System for reading an optical recording of binary numerical data
AssigneeThomson-CSF
InventorsErich Spitz, Luigi D'Auria, Jean-Pierre Huignard
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Abstract
The invention has for its object a reading arrangement which uses a source functioning by pulses and delay-action dividing optical means which successively ensure the illumination of M storage areas of the recording, each area comprising P bits 0 and 1. Thus, a single reading pulse makes possible the reading, with a mosaic of P photodetectors, of a block which comprises M words of P bits. The invention is particularly applicable to non-destructive optical reading stores, for instance holographic stores.
Claims13
A system for reading optical recording of binary numerical data, said recording being composed of at least one group of M (M being greater than 1) storage areas, each of said storage areas being adapted for projecting, into a detection plane, radiation corresponding to the image of P bits 0 and 1 (P being greater than 1), said system comprising:
- a spatially coherent radiation source functioning by pulses for delivering an incident reading beam;
- delay action dividing optical means ensuring the splitting up of said incident reading beam into an assembly of M collateral beams which are respectively directed towards said M storage areas, each pulse emitted by said radiation source being subdivided by said dividing optical means in order to successively illuminate said M storage areas;
- an assembly of P photoelectric detector elements located in said detection plane adapted for simultaneously detecting said P bits in said image projected by each of said storage area successively illuminated by said M collateral beams, and for furnishing P simultaneous binary electrical signals;
- and electrical memory means coupled to said detector elements for temporarily storing said binary electrical signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.