US3553460A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Realization of combinatorial functions by utilizing optical holography and phase modulation by input information
Assignee: Applied Biosystems Inc
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Filing: 1968-06-12
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1988-06-12
Abstract
Abstract A method of processing information by combining regions of a radiant energy beam which have been modulated according to the information. The combination is performed according to a pattern of phase relationships which produces the desired function of the information. A preferred apparatus for performing this method includes a source of coherent radiation, means for phase modulating regions of the beam and a holographic processing element which corresponds to an array of points having the selected pattern of phase relationships. The output may be determined by a second modulating means associated with a subsequent processing stage or by a readout means.
Inventors
- 👤 Kendall Preston Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/06; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/21; G02F3/00; G06; G06E; G06E3/00; G06E3/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of processing information to produce functional results therefrom comprising the steps of; providing a beam of substantially coherent electromagnetic radiation, said beam having a cross section including spatially distinct input regions; phase modulating a plurality of said input regions in accord with input information; combining at least one set of said input regions according to a selected pattern of relationships to produce an output beam containing output information which corresponds to functions of said input information; and determining at least one of said functions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of processing information to produce functional results therefrom comprising the steps of; providing a beam of substantially coherent electromagnetic radiation, said beam having a cross section including spatially distinct input regions; phase modulating a plurality of said input regions in accord with input information; combining at least one set of said input regions according to a selected pattern of relationships to produce an output beam containing output information which corresponds to functions of said input information; and determining at least one of said functions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 1 wherein said combining step comprises holographically adding the radiation from each of said input regions in said sets and wherein said pattern of relationships includes phase relationships, said output information being produced by interference.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 2 wherein said adding step comprises applying said modulated beam to a holographic transparency which corresponds to an array of spatially distinct processing points of selected spacing, said points defining said pattern of phase relationships, and superimposing radiation from said input regions in sets which correspond spatially to the points in said array, while adding to each such input region any phase difference characteristic of the corresponding point in said array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 2 wherein said step of phase modulation comprises setting the phase of each of said input regions at one of two values relative to a reference to provide for binary digital processing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 4 wherein said step of phase modulation comprises setting the phase of each of said input regions at either 0 or pi radians relative to an unmodulated region of said beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 4 wherein said pattern of phase relationships is selected to effect a binary digital logic operation on each of said sets, said holographic adding step being such that a distinct output location is produced for each function of each of said sets, the beam value at each of said locations being one of only two possible conditions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 6 wherein said holographic adding produces information by interference, said interference producing either a light or a dark output value at each of said output locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said sets of input regions includes two of said regions and wherein said pattern of phase relationships is 0 phase change for each of said regions so that the IDENTITY operation is performed on each of said sets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 8 wherein one of said input regions in each of said sets is maintained at the same phase as an unmodulated region of said beam so that the NEGATE operation is performed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said sets of input regions includes at least one unmodulatable region of said beam in addition to the information-bearing regions and wherein said pattern of phase relatIonships is that of changing the phase of the radiation from each input region by a quantity uniquely selected from the set defined by:
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 6 wherein each of said sets of input regions includes at least one unmodulatable region of said beam in addition to the information-bearing regions and wherein said pattern of phase relations is that of changing the phase of the radiation from each input region by a quantity uniquely selected as follows: for a number of said regions equal to the number of said information-bearing regions, said quantity is uniquely selected from the set defined by:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method of processing information as claimed in claim 2 wherein said determining step comprises phase modulating regions in a beam of coherent radiation according to said output information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
A processing unit for use in a data processing system comprising: a source of coherent electromagnetic radiation for providing a carrier beam; means in the path of a beam from said source for modulating a plurality of spatially distinct input regions in the cross section of said beam according to a pattern of input information; a holographic processing element in the path of a beam from said modulating means for producing an output beam, said output beam including spatially distinct output locations at which the pattern of radiation corresponds to selected functions of said input information; and means in the path of said output beam for determining said functions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
A processing unit for use in a data processing system comprising: a source of coherent electromagnetic radiation for providing a carrier beam; means in the path of a beam from said source for modulating a plurality of spatially distinct input regions in the cross section of said beam according to a pattern of input information; a holographic processing element in the path of a beam from said modulating means for producing an output beam, said output beam including spatially distinct output locations at which the pattern of radiation corresponds to selected functions of said input information; and means in the path of said output beam for determining said functions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said holographic processing element corresponds to an array of spatially distinct points having a selected pattern of relationships including spatial location and phase.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 14 wherein said input information is in digital form, said modulating means provides digital phase modulation and said output beam includes output locations at which the radiation corresponds to digital logic operations on said input regions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said array and at least one set of said input regions are arranged in a corresponding spatial pattern, the phase pattern of said points in said array being selected so that the radiation at one of said output locations in said output beam corresponds to a predetermined function of each corresponding set of said input regions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 16 wherein each of said sets includes a reference input region which is not modulated by said means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
56 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said array comprises a pair of points which affect phase equally and wherein each of said sets includes a pair of said input regions having the same spatial arrangement as said points, so that said output locations correspond to the IDENTITY operation for each of said sets.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 18 wherein one of said input regions in some of said sets comprises an unmodulated reference so that the radiation at said output locations corresponds to the NEGATE operation for said sets.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said array comprises an odd number of points greater than the number of said information-bearing inputs to be combined, each of said points providing a phase shift uniquely selected from the set defined by:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said array comprises an odd number of points larger Than the number of information-bearing inputs to be combined, each of said points providing a phase shift uniquely selected as follows: for a number of said points equal to said number of information-bearing inputs, said phase shifts are uniquely selected from the set defined by the expression
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said modulating means comprises a reflective surface, said surface being planar and having areas which can be moved out of said plane to produce said phase change.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said function-determining means comprises an input means to a second processing unit, said input means being sensitive to radiant energy.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
A processing unit as claimed in claim 13 wherein said function-determining means comprises means for converting radiant energy to an electrical signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
108 words
A data processing system comprising: a plurality of processing stages for performing at least one series of logical operations on input data applied thereto, each of said stages including: a source of substantially coherent radiation; means for modulating said radiation according to input data; holographic means for combining said data according to a pattern of relationships including phase relationships to produce a functional output; and means for determining said output; each of said determining means in said stages in said series other than the last stage in said series comprising means for controlling at least a portion of said modulating means in the following stage in said series.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
108 words
A data processing system comprising: a plurality of processing stages for performing at least one series of logical operations on input data applied thereto, each of said stages including: a source of substantially coherent radiation; means for modulating said radiation according to input data; holographic means for combining said data according to a pattern of relationships including phase relationships to produce a functional output; and means for determining said output; each of said determining means in said stages in said series other than the last stage in said series comprising means for controlling at least a portion of said modulating means in the following stage in said series.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
47 words
A data processing system as claimed in claim 25 wherein logical operations performed by said plurality of processing stages are of the binary digital type and wherein said operations include at least two selections from the group consisting of the IDENTITY, OR, NOR, AND, and NAND operations.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
A data processing system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said stages are adapted to accept simultaneously multiple distinct sets of input data and wherein said holographic means produces a distinct output for each of said sets.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
A data processing system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said modulating means and said holographic means are arranged to produce different results from sets of input information which differs only in the relative location of similar information bits within a given set of locations.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |