Abrading – Abrading process – Side face of disk
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-07-17
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Abrading
Abrading process
Side face of disk
C451S285000, C451S398000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06261159
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for restoring storage media. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing scratches and similar imperfections from the surface of an optically read storage medium, such as a compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD) and the like.
2. The Relevant Technology
Optically read storage media, such as audio, video and computer compact discs (CDs) and the like, are increasingly used as the storage medium of choice for both computer software, audio, and video content. Such media provides an extremely high storage capacity in a relatively small space, and the digital format provides for a superior sound and video quality during playback. CDs and related optically read media are usually constructed by laminating a clear protective layer over a metal disc or base which contains digitally encoded information. The clear protective layer prevents the metal disc or base from being damaged during normal use. Digital information is encoded on the metal disc or base via the formation of “pits” and “lands” that are arranged in a concentric circular track. These pits and lands are used to represent digital information, and thus can be used to store a digitized version of sound, or similar digitized form of information, on the disc.
In operation, the digital information is essentially reproduced from the compact disc by scanning its surface with a laser beam. The scanning laser is focused just below the protective surface of the disc, so that minor imperfections in the protective layer do not effect the transfer of information from the disc. As the beam passes over the surface of the disc, it is reflected by the surface of the metal disc or base. In addition, as the beam is reflected it is also modulated by the pits and lands contained on the metal disc. The modulated laser light is detected by receivers and the digital information represented by the modulation is decoded and converted into a form usable by the particular apparatus containing the disc, such as a computer or compact disc player. As is well known, the digital storage and retrieval of information provides high data quality and reproduction.
While the plastic coating present on most optically read media provides a certain degree of protection, scratches and related imperfections in the coating medium can occur over time and/or from misuse of the medium. These scratches or related imperfections can cause a loss or interruption of data in computer software media, or negatively offset the sound and/or video quality in an audio/video medium. If the coating has a significant number of imperfections, the medium may be completely unusable.
It would therefore be an advance to provide the ability to restore damaged optical storage media. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide the ability to remove scratches and other imperfections that exist in older, or mishandled discs and thereby prolong the life of the disc.
OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an overall object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for restoring/repairing optical storage media, such as compact discs and the like.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a system and method for removing scratches or related imperfections from the surface of an optical storage medium, and thereby prolong the useful life of the medium.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system and method that is able to remove scratches and/or imperfections from the surface of an optical storage medium in a manner such that the medium can be used without any loss of data, sound and/or video quality during playback.
To achieve the foregoing objectives, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and described herein, the present invention is related to a restoration apparatus, and a corresponding method, for restoring the usefulness of optically read storage media. In a preferred embodiment, the restoration involves the removal of scratches, defects and related imperfections that are present on the surface of the optical storage medium, such as compact discs and the like. In particular, the restoration apparatus of the illustrated embodiment is configured so as to remove imperfections that may exist on or within the protective layer, which is present on most optically read storage media. Moreover, the imperfections are removed in a manner so as to preserve the integrity of the digital data embodied within the metal base.
Briefly summarized, a restoration apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention includes a retention means for retaining an optically readable storage medium in a manner such that the media is held in at least partial fluid communication with a fluid (or fluids) used during the restoration process. The retention means is comprised, for example, of a retention disk having an interior portion for receiving the storage medium. The retention disk is attached to the main support housing surface within a fluid-tight channel in a manner so that the retention disk, and the storage medium, can rotate freely on a bearing surface.
A preferred embodiment of a restoration apparatus further includes means for removing scratches, defects and related imperfections from the surface of the storage medium contained within the retention means. In an illustrated embodiment, the scratch/defect removal means is implemented as a polishing head that is capable of being placed in contact with at least a portion of the storage medium surface. In addition, the polishing head manipulates a polishing medium against the storage medium's surface so as to remove a sufficient amount of protective layer and thereby remove scratches, defects and/or other surface imperfections. In a presently preferred embodiment, the polishing head is a circular member that can be rotated for instance by an electric motor. The polish head has a rotating surface to which can be secured different types of polishing mediums for sanding and/or polishing the surface of the storage medium.
In one preferred embodiment, the polishing head, a corresponding rotating shaft and the electric motor are all positioned within a housing formed as an arm assembly. The arm assembly is movably attached to the main support housing surface in a manner so that the polishing head can be selectively placed in contact with the surface of the storage medium when it is secured within the retention disc. In a preferred embodiment, the polishing head is positioned within the arm assembly so that it is capable of being placed against the surface of the storage medium in a non-concentric manner. In this way, when the polishing head rotates against the surface of the storage medium, the resulting force causes the storage medium and the retention disc to freely rotate in a direction opposite to that of the polishing head. This provides a more efficient removal of the protective layer and accelerates the restoration process.
Also, in one preferred embodiment, the control of the restoration apparatus is accomplished via an electronic control panel, and corresponding electronics, that is positioned on the surface of the main support housing. The control panel can perform such functions as lowering and raising the arm assembly, controlling the speed of the motor and the rotating polishing head, controlling the time of any particular stage of the restoration process, electronically providing instructions to the operator of the restoration apparatus, etc.
In addition to a restoration apparatus that can be used for the restoration of a storage medium, the present invention is also directed to a novel method for the restoration of an optical storage medium. The process can be used in connection with the above-described apparatus, or may also be used in connection with other types of equipment and/or devices. The first step involves the application of a sufficiently abrasive mediu
Krieg Kevin
Thompson Theodore A.
Hail III Joseph J.
Krieg Kevin
Ojini Anthony
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
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