US4320489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Reversible optical storage medium and a method for recording information therein
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1980-03-03
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Granted: 1982-03-16
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Expires: 2000-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A reversible optical recording medium is comprised of an electrically conductive layer overlain by a thermoplastic layer containing a light absorptive compound selected from the group consisting of metal complexes of substituted ethylene dithiols having the structure ##STR1## where M is Pt, Pd, or Ni and R and R' are independently alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl groups. Information is recorded by sequentially charging the recording medium and then heating it above its softening temperature by absorption of the recording light beam in the thermoplastic layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard S. Crandall
- 👤 Allen Bloom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:11
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/241; G11B7/242; G11B7/244; G11B7/246; B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/36; B41M5/363; G03; G03G; G03G5/00; G03G5/02; G03G5/022; G11B7/249; G11B7/252; G11B7/253; G11B7/2531; G11B7/258; G11B7/2585
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A reversible optical recording medium for use in an optical recording and readout system, operating at a specific wavelength, which comprises: an electrically conductive layer; a light absorptive layer overlying the conductive layer and comprising a frostable thermoplastic material containing an organometallic compound selected from the group consisting of metal complexes of substituted ethylene dithiols having the structure ##STR4## where M is Pt, Pd, or Ni and R and R' are independently alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl groups; and wherein the organometallic compound absorbs light of said wavelength and does not affect the frost properties of the thermoplastic material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A reversible optical recording medium for use in an optical recording and readout system, operating at a specific wavelength, which comprises: an electrically conductive layer; a light absorptive layer overlying the conductive layer and comprising a frostable thermoplastic material containing an organometallic compound selected from the group consisting of metal complexes of substituted ethylene dithiols having the structure ##STR4## where M is Pt, Pd, or Ni and R and R' are independently alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl groups; and wherein the organometallic compound absorbs light of said wavelength and does not affect the frost properties of the thermoplastic material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A reversible optical recording medium according to claim 1 wherein M is nickel and R and R' are each n-propyl groups.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A reversible optical recording medium according to claim 1 wherein M is platinum and R and R' are each a phenyl group.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A reversible optical recording medium according to claim 1 wherein the electrically conducting layer is substantially reflective of light at said wavelength and the thickness of the light absorbing layer is such that the reflectivity of the recording medium is reduced at said wavelength.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical recording medium according to claim 1 wherein the light absorptive layer has a uniform frost pattern therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
103 words
A reversible information record for use in an optical readout system operating at a specific wavelength, which comprises: an electrically conductive layer; a light absorptive layer with an information track recorded therein, said absorptive layer overlying the conductive layer and comprising a frostable thermoplastic material containing an organometallic compound selected from the group consisting of metal complexes of substituted ethylene dithiols having the structure ##STR5## M is Pt, Pd, or Ni and R and R' are independently alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl groups; wherein the organometallic compound absorbs light of said wavelength and does not affect the frost properties of said thermoplastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
103 words
A reversible information record for use in an optical readout system operating at a specific wavelength, which comprises: an electrically conductive layer; a light absorptive layer with an information track recorded therein, said absorptive layer overlying the conductive layer and comprising a frostable thermoplastic material containing an organometallic compound selected from the group consisting of metal complexes of substituted ethylene dithiols having the structure ##STR5## M is Pt, Pd, or Ni and R and R' are independently alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl groups; wherein the organometallic compound absorbs light of said wavelength and does not affect the frost properties of said thermoplastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An information record according to claim 6 wherein the information track is a sequence of frosted and unfrosted regions.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for the reversible storage of information in an optical recording and readout system, operating at a specific wavelength, which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a conducting layer; (b) forming a light absorptive layer thereon comprising a frostable thermoplastic material containing an organic compound which absorbs light of said wavelength, and which does not affect the frost properties of said thermoplastic material; (c) applying a uniform electric charge to the light absorptive layer; and (d) selectively exposing the light absorptive layer to a modulated beam of light of said wavelength whereby the energy absorbed by the light absorptive layer from said beam heats the light absorptive layer to its softening temperature thereby frosting the light absorptive layer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for the reversible storage of information in an optical recording and readout system, operating at a specific wavelength, which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a conducting layer; (b) forming a light absorptive layer thereon comprising a frostable thermoplastic material containing an organic compound which absorbs light of said wavelength, and which does not affect the frost properties of said thermoplastic material; (c) applying a uniform electric charge to the light absorptive layer; and (d) selectively exposing the light absorptive layer to a modulated beam of light of said wavelength whereby the energy absorbed by the light absorptive layer from said beam heats the light absorptive layer to its softening temperature thereby frosting the light absorptive layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein the deformation of the light absorptive layer is erased by heating the light absorptive layer in an uncharged state to its softening temperature.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for the reversible storage of information in an optical recording and readout system, operating at a specific wavelength, which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a conducting layer; (b) forming a light absorptive layer thereon comprising a frostable thermoplastic material containing an organic compound which absorbs light of said wavelength and which does not affect the frost properties of the thermoplastic material; (c) applying a uniform electric charge to the light absorptive layer; (d) heating the light absorptive layer to its softening temperature whereby a uniform frost pattern is formed therein; and (e) selectively exposing regions of the light absorptive layer to a modulated beam of light of said wavelength whereby the energy absorbed by the light absorptive layer from said beam heats the light absorptive layer to its softening temperature thereby erasing the frost pattern in the regions so exposed to said beam.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for the reversible storage of information in an optical recording and readout system, operating at a specific wavelength, which comprises the steps of: (a) forming a conducting layer; (b) forming a light absorptive layer thereon comprising a frostable thermoplastic material containing an organic compound which absorbs light of said wavelength and which does not affect the frost properties of the thermoplastic material; (c) applying a uniform electric charge to the light absorptive layer; (d) heating the light absorptive layer to its softening temperature whereby a uniform frost pattern is formed therein; and (e) selectively exposing regions of the light absorptive layer to a modulated beam of light of said wavelength whereby the energy absorbed by the light absorptive layer from said beam heats the light absorptive layer to its softening temperature thereby erasing the frost pattern in the regions so exposed to said beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 8 or 10 wherein the organic material is selected from the group consisting of metal complexes of substituted ethylene dithiols having the structure ##STR6## where M is Pt, Pd, or Ni and R and R' are independently alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl groups.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-03-15 | 1985-09-14 | 1986-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-03-15 | 1989-09-14 | 1990-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-03-15 | 1993-09-14 | 1994-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |