Abstract: A pipe support may include a body. The body may include a first side. The first side may include a channel defined along a length of the body. The body may further include a second side opposite the first side. The second side may include a first planar surface. The body may further include a third side. The third side may include a concave surface defined along the length of the body. The body may further include a fourth side opposite the third side. The fourth side may include a second planar surface.

Abstract: An RFID device, where the antenna of the device is made of an optical media material. This optical material may be used to store optical data in a number of different forms, including as holograms and as pits having comparatively greater or lesser reflectivity compared to surrounding media. Alternatively, the RFID device includes optical media stores a security feature used to authenticate the RFID device.

Abstract: A reader/writer device for flexible data cards is disclosed. The device includes a pair of pivotal arms which are adapted to receive a data card in a flat position and then to bend the card into a substantially cylindrical shape. A rotatable transducer is located so that its axis of rotation coincides with the axis of the cylindrically bent data card. The recording medium on the data card faces the transducer such that the transducer scans in lines which are parallel to the data tracks set forth on recording medium. High speed data reading and writing may be accomplished in this manner.

Abstract: A data card recording system having a rotatable drum for supporting a plurality of data cards on its circumferential surface. A light source emits a beam which is modulated in response to data and directed to the cards on the rotating drum. The beam produces data spots in a plurality of parallel tracks aligned in the direction of drum rotation on a recording strip whose length is parallel to the drum axis. The focusing optics may be moved transversely to record in adjacent tracks. A data segment accessed from a data source and stored in a register of a microprocessor is recorded on a track on each card on the drum. A data control, controlling modulation rate, and a position detector unit are provided to synchronize the light beam modulation with the drum rotation rate. Drums and optical system embodiments are described for both reflectively and transmissively read data cards.

Abstract: A data card recording system having a rotatable drum for supporting a plurality of data cards on its circumferential surface. A laser light source emits a beam which is modulated in response to data and directed to the cards on the rotating drum. The beam produces data spots in a plurality of parallel tracks aligned in the direction of drum rotation. The focussing optics may be moved transversely to record in adjacent tracks. A data segment accessed from a data source and stored in a register of a microprocessor is recorded on a track on each card on the drum. A data control, controlling modulation rate, and a position detector unit are provided to synchronize the light beam modulation with the drum rotation rate. Drums and optical system embodiments are described for both reflectively and transmissively read data cards.

Abstract: Data cards are formed by writing a succession of latent images on a first web of photosensitive film, developing the film and then joining the film with a web of high resolution laser optical recording tape. The webs may be joined in either back-to-back or front-to-back relationship. In the first case there is an eye readable image on one side and formatted optical recording tape on the opposite side. In the second case an eye readable image is optionally adjacent optical recording tape, but on different layers, with both readable from the same side through a transparent substrate or base. The composite web is cut transversely to its lengthwise dimension into a plurality of wallet size members. Bar code is recorded together with the latent image so that in checking cards for quality control purposes, defective cards may be correlated with particular images in order that a defective card be recreated.

Abstract: An optical data storage medium, such as a data card with a strip of optical data storage material, having peelable transparent protective layers adhered above the storage material. When a protective layer becomes too scratched to read or write through, it may be removed by peeling. More than one layer may be adhered successively above one another, and removed one by one as they become scratched. The peelable protective layers are preferably adhesive tapes made of Aclar, Mylar, polyester, or other hard-to-tear polymers with pressure sensitive adhesive. One or more of the layers, and an underlayer between substrate or card base and the storage material may be a water barrier material such as a polytrichlorofluoroethylene.

Abstract: A protective envelope having an adhesive flap which lifts open to expose a data storage area of a data card, allowing data to be read while the card remains protected in the envelope. The flap may be then closed over and readhered to the card. The envelope comprises a base and a cover panel bonded at three edges to form a pocket for card storage. The cover panel is made up of a pair of fixed edge stripes bonded to respective opposed side edges of the base and a liftable flap bonded to a back edge of the base. Envelope materials are preferably a transparent, flexible plastic, but only the flap need be flexible. The flap may extend beyond and fold over a front edge of the base and adhere to an underside of the base. An alternative embodiment of the envelope provides two flaps, bonded to respective front and back edges of a base, which open from the center.

Abstract: A cassette having a drawer composed of a rigid support shelf and one or two data cards mounted to the shelf, and a rigid cassette case having sides defining a slot at a front end in the case for edgewise insertion of the drawer into the case. The drawer has at least one and preferably two holes at a front end therein coinciding with notches in sides of the case. A boss on either the drawer or the case is received by a groove in the other when the cassette is closed, thereby forming a detent. A second boss and groove may be provided on the opposite side. Each data card may be composed of a thin backing sheet adhered to the shelf, a strip of laser recording material disposed on the backing sheet and a transparent scratch-resistant plastic cover disposed over the strip.

Abstract: An optical data storage medium, such as a data card with a strip of optical data storage material, having a thickness approximately that of a credit card and one or more moisture barrier layers. One of the moisture barrier layers is an underlayer between substrate or card base and the storage material, while a second moisture barrier layer is one or more of the transparent laminating sheet and protective layers adhered above the storage material. The barrier layers may be any of the transparent materials, having a maximum moisture vapor transmission rate of 0.1 grams water vapor/100 inch square/mil/24 hours at 38 C and 90% relative humidity, such as polytrichlorofluoroethylene and polyvinylidene chloride. The underlayer may also be a nontransparent aluminum layer.

Abstract: A laser recording apparatus for optically recording information on a medium. A laser radiates a beam through an off-center lens. The lens deflects and focusses the beam onto a recording medium at a slight angle. The reflected beam returns through the lens on the opposite side of the optic axis from the incident beam. A mirror in the optical path directs the beam to a photodetector. The apparatus has broadband capabilities and is particularly useful at eliminating unwanted optical feedback when recording onto media having a birefringent protecting layer. Recording errors due to dirt and scratches may be detected by a second embodiment that has two lasers emitting light of different frequencies which upon reflection are detected and compared.

Abstract: A method for protecting the recording surfaces of optical data storage and recording tape provides the tape edges with protuberances formed by plastic coatings, embossments or thickness gradients of the recording material.

Abstract: A tape cartridge for optical data recording and storage tape has a large diameter capstan tangent on three sides to transparent windows. Simultaneous operations may be performed both widthwise and lengthwise on the tape tracks by multiple laser energy beams and detectors. The capstan may be driven by external mechanical or magnetic means.