Three-dimensional optical data storage and retrieval

An apparatus for providing data access to a three dimensional optical data storage medium having a plurality of concentric shells upon which data is stored, each of said shells having a plurality of data tracks and an optically transparent window transecting a plurality of the data tracks, said apparatus comprising:

• a drive means for selectively rotating a first of the concentric shells relative to a second of the concentric shells, wherein said drive means aligns a plurality of the optically transparent windows of the shells to thereby select one of the shells for data access;
• a laser-optical means for one of reading and writing to the data tracks on the shells;
• and
• means coupled to said laser-optical means for directing said laser optical means to a specific track on a selected shell.

A data storage system comprising:

• a) a data storage medium having a plurality of concentric shells, each shell having
• a common axis of rotation and a plurality of substantially circular data tracks, each data track following a path which lies in a plane substantially perpendicular to said axis of rotation,
• an optically transparent window which transects a plurality of said data tracks,
• drive responsive means for rotating the shell about said axis of rotation is response to a driver, wherein
• at least one of said plurality of shells is rotatable about said axis of rotation and relative to another of said plurality of shells;
• and
• b) an apparatus for providing data access to said medium, said apparatus having
• said driver for selectively rotating a first of said concentric shells relative to a second of said concentric shell, wherein said driver aligns a plurality of said optically transparent windows of said shells to thereby select one of said shells for data access,
• a laser-optical means for one of reading and writing to the data tracks on said shells, and
• means coupled to said laser-optical means for directing said laser optical means to a specific track on a selected shell.