Abstract: A system includes a plurality of thermostats corresponding to a plurality of HVAC systems that serve a plurality of spaces and a computing system communicable with the plurality of thermostats via a network. The computing system is configured to, for each space of the plurality of spaces, obtain a set of training data relating to thermal behavior of the space, identify a model of thermal behavior of the space based on the set of training data, perform a model predictive control process using the model of thermal behavior of the space to obtain a temperature setpoint for the space, and provide the temperature setpoint to the thermostat corresponding to the HVAC system serving the space. The plurality of thermostats are configured to control the plurality of HVAC systems in accordance with the temperature setpoints.

Abstract: An optical disc used for storing content includes a theft control area selected to render the disc unreadable. The disc must be exposed to radiation of a specific wavelength before it can be read by a regular device. The theft control area may include an area that contains data that instructs the device not to read the disc. This area includes a coating that changes its optical characteristics when exposed to the radiation. The material could be radiochromic or thermochromic. Alternatively, the theft control area includes an RFID device that includes an element that is radiation sensitive. In this embodiment, when the disc is irradiated, the element changes its electrical characteristics.

Abstract: An optical disc used for storing content includes a theft control area selected to render the disc unreadable. The disc must be exposed to radiation of a specific wavelength before it can be read by a regular device. The theft control area may include an area that contains data that instructs the device not to read the disc. This area includes a coating that changes its optical characteristics when exposed to the radiation. The material could be radiochromic or thermochromic. Alternatively, the theft control area includes an RFID device that includes an element that is radiation sensitive. In this embodiment, when the disc is irradiated, the element changes its electrical characteristics.

Abstract: An optical disc used for storing content includes a theft control area selected to render the disc unreadable. The disc must be exposed to radiation of a specific wavelength before it can be read by a regular device. The theft control area may include an area that contains data that instructs the device not to read the disc. This area includes a coating that changes its optical characteristics when exposed to the radiation. The material could be radiochromic or thermochromic. Alternatively, the theft control area includes an RFID device that includes an element that is radiation sensitive. In this embodiment, when the disc is irradiated, the element changes its electrical characteristics.

Abstract: In a computer system, an arrangement for storing condition signals indicative of the position of a pointing device and the condition of a button thereof, apparatus for comparing present condition signals generated by a pointing device with stored signals indicative of a previous condition of the pointing device, and apparatus responsive to the comparison of present condition signals generated by a pointing device for generating a pointer interrupt signal only if a change in the pointer condition has occurred.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which provides for the real time comparison of raster data. The raster data is stored in memory such that raster data corresponding to a specific X-Y coordinate location is consistently written to the same memory location. During the process of storing the data in memory, the data currently stored in the memory is read and compared to the data to be written into the same location in memory. If the data is not the same, the discrepancy and location of the discrepancy is noted in a separate area of memory to be used for subsequent analysis and the data to be written to that location is immediately written into the memory. The method and apparatus of the present invention is particularly applicable to the video graphics environment wherein the current bit of raster image contained in the frame buffer is compared to the updated raster image and the data changes are noted on a pixel by pixel basis.

Abstract: A thermally written magnetic data storage medium retains desired domains of magnetization having field orientations representative of the data. A first magnetic layer retains one or more domains of desired magnetic field orientations. A second magnetic layer provides a biasing field for obtaining a predetermined magnetic field orientation in the first magnetic layer as a function of the temperature of the second magnetic layer. Disposed between the first and second layers is a thermal isolation layer which provides a thermal barrier for controlling the temperature of the second magnetic layer means. When the medium is heated for a short time, the fringe field from the first layer causes one direction of magnetic orientation to occur in a domain in the first layer. Upon cooling of the domain, the domain magnetization becomes stable with an orientation conforming to the orientation of the fringe field. The thermal isolation layer prevents significant heating of the second layer.

Abstract: An optical tape record/playback apparatus is provided for recording/reproducing information signals onto an optical tape. The record apparatus comprises laser sources which are modulated in accordance with the information signals. A sequence number is recorded by the laser sources to aid in the recovery of information. In the playback mode a light detector is arranged to intercept the light reflected from the optical tape. The reflected light contains the information which was recorded on the optical tape during the recording operations. The high packing density of the information recorded in the tape may affect the proper recovery of the recorded information. During the recording operation a sequence number is recorded in a special section of the optical tape to aid in the recovery of the recorded information signals.

Abstract: A record/playback apparatus is provided for recording/reproducing information signals in cooperation with an optical tape medium. The record apparatus comprises a laser source which is modulated in accordance with the information signals. A switching mirror, which is interposed between the laser source and the optical tape, switches the light beam emitted by the source to alternately scan helical tracks across an optical tape. In the playback mode a light detector is arranged to intercept the light reflected from the optical tape. The reflected light contains the information which was recorded on the optical tape during the recording operation.

Abstract: The invention is a recording medium wherein the light absorptive layer is a granular material comprising domains of a light sensitive material embedded in a dielectric matrix. The domains comprise a material which can be reversibly switched from a first state to a second state having different optical properties by the absorption of light. The matrix is composed of a material which is effective for inhibiting the formation of an irreversible change in the optical properties of the absorptive layer. The invention further comprises this optical recording medium having an information track recorded therein as a series of regions in the absorptive layer wherein the domains have been reversibly switched to a second state having different optical properties.

Abstract: The invention is an improved optical recording medium and information record where information is recorded in the form of one or more bubbles in a light absorptive layer and a reinforcement layer which preferentially adheres to a light absorptive layer during the formation of the bubble. The reinforcement layer provides a path for heat to diffuse away from the bubble, thereby desensitizing the recording process and increasing the range of incident light powers over which a bubble is formed.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising a substrate, a light absorptive layer overlying the substrate, a buffer layer overlying the absorptive layer and a masking layer having slots therethrough overlying the buffer layer. The invention also includes an information record having information recorded in the absorptive layer as a series of regions of the absorptive layer, underlying the slots in the masking layer, whose optical properties differ from those of the remainder of the absorptive layer. The presence of the slots in this medium can provide a spatially varying recording sensitivity, track identification and a means for obtaining a radial tracking error signal.

Abstract: A flat major surface of a disc-shaped substrate (e.g., of glass) is coated with a light-reflective layer (e.g., of aluminum) which is coated with a dielectric material (e.g., silicon dioxide) highly transparent for light of a frequency supplied by a recording laser, which dielectric material is coated with a thin layer of a material absorptive for light of the frequency supplied by the recording laser (e.g., titanium). The coating parameters are chosen to establish an anti-reflection condition for the coated record blank at the recording light frequency. The light output of the laser, which is intensity modulated in accordance with a signal to be recorded, is focused upon the coated surface of the disc as the disc is rotated. With the peak intensity of the focused light sufficient to at least cause melting of the absorptive layer, an information track is formed as a succession of spaced pits in which the reflective layer is effectively exposed through the layer of dielectric material.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprises a light reflecting material which is coated with a light absorbing layer and overcoated with a 0.05-1 millimeter thick layer of an optically transparent and chemically and thermally stable material such as a silicone resin. During recording, portions of the light absorbing layer are ablated or melted by a modulated focussed light beam, thereby exposing portions of the reflecting layer while leaving the overcoat layer intact. Information is recorded in the form of a reflective-antireflective pattern. Dust particles and other surface contaminants settle on the upper surface of the overcoat layer, so far removed from the focal plane of the recording lens that their effect on the recording or playback signal is considerably reduced, and no defect is noticeable on the playback monitor.

Abstract: An optical recording medium which comprises a light reflective layer, a light transmissive layer and a light absorptive layer where the light transmissive layer is comprised of an organic material which has a melting, sublimation or decomposition temperature at least 300.degree. C. less than that of the material comprising the absorptive layer and where the absorptive layer has a melting temperature of at least 1000.degree. C. Information is recorded as bubbles in the absorptive layer. This storage mechanism produces topographical features which are suitable for replication, thus allowing direct replication of the recorded information.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprises a light reflecting material which is coated with a light absorbing layer and overcoated with a thin, amorphous, coherent layer of an optically transparent and chemically and thermally stable material such as silicon dioxide. During recording, portions of the light absorbing layer are ablated by a modulated focussed light beam, thereby exposing portions of the reflecting layer while leaving the overcoat layer intact. Information is recorded in the form of a reflective-antireflective pattern. Dust particles and other surface contaminants can be wiped or washed off the recording medium without damage to the light absorbing layer.

Abstract: An optical recording medium which comprises a light reflective layer, a light transmissive layer and a light absorptive layer, the material comprising the light transmissive layer has a melting, sublimation or decomposition temperature at least 300.degree. C. less than that of the material comprising the absorptive layer. Information is recorded as openings in both the light transmissive and absorptive layers or as bubbles in the absorptive layer. These storage mechanisms produce topographical features which are suitable for replication, thus allowing direct replication of the recorded information.

Abstract: A flat major surface of a disc-shaped substrate (e.g., of glass) is coated with a first light reflective layer (e.g., Rhodium) which is coated with a layer of a dielectric material (e.g., silicon dioxide) highly transparent of light of a frequency supplied by a playback laser, which transparent layer is coated with a second light reflective layer (e.g., Rhodium). The light output of a recording laser, which is intensity modulated in accordance with a signal to be recorded, is focused upon the coated surface of the disc as the disc is rotated. With the peak intensity of the focused light sufficient to at least cause melting of the second reflective layer, an information track is formed as a succession of spaced pits in which the first reflective layer is effectively exposed through the layer of dielectric material. For playback, light of a constant intensity is focused on the information track and the adjacent land areas as the disc is rotated.

Abstract: A flat major surface of a disc-shaped substrate (e.g., of glass) is coated with a first light reflective layer (e.g., Rhodium) which is coated with a layer of a dielectric material (e.g., silicon dioxide) highly transparent of light of a frequency supplied by a playback laser, which transparent layer is coated with a second light reflective layer (e.g., Rhodium). The light output of a recording laser, which is intensity modulated in accordance with a signal to be recorded, is focused upon the coated surface of the disc as the disc is rotated. With the peak intensity of the focused light sufficient to at least cause melting of the second reflective layer, an information track is formed as a succession of spaced pits in which the first reflective layer is effectively exposed through the layer of dielectric material. For playback, light of a constant intensity is focused on the information track and the adjacent land areas as the disc is rotated.

Abstract: A flat major surface of a disc-shaped substrate (e.g., glass or plastic) is coated with a light-reflective layer (e.g., aluminum) which is coated with a dielectric material (e.g., silicon dioxide) highly transparent for light of a frequency supplied by a recording laser. The dielectric material is coated with a thin layer of a smooth continuous, low melting point, low thermal diffusion length metal (e.g., tellurium) absorptive for light of the frequencies supplied by the recording laser. The coating parameters are chosen to establish an anti-reflective condition for the coated record blank at the recording light frequency. The light output of the laser, which is intensity modulated in accordance with a signal to be recorded, is focused upon the coated surface of the disc as the disc is rotated.