Thin optical disc having remote reading capability

• US 7,774,806 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EnXnet, Inc.
• Original Assignee: EnXnet, Inc.
• Inventors: Howard, Linda Gale, Corley, Ryan, Pempsell, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): BLOUIN, MARK S
• Application Number:
  US11/539,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20070086317A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 720/721
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0014 record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form G11B23/0057 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0021 discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0035 means incorporated in the disc, e.g. hub, to enable its guiding, loading or driving means for driving the head G11B21/06; guiding the disc for centering or locking G11B17/022; turntables or spindles for driving G11B19/2009
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/0042 with provision for auxiliary features sensing such features G11B17/00, G11B19/02
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/24 Record carriers characterised by shape, structure or physical properties, or by the selection of the material characterised by the arrangement of information on the carrier G11B7/007

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.

Claims

1. An optical disc, comprising:

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;

an electronic tag coupled to or embedded within the optical disc, the electronic tag comprising a radio frequency tag or radio frequency identification tag, and

at least one stacker element coupled to or integral with the central clamping area to increase the thickness of a portion of the central clamping area to a thickness greater than the data storage area without increasing the thickness of the data storage area.

2. The optical disc of claim 1, wherein the electronic tag is operable for use in a contactless payment system.

3. The optical disc of claim 1, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is less than or equal to about 0.95 mm.

4. The optical disc of claim 1, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is less than or equal to about 0.85 mm.

5. The optical disc of claim 1, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is less than or equal to about 0.58 mm.

6. The optical disc of claim 1, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is from about 0.80 mm to about 0.86 mm.

7. The optical disc of claim 1, further comprising 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.

8. The optical disc of claim 7, wherein the one or more stacker elements are configured to increase a distance between the optically-readable data storage area and a reading laser of an optical disc drive.

9. The optical disc of claim 7, wherein the one or more stacker elements comprise one or more stacker bars that radiate outwardly from the central aperture.

10. The optical disc of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic stripe disposed upon a surface of the optical disc.

11. The optical disc of claim 10, wherein the magnetic stripe is disposed on an optically-readable side of the optical disc.

12. The optical disc of claim 10, wherein the magnetic stripe is disposed on a non-optically readable side of the optical disc.

13. The optical disc of claim 1, further comprising a code embedded in the optically-readable data storage area operable to affect a reading speed of the optical disc drive.

14. The optical disc of claim 1, further comprising a label coupled with a non-optically readable side of the optical disc, the label configured to increase the mass of the optical disc to enable the optical disc to be operable on a weight-sensitive disc drive.

15. The optical disc of claim 1, further comprising a label coupled with a non-optically readable side of the optical disc, the label configured to increase the planar thickness of optical disc.

16. The optical disc of claim 1, further comprising a resilient metallic layer coupled with a non-optically readable side of the optical disc, the resilient metallic layer configured to increase the rigidity of the optical disc.

17. The optical disc of claim 1, wherein the optical disc comprises polycarbonate, and wherein the color of the polycarbonate is selected to result in a desired index of refraction.

18. The optical disc of claim 1, wherein the optical disc comprises polycarbonate, and wherein the color of the polycarbonate is selected to enhance the readability of the optical disc.

19. The optical disc of claim 1, wherein the central clamping area is directly engageable with a spindle mechanism without coupling to another element that increases the thickness of the optically-readable data storage area.

20. The optical disc of claim 1, further comprising:

an antenna connected to the electronic tag, wherein the electronic tag and the antenna are coupled to a surface of the optical disc.

21. The optical disc of claim 20, wherein the electronic tag and the antenna are coupled to a surface of the central clamping area.

22. The optical disc of claim 1, further covering

an antenna connected to the electronic tag, wherein the electronic tag and the antenna are embedded within the optical disc.

23. The optical disc of claim 22, wherein the electronic tag and the antenna are embedded within the central clamping area of the optical disc.

24. An optical disc, comprising:

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;

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 without increasing the thickness of the optically-readable data storage area; 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.

25. The optical disc of claim 24, wherein the electronic tag is operable for use in a contactless payment system.

26. The optical disc of claim 24, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is less than or equal to about 0.95 mm.

27. The optical disc of claim 24, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is less than or equal to about 0.85 mm.

28. The optical disc of claim 24, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is less than or equal to about 0.58 mm.

29. The optical disc of claim 24, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is from about 0.80 mm to about 0.86 mm.

30. The optical disc of claim 24, wherein the one or more stacker elements are configured to increase a distance between the optically-readable data storage area and a reading laser of an optical disc drive.

31. The optical disc of claim 24, wherein the one or more stacker elements comprise one or more stacker bars that radiate outwardly from the central aperture.

32. The optical disc of claim 24, further comprising a magnetic stripe disposed on a surface of the optical disc.

33. The optical disc of claim 32, wherein the magnetic stripe is disposed on an optically-readable side of the optical disc.

34. The optical disc of claim 32, wherein the magnetic stripe is disposed on a non-optically readable side of the optical disc.

35. The optical disc of claim 24, further comprising a code embedded in the optically-readable data storage area operable to affect a reading speed of the optical disc drive.

36. The optical disc of claim 24, further comprising a label coupled with a non-optically readable side of the optical disc, the label configured to increase the mass of the optical disc to enable the optical disc to be operable on a weight-sensitive disc drive.

37. The optical disc of claim 24, further comprising a label coupled with a non-optically readable side of the optical disc, the label configured to increase the planar thickness of the optical disc.

38. The optical disc of claim 24, further comprising a resilient metallic layer coupled with a non-optically readable side of the optical disc, the resilient metallic layer configured to increase the rigidity of the optical disc.

39. The optical disc of claim 24, wherein the optical disc comprises polycarbonate, and wherein the color of the polycarbonate is selected to result in a desired index of refraction.

40. The optical disc of claim 24, wherein the optical disc comprises polycarbonate, and wherein the color of the polycarbonate is selected to enhance the readability of the optical disc.

41. An optical disc, comprising:

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;

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 without increasing the thickness of the optically-readable data storage area;

a magnetic stripe disposed upon a surface of the optical disc without increasing the thickness of the optically-readable data storage area; 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.

42. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the electronic tag is operable for use in a contactless payment system.

43. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is less than or equal to about 0.95 mm.

44. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is less than or equal to about 0.85 mm.

45. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is less than or equal to about 0.58 mm.

46. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the planar thickness of the optically-readable data storage area is from about 0.80 mm to about 0.86 mm.

47. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the one or more stacker elements are configured to increase a distance between the optically-readable data storage area and a reading laser of an optical disc drive.

48. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the one or more stacker elements comprise one or more stacker bars that radiate outwardly from the central aperture.

49. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the magnetic stripe is disposed on an optically-readable side of the optical disc.

50. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the magnetic stripe is disposed on a non-optically readable side of the optical disc.

51. The optical disc of claim 41, further comprising a code embedded in the optically-readable data storage area operable to affect a reading speed of the optical disc drive.

52. The optical disc of claim 41, further comprising a label coupled with a non-optically readable side of the optical disc, the label configured to increase the mass of the optical disc to enable the optical disc to be operable on a weight-sensitive disc drive.

53. The optical disc of claim 41, further comprising a label coupled with a non-optically readable side of the optical disc, the label configured to increase the planar thickness of the optical disc.

54. The optical disc of claim 41, further comprising a resilient metallic layer coupled with a non-optically readable side of the optical disc, the resilient metallic layer configured to increase the rigidity of the optical disc.

55. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the optical disc comprises polycarbonate, and wherein the color of the polycarbonate is selected to result in a desired index of refraction.

56. The optical disc of claim 41, wherein the optical disc comprises polycarbonate, and wherein the color of the polycarbonate is selected to enhance the readability of the optical disc.

57. An optical disc, comprising:

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, wherein the central clamping area is directly engageable with a spindle mechanism without coupling to another element that increases the thickness of the optically-readable data storage area, and wherein at least a portion of the central clamping area is thicker than a maximum thickness of the data storage area.

58. An optical disc, comprising:

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; 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, wherein the central clamping area is directly engageable with a spindle mechanism without coupling to another element that increases the thickness of the optically-readable data storage area, and wherein at least a portion of the central clamping area is thicker than a maximum thickness of the data storage area.

59. An optical disc, comprising:

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;

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 without increasing the thickness of the optically-readable data storage area; 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.

60. An optical disc, comprising:

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;

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 without increasing the thickness of the optically-readable data storage area;

a magnetic stripe disposed upon a surface of the optical disc; 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.

61. An optical disc, comprising:

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; and

an electronic tag coupled to or embedded within the optical disc, wherein the central clamping area is directly engageable with a spindle mechanism without coupling to another element that increases the thickness of the optically-readable data storage area , and wherein at least a portion of the central clamping area is thicker than a maximum thickness of the data storage area.