The copending Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. ______ filed on Apr. 7, 2002 entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STORING DIGITAL DATA,” commonly owned, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an apparatus and method for storing digital data in optical readable form.
2. Description of the Related Art
The optical data disk, often referred to as a data disk, compact disk or more simply “CD”, has proven to be a very successful method for storing large amounts of information optically encoded in digital format, typically in plastic media. Such plastic media can easily be reproduced inexpensively and in large quantities by standard printing and stamping techniques well know to practitioners in the industry. Moreover, techniques have been developed for recording digital data directly from computer onto specially prepared media. Data, music, software, and video information are all commonly recorded on this medium. The digital video disk or “DVD” was developed in an effort to record increased amounts of digital data on media in order to accommodate the increased data requirements to record enough data to place an entire movie in video form on a disk. DVD's are able to hold many times as much data as CD's by various techniques including smaller bit size, a tighter track pattern, storing the data in multiple layers and using both surfaces of the disk.
The diameter of the standard CD and DVD is about 120 mm. Reduced size CD's and DVD's are also in use that have a standard diameter of about 80 mm. The standard CD and DVD, reduced size CD and DVD, all include a central aperture having a diameter of about 15.0 mm for engaging a spindle and a standard information area starting at about diameter 44 mm. Unfortunately, this standard information area starting at diameter 44 mm places a specific limit on the reduction in the diameter of the CD and DVD. This diameter limit in turn limits packaging and distribution modes for CD's and DVD's. For example, CD's typically cannot be placed inside small packages such as prescription medications, cosmetics, small consumer parts, or small toys.
There have been many efforts to reduce the size of media for holding digital data. For example, one type of storage media involves reducing the size of a magnetic digital disk for a computer by cutting it in half. One half of a disk could be placed in a specially designed diskette and read by a computer diskette disk drive. The half disk would act as a business card since it was of similar size. The half disk could contain much more information then a typical business card.
Attempts have also been made to reduce the size of standard optical digital disks. In one example, the optical disk is reduced in size and shape to about that of a typical event ticket. Two opposing sides, however, have the standard 80 mm diameter so that the ticket fits properly in the tray of a typical optical disk drive. This approach has also been proposed for credit cards. In another example, the optical disk is reduced in size and shape to about that of a typical sport trading card. Since the trading cards are somewhat larger then the standard 80 mm diameter, ridges are placed on the back of the trading card that fit the 80 mm format and allow the playing card to fit properly in the tray of a typical optical disk drive. Another design uses a jig that fits the 120 mm tray format and has a holder for the sport trading card. Unfortunately, such digital media, though reduced in size, still require that at least one dimension is 80 mm or more in length.
Yet another example includes a disk carousel for holding small sized solid state smart cards. The carousel is designed to fit into a standard digital disk drive, to which has been added a special carousel positioning mechanism and a contact reader head that clamps onto the solid state smart cards one at a time. Unfortunately, the disk size carousel and an optical digital disk cannot be used at the same time. Moreover, the smart cards have no optical information properties and are incompatible with a typical optical disk drive.
What is needed is a method and apparatus for reading digital data encoded optically on small pieces of optical digital media using optical disk drives, such as typical CD and DVD drives found in computers.
An aspect of the present invention is an apparatus that includes a data storage insert adapted to receive optically readable digital data on at least one readable surface, the at least one readable surface arranged in about a plane and a data disk adapted to receive optically readable digital data on at least one readable surface, the at least one readable surface arranged in about a plane. The apparatus also includes at least one cavity in the data disk. The at least one cavity is adapted to receive the data storage insert in a unique orientation, wherein the plane of the optically readable digital data on the data storage insert is in about the same plane as the plane of the optically readable digital data on the data disk. Also, the data on the data disk and the data on the data storage insert are configured to be read by an optical data disk reader.
Another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus including a data storage insert configured to receive optically readable digital data on at least one readable surface and a host data disk configured to receive optically readable digital data on at least one readable surface. The apparatus further includes at least one aperture, in the host data disk, that is configured to accept the data storage insert.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method including placing optically readable digital data in one or more tracks on a host data disk; forming at least one cavity in the host data disk; and configuring the at least one cavity to accept a data storage insert. The method further includes placing optically readable digital data on the data storage insert, securing the data storage insert in the cavity; and aligning the optically readable digital data on the data storage insert, with the data on the host data disk.
Another aspect of the present invention is a method including forming at least one aperture in a host data disk adapted to accept digital data and configuring the at least one aperture to accept a data storage insert. The data storage insert is adapted to accept digital data. The method further includes securing the data storage insert in the at least one aperture and placing host data disk with data storage insert in an optical disk drive.
So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the present invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
a is a perspective view of one embodiment a host data disk and an insert in accordance with aspects of the invention.
b is a top plan view of the host data disk of
a and 2b is a fragmented cross section view along line a-a′ of the host data disk and the insert of
a is a perspective view of one embodiment of a host data disk and an insert in accordance with aspects of the invention.
b is a top plan view of the host data disk of
c is a cross section view along line b-b′ of the host data disk and the insert of
d is a cross section view along line b-b′ of the host data disk and the insert of
a is a perspective view of one embodiment of a host data disk and an insert in accordance with aspects of the invention.
b is a top plan view of the host data disk of
c is a cross section view along line c-c′ of the host data disk and the insert of
d is a cross section view along line c-c′ of the host data disk and the insert of
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
a is a perspective view of one embodiment a host data disk 100 and a data insert 110 in accordance with aspects of the invention.
a and 2b are fragmented cross section views along line a-a′ of
The host disk aperture side wall 106 may include a curved mating surface 134 for constraining data insert 110 in a position for advantage. Data insert 110 may be bounded by sidewall 114. Sidewall 114 may include a curved mating surface 132 for engaging mating surface 134. Curved mating surface 134 and curved mating surface 132 are illustrated as forming a detent structure. However, many simple or complex, complimentary surfaces may serve to constrain the data insert 110 relative host data disk 100 and may be used to advantage.
b illustrates data insert 110 in an engagement position with host data disk 100. In the illustrated engagement position, insert data layer 124 is illustrated in an orientation that places the plane of the insert data layer 124 about coplanar with host data layer 144. The insert data layer 124 may be constrained in such planer orientation relative the host data layer 144 by the engagement of curved mating surface 132 with curved mating surface 134. Mating surface 132 and mating surface 134 are illustrated as convex and concave respectively, by way of example only. It may be appreciated by practitioners in the art, that mating surface 132 may be concave and mating surface 134 may be convex. It may further be appreciated by practitioners in the art that an interference fit between curved mating surfaces 132, 134 may be used to advantage. Data insert 110 is illustrated as being inserted into host data, disk distal the host polycarbonate substrate layer 146. However, curved mating surfaces 132,134 may also be configured to accept insertion of the data insert 110 from the side of the host data disk 100 proximate the host polycarbonate substrate layer 146. It may further be appreciated by practitioners of the art that sidewall 106 and sidewall 114 may be configured to form an interference fit for a portion of their respective surfaces to secure data insert 110 relative host disk 100.
In one example of operation, host data disk 100 and data insert 110 may contain digital data readable by a CD or DVD disk reader. Data insert 110 may be conveyed separately in small packages containing consumer products, such as cosmetics, medications, toys, parts, and the like. In one example of use, data insert 110 may be removed from the package of medication and inserted into a host data disk 100 that has been adapted to receive such data insert 110. Mating surfaces 132 and 134 retain the data insert 110 in position relative the host data disk 100 during rotation. The complimentary, asymmetrical shapes of data aperture 104 and the data insert 110 constrain the data insert 110 in a unique orientation relative the host data disk 100 and thereby prevent the user from inserting the data insert 110 backwards or upside down into the host data disk 100. The host data disk 100 and data insert combination may be read in a disk reader or drive with associated computing power and screen display. The associated computing power may display the important product or medical information to the consumer.
In one example of operation host data disk 100 may contain encrypted or encoded data or software. Data insert 110 may contain an encryption key or decoding information for enabling the optical disk reader to decrypt the data or software acquired from the host data disk 100.
In one example of operation, data insert 110 may contain encrypted or encoded data or software. Host data disk 100 may contain an encryption key or decoding information for enabling the optical disk reader to acquire the data or software from the data insert 110.
In one example of operation, the complimentary, shapes of data aperture 104 and data insert 110 may be configured to function as a unique physical lock and key. Thus host disk 100 may be prevented from being read without a unique, complimentary data insert 110, Similarly, the data insert 110 may be prevented from being read without a unique, complimentary host disk 100. A host disk with two or more inserts would produce an additional level of security similar to a door having two or more locks and requiring two or more keys to enter.
a is a perspective view of one embodiment of a host data disk 100 and a data insert 110 in accordance with aspects of the invention.
c is a fragmented cross section view along line b-b′ of the host data disk 100 and the data insert 110 of
Continuous surface 311 may be adapted to constrain data insert 110 in an orientation that places insert data layer 324 about coplanar with host data layer 344. Insert sidewall 314 may engage host disk cavity sidewall 306 to constrain data insert 110 laterally, for advantage.
d is a cross section view along line b-b′ of the host data disk 100 and the data insert 110 of
In operation, host data disk 100 and data insert 110 may be imprinted with digital data, readable by a CD or DVD disk reader. Data insert 110 may be conveyed separately in small packages containing consumer products, such as cosmetics, medications, small toys, small parts, and the like. Data insert 110 may then be inserted into host data disk 100 and placed in an optical disk reader for retrieving the digital data imprinted on the data insert 110. An interference fit, a detent fit, fit created by complex curvature of curved mating surfaces 332 and 334, or an adhesive may serve to retain the data insert 110 in position relative host data disk 100 during rotation within the reader.
In one example of use, data insert 110 may be removed from a package of cosmetics, inserted into an appropriate host disk 100, and placed in an optical disk reader with associated computing system. The optical disk reader and the associated computing system in turn may read the digital information on host disk 100 and data insert 110 and display the data in the form of a demonstration of the proper use of the cosmetic, or product information, or a list of possible allergic contents.
a is a perspective view of a host data disk 100 and a data insert 110 in accordance with aspects of the invention.
c is a fragmented cross sectional view along line c-c′ of one embodiment of the host data disk 100 and the data insert 110 of
d is a fragmented cross sectional view along line c-c′ of one embodiment of the host data disk 100 and the data insert 110 of
The present invention contemplates a variety of embodiments of the optical host disk and compatible insert. For instance, the data layer of the optical host disk 100 may have one or more reflective layers. The data layer operational structures may include pits, lands, grooves, wobble grooves, dye marks, chevron marks, or any combination thereof. The data layer operational structures may act as phase components or create interference patterns that provide tracking and synchronization information to the optical disk drive. Different surfaces in the optical disk assembly may be metalized or coated with materials with a variety of reflective properties. Such coatings may be reflective, semi-reflective, transmissive, semi-transmissive, or anti-reflective. The materials used in the various layers may be dielectric or non-dielectric. The data layer operational structures may be in a CD format (including a CD-R and CD-RW format), a DVD format (including a DVD-R format, a DVD-RW format, and a DVD-RAM format), or any combination thereof. The data layer operational structures may be physically imprinted in a surface of the data layer, or encoded in a hologram. A custom format for data layer operational structures may also be used, for example where the disk assembly may be read by a custom decoding device. In the interests of clarity and simplicity,
The ZCLV may be divided into multiple zones (not shown) from the inner limit boundary 116 to the outer limit boundary 118 of the host information area 102. For example, one DVD-RAM ZCLV format allows up to 24 zones. One or more adjacent zones may be collected into defined use areas. Beginning from the inner limit boundary 116 and proceeding radially in the direction of the outer limit boundary 118, a host disk inner data area 524, is initially encountered. The host disk inner data area 524 may include one or more zones. Such zones are typically dedicated to normal disk drive and information processing management. Such zones may include additional software and data dedicated to management of data in the insert data layer 124 and host data layer 144, of data insert 110 and host disk 100 respectively, to advantage. The host information area 102 further includes a host disk inner bypass area 530. Host inner bypass area 530 may include one or more zones. Host inner bypass area 530 is radially distal the host disk inner data area 524 from the central aperture 108. The host disk inner bypass area 530 includes the inner tangential engagement region 512 of the data insert 110. Typically, such bypass area 530 may include no usable data. Such bypass area 530 enables the disk reader to avoid tracking problems by skipping over the tangential region 512.
The host information area 102 further includes an insert data area 526 radially distal inner bypass area 530. Insert data area 526 may include one or more zones. The insert data area 526 may include data on the host disk 100 and data in the data insert 110. The host information area 102 further includes a host disk outer bypass area 528. Outer limit boundary 118 may optionally be disposed within outer bypass area 528. The host disk outer bypass area 528 includes the outer tangential engagement region 516 of the data insert 110. Typically, such bypass area 528 may include no usable data. Such bypass area 528 enables the disk reader to avoid tracking problems by skipping over the outer tangential region 516. The host information area 102 further may include a host disk outer data area 522, radially distal the insert data area 526. Host outer data area 522 may include one or more zones. The outer data area 522 may be dedicated to data or software deemed useful. Host outer data area 522 may also be omitted as for example when outer limit boundary 118 falls within outer bypass area 528.
In operation, the host disk 100 with data insert 110 would be placed in a disc drive associated with a computing processor. The disk drive would then access the host disks inner data area 524 for information regarding ZLCV format and protocol, management of the data found on host disk or data insert or both, and for information regarding the insert location and protocol for reading of writing to the insert. The disk drive would then check for the presence of the appropriate insert in the insert data area 526. If the appropriate insert were present then the disk drive would read the insert 110 and the associated computing processor would process the insert data. If desired, the processed insert data could then be displayed.
In one example of operation, the host disk 100 with data insert 110 would be placed in a disc drive associated with a computing processor. The disk drive would then access the host disks inner data sectors 606a and adjacent sectors for information regarding ZLCV format and protocol, management of the data found on host disk or data insert or both, and for information regarding the insert location and protocol for reading or writing to the insert. The disk drive would then check for the presence of the appropriate insert in the insert data sectors 606i. If the appropriate insert sectors were present then the disk drive would read the insert sectors 604i and the associated computing processor would process the insert data. If desired, the processed insert data could then be displayed.
Numerous other operational formats are defined by the industry, which could be adapted to access data on the host disk 100 in conjunction with data on the data insert 110. For example, the Standard ECMA—130, 2nd Edition—June 1996 is well known in the art, and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Moreover, it may be appreciated by practitioners in the art that various operational formats may be devised to use the data insert 110 and host disk 100 to advantage, without departing from the invention. For example, operational protocols could exploit an interaction of host and insert information to enhance security of information on both the host disc and one or more data inserts. For example, a host disc could contain enciphered data which could not be read with the matching data insert that contained the encryption key for the host disc encrypted data.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.