US5151718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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System and method for solid state illumination for dmd devices
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1990-12-31
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Granted: 1992-09-29
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Expires: 2010-12-31
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an optic system for illuminating a DMD array in a xerographic printing process consisting of an array of LED emitters constructed to efficiently replace the conventional tungsten source used in prior art. The array can be geometrically configured or electrically operated by strobing or varying the brightness of individual pixels to compensate for other system optical deficiencies and results in improved printing process. By exposure strobing the LED source correction for fuzzy line edges can be achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 William E. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:51
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/435; B41J2/447; B41J2/45; B41J2/465; G; G06; G06K; G06K15/00; G06K15/02; G06K15/12; G06K15/1238
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A spatial light modulator array comprising: a spatial light modulator device operable to modulate light impacting a surface of said device, wherein said device includes a plurality of individually controlled cells; a plurality of individual solid state light emitting elements arranged in a unitary structure and focused on said spatial light modulator device; and a receptor for receiving light from selected ones of said individually controlled cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A spatial light modulator array comprising: a spatial light modulator device operable to modulate light impacting a surface of said device, wherein said device includes a plurality of individually controlled cells; a plurality of individual solid state light emitting elements arranged in a unitary structure and focused on said spatial light modulator device; and a receptor for receiving light from selected ones of said individually controlled cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The array set forth in claim 1 wherein said unitary structure includes a plurality of individual lenses mated with each said light emitting element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The array set forth in claim 2 wherein at least some of said lenses are anamorphic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The array set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a system for adjusting the relative position of certain ones of said elements with respect to said DMD so as to effect the optical light transfer between said structure and said DMD array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The array set forth in claim 2 wherein said unitary structure is flexible.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The array set forth in claim 2 wherein at least some of said elements have different light emitting capability from other such elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The array set forth in claim 1 wherein light emitted from said elements is uniform as viewed from a plane offset from the plane of said structure along an optical axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The array set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a system for selectively enabling any of said elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The array set forth in claim 8 further comprising: a system for varying the on/off time of any of said elements independent from each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The array set forth in claim 1 further comprising: a system for strobing said elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The array set forth in claim 1 wherein said array is used in a xerographic process wherein said receptor is moving and wherein said array includes: a system for strobing said elements to create sharp pixel images with respect to said moving receptor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The array set forth in claim 11 further comprising: a system for adjusting said strobe to the movement said receptor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
A xerographic printer comprising: a spatial light modulator device operable to modulate light impacting a surface of said device wherein said device includes a plurality of individually controlled cells; a plurality of individual solid state light emitting elements arranged in a unitary structure and focused on said spatial light modulator device; and a receptor for receiving light from selected ones of said individually controlled cells.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A xerographic printer comprising: a spatial light modulator device operable to modulate light impacting a surface of said device wherein said device includes a plurality of individually controlled cells; a plurality of individual solid state light emitting elements arranged in a unitary structure and focused on said spatial light modulator device; and a receptor for receiving light from selected ones of said individually controlled cells.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The printer set forth in claim 13 wherein said unitary structure includes a plurality of individual lenses mated with each said light emitting element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The printer set forth in claim 14 wherein at least some of said lenses are anamorphic.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The printer set forth in claim 13 further comprising: a mechanism for adjusting the relative position of certain ones of said elements with respect to said DMD so as to effect the optical light transfer between said structure and said DMD array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The printer set forth in claim 14 wherein said unitary structure is flexible.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The printer set forth in claim 14 wherein at least some of said elements have different light emitting capability from other such elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The printer set forth in claim 13 wherein light emitted from said elements is uniform as viewed from a plane offset from the plane of said structure along an optical axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The printer set forth in claim 13 further comprising: a system for selectively enabling any of said elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The printer set forth in claim 13 further comprising: a system for varying the on/off time of any of said elements independent from each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The printer set forth in claim 13 further comprising: a system for strobing said elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The printer set forth in claim 13 wherein receptor is rotating and wherein said array includes: a system for strobing said elements to create sharp pixel images with respect to said rotating receptor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The printer set forth in claim 23 further comprising: a system for adjusting said strobe to the movement of said receptor.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of establishing a xerographic printer comprising the steps of: positioning a spatial light modulator device operable to modulate light impacting a surface of said device, wherein said device includes a plurality of individually controlled cells; arranging a plurality of individual solid state light emitting elements in a unitary structure and focused on said spatial light modulator device; and a receptor for receiving light from selected ones of said individually controlled cells.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of establishing a xerographic printer comprising the steps of: positioning a spatial light modulator device operable to modulate light impacting a surface of said device, wherein said device includes a plurality of individually controlled cells; arranging a plurality of individual solid state light emitting elements in a unitary structure and focused on said spatial light modulator device; and a receptor for receiving light from selected ones of said individually controlled cells.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method set forth in claim 25 further comprising the step of: mating a plurality of individual lenses with each said light emitting element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method set forth in claim 26 wherein at least some of said lenses are anamorphic.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method set forth in claim 25 further comprising the step of: adjusting the relative position of certain ones of said elements with respect to said DMD so as to effect the optical light transfer between said structure and said DMD array.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method set forth in claim 26 wherein said unitary structure is flexible.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of operating a spatial light modulator array comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of individual solid state light emitting elements in a unitary structure; and focusing light from said elements onto a spatial light modulator device operable to modulate said light impacting a surface of said device, wherein said device includes a plurality of individually controlled cells.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
60 words
The method of operating a spatial light modulator array comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of individual solid state light emitting elements in a unitary structure; and focusing light from said elements onto a spatial light modulator device operable to modulate said light impacting a surface of said device, wherein said device includes a plurality of individually controlled cells.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method set forth in claim 30 wherein said unitary structure includes a plurality of individual lenses mated with each said light emitting element.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method set forth in claim 31 wherein at least some of said lenses are anamorphic.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method set forth in claim 30 further comprising the step of: adjusting the relative position of certain ones of said elements with respect to said DMD so as to effect the optical light transfer between said structure and said DMD array.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method set forth in claim 31 wherein said unitary structure is flexible.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method set forth in claim 31 further including the step of: generating different light levels from various of said elements.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method set forth in claim 35 wherein light emitted from said elements is uniform as viewed from a plane offset from the plane of said structure along an optical axis.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method set forth in claim 30 further comprising the step of: selectively enabling any of said elements.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method set forth in claim 30 further comprising the step of: varying the on/off time of any of said elements independent from each other.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method set forth in claim 30 further comprising the step of: strobing said elements.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method set forth in claim 30 wherein said array is used in a xerographic process wherein said receptor is moving and wherein said method includes the step of: strobing said elements to create sharp pixel images with respect to said moving receptor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method set forth in claim 40 further comprising the step of: adjusting said strobe to the movement of said receptor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4907034A
Cited
US5043716A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-09-29 | 1996-03-30 | 1996-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-29 | 2000-03-30 | 2000-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-29 | 2004-03-30 | 2004-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |