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US3582907A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Light aperture matrix

Assignee: RCA Corp
•
Filing: 1968-05-14
•
Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1988-05-14
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Abstract

Abstract A matrix of light controlling intersections having transparent X and Y fluid channels with fluid amplifiers controlling the flow of fluid in the channels. The fluid may be either opaque to control the transmission of incident traversing light at the matrix intersections of simple X and Y fluid conduits of transparent material to control the light transmission by affecting the interface between a prism face and a fluid surface.

Inventors

  • 👤 George William Taylor
  • 👤 Philip Goldstein

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 12:26
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/007

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim 66 words
A light control matrix comprising a plurality of operatively intersecting transparent fluid channels, each such intersection being a light path for an incident light beam which is perpendicular to the plane of intersection of said fluid channels, and a fluid control means for selectively directing a suitable fluid into said channels for selecting certain ones of said light paths for transmission of said incident light beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 66 words
A light control matrix comprising a plurality of operatively intersecting transparent fluid channels, each such intersection being a light path for an incident light beam which is perpendicular to the plane of intersection of said fluid channels, and a fluid control means for selectively directing a suitable fluid into said channels for selecting certain ones of said light paths for transmission of said incident light beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 30 words
A light control matrix as set forth in claim 1 wherein said fluid is an opaque fluid which is effective to prevent the transmission of light through said fluid channels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 50 words
A light control matrix comprising a plurality of operatively intersecting fluid channels which are transparent fluid conduits, each said fluid channel being longitudinally divided into a fluid channel section and a fixed refractive index prism section, and a fluid control means for selectively directing a suitable fluid into said channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 50 words
A light control matrix comprising a plurality of operatively intersecting fluid channels which are transparent fluid conduits, each said fluid channel being longitudinally divided into a fluid channel section and a fixed refractive index prism section, and a fluid control means for selectively directing a suitable fluid into said channels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 133 words
A hologram memory system comprising: a plurality of hologram data storage elements arranged parallel to a plane; a light control matrix positioned between said hologram elements and a source of light comprising a first group of fluid conductors formed of transparent material and lying parallel to said plane and a second group of similar fluid conductors adjacent to and also parallel to said plane, the conductors of the first group extending at an angle to those of the first group and forming therewith matrix intersections, each such intersection being aligned with a corresponding one of said hologram data storage elements; and a fluid control means for selectively directing a suitable fluid into said channels for permitting the passage of light from said source through the two channels at only one of said intersections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 133 words
A hologram memory system comprising: a plurality of hologram data storage elements arranged parallel to a plane; a light control matrix positioned between said hologram elements and a source of light comprising a first group of fluid conductors formed of transparent material and lying parallel to said plane and a second group of similar fluid conductors adjacent to and also parallel to said plane, the conductors of the first group extending at an angle to those of the first group and forming therewith matrix intersections, each such intersection being aligned with a corresponding one of said hologram data storage elements; and a fluid control means for selectively directing a suitable fluid into said channels for permitting the passage of light from said source through the two channels at only one of said intersections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
A hologram memory system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said fluid channels are each longitudinally divided into a fluid channel section and a fixed refractive index prism section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 25 words
A hologram memory system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said fluid has a refractive index substantially identical to that of said prism section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 124 words
In combination: a first light deflection means which in one condition is transparent to a beam of light applied perpendicular to the direction in which it extends, and which can be changed to a second condition in which a light beam reaching said first means is reflected at an angle to said direction; a second light deflection means having properties and structure similar to said first means, said second means having the direction in which it extends perpendicular to any light beam passed when said first means is in said one condition and being positioned to receive any such passed light beam; and means for selectively changing the condition of said first and second means between light beam passing and light beam reflecting conditions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 124 words
In combination: a first light deflection means which in one condition is transparent to a beam of light applied perpendicular to the direction in which it extends, and which can be changed to a second condition in which a light beam reaching said first means is reflected at an angle to said direction; a second light deflection means having properties and structure similar to said first means, said second means having the direction in which it extends perpendicular to any light beam passed when said first means is in said one condition and being positioned to receive any such passed light beam; and means for selectively changing the condition of said first and second means between light beam passing and light beam reflecting conditions.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 150 words
A system for deflecting a light beam comprising, in combination: a first light deflection means comprising a plurality of aligned stages which in one condition are all transparent to a beam of light applied to the stages along a path perpendicular to their plane of alignment, and each stage of which can be changed to a second condition in which a light beam, if it reaches said stage, is reflected at an angle to said plane; a second light deflection means having the same properties and similar structure to said first means, said second means having its plane of alignment perpendicular to any light beam passed when said first light deflection means is in said one condition and being positioned to receive any such passed light beam; and means for selectively changing the condition of each stage of said first and second means between light beam passing and reflecting conditions.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 150 words
A system for deflecting a light beam comprising, in combination: a first light deflection means comprising a plurality of aligned stages which in one condition are all transparent to a beam of light applied to the stages along a path perpendicular to their plane of alignment, and each stage of which can be changed to a second condition in which a light beam, if it reaches said stage, is reflected at an angle to said plane; a second light deflection means having the same properties and similar structure to said first means, said second means having its plane of alignment perpendicular to any light beam passed when said first light deflection means is in said one condition and being positioned to receive any such passed light beam; and means for selectively changing the condition of each stage of said first and second means between light beam passing and reflecting conditions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 41 words
A system as set forth in claim 8, wherein each stage comprises two prisms, one solid and the other hollow and capable of being filled with fluid, the prisms being arranged surface-to-surface and together forming an element of rectangular cross section.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 27 words
The combination claimed in claim 9, including means for adding and removing fluid from said hollow prism for changing a stage from one condition to the other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 131 words
A light valve matrix comprising, in combination: a first light valve means comprising a plurality of aligned stages which in one condition are all transparent to a beam of light applied to the stages along a path perpendicular to their plane of alignment, and each stage of which can be changed to a second condition in which the stage becomes opaque thereby blocking an applied light beam; a second light valve means having the same properties and structure as said first means, said second means having its plane of alignment positioned to receive any light beam passed when said first means is in said first condition; and means for selectively changing the condition of each stage of said first and second means between light beam passing and light beam blocking conditions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 131 words
A light valve matrix comprising, in combination: a first light valve means comprising a plurality of aligned stages which in one condition are all transparent to a beam of light applied to the stages along a path perpendicular to their plane of alignment, and each stage of which can be changed to a second condition in which the stage becomes opaque thereby blocking an applied light beam; a second light valve means having the same properties and structure as said first means, said second means having its plane of alignment positioned to receive any light beam passed when said first means is in said first condition; and means for selectively changing the condition of each stage of said first and second means between light beam passing and light beam blocking conditions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 41 words
A light valve matrix comprising, in combination: a plurality of intersecting transparent fluid channels, each such intersection being a light path for an incident light beam; and fluid control means for selectively filling or emptying said channels with an opaque fluid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 41 words
A light valve matrix comprising, in combination: a plurality of intersecting transparent fluid channels, each such intersection being a light path for an incident light beam; and fluid control means for selectively filling or emptying said channels with an opaque fluid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 135 words
A matrix for controlling the passage of light comprising, in combination: a first group of fluid channels formed of transparent material and lying adjacent and substantially parallel to one side of an imaginary plane; a second group of fluid channels formed of transparent material and lying adjacent and substantially parallel to the other side of said plane and the channels of said second group extending at an angle to those of said first group, each region of the matrix where a fluid channel of the first group lies next to a fluid channel of the second group comprising a light valve; and means for selectively controlling said valves to cause at least one such valve to pass light and others to block the passage of light comprising means for selectively applying fluid to said channels.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 135 words
A matrix for controlling the passage of light comprising, in combination: a first group of fluid channels formed of transparent material and lying adjacent and substantially parallel to one side of an imaginary plane; a second group of fluid channels formed of transparent material and lying adjacent and substantially parallel to the other side of said plane and the channels of said second group extending at an angle to those of said first group, each region of the matrix where a fluid channel of the first group lies next to a fluid channel of the second group comprising a light valve; and means for selectively controlling said valves to cause at least one such valve to pass light and others to block the passage of light comprising means for selectively applying fluid to said channels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 41 words
A matrix as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first group of fluid channels extend in one direction and said second group of fluid channels extend in a second direction at an angle of substantially 90* to the first direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 85 words
A matrix as set forth in claim 13, wherein each said channel, in cross section, consists of a solid, triangularly shaped prism section of given refractive index and a triangularly shaped fluid channel section, said fluid channel section, in the absence of a fluid, having a substantially different refractive index than said solid prism section, and wherein said means for selectively controlling said valves comprises means for applying a transparent fluid of approximately the same refractive index as said solid prism section to selected channels.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 27 words
A matrix as set forth in claim 13 wherein the region of said matrix other than that occupied by said valves is formed of an opaque material.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 40 words
A matrix as set forth in claim 13, wherein said means for selectively controlling said valves comprises means for applying an opaque fluid to all of said channels except those leading to the valves it is desired to pass light.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 141 words
A matrix for controlling the passage of radiant energy comprising, in combination: a first group of fluid channEls formed of material transparent to said radiant energy adjacent and substantially parallel to one side of an imaginary plane; a second group of fluid channels formed of material transparent to said radiant energy adjacent and substantially parallel to the other side of said plane and said second channels extending at an angle to said first channels, each region of the matrix where a fluid channel of the first group lies next to a fluid channel of the second group comprising a radiant energy valve; and means for selectively controlling said valves to cause at least one such valve to pass radiant energy and others to block the passage of radiant energy comprising means for selectively applying radiant energy affecting fluid to said channels.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 141 words
A matrix for controlling the passage of radiant energy comprising, in combination: a first group of fluid channEls formed of material transparent to said radiant energy adjacent and substantially parallel to one side of an imaginary plane; a second group of fluid channels formed of material transparent to said radiant energy adjacent and substantially parallel to the other side of said plane and said second channels extending at an angle to said first channels, each region of the matrix where a fluid channel of the first group lies next to a fluid channel of the second group comprising a radiant energy valve; and means for selectively controlling said valves to cause at least one such valve to pass radiant energy and others to block the passage of radiant energy comprising means for selectively applying radiant energy affecting fluid to said channels.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3200525A Cited
US3360657A Cited
US3412255A Cited
US3322482A Cited
US3432675A Cited
US3439179A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1974-05-31 1974-11-30 1975-06-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1978-05-31 1978-11-30 1979-06-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1982-05-31 1982-11-30 1983-06-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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