Abstract: A medium processing device may include a head which reads or writes data to a recording medium; and a flexible cable which is connected with the head. The flexible cable may be formed in a multilayer structure including a data signal layer formed with a data signal pattern and disconnection detecting signal layers which cover a front face and a rear face of the data signal layer and are formed with a disconnection detecting signal pattern. The flexible cable may also include a terminal connecting part formed with a through hole into which a signal terminal of the head is inserted and a terminal covering part folded to cover the terminal connecting part and fixed to the terminal connecting part.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a thin optical disc having remote reading capability is provided. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the optical disc includes a central clamping area that defines a central aperture operable to be engaged by a spindle mechanism of an optical disc drive, an optically-readable data storage area substantially surrounding the central clamping area, the optically-readable data storage area having a planar thickness of less than 1.20 mm, and an electronic tag coupled to or embedded within the optical disc, the electronic tag comprising a radio frequency tag or radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: An improved optical cards includes one or more of the following features, comparatively high density material disposed at or near the periphery of the optical card to increase the rotational moment of inertia of a card without increasing the thickness of the card, comparatively high density layers added to a side opposite of the optical read side of an optical card, scratch protection disposed on the optical read surface of the optical media but not covering the tracks containing optically encoded data, or comparatively high density scratch protection disposed on the optical read surface of the optical media but not covering the tracks containing optically encoded data, and combinations of these features.

Abstract: A multimedia card, including, a multimedia portion, a multimedia card holder portion, and a multimedia cover portion, and wherein the multimedia cover portion and the multimedia card holder portion releasably cover the multimedia card portion in between the multimedia cover portion and the multimedia card holder portion.

Abstract: An article including: an optical storage medium; and a machine readable mark on at least one side of the optical storage medium, wherein the machine readable mark is adapted to permit activation of a metered account. In embodiments the article can include a detachable member attached to the storage medium, where the detachable member bears a machine readable mark on at least one side and the detachable member can be detached from the optical storage medium after activation of the metered account. The invention also includes printing methods for making the article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonstandard-sized optical disc capable of decreasing thickness even when a plurality of optical discs are piled up and assuredly positioning in a disc main body fitting dented portion of a disc player. This optical disc includes a disc main body and an outwardly protruded plate portion protruded outwardly from the disc main body. The outwardly protruded plate portion is formed to have a thickness thinner than that of the disc main body, and the lower portion of the disc main body is formed to have a size to be fitted in the disc main body fitting dented portion in a tray of a disc player. An outer peripheral edge of the lower portion of the disc main body has at least two positioning points to be disposed in the proximity of an inner peripheral edge of the disc main body fitting dented portion to thereby position the disc main body in the disc main body fitting dented portion when the lower portion of the disc main body is fitted in the disc main body fitting dented portion.

Abstract: A holder for holding at least one compact disc includes structure that releasably engages part of a peripheral edge of the disc, such that a continuous, flush, and planar upper surface is formed when the holder is engaged with the disc.

Abstract: An improved and new process for fabricating self-aligned contacts (SAC) to source/drain areas of complimentary (CMOS) FET's has been developed using a non-conformal layer of silicon nitride, eliminating the need for a hard mask. This process allows for “zero” spacing from contact structure to polysilicon gate structure, for closely spaced design rule gates. Some key process features of this invention are as follows: no hard mask is needed and the gate process is exactly the same as “standard” logic process. The process differences are that between the S/D implant, salicidation and the normal contact process, there is inserted a non-conformal CVD silicon nitride deposition with a SAC pattern and etch process. The process is fully compatible with both state of-the-art salicide and polycide processes. The self-aligned contact process simplifies processing, while yielding improvements in electrical device performance and reliability.