Patent US5294518A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5294518A
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Amorphous write-read optical storage memory
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1992-05-01
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Granted: 1994-03-15
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Expires: 2012-05-01
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for storing data is provided incorporating an amorphous solid having covalent bonds and a first index of refraction and an energy source for thermally heating selected areas of the amorphous solid to change the index of refraction without melting or substantially crystallizing the amorphous solid. The invention overcomes the problem of corrosion, moisture, or microbial attack resulting in deterioration of the storage medium over time, i.e., 100 years.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Brady
- 👤 Bodil E. Braren
- 👤 Richard J. Gambino
- 👤 Alfred Grill
- 👤 Vishnubhai V. Patel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 01:44
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B7/00; G11B7/24; G11B7/241; G11B7/252; G11B7/258; G11B7/004; G11B7/0045; G11B7/00454; G11B7/0055; G11B7/00557; G11B7/242; G11B7/243; G11B2007/24302; G11B2007/2431; G11B2007/24312; G11B2007/24318; G11B2007/24322; G11B2007/24328; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/146; Y10S430/165
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for storing data comprising the steps of: selecting an amorphous solid from the group consisting of diamond-like carbon, boron carbide and boron nitride having a first index of refraction, and heating said amorphous solid in predetermined areas without melting or crystallizing said amorphous solid to change the index of refraction in said areas to a second index of refraction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for storing data comprising the steps of: selecting an amorphous solid from the group consisting of diamond-like carbon, boron carbide and boron nitride having a first index of refraction, and heating said amorphous solid in predetermined areas without melting or crystallizing said amorphous solid to change the index of refraction in said areas to a second index of refraction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected amorphous solid has a plurality of covalent bond cross-linkages which may be modified by heating to a predetermined temperature without melting said amorphous solid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said step of heating includes applying optical energy to said predetermined areas.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said selected amorphous solid contains up to 50 atomic pressure hydrogen.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for storing data comprising the steps of: selecting an amorphous solid having a first index of refraction, said step of selecting includes selecting carbon having substantially sp 3 diamond type bonding, and heating said amorphous solid in predetermined areas without melting or crystallizing said amorphous solid to change the index of refraction in said areas to a second index of refraction.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for storing data comprising the steps of: selecting an amorphous solid having a first index of refraction, said step of selecting includes selecting carbon having substantially sp 3 diamond type bonding, and heating said amorphous solid in predetermined areas without melting or crystallizing said amorphous solid to change the index of refraction in said areas to a second index of refraction.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for storing data comprising the steps of: selecting an amorphous solid having a first index of refraction, said step of selecting includes selecting carbon having substantially sp 3 diamond type bonding with a substantial amount of hydrogen which is covalently bonded to sp 3 type carbon, and heating said amorphous solid in predetermined areas without melting or crystallizing said amorphous solid to change the index of refraction in said areas to a second index of refraction.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
78 words
A method for storing data comprising the steps of: selecting an amorphous solid having a first index of refraction, said step of selecting includes selecting carbon having substantially sp 3 diamond type bonding with a substantial amount of hydrogen which is covalently bonded to sp 3 type carbon, and heating said amorphous solid in predetermined areas without melting or crystallizing said amorphous solid to change the index of refraction in said areas to a second index of refraction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of selecting includes selecting an amorphous solid wherein said first index of refraction is less than 1.9 at 23° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of selecting includes selecting an amorphous solid wherein said first index of refraction is in the range from 1.3 to 2.9 at 23° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of heating includes the step of heating said amorphous solid wherein said second index of refraction is greater than 2.3 at 23° C.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of heating includes the step of heating said amorphous solid wherein said second index of refraction is in the range from 1.4 to 3.0 at 23° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of heating includes the step of heating said amorphous solid wherein the difference between said first index of refraction and said second index of refraction is at least 0.1.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of heating includes the step of heating said amorphous solid wherein the difference between said first index of refraction and said second index of refraction is at least 0.4.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for storing data comprising the steps of: positioning a film of diamond-like carbon (DLC) in relation to a heat source, said diamond-like carbon having a first index of refraction, and heating said diamond-like carbon in selected areas without melting or forming crystals therein to change the index of refraction in said areas to a second index of refraction.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for storing data comprising the steps of: positioning a film of diamond-like carbon (DLC) in relation to a heat source, said diamond-like carbon having a first index of refraction, and heating said diamond-like carbon in selected areas without melting or forming crystals therein to change the index of refraction in said areas to a second index of refraction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said step of heating includes the step of heating said diamond-like carbon wherein said second index of refraction is greater than 2.3 at 23° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said step of heating includes the step of heating said diamond-like carbon wherein said second index of refraction is in the range from 1.4 to 3.0 at 23° C.
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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) | 1997-03-14 | 1997-09-13 | 1998-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-03-14 | 2001-09-13 | 2002-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-03-14 | 2005-09-13 | 2006-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |