US3899778A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means employing a multiple lens array for reading from a high density optical memory storage
Assignee: NCR Voyix Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-04
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-01-04
Abstract
Abstract In order to read information densely recorded on a mask in a page-by-page grid pattern, the mask is disposed between an illumination array and a multiple lens array. Each page of stored information is aligned with an element of the illumination array and a lenslet of the multiple lens array. Upon energization of a selected illumination element, the light issued therefrom passes through the aligned information page and lenslet from which the information-bearing beam diverges. A detector array intercepts the beam from which the information is extracted. Exemplary illumination arrays include a cathode ray tube and a light emitting diode array. Exemplary detector arrays include a television camera and a photosensitive diode array.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B3/0006; G02B3/0037; G02B3/005; G02B3/0062; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A system for retrieving information stored page-by page on a mask comprising: A. illuminaTion means, said illumination means including a plurality of discrete light emitting areas and means for selectively enabling said discrete areas for light emission; B. a multiple lens array comprising first and second substrates each having parallel corrugations on a face thereof, said faces brought together with the parallel corrugations of said first substrate perpendicular to the parallel corrugations of said second substrate, said corrugations forming at each intersection thereof one of a plurality of lenslets, said multiple lens array being disposed proximate said illumination means such that each of said lenslets is aligned with one of said discrete light emitting areas; and C. photosensitive detector means, said photosensitive detector means including a plurality of light sensitive areas, said photosensitive detector means being disposed to intercept light issued from a light emitting discrete area of said illumination means and passed through a corresponding lenslet of said multiple lens array; whereby an information bearing area of a mask positioned intermediate said illumination means and said multiple lens array is illuminated by a selected light emitting area, and the resultant information encoded beam passes through the corresponding one of said lenslets and impinges on said photosensitive detector means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
A system for retrieving information stored page-by page on a mask comprising: A. illuminaTion means, said illumination means including a plurality of discrete light emitting areas and means for selectively enabling said discrete areas for light emission; B. a multiple lens array comprising first and second substrates each having parallel corrugations on a face thereof, said faces brought together with the parallel corrugations of said first substrate perpendicular to the parallel corrugations of said second substrate, said corrugations forming at each intersection thereof one of a plurality of lenslets, said multiple lens array being disposed proximate said illumination means such that each of said lenslets is aligned with one of said discrete light emitting areas; and C. photosensitive detector means, said photosensitive detector means including a plurality of light sensitive areas, said photosensitive detector means being disposed to intercept light issued from a light emitting discrete area of said illumination means and passed through a corresponding lenslet of said multiple lens array; whereby an information bearing area of a mask positioned intermediate said illumination means and said multiple lens array is illuminated by a selected light emitting area, and the resultant information encoded beam passes through the corresponding one of said lenslets and impinges on said photosensitive detector means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The information retrieval system of claim 1 in which said illumination means comprises a cathode ray tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The information retrieval system of claim 1 in which said photosensitive detector means comprises a camera tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The information retrieval system of claim 1 in which said photosensitive detector means comprises a plurality of photosensitive diodes disposed in an array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The information retrieval system of claim 1 which further includes a correction lens disposed between said multiple lens array and said photosensitive detector means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The information retrieval system of claim 1 which further includes a fiberoptic plate juxtaposed with said illumination means and disposed between said illumination means and said multiple lens array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The information retrieval system of claim 6 in which said fiberoptic plate disposed between said illumination means and said multiple lens array comprises a plurality of tapered fiberoptic bundles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The information retrieval system of claim 1 which further includes light amplification means disposed between said multiple lens array and said photosensitive detector means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The information retrieval system of claim 8 which further include a fiberoptic plate disposed between said light amplification means and said photosensitive detector means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The information retrieval system of claim 9 said fiberoptic plate disposed between said light amplification means and said photosensitive detector means comprises a plurality of tapered fiberoptic bundles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The information retrieval system of claim 1 in which said illumination means comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed in an array.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The information retrieval system of claim 11 in which said photosensitive detector means comprises a plurality of photosensitive diodes disposed in an array.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The information retrieval system of claim 11 in which said light emitting diodes emit light in the infrared portion of the spectrum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The information retrieval system of claim 13 which further includes converter means disposed between said light emitting diode array and said photosensitive detector means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |