Optical engagement array multiplication

Claim 2

Apparatus for providing a series of optical analog intensities that are proportional respectively to the components of a third array that is the product of a first array of components multiplied by a second array of components in a predetermined order, comprising, means for directing light of selected intensity to the input side of each of a first set of electrooptic modulating means each of whose output light intensity is proportional to a know function of an electrical signal applied to it, means for applying to each of the first set of modulating means, while the light is passing through it, a signal proportional to a function of a selected respective component of the first array such that the intensity of the output light from each of the first set of modulating means is proportional to a known function of its selected respective component; means for directing the output light from each of the first set of modulating means to the input side of a respective one of a second set of electrooptic modulating means whose output light intensity is proportional to a known function of an electrical signal applied to it, means for applying to each of the second set of modulating means, while the light is passing through it, a signal proportional to a function of a selected respective component of the second array such that the intensity of the output light from each of the second set modulating means is proportional to a known function of the product of its two selected respective components, means for directing the output light from each of the second set of modulating means to a respective means responsive thereto for providing an electrical signal that is proportional to a known function of the product of its two selected respective components; means for applying, after a predetermined time, to each modulating means in each set, while the light is passing through it, a signal proportional to a function of another selected respective component of its respective array such that the intensity of the output light from each of the second set of modulating means is proportional to a known function of the product of its two selected respective components; and so on, in the same manner, and finally with the last of the selected respective components of the first array and the last of the selected respective components of the second array, to provide an electrical signal that is proportional to a known function of the product of each pair of selected respective components; and means for directing each individual product signal into a predetermined one of a plurality of data processing means each of which provides an output that is proportional to an appropriate component of the third array.

Claim 3

Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for directing light to the first set of modulating means comprises a laser and collimating means.

Claim 4

Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first set of modulating means comprises a first plurality of integrated optical spatial light modulators.

Claim 5

Apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the second set of modulating means comprises a second plurality of integrated optical spatial light modulators similar to those in the first set.

Claim 6

Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for directing the output light from the first set of modulating means comprises a waveguide.

Claim 7

Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for directing the output light from the second set of modulating means comprises an imaging lens.

Claim 8

Apparatus as in claim 6, comprising also means for preventing light other than the desired output light from reaching the means responsive thereto.

Claim 9

Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the preventing means comprises opaque blocking means having an opening located to pass only the output light.

Claim 10

Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for applying first signals to the first set of modulating means comprises first means for receiving a plurality of electrical signals and for applying them in a predetermined sequence to the first set of modulating means.

Claim 11

Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the first signal applying means comprises a plurality of digital registers, first means for receiving digital signals from the registers and transmitting them serially to first means for converting them to analog signals, and first means for applying the analog signals to the first set of modulating means.

Claim 12

Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein the means for applying second signals to the second set of modulating means comprises second means for receiving a plurality of electrical signals and for applying them in a predetermined sequence to the second set of modulating means.

Claim 13

Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the second signal applying means comprises a plurality of digital registers, second means for receiving digital signals from the registers and transmitting them serially to second means for converting them to analog signals, and second means for applying the analog signals to the second set of modulating means.

Claim 14

Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein each data processing means comprises means for providing an output responsive to the sum of a selected plurality of individual product signals.

Claim 15

Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein each sum responsive means comprises photodetector means and capacitive means for accumulating an electrical charge and thus integrating the output of the photodetector means over an appropriate time.

Claim 16

Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first array comprises a first matrix, the second array comprises a second matrix, the third array comprises a third matrix, the first set of electrooptic modulating means comprises a first plurality of integrated optical spatial light modulators, one for each row (column) in the first matrix, the means for applying first signals to the first set of modulating means comprises first means for receiving a plurality of signals, one signal for each component in the first matrix, and applying the signal for each component in the first column (row) substantially simultaneously at a first predetermined time to a different one of the first plurality of modulators, then applying the signal for each component in the second column (row) substantially simultaneously at a second predetermined time to a different one of the first plurality of modulators, and so on in the same manner for the other columns (rows) in the first matrix, the second set of electrooptic modulating means comprises a second plurality of integrated optical spatial light modulators, one for each column (row) in the second matrix, the means for applying second signals to the second set of modulating means comprises second means for receiving a plurality of signals, one signal for each component in the second matrix, and applying the signal for each component in the first row (column) substantially simultaneously at the first predetermined time to a different one of the second plurality of modulators, then applying the signal for each component in the second row (column) substantially simultaneously at the second predetermined time to a different one of the second plurality of modulators, and so on in the same manner for the other rows (columns) in the second matrix, the means for directing the output light from the first set of modulating means comprises a plurality of beam splitting means, one for each component in the product matrix, arranged so that each beam splitting means in a first set thereof directs light from a first one of the first plurality of modulators to a different one of the second plurality of modulators, each beam splitting means in a second set thereof directs light from a second one of the first plurality of modulators to a different one of the second plurality of modulators, and so on in the same manner for the other beam splitting means and the other ones of the first plurality of modulators, the means for directing the output light from each of the second set of modulating means comprises means for directing the light that has been modulated responsive to each combination of first and second signals to the appropriate one of the means responsive thereto for providing an electrical signal that is approximately proportional to a known function of the product of its two respective components, and each data processing means comprises means for adding a combination of products whose sum is a component in the third matrix.

Claim 17

Apparatus as in claim 15, wherein the data processing means comprises a summing detector for each component in the third matrix.

Claim 18

Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the first array comprises a vector, the second array comprises a matrix, the third array comprises a third matrix, the first set of electrooptic modulating means comprises a first integrated optical spatial light modulator, the means for applying first signals to the first set of modulating means comprises first means for receiving a plurality of signals, one for each component in the vector, and applying the signal for the first component at a first predetermined time to the first modulator, then applying the signal for the second component at a second predetermined time to the first modulator, and so on in the same manner for the other components in the vector, the second set of electrooptic modulating means comprises a plurality of second integrated optical spatial light modulators, one for each column (row) in the matrix, the means for applying second signals to the second set of modulating means comprises second means for receiving a plurality of signals, one for each component in the matrix, and applying the signal for each component in the first row (column) substantially simultaneously at the first predeterimed time to a different one of the plurality of second modulators, then applying the signal for each component in the second row (column) substantially simultaneously at the second predetermined time to a different one of the plurality of second modulators, and so on in the same manner for the other rows (columns) in the matrix, the means for directing the output light from the first set of modulating means comprises a plurality of beam splitting means, one for each component in the product matrix, arranged so that each beam splitting means directs light from the first modulator to a different one of the plurality of second modulators, the means for directing the output light from each of the second set of modulating means comprises means for directing the light that has been modulated responsive to each combination of first and second signals to the appropriate one of the means responsive thereto for providing an electrical signal that is approximately proportional to a known function of the product of its two respective components, and each data processing means comprises means for adding a combination of products whose sum is a component in the third array.

Claim 19

Apparatus as in claim 17, wherein the data processing means comprises a summing detector for each component in the product matrix.

Claim 22

Apparatus for providing a series of optical analog intensities that are proportional respectively to the components of a third array that is the product of a first array of components multiplied by a second array of components in a predetermined order, comprising, a set of individual means for providing light and modulating the intensity thereof to be proportional to a know function of an electrical signal applied to the means, means for applying to each of the set of light providing and modulating means, a signal proportional to a function of a selected respective component of the first array such that the intensity of the light from each of the set of light providing and modulating means is proportional to a known function of its selected respective component; means for directing the light from each of the set of light providing and modulating means to the input side of a respective one of a set of electrooptic modulating means whose output light intensity is proportional to a known function of an electrical signal applied to it, means for applying to each of the set of modulating means, while the light is passing through it, a signal proportional to a function of a selected respective component of the second array such that the intensity of the output light from each of the set of modulating means is proportional to a known function of the product of its two selected respective components, means for directing the output light from each of the set of modulating means to a respective means responsive thereto for providing an electrical signal that is proportional to a known function of the product of its two selected respective components; means for applying, after a predetermined time, to each light providing and modulating means, and to each modulating means while the light is passing through it, a signal proportional to a function of another selected respective component of its respective array such that the intensity of the output light from each of the set of modulating means is proportional to a known function of the product of its two selected respective components; and so on, in the same manner, and finally with the last of the selected respective components of the first array and the last of the selected respective components of the second array, to provide an electrical signal that is proportional to a known function of the product of each pair of selected respective components; and means for directing each individual product signal into a predetermined one of a plurality of data processing means each of which provides an output that is proportional to an appropriate component of the third array.

