GB2055494A - Magnetically retrievable optical memory - Google Patents

Abstract

A memory includes a planar body 22 and a strip 23 of magnetic material affixed to an edge portion of the planar body to facilitate magnetic retrieval and registration at a work station 28. The strip protects the edge portion during the registration of the memory with posts 38, 40 at the work station. The planar body having a film on which data is recorded e.g. by laser-produced holes, is retrieved from a magazine 20 by a magnet 58 and is transported to the work station 28 where it is aligned and arrested by guides 30, 32 and posts 38, 40. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Magnetically retrievable optical memory This application relates to co-pending applications 8023884 for "Magnetic Transport Mechanism" filed 22nd July 1 980 and A-34505 for "Registration Station for Optical Memory and the Like" assigned to the present assignee.

This invention relates generally to data storage means, and more particularly the invention relates to data storage means which is magnetically retrievable.

A continuous need exists for larger capacity faster access data storage mediums, particularly for archieval storage of data. Magnetic tapes, drums and discs have heretofore been the primary repository for data banks. However, memory physical size, data access time, and security of magnetically recorded data are limitations in such systems.

Optical data recording systems have been introduced which offer permanent data storage in memories having greatly reduced physical size. In one form an optical memory comprises a support plate such as glass on which a recording medium such as a metal film is formed. An intermediate layer such as plastic or other amorphous material can be provided therebetween to facilitate the recording of data in the film and reduce stresses in the film.

Copending patent application series number 950,066, filed October 10, 1978, for METHOD AND MEANS FOR RECORDING DATA BY LASER MEANS and assigned to the present assignee, describes such a recording medium in which data is recorded and read by laser means. In recording data, a laser beam is focused on the recording film with holes or other disruptions selectively formed in the film by modulating the power of the laser. In reading the stored data, a lower power laser beam scans the surface of the recording film and reflected light is detected. The stored data is determined by the amount of reflected light.

Typically, the plates are rectangularly shaped having sides measuring several inches in length. A hole in the film for designating a "bit" of data may measure 0.5 to 1.0 micron in diameter. Thus, data densities of up to 109 bits per square inch can be realized. In recording and reading data, the plates must be accurately aligned in registration with the laser system. Heretofore, this has been accomplished manually.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a memory device which can be retrieved from storage and transported to a work station automatically.

Another object of the invention is a planar optical memory which may be engaged magnetically for retrieval and registration.

Still another object of the invention is a planar magnetically retrievable optical memory with means for protecting an alignment edge of the memory.

A feature of the invention is a body of magnetic material which is fixed to an edge of a planar memory whereby the memory can be retrieved magnetically and whereby the material protects the planar memory during alignment in a work station.

These and other objects and features of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and appended claims when taken with the drawing.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a magnetically retrievable optical memory in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the memory of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one system for magnetically retrieving and registering an optical memory in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a magnetically retrievable optical memory in accordance with the present invention. The memory includes a planar member 10 which may comprise a plate of glass and a recording film supported on a major surface of the plate. As previously described, data is recorded by scanning the recording film with a laser beam with surface disruptions formed by selectively modulating the laser beam representing the recorded data. In reading the data, a lower power laser beam scans the recording film with reflected light being indicative of the recorded data. The recorded data may take several forms and is not essential to the invention and will not be described further herein.

Attached to one edge of plate 10 is a body of magnetic material 12, which as seen in the exploded perspective view of Figure 2, may be shaped to clip to the edge of plate 10. The material may comprise rolled shim steel or other suitable magnetic material which can also provide abrasion protection for the edge of the glass plate 10. A suitable epoxy can be applied to ensure adherence of the magnetic strip 12 to the plate 10. By use of the magnetic protective strip 1 2, the memory can be magnetically retrieved and transported to a registration station for read and write operations.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a system wherein the magnetically retrievable optical memory in accordance with the invention can be employed. In this embodiment a storage cabinet 20 contains a plurality of plates 22 which may be slidably stored on rails within cabinet 20. Suitable drive means such as lead screws 24 moves cabinet 20 vertically whereby any one of the plates 22 can be placed in alignment with a horizontal surface 26. At the end of surface 26 opposite from cabinet 20 is a work station shown generally at 28 which receives and registers the memory plates in proper alignment for a read or record operation with suitable laser means (not shown). The alignment station 28 includes two guide members 30 and 32 mounted on opposite sides of a rectangular support plate 34 having a centrally disposed aperture 36.At one end of the support member 34 are a plurality of posts 38, 40, and 42 for receiving and aligning a plate in proper registration with the laser.

Mounted in the surface of plate 34 between posts 38 and 40 are a pair of magnets 44 and 46.

A transport mechanism 48 includes a support 50 which is mounted on and driven by a lead screw 52 and motor 54. A support plate 56 with a magnet 58 mounted on one end thereof extends from support 50. Magnet 58 is of suitable dimensions to pass between posts 38 and 40 on support member 34 of the work station 28.

In operation, cabinet 20 is moved vertically whereby a desired memory plate is in alignment with the surface 26, and transport 48 is moved laterally until magnet 58 engages a magnetic strip 23 of the aligned memory plate. The transport is then moved laterally away from cabinet 20 pulling the memory plate across surface 26 into engagement with work station 28 with the guides 30 and 32 aligning the plate in the work station.

Posts 38 and 40 receive the strip 23 whereupon magnet 58 is disengaged from the strip 23 as the transport continues moving. Cam 31 on guide member 30 urges the memory plate whereby one edge of the plate engages post 42 while the magnetic strip engages the posts 38 and 40.

Magnets 44 and 46 abut the magnetic strip 23 and maintain the memory plate in proper registration in the work station 28. Upon completion of a read or record operation on the memory plate, transport 48 moves the plate back into storage cabinet 20.

Thus, from the above illustrated embodiment it is seen that an optical memory in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention can be automatically retrieved and registered in a suitable work station for a read or record operation. It will be appreciated that a magnetically retrievable plate in accordance with the invention can have application in other systems which employ magnetic retrieval and registration.

Thus, while the invention has been described with reference to one specific embodiment and in one specific application, the description is illustrative of the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications and applications may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (8)

1. A magnetically retrievable memory comprising a planar member including a plate and a recording film supported on a major surface of said plate, a body of magnetic material, and means for attaching said strip to an edge portion of said plate.

2. A magnetically retrievable memory as defined by Claim 1 wherein said plate comprises a rectangular piece of glass and said body comprises a strip which is attached to an edge of said glass.

3. A magnetically retrievable memory as defined by Claim 2 wherein said strip is formed to clip to an edge of said plate.

4. A magnetically retrievable memory as defined by Claim 2 or 3 wherein said strip is attached by epoxy means.

5. An optical memory comprising a planar member, a recording film supported on a major surface of said planar member, a plurality of apertures formed in said recording film and arranged to represent stored binary data, and a magnetic strip of material attached to said planar member to facilitate magnetic latching of said memory for transport and registration.

6. An optical memory as defined by Claim 5 wherein said planar member comprises a piece of glass, and said magnetic strip is formed to clip to an edge of said glass.

7. An optical memory as defined by Claim 6 wherein said strip comprises steel and further including epoxy means for adhering said steel to said glass.

8. A magnetically retrievable memory substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.