EP0307211A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Memory reading device
Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc
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Filing: 1988-09-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A memory reading apparatus comprises an output section for reading data stored in a memory (5) comprising at least one needle (8) having a fine tip portion. Positioning means (3, 11, 25) position a tip portion of the needle (8) close to the surface of the memory (5). Scanning means (13) scan the tip portion over the surface of the memory (5) and distance controlling means (11, 12) control the distance between the tip portion and the surface of the memory whilst the tip portion scans thereover.
Inventors
- 👤 Manabu Ooumi
- 👤 Toshihiko Sakuhara
- 👤 Tatsuaki Ataka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:13
CPC Classifications
B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; G; G11; G11B; G11B9/00; G11B9/12; G11B9/14; G11B11/00; G11B21/00; G11B21/16; G11B21/20; G11B21/21; G11B9/1418
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A memory reading apparatus characterised by comprising an output section for reading data stored in a memory (5), said output section comprising at least one needle means (8,90,91) having a fine tip portion; and control means for controlling the output section, said control means comprising positioning means (3,11,25) for positioning a tip portion of the needle means close to a surface of the memory (5), means (13) for scanning the tip portion over the surface of the memory (5) and distance controlling means (11,12) for controlling a distance between the tip portion and the surface of the memory whilst the tip portion scans thereover.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A memory reading apparatus characterised by comprising an output section for reading data stored in a memory (5), said output section comprising at least one needle means (8,90,91) having a fine tip portion; and control means for controlling the output section, said control means comprising positioning means (3,11,25) for positioning a tip portion of the needle means close to a surface of the memory (5), means (13) for scanning the tip portion over the surface of the memory (5) and distance controlling means (11,12) for controlling a distance between the tip portion and the surface of the memory whilst the tip portion scans thereover.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the distance between the tip portion of the needle means (8,90,91) and the surface of the memory (5) is maintained so as to cause a tunnel effect.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the distance controlling means (11,12) is operative in response to the tunnel effect occurring between the tip portion of the needle means (8,90,91) and the surface of the memory (5).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the needle means (91) is manufactured by semi-conductor processing techniques.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that a dielectric material is used as the memory (5).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that a multi-valent element is used as the memory (5).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that a super lattice in which elements of different kinds are configured is used as the memory (5).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that a film whose thickness differs depending upon position is used as the memory (5).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that molecules whose orbit of lone pairs extends in specific directions is used as the memory (5).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that a polar compound which is immersed in a polar solvent is used as the memory (5).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the positioning means comprises an X - Y stage (3), a coarse control section (11) for positioning in an X - Y plane, and an optical micro-scope (25) for examining the distance between the tip portion of the needle means and the surface of the memory (5).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A memory reading apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the distance controlling means comprises a coarse control section (11) and a Z-axis control section (12).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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