Apparatus for forming a multiple image laser optical memory

Claim 2

An optical memory system comprising in combination: light beam emitting means for emitting a high energy level light beam; means for modulating said light beam emitting means in response to binary information bit signals; X-Y deflecting means receiving the modulated light beam for deflecting said light beam in a horizontal and a vertical direction; a mirror tunnel system receiving said light beam from said X-Y deflecting means and multiplying said light beam to produce a plurality of parallel light beams each displaced a distance from each other; beam selector means for selectively allowing one light beam from said plurality of light beams to pass through said beam selector means; a target having a plurality of image areas, said target being formed of a material sensitive to said light beam and positioned such that each of said plurality of parallel light beams scans a corresponding one of said image areas when said light beam is deflected by said X-Y deflecting means; and a polarizing filter for polarizing the light beam before said light beam strikes said image area; said light beam being of sufficient energy level to cause a change in the material forming the target according to the binary information bit signals modulating said light beam.

Claim 3

The optical memory system according to claim 1 further including: means for lowering the energy level of a reflex light beam reflected from the target caused by the light beam striking the target; a polarizing filter for allowing the reflex light beams of one polarization angle to pass through and for preventing the reflex light beams of a second polarization angle to be lowered in intensity; a gathering means for collecting the reflex light beams passing through said polarizing filter; light detector means for sensing the light level collected by said gathering means and for generating a binary electrical signal in response thereto; and data decoding means connected to said light detector means for decoding the binary electrical signals according to the actuation of the modulating means and the X-Y deflecting means.

Claim 4

The optical memory system according to claim 1 wherein said light beam emitting means is a laser system.

Claim 5

The optical memory system according to claim 1 wherein said beam selector means is a plurality of Kerr-type optical cells.

Claim 6

An optical memory system comprising in combination: a laser system emitting a light beam amplified by stimulated emission of radiation; means for modulating the light beam emitted by said laser system in response to binary information signals; X-Y deflecting means receiving the modulated light beam for deflecting said light beam in a horizontal and a vertical direction; a mirror tunnel system for multiplying said light beam to produce a plurality of parallel light beams each displaced a distance from each other; beam selector means for selectively allowing one light beam from said plurality of light beams to pass through said beam selector means; a target having a plurality of image areas, said target being formed of a magnetic film and positioned such that each of said plurality of parallel light beams scans a corresponding one of said image areas when said light beam is deflected by said X-Y deflecting means, and means for polarizing said light beam before said light beam strikes said target; said laser system producing a light beam of sufficient energy such that each of said plurality of parallel light beams is capable of raising one element in the image area of said target to the Curie-point temperature of the target material.

Claim 7

An optical memory system comprising in combination: a laser system emitting a light beam amplified by stimulated emission of radiation; means for modulating the light beam emitted by said laser system in response to binary information signals; X-Y deflecting means receiving the modulated light beam for deflecting said light beam in a horizontal and a vertical direction; a mirror tunnel system for multiplying said light beam to produce a plurality of parallel light beams each displaced a distance from each other; beam selector means for selectively allowing one light beam from said plurality of light beams to pass through said beam selector means; a target having a plurality of image areas, said target being formed of a magnetic film and positioned such that each of said plurality of parallel light beams scans a corresponding one of said image areas when said light beam is deflected by said X-Y deflecting means, and means for polarizing said light beam before said light beam strikes said target; said laser system producing a light beam of sufficient energy such that each of said plurality of parallel light beams is capable of raising one element in the image area of said target to the Curie-point temperature of the target material.

Claim 8

An optical memory system comprising in combination: light beam emitting means for emitting a high energy level light beam; X-Y deflecting means receiving said light beam for deflecting said light beam in a horizontal and a vertical direction; a mirror tunnel system for multiplying said light beam to produce a plurality of parallel light beams each displaced a distance from each other; beam selector means for selectively allowing one light beam from said plurality of light beams to pass through said beam selector means; a target having a plurality of image areas, said target being formed of a material sensitive to said light beam and positioned such that each of said plurality of parallel light beams scans a corresponding one of said image areas when said light beam is deflected by said X-Y deflecting means, said image areas having elements recorded with binary information bits such that the light beam after striking the element varies in intensity between a recorded ''''1'''' bit and a recorded ''''0'''' bit; light detector means for sensing the binary variance in intensity and for generating binary electrical signals in response thereto; data decoding means connected to said light detector means for decoding the binary electrical signals; controlling means for controlling the operation of said X-Y deflection means and said data decoder means; and a utilization device for actuating said controlling means and for utilizing said decoded binary electrical signals therein.

Claim 9

An optical memory system comprising in combination: light beam emitting means for emitting a high energy level light beam; X-Y deflecting means receiving said light beam for deflecting said light beam in a horizontal and a vertical direction; a mirror tunnel system for multiplying said light beam to produce a plurality of parallel light beams each displaced a distance from each other; beam selector means for selectively allowing one light beam from said plurality of light beams to pass through said beam selector means; a target having a plurality of image areas, said target being formed of a material sensitive to said light beam and positioned such that each of said plurality of parallel light beams scans a corresponding one of said image areas when said light beam is deflected by said X-Y deflecting means, said image areas having elements recorded with binary information bits such that the light beam after striking the element varies in intensity between a recorded ''''1'''' bit and a recorded ''''0'''' bit; light detector means for sensing the binary variance in intensity and for generating binary electrical signals in response thereto; data decoding means connected to said light detector means for decoding the binary electrical signals; controlling means for controlling the operation of said X-Y deflection means and said data decoder means; and a utilization device for actuating said controlling means and for utilizing said decoded binary electrical signals therein.