Atlantic Richfield Company

Videonics of Hawaii, Inc.

Peter G Wohlmut

Frank D Neu

John W Yerkes

Jonathan A Jerome

Robert R Chambers

A system and apparatus is disclosed for retrieving analog or digital information stored on an optically sensed disc. In a preferred embodiment, a video disc is disposed between a flooding light source and a matrix array of photosensitive elements, there being provided optical focusing means so that the illuminated data tracks of the video disc are imaged onto the photosensitive array. Circuitry is provided for sensing output signals from selected elements of the array and in response thereto selecting those elements of the array onto which the selected track (or tracks) is best imaged. In this manner the apparatus of the present invention can provide data track following, conventional data retrieval and parallel simultaneous and sequential data retrieval. Alternative circuitry provides signal stream manipulation to compensate for fluctuations in rotational velocity of the data disc and to provide improved signal-to-noise ratios as well as frequency response enhancement. Other alternative circuitry permits compensation for lost data.

Information retrieval system and apparatus

A photovoltaic device composed of a luminescent sheet having a pair of flat, opposed semicircularly shaped sides connected by a thin edge face having a curved, semicylindrically shaped section and a straight section and at least one photovoltaic cell carried on the straight section of said thin edge face.

Luminescent photovoltaic solar collector

A luminescent solar collector having a luminescent member with at least two types of photovoltaic cells, each type of cell operating efficiently for the generation of electricity over a wavelength range which is different from the efficient wavelength range of the other types of photovoltaic cells present on the luminescent member, each type of photovoltaic cell carrying intermediate to it and the luminescent member a filter means which allows only light within the efficient wavelength range for that type of photovoltaic cell to pass from the luminescent member into the photovoltaic cell.

Luminescent solar collector

A luminescent solar collector comprising a light transmitting member which carries at least one photovoltaic means, a luminescent member removably attached to the light transmitting member, and interface material between the two members assuring the transmission of light between said members. A method for increasing the efficiency of a luminescent photovoltaic device which contains a luminescent member of reduced efficiency comprising attaching to the low efficiency luminescent member a higher efficiency luminescent member with an interface material, the interface material assuring transmission of light from one luminescent member to the other.

A system for sensing information located in tracks in various layers or depths of a recording medium. The desired information is electro-optically tracked in three dimensions to provide sensing of the information contained in the multi-layered recording medium.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Peter G Wohlmut