US5255171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Colored light source providing intensification of initial source illumination
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1991-11-27
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Granted: 1993-10-19
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Expires: 2011-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A light concentrator, preferably for use with a color optical scanning device includes a reflector (34) with parabolic reflecting walls (36). Green LEDs (22), red LEDs (24), and blue LEDs (26) are situated at the base of the reflector (34) and a diffuser (30) is attached to the opposite end thereof. An electric switch (32) controls the LED array. When an input page is scanned, the switch (32) activates one type of LEDs at a time. The reflector (34) concentrates the emitted light at the surface of the diffuser (30). The photodetector array of the xerographic device receives three monochromatic images which are then superimposed to provide a color image.
Inventors
- 👤 L. Douglas Clark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/024; H04N1/028; H04N1/02815; H04N1/02845; H04N1/0286; G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/32; G03B27/52; G03B27/54; G03B27/542; G03B27/545; G03B27/547; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/011; H04N1/02865; H04N1/02885; H04N1/0289; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising: concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having an inner surface, and a plurality of light sources arranged to supply a plurality of respective colors of light, said plurality of light sources being positioned adjacent said large, diverging end of said concentrator means so that light from said plurality of sources is directed into said large, diverging end, said concentrator means being hollow and having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section such that (a) when said light is directed into said large, diverging end, it will be reflected only once from said inner surface of said enclosing wall and then emerge out of said converging end, and (b) the intensity of light at said large, diverging end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising: concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having an inner surface, and a plurality of light sources arranged to supply a plurality of respective colors of light, said plurality of light sources being positioned adjacent said large, diverging end of said concentrator means so that light from said plurality of sources is directed into said large, diverging end, said concentrator means being hollow and having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section such that (a) when said light is directed into said large, diverging end, it will be reflected only once from said inner surface of said enclosing wall and then emerge out of said converging end, and (b) the intensity of light at said large, diverging end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The light concentrator of claim 1, further including translucent means for diffusing light emitted by said plurality of light sources, said translucent means being positioned at said converging end of said concentrator means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light concentrator of claim 2 wherein said translucent means is made of frosted plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light concentrator of claim 1 wherein said inside surfaces of said walls are coated with reflective material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light concentrator of claim 1 wherein said light sources comprise an array of light-emitting diodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light concentrator of claim 5 wherein said light-emitting diodes consist of a plurality of light-emitting diodes for each of said colors.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light concentrator of claim 6 wherein said colors are red, blue, and green.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The light concentrator of claim 1 wherein said switching means comprises an electronic switch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The light concentrator of claim 8 wherein said electronic switch can turn on said light-emitting diodes one color at a time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
186 words
A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising: concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having an inner surface, a plurality of light sources arranged to supply a plurality of respective colors of light, said plurality of light sources being positioned adjacent said large, diverging end of said concentrator means so that light from said plurality of sources is directed into said large, diverging end, said concentrator means being hollow and having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section such that (a) when said light is directed into said large, diverging end, it will be reflected only once from said inner surface of said enclosing wall and then emerge out of said converging end and (b) the intensity of light emerging from said small converging end is greater than the intensity of light at said large, diverging end, a light diffuser positioned at said converging end; and an electronic switch arranged to control said light sources.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
186 words
A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising: concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having an inner surface, a plurality of light sources arranged to supply a plurality of respective colors of light, said plurality of light sources being positioned adjacent said large, diverging end of said concentrator means so that light from said plurality of sources is directed into said large, diverging end, said concentrator means being hollow and having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section such that (a) when said light is directed into said large, diverging end, it will be reflected only once from said inner surface of said enclosing wall and then emerge out of said converging end and (b) the intensity of light emerging from said small converging end is greater than the intensity of light at said large, diverging end, a light diffuser positioned at said converging end; and an electronic switch arranged to control said light sources.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The light concentrator of claim 10 wherein said concentrator means is hollow and said walls are coated on the inside with reflective material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light concentrator of claim 10 wherein said light source comprises an array of red, blue and green light-emitting diodes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light concentrator of claim 10 wherein said light diffuser comprises a sheet of a translucent material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The light concentrator of claim 10 wherein said electronic switch can activate several colors of light-emitting diodes at the same time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
128 words
A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising: concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section, and an inner surface, said walls being coated on the inside with reflective material; an array of red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes positioned at said diverging end of said reflector; a sheet of light diffusing material situated at said converging end of said reflector; and an electronic switch arranged to switch on or off said array of light-emitting diodes, said switch being able to activate one color of said light-emitting diodes at a time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
128 words
A light concentrator for an optical scanning input device, comprising: concentrator means having a relatively large, diverging end, a relatively small converging end, and an enclosing wall joining said relatively large, diverging end with said relatively small converging end, said enclosing wall having a substantially parabolic shape when seen in axial cross section, and an inner surface, said walls being coated on the inside with reflective material; an array of red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes positioned at said diverging end of said reflector; a sheet of light diffusing material situated at said converging end of said reflector; and an electronic switch arranged to switch on or off said array of light-emitting diodes, said switch being able to activate one color of said light-emitting diodes at a time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The light concentrator of claim 15 wherein said concentrator is hollow and said walls are coated on the inside with reflective material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The light concentrator of claim 15 wherein said light source comprises an array of red, blue and green light-emitting diodes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The light concentrator of claim 15, further including translucent means for diffusing light emitted by said plurality of light sources, said translucent means being positioned at said converging end of said concentrator means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light concentrator of claim 18 wherein said translucent means is made of frosted plastic.
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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) | 1996-10-18 | 1997-04-19 | 1997-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-10-18 | 2001-04-19 | 2001-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-10-18 | 2005-04-19 | 2005-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |