Abstract A page composer for translating binary information from electrical to optical form includes an insulating substrate having an array of electrodes on one surface thereof connected by feedthrough conductors to the opposite surface of the substrate. Means surrounding each electrode supports an elemental portion of a flexible reflective metallic membrane in spaced relation with a respective electrode. Semiconductor elements are positioned on the opposite surface of the substrate. Each element may be a MOS field effect transistor having a common ground connection to the metallic membrane, and an individual drain output electrode connected through a respective feedthrough conductor to a respective electrode on the other surface, whereby the portion of the flexible membrane opposite a terminal is planar or deformed depending on whether an electrical charge was supplied to the electrode by the respective transistor. When a read-out light is directed to the exposed surface of the membrane, light is reflected from planar portions of the membrane to a utilization plane, and light is scattered from deformed portions of the membrane.
A page composer for translating information from electrical to optical form, comprising an insulating substrate having an array of electrodes on one surface thereof connected by feedthrough conductors to the opposite surface of the substrate, a flexible reflective metallic membrane, means surrounding each said electrode to support an elemental portion of said membrane in spaced relation with a respective electrode, an array of semiconductor elements mounted on said opposite surface of the substrate and each having a common connection to said metallic membrane and an individual output terminal connected through a respective feedthrough conductor to a respective electrode on said one surface, whereby each semiconductor element may be energized to supply a voltage to the respective terminal so that the opposite portion of said flexible membrane is changed from planar to deformed, and means to direct a read-out light to the exposed surface of said membrane, whereby light is reflected from planar portions of the membrane to a utilization plane, and light is scattered from deformed portions of the membrane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A page composer for translating information from electrical to optical form, comprising an insulating substrate having an array of electrodes on one surface thereof connected by feedthrough conductors to the opposite surface of the substrate, a flexible reflective metallic membrane, means surrounding each said electrode to support an elemental portion of said membrane in spaced relation with a respective electrode, an array of semiconductor elements mounted on said opposite surface of the substrate and each having a common connection to said metallic membrane and an individual output terminal connected through a respective feedthrough conductor to a respective electrode on said one surface, whereby each semiconductor element may be energized to supply a voltage to the respective terminal so that the opposite portion of said flexible membrane is changed from planar to deformed, and means to direct a read-out light to the exposed surface of said membrane, whereby light is reflected from planar portions of the membrane to a utilization plane, and light is scattered from deformed portions of the membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A page composer as defined in claim 1 wherein said array of semiconductor elements is an array of bistable circuits.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A page composer as defined in claim 2 wherein said bistable circuits are flip-flop circuits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A page composer as defined in claim 1 wherein said array of semiconductor elements is an array of MOS field effect transistors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A page composer as defined in claim 4 wherein each terminal and associated portion of said membrane are constructed to provide a capacitance which cooperates with the respective MOS field effect transistor to constitute a dynamic memory cell.