US4903078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging apparatus with variable aperture platen
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1988-04-07
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Granted: 1990-02-20
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Expires: 2008-04-07
Abstract
Abstract Imaging apparatus includes a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen. A light source illuminates the platen to expose a document on the platen. Transmittance of light through that portion of the platen not covered by a document is selectively inhibited, preferably by becoming substantially opaque. A light-blocking platen cover is movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position. The light inhibiting operation is actuated when the cover is moved to its non-use position. Document recognition is used for detecting the outline of the original document on the exposure platen to control actuation of the light inhibiting operation, which is preferably effected by a liquid crystalline cell which has a pair of opposed plates, a grid of transparent electrodes interposed between the pair of plates, and a layer of crystalline material interposed between the pair of plates contacting the grid. Document recognition controls energization of the electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene D. Yeo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 18:55
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/60; G03G15/605
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; actuatable means for selectively inhibiting the transmittance of light through that portion of the platen not covered by a document; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; and means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light inhibiting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; actuatable means for selectively inhibiting the transmittance of light through that portion of the platen not covered by a document; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; and means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light inhibiting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
121 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; actuatable means for selectively inhibiting the transmittance of light through that portion of the platen not covered by a document; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light inhibiting means; document recognition means for detecting the outline of the original document on the exposure platen; and means responsive to said document recognition means for controlling actuation of said light inhibiting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; actuatable means for selectively inhibiting the transmittance of light through that portion of the platen not covered by a document; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light inhibiting means; document recognition means for detecting the outline of the original document on the exposure platen; and means responsive to said document recognition means for controlling actuation of said light inhibiting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; actuatable means for selectively inhibiting the transmittance of light through that portion of the platen not covered by a document, wherein said light inhibiting means includes a liquid crystalline cell having a pair of opposed plates, a grid of transparent electrodes interposed between said pair of plates, and a layer of crystalline material interposed between said pair of plates contacting said grid; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; and means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light inhibiting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; actuatable means for selectively inhibiting the transmittance of light through that portion of the platen not covered by a document, wherein said light inhibiting means includes a liquid crystalline cell having a pair of opposed plates, a grid of transparent electrodes interposed between said pair of plates, and a layer of crystalline material interposed between said pair of plates contacting said grid; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; and means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light inhibiting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 3 further comprising: document recognition means for detecting the outline of the original document on the exposure platen; and means responsive to said document recognition means for controlling energization of said electrodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
87 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; selectively operable means for rendering that portion of the platen not covered by a document substantially opaque; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; and means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said rendering means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; selectively operable means for rendering that portion of the platen not covered by a document substantially opaque; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; and means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said rendering means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
117 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; selectively operable means for rendering that portion of the platen not covered by a document substantially opaque; document recognition means for detecting the outline of the original document on the exposure platen; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light rendering means; and means responsive to said document recognition means for controlling actuation of said rendering means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
Imaging apparatus comprising: a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; selectively operable means for rendering that portion of the platen not covered by a document substantially opaque; document recognition means for detecting the outline of the original document on the exposure platen; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light rendering means; and means responsive to said document recognition means for controlling actuation of said rendering means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
Imaging apparatus comprising a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; selectively operable means for rendering that portion of the platen not covered by a document substantially opaque, wherein said rendering means includes a liquid crystalline cell having a pair of opposed plates, a grid of transparent electrodes interposed between said pair of plates, and a layer of crystalline material interposed between said pair of plates contacting said grid; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; and means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light rendering means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
Imaging apparatus comprising a light transparent platen for holding an original document which may be smaller than the platen; a light source for illuminating the platen to expose a document on the platen; selectively operable means for rendering that portion of the platen not covered by a document substantially opaque, wherein said rendering means includes a liquid crystalline cell having a pair of opposed plates, a grid of transparent electrodes interposed between said pair of plates, and a layer of crystalline material interposed between said pair of plates contacting said grid; a light-blocking cover for the platen, said cover being movable between an operative, light blocking position and a non-use position; and means, responsive to movement of said cover to its non-use position for actuating said light rendering means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
Imaging apparatus as set forth in claim 7 further comprising: document recognition means for detecting the outline of the original document on the exposure platen; and means responsive to said document recognition means for controlling energization of said electrodes.
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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) | 1993-02-19 | 1993-08-21 | 1994-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-02-19 | 1997-08-21 | 1998-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-02-19 | 2001-08-21 | 2002-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |