Data terminal with display and printer based on optical memory material

Different x-y addressed light-switching arrays with a high number of elements were developed, using a technology for the modulation of light in thin magnetooptical layers. This technology allows the integration of a large number of light-switching elements on a common substrate. The elements can be switched electronically via evaporated thin film addressing networks and semiconductor components. Besides theoretical investigations on various addressing networks, matrices of 64 by 64 and 64 by 256 light-switching elements were fabricated together with electronic control circuits. The applicability of the matrices in a system for the display of alphanumeric or graphic information was demonstrated by the laboratory model of a magnetooptic display with 64 by 256 picture elements equipped with a microprocessor-controlled keyboard for information write-in. Text was displayed successfully on the screen. The essential advantages are the memory effect of the magnetooptic layer, the flicker free display and the direct compatibility with integrated drive circuits.