US3774173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Photochromic fiber optic plate
Assignee: Corning Glass Works
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Filing: 1972-09-20
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Granted: 1973-11-20
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Expires: 1992-09-20
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an optical image storage system of the type utilizing a photochromic fiber optic image storage plate and an apparatus for rapidly bleaching information stored in the storage plate. In addition to the usual multiplicity of optical fibers containing photochromic material, the image storage plate also comprises a plurality of conductive fibers disposed parallel to the optical fibers. Means such as an induction coil disposed around the image storage plate or transparent electroconductive electrodes disposed on opposite faces of the image storage plate are provided for causing current flow in the conductive fibers to generate heat therein, thereby bleaching or erasing information contained in the image storage plate.
Inventors
- 👤 R Love
- 👤 R Westwig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 09:30
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; G11C13/041; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/22; G02B5/23; H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; H01J29/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
An optical image storage system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for causing current flow comprises means for generating electromagnetic energy to induce current flow in said conductive fibers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An optical image storage system in accordance with claim 2 further comprising a dichroic filter disposed on said second face of said image storage plate, said dichroic filter being substantially transparent to ultraviolet light and substantially reflective to visible light, said phosphor means comprising an ultraviolet-emitting phosphor layer disposed upon the surface of said dichroic filter, said image storage plate being disposed in said cathode ray tube so that the electron beam thereof impinges upon said phosphor layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
An optical image storage system in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means for generating comprises an induction coil disposed around said cathode ray tube in the vicinity of said image storage plate, and means for energizing said induction coil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical image storage system in accordance with claim 4 further comprising means for projecting red light onto said first face of said image storage plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
An optical image storage system in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said optical fibers comprises a photochromic glass core and a layer of non-photochromic cladding glass disposed upon the surface of said core, said conductive fibers being completely surrounded by said non-photochromic cladding glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical image storage system in accordance with claim 6 wherein at least a portion of a conductive fiber is disposed adjacent to each optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical image storage system in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said conductive fibers is completely surrounded by cladding glass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An optical image storage system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for causing current flow comprises an induction coil disposed around said cathode ray tube in the vicinity of said image storage plate, and means for energizing said indUction coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
172 words
An optical image storage system comprising a cathode ray tube, an image storage plate having a multiplicity of optical fibers formed of photochromic material, said optical fibers being secured together in side-by-side relation so that opposite ends thereof cooperate to define first and second end faces, a plurality of conductive figers disposed parallel to said optical fibers in said image storage plate, a dichroic filter disposed on said second face, said dichroic filter being substantially transparent to ultraviolet light and substantially reflective to visible light, and an ultraviolet-emitting phosphor layer disposed upon the surface of said dichroic filter, said image storage plate being disposed in said cathode ray tube so that the electron beam thereof impinges upon said phosphor layer, an induction coil disposed around said cathode ray tube in the vicinity of said image storage plate, and means for energizing said induction coil to thereby generate electromagnetic energy which induces current flow in said conductive fibers, causing heat generation therein, thereby bleaching any of said optical fibers which have been darkened.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3385927A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-11-19 | 1977-05-21 | 1977-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-19 | 1981-05-21 | 1981-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-19 | 1985-05-21 | 1985-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |