EP0486060A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recording/reproducing system using wavelength/depth selective optical storage medium
Assignee: Russell James T
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Filing: 1991-11-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-11-15
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and method are disclosed for encoding information and recording same as sets of variably spaced related marks stored in wavelength (color) and/or depth selective layers on an optical record (10). The encoded information is read by illuminating each set of such recorded marks selected by wavelength (color) or focal depth with a coherent read light to cause an optical interference pattern (14) consisting of a varying distribution of amplitude maxima separated by amplitude nulls (or minimas) that change in accordance with the encode information. This read interference pattern (14) is detected by photosensing diode arrays (26) and after decoding, the system outputs an information signal representing the original information.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:44
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/007; G11B7/013; G11B7/004; G11B7/0045; G11B7/00455; G11B7/005; G11B7/0052; G11B7/0065; G11B7/12; G11B7/13; G11B7/14; G11B7/24; G11B7/2407; G11B7/24085; G11B2007/0003; G11B2007/0009; G11B2007/0013; G11B7/08; G11B7/085; G11B7/08505; G11B7/08511; G11B7/2403; G11B7/24035; G11B7/24038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for recording information onto and reproducing such information from an optical storage medium characterized by comprising: recording means for storing information on an optical storage medium having a plurality of data tracks, certain of said data tracks being substantially superposed, and each said data track having a plurality of sets of spaced apart marks encoding the information as variable spacing of the marks within each of said sets; and reproducing means for reading information stored in each of said plurality of data tracks, including light source means that is adapted to be directed at said data tracks for interacting with said plurality of sets of spaced apart marks to form interference light patterns emanating from said medium in which intervals between maxima and/or minima of such interference light patterns represent said variable spacing of marks within the sets, and said reproducing means including photosensor means and track selection means for sensing interference light patterns caused by said sets of marks in selected ones of said substantially superposed data tracks and for converting light therefrom into electrical signals representing said information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 1, characterized in that said data tracks having said sets of spaced apart marks are recorded in storage medium materials having different optical properties and said track selection means of said reproducing means comprises controllable optical means for selectively responding to said interference light patterns in accordance with said different optical properties of said storage medium materials.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 2, characterized in that said storage medium materials that have different optical properties are disposed in data layers of said medium and said plurality of data tracks are respectively superposed in different ones of said data layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 3, characterized in that at least certain of said layers of said medium are contiguous.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 2, characterized in that said storage medium materials that have different optical properties are disposed as a region of mixed particles made up of said materials of different optical properties and said data tracks are superposed in said region of mixed particles.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 2, characterized in that said storage medium materials having different optical properties are wavelength dependent and said track selection means causes said reproducing means to selectively form said interference light patterns according to selected ones of said data tracks.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 6, characterized in that said materials having different optical properties are wavelength selective dyes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 6, characterized in that said materials having different optical properties are wavelength selective photoluminescent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 2, characterized in that said storage medium materials have predetermined indexes of refraction, and said marks of data tracks located in said materials have substantially the same index of refraction as the materials so that said interference light patterns are not corrupted by deviations in index of refraction due to displacement of optical material by said marks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 1, characterized in that said medium comprises a plurality of layers and said plurality of data tracks having said sets of spaced apart marks are respectively disposed in separate spaced data-bearing layers of said medium, and said track selection means of said photosensing means comprises controllable read optical means for selectively changing focal depth.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 10, characterized in that said medium has at least one spacer layer without data separating adjacent said data-bearing layers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 10, characterized in that said read optical means for selectively changing focal depth comprises a wavelength dependent holographic lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 3, characterized by further comprising spacer layers separating adjacent data layers, and said track selection means comprises means changing selectivity of said photosensor means to wavelengths of light in said interference patterns and means for changing the focal depth of said photosensor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1, characterized in that at least portions of said optical storage medium are transparent and said marks are absorptive of light from said light source means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1, characterized in that at least portions of said optical storage medium are absorptive and said marks are reflective of light from said light source means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1, characterized in that at least portions of said optical storage medium underlying said marks are reflective and said marks are absorptive of light from said light source means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 1, characterized in that said storage medium has a base having at least one side and said substantially superposed data tracks are located in a layer of optical material formed on said one side of said base.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 10, characterized in that said read optical means for selectively changing focal depth comprise electro-optical means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
143 words
An optical data record for storing information and from which record the information is reproduced, characterized by comprising: an optical storage medium having a plurality of data tracks, certain of said data tracks being substantially superposed, and each said data track having a plurality of sets of spaced apart marks encoding the information as variable spacing of the marks within each of said sets and wherein said plurality of sets of spaced apart marks when illuminated with read light form interference light patterns emanating from said medium in which intervals between maxima and/or minima of such interference light patterns represent said variable spacing of marks within the sets and hence the encoded information, said medium having track discrimination means to enable the sensing of such interference light patterns caused by said sets of marks in selected ones of said substantially superposed data tracks.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The record of claim 19, characterized in that said data tracks having said sets of spaced apart marks are respectively stored in storage medium materials having different optical properties to provide said track discriminating means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The record of claim 20, characterized in that said storage medium materials that have different optical properties are disposed in data layers of said medium and said plurality of data tracks are respectively superposed in different ones of said data layers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The record of claim 21, characterized in that at least certain of said layers of said medium are contiguous.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The record of claim 20, characterized in that said storage medium materials that have different optical properties are disposed as a region of mixed particles made up of said materials of different optical properties and said data tracks are superposed in said region of mixed particles.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The record of claim 20, characterized in that said storage medium materials having different optical properties are wavelength dependent so that said track discrimination means causes selective illumination and photosensing of wavelengths of said interference light patterns according to selected ones of said data tracks.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The record of claim 24, characterized in that said materials having different optical properties are wavelength selective dyes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The record of claim 24, characterized in that said materials having different optical properties are wavelength selective photoluminescent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
61 words
The record of claim 20, characterized in that said storage medium materials have predetermined indexes of refraction, and said marks of data tracks located in said materials have substantially the same index of refraction as the materials so that said interference light patterns are not corrupted by deviations in index of refraction due to displacement of optical material by said marks.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
45 words
The record of claim 19, characterized in that said medium comprises a plurality of layers and said plurality of data tracks having said sets of spaced apart marks are respectively disposed in separate spaced data-bearing layers of said medium to provide said track discrimination means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The record of claim 28, characterized in that said medium has at least one spacer layer without data separating adjacent said data-bearing layers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The record of claim 19, characterized in that at least portions of said optical storage medium are transparent and said marks are light absorptive.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The record of claim 19, characterized in that at least portions of said optical storage medium are light absorptive and said marks are reflective of light.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The record of claim 19, characterized in that at least portions of said optical storage medium underlying said marks are reflective and said marks are absorptive of light.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
The record of claim 19, characterized in that said storage medium has a base having at least one side and said substantially superposed data tracks are located in a layer of optical material formed on said one side of said base.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
127 words
An apparatus for reproducing information from an optical storage medium characterized by comprising a plurality of data tracks, certain of which are substantially superposed, and wherein each data track has a plurality of sets of spaced apart marks within each of said sets, comprising: light source means that is adapted to be directed at said data tracks for interacting with said plurality of sets of spaced apart marks to form interference light patterns emanating from said medium in which intervals between maxima and/or minima of such interference light patterns represent said variable spacing of marks within the sets; and photosensor means and track selection means for marks in selected ones of said substantially superposed data tracks and for converting light therefrom into electrical signals representing said information.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for recording information on an optical storage medium characterized by comprising: recording means for storing information on an optical storage medium having a plurality of data tracks, different said data tracks being substantially superposed, and each said data track having a plurality of sets of spaced apart marks encoding the information as variable spacing of the marks within each of said sets so that said sets of spaced apart marks when illuminated with a source of read light form interference light patterns emanating from said medium in which intervals between maxima and/or minima of such interference light patterns represent said variable spacing of marks within the sets from selected ones of said substantially superposed tracks.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of recording information onto and reproducing such information from an optical storage medium characterized by comprising: storing information on an optical storage medium in a plurality of data tracks, and substantially superposing certain of said data tracks, said storing step causing each of said data tracks to have a plurality of sets of spaced apart marks encoding the information as variable spacing of the marks within each of said sets; and reading information stored in each of said plurality of data tracks by illuminating said data tracks with read light that interacts with said plurality of sets of spaced apart marks to form interference light patterns emanating from said medium in which intervals between maxima and/or minima of such interference light patterns represent said variable spacing of marks within the sets, and by photosensing said interference light patterns resulting from said sets of marks in selected ones of said substantially superposed data tracks and converting sensed light therefrom into electrical signals representing said information.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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