US3600054A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Holographic associative memory permitting conversion of a pattern to a machine-readable form
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1970-06-11
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Granted: 1971-08-17
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Expires: 1990-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A holographic device for producing output image patterns in response to different input pattern wave fronts is described. A novel hologram is formed by the interference of a first pattern of electromagnetic waves and a second pattern of electromagnetic waves. The resultant hologram may be irradiated with a pattern of electromagnetic waves corresponding to the first pattern to reconstruct the second pattern of electromagnetic waves, and vice versa. To form the hologram a coherent light beam, such as from a laser, is directed on an object such as a transparency having a pattern thereon. The light from the object is directed onto a photographic emulsion. A coherent light beam also illuminates a second pattern, such as a coded apertured plate, and the light passing through the apertures is directed onto the photographic emulsion where it forms an interference pattern with the light from the first pattern. A hologram is thereby formed which, when illuminated by a pattern similar to one of the original patterns will reconstruct an image of the other original pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis Gabor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03H; G03H1/00; G03H1/04; G03H1/0402; G03H1/041; G03H1/10; G03H1/12; G03H1/16; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/88; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; G11C13/042; G11C15/00; G03H1/26; G03H1/2645; G03H2001/2675
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An optical device comprising: record means for recording patterns of electromagnetic wave fronts, first means for sequentially irradiating said record means with a plurality of different information patterns emanating from separate subjects, second means including a plurality of mutually coherent discrete and separate point sources of electromagnetic wave fronts for irradiating said record means with electromagnetic wave fronts simultaneously with each of said information patterns from said irradiating means, said record means recording the interference of the electromagnetic wave fronts and an information pattern from said first irradiating means and said electromagnetic wave fronts from said discrete and separate coherent sources, and said second means includes means for selectively irradiating said record means with a different combination of said plurality of discrete sources simultaneously with each different information pattern, each different combination forming a combinatorial code that is unique for each subject that is recorded on said record means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An optical device comprising: record means for recording patterns of electromagnetic wave fronts, first means for sequentially irradiating said record means with a plurality of different information patterns emanating from separate subjects, second means including a plurality of mutually coherent discrete and separate point sources of electromagnetic wave fronts for irradiating said record means with electromagnetic wave fronts simultaneously with each of said information patterns from said irradiating means, said record means recording the interference of the electromagnetic wave fronts and an information pattern from said first irradiating means and said electromagnetic wave fronts from said discrete and separate coherent sources, and said second means includes means for selectively irradiating said record means with a different combination of said plurality of discrete sources simultaneously with each different information pattern, each different combination forming a combinatorial code that is unique for each subject that is recorded on said record means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
152 words
A holographic device comprising: a source of coherent laser light, a photographic plate, first means for irradiating a reference subject with a first selected portion of said laser light which produces scattered electromagnetic wave fronts that expose said plate to the electromagnetic wave fronts scattered by said subject, second means for separating a second selected given portion of said laser light into a plurality of discrete and separate sources of light that are mutually coherent with said first selected portion of said laser light, and means for irradiating said plate with a combinatorial code of such discrete and separate point sources of light simultaneously with said scattered electromagnetic wave fronts from said subject to record on said photographic plate the interference between said scattered wave fronts from said subject and said combinatorial code of point sources, said combinatorial code of point sources being different and unique for each separate subject being recorded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
152 words
A holographic device comprising: a source of coherent laser light, a photographic plate, first means for irradiating a reference subject with a first selected portion of said laser light which produces scattered electromagnetic wave fronts that expose said plate to the electromagnetic wave fronts scattered by said subject, second means for separating a second selected given portion of said laser light into a plurality of discrete and separate sources of light that are mutually coherent with said first selected portion of said laser light, and means for irradiating said plate with a combinatorial code of such discrete and separate point sources of light simultaneously with said scattered electromagnetic wave fronts from said subject to record on said photographic plate the interference between said scattered wave fronts from said subject and said combinatorial code of point sources, said combinatorial code of point sources being different and unique for each separate subject being recorded.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a device for forming a plurality of spaced holograms on a recording surface, wherein each hologram is produced by a source of light split into a first beam and a second beam, said first beam being directed onto one of a plurality of selectable subjects to be scattered thereby onto the recording surface, the second beam being undisturbed and reunited at the recording surface with the scattered light to interfere as patterns of recorded light and dark areas at said recording surface, the Improvement comprising: a planar array of identical lenses disposed in the path of said first beam and said selected subject to form a source of discrete point of light, a light-opaque mask interposed between said array and said subject having an aperture therein for permitting one of said discrete points of light to irradiate said subject at a selected angle so that a unique portion of said recording surface is actuated by said scattered light, and a second light-opaque mask interposed in the path of said second beam and said recording surface, said second light-opaque mask having a plurality of rows of separate and distinct openings for transmitting a coded array of lights for each position of said mask onto said recording surface, each coded array of lights being unique to the selected aperture of said first mask.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
222 words
In a device for forming a plurality of spaced holograms on a recording surface, wherein each hologram is produced by a source of light split into a first beam and a second beam, said first beam being directed onto one of a plurality of selectable subjects to be scattered thereby onto the recording surface, the second beam being undisturbed and reunited at the recording surface with the scattered light to interfere as patterns of recorded light and dark areas at said recording surface, the Improvement comprising: a planar array of identical lenses disposed in the path of said first beam and said selected subject to form a source of discrete point of light, a light-opaque mask interposed between said array and said subject having an aperture therein for permitting one of said discrete points of light to irradiate said subject at a selected angle so that a unique portion of said recording surface is actuated by said scattered light, and a second light-opaque mask interposed in the path of said second beam and said recording surface, said second light-opaque mask having a plurality of rows of separate and distinct openings for transmitting a coded array of lights for each position of said mask onto said recording surface, each coded array of lights being unique to the selected aperture of said first mask.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
204 words
Means for creating multiple holograms on a recording surface comprising a source of coherent light, means for providing two separate beams from said coherent light source, a first beam serving as an illuminator beam and the second serving as a coding beam, a station, in the path of said illuminator beam, capable of containing separate and distinct transparent signs thereat, lenticular means for separating said illuminating beam into a plurality of individual beamlets, said lenticular means having as many individual lenses as there are distinct and separate signs, masking means for selectively directing at least one beamlet through a selected sign to create scattered light wave fronts from said sign, means for focusing said scattered wave fronts onto a portion of said recording surface, a code plate, in the path of said coding beam and said recording surface, capable of being selectively actuated so that said plate emits a pattern of spaced, separate light points corresponding to said selected sign onto said recording surface, and means for focusing said spaced points onto the same portion of said recording surface whereby a hologram of said sign is formed on said recording surface by the interference of said scattered wave fronts and said spaced light points.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
Means for creating multiple holograms on a recording surface comprising a source of coherent light, means for providing two separate beams from said coherent light source, a first beam serving as an illuminator beam and the second serving as a coding beam, a station, in the path of said illuminator beam, capable of containing separate and distinct transparent signs thereat, lenticular means for separating said illuminating beam into a plurality of individual beamlets, said lenticular means having as many individual lenses as there are distinct and separate signs, masking means for selectively directing at least one beamlet through a selected sign to create scattered light wave fronts from said sign, means for focusing said scattered wave fronts onto a portion of said recording surface, a code plate, in the path of said coding beam and said recording surface, capable of being selectively actuated so that said plate emits a pattern of spaced, separate light points corresponding to said selected sign onto said recording surface, and means for focusing said spaced points onto the same portion of said recording surface whereby a hologram of said sign is formed on said recording surface by the interference of said scattered wave fronts and said spaced light points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical device for creating spaced holograms on a recording surface comprising: a source of coherent light, means for dividing said source into first and second beams, a fixed station containing a subject sign in the path of said first beam, a planar array of identical lenses forming an illuminator plate for said station in the path of said first beam, lens means associated with said illuminator plate so as to cause each lens therein to form a collimated beam of parallel waves that are focused on said subject sign, a mask having a single aperture for selectively causing a single collimating beam to impinge on said subject sign, means for focusing the scattered wave fronts of said selected beam from said subject sign into a zero order spot on said recording surface, means for segregating said second beam into a pattern of discrete and separate points of light, and means for causing said discrete and separate points of light to form an interference pattern on said zero order spot with said scattered wave fronts from said subject sign so that a coded hologram of said subject sign is formed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical device for creating spaced holograms on a recording surface comprising: a source of coherent light, means for dividing said source into first and second beams, a fixed station containing a subject sign in the path of said first beam, a planar array of identical lenses forming an illuminator plate for said station in the path of said first beam, lens means associated with said illuminator plate so as to cause each lens therein to form a collimated beam of parallel waves that are focused on said subject sign, a mask having a single aperture for selectively causing a single collimating beam to impinge on said subject sign, means for focusing the scattered wave fronts of said selected beam from said subject sign into a zero order spot on said recording surface, means for segregating said second beam into a pattern of discrete and separate points of light, and means for causing said discrete and separate points of light to form an interference pattern on said zero order spot with said scattered wave fronts from said subject sign so that a coded hologram of said subject sign is formed.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
265 words
