Abstract: A burst cutting area of an optical recording disc includes a BCA mark comprising a plurality of pits over which a reflective layer is formed. The plurality of pits may be arrayed according to a pit pattern specifying a predetermined nominal positional relationship between adjacent pits. The pit pattern may comprise microstripes which include one pit per pit track and most adjacent pits in adjacent pit tracks. A direction between adjacent pits within each of the microstripes may correspond to a nominal microstripe direction which may form an angle with a pit track direction within a range of 45° to 135°.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided for distributing content through a portable medium which can be transported by hand from one media player to another media player. The optical recording medium includes a read-only zone and a writable area. Copy control information is stored in the read-only zone. The copy control information specifies (a) an authorized content source and (b) content which is authorized to be downloaded from the authorized content source and recorded in the writable area of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: A BCA mark is applied prior to molding of optical recording media. A stamper including a BCA code is formed. The stamper including the BCA code is used in the molding of optical recording discs. This technique can be used in manufacturing of read-only type discs, recordable discs, rewritable discs, hybrid discs, discs readable from both disc sides, discs having multiple information layers, high-density discs, etc.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a first half-disc and a second half-disc. The first half-disc includes a substrate and an information layer (including a reflective layer) formed on a first side of the substrate. The second half-disc is bonded by an adhesive to a second side of the substrate of the first half-disc. In addition, a cover layer is formed over the first reflective layer. The cover layer has a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm. The substrate of the first half-disc has a thickness in a range of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. The first and second half-discs together have a combined thickness in a range of 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm.

Abstract: Optical recording media configured to deter unauthorized access are described. Methods for manufacturing the optical recording media described above are also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a high-density optical storage medium which comprises a substrate structure having a thickness of 1.0 mm or more and including one or more information layers, a high-density information layer bonded via an adhesive spacer layer to the substrate structure, and a cover layer over the high-density information layer. The high-density information layer can be formed by transferring a reflective film to the substrate structure from a substrate formed of a material (such as polymethyl methacrylate) that does not bond well with the reflective film.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a first half-disc and a second half-disc. The first half-disc includes a substrate and an information layer (including a reflective layer) formed on a first side of the substrate. The second half-disc is bonded by an adhesive to a second side of the substrate of the first half-disc. In addition, a cover layer is formed over the first reflective layer. The cover layer has a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm. The substrate of the first half-disc has a thickness in a range of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. The first and second half-discs together have a combined thickness in a range of 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm.

Abstract: A method for producing optical discs is provided. A substrate for an optical disc is formed by utilizing a molding process. A textured surface is formed at an outer diameter edge of the substrate. A protective coating is applied to cover the textured surface at the outer diameter edge. The protective coating adheres securely to the textured surface at the outer diameter edge to prevent seepage of moisture into the optical disc through the outer diameter edge surface. Thus, an improved optical disc which avoids moisture-caused warpage, corrosion and/or oxidation can be formed.

Abstract: Improved techniques for forming a reflective layer of an optical disc are provided. One improvement includes forming the reflective layer over an information layer of the disc by utilizing a metallizer and a masking device having an angled lip configured to align to an outer edge of the information layer. The masking device allows the applied reflective layer to extend to the outer diameter edge of the information layer, and shields plasma generated by the metallizer from reaching internal components of the metallizer. The masking device may include a pusher having a spring mechanism attached to an inner masking portion of the masking device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus which can be used for separating a dummy disc from a substrate in a process for manufacturing multi-layer optical storage discs are provided.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a recording layer in or on a substrate, a light-transmitting cover layer over said recording layer, and a disc rib over an outer periphery of a first side of the substrate and delimiting an outer diameter of the cover layer.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical recording medium includes forming a light-transmitting cover layer over an information layer by depositing a predetermined volume of a liquid resin on the information layer. The method may further include forming a disc rib over an outer periphery of the information bearing side of the substrate, to stop flow of the deposited resin beyond the outer disc periphery. An optical recording medium formed through such a method includes a disc rib delimiting an outer diameter of the light-transmitting cover layer.

Abstract: A method for producing optical discs is provided. A substrate for an optical disc is formed by utilizing a molding process. A textured surface is formed at an outer diameter edge of the substrate. A protective coating is applied to cover the textured surface at the outer diameter edge. The protective coating adheres securely to the textured surface at the outer diameter edge to prevent seepage of moisture into the optical disc through the outer diameter edge surface. Thus, an improved optical disc which avoids moisture-caused warpage, corrosion and/or oxidation can be formed.

Abstract: A dual sided optical storage medium which comprises a substrate disk having a first information layer readable from one side of the medium through the substrate disk and one or more information layers formed on the non-read side of the first information layer and configured to be read from the other side of the medium.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided for distributing content through a portable medium which can be transported by hand from one media player to another media player. The optical recording medium includes a read-only zone and a writable area. Copy control information is stored in the read-only zone. The copy control information specifies (a) an authorized content source and (b) content which is authorized to be downloaded from the authorized content source and recorded in the writable area of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a first half-disc and a second half-disc. The first half-disc includes a substrate and an information layer (including a reflective layer) formed on a first side of the substrate. The second half-disc is bonded by an adhesive to a second side of the substrate of the first half-disc. In addition, a cover layer is formed over the first reflective layer. The cover layer has a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm. The substrate of the first half-disc has a thickness in a range of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. The first and second half-discs together have a combined thickness in a range of 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a first half-disc and a second half-disc. The first half-disc includes a substrate and an information layer (including a reflective layer) formed on a first side of the substrate. The second half-disc is bonded by an adhesive to a second side of the substrate of the first half-disc. In addition, a cover layer is formed over the first reflective layer. The cover layer has a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm. The substrate of the first half-disc has a thickness in a range of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. The first and second half-discs together have a combined thickness in a range of 0.8 mm to 1.3 mm.

Abstract: A BCA mark is applied prior to molding of optical recording media. A stamper including a BCA code is formed. The stamper including the BCA code is used in the molding of optical recording discs. This technique can be used in manufacturing of read-only type discs, recordable discs, rewritable discs, hybrid discs, discs readable from both disc sides, discs having multiple information layers, high-density discs, etc.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for facilitating the separation and retrieval of a topmost disc stored in a vertical stack of similar discs, with minimal modification to existing production lines, are provided. A disc stacking apparatus configured to allow flow of preferably ionized air through an air channel within a spindle shaft and out through one or more air ports is also provided.

Abstract: A mailpiece for optical discs and like articles that can meet the U.S. Postal Service standards for automated letter processing by Postal Service equipment and thus qualify for appropriated postal mailing rates.