US6707613B2 — Lens array unit and method of forming image

Claim 1

Independent Claim 176 words

A lens array unit comprising: a first lens array provided with a plurality of first convex lenses and a first transparent holder formed integral with the first lenses, each of the first lenses having first and second lens surfaces, each of the first lens surfaces being convex and having a predetermined apex height; a second lens array provided with a plurality of second convex lenses and a second transparent holder formed integral with the second lenses, each of the second lenses having third and fourth lens surfaces, the second lens array being separate from the first lens array and attached to the first lens array so that the third lens surfaces face the second lens surfaces; and a light shield mounted on the first lens array and provided with a plurality of through-holes facing the first lens surfaces, the light shield having a thickness greater than the apex height of each said first lens surface; wherein the light shield is located on a side of the first lens array located away from the second lens array.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 176 words

A lens array unit comprising: a first lens array provided with a plurality of first convex lenses and a first transparent holder formed integral with the first lenses, each of the first lenses having first and second lens surfaces, each of the first lens surfaces being convex and having a predetermined apex height; a second lens array provided with a plurality of second convex lenses and a second transparent holder formed integral with the second lenses, each of the second lenses having third and fourth lens surfaces, the second lens array being separate from the first lens array and attached to the first lens array so that the third lens surfaces face the second lens surfaces; and a light shield mounted on the first lens array and provided with a plurality of through-holes facing the first lens surfaces, the light shield having a thickness greater than the apex height of each said first lens surface; wherein the light shield is located on a side of the first lens array located away from the second lens array.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

The lens array unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second lens surfaces of the first lens array are convex in opposite directions, the third and fourth lens surfaces of the second lens array being also convex in opposite directions.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The lens array unit according to claim 1 , wherein each of the through-holes has a dark-colored inner wall surface.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The lens array unit according to claim 3 , wherein the light shield is made of a dark-colored resin material.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 33 words

The lens array unit according to claim 1 , wherein the light shield and the first lens array are provided with engaging means including a recess and a projection fitted into the recess.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

The lens array unit according to claim 1 , wherein the light shield is attached to the first lens array in a stretched state.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

The lens array unit according to claim 1 , wherein the light shield includes a plurality of segments connected to extend in a predetermined direction.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 28 words

The lens array unit according to claim 7 , wherein adjacent ones of the segments overlap with each other in a thickness direction perpendicular to said predetermined direction.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The lens array unit according to claim 7 , wherein the segments are equal in configuration and size to each other.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 34 words

The lens array unit according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first lens surfaces is convex and at least partially projects into a relevant one of the through-holes of the light shield.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 24 words

The lens array unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first lens surfaces are diametrically greater than the through-holes of the light shield.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 107 words

A lens array unit comprising: a lens array provided with a plurality of lenses and a transparent holder formed integral with the lenses, each of the lenses having a first convex lens surface for incidence of light and a second lens surface, each of the first convex lens surfaces having a predetermined apex height; and a light shield formed with a plurality of through-holes facing the first lens surfaces, the light shield having a thickness greater than the apex height of each said first lens surface; wherein the light shield is arranged on a side of the lens array where the first convex lens surfaces are formed.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 107 words

A lens array unit comprising: a lens array provided with a plurality of lenses and a transparent holder formed integral with the lenses, each of the lenses having a first convex lens surface for incidence of light and a second lens surface, each of the first convex lens surfaces having a predetermined apex height; and a light shield formed with a plurality of through-holes facing the first lens surfaces, the light shield having a thickness greater than the apex height of each said first lens surface; wherein the light shield is arranged on a side of the lens array where the first convex lens surfaces are formed.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 190 words

A lens array unit comprising: a first lens array provided with a plurality of first convex lenses arranged in a line, each of the first lenses having first and second lens surfaces, the first lens array including a flat surface from which the first lens surfaces project, the first lens array also including grooves extending from the flat surface toward the second lens surfaces for optically separating the first lenses from each other; a second lens array provided with a plurality of second convex lenses arranged in a line, each of the second lenses having third and fourth lens surfaces, at least either one of the third and fourth lens surfaces being convex, the second lens array being separate from the first lens array and attached to the first lens array so that the third lens surfaces face the second lens surfaces; first light shielding means covering the flat surface of the first lens array and extending into each of the grooves; and second light shielding means for partially covering said at least either one of the third and the fourth lens surfaces of each second lens which is convex.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 190 words

A lens array unit comprising: a first lens array provided with a plurality of first convex lenses arranged in a line, each of the first lenses having first and second lens surfaces, the first lens array including a flat surface from which the first lens surfaces project, the first lens array also including grooves extending from the flat surface toward the second lens surfaces for optically separating the first lenses from each other; a second lens array provided with a plurality of second convex lenses arranged in a line, each of the second lenses having third and fourth lens surfaces, at least either one of the third and fourth lens surfaces being convex, the second lens array being separate from the first lens array and attached to the first lens array so that the third lens surfaces face the second lens surfaces; first light shielding means covering the flat surface of the first lens array and extending into each of the grooves; and second light shielding means for partially covering said at least either one of the third and the fourth lens surfaces of each second lens which is convex.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

The lens array unit according to claim 13 , wherein the second light shielding means comprises a dark-colored layer formed directly on said at least one of the third and the fourth lens surfaces of each second lens.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 16 words

The lens array unit according to claim 13 , wherein the first shielding means is dark-colored.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The lens array unit according to claim 13 , wherein each of the first and the second lens arrays is provided with a holder formed integral with the convex lenses.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 82 words

A lens array comprising: a plurality of lenses arranged in a line and each having a convex lens surface; a transparent holder formed integral with the lenses and having a flat surface from which the convex lens surface project, the holder also including grooves extending from the flat surface into a wall thickness of the holder for optically separating the lenses from each other; and light shielding means covering the flat surface of the holder and extending into each of the grooves.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 82 words

A lens array comprising: a plurality of lenses arranged in a line and each having a convex lens surface; a transparent holder formed integral with the lenses and having a flat surface from which the convex lens surface project, the holder also including grooves extending from the flat surface into a wall thickness of the holder for optically separating the lenses from each other; and light shielding means covering the flat surface of the holder and extending into each of the grooves.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-03-16	2007-09-15	2008-03-16	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-03-16	2011-09-15	2012-03-16	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-03-16	2015-09-15	2016-03-16	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Lens array unit and method of forming image

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