A device for recording spaced holograms on a recording surface comprising: a source of coherent light, means for dividing said source into first and second separate beams, a fixed station for containing a number of discrete subject signs, a first plurality of separate lenses arranged in a plane for separating said first coherent light beam into a plurality of separate discrete coherent light beams, a first light-opaque mask, disposed between said plurality of lenses and any selected subject sign, containing at least one aperture for permitting at least one of said separate discrete coherent light beams to irradiate such selected sign, each selected position of said mask causing the traNsmitted separate and coherent light beam to infringe at a different angle on said sign, collimating lens means interposed between said mask and subject sign to collimate any of such transmitted coherent light beams prior to their impingement on said selected sign to produce scattered wave fronts from said selected sign, means for directing said scattered wave fronts onto a portion of said recording surface whereby the zero order spot for each angular position of the transmitted beam will be located on a separate portion of said recording medium, and means for masking said second beam so as to emit its discrete pattern of separate points of light onto the same zero order spot of said recording surface whereby holograms are formed that are located on different portions of said recording surface, each hologram being made by a unique transmitted beam and a unique pattern of spaced, separate light pin points related to the selected sign.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
265 words
A device for recording spaced holograms on a recording surface comprising: a source of coherent light, means for dividing said source into first and second separate beams, a fixed station for containing a number of discrete subject signs, a first plurality of separate lenses arranged in a plane for separating said first coherent light beam into a plurality of separate discrete coherent light beams, a first light-opaque mask, disposed between said plurality of lenses and any selected subject sign, containing at least one aperture for permitting at least one of said separate discrete coherent light beams to irradiate such selected sign, each selected position of said mask causing the traNsmitted separate and coherent light beam to infringe at a different angle on said sign, collimating lens means interposed between said mask and subject sign to collimate any of such transmitted coherent light beams prior to their impingement on said selected sign to produce scattered wave fronts from said selected sign, means for directing said scattered wave fronts onto a portion of said recording surface whereby the zero order spot for each angular position of the transmitted beam will be located on a separate portion of said recording medium, and means for masking said second beam so as to emit its discrete pattern of separate points of light onto the same zero order spot of said recording surface whereby holograms are formed that are located on different portions of said recording surface, each hologram being made by a unique transmitted beam and a unique pattern of spaced, separate light pin points related to the selected sign.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
268 words
An optical device comprising a source of coherent light, a recording means means for dividing said coherent light into first and second beams, a fixed station, in the path of said first beam, capable of containing separate and distinct signs thereat, plural lenticular elements between said station and said first beam for separating said first beam into a plurality of individual beamlets, means for dividing said coherent light into first and second beams, a fixed station in the path of said first beam, capable of containing separate and distinct signs thereat, plural lenticular elements between said station and said first beam for separating said first beam into a plurality of individual beamlets, means for collimating each of said beamlets so that the latter impinge as parallel waves on a selected sign at said fixed station to generate scattered wave fronts from said sign, a first means for directing a selected collimated beamlet onto a selected sign at an angle which varies for each sign selected, a lens situation in the path of said scattered wave fronts so that said selected sign is at its front focal plane and said recording means is at its rear focal plane whereby said scattered wave fronts impinge on a given portion of said recording means corresponding to the beamlet selected, and means in the path of said second beam for creating a pattern of discrete and separate points of light that are simultaneously impingeable on said portion of said recording means as said scattered wave fronts so as to generate a different coded hologram for each distinct sign placed at said station.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
268 words
An optical device comprising a source of coherent light, a recording means means for dividing said coherent light into first and second beams, a fixed station, in the path of said first beam, capable of containing separate and distinct signs thereat, plural lenticular elements between said station and said first beam for separating said first beam into a plurality of individual beamlets, means for dividing said coherent light into first and second beams, a fixed station in the path of said first beam, capable of containing separate and distinct signs thereat, plural lenticular elements between said station and said first beam for separating said first beam into a plurality of individual beamlets, means for collimating each of said beamlets so that the latter impinge as parallel waves on a selected sign at said fixed station to generate scattered wave fronts from said sign, a first means for directing a selected collimated beamlet onto a selected sign at an angle which varies for each sign selected, a lens situation in the path of said scattered wave fronts so that said selected sign is at its front focal plane and said recording means is at its rear focal plane whereby said scattered wave fronts impinge on a given portion of said recording means corresponding to the beamlet selected, and means in the path of said second beam for creating a pattern of discrete and separate points of light that are simultaneously impingeable on said portion of said recording means as said scattered wave fronts so as to generate a different coded hologram for each distinct sign placed at said station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3296594A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-16 | 1975-02-15 | 1975-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-16 | 1979-02-15 | 1979-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-16 | 1983-02-15 | 1983-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |