US4961183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical disk arrangement with closed contours whose entire extent represents information
Assignee: THOMSON-SA
•
Filing: 1989-05-23
•
Granted: 1990-10-02
•
Expires: 2009-05-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to systems for reproducing signals, from a record whose engraved surface contains a recorded track in the form of an embossed print made of diffractive elements, representing the time variation of a pulse time modulated waveform. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a record and an optical read-out device wherein the relief elements carried by the record have a width in the order of the wavelength of the concentrated read-out radiation for determining a spatial variation in the diffracted energy emerging from the illuminated portion of the record, this variation being detected with photo-electric elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Claude Tinet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:12
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/08; G11B7/09; G11B7/0901; G11B7/004; G11B7/005; G11B7/0908; G11B7/0917; G11B7/24; G11B7/2407; G11B7/24085; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; G11C13/048; G11B7/12; G11B7/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 160
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to a reference surface, the succession of projections forming tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element; and a reflective coating on said reference surface and projections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to a reference surface, the succession of projections forming tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element; and a reflective coating on said reference surface and projections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said projections have a height of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said projections have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 10 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 1 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
218 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions, not complete through holes, with respect to a reference surface, the succession of depressions forming tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element; and a reflective coating on said reference surface and depressions.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
218 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions, not complete through holes, with respect to a reference surface, the succession of depressions forming tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element; and a reflective coating on said reference surface and depressions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said depressions have a depth of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said depressions have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 13 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 22 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
205 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a non-transparent substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to a reference surface, the succession of projections forming tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour, in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
205 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a non-transparent substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to a reference surface, the succession of projections forming tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour, in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said projections have a height of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said projections have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 25 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 34 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
209 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a non-transparent substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions, not complete through holes, with respect to a reference surface, the succession of depressions forming tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
209 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a non-transparent substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions, not complete through holes, with respect to a reference surface, the succession of depressions forming tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said depressions have a depth of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said depressions have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 37 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 46 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
220 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: uniform upward and downward facing media abutting at a reference surface, the downward facing media being a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to said reference surface, the succession of projections forming tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
220 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: uniform upward and downward facing media abutting at a reference surface, the downward facing media being a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to said reference surface, the succession of projections forming tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said projections have a height of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said projections have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 58 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 49 wherein said upward facing media is a reflective coating.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
220 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: uniform upward and downward facing media abutting at a reference surface, the downward facing media being a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions with respect to said reference surface, the succession of depressions forming tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
220 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: uniform upward and downward facing media abutting at a reference surface, the downward facing media being a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions with respect to said reference surface, the succession of depressions forming tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands in the reference surface, the tracks having a pitch from one track to the next of at least two times the width of a data element.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said depressions have a height of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said depressions have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 71 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical readable carrier according to claim 62 wherein said upward facing media is a reflective coating.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to a reference surface, the succession of projections being positioned on tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands; and a reflective coating on said reference surface and projections.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
190 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to a reference surface, the succession of projections being positioned on tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands; and a reflective coating on said reference surface and projections.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said projections have a height of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said projections have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 84 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 75 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
194 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions, not complete through holes, with respect to a reference surface, the succession of depressions being positioned on tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands; and a reflective coating on said reference surface and depressions.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
194 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions, not complete through holes, with respect to a reference surface, the succession of depressions being positioned on tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands; and a reflective coating on said reference surface and depressions.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said depressions have a depth of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said depressions have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 87 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 96 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
181 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a non-transparent substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to a reference surface, the succession of projections being positioned on tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
181 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a non-transparent substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to a reference surface, the succession of projections being positioned on tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said projections have a height of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said projections have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 99 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 108 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
185 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a non-transparent substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions, not complete through holes, with respect to a reference surface, the succession of depressions being positioned on tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
185 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: a non-transparent substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions, not complete through holes, with respect to a reference surface, the succession of depressions being positioned on tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said depressions have a depth of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said depressions have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 111 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 120 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
196 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: uniform upward and downward facing media abutting at a reference surface, the downward facing media being a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to said reference surface, the succession of projections being positioned on tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
196 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: uniform upward and downward facing media abutting at a reference surface, the downward facing media being a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of projections with respect to said reference surface, the succession of projections being positioned on tracks, each projection having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said projections has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said projections have a height of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said projections have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 132 wherein said projections have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 123 wherein said upward facing media is a reflective coating.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
196 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: uniform upward and downward facing media abutting at a reference surface, the downward facing media being a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions with respect to said reference surface, the succession of depressions being positioned on tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
196 words
An optical readable carrier comprising: uniform upward and downward facing media abutting at a reference surface, the downward facing media being a substrate on which data elements are stored as a succession of depressions with respect to said reference surface, the succession of depressions being positioned on tracks, each depression having substantially the same width, which width does not exceed 2 microns, a length equal to or greater than its width, and a closed contour in the reference surface, said closed contour being diffractive along its entire extent, wherein each of said depressions has a respective one of said data elements stored continuously along said entire length of said diffractive contour and diffraction occurs along the entire length of said data element continually indicative of the recorded information, successive data elements along a track being separated by clearance spaces, at least as long as the width of a data element, in the reference surface, with the information contained in said stored data elements being indicated by the continuous extent of each of said closed diffractive contours and by the extent of each of said clearance spaces, the tracks being separated from one another by clearance bands.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said carrier is a disk.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said pitch is two to three times the width of a data element.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
13 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said tracks are rectilinear.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said carrier is a tape.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said tracks of data elements are turns of a spiral.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said tracks form concentric circles.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said substrate is made of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said depressions have a height of substantially 0.5 microns.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said depressions have non-uniform lengths.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 159
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optically readable carrier according to claim 145 wherein said depressions have non-uniform spacings.
Claim 160
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical readable carrier according to claim 136 wherein said upward facing media is a reflective coating.
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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) | 1993-10-01 | 1994-04-02 | 1994-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-10-01 | 1998-04-02 | 1998-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-10-01 | 2002-04-02 | 2002-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |