US5402410A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High density storage of information on a substrate with multiple depth and height
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1991-12-19
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Granted: 1995-03-28
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Expires: 2011-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A high density storage medium which stores predetermined information by matching it on one-to-one basis with multiple levels of depth or height formed in predetermined plural areas of substrate surface, a storing method, a reading method and various systems using them have been disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiyuki Yoshimura
- 👤 Shigeru Kakumoto
- 👤 Shinji Okazaki
- 👤 Yuji Toda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:47
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B9/00; G11B9/10; B; B82; B82Y; B82Y10/00; G11B9/12; G11B9/14; G11B9/1463; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S977/00; Y10S977/84; Y10S977/849; Y10S977/86; Y10S977/861; Y10S977/88; Y10S977/881; Y10S977/887; Y10S977/902; Y10S977/932; Y10S977/943; Y10S977/947
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 77
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A high density data storage medium comprising: steps with multiple levels of one of depth and height formed in predetermined plural areas of a substrate surface, wherein the one of depth and height of said steps corresponds on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information and said information is recorded randomly on said substrate surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A high density data storage medium comprising: steps with multiple levels of one of depth and height formed in predetermined plural areas of a substrate surface, wherein the one of depth and height of said steps corresponds on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information and said information is recorded randomly on said substrate surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the form of said information is ROM.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein said information is one-dimensional information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 3, wherein said one-dimensional information is topographic height shown by wavelength, frequency and oscillation of vibration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein said information is two-dimensional information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 5, wherein said two-dimensional information is character, picture, map, photograph, book, document and image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein said information is three-dimensional information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 7, wherein said three-dimensional information includes road overpass and is wind and water velocity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein said information is characterized as being a digital signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein said information is characterized as being an analog signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein said information is characterized as being stored in at least one of an insulator, a semiconductor and an electric conductor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said insulator is characterized as containing at least one of a resist, and an organic resin such as one of a plastic and a glass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said semiconductor is characterized as including at least one of a IV group semiconductor, a III-V group compound semiconductor and a II-VI group compound semiconductor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said IV group semiconductor is characterized as including at least one of a silicon, a germanium and a compound of one of silicon and germanium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said electric conductor is characterized as being a metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 15, wherein said metal is characterized as including at least one of aluminum and stainless steel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein said substrate is characterized as being at least one of an insulator, semiconductor or electric conductor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein surface of said high density data storage medium is characterized as being covered with a protection film.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein said high density data storage medium is characterized as being on one of a card, a pendant and a disk.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
A storage device characterized as using a high density data storage medium according to claim 1.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
74 words
A navigation system comprising: a means for storing or reading map data on and from the storage medium according to claim 1 by using electron beam in a navigation system which is equipped with a storage medium for storing map data and a means for detecting the current position of a mobile unit and performs movement control of a mobile unit by comparing the foregoing map data and the current position of mobile unit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
A navigation system according to claim 21 further comprising: a means for recognizing topography by having an energy ray for detection scan through the surface of storage medium when reading the map data of the foregoing storage medium and comparing it with signals transmitted from outside to determine the current position of a mobile unit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A navigation system according to claim 21, wherein steps are formed on the surface of the foregoing storage medium according to the altitude of topography.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, wherein said information randomly arranged on said substrate surface is readable by using light, electron beam, charge particle, X-ray or gamma-ray.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
66 words
A high density data storage medium comprising: steps with "n" levels of one of depth and height formed in predetermined plural areas on a substrate surface, wherein the one of depth and height of said steps independently corresponds on a one-to-one basis with predetermined "n-value" data information, wherein "n" is a value of at least 3, and the information is recorded on the data storage medium.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
66 words
A high density data storage medium comprising: steps with "n" levels of one of depth and height formed in predetermined plural areas on a substrate surface, wherein the one of depth and height of said steps independently corresponds on a one-to-one basis with predetermined "n-value" data information, wherein "n" is a value of at least 3, and the information is recorded on the data storage medium.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said information is characterized as two-dimensional information.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
A high density data storage mdium according to claim 26, wherein said two-dimensional information is characterized as being character, picture, map, photograph, book, document and image.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said information is characterized as being three dimensional information.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 28, wherein said three-dimensional information is characterized as including road overpass and being wind and water velocity.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said information is characterized as being a digital signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said information is characterized as being an analog signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said information is characterized as being stored in at least one of an insulator, a semiconductor or an electric conductor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 32, wherein said insulator is characterized as containing at least one of a resist, and an organic resin of one of a plastic and a glass.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 32, wherein said semiconductor is characterized as including at least one of a IV group semiconductor, a III-V group compound semiconductor and a II-VI group compound semiconductor.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 34, wherein said IV group semiconductor is characterized as including at least one of a silicon, a germanium and a compound of one of silicon and germanium.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 32, wherein said electric conductor is characterized as being a metal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 36, wherein said metal is characterized as including at least one of aluminum and stainless steel.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said substrate is characterized as being at least one of an insulator, semiconductor and electric conductor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein surface of said high density data storage medium is characterized as being covered with a protection film.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said high density data storage medium is characterized as being on one of a card, a pendant and a disk.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
A storage device characterized as using a high density data storage medium according to claim 25.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said information is characterized as being random accessed.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said information is characterized as being in ROM format.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 25, wherein said information is characterized as one-dimensional information.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
27 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 44, wherein said one-dimensional information is characterized as topographic height shown by wavelength, frequency and oscillation of vibration.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
79 words
A reading apparatus for high density data, comprising: a storage medium according to claim 1 or claim 25; a data reading apparatus body; a data storage section that can be taken on and off from the foregoing data reading apparatus on which reading data is stored; a data retrieval analysis device which processes reading data; a data input apparatus for inputting data which is necessary for reading; and a data output apparatus which outputs data that has been read.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
61 words
A large volume filing system comprising: a storage medium according to claim 1 or claim 25; and a means for storing or reading data in and from the foregoing storage medium by using electron beam in a large volume filing system which reads and outputs the content of data that has been stored in a storage medium according to retrieving information.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
45 words
A large volume filing system according to claim 47, wherein steps possessing multiple levels of depth or height formed in predetermined plural areas of the foregoing storage medium surface, with depth or height of the foregoing steps independently corresponding on one-on-one basis with predetermined information.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
A large volume filing system according to claim 47, wherein retrieving information is also stored at the time of storing the content of data to the foregoing storage medium.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
81 words
A large volume filing system according to claim 49 further comprising: a mechanism that stores predetermined information as the stage on which a storage medium is installed moves in an input apparatus which stores the content of data along with retrieving information; and a mechanism that reads predetermined information as the stage on which a storage medium is installed moves in an output apparatus according to retrieving information to read and output the content of data and reads the prescribed data.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
73 words
A high density data storage medium responsive to an energy beam for writing and reading predetermined information, comprising, steps of multiple levels of one of depth and height formed in predetermined plural areas of a substrate surface, the one of depth and height of the steps corresponding on a one-to-one basis with the predetermined information to be stored by writing, and the information being recorded in a non-track form on the substrate surface.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
73 words
A high density data storage medium responsive to an energy beam for writing and reading predetermined information, comprising, steps of multiple levels of one of depth and height formed in predetermined plural areas of a substrate surface, the one of depth and height of the steps corresponding on a one-to-one basis with the predetermined information to be stored by writing, and the information being recorded in a non-track form on the substrate surface.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
57 words
A high density storage medium, comprising, steps with at least two levels of one of depth and height including a substrate surface, the one of depth and height of the steps corresponding on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information, the steps having a spatially controlled arrangement thereof, and the information is recorded on the data storage medium.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
57 words
A high density storage medium, comprising, steps with at least two levels of one of depth and height including a substrate surface, the one of depth and height of the steps corresponding on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information, the steps having a spatially controlled arrangement thereof, and the information is recorded on the data storage medium.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 51 or claim 52, wherein the form of the information is ROM.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
30 words
A high density storage medium according to claim 51 or claim 52, wherein the substrate is characterized as being at least one of an insulator, a semiconductor and electric conductor.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
33 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 52, wherein the spatial control of the steps portions for positioning of energy rays to read the steps are not formed on the substrate.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
50 words
A high density data storage medium, comprising, steps with at least three levels of one of depth and height including a substrate surface, the one of depth and height of the steps corresponding on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information, and the information is recorded on the data storage medium.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
50 words
A high density data storage medium, comprising, steps with at least three levels of one of depth and height including a substrate surface, the one of depth and height of the steps corresponding on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information, and the information is recorded on the data storage medium.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 56, wherein the information is characterized as being random accessed.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
18 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 56, wherein the form of the information is ROM.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 56, wherein the substrate is characterized as being at least one of an insulator, semiconductor and electric conductor.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
82 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, claim 25, claim 51, claim 52 or claim 56, wherein the steps with at least two levels of one of depth and height including the substrate surface are formed by irradiating an energy sensitive material installed on the substrate surface with an energy ray corresponding on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information, and at least one of developing the material and etching the material after development so as to form the steps.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
18 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 60, wherein the energy ray is an electron beam.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
68 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, claim 25, claim 51, claim 52 or claim 56, wherein the steps with at least two levels of one of depth and height including the substrate surface are formed by processing with one of a scanning tunnelling microscope and focused ion beams to form the steps corresponding on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information on the substrate surface.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
54 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, claim 25, claim 51, claim 52 or claim 56, wherein the steps with at least two levels of one of depth and height including the substrate surface in which the levels correspond on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information are copied utilizing a stamper.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
65 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, claim 25, claim 51, claim 52 or claim 56, for a large volume filing system including means for one of storing and reading data in and from the storage medium by an electron beam for reading and outputting the content of the data stored in the storage medium in accordance with the read out information.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
56 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, claim 25, claim 51, claim 52 or claim 56, wherein retrieval information is stored at the time of storing the content of the data to the high density data storage medium, the retrieval information being stored at spatially different locations than that of the data information.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
94 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, claim 25, claim 51, or claim 56, for a large volume filing system including means for storing the predetermined information on the data storage medium installed on a stage for movement in an input apparatus which stores the content of data together with retrieval information, and means for reading predetermined information as the stage on which the storage medium is installed for movement in an output apparatus according to retrieval information for reading and outputting the content of data and reading the prescribed data.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
98 words
A high density storage medium according to claim 1, claim 25, claim 51, claim 52 or claim 56, for a navigation system including means for at least one of storing and reading map data on and from the high density data storage medium utilizing an electron beam, the navigation system having the storage medium for storing map data, and means for detecting the current position of a mobile unit and for enabling movement control of the mobile unit by comparing the map data of the high density data storage medium with the current position of the mobile unit.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
52 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, claim 25, claim 51, claim 52 or claim 56, wherein the information on the substrate surface is read by direct detection of the one of depth and height of the steps by one of a scanning tunnelling microscope and atomic force microscope.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
67 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, claim 25, claim 51, claim 52 or claim 56, wherein the steps are formed in a horizontal direction of a substrate surface to store first information and multiple levels of one of depth and the one of height and depth of the steps is formed in the vertical direction of the substrate surface to store second information.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
46 words
A high density data storage medium according to claim 1, claim 21, claim 51 claim 52 or claim 56, having regions in which input data is stored as shrunk images of the input data, and regions in which input data is stored in a coded format.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
70 words
A high density data storage medium comprising: steps with multiple levels of one of depth and height that was formed at predetermined plural areas on a substrate surface, wherein the one of depth and height of said steps independently corresponds on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information, said substrate has a form of one of a card and a pendant, and the information is recorded on the data storage medium.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
70 words
A high density data storage medium comprising: steps with multiple levels of one of depth and height that was formed at predetermined plural areas on a substrate surface, wherein the one of depth and height of said steps independently corresponds on a one-to-one basis with predetermined information, said substrate has a form of one of a card and a pendant, and the information is recorded on the data storage medium.
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