CPC Definition - Subclass G11B

Last Updated Version: 2024.01
INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER (recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer G01D 9/00; recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards G06K; transferring data from one type of record carrier to another G06K 1/18; circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver H04B 1/20; gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor H04R)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Recording or playback of information by relative movement between a record track and a transducer, the transducer directly producing, or being directly actuated by, modulation in the track being recorded or played-back, and the extent of modulation corresponding to the signal being recorded or played-back;

Apparatus and machines for recording or playback, and parts thereof, such as heads;

Record carriers for use with such apparatus and machines;

Associated working of other apparatus with such apparatus and machines.

Relationships with other classification places

The specific application specified in G11B is mentioned in the document, the document is classified in G11B. However, experience shows that many documents also contain features relevant to H01F. In this case the documents are classified in both places.

When the document is more about magneto-optical elements as such, it goes in G02F 1/09 or lower groups. However, if the field of application (G11B) is mentioned in the document or if the expert recognizes that the magneto-optical elements looks like those typically used in the G11B then the document should also be classified in the G11B

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Recording measured values in a way that does not require playback through a transducer

G01D 9/00

Recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards

G06K

Transferring data from one type of record carrier to another type of record carrier

G06K 1/18

Circuits for coupling output of reproducer to radio receiver

H04B 1/20

Loudspeakers, microphones, gramophone pick-ups or like acoustic electromechanical transducers or circuits therefor

H04R

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Associated working of cameras or projectors with sound-recording or -reproducing means

G03B 31/00

Substation equipment for recording telephonic conversations or messages for absent subscribers

H04M 1/65

Television signal recording

H04N 5/76, H04N 9/79

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Working of plastics; working of substances in a plastic state in general

B29

Layered products in general

B32B

Thermography

B41M 5/26

Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials

B65D 85/00

Storing webs, tapes or filamentary material in general

B65H 75/00

Coating metallic material; coating material with metallic material; coating by vacuum evaporation, by sputtering, by ion implantation or by chemical vapour deposition, in general

C23C

Details of scanning-probe apparatus

G01Q 10/00 - G01Q 90/00

Measuring electric or magnetic properties

G01R

Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarization or direction of light

G02F

Magneto-optical materials in general

G02F 1/0036

Photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes

G03C

Electrography; electrophotography; magnetography

G03G

Holographic processes or apparatus

G03H

Electric digital data processing

G06F

Printing of data from record carriers

G06K 3/00

Guiding cards or sheets

G06K 13/00

Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data

G06K 15/00

Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings

G06K 19/00

Arrangements or circuits for control of indicating devices using static means to present variable information

G09G

Static stores

G11C

Selection of magnetic materials; thin magnetic films

H01F

Thin magnetic films

H01F 10/00

Semiconductor lasers

H01S 5/00

Coding, decoding or code conversion, in general

H03M

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Record carrier

means a body, such as a cylinder, disc, card, tape, or wire, capable of permanently holding information, which can be read-off by a sensing element movable relatively to the record carrier

Head

includes any means for converting sinusoidal or non-sinusoidal electric wave-forms into variations of the physical condition of at least the adjacent surface of the record carrier, or vice versa

Near-field interaction

means a very short distance interaction using scanning-probe techniques, e.g. quasi- contact or evanescent contact between head and record carrier

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents the terms "transducer", "head" and "pickup" are often used as synonyms.

1.) Medium, media are synonyms of "record carrier".

2) "thin film" and "binderless" both apply to coated films of a (generally) uniformly deposited material, differing from "binder media" which comprises magnetic particles in a (usually organic) binder resin

3) vertical or perpendicular are used interchangeably in the art to refer to magnetization directions normal to the plane of the film

4) horizontal, longitudinal, in-plane are used interchangeably in the art to refer to magnetization directions lying in the plane of the film.

5) substrate, support, base are used interchangeably in the art to refer to the underlying rigid or flexible (in terms of tapes or floppy disks, for example) layer upon which other layers are deposited thereon.

6) seed layer, under layer, intermediate layer, orientation control layer, adhesion layer, crystal growth layer are all generally used terminology to describe (usually non-magnetic) layers deposited under the main magnetic layer(s) to assist in crystal growth and tuning of the magnetic properties of the main magnetic layer(s).

7) soft under layer (SUL) and keeper layer are used interchangeably to describe a soft magnetic layer used under a hard magnetic recording layer to provide a flux path.

Recording by mechanical cutting, deforming or pressing, e.g. of grooves or pits; Reproducing by mechanical sensing; Record carriers therefor (G11B 11/00, {G11B 13/00} take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Mainly vinyl disks and apparatuses for playing them

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Recording on or reproducing from the same record carrier wherein for these two operations the methods are covered by different main groups of groups G11B 3/00 - G11B 7/00 or by different subgroups of group G11B 9/00

G11B 11/00

Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods covered by different main groups

G11B 13/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Recording by cutting or deforming using laser beam

G11B 7/00

Recording by cutting or deforming using electron beam

G11B 9/10

Mounting or connecting stylus to transducer with or without damping means

H04R 1/16

Cleaning record carriers or styli, e.g. removing shavings or dust {or electrostatic charges}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Carrying-off electrostatic charges in general

H05F 3/00

Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor (G11B 11/00 {and G11B 13/00} take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Methods for magnetic recording of information on any type of record carrier (disks, tapes, drums, cards), for reproducing magnetic information and for erasing said information, wherein there is a relative movement between the record carrier and the transducer
  • Structure and manufacture of sliders
  • Structure and manufacture of transducers, i.e. recording (e.g. inductive) heads and reproducing heads (e.g. magnetoresistive)
  • Means for protecting, cleaning, testing and demagnetizing a head
  • Means for supporting the head relative to the record carrier (arm assembly) -- Means for moving the head(s) relative to the record carrier or into or out of the recording or reproducing position or for maintaining position relative to the record carrier.
  • Magnetic record carriers characterised by the selection of materials from which they are made.
  • Magnetic record carriers characterised by their form (e.g. disk, drum, etc.).
  • Magnetic record carriers characterised by the selection of the material.
  • Processes and apparatuses specially adapted for the manufacturing of magnetic record carriers.
  • Rerecording or transcribing data from one magnetic carrier to another.
Relationships with other classification places

Marking record carriers in digital fashion: G06K

Selection of magnetic materials; thin magnetic films: H01F

Measuring electric or magnetic properties: G01R

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Record carriers

G11B 11/00, G11B 13/00

Magneto-optical recording method and record carriers therefore, wherein the magnetic information is reproduced by optical means

G11B 11/105

Driving, starting or stopping carriers of filamentary (wire) or web (tape) form

G11B 15/00

Guiding record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form (e.g. disks, cards)

G11B 17/00

Driving, starting or stopping carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form (e.g. disks, cards)

G11B 19/20

Magnetic flux sensitive sensors per se, i.e not specific for recording or reproducing

G01R 33/00

Digital input from or digital output to record carriers, Buffering and Formatting arrangements

G06F 3/06

Magnetic ID or credit cards

G06K 19/00

Static magnetic recording methods and memories, i.e. methods wherein there is no relative movement between the record carrier and the transducer

G11C 11/02

Devices using galvano-magnetic or similar magnetic effects not specific for recording or reproducing; Processes or apparatus peculiar to the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof

H10N 50/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Head arrangements not specific for the method of recording or reproducing

G11B 21/00

Protection against unauthorized use of memory

G06F 12/14

Security arrangements for protecting computers or computer systems against unauthorised activity

G06F 21/00

Methods or arrangements for marking record carriers in a digital fashion

G06K 1/12

Methods or arrangements for the sensing of record carriers

G06K 7/08

Handling of record carriers

G06K 13/02

Record carriers characterised by the type of digital marking

G06K 19/06

Methods and devices for demagnetising of magnetic bodies (e.g. workpieces, sheet material)

H01F 13/00

Special rules of classification
  • G11B 5/00 has a number of main areas, which can be seen from the above definition. Although these areas are fairly self-contained, there are some overlapping definitions which may lead to unnecessary dual classification. Obviously, however, it may often be necessary to classify documents across several areas (method, apparatus, carrier) if a document contains matter which is interesting from several points of view.
  • The rules of classification below point out specific examples of places where dual classification should be avoided.
  • General note: for reasons obvious to those who work in the field, the majority of documents in G11B 5/00 now relate to magnetic disk drives, specifically hard disks, although a significant minority relate to tape systems, which are still widely used in e.g. large-scale data backup. Magnetic drums represent an older technology which has largely disappeared. Magnetic cards (e.g. ATM cards, 'swipe' cards) are also represented, but there is much overlap with areas of G06K (see 'Informative references' above). This is reflected in the structure of much of G11B 5/00, which refers explicitly to aspects of disk drives.

Because of this situation, the following general rules apply:

Documents relating to the 'minority' carriers, e.g. tapes, webs, wires, cards, drums, are always classified in one of the subgroups concerning methods and apparatuses for a specific carrier form (G11B 5/004, G11B 5/008).

However, the 'record carrier' subgroups (G11B 5/76 and the subgroups which depend upon it) are only used if there is something interesting about the carrier itself (other than the materials of which it is made, for which see G11B 5/62 et seq.) e.g. a disk has a series of timing slots or holes in it, or a drum is made removable by separating into two halves longitudinally, etc.

If an aspect (e.g. head, method of recording, servo tracking, etc.) is of more general application, or if there is a place more specific to it elsewhere in the scheme (e.g. G11B 5/584 is specifically for track following on tapes), it is also classified there.

G11B 5/00 partially overlaps with H01F, G01R, H01L. The following general rules apply:

In H01F 10/00 are classified "Magnetic thin films" in general, i.e. thin films whose application is not specific or not limited for magnetic recording or reproducing. Examples are Magnetic Spin Tunnel Junctions (STJ) or Spin Valve structures (SV) which are classified in H01F 10/3254 and H01F 10/3268 respectively and not in G11B 5/39 if the invention does only relate to the magnetic films and their magnetic coupling, without a specific adaptation of the junction or Spin valve to MR reproducing heads, i.e. if the use of the STJ or SV as reproducing head is not mentioned or mentioned among other possibilities and the invention has no specific information related e.g. to the shaping, shielding and biasing necessary for a STJ to be adapted as reproducing head. If, on the contrary, the invention only refers specifically to an adaptation of the STJ or SV thin film structure as reading head, then only the code G11B 5/39 (or subcodes) is given. When the invention has both aspects, i.e. the thin film structure in general and the specific application as reproducing head, then both codes are given.

The same rule applies to G01R, in particular G01R 33/09, where are classified magnetoresistive devices in general (i.e. MR devices whose application is not specific or not limited or specially adapted for magnetic recording or reproducing) and to H01L, in particular H10N 50/00, where are classified devices using galvano-magnetic or similar magnetic effects in general, i.e. not specially adapted for magnetic recording or reproducing.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Perpendicular Magnetic Recording

In perpendicular magnetic recording the magnetization directions representing the data bits are perpendicular to or out-of-the-plane of the recording layer

Longitudinal Magnetic Recording

In longitudinal magnetic recording the magnetization directions representing the data bits are parallel to or in the plane of the recording layer

MAMR

Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording

TAMR or TMR

Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording

NF or NFL

Near Field Light

ATE

Adjacent Track Erasure

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

PMR

Perpendicular Magnetic Recording

MAMR

Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording

TAMR or TMR

Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording

The terms "thin film" and "binderless" both apply to coated films of a (generally) uniformly deposited material, differing from "binder media" which comprises magnetic particles in a (usually organic) binder resin.

Vertical or perpendicular are used interchangeably in the art to refer to magnetization directions normal to the plane of the film.

Horizontal, longitudinal, in-plane are used interchangeably in the art to refer to magnetization directions lying in the plane of the film.

Substrate, support and base are used interchangeably in the art to refer to the underlying rigid or flexible (in terms of tapes or floppy disks, for example) layer upon which other layers are deposited thereon.

Seed layer, under layer, intermediate layer, orientation control layer, adhesion layer and crystal growth layer are all generally used terminology to describe (usually non-magnetic) layers deposited under the main magnetic layer(s) to assist in crystal growth and tuning of the magnetic properties of the main magnetic layer(s).

Soft under layer (SUL) and keeper layer are used interchangeably to describe a soft magnetic layer used under a hard magnetic recording layer to provide a flux path.

Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic drums (G11B 19/00 takes precedence)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Driving, starting, stopping record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function

G11B 19/00

Special rules of classification

This group refers to an obsolete technology.

Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic tapes, {sheets, e.g. cards,} or wires (G11B 15/00 {G11B 19/00} take precedence; {bulk transferring of information magnetisation for re-recording G11B 5/865; marking record carriers in digital fashion G06K})
Definition statement

This place covers:

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Disposition or mounting of heads relative to moving tape

G11B 5/4893

Fixed mounting of heads

G11B 5/49

Mounting with simultaneous movement of head and tape

G11B 5/52

Track change selection or acquisition by movement of the head across tape tracks

G11B 5/5504

Provisions for track following on tapes

G11B 5/588

Driving, starting, stopping, guiding recording tapes

G11B 15/00

Guiding cards or sheets

G06K 13/00

Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings

G06K 19/00

Special rules of classification
  • Bulk transferring of information magnetisation for re-recording G11B 5/865;
  • Methods or arrangements for marking record carriers in digital fashion G06K 1/12;
  • Structures and methods of manufacture of recording or reproducing heads for magnetic tapes or wires are also classified in G11B 5/127 and subgroups
Recording on, or reproducing or erasing from, magnetic disks (G11B 17/00, G11B 19/00 take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Recording, reproducing and erasing methods and corresponding apparatuses specific for magnetic recording disks (e.g. definition of tracks, control of skew angle between head and tracks, subdivision in sectors etc.)

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Guiding magnetic or nonmagnetic discs

G11B 17/00

Guiding record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor

G11B 17/00

Driving, starting, stopping record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function

G11B 19/00

Control of disk drives operating functions

G11B 19/02

Turntables, hubs and motors for disk drives and control thereof

G11B 19/20

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

HDD

Hard Disk Drive

HGA

Head Gimbal Assembly

Recording, reproducing, or erasing methods; Read, write or erase circuits therefor
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Recording methods (e.g. thermally assisted magnetic recording)
  • Reproducing methods
  • Erasing methods
  • Circuitry for driving the load of a write head of a hard disk drive, e.g. H-bridge configurations to inverse the current direction in the head in order to write data on the recording medium and circuits for boosting said inversion.
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Improvement or modification of read or write signals (magnetic read/write channels, equalizers, Viterbi detectors etc.)

G11B 20/10009

Timing or synchronising arrangements

G11B 27/10

Special rules of classification

Timing or synchronising arrangements are classified in G11B 27/10

Signal processing for digital recording or reproducing is generally classified in G11B 20/10 unless specific for the recording method, in which case the class G11B 5/09 is given.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Shingled writing

Tracks are written in a sequential manner from an inner diameter (ID) to an outer diameter (OD), from OD to ID, or from OD and ID towards a middle diameter (MD) in a radial region of a disk in a hard disk drive (HDD). In other words, a first track is partially overwritten on one side when a second track adjacent to the first track is written, and subsequently a third track is written that partially overwrites the second track, and so forth

Structure or manufacture of housings or shields for heads
Definition statement

This place covers:

Structure or manufacture of head housing, e.g. sliders

Structure or manufacture of shields for shielding the head against electric or magnetic fields

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Grounding of static charges, shielding from Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI)

G11B 33/1493

Special rules of classification
  • Fluid dynamic spacing of the slider from the record carrier and specific structures of the slider Air Bearing Surface therefore are classified in G11B 5/60
  • Shields specific for thin film magnetic inductive heads are classified in G11B 5/3146
  • Shields specific for Magnetoresistive reproducing heads are classified in G11B 5/3912
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

ABS

Air Bearing Surface

Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Magnetic thin films in general (i.e. thin film whose application is not specific or not limited for magnetic recording or reproducing, e.g. MR)

H01F 10/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical recording using near field effect

G11B 7/1387

Lapping machines

B24B 37/00

Thin film devices manufacturing methods per se, metallic coating e.g. by evaporation, sputtering

C23C 14/00

MR elements

G11C 11/16, H01F 10/3254, H01F 10/3272, H10N 50/10, G01R 33/093

Special rules of classification
  • Thin film heads comprising extra layers for thermally assisted recording, e.g. optical wave guides, optical near filed generators are classified in G11B 5/314.
  • Manufacturing of thin film heads (inductive or not, i.e. also magnetoresistive) is classified in G11B 5/3163 if it is related to manufacturing aspects which are specific for thin film (e.g. thin film deposition). It is noted that almost all modern heads are thin film heads.
  • G11B 5/3967 (composite structural arrangements of transducers, e.g. inductive write head and magnetoresistive read head): since almost all recent heads have this composite structure, documents are classified in this subclass only if the invention relates to this composite structure, e.g. to the positioning or shielding of one head with respect to the other.
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

ABS

Air Bearing Surface

AFM

Anti-FerroMagnetic

TMR

Tunnelling Magneto-Resistance

GMR

Giant Magneto-Resistance

EMR

Extraordinary Magneto-Resistance,i.e. Magneto-resistance in thin film head using narrow-gap semiconductors with metallic impurity in place of ferromagnetic layers.

AMR

Anisotropic Magneto-Resistance

CPP-GMR

Current Perpendicular-to-the-Plane- GMR

CIP-GMR

Current In-Plane-GMR

STO

Spin Torque Oscillator (spin-torque oscillator used in perpendicular write heads to apply a high-frequency auxiliary field to the recording layer to assist writing)

comprising means for controlling the reluctance of the magnetic circuit {in a head with single gap, for co-operation with one track} (G11B 5/255 takes precedence)
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Structure or manufacture of heads, e.g. inductive

G11B 5/127

Structure or manufacture of a head with more than one gap for erasing, recording or reproducing on the same track

G11B 5/265

Structure or manufacture of unitary devices formed of plural heads for more than one track

G11B 5/29

Fixed mounting

G11B 5/49

Protective measures on heads, e.g. against excessive temperature  (G11B 5/31 takes precedence; protection against wear G11B 5/255  {; protective structure of the head: see under structures, e.g. G11B 5/3106})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Measures and methods (e.g. control of the operating functions) to protect the head against damages, e.g. against excessive temperature, head-record carrier collisions (means for their prediction, detection and avoidance), wear.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Fluid-dynamic spacing of heads from record carriers per se

G11B 5/60

Special rules of classification

Structural means (e.g. extra layer included in the recording or reproducing head or special layer compositions thereof) to reduce physical detrimental influence (e.g. contamination, humidity) are classified in G11B 5/3103. Structural means to reduce the influence of wear are classified in G11B 5/3103 if they refer to thin film heads and in G11B 5/255 in all other cases.

Structural means (e.g. extra layer included in the recording or reproducing head or special layer compositions thereof) for reducing the influence of temperature changes (e.g. heat dissipation layers or structures avoiding deformation of the head or the pole tip protrusion due to temperature expansion of the pole are classified in G11B 5/3133

Cleaning of heads {(of record carriers G11B 23/50)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Cleaning of record carriers

G11B 23/50

Arrangements for functional testing of heads; Measuring arrangements for heads
Definition statement

This place covers:

Functional testing of the heads when the manufacturing is completed and arrangements therefore, e.g. spin stands or test beds.

Relationships with other classification places

Measuring electric or magnetic properties: G01R

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Testing of disk drives

G11B 19/048

Monitoring, i.e. supervising the progress of recording or reproducing (monitoring defects of the apparatus and of the recording medium)

G11B 27/36

Special rules of classification
  • Testing of the manufacturing process is classified in G11B 5/127
  • Testing of the manufacturing process of thin film heads or indicating thereto, e.g. before the manufacturing is completed, is classified in G11B 5/3163
Arrangements for demagnetisation of heads
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Demagnetisation of record carriers, e.g. bulk erasing

G11B 5/0245

Demagnetisation in general

H01F 13/00

Record carriers characterised by the selection of the material
Definition statement

This place covers:

Record carriers comprising a laminate of one or more layers deposited on a substrate. The record carrier consists of a layer of magnetisable material deposited on a substrate intended for information storage.

Relationships with other classification places

Aspects of magnetic recording media are classified as follows:

  • G11B 5/64 concerns thin film-type media directed to the selection of magnetic material for the recording layers.
  • G11B 5/68 concerns binder-type media directed to the selection of magnetic particles, binder composition, or binder additives to the recording layers.
  • G11B 5/72 concerns protective layers used on magnetic recording media. This includes protective layers over both thin film-type and binder-type media.
  • G11B 5/73 concerns underlayers (including substrates) used in magnetic recording media. This includes underlayers and substrates for both thin film-type and binder-type media.
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Record carriers characterised by form

G11B 5/74

Manufacturing of record carriers

G11B 5/84

Optical media - material aspects, e.g. materials used in recording layers, protective layers, substrates

G11B 7/241 - G11B 7/258

Optical media - manufacture, e.g. depositing a layer of recording material, pressing pits into substrate material, arrangements of multiple types of machinery in a production line

G11B 7/26

Ferroelectric record carriers

G11B 9/02

Magnetic record carriers characterised by the selection of the material or by the structure or form

G11B 11/10582

Magnetic recording elements for measuring arrangements not specifically adapted for a specific variable

G01D 15/12

Magnets or magnetic bodies characterised by the magnetic materials therefor; Selection of materials for their magnetic properties

H01F 1/00

Thin magnetic films, e.g. of one-domain structure

H01F 10/00

Special rules of classification

Documents directed to patterned media appropriate for G11B 5/74 that also contain a specific reference to layer structure, composition, etc. should be classified in G11B 5/62 and in G11B 5/74.

Documents that also contain features relevant to the specific selection of magnetic materials in general should also be classified in H01F 1/00 (bulk magnetic materials) or H01F 10/00 (for thin films).

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Antiferromagnetism

Antiferromagnetism occurs when the exchange interactions between neighboring atoms cancel each other, so the net magnetic moment is zero. Examples of antiferromagnetic materials are (Pt, Ir, Cr and Pd) Mn alloys, and select transition metal oxides.

Bonding agent

Secondary material that is usually an organic polymer holding a layer having magnetic particulate material together.

Continuous (magnetic) layer

Hard magnetic material formed as a grain (e.g. CoCr, L10 CoPt, or Co/Pt superlattices) wherein there is no distinct phase dielectric material separating the magnetic grains. Examples include CoCrPtB alloy layers and (Co/Pt)n multilayers.

Exchange Spring Medium

A type of recording medium utilizing a high coercive force magnetic layer exchange coupled to low coercive force magnetic layer; whereby the lower coercive force magnetic layer switched orientation prior to the high coercive force layer, thereby generating a 'torque' that assists in the switching of the bits in the high coercive force layer.

Ferrimagnetic material

Ferrimagnetic materials exhibit exchange interaction between neighboring atoms leading to adjacent moments; however, the magnetic moments are unequal and opposite in direction. The magnetic properties of ferrimagnetic materials are strongly temperature dependent and are characterised by their Curie temperature. Examples of ferrimagnetic materials are rare earth-transition metal amorphous alloys, such as GdFeCo, TbFeCo, and select granular transition-metal alloys.

