Patent US2587690A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3696352A
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Magneto-optical readout beam shifted as a function of information
Assignee: ROBATRON VEB K
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Filing: 1970-11-25
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-11-25
Abstract
Abstract Magnetically stored information is retrieved or picked-up in a magneto-optical manner by successively scanning magnetic storage elements in a magnetic storage member with a beam of polarized electro-magnetic radiation at such critical angle of incidence that the reflected beam is shifted and reflected or reflected without shift depending upon the direction of magnetization present in said storage elements which direction may assume but two possible values representing a digital ''''1'''' or a digital ''''0.'''' The shift or its absence is ascertained as representing said information by means of at least one receiver and an orifice means or shutter positioned relative to said magnetic storage member and relative to a scanner so as to assure said critical angle. The storage member comprises a total reflection layer on top of a layer including said magnetic storage elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinz Schilling
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:16
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; G11C13/06; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/09; G11B; G11B11/00; G11B11/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A magneto-optical method of retrieving magnetically stored information from a magnetic storage member including a reflection layer and a layer of magnetic storage elements with an interface between said layers, wherein the direction of magnetization assumes in said magnetic storage elements one of two possible directions representing a digital ''''1'''' or a digital ''''0,'''' comprising successively scanning said magnetic storage elements one after the other with a beam of polarized electro-magnetic radiation having a given beam width while simultaneously directing such beam toward the storage member at such a critical angle of incidence that a shift and reflection of said beam takes place in response to scanning a magnetic storage element which is magnetized in one of said two possible directions, and that a reflection takes place substantially without any shift in response to scanning a magnetic storage element which is magnetized in the other of said two possible directions, and receiving said reflected beam for ascertaining its information content.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
A magneto-optical method of retrieving magnetically stored information from a magnetic storage member including a reflection layer and a layer of magnetic storage elements with an interface between said layers, wherein the direction of magnetization assumes in said magnetic storage elements one of two possible directions representing a digital ''''1'''' or a digital ''''0,'''' comprising successively scanning said magnetic storage elements one after the other with a beam of polarized electro-magnetic radiation having a given beam width while simultaneously directing such beam toward the storage member at such a critical angle of incidence that a shift and reflection of said beam takes place in response to scanning a magnetic storage element which is magnetized in one of said two possible directions, and that a reflection takes place substantially without any shift in response to scanning a magnetic storage element which is magnetized in the other of said two possible directions, and receiving said reflected beam for ascertaining its information content.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said shift of the reflected beam causes an enlarged beam width of the reflected beam as compared to said given beam width of the scanning beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 2, further comprising receiving said reflected enlarged width beam for ascertaining its information content.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 1, in which said scanning step comprises scanning said elements with a polarized laser beam.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 1, further comprising defining a receiving surface for said reflected beam, said receiving surfacE having a predetermined surface area, and ascertaining the difference between the radiation intensity of said reflected beams impinging upon said receiving surface area for distinguishing the digital ''''0'''' information from the digital ''''1'''' information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said scanning beam is directed toward said magnetic storage member to first penetrate said reflection layer for reflection at said interface between the layers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said scanning beam is directed toward said magnetic storage member to first penetrate said layer of magnetic storage elements for reflection at said interface between the layers.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for retriving magnetically stored information comprising means for emitting a scanning beam of polarized electro-magnetic radiation, a magnetic storage member comprising a reflection layer, a layer of magnetic storage elements, and an interface between said layers, said interface defining a reference plane, and receiver means including aperture means for receiving a reflected beam; said emitting means having a beam emitting axis positioned relative to said reference plane so that said scanning beam has a critical angle of incidence which will cause a shift of said reflected beam depending upon the direction of magnetization of the particular magnetic storage element, said receiver and aperture means being located relative to said reference plane so that a reflected beam which is shifted is received through said aperture with a different intensity than a reflected beam which is normally reflected.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for retriving magnetically stored information comprising means for emitting a scanning beam of polarized electro-magnetic radiation, a magnetic storage member comprising a reflection layer, a layer of magnetic storage elements, and an interface between said layers, said interface defining a reference plane, and receiver means including aperture means for receiving a reflected beam; said emitting means having a beam emitting axis positioned relative to said reference plane so that said scanning beam has a critical angle of incidence which will cause a shift of said reflected beam depending upon the direction of magnetization of the particular magnetic storage element, said receiver and aperture means being located relative to said reference plane so that a reflected beam which is shifted is received through said aperture with a different intensity than a reflected beam which is normally reflected.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said receiver means comprise two receivers and said aperture means is positioned for admitting a reflected and shifted beam to one of said receivers and a normally reflected beam to the other of said receivers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
A magnetic storage member comprising a reflection layer and a layer of magnetic storage elements with an interface between said layers, said layers having different optical densities, substantially the same dielectric losses, and a relatively small absorption factor for polarized electro-magnetic radiation, means positioned to direct a beam of polarized electromagnetic radiation toward said interface at a critical angle at which a shift of the reflected beam occurs in response to the direction of magnetization of said elements, and means for detecting shifts in said reflected beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
87 words
A magnetic storage member comprising a reflection layer and a layer of magnetic storage elements with an interface between said layers, said layers having different optical densities, substantially the same dielectric losses, and a relatively small absorption factor for polarized electro-magnetic radiation, means positioned to direct a beam of polarized electromagnetic radiation toward said interface at a critical angle at which a shift of the reflected beam occurs in response to the direction of magnetization of said elements, and means for detecting shifts in said reflected beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The magnetic storage member according to claim 10, wherein said reflection layer has a larger optical density than said layer of magnetic storage elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The magnetic storage member according to claim 11, wherein said reflection layer is made of highly refractive flint glass.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for retrieving magnetically stored information from a magnetic storage member comprising a layer of a reflection material adapted to be positioned in contact with said storage member to form an interface therebetween, a source of polarized electro-magnetic radiation directed toward said interface at a critical angle at which a shift of the reflected beam from said interface occurs in response to the direction of magnetization of said member, and means for detecting shifts in said reflector beam.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for retrieving magnetically stored information from a magnetic storage member comprising a layer of a reflection material adapted to be positioned in contact with said storage member to form an interface therebetween, a source of polarized electro-magnetic radiation directed toward said interface at a critical angle at which a shift of the reflected beam from said interface occurs in response to the direction of magnetization of said member, and means for detecting shifts in said reflector beam.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said magnetic storage member is movable with respect to said source and detecting means for scanning said storage member with said radiation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |