US5357304A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image development apparatus and method
Assignee: Sony Corp
•
Filing: 1993-03-22
•
Granted: 1994-10-18
•
Expires: 2013-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An image developing apparatus using a laser beam source to produce an original plate for producing a master disk of an optical type recording disk such as video disk and the like. A disk base plate 3 formed thereon with an exposed optically sensitive film 2 is rotated while developing solution 6 is supplied on the optical sensitive film 2 to remove the exposed parts of the film. To monitor the development, a laser beam 8 from a laser beam source 7 is irradiated on an exposed portion of the optical sensitive film 2 which is being dissolved and zero and first order diffraction light 9 and 10 are detected by first and second detectors 11 and 12. Light amount control element 13 are provided to maintain constant the detected level of zero order light by controlling the laser, and the first order light is used to detect a stop time for the development. Stabilization of the zero order light eliminates fluctuations from external sources such as dust, mist etc. The incident light may be controlled by the control element 13 either directly if a semiconductor laser is used or by using a modulator in the light path if a gas laser is used. The semiconductor laser may have a short coherence length which reduces fluctuations caused by multiple interference effects within the glass disk base plate 3 whose thickness can vary.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyotaka Wakamiya
- 👤 Yuuichi Aki
- 👤 Minoru Inagaki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:40
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/26; G03F7/30; G03F7/3021; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/26; G11B7/261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Image developing apparatus for processing a disk base plate carrying an optically sensitive film having portions exposed by a recording beam for use in producing optical master disks, comprising a drive means for rotating the disk base plate, development solution supply mean for supplying developing solution onto the optically sensitive film while the disk base plate is rotated by the drive means to dissolve the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film, a laser beam source for irradiating dissolved exposed portions during supply of developing solution, photoelectric conversion means for detecting zero and first order diffracted light from the dissolved exposed portions, and control means responsive to the photoelectric conversion means to stop supply of developing solution based on the detection of the diffracted light, wherein the control means further comprises light amount control means for controlling the intensity of the laser beam irradiated on the optically sensitive film in dependence upon the detected level of the zero-order diffracted light.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Image developing apparatus for processing a disk base plate carrying an optically sensitive film having portions exposed by a recording beam for use in producing optical master disks, comprising a drive means for rotating the disk base plate, development solution supply mean for supplying developing solution onto the optically sensitive film while the disk base plate is rotated by the drive means to dissolve the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film, a laser beam source for irradiating dissolved exposed portions during supply of developing solution, photoelectric conversion means for detecting zero and first order diffracted light from the dissolved exposed portions, and control means responsive to the photoelectric conversion means to stop supply of developing solution based on the detection of the diffracted light, wherein the control means further comprises light amount control means for controlling the intensity of the laser beam irradiated on the optically sensitive film in dependence upon the detected level of the zero-order diffracted light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Image developing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the light amount control means is adapted to maintain the level of zero-order diffracted light substantially constant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
Image developing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light amount control means comprises a laser driver for controlling an output of the laser beam source, a control circuit for the laser driver, and a comparison circuit having an output connected to the control circuit and receiving as an input an output of the photoelectric conversion means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
An image developing equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light amount control means comprises a modulator provided in the optical path of the laser beam from the laser beam source to the optically sensitive film, a modulator drive for controlling the modulator, a control circuit for the modulator driver, and a comparison circuit having an output connected to the control circuit and receiving as an input an output of the photoelectric conversion means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
An image developing method for use in processing a disk base plate carrying an optically sensitive film having portions exposed by a recording beam for use in producing optical master disks, comprising the steps of rotating the disk base plate and concurrently supplying a developing solution onto the optically sensitive film to dissolve the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film, irradiating an exposed portion of the optically sensitive film while being dissolved by the developing solution, and detecting levels of zero an first-order light diffracted from the exposed portion, and stopping the supply of developing solution in dependence on the detected levels of diffracted light, wherein the method further includes the step of controlling the intensity of the laser beam irradiated on the optically sensitive film in dependence upon the level of the diffracted zero-order diffracted light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
138 words
