Apparatus for converting optical information into electrical information signal, information storage element and method for storing information in the information storage element

An apparatus for converting optical information into an electrical information signal, comprising:

• a first photoelectric conversion structure having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which are actually arranged into a line or matrix or configured so as to be substantially equivalent to an arrangement in which said plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged into a line or matrix, each of said plurality of photoelectric conversion elements having a light receiving surface onto which information light is projected;
• a second photoelectric conversion structure having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which are actually arranged into a line or matrix or configured so as to be substantially equivalent to an arrangement in which said plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged into a line or matrix, each of said plurality of photoelectric conversion elements having a scanning sweep light receiving surface onto which said scanning sweep light is projected, and each of said plurality of photoelectric conversion elements electrically coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of photoelectric conversion elements of said first photoelectric conversion structure;
• a third photoelectric conversion structure having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which are actually arranged into a line or matrix or configured so as to be substantially equivalent to an arrangement in which said plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged into a line or matrix, each of said plurality of photoelectric conversion elements having a synchronizing sweep light receiving surface onto which said synchronizing sweep light is projected, said synchronizing sweep light being in synchronism with said scanning sweep light, an electrical synchronizing signal being generated by said third photoelectric conversion structure;
• light source generating means for generating said scanning sweep light and said synchronizing sweep light;
• and
• signal processing means for receiving said electrical information signal and said electrical synchronizing signal and for converting said electrical information signal into an image signal which is in synchronism with said electrical synchronizing signal from said third photoelectric conversion structure.

An information storage element comprising:

• a first layer;
• a second layer formed to contact the first layer, one of said first and second layers being a photoelectric conversion layer, the other being an information storage layer in which optical information irradiated onto said photoelectric conversion layer is converted into electrical information and stored therein;
• a first electrode formed on said first layer;
• and
• a second electrode formed on said second layer at a position so that said second electrode does not overlap said first electrode.