Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Systems having plural physically distinct independent tracks... – Continuous consecutive storage or retrieval of interrupted...
Patent
1997-12-23
2000-07-11
Tran, Thang V.
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Systems having plural physically distinct independent tracks...
Continuous consecutive storage or retrieval of interrupted...
235454, 235488, G11B 374
Patent
active
060883197
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a method for stagewise sequential writing of data in an optical memory wherein two or more write units emit light pulses which cause localized changes in one or more light-sensitive layers in the optical memory, and wherein the optical memory is transported past the write unit in linear movement along a path.
The invention also concerns an apparatus for stagewise sequential writing of data in an optical memory and with two or more write units including one or more pulsating light sources which illuminate localized areas in one or more light-sensitive layers in the optical memory, and wherein the optical memory is transported past the write units in linear movement along a path.
Optical storage media for digital data in the form of discs or cards combine substantial storage capacity with portability, i.e. the medium can easily be removed from the write/read device for storage or for transfer to another write/read device. Spool tape can also be used for optical data storage and has a number of features in common with discs and cards, but can in addition store considerably more data.
In general the present invention concerns the storage of information on optical storage media with special emphasis on the possibility of producing a large number of copies from a master file which contains software, catalogs, music sources, video sources and the like.
More particularly, the method according to the present invention concerns the writing of data in optical media which may be in the form of a tape during a part of a production process where data are recorded in the medium. With this in mind, data storage media in the form of cards, e.g., have been manufactured in the form of a wide, thick tape on a spool and run through a number of processing stages which correspond to those which are employed on a continuous tape for optical data storage. After the final stage in the process, the tape is divided into separate cards. Even though the tape format entails a restriction which appears to exclude disc media, it is natural to refer to the latter, and this is done to some extent in the following.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
In principle all physical formats for a data storage medium can carry memory layers with very different properties. So-called read-only memories (ROM) represent a subclass of digital optical storage media which have been shown to be especially well suited to storage and distribution of professional data bases together with consumer-oriented material such as music, video games, reference works etc. In this subclass, data are stored once and for all and can subsequently be read out repeatedly. A typical example is the compact disc (CD) which is used amongst other things for playback of music. A similar, but more flexible type of media is that which is written once and read many times (WORM), where data can be written on the media by the user. As soon as the data are written in, they cannot be altered, but they can be read a number of times and a written medium of the WORM type is therefore rather similar to a ROM. Media which can be written, erased and written on again a great number of times are naturally more flexible.
Optical data storage media can offer a substantial storage capacity and also be easy to take out, transport and store for later use. However, with regard to commercial exploitation, e.g. mass distribution of music recordings, video recordings or similar types of information, there is also a requirement that there should be the possibility of transferring large volumes of data from a master source to individual relevant optical media, for example a disc, tape or card, and in a cost-effective manner. Two fundamentally different methods are known for prerecording data. Firstly, data can be entered into the medium as an inherent part of the actual manufacturing process for the medium. Examples of this are punching or injection moulding of the pit pattern during the manufacture of so-called CD ROM's, and photographic exposure and subsequent chem
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Chris Terry, "Flexible optical media boost data density" Apr. 25, 1999, pp 77-85.
Thin Film Electronics ASA
Tran Thang V.
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