Optical computing apparatus and method

Claim 2

Optical recording apparatus comprising: a first, photochromic microfiche; means providing a light output having light beams of first, second and third wavelengths, said means being disposed to permit the light beams thereof to be directed along a first optical path toward and onto said microfiche, whereby an image on a transparency disposed between said microfiche and said means will be projected by one of said light beams onto said microfiche, there being means for selectively transmitting the light beams independently of each other, said microfiche being bleachable by the light beam of said first wavelength, being capable of becoming opaque when subjected to the light beam of said second wavelength, and being reflective to at least a portion of the light beam of said third wavelength; first means optically coupled with said microfiche on the same side of the latter as said light output means for directing the light reflected therefrom along a second optical path extending transversely of said first path; second means optically coupled with said microfiche for projecting an image thereon along said second path; a second microfiche; a light source capable of emitting light beams of said first and third wavelengths; and means optically coupled with said light source for selectively directing a light beam through the second microfiche and onto said first microfiche.

Claim 3

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transmitting means includes a filter wheel, said directing means includes a prism having a reflecting surface inclined with rEspect to said first path and intersecting the same.

Claim 4

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said projecting means includes a light source disposed for directing a light beam through the first microfiche.

Claim 5

Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein light of said first wavelength is yellow light, light of said second wavelength is ultraviolet light and light of said third wavelength is blue light.

Claim 6

An optical recording method comprising: providing an initially opaque, photochromic microfiche within the optical path of light output means capable of emitting visible light of a first wavelength and visible light of a second wavelength with the microfiche being bleachable by the light of the first wavelength and being reflective to at least a portion of the light of the second wavelength; placing a transparency between the light output means and the microfiche with the transparency having data thereon to be recorded and with the transparency and the microfiche being relatively shiftable to permit changes in the location of an image projected onto said microfiche from said transparency; directing light of the second wavelength through the transparency and onto the microfiche for reflection thereby; directing the reflected light from the microfiche to a viewing station to determine if an image directed onto the microfiche after it has been determined that the image is properly located thereon; providing a second microfiche; directing light of the second wavelength through the second microfiche and onto the first-mentioned microfiche, whereby light reflected from the first-mentioned microfiche can be viewed at said viewing station to determine the proper location of an image projected from the second microfiche; and directing light of said first wavelength through the second microfiche and onto the first-mentioned microfiche after the proper location of the image has been determined.

Claim 7

An optical recording method comprising: providing an initially opaque, photochromic microfiche within the optical path of light output means capable of emitting visible light of a first wavelength and visible light of a second wavelength with the microfiche being bleachable by the light of the first wavelength and being reflective to at least a portion of the light of the second wavelength; placing a transparency between the light output means and the microfiche with the transparency having data thereon to be recorded and with the transparency and the microfiche being relatively shiftable to permit changes in the location of an image projected onto said microfiche from said transparency; directing light of the second wavelength through the transparency and onto the microfiche for reflection thereby; directing the reflected light from the microfiche to a viewing station to determine if an image directed onto the microfiche after it has been determined that the image is properly located thereon; providing a second microfiche; directing light of the second wavelength through the second microfiche and onto the first-mentioned microfiche, whereby light reflected from the first-mentioned microfiche can be viewed at said viewing station to determine the proper location of an image projected from the second microfiche; and directing light of said first wavelength through the second microfiche and onto the first-mentioned microfiche after the proper location of the image has been determined.

Claim 8

A method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the first-mentioned microfiche is capable of being rendered opaque by light of a third wavelength, and wherein is included the step of directing light of said third wavelength onto the first-mentioned microfiche to render the same opaque, whereby corrections can be made to a previously recorded portion thereof.

Claim 9

The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the step of directing the reflected light includes diverting the reflected light laterally of the light path from said light output means.

Claim 10

An optical computing apparatus comprising: a first microfiche and a second microfiche; a source of visible light capable of emitting a light beam of a first wavelength and a light beam of a second wavelength, the second microfiche being formed of initially opaque, photochromic material capable of being bleached by light of the first wavelength and being reflective to at least a portion of a light beam of the second wavelength; means for selectively directing a light beam from the source, though the first microfiche and onto the second microfiche; and means for directing the reflected light from the second microfiche to a viewing station.

Claim 11

An optical computing apparatus comprising: a first microfiche and a second microfiche; a source of visible light capable of emitting a light beam of a first wavelength and a light beam of a second wavelength, the second microfiche being formed of initially opaque, photochromic material capable of being bleached by light of the first wavelength and being reflective to at least a portion of a light beam of the second wavelength; means for selectively directing a light beam from the source, though the first microfiche and onto the second microfiche; and means for directing the reflected light from the second microfiche to a viewing station.

Claim 12

Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the photochromic material of the second microfiche is capable of becoming opaque by a light beam of a third wavelength; and means for selectively directing a light beam of a third wavelength onto the second microfiche to permit bleached portions thereof to be rendered opaque.

Claim 13

Apparatus as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first microfiche and the viewing station are disposed on one side of the second microfiche.