US3689692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound records and reproducing apparatus
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-27
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1990-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A sound record comprising a tape having a diffraction grating line pattern thereon, audio information being contained as width modulation of the diffraction grating pattern. Sound reproduction apparatus for use with the width modulated diffraction grating tape comprises a light source formed into a narrow beam of light and focused across the width of the tape. A light sensitive detector is disposed to receive diffracted light from the tape. Diffracted light from the tape corresponding to the audio information is focused onto the light detector for producing electrical signals corresponding to the audio information.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Chung-Sen Ih
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:56
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/12; G11B7/002; G11B7/003; G11B7/007; H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/89
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A recording, comprising an elongated tape having a diffraction grating formed on said tape, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth and having a dimension of said grating in the direction of said tape width varied in accordance with information to be recorded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
A recording, comprising an elongated tape having a diffraction grating formed on said tape, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth and having a dimension of said grating in the direction of said tape width varied in accordance with information to be recorded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A recording according to claim 1 wherein said tape is of a transparent material whereby upon illumination from one side said signal is contained in diffracted light emerging from the other side of said tape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A recording according to claim 1 wherein said tape has a light reflecting coating whereby upon illumination from one side said signal is contained in diffracted light reflected from said one side.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
A flexible transparent elongated tape including a record formed on one side thereof as width modulation of a diffraction grating, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth of which extend longitudinally of said tape whereby upon being illuminated information corresponding to said width modulation is contained in diffracted light emerging from said tape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A flexible transparent elongated tape including a record formed on one side thereof as width modulation of a diffraction grating, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth of which extend longitudinally of said tape whereby upon being illuminated information corresponding to said width modulation is contained in diffracted light emerging from said tape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A reproduction apparatus for playing back a record formed as width modulation of a diffraction grating extending along an elongated tape, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth, comprising: a source of light; an aperture plate defining a relatively narrow slit aperture for passing light; a cylindrical lens disposed between said light source and said aperture plate for focusing a beam of light on said slit aperture; light detecting means for producing electrical signals corresponding to light impinging thereon; and means for focusing said light emerging from said slit aperture substantially to a plane along which said tape is moves and for focusing light diffracted by said record onto said light detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A reproduction apparatus for playing back a record formed as width modulation of a diffraction grating extending along an elongated tape, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth, comprising: a source of light; an aperture plate defining a relatively narrow slit aperture for passing light; a cylindrical lens disposed between said light source and said aperture plate for focusing a beam of light on said slit aperture; light detecting means for producing electrical signals corresponding to light impinging thereon; and means for focusing said light emerging from said slit aperture substantially to a plane along which said tape is moves and for focusing light diffracted by said record onto said light detecting means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
A reproduction apparatus for producing electrical signals corresponding to width modulation of a diffraction grating formed on an elongated tape, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth, comprising: a source of light for illuminating said tape; means for moving said tape through said illuminating beam of light; light detecting means disposed to intercept light diffracted by said tape; and means for forming and focusing a relatively narrow beam of light extending across said tape at substantially a right angle to the lines of said diffraction grating and for directing light diffracted by said tape onto said light detecting means for producing electrical signals corresponding to the width modulation of said tape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
A reproduction apparatus for producing electrical signals corresponding to width modulation of a diffraction grating formed on an elongated tape, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth, comprising: a source of light for illuminating said tape; means for moving said tape through said illuminating beam of light; light detecting means disposed to intercept light diffracted by said tape; and means for forming and focusing a relatively narrow beam of light extending across said tape at substantially a right angle to the lines of said diffraction grating and for directing light diffracted by said tape onto said light detecting means for producing electrical signals corresponding to the width modulation of said tape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A reproduction apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said means for forming a relatively narrow beam of light includes a cylindrical lens disposed between said light source and said tape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A reproduction apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said means for focusing said light beam includes means for focusing said diffracted light onto said light detecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A reproduction apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said light source produces essentially monochromatic coherent light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A reproduction apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said light source produces white light.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
334 words
The method of making an optical record, comprising: imprinting a plastic tape with a diffraction grating, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth; depositing a layer of light sensitive material over said diffraction grating; exposing said light sensitized tape to light modulated by information to be recorded; processing said exposed light sensitive tape such that said light sensitive material is removed from said tape in the exposed areas; producing a metal master of said processed tape; aNd producing a duplicate of said original sound record by forming a thermoplastic tape with said metal master whereby said thermoplastic tape with said metal master whereby said thermoplastic tape has said information contained as width modulation of said diffraction grating. 12 A system for producing electrical signals corresponding to video and sound information contained in a record, said sound information being contained in a portion of said record adjacent video portions and comprising width modulation of a diffraction grating, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth, comprising: a light source; means for moving said record relative to said light source; means for directing said light along a first path for illuminating video portions of said record whereby video information is contained in light diffracted by said record; first detecting means for detecting said video modulated light for producing electrical signals corresponding to the video information contained in said record; means for directing said light along a second path for illuminating said sound information portion of said record; second detecting means disposed to intercept light diffracted by said sound information portion of said record; and means for forming and focusing a relatively narrow beam of light extending across said sound portion of said record at substantially a right angle to the plurality of parallel grooves of said diffraction grating and for directing light diffracted by said sound information portion of said record onto said second detecting means for producing electrical signals corresponding to the width modulation of said diffraction grating.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
334 words
The method of making an optical record, comprising: imprinting a plastic tape with a diffraction grating, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth; depositing a layer of light sensitive material over said diffraction grating; exposing said light sensitized tape to light modulated by information to be recorded; processing said exposed light sensitive tape such that said light sensitive material is removed from said tape in the exposed areas; producing a metal master of said processed tape; aNd producing a duplicate of said original sound record by forming a thermoplastic tape with said metal master whereby said thermoplastic tape with said metal master whereby said thermoplastic tape has said information contained as width modulation of said diffraction grating. 12 A system for producing electrical signals corresponding to video and sound information contained in a record, said sound information being contained in a portion of said record adjacent video portions and comprising width modulation of a diffraction grating, said grating comprises a plurality of parallel grooves of fixed depth, comprising: a light source; means for moving said record relative to said light source; means for directing said light along a first path for illuminating video portions of said record whereby video information is contained in light diffracted by said record; first detecting means for detecting said video modulated light for producing electrical signals corresponding to the video information contained in said record; means for directing said light along a second path for illuminating said sound information portion of said record; second detecting means disposed to intercept light diffracted by said sound information portion of said record; and means for forming and focusing a relatively narrow beam of light extending across said sound portion of said record at substantially a right angle to the plurality of parallel grooves of said diffraction grating and for directing light diffracted by said sound information portion of said record onto said second detecting means for producing electrical signals corresponding to the width modulation of said diffraction grating.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system for producing electrical signals corresponding to video and sound information contained in a record according to claim 12 wherein: said means for directing light along a second path includes means for directing light from an order of said light diffracted by said video information portion of said record, which order is other than the diffracted light directed to said first detecting means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system for producing electrical signals corresponding to video and sound information contained in a record according to claim 13 wherein said means for forming a relatively narrow beam of light includes a cylindrical lens disposed between said light source and said tape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system for producing electrical signals corresponding to video and sound information contained in a record according to claim 14 wherein said means for focusing said light beam includes means for focusing said diffracted light onto said second detecting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system for producing electrical signals corresponding to video and sound information contained in a record according to claim 15 wherein said light source produces essentially monochromatic coherent light.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system for producing electrical signals corresponding to video and sound information contained in a record according to claim 16 wherein said light source produces white light.
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) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |