US4107701A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acousto-optic snapshot recorder
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1976-09-16
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Granted: 1978-08-15
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Expires: 1996-09-16
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for recording a serial line of electrical data as a spatial array of optical data. The apparatus employs an acousto-optic device through which the electrical signal to be recorded is passed as a continuous acoustic wave. The device is illuminated by a laser and imaged onto a recording medium to form an image of the acoustic wave passing through the device. By pulsing the laser just as the acoustic wave fills the device, a line of optical data can be recorded which will correspond to the acoustic wave in the device. By indexing the recording medium and reimaging every time a new acoustic wave just fills the device, an entire raster may be recorded.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Sprague
- 👤 Alan J. MacGovern
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:27
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/12; G11B7/125; G11B7/128; G01; G01D; G01D15/00; G01D15/14; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/28; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
Acousto-optic recording apparatus for reading out a serial electrical signal as spatial optical data comprising: A. acousto-optic means; B. means for passing a continuous travelling acoustic wave through said acousto-optic means, said acoustic wave being proportional to said serial electrical signal; C. a recording medium; D. imaging means for imaging said acoustic wave on said recording medium, said imaging means including: a. light source means for illuminating said acousto-optic means; b. optical means for imaging the light from said acousto-optic means onto said recording medium; and, c. means for "stopping" the motion of said travelling acoustic wave passing through said acousto-optic means for recording a stationary line of optical data on said recording medium proportional to the acoustic wave within said acousto-optic means; and, E. means for recording a plurality of said lines of optical data along one long line on said recording medium, including: a. a plurality of optical deflector means in the path of the light from said acousto-optic means to direct images to different locations on said recording medium; and b. an acousto-optic deflector for directing light from said acousto-optic means to consecutive ones of said plurality of optical deflector means for recording a plurality of said lines of optical data along one long line on said recording medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
Acousto-optic recording apparatus for reading out a serial electrical signal as spatial optical data comprising: A. acousto-optic means; B. means for passing a continuous travelling acoustic wave through said acousto-optic means, said acoustic wave being proportional to said serial electrical signal; C. a recording medium; D. imaging means for imaging said acoustic wave on said recording medium, said imaging means including: a. light source means for illuminating said acousto-optic means; b. optical means for imaging the light from said acousto-optic means onto said recording medium; and, c. means for "stopping" the motion of said travelling acoustic wave passing through said acousto-optic means for recording a stationary line of optical data on said recording medium proportional to the acoustic wave within said acousto-optic means; and, E. means for recording a plurality of said lines of optical data along one long line on said recording medium, including: a. a plurality of optical deflector means in the path of the light from said acousto-optic means to direct images to different locations on said recording medium; and b. an acousto-optic deflector for directing light from said acousto-optic means to consecutive ones of said plurality of optical deflector means for recording a plurality of said lines of optical data along one long line on said recording medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of optical deflector means comprises a plurality of mirrors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for "stopping" the motion of said travelling acoustic wave comprises a second acousto-optic deflector in the path of the light from said acousto-optic means for compensating for the motion of said acoustic wave passing through said acousto-optic means such that the output of said second deflector will be a stationary image for imaging on said recording medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said light source means comprises a laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said laser comprises a cavity-dumped, mode-locked argon laser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3165045A
Cited
US4000493A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |