US5329122A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Information processing apparatus and scanning tunnel microscope
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1992-08-26
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Granted: 1994-07-12
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Expires: 2012-08-26
Abstract
Abstract An information processing apparatus for effecting recording of information on and/or reproduction of information from a recording medium is provided with a probe electrode, a cantilever piezo-electric member, a controller and a detector. The probe electrode is relatively displaced to the recording medium by the cantilever piezo-electric member. The controller applies a control signal to the cantilever piezo-electric member to control the cantilever piezo-electric member. The detector detects a minute signal obtained on the tunnel effect caused between the probe electrode and the recording medium. A switch element is further provided on the apparatus so as to electrically disconnect between the cantilever piezo-electric member and the controller during the minute signal being detected by the detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Kunihiro Sakai
- 👤 Katsunori Hatanaka
- 👤 Takahiro Oguchi
- 👤 Akihiko Yamano
- 👤 Shunichi Shido
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01Q; G01Q10/00; G01Q10/04; G01Q10/06; G01Q10/065; G01Q60/00; G01Q60/10; G01Q60/16; G01Q70/00; G01Q70/06; G11; G11B; G11B9/00; G11B9/12; G11B9/14; G11B9/1418; G11B9/1427; G01Q80/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
An information processing apparatus for effecting a recording and/or reproduction of information on a recording medium by using a probe electrode, including: means for displacing said probe electrode relative to said medium; means for applying an electrical current to said displacing means to control said displacing means; means for detecting a minute signal obtained from a physical phenomenon occurring between said probe electrode and said medium; and means for cutting off the electrical current between said displacing means and said applying means as long as the minute signal is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
An information processing apparatus for effecting a recording and/or reproduction of information on a recording medium by using a probe electrode, including: means for displacing said probe electrode relative to said medium; means for applying an electrical current to said displacing means to control said displacing means; means for detecting a minute signal obtained from a physical phenomenon occurring between said probe electrode and said medium; and means for cutting off the electrical current between said displacing means and said applying means as long as the minute signal is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said displacing means is a cantilever type piezo-electric member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said physical phenomenon is a tunnel effect.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting off means produces a control signal from said minute signal to cut off said electrical current.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cutting-off means is a switch element integrated on a substrate on which said displacing means is formed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
A scanning tunneling microscope for observing therethrough a surface of a sample by using a tunnel current created between a probe electrode and the surface of said sample, including: means for displacing said probe electrode relative to the surface of said sample; means for applying an electrical current to said displacing means to control said displacing means; means for detecting said tunnel current created between said probe electrode and the surface of said sample; and means for cutting off the electrical current between said displacing means and said applying means as long as the tunnel current is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
A scanning tunneling microscope for observing therethrough a surface of a sample by using a tunnel current created between a probe electrode and the surface of said sample, including: means for displacing said probe electrode relative to the surface of said sample; means for applying an electrical current to said displacing means to control said displacing means; means for detecting said tunnel current created between said probe electrode and the surface of said sample; and means for cutting off the electrical current between said displacing means and said applying means as long as the tunnel current is detected by said detecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A scanning tunneling microscope according to claim 6, wherein said displacing means is a cantilever type piezo-electric member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A scanning tunneling microscope according to claim 6, wherein said cutting off means produces a control signal from said tunnel current to cut off said electrical current.
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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) | 1997-07-11 | 1998-01-10 | 1998-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-11 | 2002-01-10 | 2002-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-11 | 2006-01-10 | 2006-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |