Source: https://patents.justia.com/patent/7331055
Timestamp: 2019-07-20 03:28:23
Document Index: 147560010

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7']

US Patent for Information recording and reproducing medium with areas for recording information optically on one side and recording visual information on another side Patent (Patent # 7,331,055 issued February 12, 2008) - Justia Patents Search
Justia Patents Optical Storage Medium StructureUS Patent for Information recording and reproducing medium with areas for recording information optically on one side and recording visual information on another side Patent (Patent # 7,331,055)
Mar 29, 2001 - Pioneer Corporation
FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are plan views showing the construction of a write once disc of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are plan views showing the construction of a fourth variation of the write once disc;
FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are plan views showing the external appearance of a write once disc DSC of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 1(a) shows the configuration of a side 1 of the write once disc DSC, and FIG. 1(b) shows the configuration of the other side 2 (corresponding with the opposite side to the side 1).
On one side 1 of the write once disc DSC (hereafter referred to as the first side), the entire surface of the recording and reproducing surface is made up of a program area 1a as shown in FIG. 1(a), whereas the other side 2 (hereafter referred to as the second side) comprises a ring shaped label area 2b and a ring shaped program area 2a provided on the inside of the label area 2b, as shown in FIG. 1(b).
The first side 1 is a layered construction comprising a recording layer 4a made of an organic dye material and a transparent layer 5a made of a polycarbonate. The second side 2 is also a layered construction comprising a recording layer 4b made of an organic dye material and a transparent layer 5b made of a polycarbonate. The recording layer 4b is formed of either a cyanine or an azo based organic dye.
The label area 2b is formed of a thin printed layer 6 provided on the surface of the transparent layer 5b of the second side 2, and text or a design, such as the name “DEFGH Corporation” of the company who manufactured the disc or a trademark “ABC”, is printed on this printed layer 6.
In other words, the second side 2 is formed of a label area 2b which has the same function as a conventional label surface, and a program area 2a onto which information can be written optically.
When a light beam which has been modulated by a write signal is irradiated onto the program area 1a of the first side 1, the organic dye of the recording layer 4a heats up and melts causing a chemical change, and the writing of information is performed by the formation of distortions in the vicinity of the interface between the recording layer 4a and the transparent layer 5a. Furthermore, the reading of information is conducted by irradiating a light beam of a predetermined power level onto the program area 1a containing the prerecorded information, and detecting the reflected light from the recording layer 4a.
Similarly, the writing of information to the recording layer 4b is conducted by irradiating a writing light beam onto the program area 2a of the second side 2, and the reading of information can be performed by irradiating a light beam of a predetermined power level onto the program area 2a containing prerecorded information, and detecting the reflected light from the recording layer 4b.
The write once disc DSC is manufactured and shipped with nothing recorded in the program areas 1a, 2a. In other words, the disc is shipped as a blank disc.
When a user inserts the write once disc DSC into an audio device provided with an information writing function described below and then performs editing operations, the audio device irradiates a writing light beam onto the recording layer 4b of the program area 2a provided on the second side 2, and forms a visible image pattern such as text or a design on the recording layer 4b. This visible image pattern comprising text or a design or the like is known as pit art.
For example, if the user inputs text such as “MY FAVORITE MUSIC”, “CREATED MM/DD” into the audio device, then as shown in FIG. 3, the input text is written onto the recording layer 4b of the program area 2a as an image pattern.
Then, because the optical characteristics such as the reflectance of those sections of the recording layer 4b in which the image pattern has been written differ from the sections in which no pattern has been written, the user is able to see the image pattern (pit art), and is therefore able to easily organize a disc collection.
In other words, according to a write once disc DSC of this embodiment, by using the first side 1 for the normal writing of information, and using the program area 2a of the second side 2 as a new label surface for the writing of pit art, a disc can be provided which is easy for a user to identify and organize.
Furthermore, because the pit art is written onto the recording layer 4b of the program area 2a, the pit art is protected from external influences by the transparent layer 5b. As a result, there is no danger of the pit art gradually fading in the same manner as conventional handwritten texts or designs, and moreover the problems associated with a loss in aesthetic appearance can also be prevented.
Moreover, in those cases where the user does not write any pit art, the program area 2a of the second side 2 can be used for the normal writing of information, in the same manner as the program area 1a of the first side 1, and so the range of uses can be expanded.
Furthermore, by forming the recording layer 4b of a cyanine or an azo based organic dye, the differences in optical characteristics (particularly the contrast) between the written sections of the pit art and the non-written sections can be magnified, thereby improving the visibility of the pit art.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of a second side 2 of a first variation. In other words, in a write once disc DSC of this first variation, a first side 1 comprises a recording and reproducing surface in which the entire surface thereof functions as a program area 1a, in the same manner as FIG. 1(a), whereas a second side 2, on the other side of the disc, has the configuration shown in FIG. 4.
Whereas the label area 2b shown in FIG. 1 is formed in a ring shape, the label area 2b of this first variation is formed in a curved arc shape. The name or trademark or the like of the company who manufactured the disc is printed in this curved label area 2b, and moreover pit art can be written onto the program area 2a provided on the inside of this label area 2b.
