CN1155350A - optical random access memory having folded image - Google Patents

Abstract

A compact optical memory (100) in which data is stored in an optical data layer (190) capable of selectively altering light such as by changeable transmissivity, reflectivity, polarization, and/or phase. The data is illuminated by controllable light sources (106) and an array of multi-surface diffractive imaging lenslets causing a data image to be projected onto an array of light sensors (108) by reflecting, hence folding the image rays, by means of a mirror (128) that both reflects and optically modifies the light rays to redirect them onto the sensor array (108) located substantially coplanar with the data layer. Data is 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 (108) is located. Light in the data image pattern strikes different ones of the arrayed light sources, thereby outputting a pattern of binary bits in the form of electrical data signals.

Description

Optical random access memory with folded image

The present invention comprises that James T.Russell on Dec 30th, 1991 applied for, series number is 07/815,924 U.S. Patent application, and the present date is the 5th, 379, No. 266 United States Patent (USP)s in January 3 nineteen ninety-five; The series number of application was the international patent application of PCT/US92/11356 with on Dec 30th, 1992, and exercise question is " optical random access memory (OPTICAL RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY) " disclosed technical theme.

The present invention relates to optical storage and retrieval is stored in mass data on the optical material with the light variation characteristic, and the method and apparatus that quick random access retrieval is provided.

The someone proposes this class and has the light that utilizes a kind of film or layer material and revise the optical memory that a large amount of numerical datas that do not have the light of mechanical motion addressing access were stored and was utilized to characteristic, but does not cause the wide range of commercial application.Because this optical recording and retrieval technique have the electrical-optical mechanism that needs the storage medium relative motion than existing---for example CD---, and magnetic storage---for example tape and disk---is retrieved the excellent ability of mass data faster, thereby is caused the interest of people to it.

For example, under the situation of using optical disc memory, need rotation record and radially mobile reading head with retrieve data, these data are exported with serial mode.The data of serial access generally need be transported in the impact damper or solid-state random access memory of a data processor, so that adapt to high-speed data addressing and other operation of modern computer.Solid-state ROM can provide the relative higher access speed of looking for RAM, but when they are extended to relatively large data capacity, the cost of these equipment, size and thermal losses have limited their application.

In some patent documentations, disclose to providing about the relatively large memory capacity of such optical memory of technical theme of the present invention and the effort done of access speed faster, for example: James T.Russell application, exercise question is the 3rd of " film recording and the read-out system (PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORDS OF DIGITALINFORMATION AND PLAYBACK SYSTEM INCLUDING OPTICALSCANNERS) that comprise photoscanner's numerical information " the, 806, No. 643 United States Patent (USP)s, with exercise question be " photoscanner (OPTICAL SCA NNER) " the 3rd, 885, No. 094 United States Patent (USP)s; Exercise question is the 3rd, 898, No. 005 United States Patent (USP) of " utilizing the HIGH-DENSITY OPTICAL STORAGE apparatus (HIGH DENSITYOPTICAL MEMORY MEANS EMPLOYING A MULTIPLE LENSARRAY) of a multi lens array "; Exercise question is the 3rd, 996, No. 570 United States Patent (USP)s of " mass optical memory (OPTICAL MASS MEMORY) "; Exercise question is the 3rd, 656, No. 120 United States Patent (USP)s of " ROM (read-only memory) (READ-ONLY MEMORY) "; Exercise question is the 3rd, 667, No. 864 United States Patent (USP)s of " optical memory device (OPTICAL MEMORYAPPARATUS) "; Exercise question be " using a device (MEANSEMPLOYING A MULTIPLE LENS ARRAY FOR READING FROM AHIGH DENSITY OPTICAL STORAGE) " from the multi lens array of HIGH-DENSITY OPTICAL STORAGE device reading of data the 3rd, 899, No. 778 United States Patent (USP)s; Exercise question is the 3rd, 765, No. 749 United States Patent (USP)s of " optical memory storage and retrieval system (OPTICAL MEMORY STORAGEAND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM) "; With exercise question the 4th, 663, No. 738 United States Patent (USP)s of " the block-oriented solid-state light storer of high density (HIGH DENSITY BLOCKORIENTED SOLID STATE OPTICAL MEMORIES) ".Although some in these systems attempt to satisfy above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, they all have the deficiency of one or more aspects.

For example, the lens of some above-mentioned systems or other optical texture can not provide necessary resolution for retrieving useful packing density.The optical resolution of the data image that these existing lens combinations provide can not cause being enough to packing density and the data transfer rate compared with the storer of other form.Although some is used for the lens combination in other field---for example micro objective---resolution of needs can be provided in theory, and this class combination of lenses is unsuitable for reading the data in the data field that is stored in slight gap fully.Other difficulty that existing designing institute runs into is temperature and data film or layer, lens subassembly and the light data are converted to the actual influence of other Physical Interference of the mechanical relation between the optical sensor of electric signal.For example, even the thermal expansion effects of the optical memory of such intermediate density also can cause serious coincidence bad between light data image and pickup.Between recording process and read operation subsequently, also can run into same difficulty in the required repeatability.The intervention of high-density optical assembly overlaps inaccurate if not data are lost fully, also will cause the serious data error.

Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of mass optical memory with random access performance, its have the less size that can compare with the minidisk storing mechanism with tape or even littler size, and the same mode of data bus that still can data be sent into and be taken out processor with solid-state random access memory is data processing equipment work.

Data storage is utilized changeable transmissivity at one, reflectivity, and polarization ratio and/or phase place can change in the light data Layer of light selectively.Under the situation of the data Layer of a transmissive, data bit is stored on a kind of thin layer of material as transparent relatively point, and is illuminated by controllable light source.Imaging lenslet array with the image projection of the light of the amplification of the data of illumination on the array of optical sensor.This data Layer is organized into a plurality of districts or sheet (being called page or leaf), and by each data page that throws light on selectively, an image projection with selected data page in the lenslet lists to sensor array.The page data of transmission is the light by bit position transparent on the data Layer in this case, is incident upon on each the different optical sensor in the photosensor array, thereby with the pattern of the form output binary digit of electrical data signal number.By each the different data field (page or leaf) on the sequential illumination data Layer selectively, corresponding lenslet is mapped to same photosensor array to corresponding different pieces of information pattern, therefore can many data pages be multiplexed on the shared photosensor array plane of delineation electricity consumption ray velocity.

At above-mentioned relevant application SN07/815,924, the embodiment of the relevant data storage and retrieval system of the present invention of handle is as read-only device in the 5th, 379, No. 266 present patents, and write only device and read/write device are disclosed.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the page or leaf of data or district are arranged in the array of basic plane pattern for annular on data Layer, and this data Layer best incorporated also is on the annular multilist face lens arra of loop configuration at one.With a Sony ericsson mobile comm ab, for example light emitting diode or laser diode illuminate selected data field or page or leaf respectively.The lenslet of multilist face lens combination array is collected from the light of data Layer, and with reflecting surface that is essentially the plane of its guiding, this reflecting surface is parallel to annular data Layer and annular lenslet array, and with them certain interval is arranged.The light of this reflecting surface reflection will formation data image, and optic variation takes place in it.This reflection guides light again, and image is folded to the central authorities of annular lenslet and data array backward, forms data page image there.For receiving image this reflection and that therefore fold, with the planar array of a solid state sensor be placed on one with the plane of delineation that the central area of data and lenslet array is aimed on, preferably be positioned on the plane of the data Layer relative one side with reflection device.

Design and the calculating lenslet array optics regulation in an optical system, it comprises the light of revising the reflection device reflection, makes data image can be focused on the imaginary axis by annular data and lenslet array center.After reflection,, accurately drop on sensor array and list from the foveal reflex of the data image that is positioned at selected data district on the data array or page position to assembly.This structure, wherein DATA DISTRIBUTION is at an annular array around the sensor array that is arranged in the center, provides a kind of optical memory assembly of compactness with light correction reflection device.This structure is also a compactness with effectively provide available larger data area or surface area in the geometric configuration, make data selectively one page be mapped in the shared sensor array that is positioned at the center with connecing one page and list.Can be used for the as many as component height of light path of data imaging or the twice of thickness, i.e. distance between data Layer plane and the reflection device plane.

In this preferred embodiment, annular data Layer and annular lenslet are fixed on the data that can the take out/lenslet interlayer card, and this central part that is stuck in array has a hole or light transmission part.Data/lens card inserts a reader removedly, light source (luminescent device) is installed, sensor array, reflection device and interface electronic circuit in this reader.In addition, the lens surface form of data/lenslet interlayer card preferably has diffraction property, and the regulation of diffraction property is to consider the requirement of the resolving power of data, and data image calculates with respect to the position at annular array center.The preferred optics regulation of reflection device is the Difraction surface of mold pressing or printing on reflecting surface.The electronic circuit of supporting luminescent device and sensor is preferably near luminous and/or sensor, or is fitted together with integrated (LSI) form on a large scale and luminous and/or set of sensors, so that entire product has higher efficient and more small and exquisite.

In above-mentioned preferred embodiment, on reflection device, used a diffraction element or surface, regulation must comprise effective aspherical degree, with the light of the radial position control data image on data based ring.In an alternate embodiment, reflection device is a kind of concave mirror with aspherical degree, appropriately reflects them with the control image rays with concentric sensor array with aiming at.

In another alternate embodiment, the printing opacity center of data/lenslet card is a kind of refractive material.This refraction center makes the image light that derives from data annulus outer rim project sensor array downwards with steeper angle and lists, and makes the resolution of outer rim data or focused lost reduce to minimum.Consequently can reduce the inner most radius of data and lenslet array, thereby can hold bigger data page or more data page or leaf, and reduce the incident angle of image light on sensor element.A kind of preferred form of the present invention is that data Layer and lenslet array are manufactured a kind of structural unit that combines or card, and the layered product of a kind of different material layer of extraordinary image is so that fix the light path and the Aligning degree of these elements.This fixing data/lenslet card structure has reduced harmful optical effect of alignment error, for example because different heat expansion between data Layer and the lenslet causes, and can use the data pattern of big density.Another characteristics of the data of this interlayer and lenslet card structure are to be adjacent to data Layer and lenslet be embedded in a kind of transparent material at certain intervals, this material has selected refractive index with respect to air and lenslet, so that the expansion angle of the data image light that control is launched from data Layer, and can on the first surface of lenslet, provide refracting power.This embedding material preferably also is a kind of following structure bond layer that the transparent polymer that describes in detail is constituted.Final structure can be used lower unit cost manufacturing, although and data be compact arranged with very big density, still can provide to reach verily the effective ways that on shared photosensor array, form the required imaging capability of data image.

Another aspect of this preferred form of lenslet array is the first surface of each lenslet, promptly the surface of contiguous data layer be defined as aspheric, with the light resolution of the extra small and ultra dense fragment that improves the data want imaging.Point out that as top this first surface of lenslet array and at least one second surface preferably have diffracting power.Annular data Layer and annular lenslet array together with transparent embedding/manufacturing cost of bonding coat makes that this structure can be with the form manufacturing of removable data card and use effectively.

Therefore can see, the invention provides have approaching---if not the words that surpass---the huge data storage capacity of the fastest solid-state RAM and the random access speed of ROM.In addition, the tissue of data output capacity of the present invention makes synchronization actually, single clock time for example, the very large data word of access.Because when whole data page is mapped on the photosensor array, its arrange this array moment of any regulation from all data of this page output, therefore the word length of output only is subjected to the figure place in the sensor array and the restriction of the addressing electronic circuit of cooperating with sensor array.Because can be along the row and column inquiry array of data itself, and each row or column of each array can be about 1,000 bit, so this makes system of the present invention can export about 1, the data word of 000 bit, or export its that select and variable part on demand.This bigger output word makes the present invention can be applied to computer graphics, " correlation engine " of computer based industrial system, and in other computerize or the digitization system.

By following detailed description and accompanying drawing, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that these and other feature, purpose and advantage of the present invention.

Fig. 1 is the sectional view along the vertical plane incision of an embodiment of optical memory, this optical memory has the shell of the array of the folding reflective device of an installation diagram picture and optical transmitting set and sensor, and a narrow slit that is used to receive the data/lens interlayer card of the lenslet that comprises annular data and be placed on it is arranged on the shell;

Fig. 2 is the top view along the 2-2 profile line of the optical memory of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is the cut-open view along plumb cut 3-3 of optical memory shown in Figure 2;

Fig. 4 is the synoptic diagram of main element of the optical memory of Fig. 1-3, has removed shell, the various travel paths of display data images light;

Fig. 5 is the synoptic diagram that is similar to Fig. 4, has shown an alternate embodiment of optical memory of the present invention;

Fig. 6 relates to the data read addressing and the block diagram of controlling electronic circuit of the optical memory of Fig. 1-5;

The key diagram of the sensor array of the optical memory of Fig. 7 Fig. 1-5 and the preferred embodiment of relevant electronic circuit.

With reference to figure 1,2 and 3, shown preferred form according to optical random access memory 100 of the present invention, it comprises the shell 102 of a regular polygon, shell 102 comprises top and bottom wall 102a and 102b; The sidewall 102c and the 102d of opposition, and antetheca and rear wall 102e and 102f.Storer 100 comprises light source, a data/lens card, sensor array, and interface electronic circuit, they have utilized some is 07/815 in the relevant series number that is disclosed in, 924 U.S. Patent application, the 5th, 379, No. 226 present United States Patent (USP)s, and series number is the feature and the function of the optical memory in the international patent application of PCT/US92/11356, and the explanation of their announcement is incorporated in this as a reference.A feature of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is sizes of shell 102, i.e. side, half that the height of preceding and rear wall 102c-f is less than other size---i.e. top, the degree of depth of the end and A-P---.This ratio of width to height of whole casing 102 has produced a more compact unit, and it can easily be contained in the shell of existing individual and desktop computer and relevant equipment.The compactedness of shell 102 has caused the chamber of a respective shapes, is comprising to be used for selecting in this chamber, forms and electronics and the optical module of reflectance data image to the photosensor array.The annular array that data/lens card that takes out 104 that inserts from the narrow slit of shell antetheca 102e makes data field or page or leaf be installed in shell 102 aim near the annular array of the respective shapes of the page or leaf selection light source 106 of diapire 102b.Master reference array 108 is fixed on the common base that light source 106 and relevant electronic circuit are installed in the shell 102, array 108 is positioned to receive data page image by hole on the card 104 or light inlet window, this data page image by in the light source 106 each independently light source is selected continuously and produce, and by diffraction reflection mirror 110 reflections (therefore being folded) that are placed on data/lens card 104 tops.

The doughnut structure of the data/lens arra on the card 104 makes data storage capacity to be increased greatly than proposing other structure, and the reflecting surface of catoptron 110 makes data image light be folded to the center of data/lens-ring, shared sensor array is positioned this, with ORAM (optical random access memory) reader that produces a compactness.Below with reference to the bottom of the shell 102 shown in Fig. 1 and 3, near the inside of diapire 102b an integrated circuit 112 is arranged, it comprises by the micro wiring (not shown) and is coupled in an aural exciter as the annular array of the solid-state light emitting element of reading light source 106.Light source 106 is installed in the substrate that is provided by integrated circuit 112, so that light source is fixed in the compact arranged intensive light source pattern, resembling in series number is 07/815,924 U.S. Patent application, the present the 5th, 379, No. 226 United States Patent (USP)s, and series number be prove absolutely in the international patent application of PCT/US92/11356 like that.Therefore the array of light source 106 is coplanar in their annular pattern, and is supported on the fixed position on the integrated circuit 112.

Be close to the top of light source 106 and be parallel to light source 106, whole data/lens card 104 is installed in the narrow slit opening 172 among the shell antetheca 102e removedly.Card 104 is sandwich structures of a kind of lamination, and it comprises a data Layer 190 that is organized in the binary bit of information in a plurality of data pages or the district's (see figure 2).An additional diffraction lens array 210 is fixed on the data Layer 190, and has a plurality of lenslet system, each lenslet system all in the long numeric data district different with one or page or leaf accurately, on the position of fixing optical registration.Whole data/lens card 104 is manufactured into a fixing unit, therefore makes the array 210 of lenslet system have the fixing spatial relationship with respect to data Layer 190.This structure has improved the integrality of the optical registration between data and the imaging lenslet, and therefore block 104 and can be used as a unit insertion and taking-up, and the data that are maintained fixed-lens space relation.Therefore can replace card 104 with other the data/lens card that comprises different pieces of information on the layer 190 with same structure.Card 104 slides in place on edge guide 114a on the inside surface of the opposition that is positioned at side wall of outer shell 102c and 102b and 114b, and edge guide contacts with the lower limb of card.In order to make card 104 appropriate with consistent location in reader shell 102, on madial wall flange 118a above guide rail 114a and the 114b and 118b, leaf spring 116 is installed, card is pressed to guide rail 114a and 114b.

In order further to improve 108 pairs of sensors from 17 emissions of data/lens arrangement, represent the reading ability of the image light of a selected data page that is illuminated, make image light from this page or leaf pass a lenslet system with one first and at least one second optical surface 210a and 210b.These optical lens surfaces are preferably diffractive.As being 07/815 in relevant series number, 924 (the present patent No.s 5,379,266) and described in the U.S. of PCT/US92/11356 and the PCT patented claim, the first lens surface 210a places near data Layer 190, and be aspheric surface, be used for collecting the light of data field of the maximum quantity of each page, second Difraction surface holds the extension line of data light in an extension area, this extension area is greater than each compact arranged data page, from different but the image light of adjacent page or leaf passes through from this extension area.After the 210b of diffraction lens surface, illuminated by light source 106 and that send and by the data page image that lens arra 210 strengthens the be reflected diffraction and reflecting surface 128 reflection and the optics corrections further of device 110 from data Layer 190.

The effect that the diffraction optics on surface 128 has been stipulated a kind of field lens, distributing arrives as directed 132 image bit light from the second Difraction surface 210b of data/lens card, and reflects the sensor 108 that (promptly folding) goes back to the data ring center as directed 134.Because image bit light, particularly from image bit light in the outer zone of the data ring in the page or leaf 190 with one less than 90 °, promptly be not orthogonal to the incident angle of sensor plane, be folded Returning sensor 108, card material at the center of data and lens arra provides a refraction, maybe may be that the image of diffraction returns district 140.Reflect the image light that reflects in the mode shown in Fig. 1 and 4, so that data image, particularly those data images from the data page of data page outmost turns incide sensor array with more vertical angle.

Therefore, by sensor 108 is placed on data card below, because the refraction of clear central of card, and the technology of sensor 108 is improved imaging, and sensor 108 is installed in same or coplanar integrated circuit substrate of supporting light sources array 106.

In this preferred embodiment, the page or leaf that is incident upon data image on the array 108 and is from be stored in regular X-Y grid pattern shown in Figure 2 produces.By illuminating the selected district or the page or leaf of data Layer 190, for example the page or leaf 190a, image, when by relevant lenslet system changeover, be exaggerated, radially to bias internal, reflection, revise further by the optics on the reflection device 110 regulation, at last imaging on the array of the light sensing element 108a of sensor 108.Although element 108a can be arranged in various array with suitable mode, here they preferably are arranged in the X-Y square sensor grid 108b of rule, its corner is cut with within the concentric zone 140 in being placed in, and is roughly a circle as shown in the figure or the polygon of many sides is arranged.On the circumferential position at the interval of adjacent cells 108b, provide a plurality of reference detector 108c, they have the same or similar light sensitive characteristic with sensor element 108a, to help to aim at and/or read each data image, resembling in relevant series number is 07/815,924 U.S. Patent application, the present the 5th, 379, No. 226 United States Patent (USP)s, and series number be illustrate in the international patent application of PCT/US92/11356 like that.

The effect of the optics of the diffraction of reflection device 110 and reflecting surface 128 regulation resembles a kind of field lens, and navigational figure light again is to collect image light and data page image is focused on sensor 108 again.

Therefore, in operation, by exciting a selected honeycomb of the light source 106 of lining up annular array, from the page or leaf of many binary data of annular data Layer 190, select one.This causes data page light to penetrate, and is distributed reflection device 110 reflections of the data bit light that forms the page or leaf image, projects on the light activated element of lining up array of sensor array 108.Data page image has the perhaps polygon polygonal shape of circular, and is full of the plane of delineation on the upper surface of sensor array 108.Each data bit in a single data page is aligned to the row and column of slight gap here, and the density of its arrangement helps utilizing the high-resolution blooming that comprises the photochemistry film but be not limited to the photochemistry film or other recording medium as layer 190.

As being 07/815 in relevant series number, 924 U.S. Patent application, the present the 5th, 379, No. 226 United States Patent (USP)s, and series number is described in the international patent application of PCT/US92/11356, can constitute photochemical method that device and imaging form the data light position to each page on the data Layer or district's exposure continuously at floor 210a identifying recording layer by utilizing page or leaf, also can be in existing video disc recording by comprise contact print and/or from the method for the direct photocopying of a master mold mold pressing or embossing at layer 210a identifying recording layer.The scope of the size of data bit is 2.25 to 0.5 microns, and the spacing at center-center is also in this scope.Each data page is to be formed by a large amount of independently data bit, and data bit can concentrate in the honeycomb and divide in groups, and its preferred density range is 2 * 10 ⁷-4 * 10 ⁸The every cm of bit ², have been found that every page about 10 ⁶(megabit) data bit is a kind of favourable quantity, and the density of this quantity can cause producing the data image after the amplification that can reliably be read by the light activated element of sensor array 108.In this case, this preferred embodiment can provide about 20-30 the doubly enlargement factor of the light image of the packing density on layer 190 by the field lens effect on each lenslet system and surface 128.Therefore, suppose one 25 times medium enlargement factor, the spacing that projects the pixel 108a on the sensor array 108 so is approximately 25 microns.Therefore, a honeycomb polygon or circular that is used to read the page or leaf of data will comprise 1,000,000 data bit sensor elements.

In relevant series number is 07/815,924 U.S. Patent application, the present the 5th, 379, No. 226 United States Patent (USP)s, and series number is special construction and the operation that has described sensor array 108 in the international patent application of PCT/US92/11356 in detail, and to the various alternative methods of this preferred embodiment.Say that simply can be used for causing from each data bit of representing of a luminous point of the page or leaf of imaging the light activated element 108a conducting or the not conducting of sensor array 108, this depends on that this data bit is " 1 " or " 0 ".Though can use multi-form data Layer 190, data Layer 190 is a kind of printing opacity mask or film in this preferred embodiment, and wherein the binary one position is a printing opacity, and the binary zero position is opaque or resistance light.

Therefore can see that the reading component of optical memory 100 and operation can be carried out access according to each that distinguish in (page or leaf) to hundreds of numbers, this district has, for example, and the position of every page of 1,000,000 1 micron position sizes.In addition, in the present invention, total memory data output is by data configuration is circularized array, surrounds sensor window so that the method for any one data page of shared sensor array 108 around can reading improves.From data Layer 190, select a whole page or leaf of 106 of single data page access by a honeycomb of excitation source 106.These data can for example be equal to or less than 50 nanoseconds at interface with typical electrical-optical switching speed, are utilized, and this interface is included in the integrated circuit 112 of the following support of sensor array 108 row sensor array 108.Can for example be listed as or delegation by one of the data on the page or leaf of access to constituting the data word addressing selectively of this different piece of whole page in circuit 112, or can be used as this whole page of parallel dump output at each.Each row or column in the page or leaf of an access can comprise nearly 1000 the data bit that gives said structure, therefore can be within the capacity of optical memory 100 the overlength position word of this length of stochastic retrieval fast.

On size, one 1,000,000 (106) the page or leaf that is mapped on the sensor array 108 will occupy 6.5cm ²Or the polygon of about 1 area in square inches or circle.The external diameter and the internal diameter of the data/lens annular of card on 104 are respectively 2.5cm and 0.85cm, and it is above-mentioned 2 * 10 ⁷-4 * 10 ⁸Every CM ²The preferred density scope 17.30cm is provided ²The area of (about 2.6 square inches).This area has comprised the nearly fragment or the page or leaf of 1664 data, and each fragment or data page can be by almost (≤50 nanoseconds) selection and the retrievals simultaneously of speed-sensitive switch ability of electrical-optical and electronically addressing device.In fact, by reading the electronic switch of light source 106, the page or leaf of a plurality of data bit is multiplexed on the plane of delineation of sensor array 108.The data of output can directly apply to the data bus of a processor with above-mentioned form.

In Fig. 4, shown the main element that does not have the folded image of shell 102 ORAM100.The be reflected optical diffraction surface 128 of playing the field lens similar effect guiding (as shown in the figure) again selectively of device 110 of data page image makes data Layer 190 radially innermost reflect to outermost district's (page or leaf) and focuses on the shared master reference array 108.Because the sensor senses device has been removed the area on some layers 190 that can be used for data originally, the size that can increase chapter to be to recover damage.If chapter is done more more effectively utilizing sensor, this increase means the longer light path of the page or leaf on the edge of ring, and this is with increased magnification.In addition, the incident angle of light beam on sensor becomes big, and this makes bit image elongated in one direction, if thereby do not have further design constraints, a single light position of image will cover on the sensor element of adjacent array 108.

There is various reforming method can make ORAM100 overcome the problem of said structure.At first, reflection device 110 has diffractive optical element on surface 128.This element has spherical aberration slightly, and proposes the example of regulation below.Catoptron and aspherical diffractive element allied reflexes image light combine the part effect of playing field lens with page or leaf lenslet system.Because the aspheric surface assembly on the reflecting surface 128, from the light beam in the page or leaf outside focused on effectively sensor array 108 radially within.This extra focusing represents, by 210 calibrations of lenslet system, so the data page of radial outside no longer plays amplification to image with respect to the extra light path of the data page of those radially inner sides from the image beam of the page or leaf of the radial outside of layer 190.

Secondly, ORAN100 has used a kind of solid-state refractance window 140 in the interlayer of card 104.Solid-state window 140 refraction inward flange light beams make and can be increased to more page or leaf within the annulus.Window 140 also reflects from outer peripheral light beam, has reduced the incident angle of the light at edge at sensor array 108.Be preferably on the array 108 coating of using a kind of high index, further to reduce the incident angle of edge image light.

The 3rd, array 108 is actually coplanar with light source 106, thereby they all are formed on same substrate or the understructure.This expression can be placed on all electronic circuits on the structure, and this structure is preferably extensive integrated.

