US3692237A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for digitizing electric circuit patterns
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-08-03
•
Granted: 1972-09-19
•
Expires: 1990-08-03
Abstract
Abstract An improved process is provided for digitizing electric circuit patterns and for transferring such patterns into binary control data for subsequent use in automatic machinery in the fabrication of printed circuit boards and the like. In the practice of the process of the invention, a particular pattern is layed out on a transparent or translucent sheet or strip which has X-axis and Yaxis grid lines thereon. The grid sheet or strip is then passed over a read station at which photocells are used in conjunction with light sources to detect the presence or absence of a circuit line on each of a multiplicity of X- or Y-axis segments of the grid lines. The photocells generate binary digital signals which may be stored on/any appropriate medium, such as a punched paper tape, or other media, for the subsequent control of automatic machinery in the fabrication of printed circuit boards and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo Fiderer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 05:51
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/42; G05B19/4202; G05B19/4205; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/0002; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/05; H05K2203/0548; H05K2203/056; H05K3/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A process for a circuit interconnection pattern which comprises: forming a pattern on selected X-axis and Y-axis grid line segments of a transparEnt gridded sheet; drawing the sheet past a reading station having a first series of sensing orifices in alignment with the X-axis grid line segments, and having a second series of sensing orifices in alignment with the Y-axis grid line segments, and further having separate photocells at each of the sensing orifices, thereby sensing the X-axis and Yaxis grid line segments to produce binary output signals representative of the presence or absence of the pattern on successive ones of said segments for each incremental position of the sheet with respect to the reading station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A process for a circuit interconnection pattern which comprises: forming a pattern on selected X-axis and Y-axis grid line segments of a transparEnt gridded sheet; drawing the sheet past a reading station having a first series of sensing orifices in alignment with the X-axis grid line segments, and having a second series of sensing orifices in alignment with the Y-axis grid line segments, and further having separate photocells at each of the sensing orifices, thereby sensing the X-axis and Yaxis grid line segments to produce binary output signals representative of the presence or absence of the pattern on successive ones of said segments for each incremental position of the sheet with respect to the reading station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process defined in claim 1 in which pad and hole locations for said pattern are formed by marking selected intersections of said X-axis and Y-axis grid line segments, and by sensing said intersections to produce binary output signals representative of the presence or absence of a marking thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process defined in claim 1, and which comprises forming said sheet into strips and sensing the X-axis and Y-axis grid line segments of successive ones of said strips to produce said binary output signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process defined in claim 1, and which comprises passing selected widths of the aforesaid sheet in a series of successive passes past the reading station.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process defined in claim 1, and which includes moving said sheet incrementally from one of said X-axis and Y-axis line segments to the next past the reading station during said sensing step.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process defined in claim 1 and which includes providing indexing perforations in said sheet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process defined in claim 1 and which comprises providing opaque indexing markings on said sheet, and of sensing said markings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process defined in claim 1 in which the aforesaid pattern represents interconnecting circuit conductors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process defined in claim 1 in which the aforesaid pattern represents the location of pads and holes at the intersections of selected ones of the aforesaid X-axis and Y-axis grid lines.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process defined in claim 1 in which the a perforated control tape is created which represents a replica of the pattern of circuit elements, either line segments, pads, or holes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |