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US 6,288,995 B1Granted
Non-mechanical recording and retrieval apparatus
OwnerJerry W. Bohninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A recording device is disclosed. The recording device generates an electron beam which selectively exposes portions of an electron-sensitive and/or UV light-sensitive film to thereby record digital data on the film. A retrieval device is also disclosed. The retrieval device selectively directs a generated electron beam towards a predefined point on a target. The target is simultaneously exposed to a light pattern formed by shining UV light through exposed portions of an electron-sensitive and/or UV light-sensitive film to thereby develop an output signal representative of digital data stored on the film at a location corresponding to the predefined point on the target.
Claims52
An apparatus for recording digital data on a film comprising:
- a vacuum tube having first and second ends;
- an electron gun disposed at the first end of the vacuum tube for discharging a beam of electrons into the tube;
- at least one set of focusing lenses associated with the vacuum tube for focusing the electron beam discharged by the electron gun;
- a support for securing a sheet of film at the second end of the vacuum tube and external to the vacuum tube;
- a beam deflection system for directing the electron beam to follow a controlled path;
- and,
- means for controlling the electron gun to adjust a characteristic of the electron beam to selectively expose portions of the film when the film is secured to the support to thereby record digital data on the film without moving the film.
4 more elements
An apparatus for recording digital data on a film comprising:
- a vacuum tube having first and second ends;
- an electron gun disposed at the first end of the vacuum tube for discharging a beam of electrons into the tube;
- at least one set of focusing lenses associated with the vacuum tube for focusing the electron beam discharged by the electron gun;
- a support for securing a sheet of film at the second end of the vacuum tube;
- a beam deflection system for directing the electron beam to follow a controlled path;
- and,
- means for controlling the electron gun to adjust a characteristic of the electron beam to selectively expose portions of the film when the film is secured to the support to thereby record digital data on the film without moving the film, wherein the control means periodically records variable coordinate values with the digital data to facilitate playback.
4 more elements
An apparatus for recording digital data on a film comprising:
- a vacuum tube having first and second ends;
- an electron gun disposed at the first end of the vacuum tube for discharging a beam of electrons into the tube;
- at least one set of focusing lenses associated with the vacuum tube for focusing the electron beam discharged by the electron gun;
- a support for securing a sheet of UV light sensitive film at the second end of the vacuum tube;
- a beam deflection system for directing the electron beam to follow a controlled path;
- means for controlling the electron gun to adjust a characteristic of the electron beam to selectively expose portions of the film when the film secured to the support to thereby record digital data on the film without moving the film;
- and
- a phosphor coated faceplate disposed adjacent the second end of the vacuum tube, wherein the beam deflection system directs the electron beam across a surface of the faceplate and the control means adjusts the beam characteristic to selectively illuminate positions on the faceplate, and wherein the illuminated positions expose corresponding locations of the film.
5 more elements
An apparatus for retrieving digital data stored on a film comprising:
- a vacuum tube having first and second ends;
- an electron gun disposed at the first end of the vacuum tube for discharging a beam of electrons into the tube;
- at least one set of focusing lenses associated with the vacuum tube for focusing the electron beam discharged by the electron gun;
- a light source located adjacent the second end external to the vacuum tube;
- a support for securing a sheet of film between the second end of the vacuum tube and the light source such that light from the light source passes through exposed portions of the film;
- a target for generating electrical signals indicative of stored digital data when simultaneously exposed to (a) the light passing from the light source through the exposed portions of the film when the film is secured to the support and (b) electrons from the electron beam;
- and
- a beam deflection system for directing the electron beam towards at least one location on the faceplate to retrieve data stored on the film.
5 more elements
An apparatus for recording digital data on a film comprising:
- a vacuum tube having first and second ends;
- an electron gun disposed at the first end of the vacuum tube for discharging a beam of electrons into the tube;
- at least one set of focusing lenses associated with the vacuum tube for focusing the electron beam discharged by the electron gun;
- a faceplate disposed at the second end of the vacuum tube;
- a support for securing a sheet of film at the second end of the vacuum tube;
- an anode disposed adjacent the support externally to the vacuum tube such that the support is located between the second end of the vacuum tube and the anode;
- a beam deflection system for directing the electron beam to follow a controlled path;
- and,
- means for controlling the electron gun to adjust a characteristic of the electron beam to selectively expose portions of the film when the film secured to the support to thereby record digital data on the film.
6 more elements
An apparatus for retrieving digital data stored on a film comprising:
- a vacuum tube having first and second ends;
- an electron gun disposed at the first end of the vacuum tube for discharging a beam of electrons into the tube;
- at least one set of focusing lenses associated with the vacuum tube for focusing the electron beam discharged by the electron gun;
- a light source located adjacent the second end external to the vacuum tube;
- a support for securing a sheet of film between the second end of the vacuum tube and the light source such that light from the light source passes through exposed portions of the film;
- a target for generating electrical signals indicative of at least some of the stored digital data when simultaneously exposed to (a) the light passing from the light source through the exposed portions of the film when the film is secured to the support and (b) electrons from the electron beam;
- and
- a beam deflection system for directing the electron beam towards at least one location on the faceplate to retrieve data stored on the film without moving the film.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.