US5353247A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical mass storage system and memory cell incorporated therein
Assignee: Reveo Inc
•
Filing: 1992-05-27
•
Granted: 1994-10-04
•
Expires: 2012-05-27
Abstract
Abstract This application relates to a new read-write optical storage technology which is based on the cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polymer property of selective reflection at a characteristic wavelength. Each layer in a multi-layer CLC storage arrangement has a different characteristic wavelength, making it possible to randomly select any layer for reading, writing or erasing. Each layer incorporates a plurality of memory cells, in a write/erase mode, disposed on a dye polymer material or having such dye polymer material integrated into the CLC material such that, in the presence of light and electric or magnetic fields, the molecules of the CLC material are heated and align themselves with the electric or magnetic field. To the extent that the CLC molecules align themselves with a magnetic field normal to the plane of a storage element, electromagnetic energy in the form of light or infrared radiation at a specific wavelength, in a read mode, will be reflected. Any other orientation whether due to the presence of a magnetic or electric field or heating alone will be transparent to any other wavelength and a circular polarization opposite to the polarization of an incident reading beam. Finally, a disk storage system and a multi-layered storage system for reading, displaying and printing stored information are shown to indicate applications of the cholesteric liquid crystal storage technology.
Inventors
- 👤 Sadeg M. Faris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 20:01
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/241; G11B7/242; G11B7/244; G11B7/245; G11B7/004; G11B7/0045; G11B7/00455; G11B7/12; G11B7/14; G11B7/25; G11B7/252; G11B7/253; G11B7/2532; G11B7/2533; G11B7/2534
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 129
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
An optical memory comprising an information storage element which includes a plurality of information storage regions at least one of which, in one mode, causes a reflection of incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength and, in another mode, transmits electromagnetic radiation, and, means associated with said storage element for reversibly switching said at least one of said storage regions between said modes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical memory comprising an information storage element which includes a plurality of information storage regions at least one of which, in one mode, causes a reflection of incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of a given wavelength and, in another mode, transmits electromagnetic radiation, and, means associated with said storage element for reversibly switching said at least one of said storage regions between said modes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 further including means for detecting a reflection from said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 further including means for projecting said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 further including means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 further including means for detecting a reflection from said at least one of said storage regions and means for projecting said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation to said information storage element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 further including means for detecting a reflection from said at least one of said storage regions, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 further including means for projecting said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 further including means for detecting a reflection from said at least one of said storage regions, means for projecting said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions to optically respond to one of said detecting and projecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said given wavelength of electromagnetic radiation is in the visible range.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said given wavelength of electromagnetic radiation is in the range of 300 nm to 14,000 nm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said circular polarization of incident electromagnetic radiation is right-hand circularly polarized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said circular polarization of incident electromagnetic radiation is left-hand circularly polarized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said information storage element is a member in which said information storage regions are disposed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said information storage element further includes a support substrate on which said information storage regions are disposed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein each of said storage region is a cholesteric liquid crystal region.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes means for immersing said storage element in field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes means for immersing said storage element in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes another means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes a radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element and switchable means for immersing said storage element in a field and aligning said field in one to two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes a radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element and switchable means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
54 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes a radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element and switchable means for immersing said storage element in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, and, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
66 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes a radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, switchable means for immersing said storage element in a field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions and, means for projecting said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
68 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes a radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, switchable means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for projecting said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
68 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes a radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, switchable means for immersing said storage element in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions and, means for projecting said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
63 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive compact with a surface of said information storage element, means for immersing said storage element in a field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
65 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, means for immersing said storage element in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
73 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
93 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, means for immersing said storage element in a field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
95 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said information storage element, means for immersing said storage element in an electric field and aligning said electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelengths of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage region.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
47 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, and, means for immersing said storage element in a field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
49 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, and, means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
49 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, and, means for immersing said storage element in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
78 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
79 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
79 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for immersing said storage element in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
58 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for immersing said storage element in a field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
60 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
60 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for immersing said storage element in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
68 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
88 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for immersing said storage element in a field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for immersing said storage element in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical memory according to claim 1 wherein said means for switching includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said plurality of information storage regions, means for immersing said storage element in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions, means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said information storage element, and, means for selecting said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical memory according to claim 2 wherein said means for detecting a reflection includes a solid state detector of said electromagnetic radiation at said given wavelength.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical memory according to claim 2 wherein said means for detecting a reflection includes a detector of said electromagnetic radiation at said given wavelength.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical memory according to claim 3 wherein said means for projecting includes at least a source of electromagnetic radiation which projects circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
36 words
An optical memory according to claim 3 wherein said means for projecting includes at least a source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy output sufficient to permit nondestructive reflection of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical memory according to claim 3 wherein said means for projecting includes at least a source of electromagnetic radiation which projects unpolarized electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical memory according to claim 3 wherein said means for projecting includes a source of electromagnetic radiation which projects unpolarized electromagnetic radiation and means for converting said unpolarized radiation to circularly polarized radiation.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical memory according to claim 2 wherein said means for projecting includes a solid state source of said electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical memory according to claim 3 wherein said means for projecting includes a laser.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical memory according to claim 3 wherein said means for projecting includes a solid state laser.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical memory according to claim 3 wherein said means for projecting includes a laser which provides unpolarized electromagnetic radiation and means for converting said unpolarized radiation to one of two circular polarizations.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical memory according to claim 3 wherein said means for projecting includes means for focusing said electromagnetic radiation on said at least one of said storage regions.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical memory according to claim 4 wherein said means for selecting includes means for applying relative motion between said electromagnetic radiation and said information storage element.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical memory according to claim 4 wherein said means for selecting includes means for applying rotary motion to said information storage elements.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical memory according to claim 16 wherein said radiation absorbing medium is a dye polymer which is absorptive at said given wavelength.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical memory according to claim 16 wherein said radiation absorbing medium is a medium which converts electromagnetic radiation at said given wavelength to heat.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical memory according to claim 18 wherein said means for immersing and aligning includes a pair of orthogonally arranged solenoids disposed around said information storage element.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical memory according to claim 18 wherein said means for immersing and aligning includes a pair of orthogonally arranged electrodes disposed around said information storage elements.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
46 words
An optical memory according to claim 20 wherein said another means for projecting includes at least a source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy output at said given wavelength sufficient to cause heating of said at least an information storage region above its glass transition temperature.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical memory according to claim 20 wherein said another means for projecting includes at least a source of electromagnetic radiation which projects circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical memory according to claim 20 wherein said another means for projecting includes a solid state source of said electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical memory according to claim 20 wherein said another means for projecting includes a laser.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical memory according to claim 20 wherein said another means for projecting includes a solid state laser.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical memory according to claim 20 wherein said another means for projecting includes a laser which provides unpolarized electromagnetic radiation and means for converting said unpolarized radiation to one of two circular polarizations.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
35 words
An optical memory according to claim 20 wherein said another means for projecting includes a source of electromagnetic radiation which provides unpolarized electromagnetic radiation and means for converting said unpolarized radiation to circularly polarized radiation.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical memory according to claim 20 wherein said another means for projecting includes means for focusing said electromagnetic radiation on said at least one of said information storage regions.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical memory according to claim 20 wherein said means for selecting includes means for applying relative motion between said electromagnetic radiation and said information storage element.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical memory element according to claim 21 wherein said means for selecting includes means for applying rotary motion to said information storage element.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical memory element according to claim 37 wherein said electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance is a dye polymer which is absorptive at said given wavelength.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
28 words
An optical memory element according to claim 37 wherein said electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance is a substance which converts said electromagnetic radiation at said given wavelength to heat.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical memory element according to claim 37 wherein said electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance is a cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxane having approximately 10% benzophenone disposed therein.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical memory element according to claim 37 wherein said electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance is a cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxane having carbon black in concentrations in a range of 0.5% to 1% disposed therein.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
41 words
A memory cell comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal which is reflecting to incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength, and, means for reversibly altering said crystal to change said crystal from reflecting to transparent to said incident electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
41 words
A memory cell comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal which is reflecting to incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at a given wavelength, and, means for reversibly altering said crystal to change said crystal from reflecting to transparent to said incident electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
16 words
A memory cell according to claim 83 wherein said given wavelength is in the visible range.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
21 words
A memory cell according to claim 83 wherein said given wavelength is in a range of 300 nm to 14,600 nm.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
30 words
A memory cell according to claim 83 wherein said means for reversibly altering includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium disposed in thermally conductive contact with a surface of said crystal.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
23 words
A memory cell according to claim 83 wherein said means for reversibly altering includes an electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance integral with said crystal.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
33 words
A memory cell according to claim 83 wherein said means for reversibly altering includes means for immersing said crystal in a field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
35 words
A memory cell according to claim 83 wherein said means for reversibly altering includes means for immersing said crystal in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
35 words
A memory cell according to claim 83 wherein said means for reversibly altering includes means for immersing said crystal in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
42 words
A memory cell according to claim 83 wherein said means for reversibly altering includes means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said crystal.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
28 words
A memory cell according to claim 86 further including means for immersing said crystal in a field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
30 words
A memory cell according to claim 86 further including means for immersing said crystal in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
30 words
A memory cell according to claim 86 further including means for immersing said crystal in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
23 words
A memory cell according to claim 86 wherein said radiation absorbing medium is a dye polymer which is absorptive at said given wavelength.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
28 words
A memory cell according to claim 87 further including means for immersing said crystal in a field and aligning said field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
30 words
A memory cell according to claim 87 further including means for immersing said crystal in a magnetic field and aligning said magnetic field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
30 words
A memory cell according to claim 87 further including means for immersing said crystal in an electric field and aligning said electric field in one of two mutually orthogonal directions.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
23 words
A memory cell according to claim 87 wherein said radiation absorbing substance is a dye polymer which is absorptive at said given wavelength.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
38 words
A memory cell according to claim 91 wherein said means for projecting includes a source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy output at said given wavelength sufficient to cause heating of said crystal above its glare transition temperature.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
15 words
A memory cell according to claim 91 wherein said means for projecting includes a laser.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
16 words
A memory cell according to claim 91 wherein said means for projecting includes a semiconductor laser.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
25 words
A memory cell according to claim 95 wherein said electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium is a cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxane having approximately 10% benzophenone disposed therein.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
33 words
A memory cell according to claim 95 wherein said electromagnetic radiation absorbing substance in a cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxane having carbon black in concentration in the range of 0.5% to 1% disposed therein.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
42 words
A memory cell according to claim 96 wherein said means for reversibly altering includes means for projecting circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation of said given wavelength of a circular polarization opposite to that of said incident circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation at said crystal.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
25 words
A memory cell according to claim 99 wherein said electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium is a cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxane having approximately 10% benzophenone disposed therein.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
33 words
A memory cell according to claim 99 wherein said electromagnetic radiation absorbing medium is a cholesteric liquid crystalline polysiloxane having carbon black in concentrations in a range of 0.5% to 1% disposed therein.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
120 words
An optical memory comprising a plurality of information storage elements each of which includes a plurality of information storage regions at least one which is reflecting to a given circular polarization of incident electromagnetic radiation, said at least one of said storage regions of one of said plurality of storage elements being reflecting at one of a plurality of wavelengths of said incident electromagnetic radiation and at least one of said storage regions of another of said plurality of storage elements being reflecting at another of said plurality of wavelengths of incident electromagnetic radiation, and, means for projecting said plurality of wavelength of incident electromagnetic radiation at said plurality of information storage elements to provide reflections from said storage regions.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
120 words
An optical memory comprising a plurality of information storage elements each of which includes a plurality of information storage regions at least one which is reflecting to a given circular polarization of incident electromagnetic radiation, said at least one of said storage regions of one of said plurality of storage elements being reflecting at one of a plurality of wavelengths of said incident electromagnetic radiation and at least one of said storage regions of another of said plurality of storage elements being reflecting at another of said plurality of wavelengths of incident electromagnetic radiation, and, means for projecting said plurality of wavelength of incident electromagnetic radiation at said plurality of information storage elements to provide reflections from said storage regions.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical memory according to claim 108 further including a means for detecting said reflections from said storage regions.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
45 words
An optical memory according to claim 108 further including means associated with each of said memory elements for changing at least a selected one of said storage regions from a reflecting condition to a transmitting condition and from a transmitting condition to a reflecting condition.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said plurality of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation are in the visible range.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said plurality of wavelength of electromagnetic radiation are in a range of 400 nm to 11,600 nm.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said given circular polarization is right-hand circular polarization.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said given circular polarization is left-hand circular polarization.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein each of said information storage elements further includes a support substrate on which said information storage regions are disposed.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein each of said information storage elements is a member in which said information storage regions are disposed.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein each of said information storage regions is a cholesteric liquid crystal region.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein information storage regions other than said at least one of said information storage regions are transparent to said plurality of wavelengths of incident electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said means for projecting includes at least a single laser.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said means for projecting includes a tunable laser.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said means for projecting includes a plurality of lasers each of which is at a wavelength within said plurality of wavelengths of incident electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said means for projecting is a source of said electromagnetic radiation which is unpolarized.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said means for projecting includes a source of circularly polarized electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
77 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said plurality of information storage regions includes a further plurality of information storage regions disposed in alignment with said plurality of information storage regions at least one of said further plurality of information storage regions being aligned with said at least one of said storage regions, said at least one of said further plurality of storage regions being reflecting to a circular polarization opposite to said given circular polarization.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
102 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 wherein said plurality of information storage regions includes a further plurality of information storage regions aligned with said plurality of information storage regions at least one of said further plurality of information storage regions being aligned with said at least one of said storage regions, said at least one of said further plurality of storage regions being reflecting to said given circular polarization, and a plate of thickness equal to one-half the wavelength of one of said plurality of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation sandwiched between said plurality and said further plurality of information storage regions.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical memory according to claim 110 further including means for detecting reflections from said storage regions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-03 | 1998-04-04 | 1998-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-03 | 2002-04-04 | 2002-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-03 | 2006-04-04 | 2006-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |