US3868658A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for optical superheterodyne information reading
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1972-09-20
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Granted: 1975-02-25
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Expires: 1992-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A device for reading information optically characterized by a beam of light from a source being passed through a beam splitter to provide two partial beams. One beam is projected onto an optical memory to have information imposed thereon and then is directed onto a detector. The other partial beam is guided through a frequency shifting device and a beam deflecting device, which devices may be either a single unit or two separate units, and the beam is then projected on the detector which has a nature to receive both the first and second partial beams with a superheterodyne reception to produce an electrical signal which is received by an intermediate frequency amplifier. In one embodiment of the invention, the surface of the detector is a continuous single detecting surface with a single pair of output connections. In another embodiment, the detecting surface is a plurality of parallel extending strips with each strip having a separate pair of output connections and the device includes an electronic switch for selectively connecting a pair of output connections to the amplifier. A third embodiment utilizes a segmented matrix of a plurality of elements arranged in rows and columns with all the elements in each column connected in parallel to a single pair of output connections respectively and includes an electronic switch for selectively interconnecting the output connections of a selected column to the amplifier.
Inventors
- 👤 Horst Kiemle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:27
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; G06; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/88
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In a device for optically reading information having a light source for directing a beam of light onto a portion of an optical memory which memory imposes information on the beam, a beam splitter disposed in the path of light between the source and the optical memory to separate a partial beam from the beam of light prior to striking the optical memory, means for guiding the partial beam of light through a frequency shifter and onto a detector which has a heterodyne reception of the partial beam and the beam having the information imposed thereon to transform light beams into electrical signals which are received by an intermediate frequency amplifier, the improvement comprising the frequency shifter being an acousto-optical light deflector which causes a direction-dependent frequency shifting of the partial beam which causes the electrical signal of the detector to be a variable intermediate frequency signal and an electronic oscillator providing a variable frequency output which is mixed with the variable intermediate frequency signal of the detector prior to the signal being received by the intermediate frequency amplifier, said oscillator being synchronized with the acoustooptical light deflector so that the signal received by the amplifier is a constant frequency signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In a device for optically reading information having a light source for directing a beam of light onto a portion of an optical memory which memory imposes information on the beam, a beam splitter disposed in the path of light between the source and the optical memory to separate a partial beam from the beam of light prior to striking the optical memory, means for guiding the partial beam of light through a frequency shifter and onto a detector which has a heterodyne reception of the partial beam and the beam having the information imposed thereon to transform light beams into electrical signals which are received by an intermediate frequency amplifier, the improvement comprising the frequency shifter being an acousto-optical light deflector which causes a direction-dependent frequency shifting of the partial beam which causes the electrical signal of the detector to be a variable intermediate frequency signal and an electronic oscillator providing a variable frequency output which is mixed with the variable intermediate frequency signal of the detector prior to the signal being received by the intermediate frequency amplifier, said oscillator being synchronized with the acoustooptical light deflector so that the signal received by the amplifier is a constant frequency signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
In a device according to claim 1, wherein the detector is a segmented matrix of individual detector elements arranged in rows and columns and the elements of each column are connected in parallel to a separate pair of output connections, wherein the partial beam on the detector surface has a cross section of a symmetrical circle, and wherein the acousto-optical deflector shifts the beam on the detector surface in two directions with one direction being parallel to the rows and the other direction being parallel to the columns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a device according to claim 2, which includes an electronic switch for selectively interconnecting a selected pair of output connections to the intermediate frequency amplifier and said electronic switch being operated in time succession and synchronously with the deflection of the partial beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a device according to claim 1 wherein the detector is a segmented matrix of individual detector elements arranged in rows and columns and the elements of each column are connected in parallel to a separate pair of output connections, wherein the partial beam directed on the detector surface by the acousto-optical light detector has a fan-shaped cross section with the direction of expansion of the beam extending perpendicular to the direction of the columns, and wherein the acousto-optical light deflector shifts the fan-shaped beam along a direction extending parallel to the columns of interconnected elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a device according to claim 4 which includes an electronic switch for selectively interconnecting the intermediate frequency amplifier to a selected pair of output connections and said electronic switch being operated in time succession and synchronously with the deflection of the partial beam by the acousto-optical light deflector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
In a device according to claim 1 wherein the detector surfaces comprises a plurality of elongated strips with each strip connected to a separate pair of output connections, wherein the partial beam directed on the detector surface has a fan-shaped cross section with the direction of the fan-shape extending perpendicular to the direction of the strip, and the acousto-optical light deflector deflects the fan-shaped partial beam in a direction extending parallel to the strips.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
In a device according to claim 6 which includes an electronic switch connected to the intermediate amplifier for interconnecting the amplifier to a selected pair of output connections, said electronic switch operating in time succession and synchronously with the acousto-optical light deflector.
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) | 1978-02-24 | 1978-08-26 | 1979-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-24 | 1982-08-26 | 1983-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-24 | 1986-08-26 | 1987-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |