IMPROVED MASS MEMORY

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mass memory comprising a support (1), provided with means for positioning in a reading unit, and with a shaped opening (2), and a mass memory support element (3), shaped in such a way to be coupled within said shaped opening (2) of the support (1) and centrally provided with a hole for coupling with said reading unit, being further provided means for fixing each other said support and said memory support element.

Description: IMPROVED MASS MEMORY The present invention relates to an improved mass memory. As it is well known, different kind of optical supports to memorise data exist. Particularly, only readable discs (CD-ROM) , readable discs (CD-R) or writable discs (CD-RW) , which are very commonly used in the music, video and photo industry as well as in the software field. A particular kind of video CD is presently comprised of DVD, wherein the optically active surface comprises a double optically active layer. Recently, cards containing memorised information have been proposed on the market, having various shapes, even if mainly of rectangular shape, provided with means allowing their reading in standard CD or DVD reading units already available on the market . They mainly are only readable cards, the positioning systems of which can be comprised of beads and steps allowing a proper positioning within the reading unit. Cards already available on the market are single piece cards obtained employing different manufacturing techniques, such as injection moulding, or punching, employing as base material polycarbonate, material comprising the base to realise CD. However, different problems have been encountered in the production and realisation of said shaped cards, problems mainly connected with the need and impossibility of reducing the thickness of the card in correspondence of the zone which must not be read, and with the realisation of readable cards. All the above problems are due to the need to provide means allowing the positioning of the card within the CD reading and/or writing device, since the card does not rest on the seat suitably provided on the same device. Furthermore, this kind of positioning means is not suitable to all the CD reading and/or writing device. Moreover, in the variously shaped cards not provided with this kind of positioning means, it was necessary to provide at least three contact points of the card with the seat of the CD reading and/or writing device. In view of the above, the Applicant has realised and prepared an innovative solution for the production of mass memory able to solve all the above mentioned drawbacks . Main object of the present invention is that of providing a mass memory of any kind, i.e. readable, writable or readable/writable, that can be realised by very simple techniques, employing materials very convenient under an economical point of view. A further object of the present invention is that of realising a decomposable mass memory, in such a way to be able to separately produce the support, i.e. the shaped outer portion to be introduced within the reading unit, and the central part, or disc, eventually variously shaped. Still another object of the present invention is that of realising a mass memory the disc portion of which can be a standard readable, writable or readable - writable mini - disc. Another object of the present invention is that of proposing a mass memory the support of which can be comprised of plastic material having "poorer" features than that of the disc portion, since it must only respect the structural resistance needing, without memorising information. Another object of the present invention is that of realising a mass memory the support part of which is realised by a material allowing to realise inscriptions or positioning means by embossing. Another object of the present invention is that of providing a mass memory the support of which can be used for different discs. It is therefore specific object of the present invention a mass memory comprising a support, provided with means for positioning in a reading unit, and with a shaped opening, and a mass memory support element, shaped in such a way to be coupled within said shaped opening of the support and centrally provided with a hole for coupling with said reading unit, being further provided means for fixing each other said support and said memory support element. In a preferred embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention, said housing is comprised of a thickness reduction of the support, with a shape corresponding to the shape of said memory support element. Preferably, according to the invention, said memory support element can be of the readable, writable or readable/writable kind. Furthermore, according to the invention, said mass memory support element has a substantially circular shape. Particularly, according to the invention, said mass memory support element can be provided with a central or offset hole. Always according to the invention, said support can be comprised of plastic material, preferably PVC, while said mass memory support element is preferably realised by polycarbonate. According to the invention, said projection can be continuous or comprised of separated lengths, in the latter case being it possible that it is comprised of the end of the means to position the support within the reading unit . Furthermore, according to the invention, on the edge of the memory support coupling means with the inner edge of said shaped opening can be provided, preferably friction means. In another embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention, said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support can be comprised of glue provided between the two mating surfaces of the shaped opening and of the mass memory support element. Still in an embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention, said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support can be comprised of mating threads respectively realised on said shaped opening and on the lateral edge of said mass memory support element. In a further embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention, said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support can be comprised of a bayonet coupling between the peripheral edge of said shaped opening and the peripheral edge of the mass memory support element. Always according to the invention, said means for positioning the support in a reading unit can be comprised of shaped or not projections, beads and like. In an embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention, said means for fixing each other said support and said memory support element are comprised by adhesive means, preferably biadhesive means. Furthermore, said means for fixing each other said support and said memory support element are comprised of fixed joint, bayonet, threading means, ecc. Preferably, said means for positioning the support in a reading unit can be comprised of curved projections provided outside the memory support element, and of further curved projections close to the edge of said support. It is further object of the present invention a mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device, comprising ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material at least in some parts, on said CD reading and/or writing device ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material being provided on some parts, substantially corresponding to the parts of the memory mass support. Preferably, according to the invention, ferromagnetic material is provided on said memory mass support and magnetic material is provided on said CD reading and/or writing device, or vice versa. Furthermore, according to the invention, magnetic material is provided on both the mass memory support and CD reading and/or writing device. Particularly, according to the invention, said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material is provided on the whole not reading and/or writing surface of the mass memory support, or only in some parts of said surface . Preferably, according to the invention, said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material can be provided on the mass memory support englobing the material within the basic material by which the support is realised, during the manufacturing of the same support, or by the placing of one or more labels, the use of paints, or glues, after the manufacturing of the support, or by a suitably modified mould to place the ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material only in determined points . Particularly, according to the invention, said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material can be placed on the upper face and/or on the bottom face of said mass memory support . Always according to the invention, said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material can be placed on the CD reading and/or writing device by at least one label, said at least one label being fixed or removable from said CD reading and/or writing device. Preferably, according to the invention, said label will have a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the CD reading and/or writing device. Furthermore, according to the invention, said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material can be provided above or under the CD reading and/or writing device, or on its lateral surface. Further, according to the invention, said mass memory support can be comprised of a single piece, or can have its reading and/or writing central portion removable . The present invention will be now described, for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the figures of the enclosed drawings, wherein: figures la and lb are plan views of the two elements comprising a mass memory according to a first embodiment of the invention; figure 2 shows a detail of the mass memory of figure 1; figures 3a and 3b are plan views of the two elements comprising a mass memory according to a second embodiment of the invention; figure 4 is an exploded view of the mass memory of figure 4; figures 5a and 5b are plan views of the two elements comprising a mass memory according to a third embodiment of the invention; figures 6a and 6b are lateral views of the elements of figures 5a and 5b; figures 7a and 7b are plan views of the two elements comprising a mass memory according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; figures 8a and 8b are lateral views of the elements of figures 7a and 7b; figure 9 is an exploded view of the mass memory of figure 7; figure 10 is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of a mass memory according to the invention; figure 11 is a plan view of the disc element of the mass memory of figure 10; figure 12 is a section view taken along line XII - XII of figure 10; figure 13 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment of a mass memory support according to the invention; figure 14 is a plan view of a seventh embodiment of a mass memory support according to the invention; figure 15 is a plan view of an eight embodiment of a mass memory support according to the invention; figure 16 is a plan view of a ninth embodiment of a mass memory support according to the invention; figure 17 is a plan view of a positioning system according to the invention; and figure 18 is a plan view of a positioning system according to the invention. In all the enclosed figures, a solution of the mass memory according to the present invention is shown, providing a substantially rectangular support 1, having rounded corners and round central opening 2, wherein a mass memory support element 3 couples, said element 3 having a round shape, and it can be a standard mini-disc. Obviously, as already said, support 1, opening 2 and element 3 can take any wished shape allowing their reading within standard CD reading units. Furthermore, in the enclosed figures 1 - 9, means for positioning the support 1 within the reading unit are shown as two triangular projections 4, even if they could be in different number and of different shape, not being them a limitation of the scope of the present invention. Substantially, all the different embodiments shown in the figures 1 - 9 differ each other for the means for coupling the opening 2 and the mass memory support element 3. In the different figures 1 - 9, the same parts will be indicated by the same reference numbers. Referring first to figures la, lb and 2, a solution is shown wherein the support 1 is comprised of flexible material providing a "retaining" ring 5 sized in such a way to keep within the opening 2 of the support 1, or in any case adhering to the same, the preferably optical (CD, DVD, etc.) mass memory support element 3. Insertion and removal of said element 3 of the support 1 will be made exploiting the elastic properties of the same support 1, and consequently of the retaining ring 5, in such a way to make a flexion of the support 1 to induce an elastic deformation of the ring 5, with the consequent enlarging of its perimeter. In this way, it will be possible to fixedly insert the element 3 within the ring 5; release of the support 1 will cause the elastic return of the same, taking again a flat shape, and thus the locking in position of the element 3. Said solution is particularly advantageous, since it allows to use the mini-discs already available on the market without modifying the same. As already said, it is also possible to provided coupling means, preferably friction means, between the shaped opening 2 and the element 3. Coming now to refer to figures 3a, 3b and 4, a second embodiment of the mass memory according to the invention is shown wherein the coupling between the support 1 and the mass memory support element 3 occurs by gluing. In this case too it is possible to use the mini-discs already available on the market, but the coupling between the support 1 and the element 3 is fixed, thus the same support cannot be used for different elements 3. In the solution shown in figures 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b, the coupling between the mass memory support element 3 and the support 1 is obtained by threads, respectively realised on the inner edge of the opening 2 and the lateral edge of the mass memory support element 3. Finally, in the solution shown in to figures from 7 to 9, coupling is obtained by bayonet joint between seats 8 and projections 9 respectively realised on the inner edge of the opening 2 and the lateral edge of the mass memory support element 3. In figures 10 - 12, a solution of the mass memory according to the present invention is shown, providing a substantially rectangular support 101, having rounded corners and round central opening 102, wherein a mass memory support element 103 couples, said element 103 having a round shape, and it can be a standard mini-disc. Obviously, as already said, support 101, opening 102 and element 103 can take any wished shape allowing their reading within standard CD reading units . Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in figures 10 - 12, means for positioning the support 101 within the reading unit are provided, said means being comprised of two circular projections 104, circumferentially placed outside the memory support element 103, and of four curved projections 105, substantially placed in correspondence of the support 101 corners. However, it is evident that said positioning means can have a different shape and in a different number, not being them a limitation of the scope of the invention. On the support 101 a central housing 106 is realised, that is coaxial with respect to the opening 102, and having a reduced thickness with respect to the surface of the support 101, wherein the memory support element 103 is placed. As already said, memory support element 103 can be preferably of the optical kind (CD, DVD, ecc.) . Between the housing 106 and the memory support element 103 a biadhesive element (not shown) is provided, which allows the fixing and the removal of the same, as well as the use of the support 101 for different memory support elements 103. Said solutions is particularly advantageous, since it also allows to use the already available minidisks already available on the market without the need of any modification. Coming now to observe figures 13 - 18, in all the various embodiments of the mass memory support according to the invention, to obtain the "magnetic retention self-positioning", labels or other kinds of positioning means provided within the CD reading and/or writing device are employed. In fact, the magnetic retention self- positioning system is based on the attraction of the magnetic poles provided, one on the mass memory support 201 ( figures 13 - 16) and the other one on the label 202 (figures 17 - 18) placed within the CD reading and/or writing device. The attraction force and the self-positioning precision varies in function of the method used to realise the support and/or the label. Said technique can be applied in different ways according to the magnetic properties to be exploited and thus in function of the materials employed (magnetite, artificial magnets, etc.) to obtain the self-positioning. In the following description, by the term magnetite it will be generically meant also the artificial magnets or other materials having analogous or similar properties of the same magnetite. Observing figures 17 and 18, it is possible to observe two embodiments of the label 202, that must be interpreted as a plastic or paper support, having such sizes and shapes to be easily and properly positioned within the CD reading and/or writing device 203. In any case, on the label 202 the exact figure of the mass memory support 201 to be positioned will be reproduced. The centre 204 of the label 202 is realised in such a way to exactly correspond with the centre of the CD reading and/or writing device 203. Label 202 will preferably be self - adhesive. As it can be seen from figures 17 and 18, label 202 is treated with a ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material or is provided with artificial magnets, on some portions of its surface. For example, in figure 13 a rectangular mass memory support 201 is shown, providing a central hole 206, a reading and/or writing zone 207, and on its peripheral zone 208, ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material and/or artificial magnet, that can be englobed into the support or applied to the same afterwards. In the solution shown in figure 14, said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material and/or artificial magnet is provided only on the corners of the zone 208, while on the mass memory support 201 shown in figure 15 it is limited to two corners of the zone 208. Instead, figure 17 shows a mass memory support 201 having a different shape, with the same features described in the above with reference to the figures 13 - 15, to demonstrate that the solution according to the present invention allows the self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device independently form the shape and without the need of having at least three contact points with the seat of the CD reading and/or writing device. Obviously, as already mentioned, the mass memory support 201 can be in a single piece or with the central part removable. Moreover the ferromagnetic and/or magnetic, material can be provided on the upper and on the bottom surface of the mass memory support. In the following, some examples of realisation of the mass memory support will be described. In a first example, ferromagnetic and magnetic material are employed. Particularly, on the mass memory support 201 ferrous material is placed, using different techniques such as labels, glues, paints, etc., after the manufacturing of the support 201, or during its manufacturing, mixing said ferrous basic material of the support 201 in such a way to be present all along the surface of the support 201. It could also possible to exploit a particular mould determining the positioning of the material only in pre-established parts of the same support 201. On the CD reading and/or writing device 203 a self-adhesive label 202 is placed, on which magnetic material is provided and preferably having a shape similar to the shape of the support 201. Label 202 can be either fixedly or removably applied on the CD reading and/or writing device. According to another solution, ferromagnetic and magnetic material can be employed. This solution is very similar to the preceding one but for the fact that support 201 houses the magnetic part and CD reading and/or writing device houses a label 202 provided with ferromagnetic parts. In a third case, ferromagnetic and magnetic material can be used as in the preceding examples, but in this case the support 201 houses both ferromagnetic and magnetic parts and also the label 202 has magnetic and ferromagnetic parts. It is also possible use only magnetic material both on the support 201 and on the label 202. The present invention has been described for illustrative but not limitative purposes, according to its preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that modifications and/or changes can be introduced by those skilled in the art without departing from the relevant scope as defined in the enclosed claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Mass memory characterised in that it comprises a support, provided with means for positioning in a reading unit, and with a shaped opening, and a mass memory support element, shaped in such a way to be coupled within said shaped opening of the support and centrally provided with a hole for coupling with said reading unit, being further provided means for fixing each other said support and said memory support element. 2. Mass memory according to claim 1, characterised in that said housing is comprised of a thickness reduction of the support, with a shape corresponding to the shape of said memory support element . 3. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said memory support element is of the readable, writable or readable/writable kind. 4. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said mass memory support element has a substantially circular shape . 5. Mass memory according to claim 4, characterised in that said mass memory support element is provided with a central or offset hole. 6. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said support is comprised of plastic material, preferably PVC, while said mass memory support element is preferably realised by polycarbonate. 7. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support are comprised of a projection peripherally realised on the upper part of the edge of said shaped opening, said support being comprised of plastic material having elastic properties, in such a way to be able to be flex, to enlarge the shaped opening, allowing the insertion of the mass memory support element within the same and its blocking by said peripheral projection. 8. Mass memory according to claim 7, characterised in that said projection is continuous or comprised of separated lengths, in the latter case being it possible that it is comprised of the end of the means to position the support within the reading unit . 9. Mass memory according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that on the edge of the memory support coupling means with the inner edge of said shaped opening can be provided, preferably friction means. 10. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterised in that said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support are comprised of glue provided between the two mating surfaces of the shaped opening and of the mass memory support element. 11. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterised in that said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support are comprised of mating threads respectively realised on said shaped opening and on the lateral edge of said mass memory support element. 12. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterised in that said means for fixing said mass memory support element to said support are comprised of a bayonet coupling between the peripheral edge of said shaped opening and the peripheral edge of the mass memory support element. 13. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said means for positioning the support in a reading unit are comprised of shaped or not projections, beads and like. 14. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterised in that said means for fixing each other said support and said memory support element are comprised by adhesive means, preferably biadhesive means. 15. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterised in that said means for fixing each other said support and said memory support element are comprised of fixed joint, bayonet, threading means, ecc. 16. Mass memory according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that Preferably, said means for positioning the support in a reading unit can be comprised of curved projections provided outside the memory support element, and of further curved projections close to the edge of said support. 17. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device, characterised in that it comprises ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material at least in some parts, on said CD reading and/or writing device ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material being provided on some parts, substantially corresponding to the parts of the memory mass support. 18. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to claim 17, characterised in that ferromagnetic material is provided on said memory mass support and magnetic material is provided on said CD reading and/or writing device, or vice versa. 19. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that magnetic material is provided on both the mass memory support and CD reading and/or writing device. 20. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material is provided on the whole not reading and/or writing surface of the mass memory support, or only in some parts of said surface . 21. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to one of the preceding claims 17 - 20, characterised in that said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material is provided on the mass memory support englobing the material within the basic material by which the support is realised, during the manufacturing of the same support. 22. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to one of the preceding claims 17 - 20, characterised in that said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material is provided on the mass memory support placing one or more labels. 23. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to one of the preceding claims 17 - 20, characterised in that said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material is provided on the mass memory support using paints, or glues, after the manufacturing of the support. 24. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to one of the preceding claims 17 - 20, characterised in that said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material is provided on the mass memory support by a suitably modified mould to place the ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material only in determined points. 25. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material is placed on the upper face and/or on the bottom face of said mass memory support . 26. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material is placed on the CD reading and/or writing device by at least one label, said at least one label being fixed or removable from said CD reading and/or writing device. 27. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to claim 26, characterised in that said label has a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the CD reading and/or writing device. 28. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said ferromagnetic and/or magnetic material is provided above or under the CD reading and/or writing device, or on its lateral surface. 29. Mass memory support self-positioning within the CD reading and/or writing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said mass memory support is comprised of a single piece, or has its reading and/or writing central portion removable .

Inventors: JARACH ANDREA, SAPIR RON, JARACH, ANDREA, SAPIR, RON
Applicants: ATOP INNOVATION S P A, JARACH ANDREA, SAPIR RON, ATOP INNOVATION S.P.A., JARACH, ANDREA, SAPIR, RON
Application year: 2000
Main classification: G11B23
IPC codes: G11B7, G11B23, G11B25