Claim 23

Apparatus for providing a series of optical analog intensities that are proportional respectively to the components of a third array that is the product of a first array of components multiplied by a second array of components in a predetermined order, comprising, a set of individual means for providing light and modulating the intensity thereof to be proportional to a know function of an electrical signal applied to the means, means for applying to each of the set of light providing and modulating means, a signal proportional to a function of a selected respective component of the first array such that the intensity of the light from each of the set of light providing and modulating means is proportional to a known function of its selected respective component; means for directing the light from each of the set of light providing and modulating means to the input side of a respective one of a set of electrooptic modulating means whose output light intensity is proportional to a known function of an electrical signal applied to it, means for applying to each of the set of modulating means, while the light is passing through it, a signal proportional to a function of a selected respective component of the second array such that the intensity of the output light from each of the set of modulating means is proportional to a known function of the product of its two selected respective components, means for directing the output light from each of the set of modulating means to a respective means responsive thereto for providing an electrical signal that is proportional to a known function of the product of its two selected respective components; means for applying, after a predetermined time, to each light providing and modulating means, and to each modulating means while the light is passing through it, a signal proportional to a function of another selected respective component of its respective array such that the intensity of the output light from each of the set of modulating means is proportional to a known function of the product of its two selected respective components; and so on, in the same manner, and finally with the last of the selected respective components of the first array and the last of the selected respective components of the second array, to provide an electrical signal that is proportional to a known function of the product of each pair of selected respective components; and means for directing each individual product signal into a predetermined one of a plurality of data processing means each of which provides an output that is proportional to an appropriate component of the third array.

Claim 24

Apparatus as in claim 20, wherein each member of the set of light providing and modulating means comprises a laser and means for modulating the intensity of its output light.

Claim 25

Apparatus as in claim 25, wherein the first array comprises a vector, the second array comprises a matrix, and the set of light providing and modulating means has only one member.

Claim 26

Apparatus as in claim 22, wherein the means for applying first signals to the light providing and modulating means comprises first means for receiving a plurality of signals, one for each component in the vector, and applying the signal for the first component at a first predetermined time to the laser, then applying the signal for the second component at a second predetermined time to the laser, and so on in the same manner for the other components in the vector, the set of electrooptic modulating means comprises a plurality of integrated optical spatial light modulators, one for each column (row) in the matrix, the means for applying second signals to the set of modulating means comprises second means for receiving a plurality of signals, one for each component in the matrix, and applying the signal for each component in the first row (column) substantially simultaneously at the first predetermined time to a different one of the plurality of modulators, then applying the signal for each component in the second row (column) substanially simultaneously at the second predetermined time to a different one of the plurality of modulators, and so on in the same manner for the other rows (columns) in the matrix, the means for directing the output light from the light providing and modulating means comprises a plurality of beam splitting means, one for each component in the product matrix, arranged so that each beam splitting means directs light from the laser to a different one of the plurality of modulators, the means for directing the output light from each of the set of modulating means comprises means for directing the light that has been modulated responsive to each combination of first and second signals to the appropriate one of the means responsive thereto for providing an electrical signal that is approximately proportional to a known function of the product of its two respective components, and each data processing means comprises means for adding a combination of products whose sum is a component in the third array.

Claim 27

Apparatus as in claim 23, wherein the data processing means comprises a summing detector for each component in the third array.