Abstract: An encoding device for converting m-bit data words into n-bit (both n and m are integers and 2n?2m×2) code words includes a first encoding table in which 2m code words selected from the 2n n-bit code words correspond to 2m m-bit data words, a second encoding table in which 2m code words, which do not overlap with the code words in the first encoding table, of the 2n n-bit code words correspond to 2m m-bit data words, and an encoding unit which selects and outputs a code word, in which an absolute value of a code string DSV is smaller, from code words corresponding to the input m-bit data words in the first encoding table and code words corresponding to the input m-bit data words in the second encoding table.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes a plurality of optically detectable marks disposed on a surface of the optical article; wherein the plurality of optically detectable marks are in a pre-determined combination of a first state and a second state; and at least one first control logic comprising at least one sector; wherein each optically detectable mark is associated with a particular first control logic; wherein each first control logic is executed only when its associated optically detectable mark is in a pre-determined state; and wherein a customized player-readable code is determined using a combination of the plurality of optically detectable marks and their associated first control logic. A method of making the optical article, a method of customizing the optical article, a method and a system for the playback of the optical article are also included.

Abstract: A multilayer optical recording medium includes a plurality of interfacial surfaces that reflect an incident light beam, and neighboring ones of the interfacial surfaces has a spacer therebetween. When a light incident surface side is defined as an upper surface side, a different thickness layer unit including the spacers having different thicknesses arranged sequentially is disposed on the lowermost layer side, and the spacers each having a thickness different from the thickness of any one of the spacers arranged in the different thickness layer unit are sequentially arranged above the different thickness layer unit.

Abstract: In an information recording medium in which storage capacity per recording layer has increased so much that the size of an SBM varies with those of spare areas, there is mutual dependence between a DDS and an SBM and it is difficult to retrieve disc management information as intended. In an information recording medium according to the present invention, if the largest space is allocated to an user data area, the number of blocks to store a space bitmap is Ni (where Ni?2). But if the smallest space is allocated to the user data area, the number of blocks to use is smaller than Ni.

Abstract: A recording medium on which a recording/reproducing unit block is recorded, an apparatus to record and/or reproduce data on/from the recording medium, and a method of recording/reproducing the data on/from the recording medium. The recording/reproducing unit block comprises invalid data used in disc certification, and an identifier to indicate that the invalid data is included in the recording/reproducing unit block, the invalid data being used during the disc certification on a portion of the recording medium or the entire recording medium.

Abstract: A near-field optical disk having surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (SPASER) is provided. The near-field optical disk having SPASER includes a transparent substrate, a first transparent dielectric thin film layer formed on the transparent substrate, a SPASER thin film layer formed on the first transparent dielectric thin film layer, a second transparent dielectric thin film layer formed on the SPASER thin film layer, a recording thin film layer formed on the second transparent dielectric thin film layer, and a third transparent dielectric thin film layer formed on the recording thin film layer.

Abstract: An optical disk recording method includes the steps of: providing a multi-pulse chain from a recording wave; independently changing the pulse rise timing and pulse fall timing (pulse width) of the first pulse in the multi-pulse chain in accordance with a preceding space length and a recording mark length; changing the pulse rise timing and pulse fall timing (pulse width) in accordance with a following space length and the recording mark length in a predetermined timing or in independence; and in relation to the smallest mark recorded by irradiation with mono pulse, changing the rise timing in accordance with the preceding space length and the recording mark length and the fall timing (pulse width) in accordance with the following space length and recording mark length, compensating various optical disks different in recording material without change of the fundamental waveform.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a round opening at the center of the optical disc, an annular recording section configured to record information, an annular supporting section between the round opening and the annular recording section and configured to support the optical disc, and a spoiler provided on a non-read/write side of the annular recording section and configured to disturb the flow field inside the optical disc drive when the optical disc is rotating, the spoiler having a centerline average roughness between 2 ?m and 10 ?m, a thickness between 0.02 mm and 0.05 mm, an area occupying at least 5% of the non-read/write side. The flow field so disturbed changes from a laminar state to a turbulent state and thus the read/write characteristics of the disc is improved due to lower air resistance experienced by the rotating disc.

Abstract: A recording layer is described that is at least partially or entirely positioned at a distance T7 of less than 0.4 mm with respect to the second surface. When the optical recording medium is clamped in a drive, the recording layer has a “higher” position than a recording layer of a known DVD. The layer structure of the described optical recording medium reduces the thickness of the disc in an area of the recording layer. In particular, a thickness T1 of only 0.4 to 0.7 mm is possible while maintaining the reliability of the optical recording medium (i.e. without reading problems in most or all drives). Further, the optical recording medium may have only one substrate, i.e. only one disc of polycarbonate, whereas the other side of the recording layer is only covered by a protective lacquer.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention relates to an optical information recording medium comprising a recording layer, wherein the recording layer comprises a cationic dye and a polynuclear azo metal complex dye comprising an azo dye and a metal ion, and a method of recording information comprising recording information on the recording layer comprised in the optical recording medium, and conducting the recording by irradiation of a laser beam having a wavelength of equal to or shorter than 440 nm onto the optical information recording medium. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a photo sensitizer.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes a disc-shaped substrate, at least one information recording layer formed over a recording/reproducing-side main surface of the substrate, a light transmitting layer formed over the information recording layer, and a protecting layer formed to cover the light transmitting layer and at least one part of a side end surface perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate. At least the part of the side end surface is covered with the protecting layer for covering the recording/reproducing-side main surface, and the surface of the protecting layer covering at least the part of the side end surface has a larger surface roughness than that of the surface of the protecting layer covering the upper of the recording/reproducing-side main surface.

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: An optical disk having a recording layer on a substrate, a bonding layer which is made of an ultraviolet cured resin bonding the recording layer, a transparent layer which is bonded to the bonding layer, and an overcoating layer which is formed on the transparent sheet and is made of the ultraviolet cured resin further has a mixed layer which is formed by mixing the ultraviolet cured resins of the bonding layer and the overcoating layer. Consequently, the bonding layer, the overcoating layer, and the mixed layer are integrally cured, so that the substrate is entirely covered with the ultraviolet cured resin having transparency, which allows a light transmitting layer A to be protected with sufficient strength.

Abstract: A format of a recordable optical recording medium is described. The recordable optical recording medium is designed in such a way that it has the appearance of a read-only optical recording medium for most players and recorders. Also described are a method for manufacturing the recordable optical recording medium and a method for writing to the optical recording medium. The optical recording medium has a recording area and a guide structure for tracking. The guide structure does only extend over one or a few track spirals or concentric tracks outside the recording area. For writing to this optical recording medium a further light beam falling onto the guide structure or already recorded data is used for generating a tracking error signal for a main light beam.

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a user data area and a lead-out area, wherein the user data area and the lead-out area each has grooves and lands formed thereon. Wobbles are formed on at least one lateral surface of grooves of the user data area and the lead-out area, and configured such that wobble characteristics are made different between the user data area and the lead-out area. Different types of wobbles are formed on the grooves of either the user data area or the lead-out area, thereby preventing an optical pickup that performs recording/reproduction from deviating from the user data area. Also, in a multi-layer optical recording medium, a whole area of a recording layer is configured to have a same condition, thereby preventing deterioration in reproduction and/or recording due to a difference in light power transmittance of another recording layer.

Abstract: An optical recording medium in which interference patterns formed from interference between signal light and reference light are recorded as data and a recording/reproducing method and apparatus for the optical recording medium. The optical recording medium including at least a recording layer in which predetermined data is recorded, wherein a thickness of a portion of the recording layer is larger than a thickness of another portion of the recording layer, wherein data is recorded in the thicker region, and the additional information of a recording condition and/or a reproducing condition is recorded in the thinner region.

Abstract: The invention provides an information recording device, an information reproducing device, and an information recording medium capable of securely protecting copyright of main information, and preventing illegal access to the recorded main information. The information recording device (3) is provided with a medium unique information generating section (9) that generates second sub information by data-converting stamper unique information based on disc identification information that differs for each optical disc after transferring main information and first sub information from a stamper (1?) having the main information and the first sub information recorded therein onto an optical disc (1), and a medium unique information recording section (10) that records the second sub information in the optical disc (1) having recorded therein in advance the main information and the first sub information in a form different from the forms of the main information and the first sub information.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to optical disks with a microstructured surface formed on a surface of the optical disk. The microstructured surface may be created to promote the adhesion and prevent the migration of a print material applied to the surface of the optical disk. The microstructured surface may be in the form of a plurality of wells or a plurality of discontinuous raised features in the surface. By forming a microstructured surface on the surface of the disk, the optical disk may not need an additional coating to receive the print material while also retaining the print material at a precise location on the surface. In addition, a plurality of standoff features may be formed in an outer surface of the optical disk to help prevent damage to the surface of the optical disk.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multilayered recording medium. A transmissive stamper with a depression protrusion contour contacts a protection layer on a supporting base. The transmissive stamper is then irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the protection layer and the transmissive stamper is subsequently removed. A recording layer is deposited on the cured protection layer. Further, another recording layer is deposited on the transmissive stamper. Next, an intermediate layer is formed on the recording layer deposited on the transmissive stamper and thereafter, the intermediate layer is attached to the recording layer on the cured protection layer. Then, the transmissive stamper is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to cure the intermediate layer. Thereafter, the supporting base is removed from the protection layer. These steps produce a multilayered optical recording medium.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes a disk-like substrate having a hole in a central portion thereof, and a light-reflective layer, a dye recording layer containing an organic dye, an intermediate layer composed of an inorganic substance, and a light-transmissive layer composed of a resin disposed in that order on one principal surface of the substrate, in which information is recorded/reproduced by irradiation of laser light from the light-transmissive layer side. In the optical information recording medium, the light-transmissive layer covers a surface of the intermediate layer from an inner peripheral edge of the intermediate layer to an outer peripheral edge of the intermediate layer, and a vicinity of an outer peripheral edge of the light-transmissive layer is in contact with the substrate in an annular region extending around an outer peripheral side of the substrate.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for source tagging an optical storage device includes the optical storage device having a first portion adapted to store information and a second portion adjacent the first portion, and an electronic article surveillance tag associated with the second portion.

Abstract: An automated data storage library employing a media accessor, an optical disk drive and a removable disk media. The media accessor includes a cartridge shell gripper. The optical disk drive includes a tape cartridge slot. The removable disk media includes a tape cartridge shell having a structural configuration operable to be physically engaged by the cartridge shell gripper and operable to be physically inserted into the tape cartridge slot by the cartridge shell gripper. The removable disk media further includes one or more optical disks disposed within the tape cartridge shell. A recording surface of each optical disk is extractable, partially or entirely, from the tape cartridge shell by the optical disk drive for writing data onto the optical disk and/or reading data from the optical disk.

Abstract: An optical data storage article is configured to transform from a pre-activated state of functionality to an activated state of functionality. The optical data storage article includes a physical surface modification configured to alter an optical integrity of the optical data storage article upon interaction with an external stimulus.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a substrate with a hub, a data storage area, and an outer ring. The hub defines a center hole. The data storage area extends radially from the hub body and is thinner than the hub at the thickest hub portion. The outer ring protrudes down from the outer perimeter of the data storage area. Thicknesses of the outer ring and the data storage area are of a same order of magnitude. The outer edge of the optical disc thus includes the data storage area and the outer ring.

Abstract: A data storage cartridge includes a housing, a non-tape storage medium contained within the housing, and a stacking feature provided on a top surface of the housing and on a bottom surface of the housing opposite the top surface. The stacking feature is asymmetrical about a first median axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the top surface and the bottom surface of the housing, and asymmetrical about a second median axis oriented substantially perpendicular to a first end of the housing and a second end of the housing opposite the first end. The stacking feature is configured to facilitate positioning of and maintaining a stacked configuration of the data storage cartridge with another data storage cartridge.

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 has a reflecting thin film or label, formed on a surface opposite to a recording surface, to block a beam incident to an inserted disk not to travel up to a lead-in area, which a disk device tries to read first when a disk is placed, in the event that the inserted disk has been misplaced upside down.

Abstract: An optical disc manufacturing apparatus (46) recording a BCA code constituted by plural marks and including a secret code which is modulated in a range capable of recognizing a position in a radial direction of an optical disc and/or a position in a track direction of the plural marks as the BCA code, a BCA history database (44) storing a history including a correspondence between the BCA code of an optical disc (1a) recording the BCA code and the secret code, and a management center (30) reading the BCA code and the secret code recorded on the optical disc so as to compare both on the basis of input of the correspondence between the BCA code and the secret code stored in the BCA history database (44) are employed, whereby an illegally manufactured optical disc (1z) can be easily found by inspecting the recorded BCA code and secret code.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for controlling access to information stored on memory or data storage devices are disclosed. In various embodiments, methods of retrieving information from a data storage device previously deactivated by modification or degradation of at least a portion of the data storage device are disclosed.

Abstract: An optical disc according to the present invention includes a plurality of recording layers; a receiving section for receiving, from outside an optical disc, a switching instruction for switching a target layer to be targeted for recording or reproducing information among the plurality of the recording layers; and a switching section for switching the target layer among the plurality of recording layers, based on the switching instruction received.

Abstract: An optical disc includes a round opening at the center of the optical disc, an annular recording section configured to record information, an annular supporting section between the round opening and the annular recording section and configured to support the optical disc, and a spoiler provided on a non-read/write side of the annular recording section and configured to disturb the flow field inside the optical disc drive when the optical disc is rotating, the spoiler having a centerline average roughness between 2 ?m and 10 ?m, a thickness between 0.02 mm and 0.05 mm, an area occupying at least 5% of the non-read/write side. The flow field so disturbed changes from a laminar state to a turbulent state and thus the read/write characteristics of the disc is improved due to lower air resistance experienced by the rotating disc.

Abstract: The heterocyclic compound of the present invention is represented by general formula (I) and is suitable to forming an optical recording layer in an optical recording medium to which short-wavelength light is applied for recording and playing-back.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use with optical data storage media and related devices.

Abstract: An optical article that can transform from a pre-activated state of functionality to an activated state of functionality is provided. The optical article includes a radio frequency circuitry coupled to the optical article for interacting with a signal, wherein the signal comprises a thermal signal, an electrical signal, or both, and a convertible material in operative association with the radio frequency circuitry for altering the functionality of the optical article from the pre-activated state to the activated state upon interaction with the thermal energy.

Abstract: A high density recording medium with a super-resolution near-field structure including a mask layer comprising high melting point metal oxide or silicon oxide. A high density recording medium with a super-resolution near-field structure includes a sequential stack of a second dielectric layer, a recording layer, a protective layer, a mask layer, a first dielectric layer, and a polycarbonate layer, wherein the mask layer comprises high melting point metal oxide or silicon oxide to generate a near field by optically or thermally inducing physical changes in the crystalline structure and optical properties of the high melting point metal oxide or silicon oxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for permanently rendering data recorded on an optical disc unreadable, comprising a slotted alignment plate and a scarifying component. A disc rests against the plate so that the slot traverses the disc. The scarifying component slides through the slot and contacts the disc surface, thus creating an optically disruptive groove across a surface layer of the optical disc. This disruptive groove can pass through the index and data region and prevents access to previous data and information stored on the disc.

Abstract: A marking device for marking optical discs in a non-destructive, tamper-proof manner for licensing and other purposes such as part of a digital content library service includes top and bottom structures coupled together by a hinge. The bottom structure is adapted with a mounting post in a recessed area defined by opposing curved ledges to hold an optical disc for marking. The top structure is adapted with a removable tool having an embossed symbol for impressing a mark on the held optical disc by applying pressure to the top structure when the device is in a closed position. The top structure is also adapted with perforations for alternatively or additionally injecting a permanent ink onto the optical disc so that a mark defined by the pattern of perforations may be placed on the optical disc.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes a permanent player-readable code comprising a first set of a plurality of optically-detectable marks disposed on the optical article; a second set of plurality of optically-detectable marks disposed on a surface of the optical article; wherein the plurality of optically-detectable marks are in a pre-determined combination of a first state and a second state; and at least one first control logic comprising at least one sector; wherein each optically detectable mark is associated with a particular first control logic; wherein each first control logic is executed only when its associated optically-detectable mark is in a pre-determined state; wherein a customized player-readable code is determined using a combination of the plurality of optically-detectable marks and their associated first control logic; and wherein the optical article is activated when the customized player-readable code is in a pre-determined relationship with the permanent code.

Abstract: An information recording medium manufacturing method includes steps of forming, on a support, a recording layer containing a polymer compound having an azobenzene structure, irradiating the recording layer with first writing light to form a first light-diffracting structure having a three-dimensional relief pattern on the surface of the recording layer, fixing the relief pattern by forming a deformation preventing layer on the surface of the recording layer, and irradiating the recording layer having the fixed relief pattern with second writing light to forcedly inhibit deformation caused by the movement of molecules, thereby forming a second light-diffracting structure having a refractive index change inside the recording layer.

Abstract: A recording medium having a data structure for managing additional content data of main data recorded thereon in accordance with the present invention comprises a data area storing at least one clip file including main data and/or additional content data of the main data; and a navigation area storing a clip information file including information to indicate whether the clip file includes additional content data.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising a read-only type disc and a pre-grooved disc bonded back-to-back to the read-only type disc is provided. Content from the read-only type disc side of the optical recording medium can be reproduced through a standards-compliant optical media player. Content can be recorded by a standards-compliant optical media recorder on the pre-grooved disc side of the optical recording medium.

Abstract: Provided is a form factor disk such as an optical or magnetic disk used in electronic appliances and information appliances. The form factor disk includes: a circular plate having a first hole for inserting a rotational shaft, a plurality of second holes formed adjacent to the first hole, and an information storage region formed at a surface thereof; an upper metal hub located on the circular plate, and having a hole aligned with the first hole of the circular plate and column-shaped joints formed at portions corresponding to the second holes of the circular plate; and a lower metal hub located under the circular plate, and having a hole aligned with the first hole of the circular plate and column-shaped joints formed at portions corresponding to the second holes of the circular plate, wherein the joints of the upper and lower metal hubs are jointed through the second holes.

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: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for antenna designs for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are described.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium includes one or more information layers including a recording layer for recording/reproducing an information signal by irradiation with a laser light, and a seperating layer or a protective substate on which a first information layer of the information layer on the irradiation face side is formed. The seperating layer or the protective substrate having a guide groove spirally or concentrically formed on the surface, and the respective inclined planes on the inner perimeter side and the outer perimeter side of the guide groove having inclined angles ? and ? with respect to the bottom face of the guide groove. The guide groove has one or more dissymmetric regions in the radius direction where the inclined angles ? and ? are different. The information layer has roughly agreeing thicknesses in the inclined face portion on the inner and outer perimeter sides in the dissymmetric region.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information storage medium includes an organic dye material which records information with a light beam having a wavelength equal to or smaller than 620 nm.

Abstract: An optical article for playback in a player includes at least one sector comprising a first control logic configured to set the value of a first register, the first register having a default value before it is set, and a non-default value after it is set, and a first command to be read sequentially after the sector. The first command is configured to direct the player to play a first content on the article if the first register is set to the default value and to direct the player to play a second content on the article if the first register is set to the non-default value. The optical article includes a mark containing an optical state change material disposed on the sector, wherein the mark is in one of a first optical state or a second optical state, and wherein the first control logic can be read only when the mark is in the second optical state.

Abstract: A frequency-modulated coding and data recording and storage device that uses plasmonic-dielectric nanostructures of concentric two-layer core-shell design to store data includes a flat transparent substrate having a top surface divided into cells with side dimension d on the order of tens of nanometers and a core-shell plasmonic-dielectric nanostructure disposed in each cell. Each plasmonic nanostructure of concentric core-shell has a predetermined ratio of radii and a predetermined aspect ratio such that when an infrared or visible wavelength signal is applied to each said core-shell plasmonic-dielectric nanostructure a peak scattering amplitude of the applied signal is at different plasmonic resonance frequencies for core-shell plasmonic-dielectric nanostructures with different ratio of radii and different aspect ratios.

Abstract: An optical disk having a recording layer on a substrate, a bonding layer which is made of an ultraviolet cured resin bonding the recording layer, a transparent layer which is bonded to the bonding layer, and an overcoating layer which is formed on the transparent sheet and is made of the ultraviolet cured resin further has a mixed layer which is formed by mixing the ultraviolet cured resins of the bonding layer and the overcoating layer. Consequently, the bonding layer, the overcoating layer, and the mixed layer are integrally cured, so that the substrate is entirely covered with the ultraviolet cured resin having transparency, which allows a light transmitting layer A to be protected with sufficient strength.

Abstract: An optical disc having machine-readable, information-encoding features is provided with a barrier layer secured to the disc. This barrier layer is configured to prevent machine-reading of the features. A reading-inhibit agent, included in the disc and activated by removal of the barrier layer, is operative, once activated, to alter the disc to inhibit reading of the disc, after some period of time. Alternately, the barrier layer can be eliminated, and the reading-inhibit agent can be activated by initial reading of the disc, as for example by exposure to optical radiation associated with reading of the disc, or rotation of the disc.

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a user data area and a lead-out area, wherein the user data area and the lead-out area each has grooves and lands formed thereon. Wobbles are formed on at least one lateral surface of grooves of the user data area and the lead-out area, and configured such that wobble characteristics are made different between the user data area and the lead-out area. Different types of wobbles are formed on the grooves of either the user data area or the lead-out area, thereby preventing an optical pickup that performs recording/reproduction from deviating from the user data area. Also, in a multi-layer optical recording medium, a whole area of a recording layer is configured to have a same condition, thereby preventing deterioration in reproduction and/or recording due to a difference in light power transmittance of another recording layer.