US5416610A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integral computer scanning system
Assignee: PDACO Ltd
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Filing: 1994-04-01
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2014-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A photovoltaic film provided with a computer allows the computer to be used as a scanner as well as a conventional computer. In a preferred embodiment the photovoltaic film is transparent, and is applied directly to the display screen of the computer system. The film is connected to signal processing means connected to the internal bus structure of the computer. A hard copy document is positioned adjacent the film, and control routines loaded to and run on the computer control pixel illumination on the computer screen in a scanning protocol. Illumination of pixels in conjunction with characteristics of the hard copy at the pixel position cause the signal generated by the photovoltaic film to alter in voltage. Signals from the film are processed and used to generate a bit pattern as the scanned image. In an alternative embodiment the photovoltaic film is a part of a separate sheet applicable to a computer screen and connectable to an expansion card for connection to the computer, providing a system useful with existing computers.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan Kikinis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 12:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00127; H04N1/00204; H04N1/00236; H04N1/00241; H04N1/024; H04N1/028; H04N1/04; H04N1/10; H04N1/1004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A display system for scanning hard copy documents, comprising: a display having a front surface and configured for illuminating pixel elements in a sequence determined by a host computer; a photosensitive layer overlying at least a portion of the front surface; and circuitry connected to the photosensitive layer for providing electrical signals generated in the photosensitive layer to the host computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A display system for scanning hard copy documents, comprising: a display having a front surface and configured for illuminating pixel elements in a sequence determined by a host computer; a photosensitive layer overlying at least a portion of the front surface; and circuitry connected to the photosensitive layer for providing electrical signals generated in the photosensitive layer to the host computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A display system as in claim 1 further comprising mounting apparatus for mounting a hard copy document adjacent the display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A display system as in claim 1 wherein the photosensitive layer comprises a layer of substantially transparent material integral with the front surface of the display,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A display system as in claim 1 wherein the photosensitive layer is a part of a separate and removable panel configured for mounting adjacent to the front surface of the display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display system as in claim 1 wherein the display comprises a cathode ray tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display system as in claim 1 wherein the display comprises an LED display matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A display system as in claim 1 wherein the display comprises an array of electroluminescent cells,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A display system as in claim 1 wherein the photosensitive layer is a photovoltaic film, and the signals generated as a result of incident light comprise variations in voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer system configured for scanning hard copy documents comprising: a general-purpose computer; and a display system connected to the general-purpose computer; Wherein the display system comprises a display with a photosensitive layer overlying at least a portion of a front surface thereof, and signal circuitry for providing electrical signals generated in the photosensitive layer to the general-purpose computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer system configured for scanning hard copy documents comprising: a general-purpose computer; and a display system connected to the general-purpose computer; Wherein the display system comprises a display with a photosensitive layer overlying at least a portion of a front surface thereof, and signal circuitry for providing electrical signals generated in the photosensitive layer to the general-purpose computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer system as in claim 9 wherein the computer system comprises a laptop personal computer having a fiat panel display.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A computer system as in claim 9 wherein the photosensitive layer comprises a layer of substantially transparent material integral with the front surface of the display.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer system as in claim 9 wherein the photosensitive layer is a part of a separate and removable panel configured for mounting adjacent the front surface of the display.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A computer system as in claim 9 wherein the photosensitive layer comprises a photovoltaic film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
A scanning system for use with a general-purpose computer having a display with a front surface, comprising: a sheet comprising a photosensitive layer, the sheet configured for positioning adjacent the front surface of the display for generating a signal in response to light from illuminated pixels on the display; electrical circuitry connected to the photosensitive layer and configured for conveying signals generated by the photosensitive layer to the general-purpose computer; and control circuitry for receiving and processing signals from the photosensitive layer to provide a bit mapped image of a hard copy document placed adjacent the photosensitive layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
98 words
A scanning system for use with a general-purpose computer having a display with a front surface, comprising: a sheet comprising a photosensitive layer, the sheet configured for positioning adjacent the front surface of the display for generating a signal in response to light from illuminated pixels on the display; electrical circuitry connected to the photosensitive layer and configured for conveying signals generated by the photosensitive layer to the general-purpose computer; and control circuitry for receiving and processing signals from the photosensitive layer to provide a bit mapped image of a hard copy document placed adjacent the photosensitive layer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
A scanning system as in claim 14 wherein the control circuitry for receiving and processing signals is configured as an expansion card compatible with expansion slots in an IBM compatible computer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
60 words
A scanner panel for use with general-purpose computer having a display with a front surface, comprising: a transparent panel for positioning adjacent the front surface; a transparent, photosensitive layer overlying at least a portion of the transparent panel; and electrical circuitry connected to the photosensitive layer and configured for conveying signals generated by the photosensitive layer to the general-purpose computer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
A scanner panel for use with general-purpose computer having a display with a front surface, comprising: a transparent panel for positioning adjacent the front surface; a transparent, photosensitive layer overlying at least a portion of the transparent panel; and electrical circuitry connected to the photosensitive layer and configured for conveying signals generated by the photosensitive layer to the general-purpose computer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scanner panel as in claim 16 wherein the panel comprises a sheet of flexible polymeric material for improving transport and storage characteristics.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5155627A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-15 | 1998-11-14 | 1999-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-15 | 2002-11-14 | 2003-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-15 | 2006-11-14 | 2007-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |