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US5340978A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Image-sensing display panels with LCD display panel and photosensitive element array

Assignee: LSI Corp
•
Filing: 1993-04-21
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Granted: 1994-08-23
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Expires: 2013-04-21
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Abstract

Abstract A camera comprising various arrangements for employing optical elements in association with photosensitive elements are described. In some of the arrangements, the optical elements are formed integrally with a substrate containing the photosensitive elements. In other arrangements, an optical element is mounted to a package, or the like, containing the substrate and photosensitive elements. In other arrangements, two or more optical elements are employed, including conventional refractive elements, refractive focusing elements, and refractive beam splitting elements. Utility as solid state image sensors is discussed. Utility for monochromatic and color imaging is discussed. Various devices based on such camera arrangements and methods of making same are discussed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael D. Rostoker
  • 👤 David E. Sanders

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 20:29
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/80; H10F39/806; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/55; H04N23/60; H04N23/63; H04N25/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/18; H10F39/182

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim 62 words
An image-sensing display panel, comprising: an LCD display panel; a substrate having: an array of photosensitive elements disposed on a surface of the substrate; and an optically transmissive layer above and contiguous with the array, wherein said transmissive layer is capable of focusing light onto said array; wherein said LCD display panel, and said substrate are aligned along the same optical path.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 62 words
An image-sensing display panel, comprising: an LCD display panel; a substrate having: an array of photosensitive elements disposed on a surface of the substrate; and an optically transmissive layer above and contiguous with the array, wherein said transmissive layer is capable of focusing light onto said array; wherein said LCD display panel, and said substrate are aligned along the same optical path.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: said optically transmissive layer comprises a binary lens capable of focusing light onto the array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: the substrate is positioned behind the LCD display panel along the optical path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 3, further comprising: means for causing the LCD display panel to alternate between displaying an image and a transparent state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 4, further comprising: means for monitoring an output of the array of photosensitive elements only during periods of transparency of the LCD display panel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
An image sensing display panel according to claim I, wherein: the LCD display panel is positioned behind the substrate along the optical path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 35 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 6, further comprising: means for back-lighting the LCD display panel; and means for causing the LCD display panel to alternate between displaying and image and an opaque state.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 31 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 7, further comprising: means for monitoring an output of the array of photo-sensitive elements only during periods of opacity of the LCD display panel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 13 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: the substrate is glass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 15 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: the substrate is a ceramic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 16 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: the substrate is a transparent plastic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 26 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: the LCD display panel and the substrate are sized to approximately match the dimensions of a sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 45 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 12, wherein: a focal length and direction of aim of said optically transmissive layer are arranged such that light from an object held at a specific distance from the substrate is focused onto the array of photo-sensitive elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 36 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: the substrate is positioned behind the optically transmissive layer along the optical path; and the LCD display panel is positioned behind the substrate along the optical path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 38 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: the LCD display panel is positioned behind the optically transmissive layer along the optical path; and the substrate is positioned behind the LCD display panel along the optical path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 38 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: the optically transmissive layer is positioned behind the LCD display panel along the optical path; and the substrate is positioned behind the optically transmissive layer along the optical path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 53 words
An image-sensing display panel according to claim 1, wherein: the LCD display panel, in an "opaque" state passes at least one light frequency not visible to the human eyes; and the photo-sensitive elements are sensitive only to the at least one light frequency passed by the LCD display panel in the "opaque" state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 31 words
An image sensing display panel according to claim 17, wherein: the at least one light frequency passed by the LCD display panel in the "opaque" state includes an infra-red light frequency.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 31 words
An image sensing display panel according to claim 1, further comprising: digital processing circuitry; wherein: the digital processing circuitry includes substantially all of the circuitry required to implement a digital computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 66 words
A full page scanner, comprising: an LCD display panel; an substrate having an array of photosensitive elements disposed on a surface of the substrate; and an optically transmissive layer above and contiguous with the array, wherein said transmissive layer is capable of focusing light onto said array; wherein: said LCD display panel, said optically transmissive layer, and said substrate are aligned along the same optical path.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 66 words
A full page scanner, comprising: an LCD display panel; an substrate having an array of photosensitive elements disposed on a surface of the substrate; and an optically transmissive layer above and contiguous with the array, wherein said transmissive layer is capable of focusing light onto said array; wherein: said LCD display panel, said optically transmissive layer, and said substrate are aligned along the same optical path.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 26 words
A full page scanner according to claim 20, wherein: the LCD display panel and the substrate are sized to approximately match the dimensions of a sheet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 45 words
A full page scanner according to claim 21, wherein: a focal length and direction of aim of said optically transmissive layer are arranged such that light from an object held at a specific distance from the substrate is focused onto the array of photo-sensitive elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 22 words
A full page scanner according to claim 22, wherein: the specific distance is zero, corresponding to an object held against the substrate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 21 words
A full page scanner according to claim 20, wherein: the substrate is formed by depositing amorphous silicon on a continuous sheet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 14 words
A full page scanner according to claim 24, wherein: the continuous sheet is metal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 20 words
A full page scanner according to claim 20, wherein: ther substrate is formed by depositing polysilicon on a continuous sheet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 14 words
A full page scanner according to claim 26, wherein: the continuous sheet is metal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 99 words
A camera chip comprising: an LCD display panel; a substrate having: an array of photosensitive elements disposed on a surface of the substrate; and an optically transmissive layer above and contiguous with the array, wherein said transmissive layer is capable of focusing light onto said array; means for back-lighting the LCD display panel; and means for causing the LCD display panel to alternate between displaying an image and an opaque state; wherein: said LCD display panel, and said substrate are aligned along the same optical path; the LCD digital panel is positioned behind the substrate along the optical path.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 99 words
A camera chip comprising: an LCD display panel; a substrate having: an array of photosensitive elements disposed on a surface of the substrate; and an optically transmissive layer above and contiguous with the array, wherein said transmissive layer is capable of focusing light onto said array; means for back-lighting the LCD display panel; and means for causing the LCD display panel to alternate between displaying an image and an opaque state; wherein: said LCD display panel, and said substrate are aligned along the same optical path; the LCD digital panel is positioned behind the substrate along the optical path.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 27 words
A camera chip according to claim 28, wherein: alternation of the LCD display panel occurs at a rate which is faster than the human eye can perceive.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 33 words
A camera chip according to claim 29, wherein: the "opaque" state of the LCD display panel is used to block light from the means for back-lighting from reaching the array of photosensitive elements.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 101 words
A camera chip comprising: an LCD display panel; a substrate having: an array of photosensitive elements disposed on a surface of the substrate; and an optically transmissive layer above and contiguous with the array, wherein said transmissive layer is capable of focusing light onto said array; means for back-lighting the LCD display panel; and means for causing the LCD display panel to alternate between displaying and image and a light transmissive state; wherein: said LCD display panel, and said substrate are aligned along the same optical path; the LCD display panel is positioned ahead of the substrate along the optical path.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 101 words
A camera chip comprising: an LCD display panel; a substrate having: an array of photosensitive elements disposed on a surface of the substrate; and an optically transmissive layer above and contiguous with the array, wherein said transmissive layer is capable of focusing light onto said array; means for back-lighting the LCD display panel; and means for causing the LCD display panel to alternate between displaying and image and a light transmissive state; wherein: said LCD display panel, and said substrate are aligned along the same optical path; the LCD display panel is positioned ahead of the substrate along the optical path.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 27 words
A camera chip according to claim 31, wherein: alternation of the LCD display panel occurs at a rate which is faster than the human eye can perceive.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 30 words
A camera chip according to claim 31, further comprising: means for controlling the degree of light transmissivity of the LCD display panel when it is in a light transmissive state.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 26 words
A camera chip according to claim 33, wherein: the degree of light transmissivity is used to provide an "iris" function for the array of photosensitive elements.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 26 words
A camera chip according to claim 33, wherein: the degree of light transmissivity is used to provide a "shutter" function for the array of photosensitive elements.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1997-08-22 1998-02-21 1998-08-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2001-08-22 2002-02-21 2002-08-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2005-08-22 2006-02-21 2006-08-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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