Mechanically addressed optical memory
AssigneeU.S. Philips Corporation
InventorsIngolf Sander, Bernhard Hill
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An optical memory with a storage plate and an optical write/read unit, with which during a relative movement the storage plate is illuminated pointwise for writing and reading of information, the storage plate and the optical write/read unit each being positioned in a coordinate with the aid of electromagnetic mechanical positioning means for addressing storage elements.
Claims31
An apparatus for optical storage or retreival of information comprising a planar memory for storing information in a form which can be read by a beam of radiation, means for supporting said memory for rectilinear movement in a first direction in a first plane generally parallel to the plane of said planar memory, means for producing from a beam of radiation a spot on said memory for writing information on or reading information stored in said memory, means for supporting said producing means for rectilinear movement in a second direction normal to said first direction in a second plane which is spaced from and generally parallel to said first plane, and means for moving said memory and said producing means relative to each other in said first and second directions, respectively, so as to address given locations on said memory by said spot.
An apparatus for optical storage or retrieval of information comprising a memory for storing information in a form which can be read by a beam of radiation, means for producing from a beam of radiation a spot on said memory for reading said information stored therein or for writing information thereon, means for supporting said memory and said spot producing means for movement relative to each other so that given locations on said memory can be addressed by said spot, and means for determining the position of said memory relative to said spot producing means, said determining means including two optical gratings oriented perpendicular to each other, said gratings being coupled to said memory for movement therewith, and means for detecting variations in the brightness of light passing through said gratings upon movement thereof and generating therefrom pulses representative of the distance moved.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.