Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.

Producers Color Service, Inc.

Tapematic S.p.a.

Balzers Aktiengesellschaft

Michael E Hennessey

Barry Allan Clark

David A Strand

Gregor Strasser

Paul Gasiorowski

Vincent Capizzo

An induction heating system for the manufacturing of optical memory microstructure, wherein the thermal cycle allows the process web to be rapidly heated to the relaxation and re-flow temperature, followed by cooling to the optimum separation temperature in under 10 seconds total process time. The rapid response heating system of the present invention may be achieved through the use of one or rotating asymmetrical induction heating coils which are embedded in the platen(s) of the embossing device.

Rapid thermal response induction heating system for platen embossing

Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation. Also described herein are methods and apparatus for making optical memory modules, such as disks, which include novel stampers, coating applicators, and finishing systems.

Method and apparatus for forming microstructures on polymeric substrates

A method for initializing a phase change information storage device. The method includes the steps of: providing a data storage device having a phase change data storage medium, and exposing the phase change data storage medium with a first, energy exposure for about 1 &mgr;sec or less. The first exposure is then followed by at least one additional energy exposure to complete initialization

Method for initializing a data storage device

An apparatus and method for trimming dye coated on a recordable disc substrate during production of an optical memory disc which includes a substrate rotation assembly for rotating the disc substrate, an optic assembly for directing a laser beam directly upon the rotatable substrate to trim the dye coated thereon, and a process byproduct removing assembly for removing the trimmed byproducts from the substrate.

Apparatus for trimming dye coated on a recordable disc substrate and related method

A method for forming a protective barrier layer between the active dye layer and the disc substrate during production of an optical memory disc is provided wherein a pre-treatment/pre-coat solution is applied to the disc substrate. This pre-treatment/pre-coat solution includes a surface modifier having an index of refraction approximately equal to that of the disc substrate. Surface modifiers utilized in this pre-treatment/pre-coat solution include poly vinyl alcohol, poly alpha methyl styrene, cellulose acetate, poly vinyl butyral and nitrocellulose.

Method for forming a protective barrier layer on an optical memory disc

A system, apparatus and method for automatically identifying frames of information in video format consisting of fields taken from the same frame or substantially similar frames of information in film format, and distinguishing such video frames from video frames consisting of fields taken from adjacent film frames. The sequential scan lines of successive video frame fields are filtered to remove high frequency fine detail, and are then compared pixel by pixel to corresponding pixels in the adjacent field. If the two fields within a video frame are substantially identical, the frame is identified as one containing fields from the same film frame or substantially similar frames and suitable for freeze-frame viewing.

System apparatus and method for identifying video frames suitable for

An optical storage disk has a body made of PMMA bulk material with a surface of PMMA. Aluminum or an aluminum alloy, light reflecting layer coats the PMMA surface and is applied using a sputtering apparatus in a sealed gas atmosphere containing argon and carbon containing gas. Application of the coating using sputtering takes place immediately after the PMMA body is inserted into the sealed gas atmosphere and without any pretreatment to the PMMA surface.

Method of coating a workpiece of a plastic material by a metal layer

A method of making an optical memory disc replica that includes the steps of injection molding a PMMA substrate having a surface with information recorded thereon as a series of surface undulations, and depositing a film of optically reflective metallic construction over the information surface such that the information recorded on the surface may be optically read through the substrate as a function of reflectivity from the film. The reflective film is sputter-deposited onto the information surface in the presence of carbon at said surface in excess of that in the polymer molecular structure by subjecting the surface to a plasma that includes carbon-rich ions to prepare the surface for chemical bonding with the metal of the film and the underlying substrate.

Optical memory disc manufacture

Disclosed herein is a method of and system for writing data into, reading data out of, and/or removing data from a state changeable chalcogen medium. According to the disclosed invention projected beam energy is applied to the medium to change a discrete portion of the medium from a solid state of first relative order to a solid state of second relative order through an intermediate state of relatively high mobility. The invention disclosed herein further contemplates applying projected beam energy to the medium to change the discrete portion of the medium from the state of second relative order through a relatively high mobility intermediate state back to the state of first relative order. In this way the written carrier to noise ratio is relatively high, the erased carrier to noise ratio is relatively low, and the carrier to noise ratios and contrast ratio are maintained relatively constant substantially independent of the cycle numbers.

Erasure means and data storage system incorporating improved erasure

Disclosed herein is a method of writing data into, reading data out of, and/or removing data from a state changeable chalcogen medium. According to the disclosed invention projected beam energy is applied to the medium to change a discrete portion of the medium from a solid state of first relative order to a solid state of second relative order through an intermediate state of relatively high mobility. The invention disclosed herein further contemplates applying projected beam energy to the medium to change the discrete portion of the medium from the state of second relative order through a relatively high mobility intermediate state back to the state of first relative order. In this way the written carrier to noise ratio is relatively high, the erased carrier to noise ratio is relatively low, and the carrier to noise ratios and contrast ratio are maintained relatively constant substantially independent of the cycle numbers.

Growing community of inventors

Detroit, MI, United States of America

Michael E Hennessey