Holographic verification system with indexed memory
First Claim
1. A binary data storage and retrieval system for the high-speed determination of the presence or absence of a given information unit comprising an elongate strip having a multiplicity of individual holograms evenly distributed over a plurality of elongate hologram channels on the strip, the holograms defining a holographic memory, each hologram being a holographic record of a binary spot pattern;
- a light source for generating binary spot patterns from holograms in any one of the channels by illuminating holograms belonging to such channel only;
means for detecting such generated spot patterns;
the strip including holographic index means identifying the holograms in each channel for selecting the channel in which the information unit would be recorded if present in the memory;
means for directing light from the source to the selected channel; and
advancing means cooperating with the light directing means for first searching the index, thereafter directing the light to the selected channel and thereafter reading the memory.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A verification system utilizing a holographic memory defined by a multiplicity of individual holograms on a photographic strip arranged side by side in elongate, parallel, hologram channels of substantially equal length. A holographic index on the strip identifies the information stored in each channel. The memory is a holographic record of binary spot patterns of multi-digit numbers which are sequentially recorded. The spot pattern for any given number may extend over one or more holograms to fully utilize the available recording space. Data compression is employed to reduce or eliminate the recordation of digits which are identical to corresponding digits of a preceding number to thereby reduce the memory bulk. A given number to be verified is entered in a keyboard and stored, the index is searched and the appropriate memory channel is then searched for a match of the given number with a number in the memory by producing and detecting images from the recorded holograms. The presence or absence of such a match is signalled to the operator to thereby complete the verification process.
-
Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A binary data storage and retrieval system for the high-speed determination of the presence or absence of a given information unit comprising an elongate strip having a multiplicity of individual holograms evenly distributed over a plurality of elongate hologram channels on the strip, the holograms defining a holographic memory, each hologram being a holographic record of a binary spot pattern;
- a light source for generating binary spot patterns from holograms in any one of the channels by illuminating holograms belonging to such channel only;
means for detecting such generated spot patterns;
the strip including holographic index means identifying the holograms in each channel for selecting the channel in which the information unit would be recorded if present in the memory;
means for directing light from the source to the selected channel; and
advancing means cooperating with the light directing means for first searching the index, thereafter directing the light to the selected channel and thereafter reading the memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- a light source for generating binary spot patterns from holograms in any one of the channels by illuminating holograms belonging to such channel only;
- 11. A data storage and retrieval system comprising a holographic memory recorded on a strip, the memory having a plurality of adjacent individual holographs, the memory storing a multiplicity of information sets, each set being defined by a plurality of information units, at least some of the sets being recorded on more than one individual hologram, means for generating reproductions of the holograms in the memory, and means for reading the reproductions.
- 14. A holographic memory comprising a photographic strip having recorded thereon a multiplicity of individual holograms defining the memory, the holograms being arranged side-by-side in parallel hologram channels, the strip further including a holographic index identifying the information stored in the holograms in the memory channels, the index being defined by a plurality of holograms stored side-by-side along a line parallel to the channels.
- 16. A holographic memory of a multiplicity of multidigit numbers, the memory comprising a photographic film and a multiplicity of individual holograms recorded on the film and defining the memory, each hologram representing a holographic record of a binary spot pattern of a plurality of digits, at least some of the numbers being recorded on more than one hologram.
- 21. A holographic film memory for use in a holographic data retrieval device comprising a film strip, a holographic memory defined by a multiplicity of holograms arranged in a plurality of longitudinally extending, parallel hologram channels of a constant width, and at least one additional hologram for each channel, the additional hologram being spaced from the corresponding channel, aligned therewith and having a lesser width than the holograms in the corresponding channels to facilitate the centering of a laser beam with respect to the channels when the film is used in said device.
-
27. A method for determining the presence or absence of a given information unit in a holographic mass memory comprising the steps of providing an elongate strip having a multiplicity of individual holograms distributed over a plurality of parallel, elongate hologram channels on the strip, the holograms defining the holographic memory, each hologram being a holographic record of a binary spot pattern, the strip further including a holographic index spaced from the memory and identifying the holograms in each channel;
- directing a light beam onto the index to thereby generate a hologram identifying the holograms in each channel;
from the generated hologram determining the channel in which the information unit would be recorded if present in the memory;
directing the light beam to the selected channel; and
scanning the selected channel with the light beam to thereby generate binary spot patterns for the holograms in the selected channel; and
comparing the information unit with the binary spot patterns to determine the presence or absence of a match and a corresponding presence or absence of the information unit in the memory.
- directing a light beam onto the index to thereby generate a hologram identifying the holograms in each channel;
-
28. A method of forming a holographic mass memory of multi-digit numbers recorded in binary form, the method comprising the steps of dividing each number into a plurality of digit fields, each field providing for the recordation of a plurality of digits and being identified by a field address;
- providing an elongate strip;
arranging the number in an ascending or descending order;
recording on the strip a multiplicity of individual holograms distributed over a plurality of elongate, parallel hologram channels on the strip;
by recording the digits belonging to the corresponding digit fields in binary form;
recording for each field an associated binary field address;
recording in binary form a stop code for each multi-digit number; and
recording for each successive number only such digit fields and corresponding field addresses which include the lowest digit of the following number which differs from the preceding number to thereby effect a data compression by eliminating the duplication of identical data and to thereby further effect a corresponding reduction in the bulk of the memory. - View Dependent Claims (29)
- providing an elongate strip;
Specification