Abstract
The present invention relates to a storage device (300, 400) and to a method of controlling a storage device (300, 400). A storage device (300, 400) according to the invention comprises a plurality of information storage units (101, 201, 302), each comprising an optically transmissive memory element (104, 306), an optically transmissive light-receiving device (102, 304), and an optically transmissive control unit (103, 305) connected to the memory element (104, 306) and the light-receiving device (102, 304). The components are optically transmissive such that a request for information data stored on the optically transmissive memory element (104, 306) may be received from any direction. Thereby, an optical signal (316, 309, 422) comprising a request for information may be received by several light-receiving devices (102, 304) simultaneously enabling a fast retrieval of information data stored on a storage device (300, 400) comprising several information storage units (101, 201, 302).
Claims
1. An information storage unit comprising: an optically transmissive memory element; an optically transmissive light-receiving device configured to receive an optical signal, at least a portion of said optical signal to pass through a material of said optically transmissive light-receiving device, from several directions, said optical signal communicating with the memory element and comprising a request for retrieving information data stored in said memory element; and an optically transmissive control unit electrically connected to said light-receiving device and to said memory element, wherein said control unit is configured to communicate with the memory element to retrieve information data stored in said memory element based on said request; wherein said information storage unit is arranged and configured such that an optical signal transmitted from a light-emitting device external to said information storage unit may propagate unguided from said external light-emitting device to said light-receiving device.
2. The information storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising an optically transmissive light-emitting device arranged for emitting light in several directions and electrically connected to said optically transmissive control unit.
3. The information storage unit according to claim 2, wherein said control unit is further configured to, if said information data corresponding to said request is found on said memory element, control said optically transmissive light-emitting device to emit an optical signal indicative of said requested information data.
4. The information storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising electrically conductive paths arranged to electrically connect said optically transmissive control unit to an external control unit arranged at a distance from said information storage unit, and configured to transmit a signal indicative of said requested information data to said external control unit.
5. The information storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising electrically conductive paths arranged to provide electrical power to said information storage unit.
6. The information storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising a radio-frequency receiver unit configured to wirelessly receive power from a remote transmitter and to provide electrical power to said information storage unit.
7. A storage device comprising a plurality of information storage units according to claim 1, wherein said information storage units are arranged such that an optical signal may propagate unguided from said external light-emitting device to any of said information storage units.
8. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of information storage units are arranged such that an optical signal may propagate unguided from a first information storage unit to a second information storage unit through a third information storage unit.
9. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein each of said information storage units is arranged adjacent to and in contact with at least one other information storage unit.
10. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein each of said information storage units is provided in the form of a cuboid, and arranged adjacent to and in contact with at least three other information storage units.
11. A storage system comprising a plurality of information storage units and a processing unit, each of said plurality of information storage units comprising: an optically transmissive memory element; an optically transmissive light-receiving device configured to receive an optical signal, at least a portion of said optical signal to pass through a material of said optically transmissive light-receiving device, from several directions, said optical signal communicating with the memory element and comprising a request for retrieving information data stored in said memory element; and an optically transmissive control unit electrically connected to said light-receiving device and to said memory element, wherein said control unit is configured to communicate with the memory element to retrieve information data stored in said memory element based on said request; wherein each of said information storage units is arranged and configured such that an optical signal transmitted from a light-emitting device external to at least one of said plurality of information storage units may propagate unguided from said external light-emitting device to said light-receiving device, wherein said external light-emitting device is connected to said processing unit.
12. The storage system according to claim 11, further comprising a light-receiving device connected to said processing unit for receiving optical signals from any of said information storage units comprising an optically transmissive light-emitting device arranged for emitting light in several directions and electrically connected to said optically transmissive control unit.
13. A method of retrieving information data from a storage device, comprising: a plurality of information storage units according to claim 1; said method comprising the steps of: receiving, by each of said information storage units, an optical signal comprising a request for retrieving information data from said memory element; each of the information storage units receiving the request for the information data essentially simultaneously determining whether said requested information data is located in any of said information storage units; and if said requested information data is located in an information storage unit, controlling, a light-emitting device arranged in said information storage unit where said requested information data is located to transmit an optical signal comprising information indicative of said information data.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein if said requested information data is located in more than one of said plurality of information storage units, performing multiplexed transmission of signals indicative of said requested information data from more than one information storage units.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing exemplary embodiments of the invention, wherein:
[0031] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an information storage unit according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates an information storage unit according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a plurality of information storage units forming a storage device according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0034] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of a storage device according to an embodiment of the invention; and
[0035] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow-chart outlining the general steps of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0036] In the following description, the present invention is mainly described with reference to a storage device comprising information storage units arranged in a computer. It should, however, be noted that this by no means limits the scope of the invention, which is equally applicable to other applications, such as, coded light luminaires, mobile phones, watches, heads-up displays, television sets, displays, and games, or other applications where storage devices are applicable.
[0037] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an information storage unit 101 in accordance with the invention. FIG. 1 schematically shows a light-receiving device 102, a control unit 103, and a memory element 104. The light-receiving device 102 is configured to receive an optical signal comprising a request for retrieving information data stored in the memory element 104. The control unit 103 is connected to the light-receiving device 102 and to the memory element 104 such that the control unit may retrieve information data stored in the memory element 104 based on the request received by the light-receiving device 102.
[0038] Furthermore, the light-receiving device 102, the control unit 103, and the memory element 104 are optically transmissive. In some examples, the light-receiving device 102 may be a photo-diode. Furthermore, in one example the control unit 103 is further configured to write information to the memory element 104.
[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a possible layout of an exemplary information storage unit 201. The information storage unit 201 comprises the optically transmissive light-receiving device 102, an optically transmissive light-emitting device 106, the optically transmissive control unit 103, and the optically transmissive memory element 104, optionally housed in and an optically transmissive housing 202. The optically transmissive housing 202 and the optically transmissive components 102-106 enable an optical signal to be received by the light-receiving device 102 from all directions. The light-receiving device 102 may receive an optical signal which may comprise a request for retrieving information data stored on the memory element 104. In one exemplary embodiment, the control unit 103 may control a light-emitting device 106 to emit an optical signal which comprising the requested information data or an indication of whether the information data was found on the memory element 104. The optically transmissive housing 202 and the optically transmissive components 102-106 enable an optical signal to be transmitted from the light-emitting device 106 in all directions. In another exemplary embodiment, there may be electrical connections for transmitting of information data from the information storage unit 201, or, electrical connections may complement the optical communication achieved with the light-emitting device 106, thus a combination is possible. The information storage unit 201 may further comprise optically transmissive electrical lines for providing power to the information storage unit 201. The optically transmissive electrical lines may be made from ITO (Indium-Tin-Oxide). Furthermore, the information storage unit 201 may in principle have any shape, such as ellipsoidal, cubic, or a freeform shape. In the exemplary information storage unit depicted in FIG. 2, the light-receiving device 102, the light-emitting device 106, the control unit 103, and the optically transmissive memory element 104 are arranged on an optically transmissive circuit board 108.
[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a storage system 303 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 shows a plurality of information storage units 302 (only some are numbered in order to avoid cluttering in the drawing) each comprising an optically transmissive light-emitting device 303, an optically transmissive light-receiving device 304, an optically transmissive control unit 305, and an optically transmissive memory element 306. Furthermore, there is a light-emitting device 314 arranged external to the information storage units 302. The light-emitting device 314 is connected to a processing unit 315 arranged in e.g. a computer. The light-emitting device 314 may emit an optical signal 316 comprising a request for information data that is received by at least one optically transmissive light-receiving device, for example a light-receiving device arranged in e.g. the optically transmissive information storage unit 313. The optical signal 316 may propagate unguided from the external light-emitting device 314 to the optically transmissive information storage unit 313, or any of the other optically transmissive information storage unit 302, or to all of the information storage units 302.
[0041] Additionally, FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a storage device 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. The storage device 300 comprises a plurality of information storage units 302. Each of the information storage units 302 (only some are numbered in order to avoid cluttering in the drawing) comprises an optically transmissive light-emitting device 303, an optically transmissive light-receiving device 304, an optically transmissive control unit 305, and an optically transmissive memory element 306. The optically transmissive information storage units 302 are arranged in an optically transmissive housing 301 such that an optical signal may propagate unguided from an external light-emitting device 314 to a light-receiving device arranged in an information storage unit 302. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, an optical signal 316 emitted by the external light-emitting device 314 is received by a light-receiving device arranged in information storage unit 313. Furthermore, an optical signal may be emitted from an information storage unit and received by a remote information storage unit. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, an optical signal 309 emitted by a light-emitting device arranged in information storage unit 310 is received by a light-receiving device arranged in a remote information storage unit 311. The optical signal is emitted in all directions, the optical signal may therefore also reach other light-receiving devices arranged in other information storage unit, for example a light-receiving device arranged in a remote information storage unit 312. Hence, the information storage units 302 are arranged such that an optical signal, comprising a request for information data, may propagate unguided from a light-emitting device to any, or all, of the information storage units 302. Furthermore, the control unit 305 may control the light-emitting device of an information storage unit 302 which received a request for information data to emit an optical signal which may comprise the requested information data or an indication of whether the information data was found on the memory element 302. Furthermore, the information storage units 302 may comprise means for receiving power wirelessly, for example a radio-frequency receiver for directly providing power to the light-emitting device 303, the light-receiving device 304, the control unit 305, and the memory element 306, or for charging the an energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery connected to an information storage unit. With the means for providing power wirelessly, the information storage units 302 may be arranged randomly in the optically transmissive housing 301 without still enabling an optical signal emitted from e.g. light-emitting device 314 to be received by a light-receiving device arranged in any of the information storage units 302.
[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a storage device 400 according to the invention in the form of an integrated circuit 400. The integrated circuit comprises several layers 402-404 of optically transmissive material, each layer comprising respective information storage units 405-418. A casing 420 encloses the integrated circuit 400. Communication within the integrated circuit 400 is enabled by transmission of an optical signal 422 from, for example, the information storage unit 406 in layer 402 to the light-information storage unit 417 in layer 404. In FIG. 4, the optical signal 422 emitted by the light-emitting device of information storage unit 406 propagates unguided through the optically transmissive layer 403, and the optically transmissive information storage unit 416 to be received by the light-receiving device of information storage unit 417 arranged in layer 404. In some examples, the casing 420 and a substrate 424 are optically transmissive which enables optical signals 426 emitted by an external light-emitting device 428 to be received by a light-receiving device of e.g. information storage unit 412 (or any of the other information storage units 405-418) of the integrated circuit 400. The optical signals 426, 422 may comprise a request for retrieving information data stored on a memory element. Furthermore, the control unit of an information storage unit may control the corresponding light-emitting device to emit an optical signal comprising the requested information data or an indication of whether the information data was found on the corresponding memory element. For example, the optical signal 422 may be a signal indicative of requested information data, if the information data was found on the memory element of information storage unit 406.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the general steps of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In a first step Si, each of the information storage units 302 receives an optical signal comprising a request for retrieving information data stored on the respective memory element. Thus, each of the information storage units receives the request for the information data essentially simultaneously. Therefore, a search for the information data in each of the memory elements may be performed in parallel, essentially simultaneously. If the information data is found S2, in a subsequent step S3, a response to the request may be transmitted from the information storage units, either through optical signals or through electrical signals. A response is transmitted from the information storage units which have found information data in the respective memory element corresponding to the request. The response may be multiplexed in time, emitted at different wavelengths, or be relayed by electronic non-light-emitting units.
[0044] Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The invention is applicable to various applications such as e.g. intelligent coded light luminaires, or for high-capacity parallel computing applications. The optical signals emitted or transmitted may be coded optical signals, in other words, a control unit of the invention is able to read and/or decode the coded optical signal. In accordance with the invention, a control unit of an information storage unit may also write information to the memory element of the information unit.
[0045] In the claims, the word comprising does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article a or an does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage.
