Abstract: A format for accessing content such as a full-length move from an optical disc uses an XML description file stored on the disc to generate one or more screens that a user employs to access the content. The decoding requirements of a hardware or software player are reduced by discarding specific elements of an encoding standard such as MPEG4 that is used to encode the content on the disc. The maximum average and peak bitrates at which the data is transferred are limited to further reduce the demands on the player.

Abstract: An optical data storage disc measuring 32 mm in diameter contains 1 GB of data per layer. The data is designed to be readable by a disc drive that contains a blue wavelength laser, an objective lens having a numerical aperture of 0.72 and conventional DVD controller electronics. This combination of elements allows a full-length movie or a video game to be displayed with DVD-quality on a cell phone or other portable hand held device.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a cartridge for an optical data storage disc includes attaching a plastic shell and a sheet metal cover plate. The shell includes lateral walls and a floor that together define a disc cavity and a plurality of assembly posts. The sheet metal cover plate includes a plurality of holes. To attach the cover plate to the shell, the assembly posts are inserted into the holes, and the ends of the assembly posts are heated to form mushroom caps which hold the cover plate against the shell. The optical disc is housed in the disc cavity, with the data side of the disc facing the cover plate. A sheet metal shutter is wrapped around an edge of the cartridge and over the shell and cover plate.

Abstract: A cartridge for an optical data storage disc includes a monolithic shell and a sheet metal cover plate. The shell includes lateral walls and a floor that together define a cavity that holds an optical data storage disc. The cover plate is attached to the shell, with the cover plate abutting the top surfaces of the lateral walls of the shell. The optical disc is housed in the disc cavity, with the data side of the disc facing the cover plate. A sheet metal shutter is wrapped around an edge of the cartridge and is slideable between an open position, wherein a portion of the optical disc is exposed through a shutter window in the cover plate and a closed position wherein the shutter overlies the shutter window. The cartridge is very strong and is easy to fabricate. The use of sheet metal next to the data side of the optical disc allows the data on the disc to be read or recorded with a very short wavelength laser.

Abstract: A miniature optical disc drive includes a DVD-compatible optical controller and a cartridge load module designed to hold a cartridge containing a 32 mm optical data storage disc.

Abstract: An optical data storage disc measuring 32 mm in diameter contains 1 GB of data per layer. The data is designed to be readable by a disc drive that contains a blue wavelength laser, an objective lens having a numerical aperture of 0.72 and conventional DVD controller electronics. This combination of elements allows a full-length movie or a video game to be displayed with DVD-quality on a cell phone or other portable hand held device.

Abstract: A format for accessing content such as a full-length movie from an optical disc uses an XML Description File stored on the disc to generate one or more screens that a user employs to access the content. To increase the efficiency of accessing data, data files that describe the content of the disc are located near the beginning of the video zone whereas larger data files, such as presentation files, are located at the end of the video zone. To reduce the possibility of incompatibilities between commands, a limited set of application program interface (API) commands is defined for use in an XML Description File. To maximize the vertical data recorded on the disc when the source aspect ratio is high, two, independent horizontal and vertical distortion factors are used. The audio and video tracks are interleaved into 1000 millisecond blocks and are demultiplexed by the application player during playback.

Abstract: A small form factor disc drive is structured to hold and play an optical data storage disc measuring approximately 32 mm in diameter and containing 1 GB of data per layer. The disc drive contains a blue wavelength laser, an objective lens having a numerical aperture in the range of 0.70-0.78 and conventional DVD-compatible controller electronics. This unique combination of elements allows a full-length movie or a video game to be displayed with DVD-quality on a cell phone or other portable hand held device.

Abstract: A battery-operated, hand-held disc drive for an optical data storage disc contains a radio transceiver. Data read from the disc, for example a game or movie, are delivered to the transceiver and transmitted, preferably using a WiFi protocol, to a host device, such as a smartphone, PDA, ultra-light tablet or notebook computer, or digital TV. Preferably, the compression factor of the data on the disc and the transfer rate of the data from the disc drive to the host device are set such that that disc drive has a low duty cycle, thereby conserving battery power while providing the user with an extended usage period. To provide a high-quality experience, the data on the disc are compressed using a highly efficient data compression algorithm such as MPEG-4.

Abstract: A cartridge for an optical data storage disc includes a monolithic shell and a sheet metal cover plate. The shell includes lateral walls and a floor that together define a cavity that holds an optical data storage disc. The cover plate is attached to the shell, with the cover plate abutting the top surfaces of the lateral walls of the shell. The optical disc is housed in the disc cavity, with the data side of the disc facing the cover plate. A sheet metal shutter is wrapped around an edge of the cartridge and is slideable between an open position, wherein a portion of the optical disc is exposed through a shutter window in the cover plate and a closed position wherein the shutter overlies the shutter window. The cartridge is very strong and is easy to fabricate. The use of sheet metal next to the data side of the optical disc allows the data on the disc to be read or recorded with a very short wavelength laser.

Abstract: A format for accessing content such as a full-length move from an optical disc uses an XML description file stored on the disc to generate one or more screens that a user employs to access the content. The decoding requirements of a hardware or software player are reduced by discarding specific elements of an encoding standard such as MPEG4 that is used to encode the content on the disc. The maximum average and peak bitrates at which the data is transferred are limited to further reduce the demands on the player.

Abstract: A portable wireless handset such as a mobile phone is used as a “mobile storefront” which allows the user to preview and order entertainment and/or educational content, such as movies or games. By communicating with a wireless mobile storefront service platform, the user can view excerpts or trailers of the content to her handset to determine if she wishes to purchase or rent the content. Upon ordering the content, an optical disc containing the content is shipped to the user, and the charge for the content is transmitted to a billing service, such as a mobile carrier for inclusion in the user's monthly bill. The optical disc shipped to the user may be used to view the content on the handset. The disc may also contain locked content. If the user wishes to view the locked content she transmits a request to the storefront service platform, which transmits a key to the handset, allowing the user to view the locked content.

Abstract: A microminiature optical disc drive is mounted in a cell phone or other handheld portable device to provide a large data source for playing games, movies and other digital content on the device. The optical disc drive is manufactured to an extremely small form factor by, among other things, employing a blue laser beam and a high numerical aperture lens in the optics assembly.

Abstract: A battery-operated, hand-held disc drive for an optical data storage disc contains a radio transceiver. Data read from the disc, for example a game or movie, are delivered to the transceiver and transmitted, preferably using a WiFi protocol, to a host device, such as a smartphone, PDA, ultra-light tablet or notebook computer, or digital TV. Preferably, the compression factor of the data on the disc and the transfer rate of the data from the disc drive to the host device are set such that that disc drive has a low duty cycle, thereby conserving battery power while providing the user with an extended usage period. To provide a high-quality experience, the data on the disc are compressed using a highly efficient data compression algorithm such as MPEG-4.

Abstract: A disc drive designed to hold a cartridge containing an optical data storage disk is compatible with a memory card slot in a host digital electronics device such as a PDA, for example a slot designed for a Type I CompactFlash card. The disc drive contains a body assembly which is inserted into the memory card slot and which has a compatible connector at one end. The disc drive also includes a drive mechanism which contains the spindle motor and optics systems and which is located outside the memory card slot when the drive is in operation. The drive mechanism is lifted from the body assembly to form an opening to a tray into which a cartridge is loaded. The drive mechanism is then pressed against the body assembly to close the cartridge tray and to cause the spindle motor assembly to engage the optical disc within the cartridge. To minimize the extent to which the disc drive protrudes from the host device, part of the cartridge extends into the memory card slot when the disc drive is connected to the host.

Abstract: A disc drive designed to hold a cartridge containing an optical data storage disk is compatible with a memory card slot in a host digital electronics device such as a PDA, for example a slot designed for a Type I CompactFlash card. The disc drive contains a body assembly which is inserted into the memory card slot and which has a compatible connector at one end. The disc drive also includes a drive mechanism which contains the spindle motor and optics systems and which is located outside the memory card slot when the drive is in operation. The drive mechanism is lifted from the body assembly to form an opening to a tray into which a cartridge is loaded. The drive mechanism is then pressed against the body assembly to close the cartridge tray and to cause the spindle motor assembly to engage the optical disc within the cartridge. To minimize the extent to which the disc drive protrudes from the host device, part of the cartridge extends into the memory card slot when the disc drive is connected to the host.

Abstract: A microminiature optical disc drive is mounted in a cell phone or other handheld portable device to provide a large data source for playing games, movies and other digital content on the device. The optical disc drive is manufactured to an extremely small form factor by, among other things, employing a blue laser beam and a high numerical aperture lens in the optics assembly.

Abstract: A cartridge for an optical data storage disc includes a sheet metal sheath that is folded back on itself and a plastic insert that is inserted into the sheath. An opening is formed in the plastic insert for holding an optical data storage disc. The sheath includes two wall portions that are located on opposite sides of a bend area, where the sheet metal is folded. The two wall portions are attached to each other, preferably by spot-welding, to form a structurally stable sandwich that includes the plastic insert between the wall portions. The opening in the plastic insert becomes a cavity for holding the disc. A shutter opening is formed in one of the wall portions, and spindle openings are formed in both wall portions. A shutter covers the shutter opening when the cartridge is not operational to protect the disc. The disc is rotated by the spindle of an external disc drive which enters a central hole of the disc through the spindle openings.

Abstract: A cartridge for an optical data storage disc includes a monolithic shell and a sheet metal cover plate. The shell includes lateral walls and a floor that together define a cavity that holds an optical data storage disc. The cover plate is attached to the shell, with the cover plate abutting the top surfaces of the lateral walls of the shell. The optical disc is housed in the disc cavity, with the data side of the disc facing the cover plate. A sheet metal shutter is wrapped around an edge of the cartridge and is slideable between an open position, wherein a portion of the optical disc is exposed through a shutter window in the cover plate and a closed position wherein the shutter overlies the shutter window. The cartridge is very strong and is easy to fabricate. The use of sheet metal next to the data side of the optical disc allows the data on the disc to be read or recorded with a very short wavelength laser.