In this manner, the shape of the label area 2b need not be the ring shape shown in FIG. 1(b), and provided that the shape does not interfere with the writing of pit art to the program area 2a or the normal writing of information, then any shape is possible.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the configuration of a second side 2 of a second variation. In other words, in a write once disc DSC of this second variation, a first side 1 comprises a recording and reproducing surface in which the entire surface thereof functions as a program area 1a, in the same manner as FIG. 1, whereas a second side 2, on the other side of the disc, has the configuration shown in FIG. 5.
Whereas the label area 2b shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 is formed from an opaque sheet 6 or printing provided thereon as shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 2, in a write once disc DSC of this second variation, a printed layer 6 is not provided.
Consequently, the recording layer 4b of the second side 2 is exposed through the transparent layer 5b, in the same manner as the recording layer 4a of the first side 1 is covered with the transparent layer 5a.
As shown in FIG. 5, a visible, but comparatively narrow ring shaped area of pit art 7 has been formed in advance. Then, the name or trademark or the like of the company who manufactured the disc is prerecorded as pit art onto the section of the recording layer 4b on the outside of the pit art 7 in a radial direction, whereas the section of the recording layer 4b on the inside of the pit art 7 in a radial direction functions in the same manner as the program area 2a shown in FIG. 1(b) and FIG. 2.
According to a write once disc DSC of the above construction, a bibliographic description such as the name or trademark or the like of the company who manufactured the disc is readily visible, and so the area 2b′ on the outside of the pit art 7 in a radial direction can be used as a label area.
Furthermore, by forming the ring shaped pit art 7 in advance, the aforementioned label area 2b′ and the program area 2a can be readily identified.
Moreover, in those cases where special data such as address data or the like comprising information such as the location of the pit art 7 is prerecorded as part of the ring shaped pit art 7, and a CD player or a DVD player or the like is used to read this special data, the player can be controlled so that the pickup is not moved to any position outside of the pit art 7 in a radial direction. By so doing, the problem where the pickup is mistakenly moved into the label area 2b′, for example when a user temporarily carries out normal information writing to the program area 2a of the second side 2 without writing any pit art, or when a user conducts the writing of pit art in the program area 2a, can be effectively prevented.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the configuration of a second side 2 of a third variation. In other words, in a write once disc DSC of this third variation, a first side 1 comprises a recording and reproducing surface in which the entire surface thereof functions as a program area 1a, in the same manner as FIG. 1, whereas a second side 2, on the other side of the disc, has the configuration shown in FIG. 6.
In a write once disc DSC of the third variation, the second side 2 comprises a label area 2b formed by the provision of a printed layer 6, and a narrow ring shaped pit art 7 formed in advance on the inside of the label area 2b, and the area inside of the pit art 7 in a radial direction functions as a program area 2a.
According to a disc of the above construction, a bibliographic description such as the name or trademark or the like of the company who manufactured the disc is prewritten in the label area 2b, and the program area 2a can be used as an area for the user to write pit art. Furthermore, by including address data or the like described above in the recording of the ring shaped pit art 7, a CD player or DVD player or the like can be controlled so that the pickup is not mistakenly moved inside the label area 2b.
FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) are plan views showing a fourth variation, where FIG. 7(a) shows the configuration of a first side 1, and FIG. 7(b) shows the configuration of a second side 2.
In FIG. 7(a), the first side 1 of the write once disc DSC comprises a ring shaped label area 1b and a program area 1a provided on the inside of the label area 1b in a radial direction. Identifying text or designs, for example “Side A” are preprinted on the label area 1b.
In contrast, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the second side 2 comprises a ring shaped label area 2b and a program area 2a provided on the inside of the label area 2b in a radial direction. Furthermore, the name or trademark or the like of the company who manufactured the disc, as well as text or a design, for example “Side B”, for identifying the side as opposite to the aforementioned “Side A” is preprinted in the label area 2b.
In addition, as is evident from the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 8, the label area 1b is formed by forming a printed layer 6a on the surface of the transparent layer 5a of the first side 1 (namely, side A). Similarly, the label area 2b is formed by forming a printed layer 6b on the surface of the transparent layer 5b of the second side 2 (namely, side B).
When a user inserts a write once disc DSC of this type of construction into an audio device provided with an information writing function described below and then performs editing operations, the audio device irradiates a writing light beam onto the recording layer (4a or 4b) of the program area (1a or 2a) provided on the side of the disc facing the pickup (either side A or side B), and forms a visible pit art comprising text or a design or the like.
For example, if the user inputs text such as the aforementioned “MY FAVORITE MUSIC”, “CREATED MM/DD” into the audio device, then the input text is written onto the recording layer 4a or 4b as an image pattern.
Then, in the case where pit art is written onto the recording layer 4a (or 4b), normal information writing can be carried out on the other recording layer 4b (or 4a).
With this fourth variation, in order to enable the user to use either side without the need to distinguish one from the other, it is preferable that both recording layers 4a and 4b are formed from a cyanine or an azo based organic dye, thereby enabling the formation of pit art of good visibility.
However, constructions are also possible in which one of the recording layers 4a, 4b is formed from a cyanine or an azo based organic dye, and the other recording layer is formed of another type of organic dye.
Furthermore, when a so-called blank disc is manufactured and shipped, the first side 1 may be designated in advance as a side for normal information recording, with the second side 2 and the label area 2b provided thereon designated for the recording of pit art. In such a case, it is preferable that the first side 1 and the second side 2 are produced so as to be visually distinguishable, by forming the recording layer 4b on the second side 2 from a cyanine or an azo based organic dye, to enable highly visible pit art to be recorded, and forming the recording layer 4a on the first side 1 from an organic dye which is neither cyanine nor an azo based.
For example, it is preferable that even in the case of a blank disc, the first side 1 and the second side 2 are formed using organic dyes which can be visibly distinguished. In such cases, at least the recording layer 4b on the second side 2 should be formed of an organic dye which will yield readily visible pit art on recording of such pit art. In contrast, the recording layer 4a on the other side, namely the first side 1, may be formed of an organic dye for which the sections with pits recorded thereon cannot be identified from the unrecorded sections, or alternatively may be formed of an organic dye for which visual identification may be possible, but in which the difference in optical characteristics such as the reflectance between the sections with pits recorded thereon and the unrecorded sections, is smaller than that for the pit art recorded on the recording layer 4b of the second side 2.
In summary, it is preferable that, as a prerequisite condition, the recording layer 4b of the second side 2 is formed of an organic dye which enables the formation of highly visible pit art.
For example, in the program areas 1a, 2a of the two sides 1, 2 respectively shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b), pit art similar to the ring shaped pit art 7 shown in FIG. 6, could be prewritten onto at least one of the first side 1 or the second side 2.
Furthermore, at least one of the label areas 1b, 2b of the two sides 1, 2 respectively shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) could also be formed using the construction shown in FIG. 5.
More specifically, if the user rotates the rotary switch 21 by a suitable amount, or operates the keyboard 32, and inputs the text string “MY FAVORITE MUSIC”, then the data for this text string is stored in the aforementioned buffer memory. The text string is also flashed on and off on the display section 14, as shown in FIG. 13(a). Then, when the user operates a predetermined operational switch from amongst the function switches 19 and issues an instruction for final settlement of the text string as the pit art, the data stored in the buffer memory is settled and the flashing text string switches to a still screen display, and the process then proceeds to step S108.
At step S108, the pickup 38 is moved across the write once disc DSC in a radial direction and the program area 2a is detected optically. Then, at step S110, based on the results of the optical detection, a judgement is made as to whether or not a recordable disc has been inserted.
At step S114, the start track (hereafter referred to as the start address) ADRS and the end track (hereafter referred to as the end address) ADRE of the program area 2a optically detected at step S108 are detected, and this address data ADRS, ADRE is supplied, together with the data D7 comprising the editing instructions, to the pit art data editing section 51 shown in FIG. 11. In addition, the pit art data editing section 51 computes the shape of the program area 2a based on the address data ADRS, ADRE. In other words, the pit art data editing section 51 calculates the width of the program area 2a in a radial direction, and then computes a ring shape corresponding with the calculated width.
Next, at step S120, the pit art data editing section 51 compares the size of the bit map data Dbmp with the shape of the program area 2a, and then edits the resolution (the density of dots per unit of area) and the size of the bit map data Dbmp so that the pit art will not extend outside the program area 2a. The edited bit map data Dbmp is then stored in the pit art data memory 47.
At the next step S122, the bit map data Dbmp stored in the pit art data memory 47 is supplied through the microprocessor MPU to the display section 14, which displays a preview of the manner in which the pit art is to be formed on the program area 2a of the write once disc DSC.
For example, if the aforementioned data D6 is the text string “MY FAVORITE MUSIC”, then the shape of the write once disc DSC and the shape of the program area 2a are displayed, and the edited bit map data Dbmp of the text string “MY FAVORITE MUSIC” is displayed inside the displayed program area 2a, as shown in FIG. 13(b). Furthermore, a message such as “Is the displayed image OK?” is also displayed, prompting the user to issue an instruction as to whether or not pit art writing should be started based on the displayed bit map data Dbmp.
At the next step S126, the pickup 38 is positioned at the start address ADRS in the program area 2a.
Then, at step S128, the first dot worth of data from the bit map data Dbmp is read from the pit art data memory 47, and is then supplied to the pickup 38 as the pit art data Dp and written into the program area 2a.
Next, at step S130, a determination is made as to whether or not all of the bit map data Dbmp has been written into the program area 2a. If all the data has not yet been written, the process returns to step S126 and the next dot worth of data from the bit map data Dbmp is supplied to the pickup 38 as the pit art data Dp, and is subsequently written into the next address of the program area 2a (step S128).
When pit art writing has been performed in this manner, pit art is formed in the program area 2a, such as the example shown in FIG. 3.
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Patent Publication Number: 20010026531
Inventors: Keiichi Onodera (Tokyo), Hiroyuki Kurashina (Saitama-ken), Takeshi Takahashi (Saitama-ken)
Application Number: 09/819,721
Current U.S. Class: Optical Storage Medium Structure (720/718)