US PATENT CLASS 355
Class Notes


Current as of: June, 1999
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355 /   HD   PHOTOCOPYING



DEFINITION

Classification: 355/

GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

A. This class provides for apparatus and methods for photos:graphically copying information from an original or carrier that is not classified elsewhere, generally employing a concentrated source of light and an image receiving medium with a photosensitive emulsion surface.

B. Various plural and composite types of copies are included such as those involving plural projected images including multicolor and duplex.

C. Copies selective at the operator's choice are also included where one original of a group of similar originals may be selected for copying.

D. Certain combinations, subcombinations and perfecting features are included such as with film developing or severing, with temperature control, and with a viewing screen. Included also are subcombinations which are peculiar to copies such as holders for the original or photosensitive paper. The class also contains improvement in particular elements of or their relationship to the copies when the elements are claimed in combination with other photos:graphic copying structure. These improvements may be in filters, shutters, gates, reflectors, lens mounts, condensers, or means to convey the original.

E. Methods of copying are also provided for here where all the steps are for copying a sheet film strip.

LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES

PHOTOCOPYING APPARATUS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE Xeros:graphic copying methods and apparatus which utilize invisible radiation, for infrared or thermal image document pattern copying methods or apparatus, and methods and apparatus to expose by invisible radiant energy a recording detector are classified elsewhere. Copying structure or methods including specific chemical emulsions on the photosensitive paper are classified elsewhere. Copying which includes the use of a motion picture camera or a motion picture projector is provided for elsewhere. However, this class, 355, has means for copying motion picture film which does not include such motion picture camera or projector. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

PHOTOCOPYING APPARATUS COMBINED WITH OTHER STRUCTURE AND CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

Patents which claim apparatus for photographing plural images such as an object and a carrier (e.g., an identification card) are classified elsewhere. Photocopying which includes forming a television image where a detailed cathode-ray tube is claimed; where only a nominal cathode-ray tube is set forth is classified elsewhere.. The combination of a detailed register with a broadly or specifically claimed copier is classified elsewhere. (See References to Other Classes, below.)

PHOTOCOPYING SUBCOMBINATIONS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

Film advancing mechanisms where no more than a nominal optical or photocopying element is claimed is classified elsewhere. Photos:graphic lights and projection lights, per se, are elsewhere. Sheet feeding or delivering means where no specific optical or photos:graphic structure is set forth is classified elsewhere. Lenses, reflectors, and optical filters are provided for elsewhere.

REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, especially

52+, for film advancing means in a copier where no more than one optical element is claimed and where no detailed optics is recited. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Subcombinations Classified Elsewhere," above.)

235, Registers, for the combination of a detailed register with a broadly or specifically claimed copier. See the first paragraph of the Class 235 definitions. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Apparatus

Combined With Other Structure and Classified Elsewhere.")

242, Winding, Tensioning, or Guiding, 324+, for unwinding and rewinding a machine convertible information carrier; e.g., an image film, with no more than a typical relationship between an optical system and the unwinding/rewinding, and subclasses 520+ for convolute winding of an elongated material of general use.

250, Radiant Energy,

315.3, provides for xeros:graphic copying methods and apparatus which utilize invisible radiation, subclass 317.1 provides for infrared or thermal image document pattern copying methods or apparatus, and subclasses 580+ for methods and apparatus to expose by invisible radiant energy a recording detector. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Apparatus Classified Elsewhere")

271, Sheet Feeding or Delivering, for a sheet feeding or delivering subcombination where no specific optical or photos:graphic structure is set forth.

345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems,

467, 472 for character font generation and subclasses 326+ for operator interface processing.

346, Recorders,

107.1+, for light or beam recording of phenomenon.

346, Recorders, for patents which claim apparatus for photographing plural images such as an object and a carrier (e.g., an identification card). (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Apparatus Combined With Other Structure and Classified Elsewhere")

347, Incremental Printing of Symbolic Information,

112+, for electrostatic marking, subclasses 224+ for light or beam marking apparatus or processes

352, Optics: Motion Pictures, for photocopying apparatus and methods involving a motion picture camera or motion picture projector. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Apparatus Classified Elsewhere") 359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements, for lenses in

642+, reflectors in subclasses 838+ and optical filters in subclasses 885+. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Subcombinations Classified Elsewhere," above.)

362, Illumination,

3, and 257 for photos:graphic and projection light source subcombinations which may include condenser lenses having no other photocopying structure. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Subcombinations Classified Elsewhere," above.)

386, Television Signal Processing for Dynamic Recording or Reproducing,

30, 42+, and 128+ for photos:graphic television recording apparatus, particularly subclass 130 for such apparatus having cathode-ray tube. (See Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Apparatus Combined With Other Structure and Classified Elsewhere.")

395, Information Processing System Organization,

101+, for computer s:graphics and control of data presentation with creation or manipulation of s:graphic objects or text performed by a computer or processor.

396, Photography, appropriate subclasses and particularly

322+, for patents which claim apparatus for photographing plural images such as an object and a carrier (e.g., an identification card) and subclasses 429+ for a nominal or broadly recited cathode-ray tube upon which a television image of an original is formed and then photographed. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Apparatus Combined With Other Structure and Classified Elsewhere")

430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product, appropriate subclasses for radiation imagery chemistry, process, composition, or product. 430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof for copying structure or methods including specific chemical emulsions on photosensitive paper. (Lines With Other Classes and Within This Class, "Photocopying Apparatus Classified Elsewhere")

707, Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data Structures, or Document Processing,

500, 542 for document processing performed by a computer for presentation.

GLOSSARY:

CARRIER

(a) The element that contains the original image to be imaged onto a receiver. The carrier is commonly a photos:graphic

negative, but may be a positive, a document, a book page, etc.; and (b) a substance in electrophotos:graphic developer which conveys a toner material to a copy substrate but which does not, itself, become a part of the developed copy.

CONCENTRATED LIGHT SOURCE

The source of illumination for the copier. It is usually a projection lamp but may be a lens or mirror system utilizing sunlight.

CONDENSING LENS

A lens or combination of lenses used to gather light from a source and converge (condense) it onto an image plane.

COPYING CAMERA OR PROJECTION PRINTER Apparatus for projecting an image of an original, by passing light through or around the original or reflecting light from the original, onto a photosensitive recording surface for the purpose of making a copy of the original. The image is usually enlarged or reduced in size with reference to the original. A copying camera or projection printer generally includes (1) a concentrated light source from either an artificial or natural emanation, (2) a condensing lens or other light paralleling element, (3) a holding or positioning device for the original, (4) a projection objective or projection lens system for directing light after it passes through or is reflected from the original to form an image, (5) a holder for the photosensitive medium which receives the image, and (6) opaque structure to keep unwanted light from reaching the photosensitive medium. The cameras or projectors in this class utilize artificial or natural light within the visible spectrum. The original to be projected is planar in nature with the plane extending transverse to the direction of projection, and may be transparent or opaque. The planar original is usually in the form of flexible film and may be caused to take a curved form in the original holder or film gate. In operation the original is positioned outside one focal plane of the projection lens system and an image is formed on a photosensitive medium outside the opposite focal plane of the projection lens system. The closer the original is to one focal plane the farther the image will be from the other focal plane, and the bigger the image will be. In the camera or projector, the relative positioning of the object is usually obtained by moving the projection lens system and adjusting its focal length rather than by changing the position of the original.

FILM STRIP

An indeterminate length of film having either a plurality of images thereon or enough space for a plurality of images.

IMAGE

The representation of an object (original or carrier) produced by the transmission or reflection of light incident upon the original or carrier.

IMAGE, LATENT

The invisible image produced by the action of light alone or with other electrostatic charge producing means on, or in, a photoreceptor. A latent image may be made visible by development.

LIGHT SOURCE

The source of illumination for the copier. It includes filters, reflectors, screens and other light modifiers used to affect the spectral distribution, spatial distribution and intensity of the illumination.

MACHINE

A complete unit in itself for imaging an original or carrier onto a receiver. It may also include means for developing, transferring and fixing the image, as well as means for handling the record carrier on which the image is fixed. MASTER

(a) The negative or positive original from which reproductions are made; (b) a microform copy which is used for the production of copies; or (c) a copy from which additional reproductions are made.

NEGATIVE

A visible image on a copy material in which the dark portions of an original appear light and the light portions appear dark.

ORIGINAL

Any object from which a copy is made by forming an image thereof on a photoreceptor.

PHOTORECEPTOR

A medium which changes its chemical or mechanical properties when exposed to light. This term includes photosensitive members, etc.

PLATEN

A flat or curved piece of rigid material on or against which an original is placed for imaging the original onto a photoreceptor.

PROJECTION OBJECTIVE OR PROJECTION LENS SYSTEM A lens or lens systems used to optically form an image of an original onto a sensitized surface, viewing screen, or other image plane with or without magnification or reduction of the original in the image plane.

PROJECTION PRINTER

See Copying Camera, defined herein.

RECEIVER

The light sensitive element onto which the image from the carrier is recorded.

TONER

A material, e.g., finely divided (usually thermoplastic) powder, or pigmented polymer particles, an ink, or magnetic particles, used in electrostatic processes to make visible a latent image and which is treated, e.g., fused, dried, etc., to render the image permanent. It may include or exclude a carrier element.