Paul B B Atkinson

US Patent:

20070140072, Jun 21, 2007

Filed:

Jul 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/460823

Inventors:

Anoop Agrawal - Tucson AZ, US
John Rilum - Tustin CA, US
John Cronin - Tucson AZ, US
Juan Tonazzi Lopez - Tucson AZ, US
Paul Atkinson - Poway CA, US
Rick Marquardt - Clarcksummit PA, US
Steve Parsons - Dover NH, US

International Classification:

G11B 13/00

US Classification:

369014000, 369273000

Abstract:

An optical media is provided with an associated electro-optic material. The electro-optic material has at least two states. In a first state, the electro-optic material interferes with the ability of an interrogating laser beam to read data from the optical media, and in a second state, the electro-optic material is substantially transparent, enabling the laser beam to read the disc. Advantageously, the electro-optic material may be placed over less than the full data area of the disc. The optical media has an area for placing an integrated circuit, which is used to cause the electro-optic material to transition from a first state to the second state. In one example, an integrated circuit acts as the powering circuit for the electro-optic material, as well as providing logic and processing functions. The integrated circuit also couples to an RF antenna, enabling the integrated circuit to communicate with an associated RF scanning device. The disc has an area for holding the antenna, and the antenna may be in the disc, on the disc, or on a substrate that attaches to the disc.

US Patent:

20070143774, Jun 21, 2007

Filed:

Jul 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/460816

Inventors:

Anoop Agrawal - Tucson AZ, US
John Rilum - Tustin CA, US
John Cronin - Tucson AZ, US
Juan Tonazzi Lopez - Tucson AZ, US
Paul Atkinson - Poway CA, US
Rick Marquardt - Clarcksummit PA, US
Steve Parsons - Dover NH, US

International Classification:

G11B 23/03

US Classification:

720738000

Abstract:

An optical disc is provided with an associated optical shutter. In a first state, the optical media interferes with the ability of an interrogating laser beam to read data from the optical media, and in a second state, the optical media is substantially transparent, enabling the laser beam to read the disc. A powering circuit is used to cause the optical shutter to transition from a first state to the second state. In one example, an integrated circuit acts as the powering circuit, as well as providing logic and processing functions. The integrated circuit also couples to an RF antenna, enabling the integrated circuit to communicate with an associated RF scanning device. The optical shutter may take various geometric shapes, and typically has an electrochromic material for facilitating state change. The electrochromic material may fill the shutter, or the material may form a pattern. The shutter may be positioned on the disk so that transition edge-effects are reduced, allowing for reduced interference with the laser beam when the optical shutter is in its clear state. The optical shutter does not cover the entire data area of the disc, and in one example, the optical shutter is quite small, allowing for lower cost production, as well as reducing power requirements to transition the electrochromic material. Power requirements may be further reduced by forming the electrochromic in a pattern. A small optical shutter may disable reading of disc, for example, by placing the small shutter over an important section of the disc, such as the lead-in area.

US Patent:

20080204850, Aug 28, 2008

Filed:

Jul 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/460827

Inventors:

Anoop Agrawal - Tucson AZ, US
John H. Rilum - Tustin CA, US
John P. Cronin - Tucson AZ, US
Juan Carlos Tonazzi Lopez - Tucson AZ, US
Paul Atkinson - Poway CA, US
Rick Marquardt - Clarcksummit PA, US
Steve Parsons - Dover NH, US

International Classification:

G02F 1/153
G02F 1/15

US Classification:

359273, 359265

Abstract:

An optical media is provided with an associated persistent electrochromic material. The electrochromic material has at least two states. In a first state, the electrochromic material interferes with the ability of an interrogating laser beam to read data from the optical media, and in a second state, the electrochromic material is substantially transparent, enabling the laser beam to read the disc. Advantageously, the persistent electrochromic material holds a desired optical state without the application of external power. The persistent time period may extend for days, weeks, or years depending on particular constructions, and on application requirements. The optical media has an integrated circuit, which is used to cause the electrochromic material to transition from a first state to the second state. In one example, an integrated circuit acts as the powering circuit for the electrochromic material, as well as providing logic and processing functions. The integrated circuit also couples to an RF antenna, enabling the integrated circuit to communicate with an associated RF scanning device.