Relief object image generator
US6856383B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 5, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 15, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 28, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B33/12
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device for imaging a relief object without illuminating a platen is disclosed. The device includes a single electrode electroluminescent device, which may be inorganic or organic, and a current source. The current source is coupled to the single electrode of the electroluminescent device and to the relief object to be imaged. The valleys and ridges of the relief object couple current to the electroluminescent device at different magnitudes which causes the electroluminescent device to generate light at different intensities that correspond to the ridges and valleys of the relief object. The generated light forms an image of the relief object which may be focused by optical elements onto a sensor array for capture and image processing. In another embodiment of the invention, a one-to-one sensor array is located proximate the electroluminescent device to capture the image. In an embodiment of the invention which insulates the relief object from current, the electroluminescent device is covered with a variable resistance layer and the variable resistance layer is covered with a flexible electrode. One lead from the current source is coupled to the flexible electrode and another lead…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.