Patent ID: 6045980
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: G03F,G11B,Y10S

Abstract:
A system for encoding data regions on optical media, comprising:(a) an optically-transparent elongated rigid member having a defined axis of rotation wherein the elongated rigid member has a relatively low transmissivity at its exterior surfaces;(b) means for rotating the elongated rigid member about its defined axis;(c) means for focusing energy onto the exterior surface of the elongated rigid member, wherein the energy focusing means is movable along a linear stage in a first direction parallel the axis and a second direction which is the opposite direction of the first direction;(d) means for controlling the energy focusing means and the elongated rigid member rotating means so that when the energy focusing means travels the length of the linear stage in the first direction, the elongated rigid member rotating means rotates the elongated rigid member abut the axis slightly to allow the energy focusing means to travel along the linear stage in the second direction so as to focus energy upon selected regions of the exterior surface in a continuous rasterized trajectory whereby the focused energy melts the exterior surface at the selected regions, thereby forming regions having relatively high transmissivities at the exterior surface of the elongated rigid member, the controlling means comprising:(i) means for sequentially storing a plurality of data bits found on an optical medium, wherein each of the plurality of data bits is stored in the storing means and has a unique angular location on the optical medium;(ii) means for obtaining an associated Cartesian coordinate location equivalent for each of the plurality of data bits, wherein the associated Cartesian coordinate is stored the storing means;(iii) means for controlling the energy focusing means such that the focused energy hits the exterior surface at the Cartesian coordinate location for each of the plurality of data bits having a selected digital value, thereby forming regions having relatively high transmissivities at the exterior surface of the elongated rigid member;(e) means for providing irradiation from within the elongated rigid member;(f) a film including a photoresist layer responsive to the irradiation;(g) means for rotating the elongated rigid member about its defined axis of rotation while bringing the film into direct contact with the exterior surface of the elongated rigid member, wherein the film is exposed to the irradiation through each region of the exterior surface having a relatively high transmissivity; and(h) development means for modifying the photoresist layer of the film at those regions which were exposed to the irradiation.