Multiple layer optical recording media and method and system for recording and reproducing information using the same

Claim 2

An information storage device comprising: a first information storage structure having a first plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first information value storage location recorded in said first information storage structure has a first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a first characteristic polarization state P 1 , and reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 , and each said second information value storage location recorded in said first information storage structure transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state which is equal to a second characteristic polarization state P 2 orthogonal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 ; and a second information storage structure mounted to said first said information storage structure, and having a second plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first information value storage location recorded in said second information storage structure has said second characteristic polarization state P 2 and a second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b overlapping at least a portion of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a , and reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and each said second information value storage location recorded in said second information storage structure transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 .

Claim 3

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 1, wherein each said first information value storage location stores a logical `1` and each said second information value storage location stores a logical `0`.

Claim 4

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein said spectral components comprise a first spectral component having said prespecified wavelength λ i and said characteristic polarization state P 1 when first and second information value storage locations are being read from said first information storage structure, and a second spectral component having said prespecified wavelength λ i and said second characteristic polarization state P 2 when first and second information value storage locations are being read from said second information storage structure.

Claim 5

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein said first characteristic polarization state P 1 is a left-handed circularly polarized (LHCP) state and said second characteristic polarization state P 2 is a right-handed circularly polarized (RHCP) state.

Claim 6

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein each first or second information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is made from a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material.

Claim 7

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein said CLC material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of the polymeric liquid crystals, such as polysiloxanes, di-acrylates, di-epoxides, di-vinylethers, and chiral nematic liquid crystals.

Claim 8

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein each first or second information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is made from an artificial chiral film.

Claim 9

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein each said first or second information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is realized from multiple layers of dielectric material.

Claim 10

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein said first plurality of first and second information value storage locations are recorded along a first information storage track arrangement in said first information storage structure, wherein said second plurality of first and second information value storage locations are recorded along a first information storage track arrangement in said second information storage structure, and wherein said first and second information storage track arrangements are registered so as to permit simultaneous reading of information values along said first and second information storage tracks using a laser beam having first and second spectral components.

Claim 11

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein said first and second information values represent a digital carrier signal whose frequency is modulated by an analog information signal.

Claim 12

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein said first and second information storage structures are made in the form of a disc.

Claim 13

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein said first and second information storage structures are made in the form of tape.

Claim 14

The information storage device of claim 1, wherein said first and second information storage structures are made in the form of a card.

Claim 15

The information storage device of claim 1, which further comprises one or more interlayers of material disposed between said first and second information storage structures.

Claim 16

The information storage device of claim 1, which further comprises an optically transparent protective cover layer disposed over said first information storage structure.

Claim 17

An multi-layered information storage device comprising: a plurality of information storage layers indexable as i=1,2,3, . . . , N, and collectively stacked together to form a composite structure; wherein each said i-th information storage layer includes a first information storage structure mounted adjacent to a second information storage structure; wherein said first information storage structure in each said i-th information storage layer has a first plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first information value storage location recorded in said first information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer has a first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a first characteristic polarization state P 1 which is orthogonal to a second characteristic polarization state P 2 and reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 , and each said second information value storage location recorded in said first information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state which is equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 ; and wherein said second information storage structure of each said i-th information storage layer has a second plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first information value storage location recorded in said second information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer has said second characteristic polarization state P 2 and a second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b overlapping at least a partial portion of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a , and reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and each said second information value storage location recorded in said second information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 .

Claim 18

An multi-layered information storage device comprising: a plurality of information storage layers indexable as i=1,2,3, . . . , N, and collectively stacked together to form a composite structure; wherein each said i-th information storage layer includes a first information storage structure mounted adjacent to a second information storage structure; wherein said first information storage structure in each said i-th information storage layer has a first plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first information value storage location recorded in said first information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer has a first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a first characteristic polarization state P 1 which is orthogonal to a second characteristic polarization state P 2 and reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 , and each said second information value storage location recorded in said first information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state which is equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 ; and wherein said second information storage structure of each said i-th information storage layer has a second plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first information value storage location recorded in said second information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer has said second characteristic polarization state P 2 and a second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b overlapping at least a partial portion of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a , and reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and each said second information value storage location recorded in said second information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 .

Claim 19

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 16, wherein each said first information value storage location stores a logical `1` and each said second information value storage location stores a logical `0`.

Claim 20

The information storage device of claim 16, wherein said spectral components comprise a first spectral component having said prespecified wavelength λ i and said first characteristic polarization state P 1 when first and second information value storage locations are being read from said first information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer, and a second spectral component having said prespecified wavelength λ i and said second characteristic polarization state P 2 when first and second information value storage locations are being read from said second information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer.

Claim 21

The information storage device of claim 16, wherein said first characteristic polarization state P 1 is a left-handed circularly polarized (LHCP) state and said second characteristic polarization state P 2 is a right-handed circularly polarized (RHCP) state.

Claim 22

The information storage device of claim of claim 16, wherein each first information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is made from a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material.

Claim 23

The information storage device of claim 16, wherein each first or second information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures of each said i-th information storage layer is made from an artificial chiral film.

Claim 24

The information storage device of claim 16, wherein each said first or information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures of each said i-th information storage layer is realized from multiple layers of dielectric material.

Claim 25

The information storage device of claim 16, wherein said first and second information values represent a digital carrier signal whose frequency is modulated by an analog information signal.

Claim 26

The information storage device of claim 16, wherein said first plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded in the first information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer is recorded along a first information storage track arrangement in said first information storage structure, wherein said second plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded in the second information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer is recorded along a first information storage track arrangement in said second information storage structure, and wherein said first and second information storage track arrangements are aligned so as to permit reading of information values recorded along said first and second information storage tracks using a laser beam having first and second spectral components.

Claim 27

The information storage device of claim 16, made in the form of a disc.

Claim 28

The information storage device of claim 16, made in the form of tape.

Claim 29

The information storage device of claim 16, made in the form of a card.

Claim 30

The information storage device of claim 16, which further comprises one or more interlayers of material disposed between said first and second information storage structures of each said i-th information storage layers.

Claim 31

The information storage device of claim 16, which further comprises an optically transparent protective cover layer disposed over said first information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer.

Claim 32

An information storage device comprising: a first information storage structure having a first undulated surface and first plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first and second information value storage location recorded in said first undulated surface is characterized by a first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a first characteristic polarization state P 1 , reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 , and transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state which is equal to a second characteristic polarization state P 2 orthogonal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 ; and a second information storage structure mounted to said first said information storage structure, and having a second undulated surface and second plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first and second information value storage location recorded in said second undulated surface is characterized by said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and a second characteristic wavelength band fib overlapping at least a portion of said first characteristic wavelength band, reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 .

Claim 33

An information storage device comprising: a first information storage structure having a first undulated surface and first plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first and second information value storage location recorded in said first undulated surface is characterized by a first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a first characteristic polarization state P 1 , reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 , and transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state which is equal to a second characteristic polarization state P 2 orthogonal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 ; and a second information storage structure mounted to said first said information storage structure, and having a second undulated surface and second plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first and second information value storage location recorded in said second undulated surface is characterized by said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and a second characteristic wavelength band fib overlapping at least a portion of said first characteristic wavelength band, reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 .

Claim 34

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 30, wherein each said first information value storage location stores a logical `1` and each said second information value storage location stores a logical `0`.

Claim 35

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein said spectral components are provided by a first laser beam when first and second information value storage locations are being read from said first information storage structure, and wherein said spectral components are provided by a second laser beam when first and second information value storage locations are being read from said second information storage structure.

Claim 36

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein said first characteristic polarization state P 1 is a left-handed circularly polarized (LHCP) state and said second characteristic polarization state P 2 is a right-handed circularly polarized (RHCP) state.

Claim 37

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein each first or second information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is made from a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material.

Claim 38

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein each first or second information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is made from artificial chiral films.

Claim 39

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein said CLC material comprises one or more materials selected from the group consisting of the polymeric liquid crystals, such as polysiloxanes, di-acrylates, di-epoxides, di-vinylethers, and chiral nematic liquid crystals.

Claim 40

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein said first information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is realized from multiple layers of dielectric material.

Claim 41

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein said first plurality of first and second information value storage locations are recorded along a first information storage track arrangement in said first information storage structure, wherein said second plurality of first and second information value storage locations are recorded along a first information storage track arrangement in said second information storage structure, and wherein said first and second information storage track arrangements are registered so as to permit reading of information values along said first and second information storage tracks using a laser beam having first and second spectral components.

Claim 42

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein said first and second information values represent a digital carrier signal whose frequency is modulated by an analog information signal.

Claim 43

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein said first and second information storage structures are made in the form of a disc.

Claim 44

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein said first and second information storage structures are made in the form of tape.

Claim 45

The information storage device of claim 30, wherein said first and second information storage structures are made in the form of a card.

Claim 46

The information storage device of claim 30, which further comprises one or more interlayers of material disposed between said first and second information storage structures.

Claim 47

The information storage device of claim 30, which further comprises an optically transparent protective cover layer disposed over said first information storage structure.

Claim 48

An information storage and retrieval system for reading information values recorded in an information storage device constructed from an optical based storage media, said information storage and retrieval system comprising: light beam producing means for producing, during each information reading operation, a light beam consisting of at least one spectral component selected from the group consisting of a first spectral component having a prespecified wavelength λ i and a first characteristic polarization state P1, and a second spectral component having said prespecified wavelength λ i and a second characteristic polarization state P2 orthogonal to said first characteristic polarization state P1; supporting means for supporting, during each said information reading operation, an information storage device including a pair of first and second information storage structures, said first information storage structure having a first undulated surface and first plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first and second information value storage location recorded in said first undulated surface is characterized by a first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 , reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 , and transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state which is equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and said second information storage structure having a second undulated surface and second plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first and second information value storage location recorded in said second undulated surface is characterized by a polarization state equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 and a second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b overlapping at least a portion of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a , reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 ; light focusing means for focusing said light beam during the reading of information values from at least one of said first and second information storage structures; light detection means for detecting said first and second spectral components; spectral component analyzing means for analyzing the spectral components detected by said light detection means, determining the information values recorded on said first undulated surface producing a first data stream representative thereof, for determining the information values recorded on said second undulated surface and producing a second data stream representative thereof; and information access control means for controlling the operation of said light beam producing means during each said information reading operation.

Claim 49

An information storage and retrieval system for reading information values recorded in an information storage device constructed from an optical based storage media, said information storage and retrieval system comprising: light beam producing means for producing, during each information reading operation, a light beam consisting of at least one spectral component selected from the group consisting of a first spectral component having a prespecified wavelength λ i and a first characteristic polarization state P1, and a second spectral component having said prespecified wavelength λ i and a second characteristic polarization state P2 orthogonal to said first characteristic polarization state P1; supporting means for supporting, during each said information reading operation, an information storage device including a pair of first and second information storage structures, said first information storage structure having a first undulated surface and first plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first and second information value storage location recorded in said first undulated surface is characterized by a first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 , reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 , and transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a and a polarization state which is equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and said second information storage structure having a second undulated surface and second plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded therein, wherein each said first and second information value storage location recorded in said second undulated surface is characterized by a polarization state equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 and a second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b overlapping at least a portion of said first characteristic wavelength band Δλ a , reflects spectral components that are incident thereto and have a wavelength within said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said second characteristic polarization state P 2 , and transmits spectral components that are incident thereto and have an attribute selected from the group consisting of a wavelength outside of said second characteristic wavelength band Δλ b and a polarization state equal to said first characteristic polarization state P 1 ; light focusing means for focusing said light beam during the reading of information values from at least one of said first and second information storage structures; light detection means for detecting said first and second spectral components; spectral component analyzing means for analyzing the spectral components detected by said light detection means, determining the information values recorded on said first undulated surface producing a first data stream representative thereof, for determining the information values recorded on said second undulated surface and producing a second data stream representative thereof; and information access control means for controlling the operation of said light beam producing means during each said information reading operation.

Claim 50

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, which further comprises moving means for moving said information storage device relative to said focused laser beam so that, during the reading of information from said first information storage structure, the first spectral component of said laser beam is reflected from one or more of said first plurality of first and second information value storage locations recorded in said first information storage structure, and during the reading of information from said second information storage structure, the second spectral component of said focused laser beam is reflected from one or more of said first plurality of said information value storage locations recorded in said second information storage structure.

Claim 51

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein said spectral component analyzing means comprises a first spectral component analyzing means for analyzing said first spectral component of said focusing laser beam reflected off said first information storage structure and detected by said light detection means, and automatically determining the information values recorded on said first information storage structure, and producing a first data stream representative thereof, and a second spectral component analyzing means for analyzing said second spectral component of said focused laser beam reflected off said second information storage structure and detected by said light detection means, automatically determining the information values recorded on said second information storage structure, and producing a second data stream representative thereof.

Claim 52

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein said light beam is a laser beam.

Claim 53

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, which further comprises: interface means for interfacing said information storage and retrieval system with a host computer system.

Claim 54

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, which further comprises address translation means for translating a logical address assigned to each said information value storage location in said first and second information storage structures, into a physical address specifying the physical location of said information value storage location in said information storage device.

Claim 55

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein each said first information value storage location stores a logical `1` and each said second information value storage location stores a logical `0`.

Claim 56

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein when said first and second information value storage locations are being read from said first information storage structure, said light producing means produces under the control of said information access control means, a laser beam having said first spectral component, and wherein when first and second information value storage locations are being read from said second information storage structure, said light producing means produces under the control of said information access control means, a laser beam having said second spectral component.

Claim 57

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein each first information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is made from a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) material.

Claim 58

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein each first information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is realized from multiple layers of dielectric material.

Claim 59

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein said first characteristic polarization state P 1 is a left-handed circularly polarized (LHCP) state and said second characteristic polarization state P2 is a right-handed circularly polarized (RHCP) state.

Claim 60

The information storage device of claim 45, wherein each first or second information value storage location recorded in said first and second information storage structures is made from artificial chiral films.

Claim 61

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein said first characteristic polarization state P 1 is a left-handed circularly polarized (LHCP) state and said second characteristic polarization state P 2 is a right-handed circularly polarized (RHCP) state, and wherein said light beam comprises a linear polarized light beam comprising said first and second spectral components.

Claim 62

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 57, wherein said light detection means comprises a first means for detecting spectral components having wavelengths about said prespecified wavelength λ i and a polarization state equal to said LHCP state, and a second means for detecting spectral components having wavelengths about said prespecified wavelength λ i and a polarization state equal to said RHCP state.

Claim 63

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein said first plurality of first and second information value storage locations are recorded along a first information storage track arrangement in said first information storage structure, said second plurality of first and second information value storage locations are recorded along a first information storage track arrangement in said second information storage structure, and first and second information storage track arrangements are precisely registered between said first and second information storage structures, respectively; wherein said light producing means produces during each information reading operation, a laser beam consisting of at least said first spectral component and said second spectral component, thereby permitting simultaneous reading of information values recorded in said first and second information storage structures of said information storage device.

Claim 64

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein said information storage device is realized in the form of a compact disc, and said support means comprises means for supporting and rotating said compact disc at a predetermined angular velocity.

Claim 65

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein said information storage device is realized in the form of tape, and said support means comprises means for supporting and transporting said tape at a predetermined velocity.

Claim 66

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein said information storage device is realized in the form of a compact card, and said support means comprises means for supporting said compact card.

Claim 67

The information storage and retrieval system of claim 45, wherein said information storage device further comprises a plurality of information storage layers indexable as i=1,2,3, . . . , N, and collectively stacked together to form a composite structure; wherein each said i-th information storage layer includes one said first information storage structure mounted adjacent to one said second information storage structure; and wherein said light producing means further comprises means for producing said first spectral component for reading information storage value locations on the first information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer, and means for producing said second spectral component for reading information storage value locations on the second information storage structure of said i-th information storage layer.