US4540245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for acousto-optic character generation
Assignee: ISOMET Corp A CORP
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Filing: 1983-11-10
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Granted: 1985-09-10
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Expires: 2003-11-10
Abstract
Abstract Acoustic energy column segments having predetermined frequencies and representing associated portions of a character are produced in one or more of a set of acoustic energy columns within a body of acousto-optic material in order to form an acoustic energy representation of the character within the body. A pulse of light is flashed through the character representation to create a plurality of diffracted light beams. The diffracted beams are directed to corresponding locations in a character reproduction plane to form an optical representation of the character in the reproduction plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon Bademian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/33; G02F1/332
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
An acousto-optic character generator system, comprising: (a) multi-channel frequency generator means, (b) a body of acousto-optic material, (c) means conneted to said frequency generator means for sequentially producing within said body, in one or more of a set of acoustic energy columns, a plurality of traveling acoustic energy column segments each having a different predetermined acoustic frequency and representing an associated portion of a character to be generated, (d) means for flashing a discrete pulse of light through said body containing said acoustic energy column segments to create a plurality of pulsed diffracted light beams, and (e) means for directing said pulsed diffracted light beams to a corresponding plurality of fixed locations in a character reproduction plane to create in said plane optical representations of the portions of the character to be generated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
An acousto-optic character generator system, comprising: (a) multi-channel frequency generator means, (b) a body of acousto-optic material, (c) means conneted to said frequency generator means for sequentially producing within said body, in one or more of a set of acoustic energy columns, a plurality of traveling acoustic energy column segments each having a different predetermined acoustic frequency and representing an associated portion of a character to be generated, (d) means for flashing a discrete pulse of light through said body containing said acoustic energy column segments to create a plurality of pulsed diffracted light beams, and (e) means for directing said pulsed diffracted light beams to a corresponding plurality of fixed locations in a character reproduction plane to create in said plane optical representations of the portions of the character to be generated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An acousto-optic character generator system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for producing acoustic energy column segments comprises a plurality of acoustic transducer electrodes mounted at a side of said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An acousto-optic character generator system as recited in claim 2, wherein said plurality of acoustic transducer electrodes includes electrodes in a nested arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An acousto-optic character generator system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for flashing a pulse of light comprises a pulsed laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An acousto-optic character generator system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for directing said diffracted light beams comprises converging lens means having a focal plane coincident with said character reproduction plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An acousto-optic character generator system as recited in claim 5, wherein said means for directing said diffracted light beams includes diverging lens means interposed between said converging lens means and said character reproduction plane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
An acousto-optic character generator system as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for producing acoustic energy column segments comprises a plurality of acoustic transducer electrodes mounted at a side of said body, said means for flashing a pulse of light comprises a pulsed laser, and said means for directing said diffracted light beams comprises converging lens means having a focal plane coincident with said character reproduction plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An acousto-optic character generator system as recited in claim 7, wherein said means for directing said diffracted light beams includes diverging lens means interposed between said converging lens means and said character reproduction plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An acousto-optic character generator system as recited in claim 7, wherein said plurality of acoustic transducer electrodes includes electrodes in a nested arrangement.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An acousto-optic character generator system as recited in claim 1, wherein said pulse of light is of sufficient height to illuminate the entirety of said plurality of acoustic column segments as the same travel through said body.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation, comprising: (a) sequentially producing in one or more of a set of acoustic energy columns within a body of acousto-optic material, a plurality of traveling acoustic energy column segments each having a different predetermined acoustic frequency and representing an associated portion of a character to be generated, (b) flashing a discrete pulse of light through said acousto-optic body containing said acoustic energy column segments to create a plurality of pulsed diffracted light beams, and (c) directing said pulsed diffracted light beams to a corresponding plurality of fixed locations in a character reproduction plane to create in said plane optical representations of the portions of the character to be generated.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation, comprising: (a) sequentially producing in one or more of a set of acoustic energy columns within a body of acousto-optic material, a plurality of traveling acoustic energy column segments each having a different predetermined acoustic frequency and representing an associated portion of a character to be generated, (b) flashing a discrete pulse of light through said acousto-optic body containing said acoustic energy column segments to create a plurality of pulsed diffracted light beams, and (c) directing said pulsed diffracted light beams to a corresponding plurality of fixed locations in a character reproduction plane to create in said plane optical representations of the portions of the character to be generated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation as recited in claim 11, wherein said producing comprises energizing one or more of a group of acoustic transducer electrodes during selected time periods and at selected acoustic frequencies.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation as recited in claim 12, wherein said producing includes generating acoustic energy column segments in overlapping acoustic energy columns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation as recited in claim 11, wherein said flashing comprises pulsing a laser.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation as recited in claim 11, wherein said directing comprises passing said diffracted light beams through converging lens means having a focal plane coincident with said character reproduction plane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation as recited in claim 15, wherein said directing includes passing said diffracted light beams through diverging lens means interposed between said converging lens means and said character reproduction plane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation as recited in claim 11, wherein: said producing comprises energizing one or more of a group of acoustic transducer electrodes during selected time periods and at selected acoustic frequencies, said flashing comprises pulsing a laser, and said directing comprises passing said diffracted light beams through converging lens means having a focal plane coincident with said character reproduction plane.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation as recited in claim 17, wherein said directing includes passing said diffracted light beams through diverging lens means interposed between said converging lens means and said character reproduction plane.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation as recited in claim 18, wherein said producing includes generating acoustic energy column segments in overlapping acoustic energy columns.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of acousto-optic character generation as recited in claim 11, wherein said flashing includes flashing a pulse of light of sufficient height to illuminate the entirety of said plurality of acoustic energy column segments as the same travel through said body.
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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) | 1988-09-09 | 1989-03-11 | 1989-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-09 | 1993-03-11 | 1993-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-09 | 1997-03-11 | 1997-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |