Archiving Imagery on Digital Optical Tape via Bit Plane Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional archival storage methods for motion pictures and imagery, such as color photographic film and magnetic recording media, are prone to chemical degradation and color fading, making them unsuitable for long-term preservation, while digital optical tape system (DOTS) media offers stability and resistance to environmental damage but requires conversion of data into binary format.
Innovation Solution
A process for archiving imagery on DOTS media involves separating color images into primary color components, digitizing them, dividing into bit planes, and writing these bit planes onto DOTS media, which allows for robust and damage-resistant storage without relying on obsolete digital file formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If color photographic film is used for archival storage, then color images can be preserved, but chemical degradation and color fading occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides color images into separate color channels (red, green, blue) and stores each channel independently on separate rolls of black and white film. This segmentation isolates the chemical degradation problem to individual channels rather than the entire color image, allowing each channel to be preserved more reliably over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the color image by separating it into color channels and recording each channel on black and white film. This copying process transforms the vulnerable color film into multiple stable black and white recordings that can be read independently to reconstruct the original color image.
2Reliability
If magnetic recording media is used for archival storage, then data can be stored digitally, but chemical reactions cause pigment breakdown and binder degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces magnetic recording media with optical recording on black and white film. This substitution eliminates the chemical binder and pigment problems inherent in magnetic media by using a purely optical system where light-sensitive emulsion captures and stores image data without chemical binders that can degrade over time.
3Reliability
If DOTS media is used for archival storage, then long-term stability and environmental resistance are achieved, but data must be converted to binary format
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms color image data into binary format suitable for DOTS media storage by converting continuous color information into discrete pixel values. This parameter transformation enables compatibility with the phase-change optical storage mechanism while preserving the essential visual information through binary representation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method ensures long-term stability and resistance to degradation, maintaining high digital image quality by separating color components and recording as bit planes, which can be efficiently reconstructed and is resilient to damage, thus providing a reliable archival solution.
Implementation Method 1
The recording material experiences a phase change when heated to a temperature about 180° Centigrade. The phase change is accompanied by a change in optical reflectivity.
Implementation Method 2
Data may be written onto the DOTS media by localized heating using a laser or other energy source.
Implementation Method 3
Recorded data may be read from the DOTS media by detecting the localized optical reflectivity of the media.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for archival storage of an image are disclosed. The image may be separated into a plurality of bit plane images. The plurality of bit plane images may be written separately onto digital optical tape.