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US4302703A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Video storage system

Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1971-12-20
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Granted: 1981-11-24
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Expires: 1991-12-20
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Abstract

Abstract The specification describes a video storage system employing a unique memory tube. The tube employs a single read-write electron beam. The storage target is an insulating grid formed directly on a semiconductor substrate. Since the grid is supported, it can be made very fine and the processing advantageously uses photolithographic techniques.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eugene I. Gordon

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 21:38
CPC Classifications
B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; H; H01; H01J; H01J29/00; H01J29/02; H01J29/08; H01J29/10; H01J29/36; H01J29/39; H01J31/00; H01J31/08; H01J31/58; H01J31/60

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim 166 words
A video storage system comprising in combination: an electron beam memory tube containing a single electron beam forming and scanning means for both storing and reading video information, signal means for modulating the electron beam in accordance with the video information, a storage target comprising a semiconductor substrate and an insulating layer formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate so as to be structurally integral therewith, the insulating layer having an array of openings etched therethrough to form an insulating grid configuration with grid lines defining storage locations for the video information, said storage target being positioned in said memory tube to receive the modulated electron beam and to store the video information on the insulating layer in the form of an electrostatic charge pattern, means for activating the electron beam to scan the insulating layer of the target at a uniform unmodulated potential, and video output means for detecting the localized permeability of the grid of the insulating layer to the unmodulated electron beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 166 words
A video storage system comprising in combination: an electron beam memory tube containing a single electron beam forming and scanning means for both storing and reading video information, signal means for modulating the electron beam in accordance with the video information, a storage target comprising a semiconductor substrate and an insulating layer formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate so as to be structurally integral therewith, the insulating layer having an array of openings etched therethrough to form an insulating grid configuration with grid lines defining storage locations for the video information, said storage target being positioned in said memory tube to receive the modulated electron beam and to store the video information on the insulating layer in the form of an electrostatic charge pattern, means for activating the electron beam to scan the insulating layer of the target at a uniform unmodulated potential, and video output means for detecting the localized permeability of the grid of the insulating layer to the unmodulated electron beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The storage system of claim 1 in which the semiconductor substrate is silicon and the insulating layer is silicon oxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The storage system of claim 2 in which the grid lines are less than 5μ in width.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The storage system of claim 2 in which the grid spacing is more than 1500 lines per inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 173 words
A video storage system comprising in combination: an electron beam memory tube containing a single electron beam forming and scanning means for both storing and reading video information, signal means for modulating the electron beam in accordance with the video information, p1 a storage target comprising a semiconductor substrate of a substantially uniform conductivity type and an insulating layer formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate so as to be structurally integral therewith, the insulating layer having an array of openings etched therethrough to form an insulating grid configuration with grid lines defining storage locations for the video information, said storage target being positioned in said memory tube to receive the modulated electron beam and to store the video information on the insulating layer in the form of an electrostatic charge pattern, means for activating the electron beam to scan the insulating layer of the target at a uniform modulated potential, and video output means for detecting the localized permeability of the grid of the insulating layer to the unmodulated electron beam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 173 words
A video storage system comprising in combination: an electron beam memory tube containing a single electron beam forming and scanning means for both storing and reading video information, signal means for modulating the electron beam in accordance with the video information, p1 a storage target comprising a semiconductor substrate of a substantially uniform conductivity type and an insulating layer formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate so as to be structurally integral therewith, the insulating layer having an array of openings etched therethrough to form an insulating grid configuration with grid lines defining storage locations for the video information, said storage target being positioned in said memory tube to receive the modulated electron beam and to store the video information on the insulating layer in the form of an electrostatic charge pattern, means for activating the electron beam to scan the insulating layer of the target at a uniform modulated potential, and video output means for detecting the localized permeability of the grid of the insulating layer to the unmodulated electron beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The storage system of claim 5 in which the semiconductor substrate is silicon and the insulating layer is silicon oxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
The storage system of claim 6 in which the grid lines are less than 5μ in width and the grid spacing is more than 1500 lines per inch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
The storage system of claim 5 in which the output means detects the electron flow through the grid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 19 words
The storage system of claim 5 in which the output means detects the electron flow deflected by the grid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 39 words
The storage system of claim 9 in which the output means includes a collector mesh located adjacent to the grid of the target, said collector mesh detecting the electron flow deflected by the grid in a return beam configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 77 words
An electronic storage tube including a target which is comprised of a pattern of conducting and insulating areas, the tube comprising: means for applying a signal to the target to establish a desired stored charge distribution on the insulating areas; and means for detecting the stored charge distribution established on the target; and wherein the conducting areas are electrically connected to each other and are formed of silicon; and the insulating areas are formed of silicon dioxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 77 words
An electronic storage tube including a target which is comprised of a pattern of conducting and insulating areas, the tube comprising: means for applying a signal to the target to establish a desired stored charge distribution on the insulating areas; and means for detecting the stored charge distribution established on the target; and wherein the conducting areas are electrically connected to each other and are formed of silicon; and the insulating areas are formed of silicon dioxide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 35 words
The invention of claim 11 including: a conducting substrate; and an insulating layer overlying the conducting substrate; the insulating layer having openings therein such that the pattern of conducting and insulating areas is formed thereby.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 30 words
The invention of claim 11 including a conducting substrate of silicon and insulating areas overlying the conducting substrate such that the pattern of conducting and insulating areas is formed thereby.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 16 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein the insulating area is genetically derived from the conducting area.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 35 words
The invention of claim 14 including: a conducting substrate; and an insulating layer overlying the conducting substrate; the insulating layer having openings therein such that the pattern of conducting and insulating areas is formed thereby.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 30 words
The invention of claim 14 including a conducting substrate of silicon and insulating areas overlying the conducting substrate such that the pattern of conducting and insulating areas is formed thereby.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 106 words
An electronic storage tube comprising: a target having a pattern of alternating conducting areas and insulating areas; an output terminal; the conducting areas being electrically connected to the output terminal; means for applying an input signal to the target such that a signal is stored thereon in the form of a desired stored charge distribution on the insulating areas; means for scanning the target and obtaining an output signal at the output terminal which output signal is a function of the stored charge distribution on the insulating areas; and wherein the conducting areas are formed of silicon; and the insulating areas are formed of silicon dioxide.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 106 words
An electronic storage tube comprising: a target having a pattern of alternating conducting areas and insulating areas; an output terminal; the conducting areas being electrically connected to the output terminal; means for applying an input signal to the target such that a signal is stored thereon in the form of a desired stored charge distribution on the insulating areas; means for scanning the target and obtaining an output signal at the output terminal which output signal is a function of the stored charge distribution on the insulating areas; and wherein the conducting areas are formed of silicon; and the insulating areas are formed of silicon dioxide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 12 words
The invention of claim 17 wherein the insulating areas are genetically derived.

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) 1984-11-23 1985-05-25 1985-11-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-11-23 1989-05-25 1989-11-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-11-23 1993-05-25 1993-11-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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