Long-term digital data storage

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to recording digital data on an optically ablatable digital storage media. In one embodiment, a device configured to ablate portions of ablatable material on an optically ablatable digital storage media receives digital data that is to be recorded on a recording layer of an optically ablatable digital storage media. The recording layer is formed on a substrate with zero or more intervening layers between the recording layer and the substrate. The recording layer includes ablatable material capable of storing digital data. The device ablates the ablatable material in the recording layer according to a sequence defined by the received digital data such that the ablated portions correspond to data points of the received digital data.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 765,937 entitled “LONG-TERM DIGITAL DATA STORAGE”, which was filed on Jun. 20, 2007 for Barry M. Lunt et al.BACKGROUND[0002]Computers have steadily increased in popularity since their introduction into modern society. Computers and other types of digital electronics have simplified many tasks and facilitated new innovations that have changed the way we live. Today, with personal digital assistants (PDA's), cellular telephones, digital cameras, digital video recorders, digital music players and widespread Internet connectivity, people are recording more data than ever before to a wide variety of digital media storage devices. For example, many people have collections of digital photos, videos, songs, web pages, text files and other digital content stored on hard drives, CD's, DVD's, flash drives and other types of digital storage media.[0003]Digital data storage medi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about recording digital data on optically ablatable digital storage media. A device is used to ablate portions of the ablatable material on the recording layer of the media, which is formed on a substrate with zero or more intervening layers between them. The device ablates the ablatable material in a way that corresponds to the digital data being recorded. This technology allows for the efficient and accurate recording of digital data on optically ablatable media.

Problems solved by technology

Although such burnable optical media are widely considered to keep data forever, this is not the case.

Such burnable optical media tends to degrade over time.

Though the term “burning” implies some high level of permanence, the chemical alteration is, in fact, not permanent and actually degrades each time the media is read.

Storing at high temperatures, high humidity, or high light levels can also degrade the media.

Over time, the optical contrast between the marks representing 1's and 0's fades and the data becomes unreadable despite the confidence that consumers and even sophisticated technicians place in such media.

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