In the special embodiment of Fig. 1-4, the bigger radius of the data page in the layer 190 is approximately 25mm, and the small radii of annular is about 8.5mm.The diameter of sensor is approximately 10mm.The quantity of the page or leaf that this provides is approximately does not have the imaging folding mirror, but five times of the structure of height equally.In other words, for same data chapter size, concentrate all pages or leaves only to need only about half of height.

In the minute surface of the diffraction reflection device of Fig. 1-4 or Fig. 5 shape, be presented in the following sample table for the best regulation of each calculating of various lens and reflecting surface.

Table is used for the lens of ORAM100 and the example * lens data folding system of reflection device regulation, 25mm skew SRF radius thickness aperture radius glass note 0--0.100000 0.200000 ULTEM Data plane1--0.822159 0.260000 ULTEM dcy2----0.260000 ULTEM dfx3--1.182207 0.260000 ACRYLIC dfr4--2.140722 1.000000A ACRYLIC dcy5----1.000000 ACRYLIC dfr6--0.200000 1.000000 AIR dfx7--12.000000 10.000000 AIR dcy offset8----10.000000 AIR dfr refl9----10.000000 REFLECT Mirror10---12.220000 10.000000 AIR11---4.300000 7.000000 ACRYLIC Window12---0.100000 7.000000 AIR13---0.100000 5.000000 BK7 Sensor

Plane14----5.000000* Difraction surface data 2 DOE DFX 4 DOR 1 DWV 0.645000

DF2 1.8181e-05 DF3 0.118156 DF4 -0.000887 DF5 0.129276

DF6 0.002617 DF7 -0.017191 DF8 -0.000274 DF9 -0.010582

DF10 -0.000631 DF11 -0.0180013 DOE?DFR 10 DOR?1 DWV 0.645000

DF1 -0.580847 DF2 0.038308 DF3 -0.044406 DF4 0.1139645 DOE?DFR 6 DOR?1 DWV 0.645000

DF1 -0.161999 DF2 0.004165 DF3 -7.6560e-056 DOE?DFX 4 DOR?1 DWV 0.645000

DF2 0.451901 DF3 0.006021 DF5 0.024102 DF6 -0.000324

DF7 0.003690 DF9 0.002165 DF10 0.0001878 DOE?DFR 6 DOR-1 DWV 0.645000

DF1 0.005091DF2 5,1267e-06* inclination/eccentric data 1 DT 1 DCX--DCY-0.094552

TLA -- TLB -- TLC --4 DT 1 DCX -- DCY 0.207067

TLA -- TLB -- TLC --7 DT 1 DCX -- DCY 25.000000

TLA--the paraxial setting of TLB--TLC--* lens

Object lens aperture, aperture: 0.405826

Visual field object lens height :-0.200000* refractive index

Glass RN1 RN2 RN3 VNBR

ULTEM 1.650783 1.652245 1.649365 225.975134

ACRYLIC 1.488490 1.488924 1.488069 571.701364

BK7 1.514682 1.515014 1.514363 789.776603

These tables have illustrated the regulation of a lens combination and have been effective reflection device for one at the outer peripheral page or leaf of recording element.At this moment the most difficult position on the optics.The nearer data page of decentering has preferably been revised the regulation for lens, utilize for example following lens design program commonly used to calculate, and input is for the radial compensation value of interior lenslet.Interval and reflection device remain unchanged.

Commercial lens design program is called OSLO6, uses when the design shown in showing.This program is New York, the product of the Sinclair company of Fairport.

In Fig. 5, catoptron is replaced by recessed " sphere " mirror that an aspheric curvature part is arranged commonly used.Result who reboots to light is the same, and has the advantage on the efficient in some applications, but manufacturing cost is higher.

Fig. 6 has shown the reading electronic circuit, and it can be integrated in (see figure 1) in the planar substrates of a circuit 112, is used for the access data from ORAM100.In relevant series number is 07/815,924 U.S. Patent application, the present the 5th, 379, No. 226 United States Patent (USP)s, and series number is that the structure and the operation of reading electronic circuit has been described in the international patent application of PCT/US92/11356, briefly this relates to after an image is formed on the sensor array 108, pass through 125 pairs of data addressing of an address buffer register from a data bus 121 that is connected in an interface bus 123, to select the specific row of data.At this moment finish by action row selector switch 127.In order to illuminate a selected page or leaf, carry through X code translator and Y code translator bus 131 and 133 from the address that comprises the page address data that bus 121 obtains, this makes X code translator 135 and Y code translator 137 select specific in a plurality of light sources 106 one, so that illuminate a single page or leaf of data, be used for imaging on sensor array 27.A timing controller 139 provides the sequence of a timing controling signal in a manner known way, is designated " exciting LED " (control page or leaf light source 106) respectively; " excite CCD capable " (control reads out the data from a charge coupling device sensor array 108); " gating MUX " (from output multiplexer of sensor array 108 controls); " data are ready " (data can be exported the signal that multiplexer and interface are delivered to data user's bus from data).Can be through 143, one subscriber bus interfaces 145 of 141, one multiplexers of a buffer register and an output data bus 147 from sensor array 108 output datas.

Fig. 7 has shown a kind of structure that is suitable for of sensor array 108, comprises the ability that drops on the parasitic overlapping light that has nothing to do with " very " bit image light on the sensor element of repelling.In relevant series number is 07/815,924 U.S. Patent application, the 5th, 379, No. 226 present United States Patent (USP)s, and series number is structure and the operation that sensor array has been described in the international patent application of PCT/US92/11356.

Although only disclose special embodiment here, those of ordinary skill in the art will be understood that, can carry out multiple change and modification to it, comprise the means that are equal to of using, device, and method step, and do not break away from spirit of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. photometric data system comprises:

One is used for data are stored as the light variation characteristic, and is organized into the light data set that all has the data field of position (B) ability of storing data for a plurality of (P) arranged side by side each;

The controllable light source device in described independent data district of at least one described smooth data set is used for throwing light on selectively;

The data imaging lens devices is arranged in very close and the described parallel data of optical registration district makes that the picture resolution of described data imaging lens devices is uniform basically in the gamut of the visual field of each described data field;

Sensor device has a plurality of (S) and is arranged in and is used on the common image surface to read as corresponding to a described selectively optical sensor arranged side by side of the data of the light image of the data field of illumination;

Be placed on the light path between described data imaging lens devices and the described common image surface, be used for reflectingly described light image is directed to reflective optical surfaces device on the described sensor device on described common image surface again; With

Be coupled in described sensor device, be used to export the data-signal output unit of data-signal of the described data of the data field of representing an illuminated and imaging.

2. photometric data system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflective optical surfaces device comprise a kind of optics regulation, are used for selectively the data plot image position in each data field being directed to described common image surface again.

3. photometric data system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflective optical surfaces device has a nonplanar profile, so that described regulation to be provided.

4. photometric data system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflective optical surfaces device comprises a diffractive optical surfaces, so that described device specifies to be provided.

5. photometric data system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said reflective optical surfaces device have an optics regulation that has sphere and aspheric surface combined characteristic.

6. photometric data system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controllable light source device and described sensor device are installed in the copline light source-sensor construction, described parallel data district and described data imaging lens devices are installed in the data-lens arrangement that is actually the plane, and this data-lens arrangement is parallel removedly to be placed between described copline light source-sensor construction and the described reflective optical surfaces device.

7. photometric data system as claimed in claim 6, line up array in the planar annular pattern of wherein said data field on the described data-lens arrangement that is actually the plane, central authorities at described planar annular pattern define a light inlet window, place with respect to described light source-sensor construction removedly with wherein said data-lens arrangement, make described sensor device be parallel to described data field and also in fact aim at described light inlet window.

8. photometric data system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data imaging lens devices comprise that at least one Difraction surface and wherein said reflective optical surfaces device also are diffractive.

9. photometric data system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said data imaging lens devices comprise that at least the first and second Difraction surfaces and described reflective optical surfaces device also are diffractive.

10. photometric data system comprises:

One is used for data are stored as the light variation characteristic, and be organized into to a plurality of (P) arranged side by side each all has stored data bit (B) ability and line up array in a plane annular pattern, and the light data set that is actually planar shaped of the data field of a light inlet window is arranged in described annular pattern central authorities;

Near one first side that is placed on described planar light data set, the controllable light source device in the described independent data district of at least one described smooth data set that is used for throwing light on selectively;

The data imaging lens devices is arranged in very close and the described parallel data of optical registration district makes that its picture resolution is uniformly basically in the gamut of the visual field of that data field, so that form its image on a common image surface;

One is arranged essentially parallel to that described planar light data set and its compartment of terrain, second side place, and is used for backward and upcountry towards the reflective optical surfaces of a data image of each described data field of described foveal reflex of described annular pattern;

Have a plurality of (S) and arrange, aim at described light inlet window, be used to read as sensor device corresponding to the optical sensor arranged side by side of the data of the light image of the data field of an illumination so that described common image surface to be provided near described planar light data set; With

Be coupled in described sensor device, be used to export the data-signal output unit of data-signal of the described data of the data field of representing an illuminated and imaging.

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