information on the distance between said electrode and said end portion forming part of the probe; position control means for controlling the relative position of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and probe end portion forming means for forming the end portion of the probe by applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe, under relative position control by said position control means, through said electrode.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
141 words
An apparatus for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising: an electrode for applying a voltage to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of the probe; detection means for detecting information on the distance between said electrode and said end portion forming part of the probe; position control means for controlling the relative position of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and probe end portion forming means for forming the end portion of the probe by applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe, under relative position control by said position control means, through said electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the melting point of said electrode is higher than that of said end portion forming part of the probe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said probe end portion forming means is adapted to fuse said end portion forming part of the probe by said voltage application, thereby forming a minute projection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said detection means is adapted to detect the tunnel current between said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode, and said relative position control means is adapted to effect position control in such a manner that said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode are maintained at a distance capable of flowing a tunnel current.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising: an electrode for applying a voltage to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of the probe; detection means for detecting information on the distance between said electrode and said end portion forming part of the probe; position control means for controlling the relative position of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and probe end portion forming means for forming the end portion of the probe by applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe, under relative position control by said position control means, through said electrode, wherein said electrode is provided with a projecting part in a position thereof close to said end portion forming part of the probe.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
164 words
An apparatus for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising: an electrode for applying a voltage to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of the probe; detection means for detecting information on the distance between said electrode and said end portion forming part of the probe; position control means for controlling the relative position of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and probe end portion forming means for forming the end portion of the probe by applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe, under relative position control by said position control means, through said electrode, wherein said electrode is provided with a projecting part in a position thereof close to said end portion forming part of the probe.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by a probe positioned close thereto, comprising: a probe; an electrode for applying a voltage to said probe; detection means for detecting information on distance between said electrode and said probe; position control means for controlling the relative position of said probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and probe end portion forming means for reforming the end portion of the probe by applying a voltage to said probe, under relative position control by said position control means, through said electrode.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
102 words
An apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by a probe positioned close thereto, comprising: a probe; an electrode for applying a voltage to said probe; detection means for detecting information on distance between said electrode and said probe; position control means for controlling the relative position of said probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and probe end portion forming means for reforming the end portion of the probe by applying a voltage to said probe, under relative position control by said position control means, through said electrode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said detection means is adapted to detect said information on distance, by detecting the tunnel current flowing between said probe and said electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said probe end portion forming means is adapted to re-form said end portion of the probe, in a state without heating other than the voltage application to said probe through said electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said probe is covered with a conductive material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the melting point of said electrode is higher than that of said probe.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said electrode is planar in a position thereof opposed to said probe.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said electrode is positioned on a principal plane same as that of said information carrier member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising means for observing the surface shape of a specimen, serving as an information carrier member, through said probe.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising means for effecting information recording and/or reproduction on a recording medium, serving as an information carrier member, through said probe.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said electrode is positioned in the vicinity of said recording medium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said electrode is positioned within said recording medium.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising means for detecting information on a reference scale from scale means having the reference scale serving as an information carrier member through said probe, and measuring relative displacement between said probe and said scale means based on said information on reference scale.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for effecting information recording and/or reproduction on a recording medium, through a probe positioned close thereto, comprising: a probe; detection means for detecting information on distance between said probe and an electrode formed on the side of said recording medium; position control means for controlling relative position of said probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and probe end portion forming means for reforming the end portion of said probe by a voltage application to said probe, under relative position control by said position control means, through said electrode.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
98 words
An apparatus for effecting information recording and/or reproduction on a recording medium, through a probe positioned close thereto, comprising: a probe; detection means for detecting information on distance between said probe and an electrode formed on the side of said recording medium; position control means for controlling relative position of said probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection means; and probe end portion forming means for reforming the end portion of said probe by a voltage application to said probe, under relative position control by said position control means, through said electrode.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising: an electrode for applying a voltage to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of the probe; a detection circuit for detecting information on the distance between said electrode and said end portion forming part of the probe; a control circuit for controlling the distance of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection circuit, said control circuit controlling in such a manner that said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode are maintained at a predetermined distance; and a probe end portion forming system for forming the end portion of the probe by applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe, under distance control by said control circuit, through said electrode; said control circuit being able to control so that the end portion forming part of every probe to be formed and said electrode are maintained at said predetermined distance.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
195 words
An apparatus for forming a probe for use in an apparatus for effecting information reading and/or information input on an information carrier member by means of said probe positioned close thereto, comprising: an electrode for applying a voltage to a part, where the end portion is to be formed, of the probe; a detection circuit for detecting information on the distance between said electrode and said end portion forming part of the probe; a control circuit for controlling the distance of said end portion forming part of the probe to said electrode, based on the result of detection by said detection circuit, said control circuit controlling in such a manner that said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode are maintained at a predetermined distance; and a probe end portion forming system for forming the end portion of the probe by applying a voltage to said end portion forming part of the probe, under distance control by said control circuit, through said electrode; said control circuit being able to control so that the end portion forming part of every probe to be formed and said electrode are maintained at said predetermined distance.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said detection circuit is adapted to detect the tunnel current between said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode, and said control circuit is adapted to effect distance control in such a manner that said end portion forming part of the probe and said electrode are maintained at a distance capable of flowing a tunnel current as said predetermined distance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-07-21 | 1996-01-20 | 1996-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-21 | 2000-01-20 | 2000-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-21 | 2004-01-20 | 2004-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |