US 5,673,218 AGranted

Dual-addressed rectifier storage device

OwnerDaniel R. Shepardinventor

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Abstract

A read-only data storage and retrieval device is presented having no moving parts and requiring very low power. Addressing can be accomplished sequentially where the address increments automatically or can be accomplished randomly. High density storage is achieved through the use of a highly symmetric diode matrix that is addressed in both coordinate directions; its symmetry makes the Dual-addressed Rectifier Storage (DRS) Array very scaleable, particularly when made as an integrated circuit. For even greater storage flexibility, multiple digital rectifier storage arrays can be incorporated into the device, one or more of which can be made removable and interchangeable.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A digital logic device comprising one or more electronic information storage means, and addressing means for accessing said storage means, wherein each said electronic information storage means comprises:

a plurality of generally parallel conductive means;
a second plurality of generally parallel conductive means that is generally perpendicular to and overlapping with the first said plurality of generally parallel conductive means;
a plurality of bits of potential information storage where a bit of said plurality of bits is present in the general vicinity of each point of intersection of each conductive means of the first said plurality of generally parallel conductive means with each conductive means of the second said plurality of generally parallel conductive means, and where the state of any said bit is determined by the presence or absence of a rectifying conductive means at each said general vicinity of said point of intersection;
means for selecting a conductive means of one plurality of generally parallel conductive means, and means for biasing the generally parallel conductive means of the other plurality of generally parallel conductive means such that each said rectifying conductive means present between a conductive means of said biased plurality of generally parallel conductive means and a conductive means of the other said plurality of generally parallel conductive means is potentially forward biased;
means for selecting a biased conductive means by electronically disabling conductive means within said biased plurality of generally parallel conductive means by shifting the voltage of those biased conductive means that are to be disabled;
and
wherein said addressing means comprises:
means for controlling said means for electronically selecting conductive means of one said plurality of generally parallel conductive means and for electronically selecting conductive means of the other said plurality of generally parallel conductive means.

5 more elements

An electronic information storage device comprising:

a plurality of generally parallel conductive means;
a second plurality of generally parallel conductive means that is generally perpendicular to and overlapping with the first said plurality of generally parallel conductive means;
a plurality of bits of potential information storage where a bit of said plurality of bits is present in the general vicinity of each point of intersection of each conductive means of the first said plurality of generally parallel conductive means and each conductive means of the second said plurality of generally parallel conductive means, and where the state of any said bit is determined by the presence or absence of a rectifying conductive means at each said general vicinity of said point of intersection;
means for selecting a conductive means of one plurality of generally parallel conductive means, and means for biasing the generally parallel conductive means of the other plurality of generally parallel conductive means such that each said rectifying conductive means present between a conductive means of said biased plurality of generally parallel conductive means and a conductive means of the other said plurality of generally parallel conductive means is potentially forward biased;
and
means for selecting a biased conductive means by electronically disabling conductive means within said biased plurality of generally parallel conductive means by shifting the voltage of those biased conductive means that are to be disabled.

3 more elements

An electronic information storage device comprising a plurality of storage means where each storage means comprises:

a plurality of generally parallel conductive means;
a second plurality of generally parallel conductive means that is generally perpendicular to and overlapping with the first said plurality of generally parallel conductive means;
a plurality of bits of potential information storage where a bit of said plurality of bits is present in the general vicinity of each point of intersection of each conductive means of the first said plurality of generally parallel conductive means and each conductive means of the second said plurality of generally parallel conductive means, and where the state of any said bit is determined by the presence or absence of a rectifying conductive means at each said general vicinity of said point of intersection;
means for selecting a conductive means of one plurality of generally parallel conductive means, and means for biasing the generally parallel conductive means of the other plurality of generally parallel conductive means such that each said rectifying conductive means present between a conductive means of said biased plurality of generally parallel conductive means and a conductive means of the other said plurality of generally parallel conductive means is potentially forward biased;
and
means for selecting a biased conductive means by electronically disabling conductive means within said biased plurality of generally parallel conductive means by shifting the voltage of those biased conductive means that are to be disabled;
where at least one of said plurality of generally parallel conductive means is common to more than one said storage means.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

a plurality of generally parallel conductive means;
a second plurality of generally parallel conductive means that is generally perpendicular to and overlapping with the first said plurality of generally parallel conductive means;
a plurality of bits of potential information storage where a bit of said plurality of bits is present in the general vicinity of each point of intersection of each conductive means of the first said plurality of generally parallel conductive means with each conductive means of the second said plurality of generally parallel conductive means, and where the state of any said bit is determined by the presence or absence of a rectifying conductive means at each said general vicinity of said point of intersection;
means for selecting a conductive means of one plurality of generally parallel conductive means, and means for biasing the generally parallel conductive means of the other plurality of generally parallel conductive means such that each said rectifying conductive means present between a conductive means of said biased plurality of generally parallel conductive means and a conductive means of the other said plurality of generally parallel conductive means is potentially forward biased;
means for selecting a biased conductive means by electronically disabling conductive means within said biased plurality of generally parallel conductive means by shifting the voltage of those biased conductive means that are to be disabled;
and
wherein said addressing means comprises:
means for controlling said means for electronically selecting conductive means of one said plurality of generally parallel conductive means and for electronically selecting conductive means of the other said plurality of generally parallel conductive means.

5 more elements