Apparatus and method for increasing storage capacity of recording media

A method of configuring data information stored in optical or magnetically responsive storage media of a recording disk of the type wherein the information is stored by means of markers aligned along one or more tracks having generally parallel adjacent track segments disposed about the center of the disk, comprising the steps of:

• (a) forming a plurality of spaced markers along each of a plurality of radially spaced adjacent track segments in a manner wherein markers of adjacent said track segments are angularly offset relative to one another as viewed from the center of the disk, wherein said adjacent track segments are radially spaced from one another by a distance of less than or equal to twice the effective diameter of said markers as measured in the radial direction;
• and
• (b) varying the radial spacing between adjacent track segments across the storage media such that the total interference between adjacent markers is generally constant across said media;
• whereby marker packing density of said storage media is increased.

A method of maximizing data information storage in an optically readable information storage media of a recording disk of the type wherein the information is stored by means of markers characterized by generally circular shape and aligned along a plurality of tracks having generally parallel adjacent track segments disposed about the center of the disk, comprising:

• (a) defining a plurality of tracks of optically readable information on said disk, each of said tracks being characterized by a plurality of spaced markers formed generally along a circle having its center at the axis of the disk;
• adjacent said tracks being radially spaced by a distance less than or equal to twice the average diameter dimension of said markers in the radial direction;
• (b) arranging said markers along their respective tracks such that markers of adjacent tracks are angularly offset relative to those of the adjacent tracks;
• and
• (c) progressively decreasing the inter-track spacing with increased radial distance of the tracks from the disk center, thereby maintaining total interference between adjacent markers relatively constant across the disk storage media.

A digital recording storage device, comprising:

• (a) a recording storage media means operatively responsive to energy bursts from a writing device for recording discrete markers of digital data information, said storage media means defining a recording surface area;
• (b) said storage media means being characterized by a plurality of said markers therein arranged and configured relative to said recording surface to define a plurality of spaced marker tracks lying generally parallel to one another, with markers of adjacent said tracks being offset relative to one another and being characterized by a level of total interference therebetween;
• and
• (c) said tracks being characterized by varied spacing between adjacent tracks across said surface area such that said total interference between markers remains relatively constant across said surface area.

An information storage apparatus, comprising:

• (a) an information storage media of a type suitable for selectively accepting digital data information in the form of markers;
• (b) means for supporting said information storage media so as to define a recording surface area of said media;
• (c) said media recording surface having a plurality of generally parallel formatted tracks defined thereon, each said track being characterized by a plurality of information storage locations aligned and spaced therealong, each such information storage location being suitable for receiving a marker characterized by an area having a width dimension as measured in said recording surface in a direction generally perpendicular to said tracks;
• (d) adjacent said tracks being spaced from one another by a distance less than or equal to twice said marker width dimension;
• and
• (e) wherein information storage locations of adjacent tracks are configured in interdigitated manner such that markers of adjacent tracks are offset relative to one another;
• and wherein the inter-track spacing varies across said media recording surface area such that total interference between markers remains relatively constant across said recording surface area.

An optically readable information storage disk, comprising:

• (a) a disk substrate having a central axis and defining a broad recording surface area around said central axis;
• (b) optically readable information storage media means on said disk and addressing said recording surface area for receiving markers containing optically readable digital information;
• (c) said recording surface area having a plurality of said markers, each having a generally circular shape relative to said recording surface area and suitable for recording optically readable digital information;
• (d) said markers being aligned along and defining a plurality of generally circular tracks having track segments disposed about said central disk axis, adjacent track segments of adjacent tracks being generally parallel and radially spaced by a distance less than or equal to twice the average diameter dimension of said markers as measured in the radial direction, said markers of adjacent track segments being angularly offset relative to one another;
• and
• (e) wherein the inter-track spacing between adjacent tracks progressively decreases with increased radial distance of the tracks from said disk axis, such that total interference between markers is relatively constant across said recording surface area.