Optical storage media having visible logos

Optical medium for storing encoded data, wherein the encoded data is comprised of `0` and `1` data bits, a `0` data bit being represented by a different level of reflectance of the optical medium than a `1` data bit, wherein a `1` data bit corresponds to a reflectance greater than or equal to a minimum threshold reflectance R.sup.1.sub.min and a `0` data bit corresponds to a reflectance less than or equal to a maximum threshold reflectance R.sup.0.sub.max and having a visible logo thereon in the form of a geometric design, pattern, inscription, or the like, the optical medium, comprising:

• a substrate having a read-side and a non read-side;
• wherein the non-read side carries a first reflective recording coating covering a first predetermined area;
• and,
• a second reflective recording coating covering at least a second predetermined area, the combination of the first and second reflective coatings producing the visible logo when viewed from the read-side of the substrate;
• the first and the second reflective recording coatings each being comprised of one or more layers wherein the layer material and layer thickness of each of the one or more layers is chosen such that the areas of the optical medium covered by the reflective recording coatings have a reflectance at a read/write laser wavelength, the reflectance being greater than or equal to R.sup.1.sub.min for a `1` data bit and the reflectance being less than or equal to R.sup.0.sub.max for a `0` data bit, in order to distinguish between the "0" and "1" data bits encoded in the optical medium;
• the areas of the optical medium covered by the first reflective recording coating having a reflectance, at least at a predetermined visible wavelength other than the read/write laser wavelength, that is substantially different from the reflectance of areas of the optical medium covered by the second reflective recording coating, such that there is a visible luminous and/or color contrast between said areas.

A method of providing a laser readable optical medium for storing encoded data, wherein the encoded data is comprised of `0` and `1` data bits, a `0` data bit being represented by a different level of reflectance of the optical medium than a `1` data bit, wherein a `1` data bit corresponds to a reflectance greater than or equal to a minimum threshold reflectance R.sup.1.sub.min and a `0` data bit corresponds to a reflectance less than or equal to a maximum threshold reflectance R.sup.0.sub.max and having a visible logo thereon in the form of a geometric design, pattern, inscription, or the like, the optical, medium, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a substrate having a read side and a non-read side, the nonread side having a reflective recording coating;
• b) applying a reflective logo coating covering one or more predetermined areas of the read side of the substrate for producing the visible logo carried by the read-side of the substrate, the coating being comprised of one or more layers wherein the layer material and layer thickness of each of the one or more layers is chosen such that the areas of the optical medium covered by the logo coating have a reflectance at a read/write laser wavelength, the reflectance being greater than or equal to R.sup.1.sub.min for a `1` data bit and the reflectance being less than or equal R.sup.0.sub.max for a `0` data bit, in order to distinguish between the `0` and `1` data bits encoded in the optical medium;
• the areas of the optical medium covered by the logo coating having a reflectance, at .least at a predetermined visible wavelength other than the read/write laser wavelength, that is substantially different from the reflectance of areas of the optical medium not covered by the logo coating such that there is a visible luminous and/or color contrast between areas of the optical medium covered and not covered by the logo coating.

A method of providing an optical medium for storing encoded data, wherein the encoded data is comprised of `0` and `1` data bits, a `0` data bit being represented by a different level of reflectance of the optical medium than a `1` data bit, wherein a `1` data bit corresponds to a reflectance greater than or equal to a minimum threshold reflectance R.sup.1.sub.min and a `0` data bit corresponds to a reflectance less than or equal to a maximum threshold reflectance R.sup.0.sub.max and having a visible logo thereon in the form of a geometric design, pattern, inscription, or the like, the optical medium, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a substrate having a read-side and a non read-side;
• covering a first predetermined area of the non-read side of the substrate with a first reflective recording coating;
• and,
• covering a second predetermined area of the non-read side of the substrate with a second reflective recording coating, the combination of the first and second reflective coatings producing the visible logo when viewed from the read-side of the substrate;
• the first and the second reflective recording coatings each being comprised of one or more layers wherein the layer material and layer thickness of each of the one or more layers is chosen such that the areas of the optical medium covered by the reflective recording coatings have a reflectance at a read/write laser wavelength, the reflectance being greater than or equal to R.sup.1.sub.min for a `1` data bit and the reflectance being less than or equal to R.sup.0.sub.max for a `0` data bit, in order to distinguish between the "0" and "1" data bits encoded in the optical medium;
• the areas of the optical medium covered by the first reflective recording coating having a reflectance, at least at a predetermined visible wavelength other than the read/write laser wavelength, that is substantially different from the reflectance of areas of the optical medium covered by the second reflective recording coating, such that there is a visible luminous and/or color contrast between said areas.