WO2001059772A1

WO2001059772A1 - Information storage disc

Info

Publication number: WO2001059772A1
Application number: PCT/US2001/003961
Authority: WO
Inventors: David S. Mann
Original assignee: Mann David S
Priority date: 2000-02-10
Filing date: 2001-02-05
Publication date: 2001-08-16
Also published as: AU2001236741A1

Abstract

A computer disk (10), including a first disk portion (12), the first disk portion (12) being a compact disk, the compact disk being read-only, the compact disk having a script side and a data retrieval side (20); a second disk portion (14), the second disk portion (14) being a 5 1/4'' floppy disk, the floppy disk having a first side for recording data, the floppy disk having a second side joined to the script side of the compact disk; and a jacket (18) sized to fit about the first and second disk portions.

Description

INFORMATION STORAGE DISC

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to information storage discs and more particularly to computer discs that have multiple discs joined to each .other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Computer discs have generally been used to store" either computer programs or data usable with the programs. These discs have developed into a variety of forms for

various reasons. Some of these forms are as a result of Φ desire to store more information in less physical space. Other forms are designed to be portable, easier to protect sensitive surfaces, able to write information to the;- disc, able to avoid writing data to the disc, higher reliability, faster access and cost effective.

Compact discs provide good rigidity and surfaces :of high integrity for excellent storage ability. These discs originally were sold in a readonly format. That is, the

manufacturer would write on the disc, but the user would inot be able to save data files on the disc. Those files had to be saved on a separate disc, generally a floppy disc, which is often weak and easily damaged or on an internal hard drive which is portably inaccessible. Moving between computers often required a user to verify that the computer that they were transporting the data files to hadlthe appropriate program to access those files. Alternatively, the user could carry a backup copy of the program with them to use with the new computer. If not done correctly, using the program could pose a problem between the user and the owner of the rights to the software. A user wishing to store data on a compact disc wεis not able to do so until read- write disc drives appeared on the market. Read-write disc drives are expensive and require special discs for operation. The user wanting the stability of a compact disc and storage ability of a floppy has to buy this special equipment or not have their needs satisfied. The user with the special equipment still has the problem of multiple discs

and switching between disc drives to access those discs

The computer user has a need for a portable computer disc with the strength and storage characteristics of compact discs that may block writing to the disc and have a portion of the disc that can also store data files that may be updated. The user also has a need to write to that disc without special accessory equipment, including special purchase read-write disc drives and special discs. These features need to be combined into a single unit for greatest ease of handling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an information storage disc with the strength and storage ability of compact discs and the ease of writing to the disc that is provided with the floppy style disc. The invention includes a first disc portion, which is preferably a compact disc. The compact disc may be read-only or read-write. As with traditional compact discs, it may have a script side and a data retrieval side. The invention also includes a second disc portion, which preferably is a 5 1/4" floppy disc. The floppy disc may have a first side for recording data and a second sidte joined to the script side of the compact disc. While these discs may be separate pieces joined with an adhesive, they may also be formed integral. To protect the more easily damaged floppy portion of the disc, a permanent jacket is fitted about the first and second disc portions. The jacket has openings for moving and reading the discs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGURE 1 is a prospective view of the present invention; and FIGURE 2 is a cut-away view of the present invention showing the first and second disc portions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIO

The present invention 10 may include a first disc portion 12, a second disc

portion 14, an attachment mechanism 16 for securing theifirst and second disc portions

12, 14, respectively, together and a permanent jacket 18, enclosing the first and second disc portions 12, 14. Each type of media has certain advantages and disadvantages depending upon the application and equipment.

The first disc portion 12 may be read-write, but preferably is read-only. "Read- write" refers to those discs upon which a consumer's corhpiuter may read and also write to the disc. Writing in this situation may be a single occurrence, but generally will be multiple occurrences. A "read-only" disc permits the consumer's computer to read the disc, but not write to it. The first disc portion 12 may be made similar to a compact disc, a laser disc, digital video discs, floppy discs, and/or magneto-optical discs. Preferably the first disc portion 2 is an optical disc and most preferably is a standard compact disc. The first disc portion 12 is intended to store computer software programs imprinted by the manufacturer, making it beneficial to be;;read-oπly to preserve the integrity of the software.

The second disc portion 14 may be read-only, but preferably is read-write. The second disc portion 14 is intended to hold data files that d consumer generates for or with a software program for use with either the same or another software program. The program or programs for purposes of the present inventi n are preferably stored on the first disc portion 12. The second disc portion 14 may be made similar to a compact disc, digital video discs, a laser disc, floppy discs, and/orijmagneto-optical discs. Preferably the second disc portion 14 is a magnetic information storage disc and most preferably is a 5 1/4 inch floppy disc. Further it should be¹ noted that while the first and second disc portions 12, 14 may be made of the same disc, the preferred mode is to use two different types of discs gaining the benefits of m^'ύl^'tiple types of media storage in a single disc. The benefit of using the floppy disc is tha it is a proven technology and it approximates the size of a compact disc, although alternate sizes and materials certainly fall within the parameters of the present invention. Further, floppy or magnetic disc can be repeatedly rewritten.

Compact discs generally have a data storage side 20 and a script side (not shown) on the side opposite the data storage side. The seript side will be referred to as a securement side. Floppy discs are generally read-writeable from either side of the disc, but for purposes of this invention will be described as having a securement side 22 and a data storage side (not shown). While the invention i 0 is described with reference to compact discs and floppy discs it is understood that thefee discs may be interchanged with other types of computer discs. The first and second disc portions 12, 14 preferably are secured relative to one another with an attachment mechanism 16. This may be (done in the manufacturing process by making the discs integral, homogenous or jo'ϊrling the disc portions 12, 14 together with adhesive across the respective securemeήfjlsides. The securement mechanism 16 is for the purpose of holding the discs fixed relative to one another while being used inside a computer, thus avoiding unnecessary! friction between the two discs 12, 14.

Floppy discs are known to be fragile so they are traditionally placed inside a permanent jacket 18. The jacket 18 includes an alignment notch 24 that verifies which side is up and allows writing to one side of the floppy disc'.! which in this case is the data storage side. The jacket defines a generally circular first opening 26, allowing the computer disc drive to manipulate the disc within the jacket 18. The jacket 18 further defines a generally oval second opening 28, allowing the computer to read the otherwise protected disc through the jacket 18. A third opening 27, found in the center

of the jacket further allows the disc drive to orient and operate the disc inside the jacket

18. The openings 26, 27 and 28 are found on each side, of the jacket 18 to make either side of the disc inside the jacket 18 accessible to the computer. It has been found that second opening 28 should be made longer than is traditionally found on a jacket 18 for a floppy disc to allow full reading of the compact disc. One can understand how this combination minimizes detriments, while maintaining the benefits of both media when one recognizes that a floppy secured to a compact disc becomes rigid and rigidity increases the durability of the floppy. In operation, a software manufacturing company joins first and second disc portions 12, 14 and places them in a permanent jacket 18. A software program is placed onto one of the two disc portions 12 or 14 and sudh portion is preferably read only. A consumer may then read the program into their computer and input or alter data. Such data is stored on the other disc portion 12 or .4. It should be noted, that if side 12 contains the software program, side 14 is used for storage of data, or vice versa. Since the two portions 12 and 14 are maintained in the same jacket 18, they may be brought to an alternate computer and the program and data files are maintained

together for ease of transport and storage.

The present invention combines various media in a single cooperative unit to increase the advantages and minimize the disadya'ntages. These parts are

discussed further below. Since both computer programs and user data are both in one

unit, they are less limited by equipment and are more portable. It allows use on any machine capable of playing the disc regardless of previous programming. It can also act as its own boot disc, configuring the internal settings of a computer to work with a specified program.

While reference is made to 5 1/4" floppies, compact discs and the like,

these are terms used in a descriptive rather than limiting s'ense. Discs made similar to these types of media, although differences may exist, are considered to be well within the meaning of the terms used. Further, this invention focuses on combining media types and incompasses new types of media that may develop from time to time.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, one skilled in the art may choose to make each disc portion 12, 14 multiple instead of single types of media.

Claims

CLAIMS:claim:

1. A computer disc, comprising: a first disc portion, the first disc portion being a compact disc, the compact disc being read-only, the compact di^'sp having a script side and a data retrieval side; a second disc portion, the second disc portion being a magnetic disc, the magnetic disc having a first side for recording data, the magnetic

disc having a second side joined to th script side of the compact disc; and

a jacket sized to fit about the first and seconp! disc portions.

2. A computer disc, comprising: a first disc of a first type of media, the first disc having an information side and a securement side; and

a second disc of a second type of media, theisecond disc having an information side and a securement sid'e, the securement side of the second disc being secured to the seciϊfrement side of the first disc.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first disc is selected from the group consisting of: magnetic discs, digital video discs, compact discs, laser discs, floppy discs, and

magneto-optical discs.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein the second disc is .selected from the group consisting of: magnetic discs, digital video discs, compact; discs, laser discs, floppy discs, and magneto-optical discs.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the first disc is read-only.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the second disc is read-write.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the first disc stores programs and the second disc stores data files.

8. The device of claim 2 wherein the first disc and sedond discs are in a jacket.

9. A computer device, comprising: a computer disc, the computer disc cσmprisitilg a compact disc, the computer disc having a read-only side¹ and a read-write side.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the computer disc further comprises: a magnetic disc portion and an optical portibn.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the floppy disc isi secured to the compact disc.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the computer disc is maintained in a disc jacket.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the compact disc and the floppy disc are the same size.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein the compact disc and the floppy disc are homogenous.