US3882471A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method of operating a high-density memory
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1974-04-19
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Granted: 1975-05-06
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Expires: 1994-04-19
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to the apparatus and method for operating a high-density memory such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) having therein a high-density storage target. The high-density storage target comprises a plurality of storage elements disposed in lines and columns. To provide a high density of storage elements, each column and line is provided with a positioning tab whereby the electron beam used to read, write and erase information upon the storage target, may be positioned accurately with respect to each line and column and to thereby facilitate the accurate positioning of the electron beam with respect to each storage element of the high-density storage target. In particular, this invention is directed toward the method and apparatus for determining which of a great number of storage elements is defective and for removing the positioning tab corresponding to the line in which the defective storage element is located. Thus, in the fabrication of the high-density storage element, an additional number of lines of storage elements are provided so that those lines containing defective storage elements may be disregarded while ensuring that the required number of storage elements is provided. As a result, in order to address a particular storage element, the electron beam is scanned down the required number of tabs in a manner as described above, while the lines containing a defective storage element are ignored. In this manner, a high-density storage target is provided while ensuring that each of the active storage elements capable of being addressed, is operative.
Inventors
- 👤 John M Walker
- 👤 John M Mcintyre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:42
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C29/00; G11C29/70; G11C11/00; G11C11/21; G11C11/23; G11C29/04; G11C29/08; G11C29/12; G11C29/44; H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/10; H01J29/36; H01J29/39; H01J29/41; H01J9/00; H01J9/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of providing a high-information density, storage device having a plurality of storage elements disposed in a matrix of lines and rows, wherein each of the addressable storage elements is operative, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing each line of the storage elements with a positioning tab disposed in a defined relationship therewith; b. determining whether the storage elements within a selected line are operative or inoperative; and c. if a selected number of storage elements within a selected line is not operative, removing the positioning tab corresponding to that selected line.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of providing a high-information density, storage device having a plurality of storage elements disposed in a matrix of lines and rows, wherein each of the addressable storage elements is operative, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing each line of the storage elements with a positioning tab disposed in a defined relationship therewith; b. determining whether the storage elements within a selected line are operative or inoperative; and c. if a selected number of storage elements within a selected line is not operative, removing the positioning tab corresponding to that selected line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in step (b), a test signal is stored upon the storage elements within the selected line, and the stored test signal is read-out from the storage device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein in step (b), the read-out signal from the storage elements of the selected line is compared with the original test signal to determine whether any of the storage elements within that selected line is operative or inoperative.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises an electron gun for emitting and directing an electron beam onto a storage target comprising the plurality of storage, wherein in step (b), the electron beam is scanned across a selected line of storage elements to store thereon a predefined pattern of charges.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein in step (b), the electron beam is subsequently scanned across the selected line to derive an output signal indicative of the charges stored upon the storage elements of the selected line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein in step (b), the output signal indicative of the stored charges is compared with the pattern originally stored thereon to determine whether the storage elements of the selected line are operative or inoperative.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein in step (c), the electron beam is directed onto the positioning tab corresponding to that selected line having a specified number of inoperative storage elements therein, and the current density of the electron beam is increased to such a level whereby the positioning tab of that selected line is removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for testing and manufacturing a storage device having a plurality of storage elements disposed in a matrix of lines and rows, each line of storage elements having a positioning tab disposed in a fixed relationship therewith, said apparatus comprising: a. means for generating a test signal to be written upon a selected line of the storage elements; b. means for reading and writing the test signal upon the selected line of storage elements; c. means for comparing the original test signal with the signal as read out from the selected line, to determine Whether the storage elements of the selected line are operative or inoperative; and d. means for removing the positioning tab corresponding to that selected line having a given number of inoperative storage elements therein.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
Apparatus for testing and manufacturing a storage device having a plurality of storage elements disposed in a matrix of lines and rows, each line of storage elements having a positioning tab disposed in a fixed relationship therewith, said apparatus comprising: a. means for generating a test signal to be written upon a selected line of the storage elements; b. means for reading and writing the test signal upon the selected line of storage elements; c. means for comparing the original test signal with the signal as read out from the selected line, to determine Whether the storage elements of the selected line are operative or inoperative; and d. means for removing the positioning tab corresponding to that selected line having a given number of inoperative storage elements therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said means for reading and writing comprises an electron gun for emitting and directing an electron beam onto said storage device, said storage elements being capable of storing a charge thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said comparing means is responsive to the test signal as derived from said generating means and to the signal as derived from said means for reading and writing to determine a coincidence therebetween to determine whether the storage elements are operative or inoperative.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein asid means for removing comprises an electron gun for emitting and directing a beam of electrons of sufficient intensity to sublimate said positioning tab corresponding to that selected line with a given number of defective storage elements therein.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
118 words
A storage device comprising: a. a plurality of storage elements disposed in a matrix of lines and rows, said lines of storage elements being addressable or non-addressable; b. the number of said lines of storage elements exceeding that required to provide a given storage for said storage device; c. each of said addressable lines having said storage elements that are operative, and a positioning tab disposed in a fixed relationship therewith, the number of operative storage elements with said addressable lines corresponding to the required storage to be stored upon said storage device; d. each non-addressable line of said storage element in which a selected number of storage elements thereof are inoperative having no positioning tab associated therewith.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
118 words
A storage device comprising: a. a plurality of storage elements disposed in a matrix of lines and rows, said lines of storage elements being addressable or non-addressable; b. the number of said lines of storage elements exceeding that required to provide a given storage for said storage device; c. each of said addressable lines having said storage elements that are operative, and a positioning tab disposed in a fixed relationship therewith, the number of operative storage elements with said addressable lines corresponding to the required storage to be stored upon said storage device; d. each non-addressable line of said storage element in which a selected number of storage elements thereof are inoperative having no positioning tab associated therewith.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3362017A
Cited
US3584183A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-05 | 1978-11-04 | 1979-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-05 | 1982-11-04 | 1983-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-05 | 1986-11-04 | 1987-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |