Compact optical random access memory having multiple reflections
First Claim
1. A collector for retrieving optical data from a record having different data regions illuminated by selectable light sources, the collector comprising:
- a sensor having an array of light sensing elements arranged at a common image surface disposed at a predetermined optical path distance from the record for sensing data from light in an image of data from the illuminated record; and
an optical imaging system having a plurality of optical reflective surfaces disposed in substantially opposing relationship, said optical imaging system disposed in said optical path between the record and said sensor and fixed in an opposing relationship to said sensor relative to the record.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A compact optical memory is disclosed in which data are stored in an optical data layer capable of selectively altering light such as by changeable transmissivity, reflectivity, polarization, and/or phase. The data are illuminated by controllable light sources and an array of multi-surface diffractive imaging lenslets cause a data image to be projected onto an array of light sensors by multiple reflections of, hence folding the image rays, by surfaces that both reflect and optically modify the light rays to redirect them onto the sensor array. Data are organized into an annular array of patches (called pages). By selective illumination of each data page, one of the lenslets images the selected data page onto a central image plane where the sensor array is located. Light in the data image pattern strikes different ones of the arrayed light sensors, thereby outputting information in the form of electrical data signals.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A collector for retrieving optical data from a record having different data regions illuminated by selectable light sources, the collector comprising:
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a sensor having an array of light sensing elements arranged at a common image surface disposed at a predetermined optical path distance from the record for sensing data from light in an image of data from the illuminated record; and an optical imaging system having a plurality of optical reflective surfaces disposed in substantially opposing relationship, said optical imaging system disposed in said optical path between the record and said sensor and fixed in an opposing relationship to said sensor relative to the record. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An optical data system comprising:
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an optical data object storing data as light altering characteristics; a controllable light source for selectively illuminating different data regions of said optical data object; a data imaging lens system having at least a first surface arranged in such proximity to and in optical registration with said data regions on said optical data object such that an image resolving power of said data imaging lens is substantially uniform over the field of view of each said data region; a sensor having an array of juxtaposed light sensing elements arranged at a common image surface disposed at a predetermined optical path distance from said object for sensing data from light in an image of said data corresponding to one of said selectively illuminated data regions; a plurality of optical reflective surfaces disposed at a predetermined distance from a side of said object opposite said sensor and in an optical path between said data imaging lens and said common image surface for multiple reflection and redirection of said image of data onto said sensor at said common image surface; and a data output circuit coupled to said sensor for outputting signals representative of said data. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. An optical data system comprising:
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an optical data object storing data as light altering characteristics in a plurality of data regions; a controllable light source for selectively illuminating different ones of said data regions; a data imaging lens arranged in such proximity to and in optical registration with said data regions such that an image resolving power of said data imaging lens is substantially uniform over the field of view of each said data region; a sensor having an array of juxtaposed light sensing elements arranged at a common image surface disposed at a predetermined distance from said optical data object for sensing data from light in an image of said data corresponding to one of said selectively illuminated data regions; an image collector including first and second reflective optical surfaces disposed in substantially opposing relation to an optical path between said data imaging lens and said common image surface for multiple reflection and redirection of said image of data onto said sensor at said common image surface; and data signal output means coupled to said sensor for outputting data signals representing said data of an illuminated and imaged data region. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for retrieving data from an optical data object having data stored in different data regions as light altering characteristics, the method comprising the steps of:
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selectively illuminating different data regions of the optical data object; projecting data image bits within each data region onto a common surface of an image collector; multiply reflecting and redirecting said data image bits within said image collector; disposing a sensor at a predetermined distance from the optical data object, said sensor having an array of light sensing elements arranged at a common image surface; intercepting said reflected and redirected data image bits on said common image surface of said sensor; sensing data from light in an image of said data image bits corresponding to one of the selectively illuminated data regions; converting said sensed data into data signals representing said data image bits; and outputting said data signals. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification