Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20030149989?dq=7081579
Timestamp: 2016-05-24 08:11:42
Document Index: 207240633

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'Application No. 60', 'art. 22']

Patent US20030149989 - Broadcast distribution of content for storage on hardware protected optical ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsMethods and systems for content distribution are provided that include a broadcast transmitter for transmitting a signal that comprises content, a receiver for receiving the signal, and an optical disc recorder coupled to the receiver for recording the content to an optical disc, which may be an optically...http://www.google.com/patents/US20030149989?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20030149989 - Broadcast distribution of content for storage on hardware protected optical storage mediaAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20030149989 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/243,826Publication dateAug 7, 2003Filing dateSep 16, 2002Priority dateSep 14, 2001Also published asUS7960005Publication number10243826, 243826, US 2003/0149989 A1, US 2003/149989 A1, US 20030149989 A1, US 20030149989A1, US 2003149989 A1, US 2003149989A1, US-A1-20030149989, US-A1-2003149989, US2003/0149989A1, US2003/149989A1, US20030149989 A1, US20030149989A1, US2003149989 A1, US2003149989A1InventorsCharles Hunter, Bernard Ballou, John Hebrank, Laurie McNeilOriginal AssigneeHunter Charles Eric, Ballou Bernard L., Hebrank John H., Mcneil LaurieExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (99), Referenced by (48), Classifications (36), Legal Events (7) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetBroadcast distribution of content for storage on hardware protected optical storage media
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. �119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/322,186, filed Sep. 14, 2001, entitled “Ultrahigh Reliability, High Density, Read and Write Data Storage System,” the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0002] This claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. �119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/322,187, filed Sep. 14, 2001, entitled “System and Method for Content Delivery,” the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0003] This claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. �119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/326,563, filed Oct. 2, 2001, entitled “System and Method for Ultrahigh Reliability, High Density, Short Wavelength Laser Read and Write Data Storage System with Content Protection,” the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0004] This claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. �119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/325,888, filed Sep. 28, 2001, entitled “System and Method for Ultrahigh Reliability, High Density, Short Wavelength Laser Read and Write Data Storage System with Content Protection,” the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0005] This claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. �119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/328,606, filed Oct. 11, 2001, entitled “System and Method for Optically Altered DVD (DVDO™),” the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0006] This claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. �119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/347,440, filed Nov. 7, 2001, entitled “System and Method for Optically Altered DVD (DVDO™),” the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0007] This invention is directed to systems and methods for broadcast distribution of content for storage on optical discs, and more particularly for storage on optically altered discs. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0008] Content Distribution [0009] Traditional barriers between broadcast television, direct broadcast satellite networks, cable systems, MMDS, terrestrial network operators, internet technologies, dedicated point to point wide area networks, and general purpose computing have begun to rapidly dissolve. In particular, these technologies are migrating into an integrated whole. The development of interconnection architectures enables these emergent home and portable multimedia entertainment and commerce systems to grow in a manner analogous to the evolution of centralized and distributed computing, transmission, and storage architectures. Current systems are utilized in the distribution of interactive entertainment, all forms of electronic commerce, digital music downloads, digital video downloads, pay-per-view, pay-per-play audio, near or true video-on-demand, near or true audio-on-demand, near or true books-on-demand, software downloads and distribution, interactive advertising, gaming, home banking, education, and regionalized or end user targeted weather and news, among others. [0010] Multimedia portable and home recording and playback technology has similarly evolved with the advent of high-density ROM discs, read and write CD or DVD Discs, high density RAM, and magnetic disc technology. One form of emergent media, known as DataPlay (manufactured by DataPlay, Inc. of Boulder, Colo.), is a portable, physically compact, robust and affordable removable disc media system predicated on DVD technology. DataPlay utilizes various forms of digital rights management to protect content and facilitate commerce of recorded content. For example, DataPlay discs including such content as music or video may be physically distributed under the protection of the digital rights management scheme protecting the content from unauthorized copying or accessing. [0011] One problem within the current art is the extensive capital investment required with new CD, DVD, and other optical disc process lines. Each new generation of optical disc has required extensive investment in process development, manufacturing technology, manufacturing equipment, and related facilities and support. This is especially true as we presently witness the consolidation of present manufacturing lines amongst content providers such as record companies who are trying to mitigate capital expenditures and overhead costs. [0012] Another limitation associated with current content distribution schema are the inherent limitations within the present Digital Rights Management (DRM) as implemented with digital schemas, i.e., advances in processing power available for decryption, collaborative distributed processing efforts such as those utilized to break DES (digital encryption system), human disclosure factors as witnessed by the publication of standard DVD keys, combined with the fact that content is often available in an unencrypted format rendering the cryptographic analysis of the key possible. [0013] The DataPlay disc and other forms of pre-recorded ROM type media, therefore, are limited, to the physical distribution of the discs and recorded content. In addition, the DataPlay art and other forms recordable media are limited by the bandwidth and long latencies inherent to Internet content distribution methodologies. Without immediately available content, currently unavailable to users utilizing such recording media, the DataPlay and other recordable media require users to wait for content prior to recording. Finally, as DataPlay and other recording devices have used standard or publicly available methodologies in the reading or writing device, recorded content is no longer safe from unauthorized access. [0014] Optical Disc Technology [0015] The introduction of the Compact Digital Audio Disc (CD-DA) in 1982 unleashed a transformation in the way consumers obtain and store audio content. In order to achieve the CD's low cost, high reliability (low bit error rates), and consistent audio output quality, many revolutionary technologies had to simultaneously achieve fruition. In specific, the advent of long life double heterojunction AlGaAs laser diodes, low cost diffraction limited optics (diffraction gratings, polarization beam splitters, quarter wave plates, first surface mirrors, and collimating/cylindrical lenses), and high resolution optical scanning/position encoding, employed in conjunction with high resolution digital signal quantization (analog-to-digital converters), analog signal reconstruction (digital-to-analog converters), high stability, low run-out, servo drives and low cost polycarbonate disc manufacturing materials and processes were all necessary to facilitate this revolution in consumer audio distribution. [0016] The current art requires an easy migration path to higher capacity discs utilizing shorter wavelength long life laser diodes (such as 400-410 nanometer (nm) devices), as well as a system compatible with reading both higher capacity discs utilizing shorter wavelength long life laser diodes (such as 400-410 nanometer (nm) devices) and legacy DVDs and CDs. [0017] Modern CDs store about 1 million bits/mm2 on a 12 cm disc. Information is encoded on “pits” within the disc impressed upon a polycarbonate layer. Pits are 0.6 um wide arranged on tracks spaced 1.6 um apart. 22,188 tracks are arranged on each disc over an active surface disc 35.3 mm wide. The bit rate from a disc is 4.3218 megabits/second resulting from a circular linear velocity read rate of 1.2 m/sec and, subtracting for overhead, error correction, and tracking information affords an audio bit stream of 1.41 megabits/second i.e. two channels of audio (stereo) of 16 bit resolution per sample at 44.1 KHz for 4,440 seconds. Thus of the approximately 15.5 billion bits of information on a modern CD, 6.26 billion are available for actual audio information and the balance are allocated for overhead. Thus one limitation within the current art is the high ratio of overhead to data (audio) bits—currently 15.5/6.2, or equivalently 2.5:1. The CD family has witnessed many new members along the years including CD-ROM (1984), CD-i (1986), CD-WO (1988), Video-CD (1994), and CD-R/W (1996). Other limitations within the CD art include low total storage (from 783 to 867 megabytes), low output bandwidth (176 kilobytes/second standard 1�), and limited file format flexibility. While the bandwidth has been improved with a new generation of high velocity readers (52�+), this is fundamentally the outgrowth and deployment of Digital Versatile Disc technology discussed below. [0018] Again, owing to limitations with the CD's storage density and bandwidth, an improved technology was required to support high resolution video for sustained periods of time (e.g. single movies) along with larger quantities of data. In 1997, the Digital Versatile Disc (or Digital Video Disc) was unleashed, based upon the fundamental concepts employed in CD design, albeit with a somewhat shorter wavelength laser diode (635 or 650 nm as compared with a CDs 780 nm laser), improved optics (a Numerical Aperture NA of 0.6 as compared with the CDs NA of 0.45), servo drive (3.49 m/sec on a single layer DVD, 3.84 m/sec on a dual layer DVD as compared with the CDs 1.2 m/sec), bit density improvements including track to track spacing (0.74 um DVD pitch spacing versus a CD's 1.6 um spacing) and linear bit density (DVD single layer 0.40/1.87 um min/max—DVD dual layer 0.44/2.05 um min/max), multiple layers (optional), multiple sides (optional) and mandatory sophisticated microprocessor decoding and error correction. The resultant performance specifications are a recording bit density of 7� improvement from the CD (DVD 7 million bits/mm2 versus the CD's 1 million bits/mm2), a commensurate 7� storage density per DVD layer of 4.7 billion bytes. It should be noted that reduced DVD “pit” size actually accounts for an area density improvement of only 467%, and the remainder of the bit density improvement is from highly improved data encoding and error correction techniques. [0019] A fundamental departure from the CD is found in the universal file structure of the data on a DVD, which is truly near random access (pseudo addressable) data storage. This capability combined with real-time microprocessor interactivity should allow DVD to become the dominant media in video distribution and storage (over VHS and laser disc) along with audio, data storage, and software distribution (over the CD). DVDs are divided amongst six types (specification books A through E as known in the industry)—DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD-R, DVD-R/W, DVD-RAM. [0020] DVD disc capacities are not linear per layer. Since the optical system must be refocused to read the outer semi-reflective or inner fully-reflective (embedded layer), signal-to-noise losses occur when reading the inner layer. To compensate the inner embedded track is read at slightly higher rate with a lower bit density. Hence another limitation within the current art is the limited signal to noise ratio achievable with current 635/650 nm laser diodes and multi-layer DVD disc technology. For reference a DVD-5 single side/single layer disc holds 4.7 billon bytes, and as expected DVD-10 double side/single layer disc holds 9.4 billion bytes; a DVD-9 single sided dual layer disc holds 8.5 billion bytes and a DVD-18 dual sided, double layer disc holds 17 billion bytes. Output total bit rates are 26.16 million bits/sec and the maximum out data rate is 11.08 million bits second—for a net aggregate coding overhead ratio of 2.36 (slightly improved from CD overhead of 2.5:1). Thus another limitation within the current art is the still low coding efficiency of DVD technology. Yet another limitation of DVD is found in the low output data rate of 1.385 megabytes/second. [0021] Both pre-recorded and user-recorded data may be included on a single disc. However, a typical DataPlay disc is 32 mm in diameter and holds only about 500 MB of data. Thus one limitation of DataPlay technology is the low total storage capacity of the DataPlay Device. DataPlay devices are presently capable of 0.97 megabytes/second sustained transfer rate of written data and 0.79 megabytes/second transfer rate of ROM data. Thus another limitation of DataPlay devices is their total sustainable read/write bandwidths. Furthermore, because DataPlay technology is based upon DVD technology, other limitations within the current DataPlay technology are the limited signal to noise ratio achievable with current 635/650 nm laser diodes along with the still low coding efficiency. [0022] In order to achieve reasonable laser diode power consumption levels, DataPlay devices utilize unprotected pits and land surfaces to encode data, making them highly vulnerable to damage by handling and contamination. In contrast, standard DVDs (see, ECMA-267 Standard, 3 Edition, April 2001, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety) utilize two 0.6 mm polycarbonate layers that are bonded together with the data layers protected on the internal surfaces, thus forming a 1.2 mm total DVD thickness. This methodology was developed in response to limitations found in the CD's placement of the data layer near the top surface, where it is extremely vulnerable to damage. Thus another limitation within the current DataPlay art is the use of thin coated surfaces, making them highly vulnerable to damage and debris. [0023] As a direct result of utilizing thin coated surfaces, DataPlay devices incorporate a protective housing for the data surfaces. The housing requires a moveable mechanical assembly to expose an area of the disc for reading and writing of the encoded data. Inherently, all mechanical devices have a lower reliability than a system with no moving parts due to normal wear and tear, along with a greater susceptibility to handling and environmental issues. Further a protective assembly adds cost and complexity to the manufacturing processes, non-recurring design, tooling costs, and per item manufacturing costs. Thus yet another limitation within the current DataPlay art is the need for a protective housing. [0024] Thin coated data encoding surfaces, such as those utilized in DataPlay Devices are highly susceptible to contamination. Since encoded data pits are at or near the focal plane of the read or write optical beam, any contamination residing on the surface of the disc becomes extremely problematic. While the DataPlay device utilizes a protective housing, it requires opening for the reading or writing the disc. As such it is exposed to the external environment within the Datplay player and any internal contamination or humidity. Contamination is cumulative over the life of the disc and contaminants from one DataPlay player may be deposited within another player by utilizing a disc or discs within multiple players. Thus another problem within the current art is that thin coated discs always suffer from a higher bit error rate due to contamination. [0025] As data densities continue to increase, individual “bits” will be encoded on ever smaller surface areas within the disc. Small particulate matter, condensation molecules, and other forms of contamination will be able to induce multi-bit errors that require more sophisticated error correction techniques. For a given size and efficacy of a given contaminant, the number of successive bit errors will be increased as corresponding bit densities increase, requiring more bits to be reserved for bit error correction and reliable tracking, thus reducing the amount of user data available on a given disc. Hence, yet another problem with thin coated discs is the requisite additional error correction bits and encoding scheme, limiting the percentage of useable data bits, along with reducing or eliminating the benefits of increased bit encoding density on the disc. [0026] Thin disc substrates are less susceptible to tilt relative to the read/write optical device. Thus DVDs with their 0.6 mm data to surface distance are less susceptible to tilt errors than CDs which have a 1.2 mm data to surface distance. Conversely, the 1.2 mm CD distance allows the laser beam to be more out of focus at the surface than is that of the 0.6 mm DVD. DVDs are thus required to have a more sophisticated error correction technique to compensate. The thickness of the protective surface is restricted by the optical losses within the protective material. Optical losses are due to surface reflection, absorption, and internal scatter. Clearly the higher the losses the more optical power required for a given bit error rate—translating to increased laser diode or other optical source power consumption and decreased reliability and lifetime. Thus another limitation within the current art is the high optical losses within protective disc coatings, requiring higher power optical sources for given bit error rates. Yet another limitation within the current art is the error due to tilt, which may limit the thickness of practical protective coatings. [0027] Losses within protective disc optical coatings are not the only losses within the optical laser read or write path. Typically the optics within a disc or DataPlay player have substantive losses, up to 75% or more of the laser diode or other source output photons are lost in the read or write optical path. This is due to limitations within the optical materials themselves, the ability to effectively deliver the photons with an optimal spot beam size (energy disc), or the ability to collect reflected/transmitted photons from the data bit surfaces on the disc. Thus another problem within the current art is the lossy optical delivery and collection optics within DataPlay and other optical disc players. [0028] Future applications will require multiple high-resolution movies and/or multiple audio albums on a single storage disc. While the inherent manufacturing costs of prior art CDs and DVDs are modest, the transportation and distribution expenses of single movie or a limited number of audio albums on a single disc prohibits the pre-sale distribution of key encrypted content discs for subsequent sale, i.e. discs are shipped to consumers and unlocked if and when desired for pay per play or purchase. Thus another limitation within the current art is the limited storage density of DVD discs. [0029] The ubiquitous proliferation of illegal DVD decryption software has lead to an industry wide concern of piracy. This is also true of audio content. Further as more consumers have access to broadband Internet links the threat of piracy ever increases. While it may be possible to police the future Napsters of the world, it will not be possible to prohibit piracy between consenting parties. Encoding techniques and other forms of digital rights management fail because of the always-present human element within the system. Thus another limitation within the current art is the limitations of digital encryption technology. [0030] It is therefore desirable to provide secure methods and apparatus for broadcast transmission and high capacity storage of content. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0031] Consistent with the invention, systems and methods for content distribution are provided that include a broadcast transmitter for transmitting a signal that includes content, a receiver for receiving the signal, and an optical disc recorder coupled to the receiver for recording the content to an optically altered optical disc.
[0091] [0091]FIG. 4 depicts a traditional optical disc, such as a conventional CD or DVD. A traditional optical disc consists of a transmissive coating 400 and one or more reflective data layers 402. Upon reading the disc, the laser beam is focused on one or more reflective data layers 402 through the disc entrance surface 404. [0092] As used herein, the term “transmission” denotes the percentage of energy passing through an element or system relative to the amount that entered. Similarly, the term “transmittance” is the ratio of the radiant power transmitted by an object to the incident radiant power. Finally, the term “transmissivity” denotes that internal transmittance per unit thickness of the material that forms the object. [0093] Optically altered disc 116 may, in one embodiment also consist of transmissive coating 400, one or more reflective data layers 402, and disc surface 404. However, in optically altered disc 116, transmissive coating 400 is optional. If present, transmissive coating 400 can perform one or more additional features such as optional filtering, anti-reflecting, and a protecting functions. In one embodiment, optically altered optical disc 116 may comprise the reflective data layer 402 and an additional layer on which the reflective content layer is disposed. In this embodiment, the additional layer may be any one or more of (1) an ultraviolet light transmissive layer, (2) an anti-reflective layer disposed on the reflective content layer, (3) an anti-reflective layer, (4) a visible light opaque layer, (5) an optical filter layer, (6) an inorganic material layer having a bandgap greater than about 4.5 eV, (7) a plurality of optically differentiated layers, and (8) an organic layer having a band gap greater than about 3.0 eV. [0094] Consistent with this invention, an optically altered optical disc, such as a DVD (e.g., DVDO™ or DVDOA™) or a CD (e.g., CDO or CDOA), can be created by disc recording device 206 to provide content protection in lieu of or in addition to a traditional DRM schema. As used herein, “optically altered optical discs” cannot be read by optical readers that are compatible with conventional optical discs, such as those defined by ECMA 267 Standard, 3rd Edition, April 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Therefore, one or more intrinsic optical differences in traditional CD (780 nm) and/or DVD (650/635 nm) read and write technology are implemented to render the reading optically altered optical disc impossible by conventional readers. Thus, consistent with this invention, content can be written to optically altered optical disc 116 in a way that requires a DVDO or CDO player to later view or access the content. Similarly, to record on optically altered optical disc 116, a suitable recorder is required. This approach overcomes the conventional limitations of content distribution, including limitations with the present Digital Rights Management (DRM). [0095] In one embodiment, optically altered optical disc 116 can be formed by applying an optically different coating, for example, a polymer, that facilitates the use of a different optical focal length within the read and write system. [0096] In one embodiment, an adjustable focal length system is utilized to read both legacy DVD and CD discs along with optically altered optical disc type discs. A galvanometer, linear actuator, a piezo actuator, a flexible membrane system (reflective, refractive, or holographic) may be used to adjust the focal length. The focal length may be continuously or periodically variable in synchronous with the disc read/write system. In one embodiment, a dual focal length system is utilized to read/write both legacy DVD and CD discs along with optically altered optical discs. [0097] In another embodiment, the size, shape, or energy spot distribution may be optical altered to provide content protection. [0098] In another embodiment, a dual color optical read/write system is utilized to facilitate both DVDO and CDO discs. In one embodiment, a three color system is utilized to read from and/or write to high capacity DVDO and CDO discs, along with legacy DVD and CD discs (400/410 nm-635/650 nm-780 nm respectively). The three color system provides an immediate and compelling migration path to higher capacity discs utilizing shorter wavelength long life laser diodes (such as 400-410 nanometer (nm) devices). In yet another embodiment, a three color system is used to read from and/or write to high capacity DVDO and CDO discs with shortwave laser diodes, along with legacy DVD and CD discs (400/410 nm-635/650 nm-780 nm respectively). [0099] In one embodiment, a single color system is utilized to read any combination (or subset thereof) of high density DVDO discs HVDO™, high density DVDs (HVD™), high density optically altered CDs (HCDO™), high density CDs, along with legacy DVD and CD type discs. The use of a single color system further facilitates an ultra-low cost, high reliability (minimum component count) system as discussed solving the need within the current art for a system compatible with reading both higher capacity discs utilizing shorter wavelength long life laser diodes (such as 400-410 nm devices) and legacy DVDs and CDs. The choice of color selection is based upon disc compatibility, cost, component availability, and other design and manufacturing parameters: ILLUSTRATIVE WAVELENGTH (NM) DISC TYPES 780 CDO, CD 635/650 DVDO, DVD, HCDO, HCD, CDO, CD 400/410 HDVDO, HVD, DVDO, DVD, HCDO, HCD, CDO, CD [0100] It will be appreciated that the above list is representative and not discrete in wavelength values. Other wavelengths are indeed possible and likely, with the numbers shown as guidelines only. As presented in the related filing shorter wavelengths offer the capability for storage increased density. In addition it is anticipated by the present invention that laser diodes and other optical sources shorter than 400/410 nm (likely in the 200/250 nm range and below) will be available allowing further generations of very high capacity discs, scalable and within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to any specific optical source or optical system as these are well known within the current and emergent art and are anticipated to evolve. It should be further appreciated that the higher bit densities offer improved read/write data rates. [0101] It should be further noted that the physical diameter or shape of the disc is not limited by the present invention. Indeed both smaller diameter discs (ex: 20-30 mm) and larger diameter discs (e.g., 200 mm) may be utilized. This invention may be used with single or multi-sided discs, multi-layer discs, multiple discs, or any combination thereof. [0102] In one embodiment, optical image recognition processing is applied to the signal emerging from (read) or going to (write) the disc. A single high resolution spot signal is deconvolved from the larger optical image size, (for example 400/410 nm focused laser diode spot image on larger 635/650 nm DVD disc pit). The image deconvolution may be accomplished by analog or digital signal processing based upon shape recognition, single or multiple edge differentiation, or any other appropriate signal processing technique well known in the art. [0103] In another embodiment, an AC coupling of the photodetector(s) is applied to achieve an energy balance system. As the bit stream sinks in (waveform above and below zero reference) only the zero crossings are processed indicating edge or bit transitions. This approach provides for amplitude independence of the optical source and thus accommodates degradation in the laser diode, other optical source, optics, and photodetector responsivity. This effectively counteracts life, aging, temperature variations, stress and other variations/degradation within the system. [0104] In one embodiment, the bit error rate is sensed and the energy to the laser diode, or other optical source is increased to reduce the bit error. [0105] In another embodiment, optical energy impingent of the photodetector is sensed and compared to a threshold or thresholds and the energy to the laser diode, or other optical source is increased to reduce the bit error. [0106] In one embodiment, optical energy impingent of the photodetector is sensed and compared to a threshold or thresholds and the energy to the laser diode, or other optical source is increased to reduce the bit error. [0107] In one embodiment, color selection is utilized to minimize bit error rates and/or autonomously determine disc type. [0108] In one embodiment, the focal length of one or more optical systems is varied around known or determined optimal points to reduce bit error rates. [0109] In yet another aspect of the present invention the optical focal length is varied to maximize, achieve a known level, or a percentage of peak energy on the photodetector. [0110] In yet another aspect of the present invention the color or focal lengths are autonomously varied or searched to determine the type of discs and optimize performance. [0111] In yet another aspect of the present invention, color and focal lengths are synchronously varied to provide content protection. [0112] In one embodiment, a solid state photo spectrometer is used with multiple photodetectors to achieve multi-color reading or writing through single or multiple optical systems with a color variable, or a known fixed, focal length. For example, detectors may be arranged to pickup individual color bands by using optical color filters, coatings, or other means to simultaneously read multiple bits from single or multi-layer images. [0113] In yet another embodiment the present invention the overall system (read/write player) is optimized for optimal life of the optical laser diode or other optical sourced as function of the bit error rate due to optical contamination, misalignment, and other sources along with the disc coating thickness, (optical throughput). In particular by reducing the optical power for read functions (not limited to just read) the system provides for the use of simpler, less complex laser diode structures, that result in lower costs, smaller dies in manufacturing the chip sets which produce higher yields, enhanced reliability, and early time to market. [0114] In yet another aspect of this invention, conventional manufacturing equipment is used with optically differentiated coatings to reduce, or even eliminate, significant additional costs that may be associated with new CD, DVD, and other optical disc product lines. No new extensive investment in process development, manufacturing technology, manufacturing equipment, and related facilities and support is required. Thus content providers trying to mitigate capital investment expenditures and overhead costs will have enjoy a significant benefit. This eliminates those capital/manufacturing problems associated with new generation Dataplay type devices. [0115] Illustrative systems and methods for their use are listed below: Generation 1 [0116] The technology, which may be an optically altered disc technology, is licensed for consumer record/playback devices. A simple device that downloads music, video, or other content onto an OA device for pay-per-play or purchase. For example, videos may be pay-per-play whereas music might be purchased. An existing 635 nm laser diode and optical system may be utilized for the OA function while a second laser diode and optionally a second optical assembly can be used for compatibility with legacy discs. Generation 1A [0117] Generation 1A includes all of the features listed above for Generation 1, as well as a hard drive for profiling content. Generation 2 [0118] As above, except Generation 2 uses shortwave 400/410 nm laser diodes for reading new generation HVDs and HVDOs. (typically 8�-80 GB). A second 635/650 nm laser diode provides compatibility with legacy discs along with DVDO and CDO type discs. A high transmissivity disc coating in combination with along with contamination control system and bit error correction software are utilized. The optical disc coating provides a robust surface without the dust/contamination issues that are known to plague Dataplay type devices. Generation 3 [0119] As above, except a single 400/410 nm laser diode system with image waveform recognition is utilized to be broadly compatible with HDVDO, HVD, DVDO, DVD, HCDO, HCD, CDO, and CD. [0120] Additional Coating Information [0121] TABLES 1 and 2 include lists of some of the illustrative materials that are suitable for DVDO coatings. The materials may be used individually or in any combination thereof, and can be applied in multiple layers. For example, one or more coatings (or layers) can be applied primarily for focal distance and optical transmissivity properties, while others (such as a hard overcoat) may be applied for structural integrity and/or physical protection. It should also be appreciated that improved optical transmissivities enable higher bit densities and improved read/write data rates with lower bit error rates. TABLE 1 Transmission Material 635 nm 400-410 nm 210-250 nm Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) ˜85% ˜73 --> 80% 0 (300 nm thick) Polycrystalline fcc TiN ˜90% ˜80 --> 84% 0 --> 8% Films Nanocrystalline Sb-doped ˜90% ˜88 --> 90% ˜25 --> 30% SnO2 (200 nm thick) CeO2-TiO2 Films ˜92% NA NA calcined @ 450 C. (100 nm thick) (polarized) CeO2-TiO2 Films ˜94% NA NA calcined @ 450 C. (100 nm thick) TiO2 NA ˜100% NA Polyaniline (Emeraldine ˜27% ˜65% ˜36 --> 18% Base) Polyaniline (Emeraldine ˜65% ˜45% ˜49 --> 42% Salt) Polyaniline ˜89% ˜75% ˜20 --> 18% (Leucoemeraldine Base) Poly(3-octylthiophene) ˜55% ˜40% NA Poly(para-phenylene) ˜79% ˜16% NA Poly(cyanoterephthalylide ˜83% ˜44 --> 40% ˜63% nes) Poly(ortho-toluidine) low very high NA Amorphous 80% Transparent Hydrogenated 500 nm --> 5,000 C (a —C:H) nm Crystalline Nanoscale ˜90% Powder SnO2: Transmission in Sb (ATO) “visible” Al-doped ZnO thin Films ˜90% Transmittance in visible Kynar SL (trademark)/Cp- transparent 41 (trademark) blends Polyester Acrylate Film 56% --> 89% Cured transmittance with Pinacalone (250-300 nm) Poly(vinylether) Coating 97% --> 100% (22 micron thick; UV- Transmittance cured) (250-400 nm) Poly(trishydroxyphenyl- ˜60% ethane) [TVE] Transmittance (635 nm) [0122] [0122] TABLE 2 Glasses (mixtures of inorganic oxides) Transmission (1 cm) Phosphate Crown 546.1 nm 310 nm Dense Phosphate Crown 99.8 46 Borosilicate Crown 99.8 46 Crown 99.8 35 Zinc Crown 99.8 40 Barium Crown 99.8 27 Dense Crown 99.7 28 Crown Flint 99.8 28 Barium Light Flint 99.6 49 Extra Dense Crown 99.8 1 Extra Light Flint 99.8 1 Barium Flint 99.7 17 Light Flint 99.7 32 Flint 99.8 0.4 Dense Barium Flint 99.8 0.8 Dense Flint 99.8 0 Short Flint 99.7 12 [0123] Materials with a large band gap (e.g., about 4-5 eV or larger) allow optical transmission in the ultraviolet portion of the electromagnetic spectrum (e.g., wavelengths less than about 400 nm, especially wavelengths less than about 350 nm). Organic materials (e.g. polymers) typically have band gaps of 3.5 eV or smaller, due to the energy of the electronic excitations of sp2 and sp3-bonded carbon. Large band gaps are typically found only in inorganic materials, especially oxides, nitrides, fluorides, and some carbides. Examples of such materials include: BeO, B2O3, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, CaO, Cr2O3, GeO2, SrO, Y2O3, ZrO2, BaO2, CeO2, HfO2, BN, AlN, Si3N4, MgF2, CaF2, SrF2, BaF2, C (diamond), SiC [0124] Mixtures of these compounds (e.g. AlxOyNz, YxZryOz) can also be used, which allows tuning of the physical characteristics (processability, hardness, hygroscopicity, etc.). Materials of this sort are used in UV photolithography. [0125] Recent advances in wide energy bandgap light emitting devices based upon materials such as III-V Indium Gallium Nitride (InGaN) and its related compounds including InGaAs grown on materials such as Silicon Carbide (SiC) will enable short wave laser (approximately 410 nm through UV) diodes to operate with long lifetimes at room temperatures. While competing technologies such as blue lasers based upon II-VI compounds such as Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) are possible, they have shown lifetimes far too short to be of commercial viability. Further frequency doubling to achieve short wavelengths is still too costly for deployment in typical consumer devices. Both GaN and SiC (6H-4H) materials demonstrate a multiplicity of highly desirable properties including a wide energy bandgaps, thus enabling high temperature operation without intrinsic conduction—enabling the emission and detection of short wavelength light—and the advent of short wavelength laser diodes. [0126] In addition, as a substrate, SiC has a high breakdown voltage of approximately 2.4 megavolts/cm and high electron drift velocity of approximately 2.0�107 cm/sec at E≧2(105) V/cm, additionally SiC is an excellent thermal conductor approximately (3.8 W/cm-� Kelvin). Additional short wavelength/UV laser diode technologies may include the use of InGaN grown on single crystal Al2O3, with or without a buffer layer, single crystal GaN or AlN and their related compounds grown or deposited on AlN, SiC, Al2O3 with or without buffer layers. Buffer layers may be included to promote a closer lattice and thermal coefficient of expansion match. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any specific implementation or any subset of implementations of a short wavelength or UV laser diodes. [0127] It should be clearly noted that the present invention applies to all wavelengths shorter than 635 nm and is not restricted to blue, UV, or any other operating range. [0128] In one embodiment of the present invention a short wave laser diode is operated at a reduced power dissipation level to dramatically increase laser diode life and reliability through the use of reduced optical spot size, allowing commensurately smaller “pits” and track to track spacing. For example by simply reducing the image spot size from CD technology 780 nm technology and DVD (best case 635 nm technology) we achieve a commensurate bit density gains of approximately (7802/4052)=3.7:1 over standard CD-DA technology and (6352/4052)=2.46:1 better than standard DVD-ROM technology. Short wavelength laser diodes including UV devices based upon high energy bandgap materials have an even greater advantage, for example we achieve (7802/2102)=13.8:1 over standard CD-DA technology and (6352/2102)=9.14:1 better than standard DVD-ROM technology. [0129] In one embodiment, reductions in spot image size (area) allow a near exponential decrease in power dissipation and full exponential increase in reliability and lifetime. In specific a laser diode failures rate λ (failures per thousands of hours) is directly related to junction power dissipation, thermal mismatch of materials including buffer layer, bonding pads, bonding wires, and case materials. For reference the mean time between failure of a laser diode may be calculated as 1/λ and the probability of successful operation for a given time period as e−λt where t is total active operational time in hours. By reducing the image spot area with short wave or UV wavelengths, the use of these laser diodes is now possibly through the aforestated power reductions. Reliability and associated laser diode lifetimes are increased to a level that makes deployment of these laser diodes practical in home consumer devices—a function of cost, reliability, and lowered power consumption. [0130] In another embodiment of the present invention a short wavelength laser diode is employed to greatly increase the bit density of a digital disc storage device, improve reliability of the of the read/write function with a higher signal to noise ratio, (resulting in a lower bit error rate), yield a higher bandwidth bit output rate, or any achievable combination thereof. Application of our short wave laser diode yields a bit density improvement of 2.46:1, providing a side/single layer 12 cm diameter disc of 11.56 billon bytes, (17.22 million bits/mm2). A double sided, double layer 12 cm disc with a short wave laser diode similarly offers 41.82 billion bytes (31.15 million bits/mm2). [0131] In one embodiment, the use of a UV laser diode has an even more profound bit density benefit of 9.14:1 providing a side/single layer 12 cm diameter disc of 42.96 billon bytes, (63.98 million bits/mm2). A double sided, double layer 12 cm disc with a UV laser diode similarly offers 382.23 billion bytes (115.74 million bits/mm2). [0132] In one embodiment, the increased bit densities from short wave laser diodes are utilized to increase output bandwidth. Assuming the present industry standard circular linear velocity read rate of 3.84 m/sec, the improved bit density from a short wave laser diode provides an increase in output bandwidth to 2.17 megabytes/second, an improvement of 1.57:1. Improved signal to noise also accommodate higher multiples n*X of linear velocity read rates and commensurate increases in output data bandwidth. [0133] In one embodiment, the increased bit densities from UV wave laser diodes are utilized to increase output bandwidth. Assuming the present industry standard circular linear velocity read rate of 3.84 m/sec, the improved bit density from a UV laser diode provides an increase in output bandwidth to 4.19 megabytes/second, an improvement of 3.02:1. Improved signal to noise also accommodates higher multiples n*X of linear velocity read rates and commensurate increases in output data bandwidth. [0134] In one embodiment, the reduced power consumption of the short wave or UV laser diode is exploited to increase the lifetime of battery powered portable or fixed recorders/players, and/or reduce the size and complexity of power supplies employed within these recorders/players. [0135] In yet another embodiment one or more a SiC photodetectors are employed to improve signal to noise through a lower noise spectral density and or improved responsivity (conversion of photons to photoelectrons). SiC photodetectors have ultra high quantum efficiency (the ratio of conversion of impinged photons to photoelectrons) and an extremely low noise spectral density comprised of dark current (essentially shot, Johnson, and excess noise). By allowing down to single photon counting at room temperature SiC photodetectors have the ability to facilitate further reductions in laser diode emitter power and ultra high bandwidth read technologies with low capacitance devices, utilized with read bandwidth enhancement circuitry (high frequency boost amplification). [0136] In one embodiment, reading and writing non-coated surfaces and or antireflection coated discs substantially increases signal to noise of encoded discs by reducing losses within the system. Further the non-coated surfaces are substantially thinner substrates that have an inherent advantage in reliability as they are less susceptible to errors in tilt. [0137] In one embodiment, atomic thickness or ultra thin short wave/UV transparent and resistive coatings are employed to protect recorded or ROM discs from contamination. Any short wave/UV hard overcoat materials such as, but not limited to, Silicon Dioxide SiO2 and Manganese Fluoride MgF2 may be employed. These coatings may be deposited or applied by any conventional coating technology. [0138] In another embodiment, a short wave/UV transparent and resistive polymer is employed to protect recorded or ROM discs from contamination. In one embodiment, the uncoated disc is place in a protective housing, and is inserted into the playing device fully protected to reduce exposure to harmful contamination. [0139] In another embodiment, multiple photodetectors are employed to simultaneously read multiple tracks. A combination buffer multiplexor system is employed to recombine the tracks to yield an ultrahigh output bit rate bandwidth. [0140] In one embodiment, either the proprietary nature of the short wave laser diode, improved track resolution, read/write mechanism, and self-contained decoding mechanism, or any combination thereof is employed as an anti-piracy device. The barriers created by creating a proprietary and/or patented technology, controlling the supply of short wave/UV laser diodes, and or any components therein comprises a highly effective mechanism for limiting piracy since all decoding and key enabling technologies may be integrated into self contained, tamper resistive, packaging. [0141] In one embodiment, the high density disc is utilized in whole or in part with an encryption, digital rights management, or other keying system, with an access code entered by any means, to unlock pre-stored content on the discs for pay per play or purchase. [0142] In one embodiment, short wave and/or UV laser diodes are employed with “near field” ROM and/or “near field” read/write discs to provide commensurate bit density improvements, output bandwidth improvements, increased component reliability, reduced power consumption, or any combination thereof. [0143] In one embodiment, collimating lenses of any type, standard, aspheric, fresnel, or holographic are utilized to improve the energy gathering and delivery from the short wave or UV laser diode. In addition the collimation provides for a near distance insensitive delivery of energy to a fixed or movable lens, lens assembly, or lens array for focus adjust. Focus adjust may be for accommodating of legacy (CD, DVD, or DataPlay) media types devices in a single player/recorder. [0144] In one embodiment, a closed loop feedback system is employed to optimize the focus of the optical spot, dynamically optimizing signal to noise to account for both instantaneous and long-term system misalignments. [0145] In one embodiment, a diffuser of any type, preferentially of crossed arrays of micro cylindrical lenses are utilize to provide uniform energy to a focusing lens, lenses, or lens array—offering a more uniform energy spot. [0146] In one embodiment, a spatial encoder mask on the laser diode source optics is utilized in conjunction with photodiode read array to increase signal to noise ratios and/or facilitate the simultaneous read of multiple tracks. [0147] In one embodiment, laser diode or other optical source power consumption levels are brought to a minimum by utilizing highly transparent short wave and/or UV transparent materials for protection of disc surfaces. For compatibility with legacy CD, DVD and DataPlay-type technologies the protective coating materials may also be highly transmissive in the longer wavelength region. Below is a non-exhaustive list of many materials useful for the present invention. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the materials listed, but rather may be any type of highly transmissive inorganic or organic material, natural or synthetic, with or without coatings to reduce surface reflectivity, otherwise enhance transmissivity, or reduce absorption. Coatings may consist of single materials or multi-layer coatings such as those composed of dielectric materials. Also listed below is a non-exhaustive list of many materials available for enhancement coatings. It should again be noted that the list is representative, and the present invention applies to any coatings which reduce losses within the optical system or disc coating. For example, by applying the protective, highly transmissive materials and or coatings to DataPlay devices, the pit and land surfaces become fully protected, making them highly impervious to damage by handling and contamination. The application of protective materials and/or coatings may consist of chemical vapor deposition, photoresist etching, hot melt adhesion, injection molding, sputtering, photopolymers, deposition, ion assisted deposition, organic growth, or any other appropriate method of application. In addition the encoded disc may be manufactured from the protective material directly, as design and/or manufacturing requirements dictate. [0148] In one embodiment, the power level of the optical short wave or UV laser diode is reduced via the use of a highly transmissive optical protective coating. By reducing the requisite optical power, laser diode reliability is increased dramatically. Indeed the application of the protective highly transmissive coating, is enabling of high density discs by allowing emergent short wave laser diodes to have lifetimes compatible with consumer product applications (10,000 to 100,000+hours mean time between failures MTBF) [0149] In one embodiment, the protective highly transmissive coating eliminates the need for a protective housing for the data surfaces, as used in DataPlay devices. By eliminating the need for a housing, moveable mechanical assemblies are not required. This enhances reliability by providing a disc system without moving parts, eliminating any wear and tear effects, and greatly increases robustness with respect to handling and environmental issues. the elimination of the protective housing reduces cost and complexity to the manufacturing processes, non recurring design, tooling costs, and per item manufacturing costs. [0150] In one embodiment, a highly transmissive protective coating or coatings are applied to the data encoding surfaces. By moving the surface of the disc away from the encoded data pits, the surface of the disc is able to be away from the focal plane of the read or write optical beam, thus the effect of any contamination residing on the surface of the disc is significantly reduced, or in most practical scenarios, effectively eliminated. Since the data pits are never exposed to the external environment, this approach far exceeds that found in DataPlay discs which are highly susceptible to contamination or humidity. As previously stated contamination is cumulative over the life of the disc and contaminants from one DataPlay player may be deposited within another player by utilizing a disc or discs within multiple players. [0151] In one embodiment, laser diodes with wavelengths shorter than 635 nm are utilized to increase the data density of DVD and DataPlay type discs with applied highly transmissive protective coatings. For example, the use of emergent short wave “blue” laser 405 nm diodes coupled with increased linear bit and track-to-track densities. Once again, the use of the coatings will facilitate moving the surface of the disc away from the encoded data pits, the surface of the disc is able to be away from the focal point of the read or write optical beam, thus the effect of any contamination residing on the surface of the disc is significantly reduced, or in most practical scenarios, effectively eliminated. Particulate matter, condensation molecules, and other forms of contamination will not introduce significant quantities of additional multi-bit errors—thus more sophisticated error correction techniques will not be required. For a given size and efficacy of a given contaminant, the number of successive bit errors will not be increased as the corresponding bit densities increase, thus the user will gain at least a proportionate amount of user data in relation to the increased track and bit density. [0152] In one embodiment, laser diodes with wavelengths shorter than 635 nm and highly reduced power consumption are utilized to increase the data density of DVD and DataPlay type discs with applied highly transmissive protective coatings. For example, the use of emergent short wave “blue” laser 405 nm diodes coupled with increased linear bit and track-to-track densities. Once again, the use of the coatings will facilitate moving the surface of the disc away from the encoded data pits, the surface of the disc is able to be away from the focal point of the read or write optical beam, thus the effect of any contamination residing on the surface of the disc is significantly reduced, or in most practical scenarios, effectively eliminated. The reduction of errors allows a reduced optical power on the disc surface with an acceptable bit error rate. [0153] In one embodiment, a highly transmissive protective coating is applied to the encoded data surface where the thickness of the protective surface is optimized to minimize overall bit error rates as a function of contaminants, tilt, spot beam focus, and transmitted/collected optical power. This is done by calculating and/or measuring bit error rate functions as a function of expected contaminant density, expected tilts due to manufacturing tolerances, aging, wear, and handling, along with optical aberrations and other effects which may cause spatial aliasing/boundary overrun effects over given bits or bit patterns of interest. The solution may be found in closed form by aggregating the functions, differentiating, and setting the result to zero to find absolute and/or relative minima. This solution may also be calculated by various forms of state space search or by calculating and varying sensitivity parameters. It is anticipated that practical constraints, cost goals or limitations, and desired boundary conditions may also be applied. [0154] In one embodiment, highly transmissive short wave and or UV optical materials and coatings are utilized in the optical read/write path to reduce losses within the system, thus reducing the requisite optical power output from the short wave or UV laser diode or optical source. 1 [0155] In yet another aspect of the present invention broadband coatings and or optical materials are utilized for compatibility with legacy CD and DVD type devices along with legacy laser diodes and short wave or UV high density laser diodes and high density discs. [0156] In yet another aspect of the present invention multiple narrowband optical coatings and or optical materials are utilized for compatibility with legacy CD and DVD type devices along with legacy laser diodes and short wave or UV high density laser diodes and high density discs. [0157] In yet another aspect of the present invention a hybrid combination of broadband and narrow band optical components are utilized for compatibility with legacy CD and DVD type devices along with legacy laser diodes and short wave or UV high density laser diodes and high density discs. [0158] In yet another aspect of the present invention a hybrid combination of tunable broadband and narrow band optical components are utilized for compatibility with legacy CD and DVD type devices along with legacy and short wave or UV high density laser diodes and high density. [0159] In yet another aspect of the present invention a hybrid combination of tunable broadband and narrow band optical components are utilized for compatibility with legacy CD and DVD type devices along with tunable laser diodes operating in multiple spectral bands including blue/UV and high density discs [0160] In yet another aspect of the present invention broadband coatings and or optical materials are utilized for compatibility with legacy CD and DVD type devices along with tunable laser diodes including short wave or UV high and high density discs. [0161] In one embodiment, either the proprietary nature of the short wave laser diode, UV laser diode, improved track resolution, read/write mechanism, and self-contained decoding mechanism, or any combination thereof is employed as an anti-piracy device. The barriers created by creating a proprietary and/or patented technology, controlling the supply of short wave/UV laser diodes, and or any components therein comprises a highly effective mechanism for limiting piracy since all decoding and key enabling technologies may be integrated into self contained, tamper resistive, packaging. [0162] TABLES 3 and 3A list several physical characteristics of commonly used plastics that meet or exceed the requirements of the present invention. This list is not exhaustive, but instead shows a variety of optical materials available for optical surface coatings, disc protection, the disc substrate itself, housing windows for hermetically sealed disc assemblies in protective housings, and short wave/UV optical materials. For example, two readily-available polymers with large optical gaps (and thus high transmissivity at 408 nm) are poly(vinyl chloride) or PVC, with an optical gap of 3.29 eV (377 nm); and poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA, with an optical gap of 3.55 eV (349 nm). Perfluorinated forms of PMMA can have even larger gaps, and thus higher transmission in the blue. PMMA and its derivatives are commonly used to make polymer optical fibers. TABLE 3 Acrylic Styrene NAS � SAN Polymethyl Polystyrene Methyl Styrene Methacrylate (Dylene) Mathacrylate Acrylonitrile (Lucite) (Styron) Styrene (Lustran) Refractive index, n Units (Plexiglass) (Lustrex) Copolymer (Tyril) nd (587.6 nm) 1.492 1.590 1.533-1.567 1.567- 1.571 nc (656.3 nm) 1.489 1.585 1.558 1.563 nt (486.1 nm) 1.498 1.604 1.575 1.578 Abbe Value, Vd 57.4 31.1 35 37.8 Rate of change in index dn/dt � −10.5 −14.0 −14.0 −11.0 with temperature 105/� C. Coeffieient of linear cm/cm � 6.74 @ 70� C. 6.0-8.0 6.5-6.7 expansion 105/� C. Deflection temperature 3.6� F./min 264 psi � C. 92 82 99-104 3.6� F./min 66 psi � C. 101 110 100 Recommended max. cont. � C. 92 82 93 79-88 service temp. Thermal conductivity cal/sec-cm 4.96 2.4-3.3 4.5 2.9 � C. � 10-4 Haze % 2 3 3 3 Uncoated transmittance %, thickness 92 88 99 88 3.175 mm Water absorption %, immersed 24 0.3 0.2 0.15 0.2-0.35 h @ 23� C. Advantages Transmission High Index Good index Stable range [0163] [0163] TABLE 3A Polycarbonate TPX (Lexan) Methylpentene Refractive index, n Units (Merlon) (TPX) ABS Nylon nd (587.6 nm) 1.585 1.467 1.538 1.535 nc (656.3 nm) 1.580 1.464 nt (486.1 nm) 1.599 1.473 Abbe Value, Vd 29.9 51.9 Rate of change in index dn/dt � −10.7 to −14.3 with temperature 105/� C. Coeffieient of linear cm/cm � 6.6-7.0 0.83 6.8 expansion 105/� C. Deflection temperature 3.6� F./min 264 psi � C. 142 90 124 3.6� F./min 66 psi � C. 146 84 140 Recommended max. � C. 124 82 cont. service temp. Thermal conductivity cal/sec-cm 4.65 4.0 5.0 � C. � 10-4 Haze % 3 5 12 7 Uncoated transmittance %, thickness 89 90 79- 88 3.175 mm 90.6� Water absorption %, immersed 0.15 3.3 24 h @ 23� C. Advantages Impact Chemical Durable Chemical strength resistance resistance [0164] It should be noted that various plastics manufacturers specify refractive index to the third or fourth decimal place. Coefficients for a Laurent series expansion of index interpolation (often called the Schott formula) are shown in TABLE 4. FIG. 5 is a glass map showing the refractive index and Abbe dispersion number of ten optical plastics. FIG. 6 is a chart showing the index and dispersion data for ten optical plastics consistent with this invention. TABLE 4 Coef Acrylic Polystyrene Polycarbonate SAN Polyolefin A0 2.185936 2.445984 2.428386 2.38687 2.212154 A1 8.0 10−6 2.2 10−5 −3.9 10−5 −1.231 10−3 4.8611 10−2 A2 1.45315 10−2 2.72989 10−2 2.87574 10−2 2.29468 10−2 5.187444 10−2 A3 −5.6315 10−4 3.0121 10−4 −1.979 10−4 3.6981 10−4 −8.0382 10−3 A4 9.4903 10−5 8.8893 10−5 1.48359 10−4 2.6758 10−5 6.100 10−4 A5 −3.9023 10−6 −1.7571 10−6 1.3865 10−6 2.848 10−6 2.9862 10−6 [0165] Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)—Acrylic is the most commonly used optical plastic. Because its refractive index and dispersion values (FIG. 5) are similar to those of common crown glasses (particularly BK 7), acrylic is referred to as the crown of optical plastics. Acrylic is moderately priced, easily molded, scratch resistant and not very water absorptive. It also has a relatively high transmission. Additives to acrylic (as well as to several other plastics) considerably improve its ultraviolet transmittance and stability. [0166] Styrene—Because styrene has a higher index and a lower numerical dispersion value than other plastics, it is often used as the flint element in color-corrected plastic optical systems. Polystyrene is a low-cost material with excellent molding properties. Compared with acrylic, styrene has lower transmission in the UV portion of the spectrum and is a softer material. Because its surface is less durable, styrene is more typically used in non-exposed areas of a lens system. [0167] Methyl methacrylate styrene (NAS)—This copolymer material consists of 70 percent acrylic and 30 percent styrene. The specific blend ratio affects the material's refractive index, which ranges from 1.533 to 1.567. [0168] Polycarbonate—This plastic is very similar to styrene in terms of such optical properties as transmission, refractive index and dispersion. Polycarbonate, however, has a much broader operating temperature band of −137 to 120� C. For this reason, it is the flint material of choice for systems that are required to withstand severe thermal conditions. Additionally, the high impact resistance of polycarbonate is its strongest advantage. For that reason, safety glasses and systems requiring durability often employ polycarbonate. [0169] Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC)—Cyclic olefin copolymer provides a high temperature alternative to acrylic. Its refractive index is 1.530, Abbe number is 56, and its heat distortion temperature (at 264 PSI) is rated at 123� C. (about 30� C. higher than acrylic). The material has a similar transmittance (92 percent through a 3-mm sample) and a similar differential coefficient of index (with temperature −13�10−5/� C.) to that of acrylic. [0170] In addition to polymers that have good to excellent optical properties in the short wave and UV, many more traditional optical materials also exhibit properties that make them useful for the present invention as protective disc coatings, disc substrate material, low loss optics, and optical windows. [0171] Calcium fluoride (CaF2)—a cubic single-crystal material, has widespread applications in the ultraviolet and infrared spectra. CaF2 is an ideal material for use with excimer lasers. It can be manufactured into windows, lenses, prisms, and mirror substrates. [0172] CaF2—transmits over the spectral range of about 130 nm to 10 mm as shown in FIG. 1 below. Traditionally, it has been used primarily in the infrared, rather than in the ultraviolet. CaF2 occurs naturally and can be mined. It is also produced synthetically using the Stockbarger method, which is a time- and energy-consuming process. Unfortunately, achieving acceptable deep ultraviolet transmission and damage resistance in CaF2 requires much greater material purity than in the infrared, and it completely eliminates the possibility of using mined material. [0173] To meet the need for improved component lifetime and transmission at 193 nm and below, manufacturers have introduced a variety of inspection and processing methods to identify and remove various impurities at all stages of the production process, from incoming materials through crystallization. The needs for improved material homogeneity and stress birefringence have also caused producers to make alterations to the traditional Stockbarger approach. These changes allow tighter temperature control during crystal growth, as well as better regulation of vacuum and annealing process parameters. [0174] Excimer-grade CaF2—provides the combination of deep ultraviolet transmission (for 193 nm and even 157 nm), high damage threshold, resistance to color center formation, low fluorescence, high homogeneity, and low stress birefringence characteristics required for the most demanding deep ultraviolet applications. Relevant properties of the Excimer grade CaF2 are listed in TABLE 5, and shown in FIG. 7. TABLE 5 Index of Refraction (@587.6 nm): 1.433 dN/dT −10.6 � 10−6/� C. Density (gm/cm3) 3.18 Coefficient of Linear Expansion 18.9 � 10−6/� C. (+20� to +60�): Meting Point (� C.): 1360 Young's Modulus (psi): 1.75 � 107 Poisson's Ratio: 0.26 [0175] Synthetic Fused Silica—Synthetic fused silica is an ideal optical material for many applications. It is transparent over a wide spectral range, has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, and is resistant to scratching and thermal shock. Its transmission is excellent from the ultraviolet to the near infrared. [0176] There are two grades of synthetic fused silica: optical quality (OQSFS) and UV-grade (UVGSFS). UVGSFS is selected to offer the highest transmission, especially in the deep ultraviolet, and very low fluorescence. UV-grade synthetic fused silica does not fluoresce in response to wavelengths longer than 290 nm. FIG. 8 and TABLE 6 provide additional detail about the properties of synthetic fused silica. TABLE 6 Index of Refraction (@587.6 nm): 1.45846 Abb� Factor (vd): 67.8 Density (gm/cm3) 2.20 Coefficient of Thermal Expansion 5.5 � 10−7/� C. Maximum Operating Temperature (� C.): 900 [0177] BK7—BK7 is a borosilicate crown glass that is used extensively for lenses, windows, and mirror substrates. It is relatively hard, does not scratch easily, and performs well in chemical tests. It also has excellent transmittance, as low as 350 nm. FIG. 9 and TABLE 7 provide additional detail about the properties of BK7. TABLE 7 Index of Refraction (@587.6 nm): 1.51680 Abb� Factor (vd): 64.17 Density (gm/cm3) 2.51 Coefficient of Linear Expansion 7.1 � 10−6/� C. (−30� to +70�): Coefficient of Linear Expansion 8.3 � 10−6/� C. (+20� to +300�): Transformation Temperature (� C.): 557 Young's Modulus (dynes/mm2): 8.20 � 109 Climate Resistance: 2 Stain Resistance: 0 Acid Resistance: 1.0 Alkali Resistance: 2.0 Phosphate Resistance: 2.3 Knoop Hardness: 610 Poisson's Ratio: 0.206 [0178] BaK1—BaK1 is very similar in transmission to BK7 but has somewhat better response in the near ultraviolet. Alkali and phosphate resistance is superior to BK7. FIG. 10 and TABLE 8 provide additional detail about the properties of BaK1. TABLE 8 Index of Refraction (@587.6 nm) 1.57250 Abb� Factor (vd): 57.55 Density (gm/cm3) 3.19 Coefficient of Linear Expansion 7.6 � 10−6/� C. (−30� to +70�): Coefficient of Linear Expansion 8.6 � 10−6/� C. (+20� to +300�): Transformation Temperature (� C.): 592 Young's Modulus (dynes/mm2): 7.30 � 109 Climate Resistance: 2 Stain Resistance: 1 Acid Resistance: 3.3 Alkali Resistance: 1.2 Phosphate Resistance: 2.0 Knoop Hardness: 530 Poisson's Ratio: 0.252 [0179] LaSFN9—LaSFN9 can be used at higher temperature than many of the other optical glasses. The transmittance is similar to SF11. FIG. 11 and TABLE 9 provides additional detail about the properties of LaSFN9 glass. TABLE 9 Index of Refraction (@587.6 nm): 1.85025 Abb� Factor (vd): 32.17 Density (gm/cm3) 4.44 Coefficient of Linear Expansion 7.4 � 10−6/� C. (−30� to +70�): Coefficient of Linear Expansion 8.4 � 10−6/� C. (+20� to +300�): Transformation Temperature (� C.): 703 Young's Modulus (dynes/mm2): 1.09 � 1010 Climate Resistance: 2 Stain Resistance: 0 Acid Resistance: 2.0 Alkali Resistance: 1.0 Phosphate Resistance: 1.0 Knoop Hardness: 630 Poisson's Ratio: 0.286 [0180] Optical Crown Glass—In optical crown glass, a low-index commercial-grade glass, the index of refraction, transmittance, and homogeneity are not controlled as carefully as they are in optical-grade glasses such as BK7. Optical crown is suitable for applications in which component tolerances are fairly loose and as a substrate material for mirrors. Transmittance characteristics for optical crown are shown in the FIG. below. Relevant properties of optical crown are shown in FIG. 12 and Table 10. TABLE 10 Index of Refraction (@ 587.6 nm): 1.52288 Dispersion (nF-nC) 0.0089 Abb� Constant (vd): 58.5 Density (gm/cm3) at 23� C. 2.55 Young's Modulus (kN/mm2): 71.5 Specific Heat (20� to 100� C.) 0.184 cal/g� C. Coefficient of Linear Expansion 93.3 � 10−7/� C. (20� to 300�): Transformation Temperature (� C.): 521 Softening Point 708� C. [0181] Pyrex glass—A low-expansion borosilicate glass (LEBG) made by Corning is well suited for applications in which high temperature, thermal shock, or resistance to chemical attack are primary considerations. On the other hand, Pyrex is typically less homogeneous and contains more striae and bubbles than optical glasses such as BK7. This material is well suited for application as mirror substrates, condenser lenses for high-power illumination systems, and or windows in high-temperature environments. Relevant properties of Pyrex glass are shown in FIG. 13 and TABLE 11. TABLE 11 Index of Refraction (@546.1 nm): 1.476 Abb� Factor (vd): 66 Density (gm/cm3) 2.23 Coefficient of Linear Expansion 3.25 � 10−6/� C. (0� to 300�): Softening Temperature (� C.): 820 Melting Temperature (� C.): 1250 Young's Modulus (dynes/mm2): 5.98 � 109 Poisson's Ratio: 0.20 [0182] Magnesium Fluoride—Magnesium Fluoride is a positive birefringent crystal grown using the vacuum Stockbarger technique with good vacuum UV to infrared transmission. It is typically oriented with the c axis parallel to the optical axis to reduce birefringent effects. High vacuum UV transmission down to 150 nm and its proven use in fluorine environments make it ideal for lenses, windows, and polarizers for Excimer lasers. MgF2 is resistant to thermal and mechanical shock. Relevant properties of Magnesium Fluoride are shown in FIG. 14. [0183] Crystal Quartz—Crystal Quartz is a positive uniaxial birefringent single crystal grown using a hydrothermal process. It has good transmission from the vacuum UV to the near infrared. Due to its birefringent nature, crystal quartz is commonly used for waveplates. Relevant properties of Crystal Quartz are shown in FIG. 15. [0184] Additional materials that may be used are described in TABLES 12 and 12A. TABLE 12 Transmission Range Modulus cm−1 Refractive Of (micrometers) Index Hardness Rupture* Windows IRE Chemical Material n (Knoop) psi 1-2 mm 70 mm Properties UV 1.75 1370 65,000 66,000- 33,000- Very slightly Sapphire 2000 2800 soluble in acids AL2O3 (0.15-5.0) (0.3-3.7) and bases. Strontium 2.41 595 7500 25,000- 25,000- Readily Titinate 1700 2500 attacked by HF; SrTiO3 (0.395-6) (0.4-4) resistant to most solvents. Lithium 1.33 110 2000 90,000- 50,000- Slightly soluble Fluoride 1,500 2300 in water; soluble LiF (0.11-7.0) (0.2-4.5) in HF. Titanium 2.6;2.9 800 700 24,000- 20,000- Soluble in Dioxide 1700 2200 H2SO4 and TiO2 (0.42-6) (0.5-4.5) alkalis; insoluble in water and acid. Zirconium 2.15 1250 7800 27,000- 25,000- Insoluble in Dioxide 1,500 1800 water; soluble in ZrO2 (0.36-7) (0.4-5.5) HF and H2SO4. Magnesium 1.68 640 19,000 25,000- 20,000- Soluble in acids Oxide 1300 1700 and NH4 salts. MgO (0.4-8.0) (0.5-6.0) Strontium 1.44 1405 500 66,000- 33,000- Very slightly Fluoride 1000 1100 soluble in water; SrF2 (0.15-1 1) (0.3-9.5) soluble in hot HCl. Barium 1.45 82 3900 50,000- 33,000- Low water Fluoride 1000 1100 solubility; BaF2 (0.2-11) (0.3-9.5) soluble in acid and NH4Cl. Zinc Sulfide 2.22 355 10,000 22,000-750 14,000- Soluble in acid; ZnS (0.45-14.0) 1000 insoluble in (0.7-10) water. Sodium 1.5 15 350† 28,000-700 25,000-900 Hygroscopic; Chloride (0.35-15) (0.4-12) slightly soluble NaCl in alcohol and NH3. [0185] [0185] TABLE 12A Transmission Range Modulus cm−1 Refractive Of (micrometers) Index Hardness Rupture* Windows IRE Chemical Material n (Knoop) psi 1-2 mm 70 mm Properties Zinc 2.42 150 8000 20,000-500 20,000- Soluble in strong Selenide (0.5-20) 700 acids; dissolves in ZnSe (0.5-14.3) HNO3 Potassium 1.47 7 330† 33,000-500 20,000- Hygroscopic; water Chloride (0.3-20) 700 soluble; slightly KCl (0.5-15) soluble in alcohol. Silver 2.00 10 3800† 23,000-400 22,000- Insoluble in water; Chloride (0.42-27) 700 soluble in NH4OH. AgCl (0.45-16) Potassium 1.52 7 160† 33,000-400 20,000- Soluble in water, Bromide (0.3-25) 500 alcohol, and KBr (0.5-20) glycerine; hygroscopic. Silver 2.2 10 500† 20,000-300 20,000- Insoluble in water Bromide (0.5-35) 500 and alcohol; AgBr (0.5-22) slightly soluble in NH4OH. Cesium 1.65 20 1220† 33,000-250 25,000- Soluble in water Bromide (0.3-40) 400 and acids; CsBr (0.4-27) hygroscopic. Cesium 1.72 20 810 33,000-150 20,000- Soluble in water Iodide (0.3-70) 400 and alcohol; CsI (0.5-30) hygroscopic. Diamond 2.4 7000 54,400 45,000-2500; 45,000- Insoluble in water, C 1600-FIR 2500; acids, and bases. (0.22-4; 6- 1600-FIR FIR) (6-FIR**) [0186] Coatings are applied to plastic optics and glass substrates in much the same way. A physical vapor deposition process is used to apply antireflective, conductive, mirror and beamsplitter coatings. One key difference is that, during the deposition of thin films onto plastic, the coating chamber temperature is significantly lower than that for glass optics. [0187] Antireflection coatings—The most commonly used antireflective coating on plastic is a single layer (� thickness) of magnesium fluoride. When applied to a plastic element surface, the average reflectance (450 to 650 nm) can be reduced from about 4 percent to about 1.5 percent. Broadband, multilayer antireflective coatings can provide average surface reflectances of less than 0.5 percent across the visible band; typical broadband coatings comprise three or four layers. Narrowband, multi-layer antireflection coatings can yield surface reflectances less than 0.2 percent. [0188] Dielectric Coatings—In general, any optical coating made from dielectric (non-conducting) materials. Specifically, high-reflection coatings made from a stack of alternate layers of high- and low-refractive-index material, with each layer in the stack having an optical thickness of a quarter wave at the design wavelength. [0189] In a quarter-wave stack, alternate reflections are phase shifted by 180 degrees because they occur at low- to high-index interfaces (external reflections). These phase shifts are exactly canceled by the 180-degree phase shifts caused by the path difference between alternate reflecting surfaces. All reflected wavefronts are therefore exactly in phase and undergo only constructive interference. [0190] If the difference in the refractive index of the materials is large, then a quarter-wave stack containing only a few layers will have a very high reflectance. [0191] The reflection versus wavelength performance curve of a single dielectric stack has a characteristic flat top inverted V shape as shown in FIG. 16. Clearly, reflectance is a maximum at the wavelength for which both the high- and low-index layers of the multi-layer are exactly one-quarter-wave thick. Outside the fairly narrow region of high reflectance, the reflectance slowly reduces toward zero in an oscillatory fashion. Width and height (i.e., peak reflectance) of the high-reflectance region are functions of the refractive-index ratio of the two materials used, together with the number of layers actually included in the stack. The peak reflectance can be increased by adding more layers, or by using materials with a higher refractive index ratio. Amplitude reflectivity at a single interface is given by (1−p)/(1+p) where p=(nH/nL)N−1 □nH 2/nS. nS is the index of the substrate, and nH and nL are the indices of the high-and low-index layers. N is the total number of layers in the stack. The width of the high-reflectance part of the curve (versus wavelength) is also determined by the film index ratio. The higher the ratio, the wider is the high-reflectance region. This performance curve is shown in FIG. 17. [0192] High-efficiency broadband antireflection coatings that provide a very low reflectance over a broad spectral bandwidth. These multi-layer films, comprising alternate layers of various index materials, are combined to reduce overall reflectance to an extremely low level for the broad spectral range covered. [0193] HEBBAR coatings—HEBBAR coatings exhibit a characteristic, double-minimum reflectance curve covering a range of some 300 nm in wavelength. The reflectance does not exceed 1.0% and is more typically below 0.6% over this entire range. Within a more limited spectral range on either side of the central peak, reflectance can be held well below 0.4%. HEBBAR coatings are somewhat insensitive to angle of incidence. The effect of increasing the angle of incidence, however, is to shift the curve to slightly shorter wavelengths and to increase the long wavelength reflectance slightly. These coatings are extremely useful for high-numerical-aperture (low f-number) lenses or steeply curved surfaces. In these cases, incidence angle varies significantly over the aperture. The transmission characteristics of a visible HEBBAR coating are illustrated in FIG. 18. [0194] Laser-Line Coatings—Multilayer dielectric reflective or antireflection (AR) coatings designed for a specific laser wavelength. At other than the design wavelength, the reflecting properties will vary greatly. [0195] V-Coating—V-coatings are multilayer antireflection coatings that reduce the reflectance of a component to near zero for one very specific wavelength. Typically, V-coatings are intended for use at normal incidence, for maximum reflectances of not more than 0.25% at their design wavelength. V-coatings are extremely sensitive to both wavelength and angle of incidence. For example, a V-coating intended for the helium neon wavelength (632.8 nm) when used at 30-degree incidence will reflect about 0.8%. At 45-degree incidence, the same coating will reflect over 2.5%. Experience shows that the maximum reflectance typically achieved by these coatings is often closer to 0.1% than the 0.25%. Using V-coatings on fused-silica optics can therefore provide exceptionally high external transmittances. The typical reflectance curve illustrated in the FIG. 18 is for a V-coating on BK7 optical glass. The coating is designed for a 633-nm helium neon laser. [0196] In one embodiment, a thin-coated data disc is sealed in a hermetic cartridge. The cartridge has one or more windows constructed of high transmissivity short wave or UV materials, with or without enhancement coatings. The windows or windows are so arranged as to provide access to all data bits as the disc is rotated within the cartridge. [0197] In one embodiment, the entire cartridge is constructed of high transmissivity optical material with or without enhancement coatings. [0198] In one embodiment, a partially or fully coated data disc coated data disc is sealed in a hermetic cartridge. The cartridge has one or more windows constructed of high transmissivity short wave or UV materials, with or without enhancement coatings. The windows or windows are so arranged as to provide access to all data bits as the disc is rotated within the cartridge. [0199] In one embodiment, a multiplicity of windows of high transmissivity optical material with or without enhancement coatings are provided to enable simultaneous reads of the same tracks or tracks at different points of the disc, reducing data rotational latency, or enhancing overall data output bandwidth. [0200] In one embodiment, the hermetically sealed protective cartridge has a positive pressurization of 800 tore (or so) of argon, nitrogen, or other inert gasses to reduce in ingress of contaminants. [0201] In one embodiment, the hermetically sealed protective cartridge is designed for use in space with a positive pressurization 7 PSIA of argon, nitrogen, or other inert gasses to reduce in ingress of contaminants. This provides an in atmospheric negative pressuration of 7PSIA in and in space of 7 PSIA outwards. [0202] In one embodiment, the hermetically sealed protective cartridge has a positive pressurization of 800 torr (or so) or argon, nitrogen, or other inert gasses to reduce in ingress of contaminants also utilizes a simplified leak detection system to verify the ongoing integrity of the cartridge. [0203] In yet another embodiment the simplified leak detection mechanism utilizes trace molecules of a compound designed to react and change the color of a visible indicator. The trace molecules are either of a low enough density and size (parts per million) that the data surface of the disc is unimpaired or the molecules are fully or partially optically transparent in the wavelengths of interest. [0204] In one embodiment, hepa filters, other types of filters, or air exchangers are utilized within the data read/write device, such as a DataPlay, CD, or DVD player to reduce dust, air exchange mechanisms. [0205] In one embodiment, hepa filters, other types of filters, or air exchangers are utilized within the data read/write device, such as a DataPlay, CD, or DVD player embedded within a set top box or multimedia home entertainment system to reduce dust, air exchange mechanisms. [0206] In one embodiment, additional memory is present within the read write device to reduce the time period between disc spins and laser diode/electronics power consumption (duty cycle). [0207] In one embodiment, the enhanced data rate and per track data density of a data storage device utilizing a short wave or UV laser diode and/or enhanced linear bit and/or track densities is utilized to reduce the duty cycle of track spins and laser diode/electronics power consumption (duty cycle). EXAMPLE 1 [0208] The increased bit densities from short wave laser diodes are utilized to decrease duty cycle and corresponding power consumption. Assuming the present industry standard circular linear velocity read rate of 3.84 m/sec, the improved bit density from a short wave laser diode provides an increase in output bandwidth to 2.17 megabytes/second, an improvement of 1.57:1. Improved signal to noise also accommodate higher multiples n*X of linear velocity read rates and commensurate increases in output data bandwidth. The increased bandwidth of 2.17 megabyte per second results into a 17 megabit per second data stream, or essentially four times the bandwidth of a high resolution independent video stream. By buffering the overall operational duty cycle may be reduced to 25%. A buffer of 64 megabytes, 512 megabits, affords a buffer time of 2.13 minutes. A buffer of 640 megabytes provides a buffer time of 21.3 minutes. The increased bit densities from UV wave laser diodes may be similarly utilized to further decrease. duty cycle and corresponding laser diode/electronics power consumption. Assuming the present industry standard circular linear velocity read rate of 3.84 m/sec, the improved bit density from a UV laser diode provides an increase in output bandwidth to 4.19 megabytes/second, an improvement of 3.02:1. Improved signal to noise also accommodate higher multiples n*X of linear velocity read rates and commensurate decrease in duty cycle. The bandwidth of eight times the a high resolution video content stream affords a 12.5% duty cycle. Higher spin rates and increased circular linear bits densities have a correspondingly linear reduction of the duty cycle. For lower bandwidth data streams such as compressed audio, the duty cycles are correspondingly less—for example 192 K bit high resolution audio would have a 20� reduction in duty cycles (active duty cycles of better than 1.25% for blue and 0.4% for uv). [0209] In one embodiment, the enhanced data rate and per track data density of a data storage device utilizing a short wave or UV laser diode and/or enhanced linear bit and/or track densities is utilized to increase the output bandwidth of a single disc, thereby providing multiple simultaneous video or other media data streams. This reduces the number of read/write devices utilized in supporting video on demand, cable systems, direct broadcast TV, home entertainment, interactive TV, HDTV, and other forms of in home, to home, last mile, distributed, regional, or head end infrastructures. [0210] In one embodiment, the enhanced data rate and per track data density of a data storage device utilizing a short wave or UV laser diode and/or enhanced linear bit and/or track densities is utilized to increase the output bandwidth of a single disc, thereby providing multiple simultaneous video or other media data streams. A single laser diode may be utilized with a multi-path optical stream with beam steering, piezo actuators, galvos, or other forms of optical steering/multiplexing to essentially eliminate seek times from the multi-content read mechanism. The switching may further be time synchronized with positional rotation to effectively eliminate rotational latency. EXAMPLE 2 [0211] The increased bit densities from short wave laser diodes are utilized to increase output bandwidth. Assuming the present industry standard circular linear velocity read rate of 3.84 m/sec, the improved bit density from a short wave laser diode provides an increase in output bandwidth to 2.17 megabytes/second, an improvement of 1.57:1. Improved signal to noise also accommodate higher multiples n*X of linear velocity read rates and commensurate increases in output data bandwidth. The increased bandwidth of 2.17 megabyte per second results into a 17 megabit per second data stream, or essentially four high resolution independent video streams. Each stream may be partially or fully buffered to allow for seeks to multiple content streams. The increased bit densities from UV wave laser diodes are utilized to increase output bandwidth. Assuming the present industry standard circular linear velocity read rate of 3.84 m/sec, the improved bit density from a UV laser diode provides an increase in output bandwidth to 4.19 megabytes/second, an improvement of 3.02:1. Improved signal to noise also accommodate higher multiples n*X of linear velocity read rates and commensurate increases in output data bandwidth. This essentially provides eight independent high resolution video content streams. [0212] All of the above embodiments are compatible with a plurality of communication networks, not limited to DBS satellite, Cable, Fiber Optic and Internet networks as a distribution method for content, or each can exist in and of themselves as a standalone physical media. [0213] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS3373517 *Apr 1, 1966Mar 19, 1968Halperin Jack SChangeable billboard signUS3376465 *Oct 16, 1964Apr 2, 1968Stromberg Carlson CorpColor character displayUS3941926 *Apr 8, 1974Mar 2, 1976Stewart-Warner CorporationVariable intensity display deviceUS4071875 *Dec 29, 1975Jan 31, 1978Texas Instruments IncorporatedDetector apparatusUS4368485 *Apr 13, 1981Jan 11, 1983Zenith Radio CorporationBillboard large screen TVUS4575750 *May 31, 1984Mar 11, 1986Marty CallahanCommunications apparatus for use with cable television systemsUS4654482 *Nov 7, 1984Mar 31, 1987Deangelis Lawrence JHome merchandise ordering telecommunications terminalUS4734779 *Jun 8, 1987Mar 29, 1988Video Matrix CorporationVideo projection systemUS4734858 *Nov 26, 1984Mar 29, 1988Portel Services Network, Inc.Data terminal and system for placing ordersUS4797913 *Aug 4, 1987Jan 10, 1989Science Dynamics CorporationDirect telephone dial ordering serviceUS4809325 *Aug 5, 1987Feb 28, 1989Sony CorporationReceiver for pay televisionUS4812843 *Aug 11, 1987Mar 14, 1989Champion Iii C PaulTelephone accessible information systemUS4908713 *Jun 29, 1988Mar 13, 1990Levine Michael RVCR ProgrammerUS5105418 *Oct 27, 1988Apr 14, 1992Pioneer Electronic CorporationDisk drive with means to play either side of a diskUS5107107 *Mar 30, 1990Apr 21, 1992The United States Of America As Represented By The Administarator Of The National Aeronautics And Space AdministrationLaser optical disk position encoder with active headsUS5182669 *Jun 24, 1992Jan 26, 1993Pioneer Electronic CorporationHigh density optical disk and method of makingUS5191573 *Sep 18, 1990Mar 2, 1993Hair Arthur RMethod for transmitting a desired digital video or audio signalUS5283731 *Dec 23, 1992Feb 1, 1994Ec CorporationComputer-based classified ad system and methodUS5292568 *Oct 11, 1991Mar 8, 1994Tdk CorporationOptical disk having a hard coat layerUS5297204 *Dec 10, 1991Mar 22, 1994Smart Vcr Limited PartnershipVCR with cable tuner controlUS5387942 *Nov 24, 1993Feb 7, 1995Lemelson; Jerome H.System for controlling reception of video signalsUS5410344 *Sep 22, 1993Apr 25, 1995Arrowsmith Technologies, Inc.Apparatus and method of selecting video programs based on viewers' preferencesUS5483278 *Sep 28, 1993Jan 9, 1996Philips Electronics North America CorporationSystem and method for finding a movie of interest in a large movie databaseUS5483535 *Jan 17, 1995Jan 9, 1996Zeta Music PartnersCommunications network interface, and adapter and method thereforUS5486819 *May 22, 1995Jan 23, 1996Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Road obstacle monitoring deviceUS5495283 *Sep 13, 1993Feb 27, 1996Albrit Technologies Ltd.Cable television video messaging system and headend facility incorporating sameUS5497186 *Jul 14, 1992Mar 5, 1996Pioneer Electronic CorporationCATV system in which message reception can be confirmed by a viewerUS5508815 *Sep 13, 1995Apr 16, 1996Smart Vcr Limited PartnershipSchedule display system for video recorder programmingUS5512935 *Mar 31, 1994Apr 30, 1996At&T Corp.Apparatus and method for diplaying an alert to an individual personal computer user via the user's television connected to a cable television systemUS5513260 *Jun 29, 1994Apr 30, 1996Macrovision CorporationMethod and apparatus for copy protection for various recording mediaUS5592511 *Jan 29, 1996Jan 7, 1997Schoen; Neil C.Digital customized audio products with user created data and associated distribution and production systemUS5592551 *Apr 19, 1994Jan 7, 1997Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.Method and apparatus for providing interactive electronic programming guideUS5592626 *May 19, 1994Jan 7, 1997The Regents Of The University Of CaliforniaSystem and method for selecting cache server based on transmission and storage factors for efficient delivery of multimedia information in a hierarchical network of serversUS5598397 *Oct 4, 1994Jan 28, 1997Hyundai Electronics Ind. Co., Ltd.Objective lens drive in an optical disk mechanismUS5600839 *Oct 1, 1993Feb 4, 1997Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.System and method for controlling assertion of a peripheral bus clock signal through a slave deviceUS5610653 *Apr 24, 1995Mar 11, 1997Abecassis; MaxMethod and system for automatically tracking a zoomed video imageUS5612741 *Nov 5, 1993Mar 18, 1997Curtis Mathes Marketing CorporationVideo billboardUS5619247 *Feb 24, 1995Apr 8, 1997Smart Vcr Limited PartnershipStored program pay-per-playUS5621840 *Sep 21, 1994Apr 15, 1997Sony CorporationData transmission method and apparatus, data decoding apparatus, and data recording mediumUS5621863 *Jun 7, 1995Apr 15, 1997International Business Machines CorporationNeuron circuitUS5710869 *Jun 7, 1995Jan 20, 1998International Business Machines CorporationDaisy chain circuit for serial connection of neuron circuitsUS5717814 *Sep 16, 1994Feb 10, 1998Max AbecassisVariable-content video retrieverUS5717832 *Jun 7, 1995Feb 10, 1998International Business Machines CorporationNeural semiconductor chip and neural networks incorporated thereinUS5721827 *Oct 2, 1996Feb 24, 1998James LoganSystem for electrically distributing personalized informationUS5721951 *Feb 24, 1995Feb 24, 1998Digital Interactive Corporation Systems, Ltd.Home entertainment system for playing software designed for play in home computerUS5724062 *Sep 21, 1994Mar 3, 1998Cree Research, Inc.High resolution, high brightness light emitting diode display and method and producing the sameUS5724091 *May 18, 1995Mar 3, 1998Actv, Inc.Compressed digital data interactive program systemUS5724525 *Mar 28, 1995Mar 3, 1998Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.System and method for remotely selecting subscribers and controlling messages to subscribers in a cable television systemUS5729214 *Jan 2, 1996Mar 17, 1998Moore; Steven JeromeCondition reactive display mediumUS5734413 *Nov 30, 1993Mar 31, 1998Thomson Multimedia S.A.Transaction based interactive television systemUS5734720 *Jun 7, 1995Mar 31, 1998Salganicoff; MarcosSystem and method for providing digital communications between a head end and a set top terminalUS5734781 *Oct 2, 1995Mar 31, 1998Lucent Technologies Inc.Videocassette device with digital storage and videotape loop for analog playbackUS5857020 *Dec 4, 1995Jan 5, 1999Northern Telecom Ltd.Timed availability of secured content provisioned on a storage mediumUS5860068 *Dec 4, 1997Jan 12, 1999Petabyte CorporationMethod and system for custom manufacture and delivery of a data productUS5862260 *May 16, 1996Jan 19, 1999Digimarc CorporationMethods for surveying dissemination of proprietary empirical dataUS5870717 *Nov 13, 1995Feb 9, 1999International Business Machines CorporationSystem for ordering items over computer network using an electronic catalogUS5874985 *Nov 12, 1997Feb 23, 1999Microsoft CorporationMessage delivery method for interactive televideo systemUS5878017 *Nov 7, 1997Mar 2, 1999Olympus Optical Company, Ltd.Optical recording and/or reproducing apparatus having objective lens adjusting mechanismUS5884284 *Aug 6, 1997Mar 16, 1999Continental Cablevision, Inc.Telecommunication user account management system and methodUS5889868 *Jul 2, 1996Mar 30, 1999The Dice CompanyOptimization methods for the insertion, protection, and detection of digital watermarks in digitized dataUS5890136 *Mar 12, 1997Mar 30, 1999Kipp; LudwigQuick stop mass retail systemUS6011722 *Oct 13, 1998Jan 4, 2000Lucent Technologies Inc.Method for erasing and programming memory devicesUS6012086 *Jun 24, 1997Jan 4, 2000Sony CorporationInternet event timer recording for video and/or audioUS6013007 *Mar 26, 1998Jan 11, 2000Liquid Spark, LlcAthlete's GPS-based performance monitorUS6014491 *Mar 4, 1997Jan 11, 2000Parsec Sight/Sound, Inc.Method and system for manipulation of audio or video signalsUS6023451 *Mar 24, 1998Feb 8, 2000Sony CorporationOptical recording medium and optical disk apparatusUS6025868 *Apr 7, 1997Feb 15, 2000Smart Vcr Limited PartnershipStored program pay-per-playUS6029045 *Dec 9, 1997Feb 22, 2000Cogent Technology, Inc.System and method for inserting local content into programming contentUS6029141 *Jun 27, 1997Feb 22, 2000Amazon.Com, Inc.Internet-based customer referral systemUS6032130 *Oct 22, 1997Feb 29, 2000Video Road Digital Inc.Multimedia product catalog and electronic purchasing systemUS6044047 *Oct 21, 1997Mar 28, 2000Sony CorporationStoring CD Segments for quick scanning in multi-CD playersUS6175840 *Oct 31, 1997Jan 16, 2001International Business Machines CorporationMethod for indicating the location of video hot linksUS6177931 *Jul 21, 1998Jan 23, 2001Index Systems, Inc.Systems and methods for displaying and recording control interface with television programs, video, advertising information and program scheduling informationUS6188976 *Oct 23, 1998Feb 13, 2001International Business Machines CorporationApparatus and method for building domain-specific language modelsUS6198875 *Dec 19, 1997Mar 6, 2001Texas Instruments IncorporatedTiris based bios for protection of “copyrighted” program materialUS6201777 *Feb 17, 1999Mar 13, 2001Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Apparatus for discriminating optical recording media of different thicknesses from each other and reproducing information therefromUS6363356 *Jul 16, 1998Mar 26, 2002Preview SoftwareReferrer-based system for try/buy electronic software distributionUS6504798 *Oct 20, 1998Jan 7, 2003Micron Technology, Inc.Apparatus and method for providing uninterrupted continuous play during a change of sides of a dual-sided optical diskUS6519341 *Jun 18, 1999Feb 11, 2003Canon Kabushiki KaishaMethod and apparatus for outputting a high definition imageUS6519571 *May 27, 1999Feb 11, 2003Accenture LlpDynamic customer profile managementUS6522769 *May 18, 2000Feb 18, 2003Digimarc CorporationReconfiguring a watermark detectorUS6529526 *Nov 12, 1998Mar 4, 2003Thomson Licensing S.A.System for processing programs and program content rating information derived from multiple broadcast sourcesUS6681326 *May 7, 2001Jan 20, 2004Diva Systems CorporationSecure distribution of video on-demandUS6697948 *May 5, 1999Feb 24, 2004Michael O. RabinMethods and apparatus for protecting informationUS6708157 *Feb 7, 2001Mar 16, 2004Contentguard Holdings Inc.System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital ticketsUS6842522 *Jun 1, 2000Jan 11, 2005Macrovision CorporationSecure digital video disk and playerUS6850901 *Aug 24, 2000Feb 1, 2005World Theatre, Inc.System and method permitting customers to order products from multiple participating merchantsUS6990678 *Feb 20, 2001Jan 24, 2006Microsoft CorporationCombining real-time and batch mode logical address linksUS6999946 *Jan 10, 2001Feb 14, 2006Macrovision CorporationMethod for computer network operation providing basis for usage feesUS7006974 *Jan 22, 2001Feb 28, 2006Micronas GmbhVoice controller and voice-controller system having a voice-controller apparatusUS7191153 *Sep 10, 1999Mar 13, 2007Dphi Acquisitions, Inc.Content distribution method and apparatusUS7197758 *Apr 27, 2000Mar 27, 2007Microsoft CorporationMethod and apparatus for indexing video programsUS20020028024 *Jul 11, 2001Mar 7, 2002Mediaflow LlcSystem and method for calculating an optimum display size for a visual objectUS20030004796 *Jun 27, 2001Jan 2, 2003Struble Christian L.System and method for controlling the presentation of advertisementsUS20030017295 *Jun 3, 2002Jan 23, 2003Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Optical information recording mediumUS20030028888 *Feb 7, 2002Feb 6, 2003Hunter Charles EricSystems and methods for providing consumers with entertainment content and associated periodically updated advertisingUS20030061607 *Aug 2, 2002Mar 27, 2003Hunter Charles EricSystems and methods for providing consumers with entertainment content and associated periodically updated advertisingUS20050010949 *Jul 27, 2004Jan 13, 2005Ward Thomas E.System and method for modifying advertisement responsive to EPG informationUS20070028276 *Oct 4, 2006Feb 1, 2007Sony CorporationMethod and apparatus for receiving digital broadcasts* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7716714Dec 1, 2004May 11, 2010At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method for recording television content at a set top boxUS7873102Jan 18, 2011At&T Intellectual Property I, LpVideo quality testing by encoding aggregated clipsUS7908621Oct 31, 2007Mar 15, 2011At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and apparatus for local video distributionUS7908627Jun 22, 2005Mar 15, 2011At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method to provide a unified video signal for diverse receiving platformsUS7930449 *Sep 14, 2006Apr 19, 2011Opentv Inc.Method and system for data transmissionUS8019688Sep 13, 2011Ochoa Optics LlcMusic distribution system and associated antipiracy protectionsUS8054849Nov 8, 2011At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method of managing video content streamsUS8068519 *Nov 29, 2011Britesmart LlcMethod and system to use, share and manage digital content by assigning MAC and IP adress to each device and peripheralUS8086261Dec 27, 2011At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method for providing digital network access and digital broadcast services using combined channels on a single physical medium to the customer premisesUS8090619Nov 6, 2000Jan 3, 2012Ochoa Optics LlcMethod and system for music distributionUS8190688Jul 11, 2005May 29, 2012At&T Intellectual Property I, LpSystem and method of transmitting photographs from a set top boxUS8214859Jul 3, 2012At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Automatic switching between high definition and standard definition IP television signalsUS8228224Jul 24, 2012At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method of using a remote control and apparatusUS8282476Oct 9, 2012At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Multimedia-based video game distributionUS8335873Dec 18, 2012Opentv, Inc.Method and systems for data transmissionUS8346807Jan 1, 2013Nvidia CorporationMethod and system for registering and activating contentUS8359332Aug 2, 2004Jan 22, 2013Nvidia CorporationSecure content enabled drive digital rights management system and methodUS8365218Jan 29, 2013At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Networked television and method thereofUS8390744Mar 5, 2013At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method of displaying a video streamUS8402283Mar 19, 2013Nvidia CorporationSecure content enabled drive system and methodUS8434116Apr 30, 2013At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Device, system, and method for managing television tunersUS8535151Aug 28, 2012Sep 17, 2013At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Multimedia-based video game distributionUS8584257Aug 10, 2004Nov 12, 2013At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Method and interface for video content acquisition security on a set-top boxUS8635659Jun 24, 2005Jan 21, 2014At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Audio receiver modular card and method thereofUS8751825Dec 15, 2004Jun 10, 2014Nvidia CorporationContent server and method of storing contentUS8782305Sep 14, 2012Jul 15, 2014Opentv, Inc.Methods and systems for data transmissionUS8788425Aug 11, 2005Jul 22, 2014Nvidia CorporationMethod and system for accessing content on demandUS8839314Mar 15, 2013Sep 16, 2014At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Device, system, and method for managing television tunersUS8843970Jan 31, 2011Sep 23, 2014Chanyu Holdings, LlcVideo distribution systems and methods for multiple usersUS8875309Dec 15, 2004Oct 28, 2014Nvidia CorporationContent server and method of providing content therefromUS8893199Jun 22, 2005Nov 18, 2014At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method of managing video content deliveryUS8893299 *Apr 22, 2005Nov 18, 2014Nvidia CorporationContent keys for authorizing access to contentUS8904458Jul 29, 2004Dec 2, 2014At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method for pre-caching a first portion of a video file on a set-top boxUS8966563Feb 7, 2011Feb 24, 2015At&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.System and method to provide a unified video signal for diverse receiving platformsUS9167241Dec 7, 2010Oct 20, 2015At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Video quality testing by encoding aggregated clipsUS9178743Sep 23, 2011Nov 3, 2015At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method of managing video content streamsUS9252898Oct 10, 2008Feb 2, 2016Zarba�a Digital Fund LlcMusic distribution systemsUS9278283Nov 15, 2012Mar 8, 2016At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.Networked television and method thereofUS9338490Jan 16, 2015May 10, 2016At&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.System and method to provide a unified video signal for diverse receiving platformsUS9344470Jun 23, 2014May 17, 2016Opentv, Inc.Methods and systems for data transmissionUS20060161953 *Jan 20, 2005Jul 20, 2006Sbc Knowledge Ventures, L.P.System and method of providing a combined content guide for an entertainment systemUS20060218226 *Mar 23, 2005Sep 28, 2006Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Automatic recording based on preferencesUS20060229904 *Jun 7, 2006Oct 12, 2006Ochoa Optics LlcMusic distribution systemsUS20080126558 *Sep 14, 2006May 29, 2008Open Tv, Inc.Method and system for data transmissionUS20080153511 *Dec 22, 2006Jun 26, 2008Motorola, Inc.Method of Receiving a Special Privilege Based Upon Attendance and Participation in an EventUS20090099968 *Oct 10, 2008Apr 16, 2009Ochoa Optics LlcMusic distribution systemsUS20090109980 *Feb 25, 2008Apr 30, 2009Britesmart LlcMethod and system to use, share and manage digital content by assigning mac and ip adress to each device and peripheralUS20120221559 *Aug 30, 2012Adam KidronSocial discovery platform apparatuses, methods and systems* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification725/89, G9B/7.186, 725/134, G9B/7.159, 725/142, G9B/7.184, 348/E07.069International ClassificationG11B7/254, G11B7/257, G11B31/00, H04N7/173Cooperative ClassificationB82Y10/00, Y10T428/21, G11B2007/25417, G11B2007/25414, G11B7/2548, G11B31/00, H04N7/173, H04N21/47202, H04N21/4334, H04N21/26208, H04N21/2543, H04N21/25866, G11B7/257, G11B7/24056, G11B2007/25411European ClassificationB82Y10/00, H04N21/262C, H04N21/2543, H04N21/258U, H04N21/433R, H04N21/472D, G11B7/2548, G11B7/24056, G11B7/257, H04N7/173Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJan 10, 2003ASAssignmentOwner name: WORLD THEATRE, INC., NORTH CAROLINAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HUNTER, CHARLES ERIC;BALLOU, BERNARD L., JR.;HEBRANK, JOHN H.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013654/0162;SIGNING DATES FROM 20021029 TO 20021122Owner name: WORLD THEATRE, INC., NORTH CAROLINAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HUNTER, CHARLES ERIC;BALLOU, BERNARD L., JR.;HEBRANK, JOHN H.;AND OTHERS;SIGNING DATES FROM 20021029 TO 20021122;REEL/FRAME:013654/0162Feb 20, 2003ASAssignmentOwner name: AMB GROUP, LLC, GEORGIAFree format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:WORLD THEATRE, INC.;REEL/FRAME:013438/0088Effective date: 20030214Mar 28, 2003ASAssignmentOwner name: EXODUS CAPITAL, LLC, GEORGIAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:AMB GROUP, LLC;REEL/FRAME:013532/0208Effective date: 20030326Nov 30, 2004ASAssignmentOwner name: OCHOA OPTICS LLC, NEVADAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:EXODUS CAPITAL, LLC;REEL/FRAME:015402/0251Effective date: 20041116Jan 17, 2012CCCertificate of correctionNov 24, 2014FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Oct 2, 2015ASAssignmentOwner name: ZARBANA DIGITAL FUND LLC, DELAWAREFree format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:OCHOA OPTICS LLC;REEL/FRAME:036712/0315Effective date: 20150811RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services