Patent ID: 6874686
Filing Date: 2005-04-05
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. An optical readout device for reading out data from a radiation-emitting data storage medium, said medium comprising a radiation-emitting material holding data in a form of data storage areas configured for emitting varying amounts of radiation on application of an applied signal, said data storage areas including at least a first type of data storage area and a second type of data storage area indicating different first and second data values, said device comprising: a driving part for driving the radiation-emitting material with the applied signal; a radiation detecting part for detecting radiation emitted from said data storage areas and for generating radiation detection signals; and a processing part for processing said detection signals to generate data signals corresponding to the data stored in the medium; wherein said driving part is arranged to generate a time-varying applied signal, and wherein the processing part is arranged to process the detection signals to distinguish a detection signal resulting from reading said first type of data storage area from a detection signal resulting from reading said second type of data storage area in dependence on a temporal characteristic of the detection signals.