Abstract: A system for altering a functionality of an optical article from a pre-activated state to an activated state, comprising an optical article comprising an optical data layer for storing data, an external radiation source for generating an external stimulus adapted to interact with the optical article, such interaction causing a change in optical accessibility of optically stored data, a directing material, wherein said directing material is for directing the external stimulus to selective portions of the optical article, thereby altering the functionality of the optical article from a pre-activated state to an activated state; a convertible element capable of responding to the external stimulus to irreversibly alter the optical article from the pre-activated state of functionality to the activated state of functionality, wherein said convertible element comprises a color-shift dye, a magnetic material, a thermo-chromic material, a magneto-optical material, a light scattering material, a phase-change material,

Abstract: A hierarchical storage system has a disc drive, a library apparatus, and a control apparatus. The library apparatus houses a magazine that houses a cartridge. The cartridge has a first tag and stores a storage medium configured to store the data. The magazine has a second tag. The library apparatus acquires through radio communications first information held by the first tag and configured to identify the cartridge and second information held by the second tag and configured to identify the magazine. The library apparatus transmits to the control apparatus the acquired first and second information. The control apparatus memorizes the first and second information, and manages a location of the data based on a data transfer status between the disc drive and the library apparatus and the first information and the second information stored in the first memory.

Abstract: A disc cartridge is provided. The disc cartridge includes: a lower housing having a window for allowing a recorder or reader to access to a read-out surface of a disc; and an upper housing coupled to the lower housing to ejectably receive the disc between the lower housing and the upper housing, and having at least a portion rotatable up and down with respect to one side of the lower housing until the disc can be ejected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling access to a storage medium, such as an optically readable medium. Light sensitive or other materials that are adapted to change state and affect reading of a storage medium are used to control access to data that may be stored on optical medium and/or to control use of the medium.

Abstract: A substantially circular disc of Totally Stable® 2095, wet laid, water based processed, cut away, 3.0 ounce, 0.018 to 0.040 inches, 18 to 40 mils thick, non-woven, 85% Acrylic Latex Polyester and 15% cellulose wood pulp fabric backing material and a substantially circular, releasably attached, spindle adaptor ring is disclosed for protecting laser discs outside of a laser disc drive or container. The spindle adaptor ring holds a fabric protective disc on a laser disc and thereby covering and protecting a laser disc when it is outside of a laser disc drive and container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an article comprising: a pair of substrates comprising a thermoplastic; a holographic recording medium positioned between the substrates such that the holographic recording medium has at least one exposed area; and an environmental barrier seal protecting the at least one exposed area from environmental degradants; wherein the environmental barrier seal comprises: an inner layer adhered to at least one of the substrates and comprising a thermally meltable adhesive; an outer layer comprising a moisture impervious plastic; and an intermediate layer positioned between the inner and outer layers and comprising an moisture and oxygen impervious metallic foil. The present invention also provides a process for forming such an article.

Abstract: A disc cartridge includes a case accommodating a disc and having an aperture hole formed on a first surface of the case so that a recording/reproducing apparatus access a recording surface of the disc, and an open hole formed on a second surface to be open to an outside of the case, a shutter opening/shutting the aperture hole and installed in the case, a disc holder installed at a side defining the open hole to move up and down and covering a gap between an outer circumference of the disc and an inner surface of the side defining the open hole when the disc holder descends, and a shutter driving mechanism moving the shutter so that the aperture hole is open/shut. Thus, a passage through which dust is introduced toward an information area of the disc, and a gap formed at an outer circumference are blocked by the disc holder so that a possibility of contamination by dust can be reduced.

Abstract: A protective cover for a data storage disc such as a compact disc (CD) includes a disc which has a central retainer for engaging the hole in the data storage disc. The protective cover may placed on both the data storage side and the opposite side of the data storage disc. In one embodiment the retainer consists of a plurality of upstanding members disposed on one side of the protective cover, and a corresponding plurality of cavities disposed on the other side of the protective cover. The cavities of one protective cover receive the upstanding members of another protective cover so that a plurality of protective covers may be stacked.

Abstract: A disc cartridge according to the present invention includes a cartridge body and a shutter. The cartridge body includes a disc storage portion, a chucking opening and a head opening. The disc storage portion stores a disc, having first and second sides, therein so that the disc is rotatable in the disc storage portion. The shutter is supported to, and movable with respect to, the cartridge body between the disc and the bottom of the disc storage portion so as to expose or cover the chucking opening and the head opening. The shutter also includes a convex portion that is provided for the shutter so as to protrude into a center hole of the disc while the shutter covers the chucking opening and the head opening. When the shutter is going to be opened, the convex portion lifts the disc in a thickness direction of the cartridge while contacting with the second side of the disc.

Abstract: A recording medium storing a write protection information, and a write protection method for protecting data recorded on a recordable and/or rewritable disc from unwanted overwriting or erasing. In order for write protection of a disc in a bare state that is usually used in a cartridge having a recognition switch for write-protection, such as a DVD-RAM, write protection information is recorded in a Lead-in area, a Lead-out area or a recording information area other than a user data area of the disc, and the data is protected from unwanted overwriting or erasing using the write protection information. Also, even though the write protection information stored on a disc does not match the state of a recognition switch of a case for write-protection, the data can be prevented from unwanted overwriting or erasing. Thus, the write protection can be ensured when a recordable and/or rewritable recording medium, such as DVD-RAM, DVD-R and DVD-RW, is used in a bare state.

Abstract: An information recording medium cartridge with a disc, a cartridge casing having the disc accommodated therein, and a shutter slidably mounted to the cartridge casing. The shutter has a first shutter plate for opening and closing a recording and/or reproducing opening of the cartridge casing and a second shutter plate for opening and closing the recording and/or reproducing opening on another side. The first and second shutter plates are independently movable between first and second positions for closing and opening the recording and/or reproducing openings.

Abstract: A disk case in which the downsizing of a disk is enabled, maintaining the ease of handling in the same manner as the current 8-cm disk cartridge, and that can be mounted on the current 12-cm drive by using a simplified adapter is provided. The shape of the disk case that involves an 8-cm disk is not a square but almost a circle. Further, the opening width of the disk case is 39 mm or more. An arm for ejecting the disk is arranged at the disk case opening side.

Abstract: A disk cartridge is provided which, with a small number of parts, can reduce manufacturing costs and facilitate assembly. In particular, the disk cartridge can be assembled easily even if a disk medium is small-sized. Case members of a same configuration are superposed together so as to form a case. Shutter members of a same configuration are disposed so as to correspond to openings of the case members. A lock member and a spring member are provided in common for the two shutter members. The case members of the same configuration and the shutter members of the same configuration are used, and only one lock member and only one spring member are provided. Thus, a number of parts can be reduced, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and assembly can be facilitated.

Abstract: A disc cartridge according to the present invention includes a cartridge body and a shutter. The cartridge body includes a disc storage portion, a chucking opening and a head opening. The disc storage portion stores a disc, having first and second sides, therein so that the disc is rotatable in the disc storage portion. The shutter is supported to, and rotatable with respect to, the cartridge body between the second side of the disc and the bottom of the disc storage portion so as to expose or cover the chucking opening and the head opening.