Patent US5579114A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5579114A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image sensor and facsimile apparatus incorporating the same
Assignee: Rohm Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-09-23
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Granted: 1996-11-26
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Expires: 2012-09-23
Abstract
Abstract An image sensor and a facsimile apparatus incorporating the same. The upper surface of a substrate with a light receiving device attached thereto is pushed upward so as to fix the substrate to a frame. Since the substrate is fixed to the frame at the upper surface of the substrate, it is easy to adjust the focus of an optical system on the light receiving portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Masaya Imamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:48
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/024; H04N1/028; H04N1/03; H04N1/031; H04N1/0311; H04N1/0312; H04N1/0314; H04N1/0315; H04N1/0318; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/024; H04N2201/02452; H04N2201/028; H04N2201/03; H04N2201/031; H04N2201/03104; H04N2201/03108; H04N2201/03112; H04N2201/0312; H04N2201/03129; H04N2201/03141; H04N2201/03145; H04N2201/0315; H04N2201/03154
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An image sensor for projecting light onto a surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electric signal, said image sensor comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (c) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (d) an optical system provided in said frame so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; (e) a substrate provided in said frame, having a relatively flat surface to which said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached; and (f) an elastic member which is provided in said frame so as to push the upper surface of said substrate with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An image sensor for projecting light onto a surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electric signal, said image sensor comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (c) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (d) an optical system provided in said frame so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; (e) a substrate provided in said frame, having a relatively flat surface to which said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached; and (f) an elastic member which is provided in said frame so as to push the upper surface of said substrate with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said elastic member is a curved spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said elastic member is a sponge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said elastic member is a leaf spring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The image sensor of claim 1, wherein: said light emitting portion includes an LED chip; and said light receiving portion includes photodiode chip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said frame includes projecting portions, and said elastic member pushes said substrate such that said upper surface of said substrate is pushed up against said projecting portions to fix said substrate to said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
206 words
An image sensor for projecting light onto a surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electric signal, said image sensor comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a bottom plate which is engaged with said frame so as to cover the under surface of said frame; (c) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (d) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (e) an optical system attached to said frame by a first mechanism so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; and (f) a substrate to which said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached, said substrate attached to said frame by a second mechanism, said second mechanism different from said first mechanism; said second mechanism being an elastic member which is provided between said frame and said bottom plate so as to push the under surface of said substrate and the upper surface thereof with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
206 words
An image sensor for projecting light onto a surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electric signal, said image sensor comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a bottom plate which is engaged with said frame so as to cover the under surface of said frame; (c) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (d) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (e) an optical system attached to said frame by a first mechanism so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; and (f) a substrate to which said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached, said substrate attached to said frame by a second mechanism, said second mechanism different from said first mechanism; said second mechanism being an elastic member which is provided between said frame and said bottom plate so as to push the under surface of said substrate and the upper surface thereof with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An image sensor according to claim 7, wherein said elastic member is a sponge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image sensor according to claim 7, wherein said frame includes projecting portions, and said elastic member pushes said substrate such that said upper surface of said substrate is pushed up against said projecting portions to fix said substrate to said frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
186 words
An image sensor for projecting light onto the surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electrical signal, said image sensor comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a bottom plate which is engaged with said frame so as to cover the under surface of said frame; (c) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (d) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (e) an optical system provided in said frame so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; (f) a substrate to which only said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached and which is provided in said frame; and (g) a leaf spring which is provided on said bottom plate so as to push the under surface of said substrate and the upper surface thereof with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
186 words
An image sensor for projecting light onto the surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electrical signal, said image sensor comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a bottom plate which is engaged with said frame so as to cover the under surface of said frame; (c) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (d) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (e) an optical system provided in said frame so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; (f) a substrate to which only said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached and which is provided in said frame; and (g) a leaf spring which is provided on said bottom plate so as to push the under surface of said substrate and the upper surface thereof with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image sensor according to claim 10, wherein said frame includes projecting portions, and said leaf spring pushes said substrate such that said upper surface of said substrate is pushed up against said projecting portions to fix said substrate to said frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
181 words
A facsimile apparatus including an image sensor for projecting light onto a surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electric signal, said facsimile apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (c) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (d) an optical system attached to said frame by a first mechanism so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; and (e) a substrate to which said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached, said substrate attached to said frame by a second mechanism, said second mechanism different from said first mechanism; said second mechanism being an elastic member which is provided in said frame so as to push the upper surface of said substrate with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
181 words
A facsimile apparatus including an image sensor for projecting light onto a surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electric signal, said facsimile apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (c) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (d) an optical system attached to said frame by a first mechanism so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; and (e) a substrate to which said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached, said substrate attached to said frame by a second mechanism, said second mechanism different from said first mechanism; said second mechanism being an elastic member which is provided in said frame so as to push the upper surface of said substrate with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said elastic member is a curved spring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A facsimile apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said elastic member is a sponge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A facsimile apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said elastic member is a leaf spring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image sensor according to claim 12, wherein said frame includes projecting portions, and said elastic member pushes said substrate such that said upper surface of said substrate is pushed up against said projecting portions to fix said substrate to said frame.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
193 words
A facsimile apparatus including an image sensor for projecting light onto a surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electric signal, said facsimile apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a bottom plate which is engaged with said frame so as to cover the under surface of said frame; (c) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (d) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (e) an optical system provided in said frame so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; (f) a substrate to which only said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached and which is provided in said frame; and (g) an elastic member which is provided between said frame and said bottom plate so as to push the under surface of said substrate and the upper surface thereof with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
193 words
A facsimile apparatus including an image sensor for projecting light onto a surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electric signal, said facsimile apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a bottom plate which is engaged with said frame so as to cover the under surface of said frame; (c) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (d) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said article; (e) an optical system provided in said frame so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; (f) a substrate to which only said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached and which is provided in said frame; and (g) an elastic member which is provided between said frame and said bottom plate so as to push the under surface of said substrate and the upper surface thereof with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A facsimile apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said elastic member is a sponge.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image sensor according to claim 17, wherein said frame includes projecting portions, and said elastic member pushes said substrate such that said upper surface of said substrate is pushed up against said projecting portions to fix said substrate to said frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
192 words
A facsimile apparatus having an image sensor for projecting light onto the surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electrical signal, article said facsimile apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a bottom plate which is engaged with said frame so as to cover the under surface of said frame; (c) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (d) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said copy; (e) an optical system provided in said frame so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; (f) a substrate provided in said frame, having a substantially flat surface to which said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached; and (g) a leaf spring which is provided on said bottom plate so as to push the under surface of said substrate and the upper surface thereof with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
192 words
A facsimile apparatus having an image sensor for projecting light onto the surface of an article and converting the light reflected from said article into an electrical signal, article said facsimile apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a bottom plate which is engaged with said frame so as to cover the under surface of said frame; (c) a light emitting portion provided in said frame so as to project light onto the surface of said article, in order to reflect light from said article; (d) a light receiving portion provided in said frame so as to receive light reflected from said copy; (e) an optical system provided in said frame so as to introduce said light reflected from said article to said light receiving portion; (f) a substrate provided in said frame, having a substantially flat surface to which said light receiving portion and said light emitting portion are attached; and (g) a leaf spring which is provided on said bottom plate so as to push the under surface of said substrate and the upper surface thereof with said light receiving portion attached thereto upward and fix said substrate against said frame.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image sensor according to claim 20, wherein said frame includes projecting portions, and said leaf spring pushes said substrate such that said upper surface of said substrate is pushed up against said projecting portions to fix said substrate to said frame.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus for receiving light information comprising: (a) a housing having at least a first and second surface; (b) a substrate; (c) one or more light emitters provided on said substrate; and (d) a compressible flexible support, disposed between said first surface and said substrate, and fixing said substrate against said second surface.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus for receiving light information comprising: (a) a housing having at least a first and second surface; (b) a substrate; (c) one or more light emitters provided on said substrate; and (d) a compressible flexible support, disposed between said first surface and said substrate, and fixing said substrate against said second surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said flexible support and said substrate are located within said housing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said flexible support is a sponge or a spring.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising: (e) one or more light sensors provided on said substrate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said housing includes projecting portions, and said compressible flexible support forces a surface of said substrate against said projecting portions to fix said substrate to said housing.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said housing includes projecting portions, and said elastic support means forces a surface of said substrate against said projecting portions to fix said substrate to said housing.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for receiving light information comprising: (a) a housing having at least a first and second surface; (b) a substrate; (c) one or more light emitters provided on said substrate; and (d) elastic support means, disposed between said first surface and substrate, and for fixing said substrate against said second surface.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for receiving light information comprising: (a) a housing having at least a first and second surface; (b) a substrate; (c) one or more light emitters provided on said substrate; and (d) elastic support means, disposed between said first surface and substrate, and for fixing said substrate against said second surface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said planar surface and said elastic support means are located within said housing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising: (e) one or more light sensors provided on said planar surface.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for receiving light information comprising the steps of: (a) elastically supporting a substrate against a frame, a surface of the substrate including one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors; (b) emitting light with said one or more light emitters to reflect the light off the surface of an article; (c) channelling the light reflected off the surface of the article to impinge on the one or more light sensors.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for receiving light information comprising the steps of: (a) elastically supporting a substrate against a frame, a surface of the substrate including one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors; (b) emitting light with said one or more light emitters to reflect the light off the surface of an article; (c) channelling the light reflected off the surface of the article to impinge on the one or more light sensors.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 31 wherein: step (a) includes elastically supporting the substrate with a leaf spring, a curved spring or a sponge.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 31 wherein: step (a) includes elastically supporting the substrate upward against protruded walls of the frame.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for receiving light information comprising the steps of: (a) elastically supporting a substrate against a frame, a surface of the substrate including one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors; (b) emitting light with said one or more light emitters to reflect the light off the surface of an article; (c) channelling the light reflected off the surface of the article with an optical system fixedly attached to the frame, such that the reflected light impinges the one or more light sensors.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for receiving light information comprising the steps of: (a) elastically supporting a substrate against a frame, a surface of the substrate including one or more light emitters and one or more light sensors; (b) emitting light with said one or more light emitters to reflect the light off the surface of an article; (c) channelling the light reflected off the surface of the article with an optical system fixedly attached to the frame, such that the reflected light impinges the one or more light sensors.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 34 wherein: step (a) includes elastically supporting the substrate with a leaf spring, a curved spring or a sponge.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 34 wherein: step (a) includes elastically supporting the substrate upward against protruded walls of the frame.
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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) | 1999-11-26 | 2000-05-27 | 2000-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-26 | 2004-05-27 | 2004-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-26 | 2008-05-27 | 2008-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |