US3569944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of optical recording of binary codes
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1968-04-01
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1988-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A system for storing and retrieving data in the form of unique sets of superimposed angularly oriented optical diffraction gratings, each set of gratings representing a different symbolic character. Each selected character is stored by optically recording the set of gratings associated therewith. Typically, a set of characters representing an address is recorded together with each group of characters representing stored information. Readout is accomplished by comparing quickly the stored sets of characters representing different addresses with an address called for by the system. When the desired address is located, the system reads out all recorded data associated therewith.
Inventors
- 👤 John E Bigelow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:25
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K1/00; G06K1/12; G06K1/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for storing data and retrieving selected portions of said stored data comprising: recording a first plurality of sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings of predetermined angular orientations, each set of gratings representing an address character to be stored; recording a second plurality of sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings of predetermined angular orientations in association with said first plurality of sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings, each set of gratings of said second plurality representing a data character to be stored; sensing the angular orientation of diffracted light associated with each one of said first plurality of sets of superimposed diffraction gratings so as to recognize a desired address; and sensing the angular orientation of diffracted light associated with each one of the second plurality of sets of superimposed diffraction gratings associated with said first plurality so as to recognize each one of the stored data characters.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for storing data and retrieving selected portions of said stored data comprising: recording a first plurality of sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings of predetermined angular orientations, each set of gratings representing an address character to be stored; recording a second plurality of sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings of predetermined angular orientations in association with said first plurality of sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings, each set of gratings of said second plurality representing a data character to be stored; sensing the angular orientation of diffracted light associated with each one of said first plurality of sets of superimposed diffraction gratings so as to recognize a desired address; and sensing the angular orientation of diffracted light associated with each one of the second plurality of sets of superimposed diffraction gratings associated with said first plurality so as to recognize each one of the stored data characters.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of producing a binary digital manifestation of the presence of each possible grating in each set of superimposed gratings which is sensed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of recording first and second sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings comprises charging a photoconductive thermoplastic recording medium, imaging desired sets of superimposed diffraction gratings on said medium, and cycling said medium through a temperature increase above a predetermined level to allow said medium to deform in accordance with the patterns of gratings imaged thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of producing a binary digital manifestation of the presence of each possible grating in each set of superimposed gratings which is sensed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of sensing the angular orientation of diffracted light associated with each one of said first plurality of sets of superimposed diffraction gratings so as to recognize a desired address comprises storing a binary digital manifestation of said desired address, producing a binary digital manifestation of the presence of each possible grating in each set of superimposed gratings of an address word, comparing the stored binary digital manifestation with the produced binary digital manifestation, and destroying the stored binary digital manifestation when coincidence with the produced binary digital manifestation has been detected.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for storing data and retrieving selected portions of said stored data comprising: recording according to a predetermined pattern a plurality of sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings of predetermined angular orientations, each set of gratings representing data to be stored; sensing the angular orientation of diffracted light associated with predetermined ones of said sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings so as to recognize a predetermined pattern of data; and sensing according to said predetermined pattern the angular orientation of diffracted light associated with additional ones of said sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings after said predetermined pattern of data has been recognized.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for storing data and retrieving selected portions of said stored data comprising: recording according to a predetermined pattern a plurality of sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings of predetermined angular orientations, each set of gratings representing data to be stored; sensing the angular orientation of diffracted light associated with predetermined ones of said sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings so as to recognize a predetermined pattern of data; and sensing according to said predetermined pattern the angular orientation of diffracted light associated with additional ones of said sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings after said predetermined pattern of data has been recognized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 6 including the step of producing a binary digital manifestation of the gratings present in each set of superimposed optical gratings which is sensed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the step of recording a plurality of sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings comprises charging a photoconductive thermoplastic recording medium, imaging said sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings on said medium, and cycling said medium through a temperature increase above a predetermined level to allow said medium to deform in accordance with the patterns of gratings imaged thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8 including the step of producing a binary digital manifestation of the presence of eacH possible grating in each set of superimposed optical gratings which is sensed.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for storing data and retrieving desired portions of said stored data comprising: recording means for recording patterns corresponding to patterns imposed thereon; a plurality of unique sets of superimposed diffraction gratings, said unique sets being distinguishable from each other by comprising diffraction gratings having different angular orientations in the plane containing said gratings; input means for imposing selected ones of said unique sets of superimposed diffraction gratings onto separate regions, respectively, of said recording means; and transducer means responsive to light emanating from each one of said superimposed diffraction gratings in each selected set of gratings recorded on said recording means so as to produce an electrical signal corresponding to each of the selected sets of gratings recorded on said recording means.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for storing data and retrieving desired portions of said stored data comprising: recording means for recording patterns corresponding to patterns imposed thereon; a plurality of unique sets of superimposed diffraction gratings, said unique sets being distinguishable from each other by comprising diffraction gratings having different angular orientations in the plane containing said gratings; input means for imposing selected ones of said unique sets of superimposed diffraction gratings onto separate regions, respectively, of said recording means; and transducer means responsive to light emanating from each one of said superimposed diffraction gratings in each selected set of gratings recorded on said recording means so as to produce an electrical signal corresponding to each of the selected sets of gratings recorded on said recording means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said recording means comprises a photoconductive thermoplastic medium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said input means comprises a disc, said disc containing said plurality of unique sets of superimposed diffraction gratings, and means for directing a burst of light from a selected set of gratings onto said recording means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 12 including motor means drivably coupled to said disc, and means responsive to the angular position of said disc for initiating said burst of light when said disc is in a predetermined angular position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 13 wherein said recording means comprises a photoconductive thermoplastic medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said transducer means comprises an array of photodetectors, each photodetector of said array being situated with respect to said recording means so as to detect first order images of said diffraction gratings recorded on said recording means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 15 including temporary storage means, means coupling each photodetector of said array in parallel to said storage means, and means coupled to said temporary storage means for producing signals compatible with visible character producing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 15 wherein said array includes additional photodetectors situated with respect to said recording means so as to detect second order images of said diffraction gratings recorded on said recording means, and logic circuit means coupling said additional photodetectors to the remaining photodetectors of said array in order to ensure validity of output signals produced by said remaining photodetectors.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
107 words
The system of claim 15 including means for directing a separate burst of light from each one of separate adjacent locations respectively on said recording means in sequence, first temporary storage means, means coupling each photodetector of said array to said first temporary storage means, and second temporary storage means coupled to said first temporary storage means for producing signals compatible with visible character producing means, said first temporary storage means transferring all data applied thereto from said array of photodetectors to said second temporary storage means between occurence of the separate bursts of light received in succession from each separate adjacent location on said recording means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 10 including means for scanning discrete bursts of light energy in predetermined orderly patterns across said recording means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 10 including mechanical means for transporting said recording means in discrete increments, means for controllably directing bursts of light onto said recording means, and means for controlling said mechanical means to transport said recording means by one discrete increment after occurrence of a predetermined number of said bursts of light.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for storing data in the form of alphanumeric characters and retrieving desired groups of said stored alphanumeric characters comprising: light sensitive recording means for recording patterns corresponding to patterns of light imaged thereon; a plurality of unique sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings, each one of said unique sets of gratings corresponding to a unique alphanumeric character; input means for optically imaging selected ones of said plurality of unique sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings onto separate regions respectively of said recording means, said imaged sets of diffraction gratings corresponding to said alphanumeric characters to be stored; and transducer means responsive to light emanating from each one of said superimposed diffraction gratings in each selected set of gratings recorded on said recording means so as to produce electrical signals corresponding to the alphanumeric characters represented by each of the selected sets of gratings recorded on said recording means.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for storing data in the form of alphanumeric characters and retrieving desired groups of said stored alphanumeric characters comprising: light sensitive recording means for recording patterns corresponding to patterns of light imaged thereon; a plurality of unique sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings, each one of said unique sets of gratings corresponding to a unique alphanumeric character; input means for optically imaging selected ones of said plurality of unique sets of superimposed optical diffraction gratings onto separate regions respectively of said recording means, said imaged sets of diffraction gratings corresponding to said alphanumeric characters to be stored; and transducer means responsive to light emanating from each one of said superimposed diffraction gratings in each selected set of gratings recorded on said recording means so as to produce electrical signals corresponding to the alphanumeric characters represented by each of the selected sets of gratings recorded on said recording means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |