Patent US7351782B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4059827A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4059827A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Molecular information storage systems
Assignee: BAE Systems Electronics Ltd
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Filing: 1976-02-19
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Granted: 1977-11-22
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Expires: 1996-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A thermoplastic film is used to record data in the form of variations in molecular orientation of the polar molecules. The film is softened by heating and the data recorded, after which the film is cooled to retain the recorded molecular orientation.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis William George Byatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:21
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B9/00; G11B9/08; G11B9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of data storage and recovery in which the data is stored as variations in molecular orientation within a thermoplastic film having polar molecules, said film consisting of polyvinylidene fluorine.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of data storage and recovery in which the data is stored as variations in molecular orientation within a thermoplastic film having polar molecules, said film consisting of polyvinylidene fluorine.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of recording data on a thermoplastic film consisting of polyvinylidene flouride having a random orientation of its polar molecules in which an electric field modulated in accordance with data to be stored is applied across said film while the film is thermally softened and is moving relative to the electric field, such as to re-orient the said molecules and thereby produce potential differences between the surfaces of the film and, subsequently, the thermoplastic material is cooled so that the molecules remain with substantially the same orientation as adopted in the electric field.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of recording data on a thermoplastic film consisting of polyvinylidene flouride having a random orientation of its polar molecules in which an electric field modulated in accordance with data to be stored is applied across said film while the film is thermally softened and is moving relative to the electric field, such as to re-orient the said molecules and thereby produce potential differences between the surfaces of the film and, subsequently, the thermoplastic material is cooled so that the molecules remain with substantially the same orientation as adopted in the electric field.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for recording data on thermoplastic film consisting of polyvinylidene flouride having a random orientation of its polar molecules including generating means for generating an electric potential which is modulated in accordance with the data to be stored, means for transporting the thermoplastic film relative to the generating means so as to record the data thereon, means for heating the thermoplastic film prior to recording whereby said polar molecules are reoriented by said generating means to record the data as potential differences across the surface of said film; and means for cooling the thermoplastic film after recording has taken place to retain said potential differences.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for recording data on thermoplastic film consisting of polyvinylidene flouride having a random orientation of its polar molecules including generating means for generating an electric potential which is modulated in accordance with the data to be stored, means for transporting the thermoplastic film relative to the generating means so as to record the data thereon, means for heating the thermoplastic film prior to recording whereby said polar molecules are reoriented by said generating means to record the data as potential differences across the surface of said film; and means for cooling the thermoplastic film after recording has taken place to retain said potential differences.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the generating means is an electron beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the generating means comprises a pair of electrodes in physical contact with the film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for reading data stored on a thermoplastic film consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride having preferential orientations of its polar molecules such as to produce potential differences between the surfaces of the film which constitute the data to be read, comprising means for generating an electron beam, means for transporting the data carrying thermoplastic film past the electron beam, a first electrode arranged adjacent the thermoplastic film and arranged to reflect electrons from the primary electron beam onto a second collector electrode, the current through which is dependent upon the stored data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
Apparatus for reading data stored on a thermoplastic film consisting of polyvinylidene fluoride having preferential orientations of its polar molecules such as to produce potential differences between the surfaces of the film which constitute the data to be read, comprising means for generating an electron beam, means for transporting the data carrying thermoplastic film past the electron beam, a first electrode arranged adjacent the thermoplastic film and arranged to reflect electrons from the primary electron beam onto a second collector electrode, the current through which is dependent upon the stored data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic film is in the form of a tape wound over two spools and transported past the electron beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the electron beam is scanned transversely of the length of the tape whilst the tape is progressing parallel to its length.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of data storage which comprises the steps of: a. heating a film which consists of a substantially homogeneous thermoplastic material such as polyvinylidene fluoride having a random orientation of polar molecules, until such material softens; b. subjecting selected regions of said film to an electric field of strength sufficient to reorient the polar molecules of said material, in said selected regions thereof, and thereby produce a potential difference between the faces of said film; and c. cooling said film to retain said potential difference effected by said reorientation of said polar molecules.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
94 words
The method of data storage which comprises the steps of: a. heating a film which consists of a substantially homogeneous thermoplastic material such as polyvinylidene fluoride having a random orientation of polar molecules, until such material softens; b. subjecting selected regions of said film to an electric field of strength sufficient to reorient the polar molecules of said material, in said selected regions thereof, and thereby produce a potential difference between the faces of said film; and c. cooling said film to retain said potential difference effected by said reorientation of said polar molecules.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said film consists of polyvinylidene flouride.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-11-21 | 1981-05-23 | 1981-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-21 | 1985-05-23 | 1985-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-21 | 1989-05-23 | 1989-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |