Abstract: An optical disc recording medium includes: a substrate; at least one recording layer formed on at least one side of the substrate; and a cover layer formed on the substrate and the recording layer. The cover layer having a first thickness with reference to a surface of the substrate, in an inside of a circle having a first radius from a center of the substrate. The cover layer having a second thickness larger than the first thickness with reference to the surface of the substrate, on a circumference having a second radius longer than the first radius from the center of the substrate. The cover layer having a third thickness smaller than the first thickness with reference to the surface of the substrate, on a circumference having a third radius longer than the first radius and shorter than the second radius from the center of the substrate.

Abstract: Technology is provided for digital optical disc magazines. The disc magazine includes a cabinet, at least one disc drive positioned within the cabinet, and a plurality of drawers disposed in the cabinet. A plurality of disc trays are disposed in the plurality of drawers and each disc tray includes a plurality of disc locations. A bi-directional disc pusher is supported on a gantry between adjacent drawers and is positionable along the adjacent drawers proximate a selected target disc location corresponding to one of the plurality of disc locations. A robotic gripper is positionable adjacent the target disc location and operative to grip a disc pushed at least partially from the target disc location by the disc pusher and to transport the disc to the disc drive.

Abstract: An optical disc of a thicker supporting section and a thinner recording section is characterized by: a reinforcement section of a predetermined width which overlaps a supporting section and a recording section. With the reinforcement section, the structure of the optical disc is strengthened, and the resonant frequency of the optical disc is raised, so that the vibration of the optical disc is suppressed and the disc is suitable for high speed (16× up) reading/writing. The optical disc comprises: a circular opening disposed in the center of the optical disc; an annular recording section; an annular supporting section disposed between the annular recording section and the circular opening, wherein the annular supporting section is thicker than the annular recording section; and an annular reinforcement section which is disposed on one of the two sides of the optical disc and overlaps the annular supporting section and the annular recording section.

Abstract: An optical disc of a thicker supporting section and a thinner recording section is characterized by: a reinforcement section of a predetermined width which overlaps a supporting section and a recording section. With the reinforcement section, the structure of the optical disc is strengthened, and the resonant frequency of the optical disc is raised, so that the vibration of the optical disc is suppressed and the disc is suitable for high speed (16× up) reading/writing. The optical disc comprises: a circular opening disposed in the center of the optical disc; an annular recording section; an annular supporting section disposed between the annular recording section and the circular opening, wherein the annular supporting section is thicker than the annular recording section; and an annular reinforcement section which is disposed on one of the two sides of the optical disc and overlaps the annular supporting section and the annular recording section.

Abstract: The embodiments herein describe an apparatus and method for a reduced Z stack slot loading optical disc drive (ODD). In one embodiment, an optical disc mounting assembly can be used to chuck an optical disc to a turntable. The optical disc mounting assembly can include a hub spring for spring loading a hub and a clamping mechanism pivotally connected to the hub. In the described embodiment, in an extended position, the clamp is used to secure the optical disc to the turntable. The clamping mechanism can include a clamp pivotally attached to the hub at a pivot point. In the absence of the optical disc, the clamp is retracted and secured within a recess in the optical disc mounting assembly. In the presence of the optical disc, the mounting assembly chucks the optical disc to the turntable using the clamp and hub.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a thin optical disc having remote reading capability is provided. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the optical disc includes a central clamping area that defines a central aperture operable to be engaged by a spindle mechanism of an optical disc drive, an optically-readable data storage area substantially surrounding the central clamping area, the optically-readable data storage area having a planar thickness of less than 1.20 mm, and an electronic tag coupled to or embedded within the optical disc, the electronic tag comprising a radio frequency tag or radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a computerized method for creating a scene selection from a marker for a multi-image content. The method allows identification of a multi-image content. The multi-image content includes several markers. Each marker represents an image of the multi-image content. The markers are identified to generate several scenes. Each generated scene is referenced to its corresponding marker from which it is identified.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for recording, playing, handling, and storing a plurality of media disks in a plurality of configurations and a device for moving any disk into and out of a media disk storage mechanism and into or out of a selected media player/recorder on demand, and a controller for directing operation of the device for moving the disks and controlling selection of operation of the media disk storage mechanism.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an optical disc having a reduced planar thickness is provided. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, the optical disc includes a central clamping area that defines a central aperture operable to be engaged by a spindle mechanism of an optical disc drive, an optically-readable data storage area substantially surrounding the central clamping area, the optically-readable data storage area having a planar thickness of less than 1.20 mm, and one or more stacker elements coupled to, or integral with, the central clamping area, the stacker elements configured to increase the thickness of the central clamping area above the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area. In particular embodiments, the optical disc may further include a magnetic stripe disposed upon one surface of the optical disc.

Abstract: A recording disk cartridge includes a plurality of flexible recording disk media, a rotational member, and a cartridge case. The rotational member holds the recording disk media so that the recording disk media simultaneously rotate. The cartridge case provides a rotationally free housing for the recording disk media and the rotational member. The cartridge case has an opening to allow an end portion of the rotational member to be exposed to an outside of the cartridge case. The recording disk cartridge has an elastic member which provides a force to thrust the rotational member toward the opening.

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: 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 hub-mounted optical disk to eliminate the need for a separate stack ring while decreasing the overall height, a method of fabricating the optical disk, and an injection molding die for manufacturing an optical disk substrate. The hub-mounted optical disk includes a substrate having a hollow and an indented portion engraved to a predetermined depth on the inside of a non-recording surface where no information is recorded; and a hub including a plate that has a fitting hole therein and is engaged into the hollow and the indented portion and a central ring that is inserted into the fitting hole. The method of fabricating the hub-mounted optical disk includes mounting the hub onto a magnetic chuck, applying an ultra-violet (UV) hardening resin on the indented portion of the substrate, operating the magnetic chuck so that the plate is in contact with the indented portion, and curing the UV hardening resin by irradiating it with UV light.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a plane ring-shaped substrate in which a center hole is opened at the center thereof, a recording-retrieving function layer and a cover layer each having an outer diameter approximately equal to that of the substrate and an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the center hole, are stacked on the substrate, and as a separate entity from the cover layer, a clamp portion which is for holding and fixing the substrate and which has an outer diameter smaller than inner diameters of the recording-retrieving function layer and the cover layer, is provided around the center hole in a region where the cover layer is not formed.

Abstract: A spindle motor of small size, thin type, high reliability, and high performance suited to an information recording and reproducing apparatus is presented. Specifically, a rotary disk is composed by integrally forming a disk board, and a rotary shaft of spindle motor, and a bearing is composed by forming dynamic pressure generating grooves in the rotary shaft of the rotary disk. As a result, small size and thin structure are realized, surface deflection of the disk during rotation of the spindle motor, and its axial center deflection are substantially decreased, and moreover the recording density is enhanced, the number of constituent parts is curtailed, and the cost is saved.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical disk having a projection that prevents full contact of the upper surface of the disk when engaging a supporting surface. The optical disk includes a projection formed in a central portion of the optical disk that abuts or is near the upper surface of a protecting layer.

Abstract: A data storage disk capable of limiting a crack from extending during operation is provided. The data storage disk has a center, an outer edge, an inner edge, and at least one slot. The slot is disposed between the outer edge and the inner edge. When a crack occurs in the disk, the slot disperses a stress which forces the crack to extend. Therefore, the slot hinders extension of the crack to prevent the disk from break.

Abstract: A hub assembly for a data storage disk including a hub member and a raised boss near a center axis of the hub member, the raised boss being surrounded by an annular bonding surface and being configured so as to protrude into a center hole of a data storage disk when the bonding surface is in contact with a surface of the disk.