An image developing method for use in processing a disk base plate carrying an optically sensitive film having portions exposed by a recording beam for use in producing optical master disks, comprising the steps of rotating the disk base plate and concurrently supplying a developing solution onto the optically sensitive film to dissolve the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film, irradiating an exposed portion of the optically sensitive film while being dissolved by the developing solution, and detecting levels of zero an first-order light diffracted from the exposed portion, and stopping the supply of developing solution in dependence on the detected levels of diffracted light, wherein the method further includes the step of controlling the intensity of the laser beam irradiated on the optically sensitive film in dependence upon the level of the diffracted zero-order diffracted light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
167 words
Image developing apparatus for processing a disk base plate carrying an optically sensitive film having portions exposed by a recording beam for use in producing optical master disks, comprising a drive means for rotating the disk base plate, development solution supply means for supplying developing solution onto the optically sensitive film while the disk base plate is rotated by the drive means to dissolve the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film, a laser beam source for irradiating dissolved exposed portions during supply of developing solution, photoelectric conversion means for detecting diffracted light from the exposed portion, and control means responsive to the photoelectric conversion means to stop supply of developing solution based on a result of the detection of the diffracted light, wherein the laser beam source comprises a source of laser light having a coherence length that is sufficiently short compared to a thickness of said disk based plate such that interference resulting from occurrence of multiple reflection in the disk base plate is prevented.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
Image developing apparatus for processing a disk base plate carrying an optically sensitive film having portions exposed by a recording beam for use in producing optical master disks, comprising a drive means for rotating the disk base plate, development solution supply means for supplying developing solution onto the optically sensitive film while the disk base plate is rotated by the drive means to dissolve the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film, a laser beam source for irradiating dissolved exposed portions during supply of developing solution, photoelectric conversion means for detecting diffracted light from the exposed portion, and control means responsive to the photoelectric conversion means to stop supply of developing solution based on a result of the detection of the diffracted light, wherein the laser beam source comprises a source of laser light having a coherence length that is sufficiently short compared to a thickness of said disk based plate such that interference resulting from occurrence of multiple reflection in the disk base plate is prevented.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
Image developing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the laser source is a source of laser light having a coherence length selected in relation to the optical path difference between beams multiply reflected inside the disk base plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Image developing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the laser beam source is a semiconductor laser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Image developing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the coherence length of the laser is substantially less than 1 m.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Image developing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the coherence length of the laser is substantially less than 10 cm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Image developing apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the coherence length of the laser is substantially less than 1 cm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
152 words
An image developing method for use in processing a disk base plate carrying an optically sensitive film, having portions exposed by a recording beam for use in producing optical master disks, comprising the steps of rotating the disk base plate and concurrently supplying a developing solution onto the optically sensitive film to dissolve the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film, irradiating the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film while being dissolved by the developing solution, detecting light diffracted from the exposed portion, and stopping the supply of developing solution in dependence on the detected level of diffracted light, the method further including the step of selecting the laser beam source in accordance with the thickness of the disk base plate such that the coherence length of the laser is sufficiently short compared to the said thickness to prevent generation of interference by multiply reflected light within the disk base plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
152 words
An image developing method for use in processing a disk base plate carrying an optically sensitive film, having portions exposed by a recording beam for use in producing optical master disks, comprising the steps of rotating the disk base plate and concurrently supplying a developing solution onto the optically sensitive film to dissolve the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film, irradiating the exposed portions of the optically sensitive film while being dissolved by the developing solution, detecting light diffracted from the exposed portion, and stopping the supply of developing solution in dependence on the detected level of diffracted light, the method further including the step of selecting the laser beam source in accordance with the thickness of the disk base plate such that the coherence length of the laser is sufficiently short compared to the said thickness to prevent generation of interference by multiply reflected light within the disk base plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4142107A
Cited
US4136940A
Cited
US4469424A
Cited
US4501480A
Cited
US4462860A
Cited
US4569717A
Cited
US4647172A
Cited
JPS6263430A
Cited
FR2598508A1
Cited
US4857430A
Cited
JPH01162254A
Cited
JPH01286142A
Cited
JPH01298356A
Cited
JPH02125764A
Cited
US4998021A
Cited
US5131752A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-17 | 1998-04-18 | 1998-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-17 | 2002-04-18 | 2002-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-17 | 2006-04-18 | 2006-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |