Patent ID: 7474827
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: G02F,H04J,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A memory unit for storing optical information, the memory unit comprising: a controller operative to determine whether the optical information is to be stored for a time period exceeding a threshold or for a time period not exceeding the threshold; an all-optical flash memory device operatively associated with the controller and operative to perform all-optical flash storage of the optical information for the time period not exceeding the threshold; an information storage element operatively associated with the all-optical flash memory device and the controller and operative, if the optical information is to be stored for the time period exceeding the threshold, to receive the optical information from the all-optical flash memory device, and to store a representation of the optical information in a form suitable for storage in the information storage element for an additional time period to reach the time period exceeding the threshold; and an optical interface operatively associated with a driver, the controller and the all-optical flash memory device and capable of converting said optical information into said form suitable for storage in the information storage element and vice versa, the controller further operative to control the all-optical flash memory device to provide the optical information to the information storage element to allow the all-optical flash memory device to accept other optical information.