Abstract: In some embodiments, a record stabilizer is configured to fit both common size spindle holes (e.g., as commonly found in 12? singles or LPs) and larger hole types (e.g., as commonly found in 7? 45 rpm singles, typically referred to as “45s”). In some embodiments, the stabilizer achieves this functionality using one side that is substantially flat (for common size spindle holes) and another side with a built-in adapter to protrude into larger spindle holes. In some embodiments, the record stabilizer also serves as an adapter, e.g., allowing 45s to be played on turntables with common size spindles without using any other adapter.

Abstract: A ground member of a personal electronic device includes a base and a first deflection arm formed of a portion of the base. The first deflection arm exposes a cutout portion of the base and is bent along a first bend line. The cutout portion is dimensioned to engage with a complementary dimensioned support member and the first deflection arm is configured to deflect and engage with the support member in response to insertion of the support member in the cutout portion. The ground member further includes a second deflection arm extending from the base and bent along a second bend line.

Abstract: An electronic hand-held device, for example a mobile phone (10), includes a first unit (cover 12) and a second unit (keypad unit 14). The device (10) has a first configuration in which the first unit (12) is in a contracted position, and the second unit (14) is in a depressed position and positioned beneath the first unit (12); and a second configuration in which the first unit (12) is in a fully extended position, the second unit (14) is in a fully raised position, and the upper surfaces (12u, 14u) of the first and second units are adjacent to each other. The movement of the second unit (14) depends on the movement of the first unit (12) by moveable guide members (40) mounted along the lateral edges of the device (10). The guide member (40) may include a guide surface (140) shaped to hold the second unit (14) firmly in position in fully raised position.

Abstract: An optical disc reproduction apparatus as electronic apparatus comprises a lock lever for keeping a battery pack attached to a case. The lock lever comprises a lever body and a tongue portion extending from the lever body in a length direction of the lever body. A tongue portion of the lock lever is inserted into the case through an operation opening of the case. The tongue portion is allowed to temporarily escape to a tongue portion escape section of the case, and the entire lever body is housed in the case through the operation opening, so as to assemble the lock lever to the case. This prevents ends of the lever body from being exposed to the operation opening in any position of the lock lever assembled to the case, making it possible to easily assemble the lock lever, and preventing the assembled lock lever from easily falling off.

Abstract: Provided is a small form factor optical/magnetic disk including an integrated metal hub and a disk plate. The integrated metal hub includes a circular upper metal hub and a circular lower metal hub integrally formed with and disposed under the upper metal hub. The circular lower metal hub has a smaller diameter smaller than the upper metal hub. A central hole is formed in central portions of the upper and lower metal hubs and passes through the upper and lower metal hubs. The disk plate has a through-hole that is formed in a central portion and is directly associated with the integrated metal hub, and a recess that is formed around the through-hole and allows the upper metal hub to be mounted therein. Since the central portion of the small form factor optical/magnetic disk is not thick, the small form factor optical/magnetic disk can contribute to an ultra thin small form factor information storage device. Also, since manufacturing processes are simple, price and quality competitiveness can be enhanced.

Abstract: A disc shaped optical record carrier with special disc shape modifications at the inner edge (edge of the centre hole), and/or the clamping area, and/or the outer edge (edge in rim area) is provided so that a disc that is thicker than the currently manufactured discs can be properly played back although the current playback devices are adapted to the thinner currently manufactured discs.

Abstract: A compact high-density optical disc capable of securing recording/reproducing characteristics and high-density recording capacity. The high-density optical disc has a whole diameter of 80 mm or less to 28 mm, a whole thickness in a range of 0.3–0.7 mm, and a position where data starts being recorded in a range of 27–45 mm of the diameter. Thus, an existing disc drive can be used, the size of the high-density optical disc can be reduced, and high-density recording capacity can be secured.

Abstract: An optical disk of the type rotated by a spindle positioned in a centrally-located hole, and including a disk body including an annular data area, and a centrally-located, integrally-formed annular web positioned radially inward from the annular data area and covering a hole formed in the disk body. The annular web is formed sufficiently thin to be deflected upwardly out of the plane of the disk body by the spindle during placement on the spindle and during rotation. The web may be broken away from the disk, or made sufficiently thin and resilient that it will deform upwardly when placed on the spindle and resume its former position when removed.

Abstract: There is provided an optical recording medium, in which a light transmitting layer is formed on a disc substrate, having less deflection and being excellent in recording/reproducing properties. In an optical disc, an information signal area on which an information signal can be recorded and/or reproduced is formed on a major surface of a disc substrate thereof; a light transmitting layer which can transmit a laser beam used in a process for recording and/or reproducing the information signal is formed on a side on which the information signal area is present; and a clamp reference plane is arranged on a major surface of the light transmitting layer in a clamp region.

Abstract: Holographic data storage media having a sandwiched construction are described in which a holographic recording material is sandwiched between two substrates. The substrates may be formed with fluid containment features in proximity to outer edges of the respective substrates. Also, the substrates may be formed with centerpieces that are recessed relative to the outer surfaces of the respective substrates. Such substrate features can improve and simplify the media fabrication process and may improve media quality.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, according to the present invention, is a method of manufacturing an optical recording medium, in which a resin layer is formed by spin-coating a coating liquid (R) on a substrate (D) having a central portion thereof formed with a central mounting hole (1a), and the method comprises causing a rubber chuck (14) that is capable of being elastically deformed at least in radial directions and thereby closing the central mounting hole of the substrate, to undergo elastic deformation to perform chucking, whereby the substrate (D) is fixed to the turntable (12), and after dropping the coating liquid (R) onto a central portion of the rubber chuck (14), causing the turntable (12) to rotate to thereby spin-coat the coating liquid (R). This makes it possible to reliably and easily form excellent resin layer while enhancing productivity.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided which has a substrate and a signal recording layer provided on the substrate and in which an information signal is recorded in the form of microscopic pits. A light beam is focused on the signal recording layer and some change of the light beam carried by a return light from the signal recording layer is detected to read the information signal recorded on the signal recording layer. The optical recording medium has a diameter of 65 mm or less and a thickness of 0.4 to 0.7 mm. An information signal recording area extends outwardly from a radial position of 12.5 mm or less from the center of the medium. The ratio in area between the information signal recording area and non-signal recording area is 3.4 or more. The storage capacity of this medium is 2 gigabytes or more. The optical recording medium has formed at the center thereof a center hole around which an annular table-abutment convexing to one side of the medium is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a three-dimensional optical memory medium capable of recording and reading a large quantity of information therein and therefrom, and a process for producing the same. A recording pulsed laser beam is applied to an arbitrary position in a luminescent-ion-containing solid medium as the solid medium is three-dimensionally moved relative to a converging point of the pulsed laser beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical disk. The present invention includes a plate having a first area enabling to record information thereon and a second area unable to record the information thereon and a projection on the second area of the plate. Accordingly, the present invention enables to form a protecting layer having a uniform thickness thereon.

Abstract: A recording medium for information signals including a substrate, a signal recording layer provided on one major surface of the substrate and a clamp member having a positioning unit at its center portion and formed of a material that can be magnetically attracted by a magnet. The clamp member is unified to the center portion of the substrate so that the surface of the clamp member will be flush with the substrate surface.

Abstract: A harmonic responsive electronic article surveillance marker is associated with a central, non-recorded region and/or a peripheral non-recorded region of an optically recorded or recordable media. The marker comprising at least one elongated strip, optionally having an arcuate configuration, and composed of soft magnetic material adapted to generate a harmonic signal voltage in the presence of an applied magnetic field which provides the marker with signal identity. Advantageously, the marker is inexpensive to construct. It is readily attached to or embedded in the non-recorded region and/or the peripheral non-recorded region, and generates a high amplitude, harmonic signal voltage having significantly increased detection sensitivity. With these attributes, the marker is especially suited for electronic surveillance of recorded media such as compact disks, digital video disks, laser disks and the like.

Abstract: A disc with a plurality of rough passages. The rough passages are arranged on the top surface around a through hole of the disc, or on the ring protrusion of the readable under-surface. The rough passages are formed by printed ink or by punching the surface of the disc, and reduce vacuum adhesion between disks when stacked.

Abstract: An improved optical disc is provided that comprises a substantially transparent substrate, one surface of which carries optical data structures comprising pits and lands radially outward of a clamp area of the disc. In the clamp area a protrusion structure is provided above the first surface to create a clamp thickness greater than the thickness of the rest of the disc. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, only a portion of the clamp area is covered by the protrusions, which emulate a disc having a clamp area of greater thickness. In order to reduce warping caused by shrinkage of material added to the clamp area, the amount of material used to form the protrusions is less than 5% of the amount of material used to form the rest of the clamp area.

Abstract: A high density disc having a data area which is set such that compatibility is secured in the same drive while maintaining a superior recording and/or reproducing feature. The high density disc has a center hole, a clamping area, a data area where user data is recorded, a lead-in area located at the inner side of the data area, and a lead-out area located at the outer side of the data area. In the high density disc in which the diameter of the center hole is 10 mm or more, the inner diameter of the clamping area is characteristically within a range of 20-26 mm. Also, the inner diameter of the data area is characteristically within a range of 35-40 mm. Therefore, while a conventional disc drive is still used, the size of the high density disc decreases and a recording capacity can be increased.

Abstract: A compact high-density optical disc capable of securing recording/reproducing characteristics and high-density recording capacity. The high-density optical disc has a whole diameter of 80 mm or less to 28 mm, a whole thickness in a range of 0.3-0.7 mm, and a position where data starts being recorded in a range of 27-45 mm of the diameter. Thus, an existing disc drive can be used, the size of the high-density optical disc can be reduced, and high-density recording capacity can be secured.

Abstract: A label for an optical disc having a non-circular perimeter includes a sheet having a non-circular having a non-circular perimeter and a central aperture disposed in a sheet which has a perimeter for enabling registration of a label with an optical disc in order to provide for balanced rotation of the optical disc in order to provided for balanced rotation of the optical disc with the label fixed thereto. The sheet may be provided with an adhesive for fixing a sheet to the optical disc.

Abstract: A disk-type recording for protection of media recording and/or reproduction units, including an information recording surface portion disposed around a center hole and a crack hindering element to hinder the generation of a crack at the center hole from advancing to an outer edge of the disk-type recording media. The crack hindering element includes at least one annular protrusion portion protruded around the center hole.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a first substrate having a first central opening, a first signal layer formed on one of the surfaces of the first substrate, a second substrate having a second central opening, a second signal layer formed on one of the surfaces of the second substrate, and a hub having a central longitudinal axis. The first substrate and the first signal layer are designed such that a first central longitudinal axis of the first opening substantially coaxially aligns with a first central longitudinal axis of the first signal layer, and the second substrate and the second signal layer are designed such that a second central longitudinal axis of the second opening substantially coaxially aligns with a second central longitudinal axis of the second signal layer. The first substrate, the second substrate and the hub are bonded together with the result of substantially coaxially alignment of the central longitudinal axis of the first signal layer, the second signal layer and the hub.

Abstract: A clamp plate retaining surface, a handling surface positioned outside the outer circumference of the clamp plate retaining surface, and an information surface outside the outer circumference of the handling surface are provided in a substrate. The handling surface is formed to be a slope with its outer circumferential side being inclined downward with respect to the information surface. The resin forming the inner circumferential side end of the handling surface is melted and deformed to form a projection part, so that a clamp plate can be retained. Since the top part of the slope is deformed, a large projection part can be formed. As a result, a thin small-diameter optical disk and substrate can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high-density disk that is structured to prevent a collision of an optical pickup's objective lens with the high-density disk if the disk is placed upside down in a disk device that is able to record and reproduce signals to/from the high-density disk. A high-density disk recording medium according to the present invention is structured such that, wherein a recording layer having high-density pit patterns is offset from a center plane of disk thickness, a center hole of the disk recording medium is asymmetric in shape with respect to the center plane where, for example, both entrances of the center hole have mutually different diameters.

Abstract: A sound carrier for a sound illustrated book having a spiral shaped sound groove and adjustment perforations arranged outside of the same and symmetrical with its center axis. At least one, but preferably two, of the adjustment perforations are designed in a circular form such that they surround with small clearance aligning feet of a sound reproducing device placed upon the sound carrier which has a rotating sound pickup, whereas other adjacent and opposite adjustment perforations in an upper side of the sound carrier are each surrounded by an upwardly protruding annular bead. This allows at first one or two aligning feet to be inserted into the adjustment perforations, whereupon the sound reproducing device is pivoted so that the two other aligning feet engage the two round adjustment perforations. As a result, it is necessary to monitor one or two adjustment perforations only when placing the sound reproducing device on the sound carrier.

Abstract: A recession is provided on the outer side of a data area of a disc, and this recession is provided so as to extend over a front side or a reverse side of the disc and a disc outer periphery end surface. By arranging one or more recessions on the front side or the reverse side, the front and reverse sides (side A/side B) of the disc or a type of the disc can be recognized.

Abstract: A magneto-optical disc is prepared having substrates made from polycarbonate, on which recording layers are formed to serve as signal recording medium sections facing each other via a spacer. The magneto-optical disc is also provided with a clamp portion formed in such a way that when the magneto-optical disc is mounted on an optical disc recording and/or reproduction apparatus having an objective lens with a focal distance L0 the recording layer is positioned at a distance L1 which is equal to a focal distance of the objective lens obtained in the substrate via refraction.

Abstract: A disk-type recording for protection of media recording and/or reproduction units, including an information recording surface portion disposed around a center hole and a crack hindering element to hinder the generation of a crack at the center hole from advancing to an outer edge of the disk-type recording media. The crack hindering element includes at least one annular protrusion portion protruded around the center hole.

Abstract: A magneto-optical disc is prepared so as to have substrates made from polycarbonate, on which recording layers are formed so as to serve as signal recording medium sections facing to each other via a spacer. The magneto-optical disc is also provided with a clamp portion formed in such a way that when the magneto-optical disc is mounted on an optical disc recording and/or reproduction apparatus having an objective lens with a focal distance L0, the recording layer is positioned at a distance L1 which is equal to a focal distance of the objective lens obtained in the substrate via reflection.

Abstract: A substrate disk consists of a first and a second substrate connected to one another wherein the first and second substrates have center holes. The first substrate has at least one projection positioned at the circumference of the center hole and projecting from the face of the substrate. In a preferred embodiment an annular projection surrounding the center hole is provided.

Abstract: A disc-like recording medium provided with a disc substrate having a hole at its center and a circular information recording area at its surface that is concentric with the hole, and a hub that is fitted to the hole, wherein the disc substrate has a relief portion thereon for position alignment of the hub.

Abstract: An optical disc has a data disc, a transparent disc to enclose and protect the data disc and an annular control chip securely attached to the clamping area of the transparent disc. The control chip records the data area allocation. Consequently, the data area allocation written in the control chip will not be copied by conventional copying techniques. An infringing disc will not work even when all of the data files on the data disc are completely copied. Therefore, a good security is provided, and infringement can be avoided. In addition, the optical disc can work as a smart card after bonding with a chip on it. The function of the optical disc can be improved.

Abstract: A disk rotating device containing: a rotating plate having a support part on which a disk is mounted, which a motor drives to rotate; a centering member provided on the center of the rotating plate and moveable in the direction of the rotational center axis of the rotating plate, which is inserted through the center hole of the disk to thereby center the disk; and an enabling member provided in a space between the rotating plate and the centering member, which projects out the centering member above the support part. Further, when the minimum value of the diameter of the center hole of the disk is given by Dmin and the maximum value thereof is given by Dmax, the maximum outer diameter &phgr;A of the centering member is set within a range of Dmin<&phgr;A<Dmax.

Abstract: An optical disc 1 has formed in an area inside the inner circumference of an information recording area 2 formed thereon concentric or spiral continuous or discontinuous recesses 4a at a lager pitch than the track pitch in the information recording area 2. The optical disc is manufactured by installing a hub 5 substantially in the center of an optical disc substrate with reference to the recesses 4a by positioning the hub 5 with respect to the optical disc substrate. A stamper for manufacturing the optical disc substrates is produced by exposing a photoresist layer 11 to a laser beam by turning on and off the laser beam while rotating a glass substrate 10 having the photoresist layer 11 applied thereon and scanning the laser beam radially of the glass substrate 10.

Abstract: A storage medium having a conducting path to dissipate electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A disk recording member includes a main body and a center hub mounted in a center hole of the main body. The center hub includes upper and lower hub components for holding upper and lower sides of the main body and a screw for connecting the upper and lower hub components.

Abstract: An optical disc capable of preventing damages on a printing plate and an injection compression molding die capable of producing such optical disc substrate without raising the accuracy of the die are provided. An optical disc substrate according to one embodiment of the present invention has a ring-formed projected portion on the outer periphery of the printable plane slightly recessed inwardly from the outer edge of the disc. Such optical disc substrate can be produced using a molding die in which a readout-side mirror has a ring-formed groove on the inner surface thereof in the vicinity of a sliding portion between such readout-side mirror and a cavity ring.

Abstract: An optical disc storage system (10) includes an optical disc (12) having a data surface (70) and a transducing element (30) adjacent the data surface (70). An actuator (22) coupled to the transducing element (30) positions the transducing element (30) relative to the data surface (70). The system (10) includes a spindle motor (90) and a controller (34) coupled to the transducing element (30), the actuator (22) and the spindle motor (90) for reading and writing information on the data surface (70). A hub insert (72) is coupled to the optical disc (12) and has a stiffness which is greater than a stiffness of the optical disc (12). An attachment mechanism (94, 96, 98) couples the hub insert (72) to the spindle motor (90) and stress due to the attachment mechanism (94, 96, 98) remains substantially in the hub insert (72) to thereby limit stress applied to the optical disc (12) and the resultant distortion of the optical disc (12).

Abstract: This invention relates to marking the genuine CD in an easily detectable way while difficult to counterfeit. The improved CD has within its layers a second structured surface parallel to the flat surfaces of the CD. The second structured surface acts as a diffractive security device, that is to be read out from the same side of the CD, the verso side, as the data structure. In one example, the second structured surface is defined by a step of the refractive index or by a transparent reflective layer. Despite the diffractive rainbow colors observed on the verso side of the CD, the structure of the security device can be read out visually and/or with a CD-reader, even by a simple hand-held reader, and verified without the need of a bulky apparatus. A CD-reader prevents the playing of embodiments of the improved CDs.

Abstract: A turntable is a table mounted to a shaft (4) of a spindle motor and the turntable supports a laminated disc thereon and drives the disc in rotation. The laminated disc includes a lower disc and an upper disc stacked on the lower disc, and is supported on a disc-supporting surface. When the disc is loaded on the turntable, a fitting member fits into the center hole of the laminated disc for centering the laminated disc with respect to the shaft. The fitting member fits the center hole of the lower disc when the laminated disc is supported on said disc-supporting surface. The turntable may include a tapered member which guides the laminated disc to the disc-supporting surface. The laminated disc includes lower and upper discs each having an edge which defines the center hole. The corners of the edges are cut away along a circumference of the center hole. The upper and lower discs are placed together so that the cut-away corner directly face each other.

Abstract: A base plate for a suspension assembly in a hard disk drive wherein the base plate has a hardened flange and soft hub. The base plate is stamped in a progressive die in a sequence of forging and coining operations. The base plate is subsequently fully annealed to allow the material to yield at a low stress level so that the hub will create a press fit against the inner wall of an actuator arm boss hole. The base plate is passed through a secondary coining operation following the annealing step to work-harden the flange portion only. The result is a base plate with a flange portion that is hardened and a hub portion that is softer than the flange portion. The advantage is that the hardened flange is more resistant to deformation of a load beam welded thereto and the hub is more disposed to plastically deform and harden during swaging which is desirable for maintaining a press fit.

Abstract: Optical storage system including a disc drive and an optical media having a low radial total indicated runout and method of manufacturing such media. The optical media includes a disc substrate having a formatted surface and a center hole. A disc alignment mechanism is provided, wherein the concentric registration of the formatted surface is specified relative to the disc alignment mechanism. A hub having a center hole is positioned at the disc center hole, wherein the hub center hole is centered relative to the disc alignment mechanism. The disc drive includes a drive spindle and a center pin extending from the drive spindle for centering the drive spindle to the optical media.

Abstract: A plastic disc for storing digital information is disclosed. The disc comprises a plastic platter that is integrally formed concentrically around a metal portion. The disc may have an inner plastic portion located on an inside rim of the metal portion. Preferably, the metal portion has a flange on its rim surface to enhance bonding with the plastic. In another embodiment, the disc may be formed entirely of plastic, and include a clip for attaching the disk to a spindle motor. A disc drive that cooperates with the disc devices, and a method of forming discs is also disclosed.

Abstract: A turntable is a table mounted to a shaft (4) of a spindle motor and the turntable supports a laminated disc thereon and drives the disc in rotation. The laminated disc includes a lower disc and an upper disc stacked on the lower disc, and is supported on a disc-supporting surface. When the disc is loaded on the turntable, a fitting member fits into the center hole of the laminated disc for centering the laminated disc with respect to the shaft. The fitting member fits the center hole of the lower disc when the laminated disc is supported on said disc-supporting surface. The turntable may include a tapered member which guides the laminated disc to the disc-supporting surface. The laminated disc includes lower and upper discs each having an edge which defines the center hole. The corners of the edges are cut away along a circumference of the center hole. The upper and lower discs are placed together so that the cut-away corner directly face each other.

Abstract: An apparatus is described that includes an optical disk, adapted to be read by an optical reader, comprising a first sector having substantially self-contained assay means for localizing an analyte suspected of being in a sample to at least one, predetermined location in the first sector and a second sector containing control means for conducting the assay and analyte location information, with respect to one or more analytes suspected of being in a sample, accessible to the reader, wherein the presence or absence of the analyte at said location is determinable by the reader using the control means and the location information. Depending on the nature of the assay, the disk will include fluid storage means, fluid transfer means, such as one or more capillary ducts, valves, batteries, dialyzers, columns, filters, sources of electric fields, wires or other electrical conductive means such as metallic surface deposits and the like.

Abstract: A display device is provided comprising one or more masking discs being printed on a surface and a transparent area for viewing printed matter on a substrate disc such as a compact disc. A masking disc or a protective layer includes a bushing extending through a central hole of the compact disc so that each masking disc and substrate disc are rotatably mounted relative to each other. The bushing cooperates with a securing disc to maintain the masking discs and substrate disc together. A magnetic layer secured to the substrate disc comprises means for mounting the display device on a substrate independent of the display device.

Abstract: Hubless optical disc having low radial runout. The optical disc is capable of containing a high capacity of information therein. The optical disc includes a disc substrate having a formatted surface. A mechanism is provided within the disc substrate for mating the optical disc with a drive spindle, wherein the formatted surface is concentrically registered relative to the mechanism within the disc substrate. In one embodiment, the mechanism may comprise an annular groove, annular ridge, or a plurality of holes molded in the disc substrate. The present invention includes optical tooling for forming the hubless optical disc having low radial runout. The present invention further includes an optical disc player drive spindle capable of mating with the high-capacity hubless optical disc.

Abstract: An optical disc substrate having a reduced thickness and sufficient rigidity is provided which can be of a single-plate structure. It can be compatible with a magneto-optic recording and also with a conventional disc driving means. The substrate consists of a disc supporting portion (21) formed around the center of the substrate and of which one side (21a) provides a surface at which the disc is to be mounted on a disc driving means, and a recording portion (22) formed between the disc supporting portion (22) and a circumference of the substrate and of which one side (22a) provides a recording surface. The disc supporting portion (21) is designed thicker than the recording portion (22) so that the disc supporting surface (21a) and the recording surface (22a) will not lie together in a sample plane. A recess 25 may be formed between the recording portion (22) and disc supporting portion (21), and also a projection (27) may be formed along the circumference of the side (22b).

Abstract: A disk hub of the present invention is provided with a hub's main body to which a magnetic plate is attached, an energy director for ultrasonically joining the disk, and a center hole to which a disk-drive spindle is inserted. The hub's main body, the energy director and the circumferential edge of the center hole are integrally molded into one part from a hard synthetic resin with which an abrasion-resistant resin in fine powder form such as, for example, fluororesin is blended. Thus, the friction resistance of the circumferential edge of the center hole is reduced, and abrasion of the center hole is also reduced even after repeated inserting and removing operations of the spindle into and from the center hole. Moreover, when, for example, poly-tetra-fluoroethylene, which is easily available at low costs, is used as the fluororesin, it becomes possible to provide an inexpensive disk hub, and also to reduce the friction resistance of the circumferential edge of the center hole effectively.