Imaging system with light valve and photodetector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Image detection means comprising:
- (a) photodetector means for generating a signal responsive to light incident thereon; and
(b) matrix light valve means having a plurality of individually addressable, volatile, light valve cells, the matrix light valve means being optically and operatively in series with and between the incident light and the photodetector means, electrically insulated from the photodetector means, and having a higher resolution then the photodetector means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an image detection system having a photodetector, e.g. a photovoltaic cell, a photoconductor sheet, and a means, e.g., a liquid crystal light valve or an electrochromic light valve, matrix light valve having a plurality of individually addressable light valve cells. The image detection system also has means to identify the signal generated by the photodetector with the individual light cell switched to a light transmissive mode. Also disclosed is a method of detecting and updating an image using the image detection system.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. Image detection means comprising:
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(a) photodetector means for generating a signal responsive to light incident thereon; and (b) matrix light valve means having a plurality of individually addressable, volatile, light valve cells, the matrix light valve means being optically and operatively in series with and between the incident light and the photodetector means, electrically insulated from the photodetector means, and having a higher resolution then the photodetector means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of detecting an image with an image detection means comprising photodetector means and light valve means, the light valve means being between the image and the photodetector means, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming the image on matrix light valve means formed of a plurality of individually addressable, volatile, light valve cells; (b) maintaining said individually addressable light valve cells in a non-light transmissive state; (c) sequentially switching an individual light valve cell from a non-transmissive to a transmissive state whereby to permit generation of a signal responsive to the transmitted light;
encoding the signal versus the address of the switched, light transmissive cell;
thereafter switching the individual light valve cell from a transmissive state to a non-transmissive state; and(d) thereafter repeating step (c) at a subsequent individual light valve cell. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electronic photographic system comprising:
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(a) image focusing means; (b) image detection means comprising; (i) photodetector means generating a signal responsive to incident light thereon; and (ii) light valve means having a plurality of individually addressable, volatile light valve cells optically and operatively in series with and between the focused image and the photodetector means, and having a higher resolution then the photodetector means; and (c) means for storing the signal versus the light valve cell address. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of electronic photography comprising the steps of:
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(a) bringing an image to focus on an image detection means comprising; (1) a signal responsive to incident light thereon; and (2) light valve means having a plurality of individually addressable, volatile, light valve cells optically and operatively in series with and between the focused image and the photodetector means and having a higher resolution then the photodetector means; (b) maintaining the individually addressable light valve cells in a non-transmissive state; (c) sequentially switching an individual light valve cell from a non-transmissive state to a transmissive state whereby to permit generation of a signal responsive to the transmitted light;
encoding and storing the signal versus the address of the switched, light transmissive cell;
thereafter switching the individual light valve cell from a transmissive state to a non-transmissive state;
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and(d) thereafter repeating step (c) at a subsequent individual light valve cell. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A data entry and display system comprising:
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(a) photodetector means for generating a signal responsive to light incident thereon (b) matrix light valve means having a plurality of individually addressable cells, the individual cells being switchable between (1) a light valve mode of operation having light transmitting and light non-transmitting states; and (2) a display mode of operation;
said matrix light valve means being optically and operatively between the photodetector means and an incident light, and having a higher resolution then the photodetector means(c) means for encoding, storing, and decoding the signal versus the individual cell address. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method of data entry and display with (1) an image detection means comprising photodetector means and matrix light valve means, the light valve means being between the image and the photodetector means and comprising a plurality of individually addressable cells, said cells being switchable between a data entry mode having light transmissive and non-light transmissive modes, and a data display means, and (2) encoding, storage, and decoding means, which method comprises the steps of:
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(a) forming the image on the matrix light valve means in a data entry mode; (b) maintaining the individually addressable cells in a non-light transmissive state; (c) sequentially switching an individual cell from a non-light transmissive state to a light transmissive state whereby to permit generation of a signal by the photodetector means responsive to incident light thereon;
encoding the signal versus the address of the switched, light transmissive cell;
thereafter switching the individual light valve cell from a light transmissive state to a non-light transmissive state;(d) thereafter repeating step (c) at a subsequent individual light valve cell; and (e) periodically switching said matrix from a data entry mode to a data display mode. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification