Patent US3869193A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3869193A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical memory with improved signal-to-noise ratio
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1973-09-18
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-09-18
Abstract
Abstract The signal-to-noise ratio in an optical memory is improved by using separate write and read beams. The read beam has a larger diameter than the write beam at the final focusing lens so that the read beam is focused to a read light spot at the memory medium which has a diameter less than the diameter of the write spot.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis M Schmit
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:40
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; G11C13/06; G11B; G11B11/00; G11B11/10; G11B11/105; G11B11/10502; G11B11/10504; G11B11/10515; G11B11/10532; G11B7/00; G11B7/12; G11B7/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An optical memory comprising: a memory medium; first light source means for producing a write beam; second light source means for producing a read beam angularly separated from the write beam in a first direction; focusing means for receiving the write beam and the read beam and for focusing the write and read beams to first and second focused light spots respectively at the memory medium, the first and second focused light spots spatially separated from one another in the first direction, the read beam having a larger beam diameter than the write beam at the focusing means whereby the second focused light spot has a diameter which is less than the diameter of the first focused light spot at the memory medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
An optical memory comprising: a memory medium; first light source means for producing a write beam; second light source means for producing a read beam angularly separated from the write beam in a first direction; focusing means for receiving the write beam and the read beam and for focusing the write and read beams to first and second focused light spots respectively at the memory medium, the first and second focused light spots spatially separated from one another in the first direction, the read beam having a larger beam diameter than the write beam at the focusing means whereby the second focused light spot has a diameter which is less than the diameter of the first focused light spot at the memory medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The optical memory of claim 1 and further comprising: means for providing relative motion of the memory medium with respect to the write beam and the read beam in the first direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical memory of claim 2 wherein the read beam aNd the write beam have a common pivot plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The optical memory of claim 3 and further comprising: positioning means positioned at the common pivot plane for positioning the read and write beams in a second direction essentially orthogonal to the first direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The optical memory of claim 1 wherein the second light source means comprises: beam splitter means positioned in the path of the write beam to split off a portion of the write beam, thereby forming the read beam; and mirror means for directing the read beam toward the memory medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical memory of claim 5 and further comprising: beam expander means positioned in the path of the read beam for increasing the diameter of the read beam.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of writing and reading information on a memory medium comprising: directing a write beam through a focusing lens to a first focused light spot at the memory medium; and directing a read beam of larger diameter than the write beam through the focusing lens to a second focused light spot at the memory medium, the second focused light spot being spatially separated from the first focused light spot in a first direction and having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the first focused light spot.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of writing and reading information on a memory medium comprising: directing a write beam through a focusing lens to a first focused light spot at the memory medium; and directing a read beam of larger diameter than the write beam through the focusing lens to a second focused light spot at the memory medium, the second focused light spot being spatially separated from the first focused light spot in a first direction and having a diameter which is less than the diameter of the first focused light spot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 7 and further comprising: providing relative motion of the memory medium with respect to the write beam and the read beam in the first direction.
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) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |