Abstract: An apparatus for information retrieval comprising a first holographic drive, configured to content-search holographic recording media (HRM), and to generate an address, and at least one data storage system, configured to receive the address generated by the first holographic drive and operable to retrieve information from said data storage system corresponding to the address received from said first holographic drive.

Abstract: A method for generating a unique identifier that can be used to integrate an offline experience of a user with an online experience of the user, including establishing an offline experience identifier that can be used to access at least one offline experience data item. The method further includes, as part of a transaction related to at least one of the offline experience and the online experience, collecting at least one user data item, the user data item being a data item relevant to the user. The method further includes establishing a user identifier that can be used to access the user data item; and using at least one of the offline experience identifier and the user identifier to establish the unique identifier. The unique identifier can be subsequently used to obtain at least one of the offline experience identifier and the user identifier.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk, card or media which comprises: a) a plurality of data structures that are readable by the interrogating beam of light; and b)a composition on or in the optical disk, card or media disposed so that when the optical disk, card or media is used in the optical read-out system, the interrogating beam of light passes through the composition before or after contacting some or all of the data structures. The composition comprises a polymeric matrix with an organometallic complex dissolved therein or with metal, transition metal, metal oxide or transition metal oxide nanoparticles uniformly dispersed therein. The composition is substantially transparent to the interrogating beam and/or is substantially colorless.

Abstract: A method of recording a plurality of holographic images in a holographic media, comprising recording a sequence of multiplexed holograms in a selected storage location in the holographic recording media, each hologram having a respective interbeam angle. The interbeam angle increases for each subsequently recorded hologram to compensate for a variable shrinkage of the holographic media during recording. The multiplexed holograms recorded at the selected storage location are partially or fully overlapped. During reading the recorded holograms, a reference beam is directed at a selected storage location in the holographic recording media at a sequence of incidence angles, each incidence angle being adjusted by a respective adjustment angle. The adjustment angles can be substantially equal.

Abstract: Photosensitizing dyes are often used in conjunction with a photoacid generator in holographic recording media. Conventional photosensitizing dyes typically are limited by having an appreciable absorption of light when used in a sufficient concentration, such that the intensity of light decreases significantly with penetration into a recording medium. The present invention discloses a number of new 5-alkynyl substituted napthacene photosensitizing dyes that have low extinction coefficients coupled with good sensitizing properties, such that the problems associated with the photosensitizing dyes absorbing light are significantly reduced.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing and reading holograms, comprising a spatial light modulator (SLM) operable in phase mode, having a plurality of pixels for generating an object beam that overlaps with a reference beam; a holographic recording medium (HRM) in the path of the object beam; and a first lens element disposed in the path of the object beam between the SLM and the HRM; wherein the HRM is disposed at or near the Fourier transform plane of the first lens element.

Abstract: A holographic optical filter that includes an optical recording medium for storing several multiplexed reflection holograms that are formed by successive interference between two or more collimated object beams with a common collimated reference beam. The object beams are incident to the recording material at a series of angles chosen to provide reflection efficiency over the desired filed of view at the specified wavelength.

Abstract: An apparatus for replicating holographically recorded data, comprising a holographic master media having holographically recorded data thereon; a holographic copy media; a light source for generating a master reference beam and a copy reference beam, coherent with the first object beam, the first master reference beam incident on the holographic master media, the holographic master media diffracting the master reference beam to provide a first object beam; the copy reference beam incident on the holographic copy media; and a first optical relay system, disposed between the holographic master media and the holographic copy media, for relaying the first object beam from the holographic master media to the holographic copy media, the holographic copy media recording an interference pattern between the first object beam and the copy reference beam, thereby replicating at least a portion of holographically recorded data.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing and reading holograms, comprising a spatial light modulator (SLM) operable in phase mode, having a plurality of pixels for generating an object beam that overlaps with a reference beam; a holographic recording medium (HRM) in the path of the object beam; and a first lens element disposed in the path of the object beam between the SLM and the HRM; wherein the HRM is disposed at or near the Fourier transform plane of the first lens element.

Abstract: An apparatus for image acquisition of topological features of the surface of skin. The apparatus comprises a waveguide, having an entrance edge and top and bottom surfaces; a light source, configured to direct a light beam at the entrance edge of the waveguide; a skin contact layer, disposed at or near the top surface of the waveguides; a holographic optical element (HOE), disposed at the top or at the bottom surfaces of the waveguide, configured to diffract the light beam incident from the light source to the skin contact layer; a sensor array, configured to detect light reflected from the surface of skin in contact with skin contact layer; and means for compensating for changes in the Bragg matching condition of the HOE due to temperature.

Abstract: A method of using a unique identifier to integrate an offline experience of a user with an online experience of the user. The method includes receiving a unique identifier during a transaction related to the online experience. The method further includes using the unique identifier to obtain at least one of an offline experience identifier and a user identifier, the offline experience identifier being usable to access at least one offline experience data item which is relevant to the offline experience, the user identifier being usable to access at least one user data item which is relevant to the user. The method further includes tailoring the online experience based on at least one offline experience data item and at least one user data item.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable holographic recording medium for data storage that comprises colloidal metal, and which exhibits a threshold for a second stage polymerization which is substantially insensitive to the light used for both forming holograms and interrogating the medium during servo and/or read events. Also disclosed is a method of preparing said photopolymerizable holographic recording medium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a colloidal without additives in a viscous medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic recording medium. The novel holographic recording mediums disclosed herein comprises: a) at least one polyfunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer which undergoes acid initiated cationic polymerization. Each epoxide in the monomer or oligomer is linked by group comprising a siloxane to a silicon atom and each monomer or oligomer has an epoxy equivalent weight of greater than about 300 grams/mole epoxide; b) a binder which is capable of supporting cationic polymerization; c) an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and optionally d) a sensitizer.

Abstract: Holographic data storage systems are fixed after exposure during which data in the form of holograms are stored at locations in the medium (4). Sufficient fixing energy in the form of light or other electromagnetic and thermal radiation is applied to the media (4) either by flooding the media, or to specific locations where the medium has been written. The energy is sufficient to expose the recorded medium (4) to prevent recording in the unused dynamic range thereof. Such recording can be a spurious recording made during readout or from spurious sources of light incident on the media. In one embodiment, the reference beam (108) produced in the course of holographic recording is redirected to locations on the media (4) which have already been recorded. The redirected beam post exposes the media to fix these locations against spurious recording. The integrity of the holographic data storage systems and the robustness thereof is improved by fixing methods and apparatus incorporating the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic recording medium. The novel holographic recording mediums disclosed herein comprises: a) at least one polyfunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer which undergoes acid initiated cationic polymerization. Each epoxide in the monomer or oligomer is linked by group comprising a siloxane to a silicon atom and each monomer or oligomer has an epoxy equivalent weight of greater than about 300 grams/mole epoxide; b) a binder which is capable of supporting cationic polymerization; c) an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and optionally d) a sensitizer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photopolymerizable holographic recording medium for data storage that comprises colloidal metal, and which exhibits a threshold for a second stage polymerization which is substantially insensitive to the light used for both forming holograms and interrogating the medium during servo and/or read events. Also disclosed is a method of preparing said photopolymerizable holographic recording medium. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a colloidal without additives in a viscous medium.

Abstract: The nature of the invention deals with stacking and storing cookware with polytetrafluoroethylene, sold under the trademark TEFLON. safely on top of each other, without damaging their non-stick coatings. The cookware protector comprises a separator which positioned between two stacked cookware. The separator is made of a flexible material to conform to the different sizes and shapes of the cookware preventing scratching the non-stick surface on the bottom pan. In addition to functioning as a cookware protector, the separator made be used to function as a potholder, and/or as a table mat to protect furniture from hot cookware. Additionally, another embodiment of the cookware protector is flame retardant/resistant properties for safe usage in the kitchen.

Abstract: An apparatus for replicating holographically recorded data, comprising a holographic master media having holographically recorded data thereon; a holographic copy media; a light source for generating a master reference beam and a copy reference beam, coherent with the first object beam, the first master reference beam incident on the holographic master media, the holographic master media diffracting the master reference beam to provide a first object beam; the copy reference beam incident on the holographic copy media; and a first optical relay system, disposed between the holographic master media and the holographic copy media, for relaying the first object beam from the holographic master media to the holographic copy media, the holographic copy media recording an interference pattern between the first object beam and the copy reference beam, thereby replicating at least a portion of holographically recorded data.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording or reading high areal density holographically stored information with high signal-to-noise ratio. The apparatus comprises a holographic imaging system for recording or reconstructing a holographic image, having a first numerical aperture and a first focal length and an additional optical system for filtering the signal beam, having a second numerical aperture and a second focal length, wherein the numerical aperture of the additional optical system is less than the numerical aperture of the holographic imaging system and/or the focal length of the additional optical system is greater than the optical length of the holographic imaging system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic recording medium. The novel holographic recording mediums disclosed herein comprises: a) at least one polyfunctional epoxide monomer or oligomer which undergoes acid initiated cationic polymerization. Each epoxide in the monomer or oligomer is linked by group comprising a siloxane to a silicon atom and each monomer or oligomer has an epoxy equivalent weight of greater than about 300 grams/mole epoxide; b) a binder which is capable of supporting cationic polymerization; c) an acid generator capable of producing an acid upon exposure to actinic radiation; and optionally d) a sensitizer.