Ferromagnetic material

Ferromagnetic materials exhibit exchange interaction between neighboring atoms leading to adjacent moments. Ferromagnetism is temperature dependent and field strength dependent. Typical ferromagnetic materials include transition metals such as Fe, Ni, and Co and their alloys.

Granular (magnetic) layer

Hard magnetic material formed as a grain (e.g. CoCr or FePt) with a dielectric material segregated to the grain boundaries and separating the grains from each other. Examples include CoCrPt-SiO2 layers and FePt:C layers.

Hard magnetic material

Hard magnetic materials possess large coercive force, are difficult to demagnetize and retain their magnetization upon removal of an external applied magnetic field. Typical hard magnetic materials have coercive force values of several hundred Oe or higher (often reaching several kOe).

Longitudinal Anisotropy

Films possessing anisotropy or magnetization directed along/in the plane of the film (Figure 1).

Magnetic Recording Layer

Any magnetic layer that forms part of the lamina used in storing/recording a recorded bit. This does not include soft magnetic underlayer/keeper layers solely for assisting in the flux return from a magnetic head.

Paramagnetic material

Paramagnetic materials have magnetic moments not completely cancelled because of electronic configuration and exhibit a resultant moment. Paramagnetic susceptibility is strongly temperature dependent. Examples of paramagnetic materials are CoCr alloys at specific Cr concentrations and materials exhibiting specific size ranges of either the magnetic grains or particle dimensions.

Soft magnetic material

Soft magnetic materials possess low coercive force, are easy to demagnetize and lose substantially all their magnetization upon removal of any external applied magnetic field. Typical soft magnetic materials have coercive force values under 100 Oe (often under 10 Oe).

Vertical Anisotropy

Films possessing anisotropy or magnetization directed out of the plane of the film (Figure 2).

media31.png

Figure 1. Example of Longitudinal Anisotropy.

media32.png

Figure 2. Example of Vertical Anisotropy.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

AFC

Antiferromagnetically Coupled

BPM

Bit Patterned Media

DLC

Diamond-Like Carbon

DTM

Discrete Track Medium

EAMR

Energy Assisted Magnetic Recording

HAMR

Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording

MAMR

Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording

MR

Magnetoresistive

PMA

Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy

SUL

Soft (magnetic) Under Layer

SyAF or SAF

Synthetic Antiferromagnet (refers to two magnetic layers exchange coupled across a spacer layer such that the magnetization directions are anti-parallel to each other).

TAMR

Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • "base layer", "under layer", "inter layer", "seed layer", "onset layer", "intermediate layer", "underlayer", "crystallographic growth layer", "adhesion layer", "plating layer" and "orientation layer" for (usually) non-magnetic layers located between a substrate and a recording layer to establish proper crystal growth, orientation, magnetization and surface characteristics of the upper-lying magnetic layers. In many cases the exact intended use indicated by the nomenclature is not critical, nor uniform from one inventive entity to another (e.g. what one patent document might term a 'seed layer', another patent document might call an 'onset layer' or 'intermediate layer').
  • "Heat Assisted" and "Thermally Assisted" for a system using heat energy to reduce the coercive force of the recording layer lamina during writing of the recording bit.
  • "longitudinal anisotropy" and "in-plane anisotropy" and "horizontal anisotropy" and "longitudinal magnetization" and "in-plane magnetization" and "horizontal magnetization".
  • "Microwave Assisted" uses microwaves to heat the recording lamina in a similar manner and "Energy Assisted" is generically used for either heat- or microwave- assistance.
  • "Soft Magnetic Underlayer", "Soft Underlayer", and "Keeper layer" for a layer separated from the main recording layer lamina and comprising a soft magnetic material used to assist in the direction of the flux from the magnetic head to return to a write pole. These type of media are almost exclusively media exhibiting PMA.
  • "vertical anisotropy" and "perpendicular anisotropy" and "vertical magnetization" and "perpendicular magnetization".
comprising only the magnetic material without bonding agent
Definition statement

This place covers:

Media or magnetic material including a thin-film magnetic layer represented by a continuous layer free of polymeric binder having a thickness typically ranging from Angstrom level to several micrometres.

Media characterised by aspects of the magnetic layers other than the composition or the requirement that a plurality of magnetic layers exist in a specific interaction. For example, media where the orientation of a single magnetic layer is the inventive feature (tilted media), how the magnetic layer is utilized (servo tracking), etc.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Structures of magnetic heads used with magnetic record carriers

G11B 5/127 - G11B 5/40

Magnetic media characterised by the protective layers

G11B 5/72 - G11B 5/7268

Magnetic media characterised by the base layers

G11B 5/73 - G11B 5/73937

Layered products comprising a layer of metal, e.g. magnetic layered products

B32B 15/00

Alloys having magnetic physical properties

C22C 2202/02

Component parts for measuring arrangements not specifically adapted for a specific variable, e.g. nonmagnetic records

G01D 15/00

Sound recordings, including magnetic sound recordings combined with motion picture structures

G03B 31/00

Products or processes where magnetic force forms an image, i.e. radiation imagery

G03G 19/00

Static memory systems, apparatus, or processes using thin films

G11C 11/14

Magnetic material resulting from metal treatment

H01F 1/00

Special rules of classification

A soft magnetic layer or SUL is classified in this subgroup and its indents, not under G11B 5/73.

Each inventive embodiment in the document should be classified separately and if one embodiment is directed to two or more magnetic layers and another embodiment is directed to the magnetic compositions of the layers, classification is in G11B 5/66G11B 5/678 and also in G11B 5/65G11B 5/658.

characterised by its composition (G11B 5/66 takes precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium having a single magnetic layer that is characterised by its composition.

Example: A Mn-Al recording layer.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Record carriers consisting of several layers

G11B 5/66

{containing Fe or Ni (containing Co G11B 5/656; containing inorganic, non-oxide compounds of Si, N, P, B, H or C G11B 5/657; containing oxygen G11B 5/658)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium in which the magnetic layer includes a majority component (by weight %, volume % or mole %) of iron or nickel, but does not also contain cobalt, oxygen or an inorganic, non-oxide compound of Si, N, P, B, H or C.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Containing cobalt

G11B 5/656

Containing inorganic, non-oxide compounds of Si, N, P, B, H or C

G11B 5/657

Containing oxygen

G11B 5/658

{containing Co (containing inorganic, non-oxide compounds of Si, N, P, B, H or C G11B 5/657; containing oxygen G11B 5/658)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium in which the magnetic layer includes a majority component (by weight %, volume % or mole %) of cobalt, but does not also contain oxygen or an inorganic, non-oxide compound of Si, N, P, B, H or C.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Containing inorganic, non-oxide compounds of Si, N, P, B, H or C

G11B 5/657

Containing oxygen

G11B 5/658

{containing inorganic, non-oxide compound of Si, N, P, B, H or C, e.g. in metal alloy or compound (containing oxygen G11B 5/658)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium in which the magnetic layer includes an inorganic, non-oxide compound of Si, N, P, B, H, or C. This compound can be part of the alloy (e.g. CoCrPtB) or as a segregant compound separating the magnetic grains in the layer (e.g. FePt grains separated by a carbon or boron-nitride segregant material).

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Containing oxygen

G11B 5/658

Special rules of classification

Magnetic layers containing organic compounds should be classified in G11B 5/65 for a thin film-type magnetic layer or in the G11B 5/68 area for a binder-type magnetic layer.

{containing oxygen, e.g. molecular oxygen or magnetic oxide}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium in which the magnetic layer includes magnetic metal oxide or a magnetic layer with uncombined oxygen present within the magnetic elemental metal or the alloy lattice structure, e.g. CoOx or CoCrPt-SiO2 magnetic layers.

the record carriers consisting of several layers
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium that contains more than one magnetic layer on the same side of the substrate. This includes soft, hard or paramagnetic layers, but excludes antiferromagnetic layers.

Multiple magnetic layers separated by non-magnetic or antiferromagnetic layers are classified in G11B 5/676.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Material and compositional limitations directed to spin-exchange coupled multilayers independent of use

H01F 10/32- H01F 10/3295

Special rules of classification

In this subgroup, a record carrier must include a plurality of magnetic layers and not a single magnetic layer with two or more non-magnetic layers.

A classification symbol is given related to the composition and structural arrangements of a spin-exchange coupled multilayer in the corresponding subgroups H01F 10/32 - H01F 10/3295.

including a soft magnetic layer
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium including two or more magnetic layers, in which at least one of the magnetic layers is a soft magnetic layer.

{having different compositions in a plurality of magnetic layers, e.g. layer compositions having differing elemental components or differing proportions of elements}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium including two or more magnetic layers, and in which each layer has a different composition.

Example:

media33.jpeg

Figure 1. A FePt:C / CoPt:TiO2 layer structure or a laminate magnetic layer structure of FePt:C / FePt:SiO2 / FePt:C.

{having differing macroscopic or microscopic structures, e.g. differing crystalline lattices, varying atomic structures or differing roughnesses}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium including two or more magnetic layers, each having the same chemical constituents, but differing in crystal lattice or molecular arrangement.

Examples:

Figure 2:

media34.jpeg

Figure 3:

media35.jpeg

Figures 2 and 3. Unique magnetic layers with distinct oblique inclination angles (Figure 2) and unique magnetic layers with distinct grain size requirements (Figure 3).

{having magnetic layers separated by a nonmagnetic layer, e.g. antiferromagnetic layer, Cu layer or coupling layer}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium including two or more magnetic layers, wherein at least one intervening nonmagnetic or antiferromagnetic layer is between the magnetic layers.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Recording media characterised by the selection of the non-magnetic material of an underlayer between a soft magnetic layer and a substrate (i.e. under the soft magnetic layer)

G11B 5/736 - G11B 5/7367

Recording media characterised by the selection of the non-magnetic material of an underlayer between a soft magnetic layer and the lowermost hard magnetic layer

G11B 5/7368 - G11B 5/7379

Recording media characterised by the selection of the non-magnetic material of an underlayer under the lowermost magnetic layer in media with no soft magnetic layer

G11B 5/7368 - G11B 5/7379

Material and compositional limitations directed to spin-exchange coupled multilayers independent of use

H01F 10/32 - H01F 10/3295

Special rules of classification

A classification symbol is given related to the composition and structural arrangements of a spin-exchange coupled multilayer in the corresponding subgroups H01F 10/32 - H01F 10/3295.

If a document discloses an inventive embodiment having exactly two magnetic layers separated by at least one intervening nonmagnetic or antiferromagnetic layer and another different inventive embodiment having three or more magnetic layers separated by intervening nonmagnetic or antiferromagnetic layers, an Inventive classification is given in G11B 5/676 and an Inventive classification is also given in G11B 5/678.

{having three or more magnetic layers}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic medium in which the medium has at least three magnetic layers on a single side of the substrate, with at least one intervening non-magnetic or antiferromagnetic layer.

Examples: (Co/Pt)n or (Co/Pd)n superlattice-type media layers.

Special rules of classification

If a document discloses an inventive embodiment having exactly two magnetic layers separated by at least one intervening nonmagnetic or antiferromagnetic layer and another different inventive embodiment having three or more magnetic layers separated by intervening nonmagnetic or antiferromagnetic layers, an Inventive classification is given in G11B 5/676 and an Inventive classification is also given in G11B 5/678.

Protective coatings, e.g. anti-static {or antifriction}
Definition statement

This place covers:

One or more coatings having specific utility for protecting the record carrier, e.g. from shock, static, head-medium crash, friction or corrosion.

The protective coatings on the outermost layer of the record carrier above any magnetic recording layer structure – the "outermost" being the layer furthest from the substrate and closest to the surface facing a recording or reproducing apparatus.

Relationships with other classification places

Documents directed to protective layers used on magnetic record carriers, as well as on magnetic recording or reproducing apparatus components, should be given an additional symbol in G11B 5/255, G11B 5/31, G11B 5/40 or G11B 5/3106, as appropriate.

Documents directed to protective layers used on a plurality of media types, e.g. optical, ferroelectric or optomagnetic, should be given a classification here if they also recite use on magnetic record carriers.

Other aspects of magnetic recording media are classified as follows:

  • G11B 5/64 concerns thin film-type media directed to the selection of magnetic material for the recording layer(s).
  • G11B 5/68 concerns binder-type media directed to the selection of magnetic particles, binder composition, or binder additives to the recording layer(s).
  • G11B 5/73 concerns underlayers (including substrates) used in magnetic recording media of both thin-film and binder-type.
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Protective measures on heads – on pole pieces, etc.

G11B 5/255

Protective measures on heads – thin film structures

G11B 5/3106

Protective measures on heads, e.g. against excessive temperature

G11B 5/40

Manufacturing methods of depositing protective layers

G11B 5/8408

Protective layers exclusive to optical media

G11B 7/254

Protective layers exclusive to magneto-optic (i.e. thermomagnetic, optomagnetic) record carriers

G11B 11/10586

Compounds of non-metallic elements – oxides

C01B 11/00

Compounds of non-metallic elements – nitrides

C01B 21/00

Compounds of non-metallic elements – carbides

C01B 32/00

General utility lubricant compositions

C10M

Indexing scheme for lubricant composition - specific for use on magnetic media

C10N 2040/18

Coatings of C, O, Ni, Si, e.g. as carbides or nitrides

C22C 29/00

Sputtering of carbon, including DLC

C23C 14/0605

Coating methods of coating carbon, including DLC

C23C 16/26

Plural inorganic coatings with specific use for wear protection – methodology thereof

C23C 28/044

General utility magnetic layers characterized by the composition of a diffusion preventing, cap, "protective" layer

H01F 10/30

Special rules of classification

Protective coatings including a bonding agent, such as for use above binder media type record carriers (i.e. those whose magnetic layers would be covered under G11B 5/68), should be classified in G11B 5/728.

Protective coatings that are specific to thin-film media type record carriers (i.e. those whose magnetic layers would be covered under G11B 5/64) or protective coatings that are generic to both binder-type and thin-film-type record carriers should be classified in G11B 5/72G11B 5/727. If the use with binder-type media is deemed critical, an additional classification can be given in G11B 5/728.

Classification within this area follows the general rules below:

  • If the invention concerns a single carbon protective layer, either without other recited protective layers or where the other protective layers are recited in name only, classification should be in G11B 5/727. If an anticorrosive function is indicated, classification should be in G11B 5/722, either alone or in addition to G11B 5/727, if both features are important.
  • If the invention concerns one or more lubricants, classification should be in G11B 5/725G11B 5/7257. If additional protective layers also represent the invention, then it should be classified in G11B 5/725 - G11B 5/7257 and in G11B 5/726 - G11B 5/7268.
  • If the invention concerns a plurality of protective layers, then classification should be in G11B 5/726G11B 5/7268. The invention can be related to specific materials or compositions, or to the interaction between the layers, e.g. an initial protective layer given a surface treatment to enhance the bonding to a subsequent protective layer.
  • If the invention concerns the inclusion of a bonding agent in the protective layer, such as for use above binder-type media, then classification should be in G11B 5/728.
  • Single non-carbon protective layers are classified in G11B 5/72, e.g. silicon based protective layers.
Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

DLC

Diamond-like Carbon

PFPE

Perfluoropolyether

PE

Polyether

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • protective layer
  • capping layer
  • topcoat layer
  • overcoat layer
  • protection layer
{containing an anticorrosive material}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Protective coatings in which the material used has an express anti-corrosion activity or the protective coatings contain a material that is art-recognized as serving an anti-corrosive function, e.g. Cr.

Examples of corrosion resistance include tests in the description, e.g.

media25.png

or corrosion resistance in the claims.

containing a lubricant {, e.g. organic compounds (inorganic carbon protective coating G11B 5/727)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Protective coatings that include at least one lubricant material, i.e., a substance for reducing friction or wear.

Relationships with other classification places

If both a carbon protective coating and the lubricant concern the invention, classification should be done in G11B 5/7266 and in G11B 5/725G11B 5/7257 (based on the type of lubricant).

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Inorganic carbon protective coating

G11B 5/727

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

General utility lubricant compositions

C10M

Non-macromolecular based lubricant compositions

C10M 105/00

Macromolecular based lubricant compositions

C10M 107/00

Organic macromolecular based lubricant compositions that further include nitrogen (e.g. nitrogen containing lubricants)

C10M 2217/00

Phosphorous-nitrogen lubricants

C10M 2223/08

Phosphorous (e.g. Phosphagene) based lubricant compositions

C10M 2225/00

Indexing scheme for lubricant composition - specific for use on magnetic media

C10N 2040/18

Special rules of classification

Carbon coatings, unless explicitly stated as being used for their lubricity, are not considered lubricants within the scope of this subgroup. In those situations, an additional symbol should also be given in the appropriate Inorganic Protective Coating subgroups G11B 5/7264G11B 5/727, when the carbon coating is explicitly disclosed.

{Fluorocarbon lubricant}
Definition statement

This place covers:

The lubricant is an organic compound of fluorine.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Lubricating compositions characterised by the base-material being a macromolecular compound containing halogen

C10M 107/38

Organic macromolecular compounds containing halogen as ingredients in lubricant compositions

C10M 2213/00

{Perfluoropolyether lubricant}
Definition statement

This place covers:

The fluorine containing lubricant that includes a perfluoropolyether compound.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Lubricant compositions including perfluoropolyethers

C10M 2213/06

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

PFPE

Perfluoropolyether

PE

Polyether

Fomblin

Perfluoropolyether lubricant composition having a Wide range of end group formulations

{Two or more protective coatings (inorganic carbon protective coating G11B 5/727)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Protective coating including two or more coatings, where each coating is explicitly disclosed.

Relationships with other classification places

Most record carriers include a protective inorganic (usually carbon) coating along with a lubricant coating. If one of these coatings is lacking an indication of critical interaction with another of these coatings (e.g. modified for improved lubricant bonding), classification should only be done in the corresponding single coating areas: G11B 5/72, G11B 5/725 or G11B 5/727.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Inorganic carbon protective coating

G11B 5/727

{Inorganic protective coating}
Definition statement

This place covers:

At least one of the protective coatings that includes an inorganic coating material that is a non-carbon containing coating.

{Inorganic carbon protective coating, e.g. graphite, diamond like carbon or doped carbon}
Definition statement

This place covers:

At least one of the protective coatings that includes a non-organic carbon-based coating material.

Example 1:

media26.png

Example 2:

media27.png

{comprising a lubricant over the inorganic carbon coating}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Protective coatings that include at least one non-organic carbon-based coating material and at least one lubricant coating; the lubricant can be physically or chemically bonded to the carbon-based coating; classification should also be done in G11B 5/725G11B 5/7257, depending on the type of lubricant.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

General utility lubricant compositions

C10M

Non-macromolecular based lubricant compositions

C10M 105/00

Macromolecular based lubricant compositions

C10M 107/00

Indexing scheme for lubricant composition - specific for use on magnetic media

C10N 2040/18

Example 1:

media28.png

Example 2:

media29.png

{comprising elemental nitrogen in the inorganic carbon coating}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Protective coatings that include at least one non-organic carbon-based coating material, where that carbon-based coating further includes uncombined nitrogen.

Example:

media30.png

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Organic macromolecular based lubricant compositions that further include nitrogen (e.g. nitrogen containing lubricants)

C10M 2217/00

Phosphorous-nitrogen lubricants

C10M 2223/08

Phosphorous (e.g. Phosphagene) based lubricant compositions

C10M 2225/00

{Inorganic carbon protective coating, e.g. graphite, diamond like carbon or doped carbon}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Single protective coating, which is an inorganic carbon-based material, i.e. a compound that does not include organic carbon bonds.

{containing a bonding agent in the protective coating}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Protective coating that is a bonding-agent type of coating, such as for use above binder-type media.

Special rules of classification

Protective coatings that are specific to thin-film media type record carriers (i.e. those whose magnetic layers would be covered under G11B 5/64) or protective coatings that are generic to either binder-type or thin-film-type record carriers should be classified in G11B 5/72G11B 5/727.

If the use of a specific protective layer above a binder-type media layer is disclosed even though the protective layer(s) would be classified in G11B 5/72G11B 5/727, an additional symbol may be given in G11B 5/728.

Base layers {, i.e. all non-magnetic layers lying under a lowermost magnetic recording layer, e.g. including any non-magnetic layer in between a first magnetic recording layer and either an underlying substrate or a soft magnetic underlayer}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic media in which each medium includes one or more non-magnetic layers under a lowermost magnetic recording layer.

Base layers are substrates or non-magnetic layers designated either by position (e.g. precoat layer, prelayer, base layer, underlayer, intermediate layer, lower layer, sublayer, ground layer, etc.) or function (e.g. nucleation layer, seed layer, barrier layer, corrosion prevention layer, diffusion prevention layer, texture layer, etc.).

Relationships with other classification places

Other aspects of magnetic recording media are classified as follows:

  • G11B 5/64 concerns thin film-type media directed to the selection of magnetic material for the recording layer(s).
  • G11B 5/68 concerns binder-type media directed to the selection of magnetic particles, binder composition, or binder additives to the recording layer(s).
  • G11B 5/72 concerns protective layers used on magnetic recording media.
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Magnetic media characterised by the patterning of the magnetic layer (bit patterned, discrete track, etc.)

G11B 5/743 - G11B 5/746

Magneto-optic or opto-magnetic media substrates

G11B 7/253 - G11B 7/2539

Magneto-optic or opto-magnetic underlayers

G11B 7/256 - G11B 7/2595

Energy assisted record carriers

G11B 11/10582 - G11B 11/10593

Thin film-type magnetic layers characterized by material or structural arrangement, characterized by the coupling or physical contact with other layers

H01F 10/06

Thin film-type magnetic layers characterized by material or structural arrangement, characterized by the substrate or intermediate layers

H01F 10/26 - H01F 10/30

General utility Synthetic Antiferromagnetic exchange coupled magnetic layers

H01F 10/324 - H01F 10/3259

Special rules of classification

Layers formed by chemically modifying a surface layer (e.g. an oxidized surface layer formed from a previously deposited layer) are considered a separate layer and should be placed in the appropriate subgroup. Note that a surface layer formed as part of a recording medium substrate is still considered part of the substrate for classification purposes (i.e. placement would be in the coated or composite substrate areas).

Classification in this area is primarily of the claimed invention with each embodiment of claimed subject matter being Inventive unless the subject matter recited is nominal and well known in the art. Relevant disclosure in the specification should be classified primarily as Additional information unless deemed particularly relevant to the invention as a whole, in which case it may be given an Inventive symbol.

Base layers in which the invention is directed to the initial substrate or support upon which all other layers are deposited are classified in G11B 5/739 - G11B 5/73937.

Base layers in which the recording or magnetizable layer is a continuous-type layer free of polymeric binder (i.e. "thin film media") are classified in G11B 5/736 - G11B 5/7379 if on the same side of the substrate as the magnetic layer or G11B 5/7353 if a backcoat layer.

Base layers in which the recording or magnetizable layer is a mixture of magnetic particles and a polymeric binder (i.e. "binder media") are classified in G11B 5/733 - G11B 5/7334 if on the same side of the substrate as the magnetic layer or G11B 5/735, G11B 5/7356, or G11B 5/7358 if a backcoat layer.

The following figures illustrate where appropriate base layers should be classified, depending on whether the media in question includes a soft under layer (SUL) (also termed a 'Keeper layer').

media16.png

media17.png

The following flow-chart provides guidance on the precedent notes within this portion of the scheme.

media18.png

An invention is to 'plural inventive non-magnetic layers' for the purpose of placement in appropriate subgroups of G11B 5/736 - G11B 5/7379 if the independent claim is directed to multiple non-magnetic layers, even if these layers are recited in name only or if dependent claims recite multiple non-magnetic layers in other than name only. The sole exception would be if a dependent claim further limits the structural location of one of the inventive non-magnetic layers relative to an included soft magnetic layer (such that only a single non-magnetic layer is now above or below an included soft magnetic layer - see example 2, below).

Examples:

media19.png

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Binder-type media

A recording medium where the recording layer includes (a usually polymeric) binder mixed with magnetisable particles.

Thin film-type media

A recording medium where the recording layer is substantially free of any polymeric material.

Non-magnetic

A material that has a zero magnetic moment.

Magnetic

A material that has a non-zero magnetic moment, including paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, and ferrimagnetic materials.

SUL

Soft Under Layer - a soft magnetic layer usually located between a substrate and a recording layer to direct the flux from the magnetic head through the media recording layer and back to a return head.

Soft Magnetic

A material exhibiting a (relatively) low coercivity, typically under 100 Oe.

Hard Magnetic

A material exhibiting a (relatively) high coercivity capable of storing data, typically over 1000 Oe.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • Base layer, precoat, prelayer, under layer, inter layer, intermediate layer, onset layer, lower layer, sublayer, ground layer, barrier layer, corrosion prevention layer, diffusion barrier layer, or texture layer.

In patent documents, the word/expression in the first column is often used instead of the word/expression in the second column, which is used in the classification scheme of this place:

Any base layer used in a binder-type medium

Characterized by the addition of non-magnetic particles (i.e. G11B 5/733 )

characterised by the addition of non-magnetic particles {(base layers having a non-magnetic layer under a soft magnetic layer G11B 5/736; magnetic recording media substrates G11B 5/739)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic recording media having one or more base layers formed from a binder with included non-magnetic particles or filler.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Base layers having a non-magnetic layer under a soft magnetic layer

G11B 5/736

Magnetic recording media substrates

G11B 5/739

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Layers above a recording layer (relative to a substrate), even if including non-magnetic particles (i.e. protective layers)

G11B 5/72

Base layers on the opposite side of the substrate from the magnetic recording layer, even if including non-magnetic particles (i.e. backcoat layers)

G11B 5/735

Base layers having a non-polymeric layer under the lowermost magnetic recording layer, but without binder material and without non-magnetic particles (i.e. thin film-type layers)

G11B 5/7368

Special rules of classification

A base layer deposited solely as part of a substrate that has no disclosed utility in establishing the magnetic properties of the recording layer would not be classified here, even if containing non-magnetic particles. Such a layer would be classified in G11B 5/739 according to the scheme title of G11B 5/733 and would include layers typically denoted as smoothing layers, coating layers, etc. that are taught as part of the substrate, per se.

Underlayers used in binder-type media cases are typically referred to as lower layers, primer layers, undercoats, etc. and would be classified here if including non-magnetic particles. If without non-magnetic particles they are classified in G11B 5/73.

Where the non-magnetic particles included in the base layer are only nominally recited and the inventive subject matter is directed to the base layer binder composition (or structure) or the composition (or structure) of a non-particulate additive (e.g. lubricant, viscosity aid, etc.), classification is in G11B 5/7334.

{Base layer characterised by composition or structure}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic recording media having one or more base layers formed from a binder with included non-magnetic particles or filler, where the particles are recited in name only and the inventive subject matter is in the binder composition (or structure) or a non-particulate additive composition (or structure).

Special rules of classification

If the non-magnetic particles are recited in more than name only and are deemed inventive, classification should be in G11B 5/733. If inventive subject matter is directed to both the particles and the binder (or additive), then classification should be given in both G11B 5/733 and G11B 5/7334.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Structure

The chemical structure of an organic compound, i.e. the arrangement of the atoms or molecules of one or more of the underlayers.

characterised by the back layer {(magnetic recording media substrates G11B 5/739)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic recording media having one or more base layers formed on the opposite side of a support from where the recording layer is located (i.e. back layers).

Also included are back layers including a binder with non-magnetic particles or filler, where the particles or filler are nominal and recited in name only.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Magnetic recording media substrates

G11B 5/739

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Layers above a recording layer (relative to a substrate), even if including non-magnetic particles (i.e. protective layers)

G11B 5/72

Base layers on the same side of the substrate as the recording layer structure for single sided media

G11B 5/733 - G11B 5/7334, G11B 5/736 - G11B 5/7379

Special rules of classification

If the back layer includes non-magnetic particles or filler and the particles or filler are recited in no more than name only, classification is in G11B 5/735 and not in G11B 5/7356 - G11B 5/7358. If any inventive subject matter is directed to the particles, classification is in G11B 5/7356 or G11B 5/7358 .

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Back layer

A layer on the opposite side of a substrate from the recording layer structure; typically used for controlling the running and electrostatic properties of a tape-form medium.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • Back layer, backcoat, back coat
{for a thin film medium where the magnetic recording layer structure has no bonding agent}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic recording media, each having one or more back layers wherein the recording layer is a thin-film type structure, e.g. sputtered layer, CoCrPt alloy layer, Co/Pt multilayers.

{comprising non-magnetic particles in the back layer, e.g. particles of TiO2, ZnO or SiO2}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Magnetic recording media having one or more back layers characterized by inventive non-magnetic particles (e.g. oxides, carbon black, etc.).

Special rules of classification

If the back layer includes non-magnetic particles or filler and the particles or filler are recited in no more than name only, classification is in G11B 5/735.

If the non-magnetic particles or filler are recited as being added to achieve a specified inventive or non-conventional physical property, classification is in G11B 5/7358.

{specially adapted for achieving a specific property, e.g. average roughness [Ra]}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Back layers including non-magnetic particles or filler recited as being added to achieve a specified inventive or non-conventional physical property.

Special rules of classification

If the recited property is nominal or conventional (e.g. carbon black is added to control the electrostatic property of the back layer to known, conventional ranges), classification is in G11B 5/735 and its subgroups.

{Non-magnetic layer under a soft magnetic layer, e.g. between a substrate and a soft magnetic underlayer [SUL] or a keeper layer (magnetic recording media substrates G11B 5/739)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers between a substrate and a soft magnetic underlayer.

media20.png

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Magnetic recording media substrates

G11B 5/739

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Surface layers comprising particles mixed in a binder or resin wherein the layer is set forth as distinct from the substrate and used for establishing the surface properties of a magnetic layer

G11B 5/733 - G11B 5/7334

Substrates only characterised by having a specific form or shape

G11B 5/74 - G11B 5/825

Magnetic media substrates characterised by the patterning of the magnetic layer (bit patterned, discrete track, etc.)

G11B 5/743 - G11B 5/746

Magneto-optic or opto-magnetic media substrates

G11B 7/253 - G11B 7/2539

{Two or more non-magnetic layers}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including two or more inventive layers between a substrate and a soft magnetic underlayer wherein the inventive subject matter lies in the composition or structural arrangement of the layers.

Special rules of classification

For a base layer to be considered 'inventive' it should be recited in the independent claim (even if recited in name only) or have non-nominal, inventive features.

{Physical structure of underlayer, e.g. texture}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including two or more inventive layers between a substrate and a soft magnetic underlayer wherein the physical macroscopic structure (e.g. texture, patterning, etc.) or microstructure (crystal plane, crystallographic texture, etc.) of at least one layer is also deemed inventive.

Special rules of classification

If the physical structure is recited in name only and is not deemed inventive, classification should be based on other aspects of the recording media base layers.

{Non-magnetic single underlayer comprising nickel}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including only a single inventive layer between a substrate and a soft magnetic underlayer wherein the layer is recited as including non-trace amounts of nickel.

Special rules of classification

If the composition of the underlayer is not inventive, classification should be based on other aspects of the recording media base layers (e.g. circa 2010, NiP underlayers are well established and mere recitation of an NiP underlayer would not result in placement in this subgroup without additional, inventive features).

{Non-magnetic single underlayer comprising chromium}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including only a single inventive layer between a substrate and a soft magnetic underlayer wherein the layer is recited as including non-trace amounts of chromium.

Special rules of classification

If the composition of the underlayer is not inventive, classification should be based on other aspects of the recording media base layers (e.g. circa 2010, Cr-alloy underlayers are well established and mere recitation of a Cr-alloy underlayer would not result in placement in this subgroup without additional, inventive features).

{Non-magnetic single underlayer comprising a polymeric structure, e.g. polymeric adhesion layer or plasma-polymerized carbon layer}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including only a single inventive layer between a substrate and a soft magnetic underlayer wherein the layer is recited as being polymeric or a resin-based underlayer.

This includes polymeric or resin-based non-magnetic underlayers having particles, provided they are located under a soft-magnetic layer.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Polymeric or resin-based underlayers without particles, wherein the layer is under a recording layer, but either above a soft magnetic underlayer or in a medium without a soft magnetic underlayer

G11B 5/73

Polymeric or resin-based underlayers with particles, wherein the layer is under a recording layer, but either above a soft magnetic underlayer or in a medium without a soft magnetic underlayer

G11B 5/733 - G11B 5/7334

{for heat-assisted or thermally-assisted magnetic recording [HAMR, TAMR]}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers having specific utility for use in energy assisted (HAMR, TAMR, etc.) magnetic recording.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical Recording

G11B 7/00

Magneto-optical Recording

G11B 11/00

Special rules of classification

Barring exceptional circumstances, most classification into G11B 5/7366 will be Additional information. If the base layer is critical and inventive to the energy assisted recording medium, an Inventive symbol may be placed in this subgroup.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Energy Assisted

A recording process where, in addition to a magnetic field from a magnetic head, the reading and/or writing process is assisted by energy in the form of heat, microwaves, etc.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

EAMR

Energy Assisted Magnetic Recording

HAMR

Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording

MAMR

Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording

TAMR

Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • HAMR, TAMR, Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording, or Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording
{Physical structure of underlayer, e.g. texture}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including one inventive layer between a substrate and a soft magnetic underlayer wherein the physical macroscopic structure (e.g. texture, patterning, etc.) or microstructure (crystal plane, crystallographic texture, etc.) of the layer is also deemed inventive.

Special rules of classification

If the physical structure is recited in name only and is not deemed inventive, classification should be based on other aspects of the recording media base layers.

{Non-polymeric layer under the lowermost magnetic recording layer (base layers having a non-magnetic layer under a soft magnetic layer G11B 5/736; magnetic recording media substrates G11B 5/739)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Non-Polymeric base layers between a soft magnetic underlayer and the recording layer structure or, if no soft magnetic underlayer in the recording medium, any base layers under the recording layer structure.

media21.png

media22.png

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Base layers having a non-magnetic layer under a soft magnetic layer

G11B 5/736

Magnetic recording media substrates

G11B 5/739

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Polymeric or resin-based underlayers without particles, wherein the layer is under a recording layer, but either above a soft magnetic underlayer or in a medium without a soft magnetic underlayer

G11B 5/73

Polymeric or resin-based underlayers with particles, wherein the layer is under a recording layer, but either above a soft magnetic underlayer or in a medium without a soft magnetic underlayer

G11B 5/733 - G11B 5/7334

{Two or more non-magnetic underlayers, e.g. seed layers or barrier layers}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including two or more inventive layers in the required structural location within the media wherein the inventive subject matter lies in the composition or structural arrangement of the layers.

Special rules of classification

For a base layer to be considered 'inventive' it should be recited in the independent claim (even if recited in name only) or have non-nominal, inventive features.

{Physical structure of underlayer, e.g. texture}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including two or more inventive layers in the required structural location within the media wherein the physical macroscopic structure (e.g. texture, patterning, etc.) or microstructure (crystal plane, crystallographic texture, etc.) of at least one layer is also deemed inventive.

Special rules of classification

If the physical structure is recited in name only and is not deemed inventive, classification should be based on other aspects of the recording media base layers.

{Non-magnetic single underlayer comprising nickel}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including only a single inventive layer in the required structural location within the media wherein the layer is recited as including non-trace amounts of nickel.

Special rules of classification

If the composition of the underlayer is not inventive, classification should be based on other aspects of the recording media base layers (e.g. circa 2010, NiP underlayers are well established and mere recitation of an NiP underlayer would not result in placement in this subgroup without additional, inventive features).

{Non-magnetic single underlayer comprising chromium}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including only a single inventive layer in the required structural location within the media wherein the layer is recited as including non-trace amounts of chromium.

Special rules of classification

If the composition of the underlayer is not inventive, classification should be based on other aspects of the recording media base layers (e.g. circa 2010, Cr-alloy underlayers are well established and mere recitation of a Cr-alloy underlayer would not result in placement in this subgroup without additional, inventive features).

{for heat-assisted or thermally-assisted magnetic recording [HAMR, TAMR]}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers in the required structural location within the media having specific utility for use in energy assisted (HAMR, TAMR, etc.) magnetic recording.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical Recording

G11B 7/00

Magneto-optical Recording

G11B 11/00

Special rules of classification

Barring exceptional circumstances, most classification into G11B 5/7375 will be Additional information. If the base layer is critical and inventive to the energy assisted recording medium, an Inventive symbol may be placed in this subgroup.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Energy Assisted

A recording process where, in addition to a magnetic field from a magnetic head, the reading and/or writing process is assisted by energy in the form of heat, microwaves, etc.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

EAMR

Energy Assisted Magnetic Recording

HAMR

Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording

MAMR

Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording

TAMR

Thermally-assisted Magnetic Recording

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • HAMR, TAMR, Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording, or Thermally Assisted Magnetic Recording
{Physical structure of underlayer, e.g. texture}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including two or more inventive layers in the required structural location within the media wherein the physical macroscopic structure (e.g. texture, patterning, etc.) or microstructure (crystal plane, crystallographic texture, etc.) of at least one layer is also deemed inventive.

Special rules of classification

If the physical structure is recited in name only and is not deemed inventive, classification should be based on other aspects of the recording media base layers.

{Seed layer, e.g. at least one non-magnetic layer is specifically adapted as a seed or seeding layer}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers in the required structural location within the media having specific utility for use as seed or seeding layers.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Seed or Seeding Layer

A non-magnetic layer explicitly recited as a 'seed' or 'seeding' layer or that is explicitly disclosed as only used for seeding the crystallographic growth of the immediately following layer in the deposition process.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • Seed Layer, Seeding Layer, or Nucleation Layer
{Magnetic recording media substrates}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers in which a layer or laminate provides physical integrity to a magnetic recording media by acting as substrate or support for a magnetic recording layer.

This subgroup and its subgroups provide for substrates set forth with chemical or structural specificity.

Care must be taken to distinguish between (a) a composite or coated substrate and (b) a subsequently formed non-magnetic base layer when considering binder media type structures. A layer recited as an "underlayer", "undercoat", "lower layer" or "intermediate layer" is a layer distinct from a substrate. For a layer to be considered as a part of a substrate, it must be recited specifically in the disclosure of forming the substrate or as part of a substrate prior to any deposition of a recording layer structure.

Examples:

media23.png

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Surface layers that are not part of a substrate, but are provided for the electromagnetic or crystallographic growth properties of a recording medium

G11B 5/73 - G11B 5/7379

Surface layers comprising particles mixed in a binder or resin wherein the layer is set forth as distinct from the substrate and used for establishing the surface properties of a magnetic layer

G11B 5/733 - G11B 5/7334

Substrates only characterised by having a specific form or shape

G11B 5/74 - G11B 5/825

Magnetic media substrates characterised by the patterning of the magnetic layer (bit patterned, discrete track, etc.)

G11B 5/743 - G11B 5/746

Methods of making substrates

G11B 5/8404

Magneto-optic or opto-magnetic media substrates

G11B 7/253 - G11B 7/2539

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • Substrate, Support, or Base Layer
{Inorganic substrates}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a substrate having at least one formed layer or portion comprising inorganic material.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Substrates including a non-esterfied polymeric binder layer containing inorganic particles or particulate

G11B 5/73925

Substrates including an esterfied polymeric binder layer containing inorganic particles or particulate

G11B 5/73935

Special rules of classification

Resin or binder material including inorganic particles wherein the substrate, in total, would be considered a polymeric or organic substrate are classified in the appropriate subgroup, i.e. G11B 5/73923 - G11B 5/73937.

Substrates which are formed from inorganic compounds and are disclosed primarily in terms of property values are classified in G11B 5/739, i.e. the inorganic materials are nominal and recited in name only.

{Composites or coated substrates}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Inorganic substrates having two or more contiguous layers or portions of distinct components (e.g. glass containing metallic particles, etc.).

Included in this subgroup are an inorganic structural element and an organic compound; e.g. metallic particles and resin, provided that the substrate as a whole would be considered an inorganic substrate.

Special rules of classification

Substrates having only a single alloy layer, i.e. heterogeneous mixtures of elements that are not separate phases, are not classified in this subgroup, but in other subgroups appropriate to the recited alloy.

Included herein are NiP plated substrates wherein the NiP plating layer is inventive and is clearly taught as part of the substrate. NiP layers deposited with the purpose of corrosion prevention, adhesion, or establishing the microstructure of the recording layer are classified in G11B 5/7363 or G11B 5/7371 . The lines between these subgroups and the current subgroup can often be ascertained by looking at the method of depositing the NiP layer and/or whether the NiP layer is deposited on an already commercially formed substrate (as opposed to being deposited to form the substrate).

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

NiP

Nickel-Phosphorous (a conventional pre-coat deposited on substrates for smoothing and texturing purposes).

AlMg/NiP

An aluminium-magnesium alloy substrate coated with an NiP coating layer

Plating layer

A layer deposited by either an electrolytic or electroless plating method; typically an NiP layer.

{Silicon compound based coating}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a substrate having at least one contiguous layer of a silicon compound.

{Metallic substrates, i.e. elemental metal or metal alloy substrates}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a substrate that is an elemental metal or a metal alloy.

{Aluminium or titanium elemental or alloy substrates}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a substrate that is elemental aluminium or titanium or an aluminium or titanium alloy (i.e., an alloy containing 40% or more aluminum and/or titanium).

{Glass or ceramic substrates}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a substrate that is composed of glass or ceramic, including amorphous or crystalline glasses.

Included in this subgroup are glass or ceramic substrates including texturing.

{Organic polymer substrates}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Substrates composed of a solid polymer compound or polymeric composition (e.g. polyurethane, melamine resin, polyamide, etc.).

Special rules of classification

Substrates that are formed from organic polymer compounds and that are disclosed primarily in terms of property values are classified in G11B 5/739, i.e. when the polymer materials are nominal and recited in name only.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

PEN

Polyethylene naphthalate (poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalate)

PET

Polyethylene terephthalate

{Composite or coated non-esterified substrates}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Substrates that are materials other than an ester and are composed of a plurality of layers (e.g. a laminate or distinct particulate or non-particulate compounds containing in a single layer).

This subgroup includes coatings on an organic substrate directed to the improvement of the properties of the substrate and not affecting the crystalline anisotropy or magnetic orientations of a subsequently deposited layer (e.g. a coating solely for adhesive, texture, etc.).

Special rules of classification

The distinction between a lower layer used in a binder-type media and a coating layer for purpose of classification here depends on the recited end use of the layer, as most are composed of similar mixtures of binder material plus non-magnetic particulate filler. If the layer is recited as a "lower layer", "under layer", "first layer", it is usually directed to establishing the deposition of the magnetic layer and are classified in G11B 5/733 - G11B 5/7334. The same applies if the deposition is a "wet-on-wet" process where the magnetic layer is immediately deposited following the non-magnetic layer.

If the invention is directed to the substrate and the layer is included to tailor the surface properties of the substrate (e.g. a binder and particulate layer deposited on a polyamide base to create a polyamide substrate having specific roughness profile), then classification should be in this subgroup only.

{Polyester substrates, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a substrate in which the polymer substrate includes an ester group thereon such as carboxylic acid ester.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Esterified substrates having two or more layers

G11B 5/73931

Composite esterified substrates formed from a mixture of an ester-based resin and particles

G11B 5/73935

{comprising naphthalene ring compounds, e.g. polyethylene naphthalate substrates}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a substrate that comprises a polyester substrate including a naphthalene ring structure.

media24.png

{Two or more layers, at least one layer being polyester}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Substrates that are composed of a plurality of layers, wherein at least one inventive layer is a polyester.

This subgroup includes coatings on a polyester substrate directed to the improvement of the properties of the substrate and not affecting the crystalline anisotropy or magnetic orientations of a subsequently deposited layer (e.g. a coating solely for adhesive, texture, etc.).

Special rules of classification

The distinction between a lower layer used in a binder-type media and a coating layer for purpose of classification here depends on the recited end use of the layer, as most are composed of similar mixtures of binder material plus non-magnetic particulate filler. If the layer is recited as a "lower layer", "under layer", "first layer", it is usually directed to establishing the deposition of the magnetic layer and are classified in G11B 5/733 - G11B 5/7334. The same applies if the deposition is a "wet-on-wet" process where the magnetic layer is immediately deposited following the non-magnetic layer.

If the invention is directed to the substrate and the layer is included to tailor the surface properties of the substrate (e.g. a binder and particulate layer deposited on a polyester base to create a polyester substrate having specific roughness profile), then classification should be in this subgroup only.

{Surface treated layers, e.g. treated by corona discharge}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a polyester substrate that has been coated or surface treated.

Included in this subgroup are polyester substrate leader and trailer tapes.

{characterised by roughness or surface features, e.g. by added particles}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a polyester substrate, typically containing particles, which has a defined and inventive roughness profile/property or surface feature, e.g. protrusion density.

{Substrates having an organic polymer comprising a ring structure}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Base layers including a substrate that has a specific organic ring structure, e.g. benzyl groups or 1,4-dihydroxydimethylbenzene.

Record carriers characterised by the form, e.g. sheet shaped to wrap around a drum
Definition statement

This place covers:

Record carriers (tapes, cards, disks) specially shaped, e.g., bit patterned media, or discrete-track media

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Manufacturing of record carriers

G11B 5/84

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Manufacturing of patterned magnetic recording media

G11B 5/855

Photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic, production of textured or patterned surfaces

G03F 7/00

Special rules of classification

Acquisition of servo patterns and processing thereof G11B 5/596

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Patterned Media and Bit Patterned Media

In Patterned Media (PM) and Bit-patterned-media (BPM), the magnetic recording layer on the media is patterned into small magnetic isolated data islands. In Bit-patterned media each island corresponds to a bit and is arranged e.g. in concentric data tracks in the case of disks media, while in patterned media the islands may correspond to discrete tracks or to servo patterns. Patterned-media may be longitudinal magnetic recording disks, wherein the magnetization directions are parallel to or in the plane of the recording layer, or perpendicular magnetic recording disks, wherein the magnetization directions are perpendicular to or out-of-the-plane of the recording layer. To produce magnetic isolation of the patterned data islands, the magnetization of the spaces between the islands is destroyed or substantially reduced to render these spaces essentially nonmagnetic. Alternatively, the media may be fabricated so that that there is no magnetic material in the spaces between the islands

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

BPM

Bit-Patterned-Media

PM

Patterned Media

DTM

Discrete Track Media

Re-recording, i.e. transcribing information from one magnetisable record carrier on to one or more similar or dissimilar record carriers {(by varying the order of the information G11B 27/029, G11B 27/036)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Master disks - i.e. original disks drawn preliminarily with magnetic information corresponding to a preformatted signal to be magnetically transferred (e.g. servo patterns or reference servo patterns for self-servo- writing) - used to duplicate information on lave disks

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Re-recording by varying the order of the information

G11B 27/029, G11B 27/036

Transferring data from one type of record carrier to another type of record carrier

G06K 1/18

Special rules of classification

When the medium to which information has to be transferred is in direct contact with the master disk the method or apparatus is classified in G11B 5/865.

Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation {by modifying optical properties or the physical structure}, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power {by sensing optical properties}; Record carriers therefor (G11B 11/00, G11B 13/00 take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • purely optical aspects of magneto-optical recording (for example a focus error method)
  • optical recording of label information on optical recording media such as CDs, where the recording is done using the optical head that records the coded main data

In general terms, this group is subdivided into:

systems (G11B 7/002- G11B 7/003) e.g. tape, card, disc

methods of recording or reproduction (also erasing, overwriting), including holographic recording of coded data (G11B 7/004 - G11B 7/0065); re-recording of data (transcription) (G11B 7/28)

arrangement of information e.g. control area, land and groove structure, including details of discrete physical structures such as "pits" (G11B 7/007- G11B 7/013)

access e.g. moving the optical pickup (G11B 7/085)

servo e.g. moving the objective lens (G11B 7/09)

heads e.g. types of heads (G11B 7/12, G11B 7/14)

  • details of head components e.g. lasers, detectors, optical elements in the light path between laser and record carrier or between record carrier and detector (G11B 7/125 - G11B 7/135)
  • manufacture of heads (G11B 7/22)

record carriers e.g. CD, DVD, BD (G11B 7/24)

  • structural aspects e.g. multiple data layers
  • material aspects e.g. materials used in recording layers, protective layers, substrates (G11B 7/241-G11B 7/258)
  • manufacture e.g. depositing a layer of recording material, pressing pits into substrate material, arrangements of multiple types of machinery in a production line (G11B 7/26)

In principle, only aspects of the above subjects that are particularly adapted as a result of using light for recording/reproduction (e.g. track pitch, pit depth adapted to the wavelength of light used) should be classified in G11B 7/00.

Relationships with other classification places
  • optical recording/writing of uncoded images e.g.
  • holographic storage of images (see G03H 1/10)
  • thermography (B41M 5/26)
  • laser (electrophotographic)/thermographic printers (B41J 2/435)
  • facsimile (H04N 1/00)
  • xerography i.e. photocopiers (G03G)
  • optical displays based on liquid crystals (G02F 1/135)
  • optical storage of small amounts of coded data e.g. on credit card size carriers or bar codes (see G06K 7/10 for methods or arrangements, or G06K 19/06009 for the media e.g. G06K 19/06028 for bar codes)
  • static optical memories G11C
  • applications of optical carriers such as CD, DVD, BD e.g.
  • games (A63F 13/00);
  • audio visual presentations of educational apparatus (G09B 5/06);
  • addressable supports for biological samples (G01N 35/00069)
  • advertising (G09F 23/00)
  • greeting cards (G09F 1/00)
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Recording on or reproducing from the same record carrier

G11B 11/00

Recording simultaneously

G11B 13/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical arrangements for thermally assisted magnetic recording

G11B 5/314

Optical servo for magnetic recording

G11B 5/59677

Near field interactions that do not involve optical radiation

G11B 9/12

Using microscopic probe means

G11B 9/14

If recording and reproducing are covered by different main groups

G11B 11/14

Microscopic probe means

G11B 11/26

Control of operating function, e.g. general control aspects of preventing overwriting of data

G11B 19/02, G11B 19/04

Starting, stopping record carriers, e.g. spindle control discrimination of media type

G11B 19/20, G11B 19/12

Aspects for data formats for standards such as CD, DVD, BD unless the technical problem underlying the invention arises because of the optical nature of the recording

G11B 20/12

Defect management for optical media such as CD, DVD, BD

G11B 20/1889

Aspects of record carriers not specific to method of recording or reproducing e.g. hub details are generally not specific to whether or not the recording is optical or magneto-optical

G11B 23/0028

Aspects of editing, addressing, timing etc for standards such as CD, DVD, BD unless the technical problem underlying the invention arises because of the optical nature of the recording

G11B 27/00

Computer systems involving digital I/O from or to direct access storage devices involving optical discs

G06F 3/0601

Special rules of classification

The following "horizontal" Indexing Codes are assigned where appropriate:

  • G11B 2007/0006 recording, reproducing or erasing systems adapted for scanning different types of carriers e.g. CD & DVD
  • G11B 2007/0009 recording, reproducing or erasing systems for carriers having data stored in three dimensions e.g. volume storage
  • G11B 2007/0013 recording, reproducing or erasing systems for carriers having data stored in three dimensions and having multiple discrete layers
  • G11B 2007/0016 recording, reproducing or erasing systems for carriers adapted to have label information written on the non-data side by the optical head used for recording (e.g. lightscribe, labelflash)

Further information of subgroups:

G11B 7/241: should be used as little as possible e.g. where different materials for various layers are disclosed and the invention does not reside in one particular layer (e.g. EP2224444, US2005129899)

G11B 7/242: this group and subgroups are used when the recording material does not fall (exclusively) into one of the higher dot subgroups; e.g. comprising inorganic and organic material (US2003175616, JP58062094)

G11B 7/2467 : R1−N=N−R2

G11B 7/247: styryl dye

G11B 7/25: in the recording layer

Examples:

  • e.g. light-shielding layer, reactive compounds, recording blocking particles, subbing layer (US5100766), smoothing layer,
  • mask (=shutter) layer (for Super-RENS application; if in direct contact with recording layer, G11B 7/257 takes precedence) e.g.US5470628, WO2006135180;
  • labelling layer; ink receiving layer
  • limit-play layer
  • third dielectric layer(US5681632), heat sink layer or heat radiating layer (not in direct contact with the recording layer);
  • auxiliary layer (US5442619), electrodes, filters;
  • parting layer (e.g. WO2005035237A1);
  • peelable sheet (e.g. WO2008126524)
  • decomposition reaction layer (see EP1645429A1);
  • compensating layer (WO2004008446);
  • thermochromic layer (WO2004010424)
  • flat-plate lens (EP1365394);
  • stabilization layer (EP1069556);
  • delamination-proof layer (EP0896328);
  • shutter layer (DE4214978);
  • record-blocking portions (WO2006022360);
  • solvent barrier layer (US4423427);
  • reflectivity adjustment layer (US5846625);
  • super-resolution film (US6385162);
  • pyrotechnic layer (WO0000453);
  • Servo layers (WO0178068);
  • subbing layer (US4753861);
  • ultraviolet absorption film (EP0259151);

G11B 7/254: topcoat layers = outermost layer

Examples:

  • in case of printing layer on the top of the protective layer,
  • class G11B 7/254 is given to the printing layer,
  • G11B 7/252 to the protective layer (cf. e.g. EP0628956, US5510164);
  • if cover layer on the protective coat, then G11B 7/254 to cover layer,
  • and G11B 7/252 to protective coat; anti-staining layer e.g. see doc. No US2005158558);
  • when there is an inorganic material film (G11B 7/252) provided on the surface, which
  • in turn has a protective layer provided thereon (G11B 7/2542 ), see doc. No EP0123223);
  • vibration prevention layer (US2003224136);
  • lubricant layer as outermost layer (e.g. US2002054974)

G11B 7/2545 : e.g. carbon containing coating , DLC coating - (EP0410704)

G11B 7/256: (EP1343159)

G11B 7/257: Only layers provided in direct contact with the recording layer are classified here. Other protecting layers, which are not toplayers (G11B 7/254) are classified under G11B 7/252.

Examples:

  • antireflection layer (US5398232);
  • A heat-deformable dye binder layer (US4336545);
  • Oxidisable (oxidation) layer (JP57163597);
  • Hollow spaces above recording layers (e.g. spacers) (US4791044);
  • Charge transfer layer (EP0183168);
  • Mask (= shutter layer for near-field applications) (EP1071086)

Examples:

  • high modulus layer (WO03021588);
  • heat insulation layer (FR2435779);

Examples:

  • flattening layer (US5095478);
  • light-to-heat converting film (EP0596339);
  • reinforcement layer (US4408213)
with cylinders or cylinder-like carriers {or cylindrical sections or flat carriers loaded onto a cylindrical surface}, e.g. truncated cones
Definition statement

This place covers:

Uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011)

with webs {, filaments or wires}, e.g. belts, spooled tapes or films of quasi-infinite extent
Definition statement

This place covers:

Uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011)

{using a rotating head, e.g. helicoidal recording}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Optical tape data storage systems that feed an optical tape helically around a drum while writing and/or reading digital data on the optical tape see e.g. US5524105

Uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011)

{for moving-picture soundtracks, i.e. cinema (cameras or projectors with sound recording or reproducing means G03B 31/02)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011)

with cards {or other card-like flat carriers, e.g. flat sheets of optical film}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Optical storage of small amounts of data on cards (analogous to magnetic strip on bank cards) is normally classified in G06K 19/06009 (media) or G06K 7/10 (methods and apparatus)

with discs
Definition statement

This place covers:

This sub-group is a residual sub-group and should only be assigned if there is something about an optical disc system related to the optical nature of recording and reproduction that is not classifiable elsewhere in G11B 7/00

this sub-group includes systems in which the label information is written optically on the non-data side of disc e.g. technologies such as Hewlett Packard LightScribe and Yamaha/FujiFilm LabelFlash

for labelling of optical data carriers that does not write the label data with the optical head used to write the main data, see G11B 23/40

{arrangements for detection of physical defects, e.g. of recording layer}
Definition statement

This place covers:

This sub-group is a residual sub-group and should only be assigned if (part of) the subject-matter can not be classifed elsewhere, in particular in one of the following:

G11B 7/0948: servo control specially adapted for detection and avoidance or compensatin of imprefections on the carrier e.g. dust, scratches, dropouts

G11B 20/1889: defect management

G11B 20/1816 testing e.g. of dropouts

G11B 7/268: checking for defects during/after manufacture

G01N 21/9506: Systems specially adapted for investigating the presence of flaws or contamination in optical discs

Recording (G11B 7/006, G11B 7/0065 take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Indexing Code G11B 2007/00457 is assigned for two photon recording (including two photon recording in holographic data storage media

{involving ablation of the recording layer}
Definition statement

This place covers:

For example, recording data as "pits" in a dye recording layer (e.g. CD-R, DVD-R, BD-R) not to be confused with spectral hole burning (see G11B 7/00453) for materials used in recording layers see G11B 7/242 and subgroups

{involving bubble or bump forming}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011)

Generally involves thermal expansion of a recording layer to form bumps which alter the amount of reflected light because ot the phase difference (interference effect) between light reflected by the protuberance and light reflected by the surface which is not raised.

media5.png

Figure from EP 338776

For materials used in recording layers see G11B 7/242 and subgroups.

{involving spectral or photochemical hole burning}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011)

Multiple bits can be stored in the same space using different frequencies atoms or molecules which are in different environments. The absorption line of a material is inhomogeneously broadened (comprised of many homogeneously broadened lines, due to the slightly different energies and therefore frequencies/wavelengths corresponding to the different environments.

Not to be confused with ablative recording (which is a thermal effect, not a spectral one).

For materials used in recording layers see G11B 7/242 and subgroups.

{involving phase-change effects}
Definition statement

This place covers:

For example, recording using chalcogenide materials e.g. GeSbTe.

This classification should only be assigned if:

  • the invention is about the phase change recording mechanism (note that this is now rare, since phase change recording is a "mature" technology), or
  • if the invention is specifically adapted for recording based on a phase change of the material AND there is no better classification (see below)

Recording pulse sequences are classified in G11B 7/0062 (for overwritable media) or in G11B 7/00456 (for write-once media)

Phase change materials are classified in G11B 7/243 and subgroups.

{involving reflectivity, absorption or colour changes}
Definition statement

This place covers:

For example, photochromic recording in which the colour is changed; documents concerning recording in which the texture of the surface is changed to change the reflectivity are classifiable here.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Involving ablation of the recording layer

G11B 7/00451

Involving bubble or bump forming

G11B 7/00452

Involving spectral or photochemical hole burning

G11B 7/00453

Involving phase-change effects

G11B 7/00454

{Recording strategies, e.g. pulse sequences (G11B 7/0062 takes precedence)}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Overwriting strategies, e.g. recording pulse sequences with erasing level used for phase-change media

G11B 7/0062

Special rules of classification

Both G11B 7/00456 and G11B 7/0062 are assigned if the strategy or strategies disclosed is/are applicable to both write-once and rewritable media. Example:

media6.png

Figure taken from EP1548710

{Verification, i.e. checking data during or after recording}
Definition statement

This place covers:

This class should only be assigned for invention information (mostly older technology) in which the actual data is read during recording and compared with the data that should have been recorded, or verification using a separate read/verify beam.

Running optical power control (ROPC): G11B 7/1263

Walking optical power control : G11B 7/1263

{involving phase depth effects}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Documents are only assigned this class (or code) if the particular problem or solution of the invention disclosed relates to the aspect of phase depth AND if there is no better classification (see below). (Phase depth effects are the most common basis for reproduction of information in G11B 7/00: the reproduction of the usual data pits in a CD, DVD, BD (i.e. pits in the plastic substrate, covered with a reflective layer) relies on this effect.)

Also reproduction of phase change media normally involves a phase depth effect, because the refractive indices of the various layers are adjusted to give a particular optical path length difference. (n.b. "phase" here has two different meaning - the physical state of the material ("phase change material") and the optical or physical difference in path length between two aread resulting in contructive or destruction optical interference "phase depth")

G11B 7/24085 (Arrangement of the information on the record carrier) Details of discrete information structures, e.g. shape or dimensions of pits, prepits

(n.b. From 2012 revision of the IPC introduces new group G11B 7/2407 for media characterised by the pits, and ECLA will be revised correspondingly)

{involving reflectivity, absorption or colour changes}
Definition statement

This place covers:

For example, reproduction of data recorded in a photochromic material.

Erasing (G11B 7/006, G11B 7/0065 take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Mostly uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011) - nearly all modern commercial disc technology is of the write-once type (e.g. recording in dye layer) or of the overwritable type (e.g. recording in a layer of phase change material).

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Overwriting

G11B 7/006

Recording, reproducing or erasing by using optical interference patterns, e.g. holograms.

G11B 7/0065

{involving phase-change media}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Mostly uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011) - most modern phase change materials are overwritable.

Overwriting (G11B 7/0065 takes precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Rewritable is often synonymous with overwritable (but rewritable may mean merely erasable in old documents).

{Overwriting strategies, e.g. recording pulse sequences with erasing level used for phase-change media}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Both G11B 7/00456 and G11B 7/0062 are assigned if the strategy or strategies disclosed is/are applicable to both write-once and rewritable media.

See Figure of a pulse strategy under G11B 7/00456.

Recording, reproducing or erasing by using optical interference patterns, e.g. holograms
Definition statement

This place covers:

Relationship between groups:

There are subgroups for certain aspects of holographic recording and where one (or more) or those subgroups is relevant they are assigned, and G11B 7/0065 or Indexing Code G11B 7/0065 are not assigned unless

there is "invention" information relevant to the system as a whole, or

if there is no better classification for the invention information.

Warning: These "holographic" subgroups were created in the second half of 2009, and the reclassification from G11B 7/0065 has not been systematically done. For documents published before 2010, G11B 7/0065 and Indexing Code G11B 7/0065 should be searched.

If there is no subgroup specific to holography for the invention subject-matter (e.g. there are no specific subgroups under G11B 7/242 for specific materials for holography), then the relevant general class is assigned and the Indexing Code G11B 7/0065. For example:

G11B 7/08564 for galvanomirrors e.g. used in angular multiplexing G11B 7/128 for SLM, acousto-optical, electro-optical, magneto optical modulators G11B 7/128 and G11B 7/1369 if modulator is liquid crystal device

G11B 7/1392 for a diffuser (e.g. in speckle holography)

G11B 7/1365 for polarization rotators G11B 7/1372, or subgroup, for lenses G11B 7/1356 for double prism beam splitter G11B 7/1395 for other beam splitters

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Where the recording mechanism of the holographic storage is of interest e.g. G11B 2007/00457 is assigned for two-photon recording of holograms

G11B 7/0045

Collinear holography: Where the object and reference beams are substantially parallel or coaxial before being focused (synonym: "coaxial", "common path", co-propagating)

G11B 2007/00653

Counter propagating holography: Where the object and reference beams are directed to opposite sides of the medium (synonym: "standing wave" or "stationary wave")

G11B 2007/00656

Holographic storage of images

G03H

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Arrangement of holographic information, including multiplexing of information

G11B 7/00772

Arrangement of auxiliary information for holographic storage

G11B 7/00781

Concerning access of holographic information

G11B 7/083

Concerning structural aspect of media for holographic storages

G11B 2007/240025

Arrangement of the information on the record carrier, e.g. form of tracks {, actual track shape, e.g. wobbled, or cross-section, e.g. v-shaped; Sequential information structures, e.g. sectoring or header formats within a track}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Aspects for data formats for standards such as CD, DVD, BD are not classified in G11B 7/007 unless the technical problem underlying the invention arises because of the optical nature of the recording. In such cases the documents may be classifiable both in G11B 7/007 and in G11B 20/00.

Standards for various aspects of the formats of optical discs are available from the Internet site of ECMA (www.ecma.org).

(e.g. CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-RW Ultra-speed)

White Papers for the Blu-ray Disc Format are available from the Internet site of the Blu-ray Disc Association (www.blu-raydisc.com)

e.g. the Physical Format Specifications for BD-RE and for BD-ROM

There are also ECMA standards for holographic discs (HVD-ROM, HVD)

{Auxiliary data, e.g. lead-in, lead-out, Power Calibration Area [PCA], Burst Cutting Area [BCA], control information (sector headers or adresses in prepits G11B 7/00745; address data in track wobble G11B 7/24082)}
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Burst cutting area

Auxiliary data recorded towards the inner periphery of the disc, as a type of bar code (stripes) . Because it is recorded as stripes, it can be read before the tracking servo is on. The data is phase-encoded (i.e. "0" is represented by 2 channel bits set to "1 0", and "1" by "0 1"), and the sequence of data bits is return-to-zero modulated. media7.jpg for more information see ECMA-267 standard for 120mm Read Only DVDs, Appendix H media8.jpg

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

BCA

burst cutting area

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"read in (area)"

"lead in (area)", based on Japanese applications.

"read out (area)"

"lead out (area)".

{on record carriers storing information in the form of optical interference patterns, e.g. holograms}
Definition statement

This place covers:

When the invention information concerns multiplexing, the document should be classified in G11B 7/00772 (since it has to do with the arrangement of the information) and assigned the relevant EC for the means (elements) by which the multiplexing is done. For example:

angular (azimuth) multiplexing:

G11B 7/08564 for deformable or movable mirrors and G11B 7/1362 when the movable mirror cooperates with stationary mirror(s):

  • for angular (azimuth) multiplexing or peristrophic multiplexing, when the medium is moved relative to the (reference) light beam G11B 7/083
  • for wavelength multiplexing, G11B 7/127 if tuneable lasers are involved, G11B 7/1275 if multiple lasers with different wavelengths are used
  • phase multiplexing:
  • G11B 7/1365 for stationary REFRACTIVE plates that change the phase;
  • G11B 7/1369 for MOVABLE refractive plates; G11B 7/128 for other phase modulators
  • for shift modulation (overlapping holograms) and spatial modulation G11B 7/083
  • speckle modulation G11B 7/1392
Special rules of classification

This subgroup was created in the second half of 2009, and the reclassification from G11B 7/0065 has not been systematically done. For documents published before 2010, G11B 7/0065 and G11B 7/0065 should be searched.

{Auxiliary information, e.g. index marks, address marks, pre-pits, gray codes}
Definition statement

This place covers:

For example, separate layers containing servo information for holographic discs, or marks around the edge for aligning page type holographic media.

Servo information for volume storage media that are not holographic: classify G11B 7/0938 (or Indexing Code G11B 7/0938 if the document discloses these details, but it is not particularly relevant to the invention information) in addition to the Indexing Code G11B 7/00:00S4 to indicate the volumetric aspect of the storage medium itself.

Warning: This subgroup was created in the second half of 2009, and the reclassification from G11B 7/0065 has not been systematically done. For documents published before 2010, G11B 7/0065 and Indexing Code G11B 7/0065 should be searched.

for discrete information, i.e. where each information unit is stored in a distinct discrete location {, e.g. digital information formats within a data block or sector}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Only aspects of format that are adapted to solve a problem related to the optical recording. (In general, the data formats for optical recording media are not very closely related to the optical aspect and are classified in G11B 20/12)

{for time base error correction by moving the light beam}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011)

{relative to record carriers storing information in the form of optical interference patterns, e.g. holograms}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus/methods aspects of access e.g. multiplexing are classified here, and if appropriate in the relevant optical element group.

If the optical elements used are not especially adapted for the type of access, but e.g. just used or controlled in a special way then the document should be classified in G11B 7/083 and coded in the appropriate optical element group (e.g. galvanomirror G11B 7/08564 or G11B 7/00:0085B3).

If it is the arrangement of the information aspect of the multiplexing that is "invention information" it is classified in G11B 7/00772

Warning: This subgroup was created in the second half of 2009, and the reclassification from G11B 7/0065 has not been systematically done. For documents published before 2010, G11B 7/0065 and G11B 7/0065 should be searched.

{Methods for track change, selection or preliminary positioning by moving the head}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Arrangements for moving the whole head

G11B 7/0857

{with focus pull-in only}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Changing layers in media with multiple data layers e.g. dual layer DVD.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Focus search for distinguishing between types of discs

G11B 19/127

{using galvanomirrors}
Definition statement

This place covers:

For example, multiplexing in holographic storage of data.

{Dithered tracking systems}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Uncommon or outdated technology in 2011.

Methods in which the beam is driven back and forth to generated the tracking error signal.

{Differential phase difference systems}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

media9.jpg

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents the following expressions:

"phase difference tracking error method"

"differential phase detection" (DPD)

"phase variation method"

"time difference detection method"

"heterodyne"

"phase contrast method"

"phase comparison method "

are often used instead of "differential phase difference method".

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Electromechanical actuators for lens positioning (G11B 7/0857 takes precedence)

G11B 7/0925

Methods and circuits for servo offset compensation

G11B 7/094

Methods and circuits for servo gain or phase compensation during operation (for initialising servos G11B 7/0945 )

G11B 7/0941

Methods and circuits for performing mathematical operations on individual detector segment outputs

G11B 7/0943

Methods for initialising servos, start-up sequences

G11B 7/0945

Specially adapted for operation during external perturbations not related to the carrier or servo beam, e.g. vibration

G11B 7/0946

Specially adapted for detection and avoidance or compensation of imperfections on the carrier, e.g. dust, scratches, dropouts (G11B 7/095 takes precedence)

G11B 7/0948

{by astigmatic methods}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

media10.png

Figure from EP1220210

{by push-pull method}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Push-pull tracking

G11B 7/0901

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"spot size focus error method"

"push-pull method".

{Foucault or knife-edge methods}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

media11.png

Figure taken from JP60010424

{Focus-error methods other than those covered by G11B 7/0909 - G11B 7/0916}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Uncommon or outdated technology (in 2011).

Further classification information:

The following Indexing Codes are assigned:

G11B 2007/0919 critical angle methods

G11B 2007/0919 dither methods

S11B/09B8F far-field methods

G11B 2007/0924 skewed beams method

{Details of sprung supports}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Sprung supports - e.g. lens holder support by wires or flat springs

also contains other support systems such as liquid, magnetic, combinations.

media12.jpg

{Details of stationary parts}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Stationary parts: e.g. the magnets on the sled, e.g. the yokes and magnets of a "normal" four-wire-sprung actuator.

media13.jpg

{Details of the moving parts}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Moving parts: lens holder and coils (or, occasionally, magnets) attached to it. Example:

media14.jpg

{Methods for initialising servos, start-up sequences}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Distinguishing between types of discs by using an initial focus search or scan

G11B 19/12

{to compensate for eccentricity of the disc or disc tracks}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Acting on the tracking actuator.

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"radial runout"

"eccentricity".

{to compensate for tilt, skew, warp or inclination of the disc, i.e. maintain the optical axis at right angles to the disc}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Acting on focusing or tilt actuator

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"axial runout"

"tilt", "skew" or " inclination of the disc"

Heads, e.g. forming of the optical beam spot or modulation of the optical beam (disposition or mounting of head elements within housing or with provision for moving of light source, optical beam or detector, irrelevant to the transducing method G11B 7/08 {; modulating lasers H01S 3/10; controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light beams arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching gating or modulating G02F 1/00})
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Controlling the intensity, colour, phase, polarization or direction of light beams arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching gating or modulating

G02F 1/00

Modulating lasers

H01S 3/10

Protecting the head, e.g. against dust or impact with the record carrier
Definition statement

This place covers:

Brushes incorporated into CD form factor discs for cleaning e.g. EP1411505

the waveguides including means for electro-optical or acousto-optical deflection
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Electro or acousto optical deflection in general

G02F 1/29, G02F 1/33

Optical beam sources therefor, e.g. laser control circuitry specially adapted for optical storage devices; Modulators, e.g. means for controlling the size or intensity of optical spots or optical traces
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Electro-, magneto-, or acousto-optical modulators

G02F 1/00

Optical diaphragm

G03B 9/02

Light emitting diodes

H01L 33/00

Semiconductor lasers

H01S 5/00

Power control during transducing, e.g. by monitoring
Definition statement

This place covers:

"Running optimum power control"

"walking optimum power control".

OPC carried out as a preparation when the medium is loaded or just before the transducing mode is started: G11B 7/1267 Power calibration

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Running OPC

Continuous adjustment of the writing power to the optimum power during recording. This compensates for changes in the optimum power during recording due changing conditions e.g. temperature change. (see for example the standard ECMA-394 "Recordable Compact Disc Systems CD-R - Multi-speed", Chapter 13 "Attachments", Annex 13 "Running OPC")

Walking OPC

According to wo 2006 018810 "Walking OPC calibration as disclosed in WO 03/065357 adapts the writing power at different instances during the writing process"

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

OPC, ROPC

running optimum power control

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • "running optimum power control", "running OPC", "DRDW" and " dynamical power control"
Lasers; Multiple laser arrays {(lasers per se H01S)}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Light emitting diodes

H01L 33/00

Lasers per se

H01S

Semiconductor lasers

H01S 5/00

Modulators (G11B 7/1245 takes precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Speckle modulation in holographic storage, the following should be assigned as appropriate:

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

The waveguides including means for electro-optical or acousto-optical deflection

G11B 7/1245

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Electro, magneto or acousto optical modulators

G02F 1/00

Optical diaphragm

G03B 9/02

Optical detectors therefor
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical detectors per se

G01J

Demodulating light, transferring the modulation of modulated light, frequency changing of light

G02F 2/00

Shape of individual detector elements
Definition statement

This place covers:

Illustrative example of subject matter classified in this group:

media15.jpg

Means for guiding the beam from the source to the record carrier or from the record carrier to the detector
Definition statement

This place covers:

Documents in which the invention information concerns a common optical path

Documents in which the invention information concern the relative arrangement of different optical elements

Anti-reflection films on optical elements where the particular type of element is not important

Further classification information:

There is no specific classification in G11B 7/00 for the manufacture of optical elements per se, therefore the manufacture of the optical elements is classified in the most relevant optical element group itself if this is closely related to the application of the element to optical recording/reproduction. (For mounting, aligning of elements in the head see G11B 7/22).

Where subgroups of G11B 7/135 are available for the means and for the function, both classification(s) for the elements and for the function are assigned.

References
Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

If the application concerns a system adapted for scanning different types of carrier such as CD & DVD

G11B 2007/0006

If the application concerns recording/reproduction of multiple data layers,

G11B 2007/0013

Diffractive elements, e.g. holograms or gratings {(diffraction gratings per se G02B 5/18; holograms per se G02B 5/32; grating systems G02B 27/44)}
Relationships with other classification places

The borderline between G11B 7/1367 and G11B 7/1353 is not a distinct one, but generally diffraction gratings are regular, repetitive phase steps on a relatively small scale. In borderline cases both are assigned.

Gratings integrated into other elements e.g. lenses are assigned both relevant classes, unless noted otherwise below (e.g. in G11B 7/1367)

Classify also the function if a group exists e.g. diffractive elements used in Foucault (knife edge) method of generating focus error servo signals are also classified in G11B 7/1381

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Irregular, non-repetitive phase steps on a relatively large scale

G11B 7/1367

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Diffraction gratings per se

G02B 5/18

Holograms per se

G02B 5/32

Grating systems

G02B 27/44

Single prisms
Relationships with other classification places

Classify also the function if a specific group exists e.g. beam shaping G11B 7/1398

Separate or integrated refractive elements, e.g. wave plates
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Integrated combinations of a refractive element, such as a coating element or phase plate, with another element, such as a lens, are classified in this group and in other appropriate groups for the other element.
  • Polarisation plates.
Relationships with other classification places

Classify also the function if a specific group exists e.g. beam shaping: G11B 7/1398

Plates used as beam splitters are classified in both G11B 7/1365 and G11B 7/1395

Special rules of classification

G11B 7/1365 is not assigned if the plate is merely a support for a diffraction grating with no particularly adapted feature

Stepped phase plates
Definition statement

This place covers:

For example, plates used in apparatus compatible with multiple disc standards to control the aberration at one or more wavelengths

Any plate with a lateral spatially varying effect on the phase of the beam (i.e. in the plane of the plate) e.g. Figure 4 WO 2006/135053

This class is also assigned when the spatial variation is integrated into another element such as an objective lens (since this is essentially equivalent to a plate with the phase structure cooperating with the lens).

Relationships with other classification places

The borderline between G11B 7/1367 and G11B 7/1353 is not a distinct one, but generally the phase steps referred to are not regular, repetitive steps as in most diffraction gratings and/or are on a larger scale that a diffraction grating. In borderline cases both are assigned.

Classify also the function if a specific group exists e.g. aberration correction G11B 7/13922.

Active plates, e.g. liquid crystal panels or electrostrictive elements
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Acousto optical deflectors (because they work by changing the refractive index)
  • Plates that are mechanically moved e.g. for aberration correction for one or more media types in apparatus compatible with different formats
Relationships with other classification places

Classify also the function if a specific group exists e.g. aberration correction G11B 7/13925 or G11B 7/13927

Lenses
Definition statement

This place covers:

Relative positioning of more than one type of lens (e.g. collimator and objective lens) e.g. for controlling magnification

Objective lenses {(optical objectives per se G02B 9/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

The SIL of compound objective lenses i.e. where SIL is between the objective lens and the optical data carrier

Further classification information.

Relationships with other classification places

Also assign Indexing Code for the specific type of lens (G11B 2007/13722 for Fresnel lenses, G11B 2007/13725 for catadioptric lenses, G11B 2007/13727 for compound lenses)

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Objective lenses used in near-field apparatus, unless particularly adapted for the invention.

G11B 7/1374

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical objectives per se

G02B 9/00

Collimator lenses {(collimators per se G02B 27/30)}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Collimators per se

G02B 27/30

Separate aberration correction lenses; Cylindrical lenses to generate astigmatism; Beam expanders
Relationships with other classification places

Lenses not coming within the scope of G11B 7/1374, G11B 7/1376 or G11B 7/1378 should be classified in G11B 7/1372.

Note that after a recent reorganization (Q4/2011) the scope of this group has changed from "other lenses".

Non-lens elements for altering the properties of the beam, e.g. knife edges, slits, filters or stops (G11B 7/1353 - G11B 7/1369 take precedence)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Elements that:

  • reduce stray light at the detector (e.g. US 2006 0062101)
  • are used to generate servo signals (e.g. diffractive areas for focus error detection using the Foucault method)
  • comprise one or more annular areas that diffract part of the beam out of the main beam, or that block part of the beam or that deliberately introduce a larger aberration into part of the beam, for the purpose of reducing noise e.g. in apparatus compatible with different standards, since this is a type of filtering
  • optically modify the power of the beam (e.g. US 2010 165823, US 2003 0169667).

Elements for apodisation (e.g. for "super-resolution" i.e. to reduce the beam width of a main lobe of the beam below the diffraction limit for that wavelength) but G11B 7/1387 has precedence (i.e. if a lens for near-field apparatus includes a shielding element it is classified in G11B 7/1387, and not also G11B 7/1381).

Note that after a recent reorganization (Q4/2011) the scope of this group has been broadened (it is no longer has the qualifier "as it falls on the detector")

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Diffractive elements, e.g. holograms or gratings

G11B 7/1353

Double or multiple prisms, i.e. having two or more prisms in cooperation

G11B 7/1356

Single prisms

G11B 7/1359

Mirrors

G11B 7/1362

Separate or integrated refractive elements, e.g. wave plates

G11B 7/1365

Stepped phase plates

G11B 7/1367

Active plates, e.g. liquid crystal panels or electrostrictive elements

G11B 7/1369

Fibre optics
Definition statement

This place covers:

Waveguide elements (mostly older technology), because they work using a similar principle.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Waveguide heads

G11B 7/1245

using the near-field effect
Definition statement

This place covers:

In a hemispherical lens, the rays that come in at large angles (relative to optical axis) from the previous lens are totally internally reflected at the interface due to the refractive index difference BUT there is an evanescent wave which doesn't die to zero immediately. This can be used to read/write on a medium, as long as the medium is very close (e.g. if the hemispherical lens is on a flying head); Recording may also use the evanescent wave from a very fine tip held near a medium.

Warning: This subgroup was created in 2008 and the reclassification of documents published before 2009 has not been systematically done. For earlier documents G11B 7/12, G11B 7/122, G11B 7/123 should be searched.

A sharply elongated optical fibre may act is a local emitter, similar to scanning near field optical microscopy (SNOM)

Relationships with other classification places

Solid Immersion Lenses (SIL) are also be assigned Indexing Code G11B 2007/13727

Catadioptric lenses are also assigned Indexing Code G11B 2007/13725

G11B 7/1372 is not assigned if there is no particular adaptation of the (compound) objective lens.

Where a shielding element is involved, this group has precedence over G11B 7/1381

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical recording carriers adapted to be used in near-field such as super-RENS (super resolution near field structure) media

G11B 7/24065

Scanning near field optical microscopes

G01Q 60/18

(non waveguide) optics using evanescent waves

G02B 27/56

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used with the meaning indicated:

"evanescent field"

"the exponentially dying electromagnetic field near the surface, which does not cross a gap according to classical optics, because of total internal reflection"

Numerical aperture control means
Definition statement

This place covers:

Means to control the angle of the outermost parts of the beam to the optical axis, therefore controlling the size of the spot at the focus.

For apparatus compatible with different standards this often involves some way to block the outer part of the beam for a particular wavelength (see e.g. US6396791 Figure 10(a)(b), paragraph 63, and the prior art shown in Figure 11, paragraph 14) using dichroic effects, diffraction grating or phase difference that affect one wavelength more than another, or polarisation (e.g. by using beams polarised in different directions for different wavelengths), but it may involve elements located elsewhere (e.g. US6160646 Figure 6-9, the asymmetrical grating in the central part of the lens is used for CD medium)

G11B 7/139 is assigned for elements that allow a single lens to be used for different standards. Although switching between objective lenses in apparatus compatible with different standards e.g. CD, DVD, BD, changes the numerical aperture (as well as changing the aberration correction), such documents are not assigned G11B 7/139.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Objective lenses with NA > 1 (i.e. for near field apparatus)

G11B 7/1387

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Means for shaping the cross-section of the beam, e.g. into circular or elliptical cross-section

G11B 7/1398

Special rules of classification

G11B 7/139 has precedence over G11B 7/1392 and subgroups.

Means for controlling the beam wavefront, e.g. for correction of aberration {(optical systems for aberration correction per se G02B 27/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Spherical aberration, coma (also referred to as comatic aberration) and chromatic (i.e. varying with wavelength)

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Numerical aperture control means

G11B 7/139

Means for shaping the cross-section of the beam, e.g. into circular or elliptical cross-section

G11B 7/1398

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical systems for aberration correction per se

G02B 27/0025

{passive}
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • The use of elements with one or more annular areas that diffract part of the beam out of the main beam, or that block part of the beam or that deliberately introduce a larger aberration into part of the beam, for the purpose of reducing noise.
  • Passive elements that change the beam from a Gaussian intensity profile to a flat(ter) intensity profile.
Relationships with other classification places

In apparatus compatible with different standards:

  • where the annular area is a phase step, the class G11B 7/1367 is also assigned,
  • where the annular area blocks the beam, the class G11B 7/1381 is also assigned, because it is a type of filtering.

The element specifically adapted for this purpose should also be classified, e.g. lenses designed to minimize aberrations are classified here (as well as in G11B 7/1372 and subgroups).

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Numerical aperture control means

G11B 7/139

Special rules of classification

G11B 7/13922 is not assigned to lenses or plates adapted to control numerical aperture, since the purpose of this adaptation is to control the aberration (i.e. assigning this class would amount to assigning two classes for the same aspect).

{active, e.g. controlled by electrical or mechanical means}
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • The use of switchable objective lenses in apparatus compatible with different standards e.g. CD, DVD, BD, because the purpose of the switch includes changing the aberration correction (as well as changing the numerical aperture).
  • Active elements that change the beam from a Gaussian intensity profile to a flat(ter) intensity profile.

The element specifically adapted for this purpose should also be classified.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Numerical aperture control means

G11B 7/139

Special rules of classification

G11B 7/13922 is not assigned to lenses or plates adapted to control numerical aperture, since the purpose of this adaptation is to control the aberration (i.e. assigning this class would amount to assigning two classes for the same aspect).

{during transducing, e.g. to correct for variation of the spherical aberration due to disc tilt or irregularities in the cover layer thickness}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Tilt servo aspect

G11B 7/0956

Beam splitters or combiners (G11B 7/1353, G11B 7/1356 take precedence {; beam splitting or combining per se G02B 27/10})
Relationships with other classification places

G11B 7/1365 is also assigned for plate beams splitters.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Diffractive elements, e.g. holograms or gratings

G11B 7/1353

Double or multiple prisms, i.e. having two or more prisms in cooperation

G11B 7/1356

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Beam splitting or combining per se

G02B 27/10

Means for shaping the cross-section of the beam, e.g. into circular or elliptical cross-section
Definition statement

This place covers:

The shape of a contour of equal intensity

{for storing optical interference patterns, e.g. holograms}
Relationships with other classification places
  • If the holographic carrier is multilayered carrier also classify in G11B7/24S4, or coded in Indexing Code S11B7/24S4 if not "invention" information
  • If one of the holographic layers has additional information (i.e. auxiliary information, control information, also classify or code, as appropriate in in G11B 7/00781 or G11B 7/00781

Warning: This subgroup was created in the second half of 2009, and the reclassification from G11B 7/0065 has not been systematically done. For documents published before 2010, G11B 7/0065 and G11B 7/0065 should be searched.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Volumetric holographic storage

G11B 2007/0009

Holographic carriers in the form of a card or other rectangular shape, if not invention information

G11B7/24F2 , G11B 2007/240008

Holographic tape carriers, if not invention information

G11B7/24F4 , G11B 2007/240017

Layers assisting in recording or reproduction below the optical diffraction limit, e.g. non-linear optical layers or structures (cover layers for near-field media G11B 7/24059)
Definition statement

This place covers:

Optical recording carriers adapted to be used in near-field or adapted to provide resolution below the diffraction limit e.g. provided with layers that act as masks. For example, "Super-RENS" (super resolution near field structure) media in which a low melting temperature layer such as Sb that acts as a controllable aperture.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

N: Conditioning of record carrier e.g. mechanised protection or means for reducing influence of physical parameters

G11B7/24C

characterised by the selection of the material
Definition statement

This place covers:

Optical recording media such as CDs, DVDs, Blu-Ray discs and Holographic Versatile Discs (HVDs), Optical Cards etc. characterised by the materials.

Relationships with other classification places
  • Polymers as such are covered by C08F and C08G
  • Dyes as such are covered by C09B
  • Photosensitive materials as such are covered by G03C
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Recording, reproducing or erasing methods

G11B 7/004

Record carriers Indicating prior or unauthorized use by changing the physical properties of the record carrier - Limited play

G11B 23/282

Sheet materials for thermography incl. laser writable labels (e.g. LightScribe® )

B41M 5/26

Sputtering targets for producing e.g. the reflective layer

C23C 14/3407

Photosensitive materials for photography

G03C 1/00

Materials for phase modulating patterns i.e. holographic images

G03F 7/001

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation - Record carriers for holograms

G11B 2007/240025

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

3D recording by using multiple recording layers (not holographic)

G11B 2007/0009

Recording methods involving bubble or bump forming

G11B 7/00452

Recording methods involving phase change effects

G11B 7/00454

Recording methods involving reflectivity, absorption or colour changes e.g. photochromic recording

G11B 7/00455

Recording methods for holographic recording

G11B 7/0065

Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic

B82Y 10/00

Special rules of classification
  • In general only the subject matter of
  • claims
  • specific embodiments e.g. examples, figures...is classified.
  • Materials disclosed in long non-binding listings are not classified.
  • No classes are given for materials which are considered standard and consequently trivial e.g. :
  • Dielectric layers made of ZnS-SiO2, (G11B 7/2578 )
  • Base layers made of polycarbonate if the polycarbonate is not further specified (G11B 7/2534 )
  • Reflective layers made from silver if no specific alloy is mentioned (G11B 7/259 )
  • Recording layers:
  • made of or containing "dye" - if no specific dyes is mentioned (G11B 7/246)
  • made of "GeSbTe" - if the alloy is not further specified (G11B7/243B)
  • Please also refer to Annex 1:
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

3D

three dimensional

Super-RENS

Super REsolution Near field Structure

Blue wavelength

390 - 500 nm

"nanosize" or "nanoscale"

related to a controlled geometrical size below 100 nanometres in one or more dimensions

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

BD

Blu-Ray Disc

CD

Compact Disc

DVD

Digital Versatile Disc

HVD

Holographic Versatile Disc

COC

Cyclic Olefin Copolymer

In patent documents, the following words/expressions are often used as synonyms:

  • "mask layer", "shutter layer" and "aperture control layer"
  • "data layer" and "recording layer"
  • "topcoat(ing)" and "outer layer"

In patent documents, the word/expression in the first column is often used instead of the word/expression in the second column, which is used in the classification scheme of this place:

"substrate", "support layer" and "board

"base layer"

"colo(u)rant" and "pigment"

"dye"

"bonding"

"adhesion"

"compostable"

"(bio)-degradable" for substrate/base materials

Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of record carriers
Definition statement

This place covers:

Joining of disc substrates e.g. for DVDs.

G11B 7/26 or a subclass is assigned when the process involves a single technical art for which provision exists elsewhere but where the adaptation is specific to the optical record carrier.

In this subgroup, special care should be taken to circulate the document to classifiers for the relevant "single technical art" - see the informative references.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Reconditioning e.g. cleaning of disk carriers (including destroying CDs)

G11B 23/505

Recovery of plastics or other constituents of waste material containing plastics

B29B 17/00

Joining of preformed parts; using adhesives

B29C 65/48

Methods or apparatus for laminating (e.g. by curing) by pressing

B32B 37/10

{Preparing a master, e.g. exposing photoresist, electroforming}
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Electronic editing of signals on discs

G11B 27/034

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Photosensitive materials for photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic production of textured or patterned surfaces

G03F 7/004

Exposure apparatus for photomechanical, e.g. photolithographic production of textured or patterned surfaces

G03F 7/20

Making masks on semiconductor bodies for further photolithographic processing

H01L 21/027

{Preparing and using a stamper, e.g. pressing or injection molding substrates (production of optical record carriers, e.g. optical discs B29D 17/005)}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Moulds or cores for shaping or joining of plastics

B29C 33/00

Injection moulding

B29C 45/00

Producing (from plastics) optically read record carriers, e.g. optical discs

B29D 17/005

{Apparatus for the mass production of optical record carriers, e.g. complete production stations, transport systems}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Vacuum work holders

B25B 11/005

Conveyors

B65G 25/00

{Sputtering or spin-coating layers (sputtering in general C23C 14/24; spin-coating in general B05D 1/005)}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Spin coating

B05D 1/005

Sputtering

C23C 14/24

{Post-production operations, e.g. initialising phase-change recording layers, checking for defects (investigating the presence of flaws or contamination in optical discs G01N 21/9506)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

This class is assigned for writing the BCA, which occurs during manufacture (not done by end user apparatus).

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Photographic or thermographic registration for marking record carriers

G06K 1/126

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Burst code area

see Glossary of terms Figure in G11B 7/00736

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

BCA

Burst code area

Recording or reproducing using a method not covered by one of the main groups G11B 3/00 - G11B 7/00; Record carriers therefor (G11B 11/00 takes precedence {driving or moving of heads G11B 21/02})
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Recording or reproducing using near-field interactions, e.g. recording by means directly associated with the tip of a microscopic electrical probe as used in Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) or Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for inducing physical or electrical perturbations in a recording medium, the permanent effect of which being the writing of at least one information unit of a sequence disposed along a track; Reproducing such memorised information by such association of tip and means; Record carriers or media specially adapted for such transducing of information; Structure and manufacture of said microscopic probe and means for moving the microscopic probe or the record carrier relatively to each other for track access and/or for controlling the relative spacing;
  • Recording or reproducing using ferroelectric record carriers and record carriers therefor;
  • Recording or reproducing using record carriers with variable electric resistance and record carriers therefor;
  • Recording or reproducing using electrostatic charge injection and record carriers therefor;
  • Recording or reproducing using electron beams and record carriers therefor.
Relationships with other classification places

Scanning probe Microscopy: G01Q

Microstructural devices: B81B

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Recording on or reproducing from the same record carrier wherein for these two operations the methods are covered by different main groups of groups G11B 3/00 - G11B 7/00 or by different subgroups of group G11B 9/00; Record carriers therefor driving or moving of heads G11B 3/02, G11B 5/48, G11B 7/08, G11B 21/02

G11B 11/00

Marking using electrical current

B41M 5/20

Measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces

G01B 7/34

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Driving or moving of heads

G11B 21/02

Microstructural systems

B81B 7/00

Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures by manipulation of individual atoms or molecules, or limited collections of atoms or molecules as discrete units

B82B 3/00

Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electro-chemical, or magnetic means

G01N 27/00

Scanning or positioning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for actively controlling the movement or position of the probe

G01Q 10/00

Monitoring the movement or position of the probe

G01Q 20/00

Particular type of SPM [Scanning Probe Microscopy]

G01Q 60/00

Applications, other than SPM, of scanning-probe techniques

G01Q 80/00

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Near-field interaction

A very short distance interaction using scanning-probe techniques, e.g. quasi- contact or evanescent contact between head and record carrier

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

SP

Scanning Probe

SPM

Scanning Probe Microscopy

STM

Scanning Tunnel Microscopy

AFM

Atomic Force Microscopy

MFM

Magnetic Force Microscopy

SNOM

Scanning Near-field Optical Microscopy

SCM

Scanning Capacitance Microscopy

Recording on or reproducing from the same record carrier wherein for these two operations the methods are covered by different main groups of groups G11B 3/00 - G11B 7/00 or by different subgroups of group G11B 9/00; Record carriers therefor {(driving or moving of heads G11B 3/02, G11B 5/48, G11B 7/08, G11B 21/02)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Only the cases wherein the method of recording differs from the method of reproducing. The following recording methods (when associated to a different reproducing method) are covered:

  • recording by perturbation of the physical or electrical structure;
  • recording by deforming with non-mechanical means, e.g. laser, beam of particles;
  • recording by electric charge or by variation of electric resistance or capacitance;
  • recording by magnetic means or other means for magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier, e.g. light induced spin magnetisation, demagnetisation by thermal or stress means in the presence or not of an orienting magnetic field; and in particular magneto-optical recording, i.e. using a beam of light or a magnetic field for recording by change of magnetisation and a beam of light for reproducing, e.g. light-induced thermo-magnetic recording, spin magnetisation recording, Kerr or Faraday effect reproducing;
  • recording by optical means;
  • recording by mechanical cutting, deforming or pressing;
  • recording by near-field interactions.
Relationships with other classification places

Microstructural devices

B81B

Scanning probe Microscopy

G01Q

Recording or playback apparatus using mechanically marked tape, e.g. punched paper tape, or using unit records, e.g. punched or magnetically marked cards

G06K

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Reading only or recording only using mechanical, magnetic, optical or other methods is covered respectively by groups

G11B 3/00, G11B 5/00, G11B 7/00, G11B 9/00

Driving or moving of heads

G11B 3/02, G11B 5/48, G11B 7/08, G11B 21/02

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Recording by mechanical cutting, deforming or pressing, e.g. of grooves or pits; Reproducing by mechanical sensing; Record carriers therefor

G11B 3/00

Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means; Record carriers therefor

G11B 5/00

Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation, by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties; Record carriers therefor

G11B 7/00

Recording or reproducing using a method not covered by one of the main groups G11B 3/00 - G11B 7/00;Record carriers therefor

G11B 9/00

Special rules of classification

Recording by magnetic means or other means for magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier G11B 11/10 takes precedence over G11B 11/08 recording by electric charge or by variation of electric resistance or capacitance.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Near-field interaction

Means a very short distance interaction using scanning-probe techniques, e.g. quasi- contact or evanescent contact between head and record carrier

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

MO

Magneto-Optical

Recording simultaneously or selectively by methods covered by different main groups {among G11B 3/00, G11B 5/00, G11B 7/00 and G11B 9/00}; Record carriers therefor {not otherwise provided for}; Reproducing therefrom {not otherwise provided for (G11B 9/14, G11B 11/002 take precedence; driving or moving of heads G11B 3/02, G11B 5/48, G11B 7/08, G11B 21/02)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

This group is limited to the combination of recording and reproducing on the same record carrier by more than one of the different method covered by groups G11B 3/00, G11B 5/00, G11B 7/00 and G11B 9/00

Recording simultaneously or selectively:

  • magnetically and by styli
  • magnetically and optically
  • optically and by styli.

Using near-field interactions or transducing means and at least one other method or means for recording or reproducing

Relationships with other classification places

Microstructural devices: B81B

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Reading only or recording only using mechanical, magnetic, optical or other methods is covered respectively by groups

G11B 3/00, G11B 5/00, G11B 7/00, G11B 9/00

Takes precedence

G11B 9/14

Using recording by perturbation of the physical or electrical structure

G11B 11/002

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Recording by mechanical cutting, deforming or pressing, e.g. of grooves or pits; Reproducing by mechanical sensing;

G11B 3/00

Recording by magnetisation or demagnetisation of a record carrier; Reproducing by magnetic means;

G11B 5/00

Recording or reproducing by optical means, e.g. recording using a thermal beam of optical radiation, by modifying optical properties or the physical structure, reproducing using an optical beam at lower power by sensing optical properties;

G11B 7/00

Recording or reproducing using a method not covered by one of the main groups G11B 3/00 - G11B 7/00;

G11B 9/00

Special rules of classification
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Near-field interaction

Means a very short distance interaction using scanning-probe techniques, e.g. quasi- contact or evanescent contact between head and record carrier

Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function (driving or guiding heads G11B 3/00 - G11B 7/00, G11B 21/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Mechanism for loading/unloading/guiding single tape cartridges in/from tape drives.
  • Libraries of tape cartridges in which the cartridges are transported from a random access magazine to a tape drive or viceversa.
  • Means for guiding the tape within the tape drive.
  • Means for extracting the tape from the cartridge.
  • Means for controlling the tension of the tape within the tape drive.
  • Means for sensing features present on the record carrier or on the cartridge.
Relationships with other classification places

The user interface aspects of tape drives are classified also in G11B 25/06.

Analogue recording or reproducing G11B 20/02.

Digital recording or reproducing G11B 20/10.

Transmission of digital information H04L.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Recording/reproducing operations

G11B 5/00, G11B 7/00, G11B 9/00, G11B 11/00

Magnetic heads

G11B 5/127

Signal processing

G11B 20/00

Record carriers, tape cartridges

G11B 23/00

User interface aspects of drives

G11B 25/00

Recording/reproducing apparatuses in combination with television sets

G11B 31/00

Recording/reproducing apparatuses in combination with video cameras

G11B 31/006, H04N 23/00

Vibration damping means

G11B 33/08

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Apparatuses using web form record carriers, e.g. tapes

G11B 25/06

Apparatuses using web form record carriers in combination with non web form record carriers; combi apparatuses

G11B 25/10

Telephones answering machines

H01M1/64

Telephones with dictation recording systems

H04M 11/10

Apparatuses for television signal recording

H04N 5/76

Guiding record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor (guiding cards or sheets G06K 13/00)
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Mechanisms for loading/unloading/guiding single disk cartridges or naked disks in/from disk drives.
  • Mechanisms in which the disks are transported from a consecutive access magazine to a disk drive.
  • Libraries of disks or disk cartridges, in which the disks or cartridges are transported from a random access magazine to a disk drive and viceversa.
Relationships with other classification places
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Tape drives

G11B 15/00

Tape libraries

G11B 15/68

Driving means for disks turntables

G11B 19/20

Tape cartridges

G11B 23/04, G11B 23/087

Hard disk drives

G11B 25/043

Chassis of disk drives

G11B 33/02

Vibration damping means

G11B 33/08

Electrical connections

G11B 33/12

Preventing/reducing contamination of the disk drive

G11B 33/14

Transport devices

B65G

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Constructional details of computers

G06F 1/16, G06F 1/18, G06F 1/20

Transport of card shaped record carriers

G06K 13/00, G06K 17/00

Adhesive labels

G09F 3/00

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

Disk tray

Disk drawer, caddy, pallet, receiver

Disks magazine

Storage means, stowage means, stocker

Disk accessor

Picker, gripper, take out, hand, transport unit, carriage, shuttle

Driving, starting, stopping record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function {; Driving both disc and head}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Any aspect of control regarding recording and reproducing devices which use carriers moving with respect to the transducer but which are not of filamentary (wire) or web (tape) form. This includes disks and drums, but is predominantly to do with disks.

Any form of control whether externally generated (e.g. user control, external shock) or internally (e.g. a response generated by the sensing of a feature of the record carrier).

Driving, starting and stopping such carriers, including details of control systems used for starting, stopping or altering the speed of motion of the carrier and details of the electromechanical arrangements used in driving, starting, speed-changing and stopping.

Relationships with other classification places

G11B 19/2009 and G11B 19/2036 are used to classify spindle motors for disk drives. Electric motors in general are also classified in H02K (Dynamo-electric machines), but only those specifically mentioned as having applications in disk drives are classified in G11B 19/2009 or G11B 19/2036.

G11B 19/2036 is used specifically for the classification of spindle motors characterised by having fluid-dynamic bearings. Such bearings per se are also classified in F16C 17/00, but only those specifically mentioned as having applications in disk drives are classified in G11B 19/2036.

G11B 19/20 is used to classify any other spindle motor arrangements (e.g. for drums).

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Signal processing

G11B 20/00

Editing, Indexing, Addressing

G11B 27/00

Special rules of classification

Control of operating function (G11B 19/02 and subgroups) should not be confused with speed control (G11B 19/20 and subgroups).

The development of battery-powered portable media devices using moving media has led to a number of applications regarding power-saving arrangements and methods. These are considered to have a control aspect, but not of operating function as such. They are generally classified in G11B 19/00.

An exception to this is methods and arrangements for powering down or reducing the speed of the spindle motor in order to save power during idle time, which aspects are classified in G11B 19/2072.

Any other control aspects which do not fall under G11B 19/02 or G11B 19/20 should be classified in G11B 19/00.

Most sub-groups of G11B 19/00 have definitions which are self-explanatory, but exceptions are shown below.

The definition of the G11B 19/04 sub-group according to the IPC is so general that it could cover almost any problem or error experienced while using a recording and reproducing device. It explicitly does NOT cover the following, however:

Data error detection and correction: this is to be found in G11B 20/18 and sub-groups.

Defect management i.e. the detection and management of bad sectors and reallocation of data to good sectors: this is to be found in G11B 27/00.

The sub-groups of G11B 19/04 are self-explanatory and cover the majority of problems often encountered. Other problems not explicitly mentioned are classified in G11B 19/04 itself.

Signal processing not specific to the method of recording or reproducing; Circuits therefor
Definition statement

This place covers:

any kind of signal processing which is performed when reading data from or recording data to record carriers. This signal processing specifically includes analogue and digital filtering, equalisation, carrier and symbol synchronization (adjustment of read/write clocks), and the corresponding ways of assessing and improving the quality of the recorded/reproduced signal. Modulation and demodulation techniques (i.e. the actual codes and the stochastical methods for recovering the bit sequences that are reproduced from a record carrier), in the context of recording and reproducing. Techniques of applying error correcting codes in recording / reproducing devices, and likewise how interleaving techniques can be used to mitigate the effects of local burst errors. Techniques for actually detecting media errors (e.g. bad sectors), or data structures and algorithms for coping with these errors, e.g. by relocating data from defective sectors to non-defective spare sectors. The sub-group G11B 20/12 also covers the actual format of the record carriers (in the sense of how different kinds of data are arranged on the medium, e.g. documents which describe dedicated areas for storing specific kinds of user or control data, or documents which relate to the data structure of individual sectors). G11B 20/00086 is a prominent sub-group, which comprises documents about all sorts of copy protection and digital rights management for record carriers. Since recent copy protection initiatives address the copyright protection issue with techniques which apply likewise to all kinds of different storage media, this sub-group nowadays also includes copyright protection for record carriers which do not necessarily involve any physical movement between a head and the medium.

Relationships with other classification places
  • The scope of this group is in principle restricted to record carriers that involve some relative movement between the record carrier and a transducer, i.e. record carriers that are fed forward or spinned (grammophone/vinyl records: G11B 3/00; magnetic tapes/discs: G11B 5/00; optical cards/tapes/discs: G11B 7/00). Recording processes that do not involve any physical movement (i.e. semiconductor memories, G11C) were not considered under G11B in the past. This has changed to some extent, since various techniques (in particular: copy protection / DRM schemes, see G11B 20/00086) equally apply to both kinds of record carriers. Historically, there was also a strict separation from anything related to computer I/O (G06F 3/00). To some extent, this separation is about to diminish as well.
  • The subject-matter classified in G11B 20/00 is conceptually tied to, on the one hand, the technology classified in G11B 5/00 and G11B 7/00, and on the other hand, the one classified in G11B 27/00. G11B 5/00 and G11B 7/00 define physical properties of magnetic and optical recording media, respectively, and the physical structure and the physical operation of different components in the corresponding drives. They also do involve some basic signal processing to the extent that certain signals need to be measured and evaluated in order to adjust the physical properties of the magnetic or optical heads (e.g., for optimising the power of the laser, or for choosing the appropriate write strategy). However, if some more elaborate signal processing is involved to improve the signal quality, or if formatting aspects are discussed which go beyond the mere physical structure of the medium, it would fall within the scope of G11B 20/00.
  • The group G11B 27/00 covers more high-level aspects, in the sense that it relates to data processing (e.g., editing) or data structures (e.g., tables of contents) which are independent of the specific signal processing that takes place right before writing data to or reading data from a medium (modulation, error correction, etc).
  • The sub-group H04N 5/76 deals with video recording, which covers as opposed to G11B 20/00, data processing techniques, which are specifically adapted to video signals and which are independent of the low-level processing required for actually writing the data on the record carrier, Sub-group H04N 5/76 also covers aspects not specific to how the data actually appear on the medium. In particular, copy protection strategies for protecting broadcast video signals when recording them may be classified in H04N 5/913, but also in G11B 20/00086 if they are specific to the medium used, or if they have applications beyond the limited context of a PVR or a STB.
  • The sub-group G06F 21/10 is used for general DRM concepts that are fully independent of the actual recording medium used. If the copy protection involves features of a storage medium, then it would be classified in G11B 20/00086.
  • The sub-group G06F 21/80 covers computer-related access protection for magnetic and optical storage media. If this access protection is part of a copy-protection scheme, e.g., for A/V data, then it should be classified in G11B 20/00086 instead.
References
Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

Computer storage devices which use signal processing when accessing a record carrier, but the main focus is on the processing needed for the I/O interface rather than on some specific processing tailored to the recording medium

G06F 3/06

Computer storage devices in which each record medium is protected by common error correction codes, as found in G11B 20/18, but the main focus is on aspects that are specific to the application in computer systems (e.g., redundant hardware, such as RAID systems)

G06F 11/10

PVRs, STBs, which record broadcast data streams on a record carrier, wherein the recorder makes use of signal processing technology generally covered in G11B 20/00, but the main focus is either on a very specific signal processing that is especially adapted to TV signals and or on the broadcasting / transmission aspects

H04N 5/76

Special rules of classification

The main group G11B 20/00 is not used for classification. Documents are classified in its subgroups instead.

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Linear replacement

defect management by relocating the data of defective sectors to a separate spare area

Slipping algorithm

defect management by shifting the beginning of the user area, at the expense of the primary spare area, so as to compensate for defective sectors listed in the PDL. Each defective sector will be replaced by the first good sector following the defective sector.

Skip replacement

defective sectors are skipped; data recording continues at a subsequent good sector

Pre-pit

pre-recorded address pattern on a recordable optical disc

Wobble

radially oscillating pattern of the recording track of an optical disc

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents, the following abbreviations are often used:

(d,k) constraint

constraint on the minimum and maximum runlength between two transitions of a NRZI modulated signal

17PP

Parity Preserving RLL(1,7) code, the modulation code used for Blu-Ray discs

AAC

Advanced Audio Coding, lossy compression scheme for audio data, standardised in MPEG-2 and MPEG-4

AACS

Advanced Access Content System, copy protection scheme used on Blu-Ray discs, HD-DVDs, etc.

ADC

Analog to Digital Converter

ADIP

Address In Pregroove, address data modulated onto the wobble frequency of an optical disc, used e.g. on a DVD+R

AES

Advanced Encryption Standard, also called Rijndael, designed to supersede DES, published as FIPS 197

AGC

Adaptive Gain Control, Automatic Gain Control

AIT

Advanced Intelligent Tape, standard for magnetic tape recording

AKE

Authentication and Key Exchange

ATIP

Absolute Time In Pregroove, CD-R/RW term for control information which is retrievable from a wobbled pre-groove, see also ADIP

ATRAC

Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding, lossy compression scheme for audio data

AV

Audio/Video

AWGN

Additive White Gaussian Noise

BCA

Burst Cutting Area, barcode pattern appearing as radial stripes at the inner rim of an optical disc

BCH code

Bose Chaudhuri Hocquenghem code, a specific class of error-correcting block codes

BD

Blu-ray Disc

BD-J

Blu-Ray Disc Java, a specific variant of the Java programming language which is implemented in BD players

BPSK

Binary Phase Shift Keying

BSC

Binary Symmetric Channel

C2

Cryptomeria Cipher, Feistel network-based block cipher

CBC

Cipher Block Chaining, encryption mode in which each block of a message is XORed with the encrypted previous block before being encrypted

CBHD

China Blue High Definition disc, competes with the BD format

CCI

Copy Control Information, two bits indicating Copy Free, Copy No More, Copy Once, or Copy Never

CD

Compact Disc

CE

Consumer Electronics, typically standalone devices designed specifically for processing audio/video data, unlike a general-purpose computer

CGMS

Copy Generation Management System, similar to CCI

CIRC

Cross-interleaved Reed Salomon code, the ECC used on CDs

CPPM

4C Content Protection for Prerecorded Media

CPRM

4C Content Protection for Recordable Media

CPSA

5C Content Protection System Architecture

CPU

Central Processing Unit

CRC

Cyclic Redundancy Check, a specific EDC

CSS

Content Scrambling System, copy protection scheme used on prerecorded DVDs

D

usually, the unit delay operator

DA

Data Area

DAC

Digital to Analog Converter

DAT

Digital Audio Tape

DC

Direct Current, Bias, Offset

DCT

Discrete Cosine Transform

DDS

Disc Definition Structure, control structure recorded, e.g., in the DMA of a DVD-RAM; also : Digital Data Storage

DES

Data Encryption Standard, published as FIPS 46

DFE

Decision Feedback Equaliser

DFT

Discrete Fourier Transform

DLT

Digital Linear Tape, standard for magnetic tape recording

DM

Delta Modulation

DMA

Defect Management Area, sometimes also: Defect Managed Area; also: Direct Memory Access

DMCA

Digital Millennium Copyright Act

DPCM

Differential PCM

DPSK

Differential Phase Shift Keying

DRM

Digital Rights Management

DSA

Digital Signature Algorithm, published as FIPS-186

DSP

Digital Signal Processor

DSV

Digital Sum Variation, the difference between the minimum and maximum RDS; DSV may also denote the Digital Sum Value, which is a synonym of the RDS

DTCP

5C Digital Transmission Content Protection

DVD

Digital Versatile Disc, Digital Video Disc

DVR

Digital Video Recorder, usually used as a synonym of PVR

E2PR

see EEPR

ECB

Electronic Codebook, encryption mode in which each block of a message is encrypted separately

ECC

Error Correcting Code, code used for repairing a bit sequence that was altered by the transmission channel

EDC

Error Detecting Code, provides enough redundancy for detecting errors, but not necessarily for correcting them

EEPR

PR channel with transfer function (1-D)(1+D)^3

EFM

Eight-to-Fourteen Modulation, the modulation code used for CDs, transforms 8 input bits into 14-bit codewords

EFM+

Eight-to-Sixteen Modulation, the modulation code used for DVDs, transforms 8 input bits into 16-bit codewords

EKB

Enabling Key Block, data structure on a recording medium which authorises devices to process encrypted content

EPR4

PR channel with transfer function (1-D)(1+D)^2

FE

Frequency Encoding, frequency modulation

FEC

Forward Error Correction, error correction without a return channel, no retransmission of data

FFT

Fast Fourier Transform

FIR

Finite Impulse Response

FM

Frequency Modulation, frequency encoding

FSK

Frequency Shift Keying

HD

High Density; also: High Definition

HDCP

High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection

HDD

Hard-Disk Drive

ID

Identifier, unique number, such as a serial number

IF

Intermediate Frequency

IID

Independently and Identically Distributed

ISCR

International Standard Recording Code, globally unique identifier for sound recordings and music videos

ISI

Inter-Symbol Interference

KEK

Key Encrypting Key, a cryptographic key used for encrypting another key

LBN

Logical Block Number

LDPC code

Low Density Parity Check code, also known as Gallager codes

LFSR

Linear Feedback Shift Register

LIA

Lead-In Area, area near the inner rim of an optical disc

LMS

Least Mean Squares

LOA

Lead-Out Area, area near the outer rim of an optical disc

LPP

Land Pre-Pit, prerecorded address information on, e.g., a DVD-R

LSN

Logical Sector Number

LTO

Linear Tape Open, also marketed as Ultrium, standard for magnetic tape recording

MAC

Message Authentication Code; also : Medium Access Control

MAP

Maximum A-Posteriori

MD

Mini Disk

MD5

Message Digest Algorithm 5, cryptographic hash algorithm

MFM

Modified Frequency Modulation, Delay Modulation, Miller Code

MKB

Media Key Block

ML

Maximum Likelihood

MMC

Multi-Media Command, command specifically designed for accessing multimedia data on a recording medium

MMSE

Minimum Mean Squared Error, a general paradigm for setting up the objective function in the context of parameter optimisation

MO

Magneto-Optical

MP3

MPEG-1 Layer 3, lossy data compression for audio data

MPEG

Moving Picture Experts Group

MRW

Mount Rainier, specific format for rewritable optical discs

MSE

Mean Square Error

NA

Numerical Aperture; also: Not Applicable (N/A)

NRZ

Non Return to Zero

NRZI

Non Return to Zero Inverted

OPC

Optimum Power Calibration, adjusting the laser power of an optical write head

OTP

Opposite Track Path, recording on a multi-layer disc alternates between radially outwards on one layer and radially inwards on the following layer

PAM

Pulse Amplitude Modulation

PBN

Physical Block Number

PC

Personal Computer

PCA

Power Calibration Area, specific area used for OPC

PCM

Pulse Coded Modulation

PDL

Primary Defect List, lists defective sectors found at formatting a disc

PE

Phase Encoding, phase modulation

PI

Parity Inner, parity bits of the inner code of a product code

PIC zone

Permanent Information and Control Data zone, prerecorded area of a Blu-Ray disc

PLL

Phase Locked Loop

PM

Phase Modulation, phase encoding

PO

Parity Outer, parity bits of the outer code of a product code

PR

Partial Response; a PR(a,b,c) channel maps binary samples x,y,z to a*x*D+b*y*D^2+c*z*D^3

PR4

Class 4 Partial Response channel, PR channel with transfer function (1-D^2)

PRML

Partial Response Maximum Likelihood

PSK

Phase Shift Keying

PSN

Physical Sector Number

PTP

Parallel Track Path, on all layers of a multi-layer disc, recording proceeds from the inner to the outer diameter

PVR

Personal Video Recorder, usually used as a synonym of DVR

QAM

Quadrature Amplitude Modulation

QPSK

Quadrature Phase Shift Keying

RAM

Random Access Memory, rewritable storage

RC4

a specific cryptographic stream cipher ("Rivest Cipher 4")

RDS

Running Digital Sum; see also DSV

RF

Radio Frequency

RLL

Run Length Limited

RLS

Recursive Least Squares

RS code

Reed-Solomon code

RSA

public-key encryption algorithm developed by Rivest, Shamir and Adleman

SA

Spare Area, replacement area, area on a recording medium used for replacing defective sectors

SAC

Secure Authenticated Channel

SACD

Super Audio CD

SAIT

Super AIT, variant of AIT having a higher capacity,

SDL

Secondary Defect List, lists defective sectors found when trying to record data on a disc

SDM

Sigma-Delta Modulation

SDMI

Secure Digital Music Initiative

SHA

Secure Hash Algorithm, cryptographic one-way function published as FIPS 180

SNR

Signal to Noise Ratio

STB

Set-Top Box

TCM

Trellis Coded Modulation

TDL

Tapped Delay Line

TOC

Table Of Contents

VCO

Voltage Controlled Oscillator

VCPS

Video Content Protection System, DRM standard for DVD+R and DVD+RW

VCR

Video Cassette Recorder

VFO

Variable Frequency Oscillator

WO

Write Once, not rewritable

WORM

Write Once Read Many, not rewritable

XOR

exclusive OR

ZF

Zero Forcing, zero forcing equalisers multiply the read signal with the reciprocal of the transfer function of the recording channel

{Time or data compression or expansion (audio compression based on psychoacoustics G10L 19/00; data processing for reproducing audio data at different playback speeds G10L 21/04; video compression H04N 19/00; data compression per se H03M 7/30)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Data compression in the context of recording, both for A/V signals (ATRAC, MP3 etc) and for digital signals in general, e.g. subband coding, transform coding. Also analogue compression, e.g. "time compression/expansion" by altering the density at which the data are recorded, e.g. on an analog tape).

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Image compression

G06T 9/00

Lossy or lossless audio compression, e.g. MP3 encoding, speech encoding etc., streaming, transcoding

G10L 19/00

Time compression for audio data, e.g. by increasing the pitch

G10L 21/04

Theory of data compression

H03M 7/30

Data compression in computer networks

H04L 69/04

Video compression for transmission purposes

H04N 19/00

{Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy (indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B 23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N 5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L 63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L 9/00)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Copy protection for record carriers; preventing unauthorised access to recorded data; providing means for recognising unauthorised use of data or for distinguishing between authorised and illicit copies; tracing back users, recording devices, or media manufacturers; encryption, decryption, and scrambling algorithms; distributing, updating or revoking encryption keys; secure content acquisition and transmission for recording contents on record carriers; limiting access to a content to certain conditions (certain duration, geographical region, restricted set of users or devices, restricted number of copies, reduced quality). For both digital and analog recording.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Labels, i.e. visible patterns, formed on an optical disc, e.g. by modifying the pit width or the groove width

G11B 2007/00727

Optical discs having specific layers or comprising specific materials which limit the time the disc can be played back

G11B 7/24

Testing for media defects

G11B 20/1816

Record carrier with additional integrated circuitry, such as transponder tags

G11B 23/0042

Physical arrangements for indicating or preventing unauthorised use of record carriers, e.g. cassettes which can be locked mechanically etc.

G11B 23/28

Time limited playback by modifying physical properties of the record carrier

G11B 23/282

Digital codes on the record carrier

G11B 23/284

Cryptography for protecting computer memory devices

G06F 12/1408

Digital rights management and copyright protection in a more general context, commonly with computers accessing the data, not necessarily bound to the features of specific record carriers

G06F 21/10

Software watermarking

G06F 21/16

Mutual authentication

G06F 21/445

Testing the integrity of files, message authentication

G06F 21/50

Secure communication between devices or processes, see also H04L 9/00

G06F 21/60

Security arrangements for protecting various kinds of record carriers

G06F 21/78

Mutual authentication

G06F 2211/003

Public key encryption

G06F 2211/008

Record carriers with integrated chips in general

G06K 19/07

Record carriers comprising integrated circuitry, e.g. CDs with transponder tags

G06K 19/07

Transponder cards

G06K 19/0723

Record carriers with active circuitry for preventing them to be read out

G06K 19/07336

Record carriers with built-in fingerprint detectors or other biometrical devices

G06K 19/07354

Record carriers with RFID tag

G06K 19/14

Data processing for e-commerce

G06Q 30/06

Image watermarking

G06T 1/0021

A/V downloading, e.g. buying MP3 files on the web

G07F 17/16

Audio watermarking

G10L 19/018

Secret or secure communication in general

H04L 9/00

Distributing encryption keys

H04L 9/08

User or message authentication, digital signatures

H04L 9/32

Protocols for digital signatures, certificates

H04L 9/3247

Public key certificates

H04L 9/3263

Content encryption in computer networks

H04L 63/0428

Protocols for symmetric cryptography

H04L 63/0435

Protocols for asymmetric cryptography

H04L 63/0442

Protocols for key distribution

H04L 63/06

Hierarchical key distribution

H04L 63/064

Network protocols for multimedia communication, e.g., home networks, authorised domains, also: downloading music etc.

H04L 65/1101

Secure data transmission over networks

H04L 67/00

Copy protection for picture information; security feature of banknotes

H04N 1/00838

Image watermarking

H04N 1/32144

Copy protection, e.g. scrambling, for TV signal recording

H04N 5/913

Inserting a copy protection signal in the vertical blanking interval

H04N 2005/91314

Inserting a record or copy inhibit flag for TV signal recording

H04N 2005/91321

Inserting a CGMS flag for TV signal recording

H04N 2005/91328

Inserting a watermark for TV signal recording

H04N 2005/91335

Inserting an authentication signal for TV signal recording

H04N 2005/91342

Scrambling for TV signal recording

H04N 2005/91364

Scrambling TV signals for transmission/broadcast

H04N 7/167

Downloading video from a server, video on demand, etc., the client actively requesting a content from the server

H04N 7/173

Video watermarking

H04N 19/467

DRM and copyright management for video signals

H04N 21/23406

Special rules of classification

Although the definition of the sub-class G11B suggests otherwise, the copy protection techniques which are classified in G11B 20/00086 are not necessarily limited to storage media which involve a relative movement between the medium and the transducer, but they relate to all sorts of physical record carriers in general.

{Circuits for stereophonic or quadraphonic recording or reproducing}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Recording multichannel signals, e.g., stereo or quadraphonic signals, but also if more than 2 or 4 channels are involved.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Stereo or multi-channel audio processing

G10L 19/008

Earpieces for telephones

H03R1/10

Stereo broadcasting, AM/FM radio transmission

H04H 20/47

Audio signal processing for stereo playback

H04S 1/002

Audio processing with more than two channels, e.g., surround sound systems

H04S 3/00

Pseudo-stereo systems

H04S 5/00

Electronically adapting the sound field

H04S 7/30

Analogue recording or reproducing
Definition statement

This place covers:

Analogue recording or reproducing, e.g. audio cassettes, grammophone records, laser discs etc. A further refinement of this subgroup addresses error detection and correction (G11B 20/025), direct recording or reproducing (G11B 20/04), recording and reproducing angle-modulated signals (G11B 20/06, mostly FM modulated audio signals), recording and reproducing pulse-modulated signals (e.g. FM audio in video tapes).

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Recording PCM signals digitally

G11B 20/10527

Angle modulation in general

H03C 3/00

Demodulating angle modulated signals

H03D 3/00

Pulse modulation

H03K 7/00

Pulse demodulation

H03K 9/00

Digital recording or reproducing
Definition statement

This place covers:

Digital recording or reproducing. Processing pipeline of a typical recording apparatus: an A/V signal is compressed (G11B 20/00007), error correction codes are added (G11B 20/1833, G11B 20/1866), the signal is modulated (G11B 20/14), equalisers and filters improve the signal quality (G11B 20/10009), then the signal is recorded to the record carrier according to a given format (G11B 20/12).

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Magnetic recording

G11B 5/00

Optical recording; for holographic recording see also G11C 13/042

G11B 7/00

Operating tape devices, e.g. starting, stopping, altering the speed

G11B 15/00

Operating recording and playback devices for record carriers other than tapes, including user interfaces

G11B 19/00

Dictating devices, dictaphones

G11B 25/00

Editing A/V data, data formats, addressing and indexing

G11B 27/00

Radio recorders

G11B 31/003

Physical connectors for disc or phase drives, e.g., cables, USB or IDE sockets, etc.

G11B 33/122

Mountings for plural disk drives

G11B 33/128

Digital I/O for computers, e.g. hard disk controllers

G06F 3/0601

Information transfer via an I/O bus, bus controllers, interface protocols, direct memory access (DMA) architectures

G06F 13/28

Semiconductor memories

G11C

Transmission of digital information

H04L

Video recorders

H04N 5/76

Hard disk recorders

H04N 5/781

Optical video recorders

H04N 5/85

Video transmission

H04N 7/24

Special rules of classification

It is the default group for anything which cannot be classified elsewhere.

{Improvement or modification of read or write signals}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Modifying and improving the read or write signals (i.e. removing jitter, increasing the SNR), e.g. by using equalisers and filters; anything about how to adjust the frequency and phase of the read/write clock or the bit clock of the demodulation circuit, e.g. clock adjustment with a PLL; anything related to PRML techniques (Partial Response Maximum Likelihood); A/D conversion, recovering the bit string from the analogue HF signal; maximum likelihood estimation and related techniques for recognising the correct bit sequences, e.g. using the Viterbi algorithm. Wobble detection can also be classified here if the document is linked to clocking.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Code-related aspects of clock adjustment, e.g. documents which describe specific synchronisation patterns

G11B 20/1403

Specific modulation schemes to be applied to a wobbled pre-groove

G11B 20/1419

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Magnetic recording, hardware aspects

G11B 5/00

Optical recording, hardware aspects

G11B 7/00

Applying suitable write strategies, i.e. giving an optical mark the desired shape by burning it as a certain sequence of write pulses

G11B 7/00456

Measuring jitter specifically on optical discs

G11B 7/005

Algorithms/circuits for keeping an optical head on the track

G11B 7/09

Optimum power calibration

G11B 7/1267

Measuring noise, SNR, jitter, phase jitter in general

G01R 29/26

A/D converters for computer interfaces

G06F 3/05

Interpolation, smoothing, least mean squares

G06F 17/17

Gain control for digital amplifiers

H03G 3/3089

Phase-locked loops

H03L 7/06

AD/DA converters in general

H03M 1/00

Calibrating AD converters in general

H03M 1/1014

DC removal for AD converters in general

H03M 1/1023

Equalisers for line transmission

H04B 3/04

Digital PLL in a transmitter-receiver setup

H04L 7/0331

DC equalisers in transmitters and receivers

H04L 25/03

Removing inter-symbol interference in such a DC equaliser

H04L 25/03006

Adaptive equalizers for transmission lines

H04L 25/03885

Modulators for data transmission

H04L 27/36

{using predistortion during writing (G11B 20/10055 takes precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Applying pre-distortion (e.g. by modifying the timing) during writing, e.g. by modifying the signal according to the known characteristics of the read/write channel

{baseline correction (DC correction by choosing codewords of the modulation code G11B 20/1426)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Correcting the DC baseline of the read signal, slicing (adapting the threshold at which the signal will be recognised as a binary zero or one)

{compensation for data shift, e.g. pulse-crowding effects}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Compensating for data shift, e.g. addressing the fact that the timing of a peak value might be affected (advanced, delayed) by inter-symbol interference (ISI)

{Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements (G11B 20/12 - G11B 20/18 take precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Initially, G11B 20/10527 was supposed contain all documents about how to record PCM audio data. Nowadays it also comprises many documents about how to use intermediate memories (buffers), e.g., playback buffers for ensuring a seamless playback of a recorded video stream while reading the data intermittently in high-speed bursts, or recording buffers for making sure that even in case discontinuous data reception the recording process will not be interrupted; G11B 20/10527 will particularly be assigned if the aspect "memory" is important (e.g., addressing within the buffer, adjusting the read/write clock of the buffer, etc.). In the past (when people started recording digitised audio signals on record carriers), G11B 20/10527 was also used for documents about A/D conversion, filtering, quantisation errors, dithering, oversampling, or sampling frequency conversion; these aspects are now classified in G11B 20/10009.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Buffers for preventing read/write errors in recording/playback apparatuses, e.g., for portable devices

G11B 19/044

Data compression in the context of recording, also for audio data

G11B 20/00007

I/O interfaces for radio receivers

G11B 31/003

Buffering for I/O devices of computers, caching

G06F 3/0656

Sound input/output

G06F 3/16

Audio streaming

G10L 19/167

Audio transcoding

G10L 19/173

Audio filtering in combination with compression

G10L 19/26

Audio filtering, speech enhancement

G10L 21/00

Noise filtering for audio signals

G10L 21/0208

Audio processing for audio quality enhancement

G10L 21/0364

Audio compression

G10L 21/04

I/O buffers for semiconductor memories

G11C 7/10

Audio amplifiers

H03G 3/3005

Audio processing circuitry for TV receivers

H04N 5/60

Interfaces between A/V recorders and other devices

H04N 5/765

Interfaces to a digital video camera

H04N 5/77

Buffer level management for the transmission of digital TV signals

H04N 21/44004

Recording devices in a set-top box

H04N 21/4627

Audio signal processing for stereo playback

H04S 1/002

Digital audio processing for stereo signals

H04S 1/007

Audio processing with more than two channels, e.g., surround sound systems

H04S 3/00

Pseudo-stereo systems

H04S 5/00

Formatting, e.g. arrangement of data block or words on the record carriers {(within interface between computers and data recorders G06F 3/06)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Formatting, e.g. arrangement of data block or words on the record carriers. General low-level structure of a record carrier (what to store where), e.g. the format of sector headers, the size of the lead-in area, etc.

Relationships with other classification places

Broadly speaking, the sub-group G11B 20/12 covers formatting aspects which are at an intermediate level between, on the one hand, those covered by G11B 27/00 and, on the other hand, those covered by G11B 5/00 or G11B 7/00. The group G11B 27/00 relates to formatting aspects at the higher system level (e.g., formatting aspects which one would usually associate with the operating system, including specific file formats and the format of control structures such as the TOC, but also the format of playlists and data formats for organising separate A/V data streams, etc.). The groups G11B 5/00(magnetic recording media) and G11B 7/00(optical recording media) cover aspects that pertain to the physical structure of the recording medium, such as the physical arrangement of separate layers, and physical characteristics such as the chemical components of which the recording medium is made, the shape of the media, etc.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Documents related to defect management

G11B 20/18

File format conversion

G06F 16/1794

File format or the syntax of recorded video streams

H04N 7/24

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Wobble format of optical discs

G11B 7/0053

Optical aspects of the Burst Cutting Area, BCA, lead-in, lead-out, Power Calibration Area

G11B 7/00736

Physical structure of optical media with multiple layers

G11B 7/2403

Detecting the data format of a data carrier

G11B 19/125

Formatting aspects related to defect management, e.g., documents defining the structure of DMAs, TDDS, SDLs, PDLs, etc.

G11B 20/18

High-level formatting, e.g. file formats, formatting aspects particular to the operating system, file indices such as a TOC

G11B 27/00

Formatting aspects of computers exchanging data with disk drives

G06F 3/0661

Record carriers having barcodes

G06K 19/06028

Special rules of classification

Usually, if a document defines formatting aspects related to defect management, e.g. structure of DMAs, TDDS, SDLs, PDLs, etc., then this document should be classified in G11B 20/18; if a document defines the location of such a structure on the medium (e.g. DMA1 and DMA2 being radially opposed), it should be classified in both G11B 20/12 and G11B 20/18.

{on tapes}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Formatting aspects of tape storage devices; a distinction is made between tapes with longitudinal tracks, G11B 20/1202, transverse tracks, G11B 20/1207, and combinations of both, G11B 20/1211; if applicable, a further distinction can be made between tapes which are specifically designed for storing A/V data (G11B 20/1204) and those designed for storing computer data (G11B 20/1205).

{on cards (optical aspect of optical cards G11B 7/0033)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Formatting aspects record media if the form factor is a card.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Optical aspects of optical cards

G11B 7/0033

{on discs}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Formatting aspects of magnetic or optical disks; this is where most documents in G11B 20/12 are currently being classified; a distinction can be made between recording A/V data, G11B 20/1251, recording computer or control/management data, G11B 20/1252, and recording mixtures of both, G11B 20/1254: of some relevance is G11B 20/1258, disks having a structure defined by multiple radial zones, e.g. zone constant angular velocity discs, ZCAV.

Special rules of classification

This sub-group comes with various complementing Indexing Codes, which are not mirrored by respective ECLA symbols, see in particular G11B 2220/2545 + for various CD formats, G11B 2020/1257 for the count key data format, G06F 3/04815 for the floppy disk formats, and G11B 2020/1259 for hybrid discs having a ROM and a RAM area.

{on films, e.g. for optical moving-picture soundtracks (optical aspect G11B 7/0032)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Formatting aspect of films, i.e. transparent record carriers which are primarily meant for recording photographic frames and accompanying audio or control data.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Formatting aspects of how to record movies on digital tapes or different kinds of disks

G11B 20/1201 , G11B 20/1217

{with more than one format/standard, e.g. conversion from CD-audio format to R-DAT format}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Record carriers involving more than one format/standard, e.g. conversion from CD-audio format to R-DAT format, disks having a CD and a DVD layer, discs storing normal PCM signal and additional MP3 tracks, etc.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical aspects of how to record the same data in two different forms of an optical record carrier

G11B 7/14

using self-clocking codes
Definition statement

This place covers:

In the strict sense, self-clocking codes for digital recording. Today virtually all codes are self-clocking, however, current record carriers do not have a separate track for bit clock synchronisation. G11B 20/14 hence encompasses all kinds of modulation codes (e.g., the EFM code used on audio CDs).

Relationships with other classification places

This group covers different coding schemes in the context of recording and reproducing apparatuses. Documents which discuss theoretical aspects of these coding schemes in general, without any reference to an application in recording / reproduction context, will commonly be classified in subgroups of H03M 5/00 instead.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Error correcting codes, error detecting codes in the context of recording and reproducing systems

G11B 20/1833

Theory of error correcting codes, error correcting codes per se

H03M 13/00

{characterised by the use of two levels}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Although originally being meant to comprise binary modulation codes in general, this sub-group is now mainly used for documents about synchronisation patterns for bit clock recovery.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Synchronisation of separate data streams, e.g. audio and video channels

G11B 27/10

Synchronisation patterns for stream synchronisation

G11B 27/3027

Theory of binary codes in general, not in the specific context of record carriers

H03M 5/04

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Sync patterns specifically for the servo patterns of hard disks

G11B 5/59688

Certain old documents about sync patterns in general

G11B 27/3027

{code representation depending on a single bit, i.e. where a one is always represented by a first code symbol while a zero is always represented by a second code symbol}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Bit-by-bit coding, binary codes having one symbol representing a zero and another symbol representing a one, no interdependence between subsequent information bits.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Theory of bit-by-bit coding in general, not in the specific context of record carriers

H03M 5/06

{conversion to or from pulse width coding}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Pulse width modulation. A signal to be recorded is encoded by varying the pulse width of a square wave at a constant frequency. Examples: delta modulation, sigma-delta modulation.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Sigma-delta encoded audio signals

G11B 20/10527

Theory of pulse width modulation in general, not in the specific context of record carriers

H03M 5/08

{conversion to or from pulse frequency coding}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Pulse frequency modulation, information encoded by altering the repetition rate of the pulses, every pulse having the same fixed length. As pulse width modulation, this modulation scheme alters the duty cycle of the square wave.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Theory of pulse frequency modulation in general, not in the specific context of record carriers

H03M 5/10

{to or from biphase level coding, i.e. to or from codes where a one is coded as a transition from a high to a low level during the middle of a bit cell and a zero is encoded as a transition from a low to a high level during the middle of a bit cell or vice versa, e.g. split phase code, Manchester code conversion to or from biphase space or mark coding, i.e. to or from codes where there is a transition at the beginning of every bit cell and a one has no second transition and a zero has a second transition one half of a bit period later or vice versa, e.g. double frequency code, FM code}
Definition statement

This place covers:

E.g. binary phase modulation (Manchester codes); also phase or frequency modulation of wobbles. G11B 20/1419 generally relates to codes where a one is coded as a transition from a high to a low level during the middle of a bit cell and a zero is encoded as a transition from a low to a high level during the middle of a bit cell or vice versa, e.g. split phase code, Manchester code conversion to or from biphase space or mark coding, i.e. to or from codes where there is a transition at the beginning of every bit cell and a one has no second transition and a zero has a second transition one half of a bit period later or vice versa, e.g. double frequency code, FM code. Biphase level codes in general: H03M 5/12.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Theory of biphase level codes in general, not in the specific context of record carriers

H03M 5/12

{Code representation depending on subsequent bits, e.g. delay modulation, double density code, Miller code}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Basic coding schemes wherein the input bits are not coded independently of each other, but their code representation depends on subsequent bits, e.g. delay modulation, double density code, Miller code.

{conversion to or from block codes or representations thereof}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Binary block codes. This very prominent subgroup also includes run-length limited (RLL) codes and various kinds of DSV optimised codes, e.g. the Modified Frequency Modulation (MFM) used on floppy discs, the EFM and EFM+ codes used on CDs and DVDs, or the 17PP code used on Blu-Ray discs.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Theory of block codes in general, not in the specific context of record carriers

H03M 5/145

{characterised by the use of three levels}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Ternary codes, i.e. modulation codes wherein the code may contain three different symbols which are commonly represented by three discrete signal levels.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Partial response signals exhibiting three possible signal levels

G11B 20/10009

Theory of ternary codes in general, not in the specific context of record carriers

H03M 5/16

{two levels are symmetric, in respect of the sign to the third level which is "zero"}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Termary codes wherein the possible signal levels are -a, 0, and a.

{characterised by the use of more than three levels}
Definition statement

This place covers:

n-ary digital modulation codes with n=4 and above, e.g. quaternary modulation codes (4 possible signal levels, i.e. each symbol can per se convey two bits).

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Partial response signals with n>3 signal values

G11B 20/10009

Theory of n-ary codes, n>3, in general, not in the specific context of record carriers

H03M 5/20

using non self-clocking codes, i.e. the clock signals are either recorded in a separate clocking track or in a combination of several information tracks
Definition statement

This place covers:

Non self-clocking codes, i.e. the clock signals are not derivable from the modulated data sequence itself (which is the case for any modern RLL code) but instead they are either recorded in a separate clocking track or in a combination of several information tracks.

Error detection or correction; Testing {, e.g. of drop-outs}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Detecting and correcting errors, e.g. erroneous bits or sectors; testing the medium for defects. This sub-group covers, e.g., the detection of bad sectors, strategies for replacing these sectors by other sectors, the application of various kinds of error correction codes and error detection codes so as to reliably recover the recorded bit sequence, the usage of interleaving schemes for spreading the effect of local defects, the actual detection of such defects by verification and certification processes, the idea of mitigating the effects of a local defect by data interpolation, and the documentation of defects by maintaining different kinds of defect lists.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Defect management by using redundant hardware (e.g. RAID systems per se)

G06F 11/00

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Testing the correct function of read/write heads for magnetic disk drives

G11B 5/455

Detecting defects on optical discs

G11B 7/00375

Read-after-write verification for optical discs

G11B 7/00458

Protection against errors caused by vibration or physical shock

G11B 19/042

Protection against errors caused by free fall

G11B 19/043

Protection against power failures in recording/playback apparatuses

G11B 19/047

Testing disk drives

G11B 19/048

Controlling recording/reproduction using identification or authentication marks

G11B 19/12

Finding physical defects on optical discs by optical inspection

G01N 21/9506

Testing digital circuits

G01R 31/317

Detecting and correcting errors in computer systems, e.g., repairing inconsistencies / bad sectors on file system level, without the use of error correcting codes

G06F 11/07

Error correcting codes for computers

G06F 11/08

Computers performing error processing by retrying

G06F 11/1402

Backup and data recovery, possibly by mirroring

G06F 11/1402

Error correction at file system level

G06F 11/1435

Computers recovering from power failure

G06F 11/1441

RAID systems

G06F 11/2087

Testing and diagnosis of idle hardware

G06F 11/22

Verifying the correctness of markings on a record carrier

G06K 5/00

Testing while recording

G06K 5/02

Verifying the correct alignment of markings

G06K 5/04

Testing digital memory circuits for defects / correct operation

G11C 29/00

Theory of error correcting codes

H03M 13/00

Monitoring audio equipment, e.g. loudspeakers or microphones

H04R 29/00

{by redundancy in data representation}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Obtaining additional robustness by simple redundancy, i.e. by recording the same data multiple times at different locations.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Redundancy generating ECC schemes that are more advanced than such a simple repetition code

G11B 20/1833

{Pulse code modulation systems for audio signals (G11B 20/1803 takes precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Approaches particularly designed for audio signals (G11B 20/1809: purely by interleaving, i.e. for mitigating the perceptual effect of a burst error; G11B 20/1813: by error correcting codes involving parity symbols).

{Testing}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Testing the medium, recognising bad sectors, determining whether the medium is actually usable. If such tests take place during the recording/playback operation, see also G11B 27/36 (monitoring). If the test involves recording a particular test pattern, the document will be classified in G11B 20/182.

{by adding special lists or symbols to the coded information (G11B 20/1806, G11B 20/1866 take precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Any error-correcting code (ECC) or Error-Detecting Code (EDC) used on record carriers.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

ECC in the specific context of dedicated computer hardware

G06F 11/00

Theory of ECC, not in the specific context of record carriers

H03M3/13

{by interleaving (G11B 20/1809 takes precedence)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Any interleaving used for mitigating the effects of read/write errors, also if being combined with additional parity symbols.

Special rules of classification

ECC schemes, which also use an interleaver (e.g., LDPC and turbo codes) must also be classified in G11B 20/1833 or H03M 13/00

{Interpolating methods}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Interpolation, missing or defective information is recovered by estimating the correct data values based on adjacent data items.

{Direct read-after-write methods}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Read-after-write methods. During a normal recording operation, a data item is read from the medium for immediate verification that it has been recorded correctly.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Optical / physical aspects of read-after-write methods when applied to optical discs

G11B 7/00458

{Methods for assignment of alternate areas for defective areas}
Definition statement

This place covers:

In case of defective areas (e.g., bad sectors), relocating the data that was supposed to be recorded to the defective area to another area. This other area can be part of a dedicated spare area (linear replacement), or it can be a sector following the defective sector (skip replacement). Subgroups for applying this principle to tapes (G11B 20/1886) and discs (G11B 20/1889).

for correction of skew for multitrack recording
Definition statement

This place covers:

Correcting skew for multitrack recording, mainly in the context of magnetic tapes.

for reducing distortions
Definition statement

This place covers:

Strategies for reducing distortions, i.e. occasionally occurring degradations of the signal quality.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Reducing noise or correcting distortions on record carriers

G11B 23/0007

Special rules of classification

This subgroup is obsolete. New documents about signal quality enhancement must also be classified in G11B 20/10009.

for reducing noise {(control of amplification in general, e.g. dependent upon noise level H03G)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Strategies for reducing noise, i.e. systematically occuring degradations of the signal quality.

Obsolete technology

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Reducing noise or correcting distortions on record carriers

G11B 23/0007

Noise filtering for audio signals

G10L 21/0208

Special rules of classification

This subgroup is obsolete. New documents about noise removal must also be classified in G11B 20/10009.

Head arrangements not specific to the method of recording or reproducing
Definition statement

This place covers:

Any details of head arrangements for any type of moving record carrier which are not already covered by subgroups specific to a particular method of recording.

G11B 21/00 has two main areas: Driving and Moving (G11B 21/02) and Supporting (G11B 21/16).

Relationships with other classification places

G11B 21/02 and subgroups have parallel structures in G11B 5/54 - G11B 5/58 and their subgroups and these should be used for details regarding magnetic recording.

G11B 21/02 and subgroups have parallel structures in G11B 7/085 and G11B 7/09 and subgroups and these should be used for details regarding optical recording.

Most other areas (G11B 3/00, G11B 9/00, G11B 11/00, G11B 13/00) also have their own structures which deal with the aspects covered in general by G11B 21/00, which are often very specific to the technology in use (e.g. Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy). These aspects should not be classified in G11B 21/00.

Special rules of classification

In practice, most of the details of heads are specific to the recording method and should be classified in those subgroups, unless there is no suitable place for them.

NB: the above practice has not always been followed in the past, which has led to much double classification between specific areas and the general area, predominantly in G11B 5/00(magnetic recording).

As noted above, where possible, documents should be classified in recording-method-specific areas only.

G11B 21/12 is used to classify documents regarding loading and unloading of heads to and from magnetic disks, particularly emergency head unloading in the case of e.g. power failure or mechanical shock.

G11B 21/22 is used to classify arrangements for supporting or holding magnetic heads and arms while they are outside the recording area e.g. ramps, buffers and latches.

Record carriers not specific to the method of recording or reproducing; Accessories, e.g. containers, specially adapted for co-operation with the recording or reproducing apparatus {; Intermediate mediums; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for their manufacture (processes involving a single technical art and for which provision exists elsewhere, see the relevant class, e.g. B29, B41M, B05D, C08L, F16N)}
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Disk shaped record carriers, disk cartridges, tape cartridges, reels of tapes.
  • Apparatuses or processes for the manufacture of cartridges.
  • Record carriers with means for indicating/preventing prior or unauthorised use
  • Disks with visible labels
  • Reconditioning or destruction of record carriers.
Relationships with other classification places

Punched cards, magnetic or optical cards, conveying cards, G06K.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Materials for record carriers

G11B 5/62, G11B 7/241

Manufacture of record carriers

G11B 5/84, G11B 7/26

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Record carriers characterised by the form

G11B 5/74, G11B 7/24

Circuits for preventing unauthorised use or copy

G11B 20/00086

Magnetic or optical cards, conveying cards

G06K

Antennas

H01H 1/00

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Form factor

the size of a cartridge

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents the following expressions/words "cartridge"

Cartridge

cassette, container, magazine

Apparatus characterised by the shape of record carrier employed but not specific to the method of recording or reproducing {, e.g. dictating apparatus; Combinations of such apparatus}
Definition statement

This place covers:

Mechanical structure of such apparatuses.

Documents which do not find a more appropriate classification in the depending subgroups.

References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Recording/reproducing methods

G11B 5/00, G11B 7/00, G11B 9/00, G11B 11/00, G11B 20/00, G11B 27/00

Controlling the operating functions

G11B 15/02, G11B 19/00

Driving, starting, stopping the tape

G11B 15/18

Guiding the tape within the apparatus

G11B 15/60

Guiding the tape cartridges within the apparatus

G11B 15/675

Library of tape cartridges

G11B 15/68

Recording and reproducing apparatuses in combination with television sets

G11B 31/00

Recording and reproducing apparatuses in combination with video cameras

G11B 31/006, H04N 23/00

Registering or indicating the working of vehicles

G07C 5/00

Registering performance data other than driving of vehicles

G07C 5/0891

Static data storage memories

G11C, H10B 12/00 - H10B 69/00

Telephones with dictation recording systems

H04M 1/10

Telephone answering machines

H04M 1/64

Telephone answering machines

H04M 1/64

Telephones with dictation recording systems

H04M 11/10

Apparatuses for television signal recording

H04N 5/76

using flat record carriers, e.g. disc, card
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Apparatus for card shaped record carrier.
  • Feeding or guiding non disc shaped (i.e. mainly card shaped) record carriers G11B 17/0408.
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Card shaped record carrier having a circular recording area

G11B 23/0014

Hard disk drives

G11B 25/043

Card shaped record carriers and apparatus for such carriers

G06K

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Methods or arrangements for sensing record carrier

G06K 7/08

Record carriers characterised by the type of digital marking

G06K 19/067

{using rotating discs}
Definition statement

This place covers:

The mechanical aspects of disk drives in which the disk or disks are permanently installed (e.g. hard disk drives HDD)

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Heads of HDD

G11B 5/127

Motors for HDD

G11B 19/2009

{using stationary discs, or cards provided with a circular recording area (driving heads relatively to stationary record carriers for mechanical transducing G11B 3/40; automatic feed mechanism producing a transducing traverse of the head across stationary disk tracks G11B 21/043)}
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

The card shaped record carrier having a circular recording area

G06K, G11B 23/0014.

Methods and arrangements for sensing card shaped record carriers

G06K 7/00

Record carriers characterised by the type of digital marking

G06K 19/067, G06K 7/0021

using web-form record carriers, e.g. tape
References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Mechanisms which find adequate

G11B 15/00

{using tape inside container}
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Tape container

tape cassette, tape cartridge

{adapted for use with containers of different sizes or configurations; adaptor devices therefor}
Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

Form factor

It refers to the specific (possibly standard) shape and dimension of a cartridge

using filamentary record carriers, e.g. wire
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatuses using wire shaped record carriers .

Apparatus capable of using record carriers defined in more than one of the sub-groups G11B 25/02 - G11B 25/08; {Adaptor devices therefor}
Definition statement

This place covers:

combi apparatus,

apparatus which combine a tape player(s) with a disc player(s),

apparatus which combine a tape or disc player with a hard disc drive (HDD).

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

The aspect of backing up data

G11B 7/28, G06F 11/14

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Re-recording, i.e. transcribing information from one optical record carrier on to one or more similar or dissimilar record carriers

G11B 7/28

Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
Definition statement

This place covers:

Editing;

editing operations performed on audio or video content recorded on the type of recording medium historically falling under the subclass G11B and extended to any type of recording medium storing physically audio and video content in a permanent manner, resulting in a modified or new recorded content. This covers as well the physical implementations of operations such as cut, paste, merge, adding sound track as well as the definition of the editing operations to be performed within an editor (non-destructive editing, playlist arrangements, editing operations in a video editor).

Indexing and addressing;

details concerning the type of information attached to a recording content which allows to access said content as well as information indicating reproduction of a sequence of addressed parts of recorded contents (play list typically). This can be with respect to the physical details of the recording medium (subcodes, lead-in, lead-out in case of a CD, AIT track for tape, prepits for DVD) carrying the information as long as the type of the recording medium falls under the subclass G11B. In addition, it covers the case of indexing or addressing information in a audio or video content which are not specific to the physical characteristics of the recording medium such as table of content, metadata and other information which allow navigation within a file containing audio video content (typically a specific file format with indexing and addressing information embedded) or other special modes of reproduction. Special modes of reproduction (trickplay, repeat) are also classified in G11B 27/00.

Timing or synchronizing;

Details relating to the synchronized reproduction of different components making up an audio video recording. By extension, synchronization of content between a main unit and an auxiliary video or audio player.

Monitoring;

Monitoring concerns the supervision of the progress of recording or reproducing, mainly monitoring power failure during recording or reproduction and logging the use of medium or apparatus for fault prevention It covers also the testing of the medium as a direct step in a recording and reproducing method and the use of information about the execution of the reproduction and/or recording (flags, power failure).

Measuring tape travel;

obsolete. Technical details concerning the measuring of tape travel are classified in G11B 15/00.

Relationships with other classification places

The group G11B 27/00 is in close relationship with the area of television recording H04N 5/76, computers G06F and the other domains of the subclass G11B, notably, G11B 20/00 for the formatting aspects related to channel encoding modulation, error correction, spatial arrangement of different kinds of information on the medium and G11B 5/00, G11B 7/00 for the physical aspect (shape, layer, structure, etc...) of the recording medium.

In particular, the group G11B 27/00 deals with content management (space management, erasure of programs) concerning pre-recorded material or recorded material such as television programs, once these programs have been recorded on the recording medium. The other aspects of television recording such as the reservation of programs to be recorded are not dealt with in G11B 27/00 but in H04N 5/76, unless it involves using information pertaining to the recording medium usage (dedicated recording area, free space, other meta information such as date for erasure).

The group G11B 27/00 does not deal with the details of the video coding technique found in subgroup H04N 19/00 but is concerned with the application thereof in a corresponding editing and addressing operation or if it refers to coding parameters that are recorded for indexing purposes.

The group is also linked to G06F 16/00 (database structures), and deals with the specific application to audio, video and leaves out the general and not specific database management techniques.

Synchronization aspects related to the extraction of a bitstream from the recording (e.g. bit clock extraction during channel decoding) are covered in the group G11B 20/00 and not G11B 27/00.

Likewise, the basic error corrections, or defect area management, are dealt with in G11B 20/18 and not G11B 27/00.

In general, G11B 20/00 deals with lower level (Channel, buffering) whereas in G11B 27/00, the main focus is at the system level.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Testing the correct function of read/write heads for magnetic disk drives

G11B 5/455

Testing recording/reproducing heads

G11B 7/00, G11B 5/00

Detecting defects on optical discs

G11B 7/00375

Testing disk drives

G11B 19/048

Synchronization linked to channel decoding

G11B 20/10009, G11B 20/1403

Management of defective sectors, error correction

G11B 20/18

Finding physical defects on optical discs by optical inspection

G01N 21/9506

Peripheral management in general

G06F 3/00

User interface in general

G06F 3/048

Testing computer peripherals

G06F 11/2268

Image processing

G06T

Audio broadcast recording

H04H 60/27

Television studio equipment

H04N 5/222

Television broadcast recording

H04N 5/76

Video Broadcasting

H04N 7/24

A/V synchronization in transmission

H04N 7/52

Video display of recorded content

H04N 9/00

Video/audio coding aspects

H04N 19/00, G11B 20/00

Network broadcasting

H04N 21/20 , H04N 7/24

Application-oriented references

Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:

(tape) libraries

G06F 3/06, G11B 15/68

Music or video database

G06F 16/00

Pvr

H04N 5/76

Camera with a recording entity

H04N 5/772

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Specific for magnetic recording (hdd)

G11B 5/00

Hdd testing

G11B 5/127

Optical disc formats (physical level details)

G11B 7/007

Magneto-optical, minidisc (physical level details)

G11B 11/00

Tape in general (physical/mechanical level, servo)

G11B 15/00

Disc changers, jukeboxes (mechanical details)

G11B 17/00

Control of operating function at player/recorder level

G11B 19/02

Malfunction prevention

G11B 19/04

Recognizing media

G11B 19/12

DRM, copy protection,encryption

G11B 20/00086

Recording/reproducing signal processing, buffering; Digital recording

G11B 20/10

Recording format (sector level); Format (disc)

G11B 20/12

Error detection/correction, defect lists

G11B 20/18

Medium container/cartridge details

G11B 23/023, G11B 33/02

Recording or reproducing apparatus associated with related apparatus (cameras, projectors,...)

G11B 31/00

Apparatus constructional details

G11B 33/00

Car navigation

G01C 21/26

(graphical/manual/vr) user interfaces in general, also eye tracking, brain signals

G06F 3/033, G06F 3/048

General User interface

G06F 3/048

Storage media in computer environment (I/O, device drivers)

G06F 3/06

RAID systems in general

G06F 3/0673

Application software, xlets

G06F 9/44

File backup; hierarchical storage management

G06F 11/14

Interfaces, busses, program control of peripheral devices

G06F 13/10

Databases, retrieval

G06F 16/00

"Multimedia"; File format

G06F 16/40

Intelligent playlist building; Library content management

G06F 16/4387; G06F 16/70; G06F 16/60; G06F 16/783

Pattern recognition

G06F 18/00

Annotations to text, e.g. comment data or footnotes

G06F 40/169

Business methods (selling, renting, ordering DVDs, accounting, billing)

G06Q 30/00

Image analysis e.g. motion based segmentation

G06T 7/20

Animation (editing)

G06T 13/00

Image or video recognition of video content

G06V 20/40

Payment aspects in relation with video playback

G07F 17/16

Surveillance systems

G08B 13/24, G08B 13/196 , H04N 7/18

Learning systems

G09B 5/00

DJ equipment, scratching, midi, music analysis (rhythm, genre,...)

G10H 1/00, G10H 1/36

Karaoke

G10H 1/00, G10K 15/04

Musical instruments

G10H 7/00

Speech analysis

G10L 19/00

Audio coding

G10L 19/167

Audio processing in general

G10L 21/00

Picture (photo) editing

G10T11/60, H04N 1/387

Solid state memories

G11C 7/16

Broadcast equipment

H04H 60/00

User behavior with respect to received broadcast signal

H04H60/26, H04H 60/56

User preferences in broadcasting

H04H 60/38

Broadcast metadata

H04H60/69

A/V home networks (HAVI,UPnP)

H04L 12/2805

Protocols for multimedia communication

H04L 65/1101

Still image editing

H04N 1/387, G06T 11/60

Scene detection

H04N 5/147, G06F 16/4387; G06F 16/70; G06F 16/60; G06F 16/783

Studio equipment

H04N 5/222

OSD, subtitle and menu display

H04N 5/445, G09G 5/00

Television recording; (Broadcast) video recording in general

H04N 5/76

Still cameras (capturing aspects)

H04N 5/772

Trick mode reproduction (no matter what recording medium)

H04N 5/783

Video conferencing

H04N 7/15

Video transmission

H04N 7/16, H04N 7/24, H04N7/73, H04N 21/00

Video source coding

H04N 19/00

Multimedia server

H04N 21/20

Multimedia settop box

H04N 21/40

Tv studio equipment

H04N 23/00, H04N 5/262

Special rules of classification

A document relevant to G11B 27/00 (e.g. containing invention information or additional information relating to G11B 27/00 EC) will be given an G11B 27/00 EC group

Indexing Codes are not used.

Circulation rules :

  • When a camera is involved : H04N 5/772
  • scene detection : H04N 5/147
  • When auxiliary content is retrieved from a network to supplement primary information on a recording medium : H04N 7/24, H04N 21/00
  • When a pvr is involved : H04N 5/76
  • When a set-top box : H04N 7/24
  • Building a collection of information concerning video or audio items : G06F 16/00
  • When the data are arranged on the recording medium (of the type covered by the subclass G11B) in a specific way : G11B 20/12

Check also to the neighbouring fields listed in the informative references for circulation

Glossary of terms

In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:

TOC

(Table of content) : collection of information allowing the definition and retrieval of individual pieces of audio and video content .

EDL

(Edit Decision List); collection of information (part of content used, editing commands to be executed and their chronological and spatial order, leading when executed to the creation of a piece of audio /video content

Playlist

collection of information in sequential order defining the reproduction order of recorded content, e.g. (user defined) program chain in dvd, mp3 playlist; merely a list of objects that are to be reproduced in sequence with no common timeline defined

Synonyms and Keywords

In patent documents the following expressions/words are often used as synonyms (or close concepts):

"Comment", "annotation" and "label"

"Defect", "damage", "scratch" and "corrupted"

"Edit point", "edit mark, "In point", "Out Point", "Mark in", "Mark out", "cue point" and "cue mark"

"Random" and "shuffle"

"Segment", "portion", "part", "fragment", "section" and "sequence"

"Summary", "abstract", "highlight" and "digest"

Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus (with cameras or projectors G03B 31/00 {; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H 1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M 1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M 11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N 23/00, H04N 5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K 11/00})
Definition statement

This place covers:

Apparatus where the recording and reproducing device is interfaced with the user.

Take-up mechanisms for earphones cable.

Relationships with other classification places

Television signal recording H04N 5/78, H04N 5/84.

Registering or indicating the working of vehicles (black boxes) G07C 5/00.

Electrically operated educational appliances in combination with videotapes or videodisks G09B 5/00.

References
Limiting references

This place does not cover:

Constructional details or arrangements of data processing systems

G06F 1/16

Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit

G06F 3/00

Accessing, addressing, or allocating within memories

G06F 12/00

Protection against unauthorised use of memories

G06F 12/14

Transfer of information between memories, I/O devices or central processing units

G06F 13/00

Recording/reproducing of accompaniment for use with an external source, e.g. karaoke systems

G10H 1/361

Transmission systems

H04B

Transmission of digital information

H04L

Data switching networks

H04L 12/00

Loudspeakers, microphones

H04R

Wireless communication network

H04W

Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

The recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure

H04N 5/772

Portable videocameras

H04N 23/00

Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
Definition statement

This place covers:

  • Chassis for recording/reproducing apparatuses.
  • Portable recording/reproducing apparatuses.
  • Covers, lids, front bezels of recording/reproducing apparatuses.
  • Jewel boxes and similar containers, packaging containers for single disks or for multiple disks, racks for disks.
  • Means for dampening vibrations or sounds.
  • Means for indicating the working conditions of recording/reproducing apparatuses (e.g. displays).
  • Layout of components within the housing.
  • Electrical connections of/within recording/reproducing apparatuses.
  • Docking stations for recording/reproducing apparatuses.
  • Means for reducing/controlling the influence of the temperature in recording/reproducing apparatuses.
  • Means for reducing contaminations.
  • Means for shielding against electromagnetic interference, means for grounding.
Relationships with other classification places
References
Informative references

Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:

Magazines for naked disks or for cartridges, which are part of the recording/reproducing apparatuses

G11B 15/68, G11B 17/22, G11B 17/30, G11B 23/023, G11B 23/03

Hard disk drives

G11B 25/043

Liquid crystal displays LCD

G02F 1/13

Photocopy machines

G03G

Constructional details of computers, personal computers, laptops

G06F 1/16, G06F 1/18, G06F 1/20

Electrical connectors

H01R

Cabinets for electrical apparatuses

H05K 5/00

Heat transfer

H05K 7/20, F28D 15/00, H04B 1/036, G06F 1/20, H01L 23/34