EP0130391A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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A method of, and apparatus for, retrieval of information from an optical medium, and optical media
Assignee: ANDROS RESEARCH Ltd
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Filing: 1984-06-01
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2004-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Digital data, for a computer or similar device, is encoded onto photographic film, paper, or other flat medium to be read optically by a data reader. The data reader may also read analogue data (such as pictures) in digital form. The data is stored in two-dimensional format, and read back by a point or one-dimensional scanner. The medium may typically be in the form of a strip, roll, card, disc or cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 Stewart John Holmes
- 👤 Nigel Stuart Keam
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:08
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/2407; G11B7/24085; G09; G09B; G09B5/00; G09B5/06; G09B5/062; G11B20/00; G11B20/10; G11B20/12; G11B20/18; G11B20/1803; G11B27/00; G11B27/002; G11B27/10; G11B27/19; G11B27/28; G11B7/007; G11B7/013; G11B7/12; G11B7/13; G11B7/135
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of retrieving information from an optical medium comprising a plurality of discrete increments of recorded information defined by variations in opacity in a two-dimensional array, the method comprising the steps of moving the optical medium relative to a one or zero dimensional scanner capable of receiving light from said optical medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
53 words
A method of retrieving information from an optical medium comprising a plurality of discrete increments of recorded information defined by variations in opacity in a two-dimensional array, the method comprising the steps of moving the optical medium relative to a one or zero dimensional scanner capable of receiving light from said optical medium.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of retrieving information, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an optical medium comprising a plurality of discrete increments of recorded information defined by variations in opacity; (b) providing a light source to illuminate said optical medium; (c) providing a zero or one dimensional scanner capable of receiving light from said medium and adapted to develop an electronic signal corresponding to the discrete increments of recorded information; (d) moving the medium relative to the scanner to receive the information; and (e) transferring said received information from said scanner for analysis.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of retrieving information, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an optical medium comprising a plurality of discrete increments of recorded information defined by variations in opacity; (b) providing a light source to illuminate said optical medium; (c) providing a zero or one dimensional scanner capable of receiving light from said medium and adapted to develop an electronic signal corresponding to the discrete increments of recorded information; (d) moving the medium relative to the scanner to receive the information; and (e) transferring said received information from said scanner for analysis.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of storing and retrieving information in an optical medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an optical medium with a two dimensional array of discrete increments of recorded information defined by variations in opacity, said two dimensional array including an address region, a critical edge or margin portion, a clock region, a data region including said recorded information and an error control region; (b) providing a reader apparatus for said optical medium including a light source, and a zero or one dimensional scanner apparatus, being a single or multi-element light-sensitive device; (c) illuminating said optical medium by said light source and moving said optical medium relative to said scanner apparatus to develop a charge in each element in said scanner, said charge being representative of the recorded information; and (d) transferring said charges out of the elements of said scanner for further analysis.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of storing and retrieving information in an optical medium, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing an optical medium with a two dimensional array of discrete increments of recorded information defined by variations in opacity, said two dimensional array including an address region, a critical edge or margin portion, a clock region, a data region including said recorded information and an error control region; (b) providing a reader apparatus for said optical medium including a light source, and a zero or one dimensional scanner apparatus, being a single or multi-element light-sensitive device; (c) illuminating said optical medium by said light source and moving said optical medium relative to said scanner apparatus to develop a charge in each element in said scanner, said charge being representative of the recorded information; and (d) transferring said charges out of the elements of said scanner for further analysis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising the step of using an analysis program to perform the following functions: (a) Critical edge reading - to evaluate the position of the clock, data, and error control regions accurately; (b) Clock region reading - to determine the position of the optical medium relative to the scanner for correct line by line processing of the information; and (c) Error control reading - to detect correct and eliminate any errors; and wherein the analysed information is transferred in processed format to memory or for further processing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical medium arranged substantially in two dimensional form and including a data area on the medium comprising a critical edge section of data adjacent one edge of the optical medium, a clock region, a data region to receive recorded information, and an error control region, all of said regions being aligned with the critical edge section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
An optical medium arranged substantially in two dimensional form and including a data area on the medium comprising a critical edge section of data adjacent one edge of the optical medium, a clock region, a data region to receive recorded information, and an error control region, all of said regions being aligned with the critical edge section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A medium as claimed in claim 5, wherein said data area is provided in the form of consecutive data blocks each including a plurality of lines of infonnation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A medium as claimed in claim 6, wherein each data block further comprises a preceding address line.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A medium as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, further comprising a header or validity region adjacent to a commencement portion or end of said data area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A medium as claimed in claim 5, 6, 7 or 8, wherein the optical medium is a photographically prepared microfilm or a pressed or printed optical medium arranged in strip, roll, cassette, or card format.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for retrieval of information stored on an optical medium, said retrieval apparatus including a light source, and a zero dimensional (single element) or one dimensional (multi-element) scanner adapted to develop a charge in each element, an amplifier for said charge, an analogue to digital converter, a shift register for transferring said charges out of said scanner device, and an analysis means as follows: (a) critical edge processor - to evaluate accurately the position of clock data and error control regions of the medium; (b) clock processor - to determine the position of the optical medium relative to the scanner for correct line by line processing of the information; (c) error control processor - to detect, correct and eliminate any error; and (d) means for transferring the analysed information in processed format to memory or for further processing; the construction and arrangement being such that, in use, said optical medium is illuminated by said light source and moved relative to, and read by, said scanner to provide said information for analysis by the retrieval apparatus.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
176 words
An apparatus for retrieval of information stored on an optical medium, said retrieval apparatus including a light source, and a zero dimensional (single element) or one dimensional (multi-element) scanner adapted to develop a charge in each element, an amplifier for said charge, an analogue to digital converter, a shift register for transferring said charges out of said scanner device, and an analysis means as follows: (a) critical edge processor - to evaluate accurately the position of clock data and error control regions of the medium; (b) clock processor - to determine the position of the optical medium relative to the scanner for correct line by line processing of the information; (c) error control processor - to detect, correct and eliminate any error; and (d) means for transferring the analysed information in processed format to memory or for further processing; the construction and arrangement being such that, in use, said optical medium is illuminated by said light source and moved relative to, and read by, said scanner to provide said information for analysis by the retrieval apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the retrieval apparatus provides for the optical medium to be moved within a region located between said light source and said scanner manually.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, including a controlled motive power source for moving the optical medium within a region located between said light source and said scanner.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, comprising a software loader.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, comprising an electronic book.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, comprising a digital audio system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, comprising an archival data base.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, comprising a computer data base.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, comprising a video game device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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