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US5330878A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for patterning an imaging member

Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1993-04-14
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Granted: 1994-07-19
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Expires: 2013-04-14
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Abstract

Abstract A device for patterning an imaging member (46) is provided. The device comprises a light source (24) which emits light rays (26). Light rays (26) pass through a collimator lens (28) to collimate the light rays (30). The light then strikes a spatial light modulator (32) which is controlled by a computer (40) to reflect the light (42). The light passes through an imaging lens (44) to magnify the pattern for striking imaging member (46). Imaging member (46) is thus patterned by changing modulator (32) by computer (40).

Inventors

  • 👤 William E. Nelson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 00:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70216; G03F7/70283; G03F7/70291; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/0073; H05K3/0082

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 81 words
A method for patterning a printed circuit board coated with a light sensitive material comprising: a. generating light with a source; b. modulating light energy from said source into a pre-determined pattern, wherein said pre-determined pattern is formed by selectively addressing elements of a spatial light modulator; c. imaging said pre-determined pattern through an imaging lens; and repeatedly transporting said printed circuit board past said imaging lens in a mosaic pattern allowing said predetermined pattern to expose said light sensitive material.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 81 words
A method for patterning a printed circuit board coated with a light sensitive material comprising: a. generating light with a source; b. modulating light energy from said source into a pre-determined pattern, wherein said pre-determined pattern is formed by selectively addressing elements of a spatial light modulator; c. imaging said pre-determined pattern through an imaging lens; and repeatedly transporting said printed circuit board past said imaging lens in a mosaic pattern allowing said predetermined pattern to expose said light sensitive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said light generated is ultraviolet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said transporting step includes moving a plate that supports said board.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 81 words
A method for patterning a reticle substrate used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards comprising: a. generating light with a source; b. modulating light energy from said source into a pre-determined pattern, wherein said pre-determined pattern is formed by selectively addressing elements of a spatial light modulator; c. imaging said pre-determined pattern through an imaging lens; and d. repeatedly transporting said reticle substrate past said imaging lens in a mosaic pattern allowing said predetermined pattern to expose said reticle substrate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 81 words
A method for patterning a reticle substrate used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards comprising: a. generating light with a source; b. modulating light energy from said source into a pre-determined pattern, wherein said pre-determined pattern is formed by selectively addressing elements of a spatial light modulator; c. imaging said pre-determined pattern through an imaging lens; and d. repeatedly transporting said reticle substrate past said imaging lens in a mosaic pattern allowing said predetermined pattern to expose said reticle substrate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 11 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said light generated is ultraviolet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 4 wherein said transporting step includes moving a plate that supports said reticle.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3985439A Cited
US4436806A Cited
US4778747A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-07-18 1998-01-17 1998-07-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-07-18 2002-01-17 2002-07-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-07-18 2006-01-17 2006-07-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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