JP2018085164A - Data storage medium, data reading device, and data reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data storage medium capable of readily recognizing a reading direction of recorded information even in the case of being stored for a very long period of time.SOLUTION: The data storage medium comprises a quartz base material having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, a data pattern which expresses a data bit train of data, formed in a rectangle storage region defined on the first surface of the quartz base material, using a physical structure corresponding to each bit of the data bit train, and an arrangement direction index mark provided on the first surface of the quartz base material so as to correspond to the storage region, for indicating information on an arrangement direction of the data bit train expressed by the physical structure of the data pattern formed in the storage region. The arrangement direction index mark is provided at a position at which the arrangement direction of the data bit train expressed by the physical structure of the data pattern can be identified.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a data storage medium.

  Paper as a medium for recording various information has been used for a long time, and even now, a lot of information is recorded on paper. On the other hand, with the development of the industry, films (microfilm, etc.) for recording image information such as moving images and still images, record boards for recording sound information, etc. have been used in recent years. In addition, optically readable recording media such as DVDs and optical cards are used.

  In a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, the surface of the recording medium is irradiated with laser light while rotating the recording medium set on the rotary stage of the reading device in a certain direction, and reflected light that varies depending on the uneven structure on the surface of the recording medium. By detecting, the recorded information is read out. Similarly, in the optical card, the recording medium inserted in the reading device is irradiated with light, and the recording is performed by detecting the contrast of the reflectance between the hole portion and the non-hole portion formed in the recording medium. Information is read. In order to read the information recorded on these recording media, it is necessary to set the recording medium at the correct position on the reading device, such as the front and back surfaces of CDs, DVDs, etc., and the insertion direction of the optical card. And in the reading apparatus which reads the information recorded on these recording media, the direction which reads information is set on the assumption that the recording medium is set in the correct position. Usually, in a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, a label surface made of a material different from the base material of the recording medium is formed on one surface of the recording medium. In a recording medium such as an optical card, a mark indicating the insertion direction Is printed (refer to Patent Document 1 regarding the optical card). When the operator confirms these label surfaces and marks, the medium can be set at the correct position in the reading device.

JP 2004-66724 A

  In recent years, there has been a demand for a recording medium capable of stably storing information over an ultra-long period exceeding 100 years. In the case of having a label surface made of a material different from the base material constituting the recording medium, such as the above-described CD, DVD, etc., the material constituting the label surface is more susceptible to environmental changes than the material constituting the base material of the recording medium. It is weak and the life of the recording medium is limited due to the stress applied to the base material constituting the recording medium due to thermal stress, etc., and it is difficult to stably store information for an ultra long period of time. There's a problem.

  If no label surface is provided on a recording medium such as a CD or DVD in order to solve such a problem, it becomes difficult to recognize the front and back of the recording medium. If the recording medium is loaded in the reading device in the wrong direction, the reading direction determined by the reading device does not match the arrangement direction of the information recorded on the recording medium, and correct information cannot be read. The problem can arise.

  In addition, when a mark indicating the insertion direction is printed as in the case of the optical card, when the mark is stored for an extremely long time, the mark may disappear depending on the storage environment, etc. There is a problem that it is difficult to recognize the direction.

  In view of such problems, the present invention provides a data storage medium, a data reading device, and a data reading device that can easily recognize the reading direction of recorded information even when stored for an extremely long period of time. It aims to provide a method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a data storage medium in which data is stored, and includes a base material made of quartz having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface; A data pattern formed in a rectangular storage region defined on the first surface of the substrate, and representing a data bit string of the data by a physical structure corresponding to each bit of the data bit string; An array of the data bit strings that are provided on the first surface of the base material so as to correspond to the storage area and are expressed by the physical structure of the data pattern formed in the storage area An array direction indicator mark indicating information about the direction, the array direction indicator mark indicates the array direction of the data bit string represented by the physical structure of the data pattern. Providing data storage medium, characterized in that provided in the fixed positions.

  According to the above invention, the physical structure constituting the data pattern is arranged corresponding to the arrangement direction of the data bit string of the stored data, and the arrangement direction of the data bit string expressed by the physical structure Even when the data bit string is stored for a very long time, the array direction index mark indicating the information on the data bit string is provided at a position where the data bit string can be specified. The direction can be easily recognized.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a data storage medium, a data reading device, and a data reading method capable of easily recognizing the reading direction of recorded information even when stored for an extremely long period of time. it can.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a data storage medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the unit storage area according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a storage area in one embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a partially enlarged cut end view of the data storage medium according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is a cut end view taken along the line II in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the arrangement direction of unit data patterns according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another aspect (part 1) of the arrangement direction indicator pattern in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7: is a top view which shows the other aspect (the 2) of the arrangement direction parameter | index pattern in one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8: is a top view which shows the other aspect (the 3) of the arrangement direction parameter | index pattern in one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 9 is a cut end view showing another aspect of the physical structure of the unit data pattern in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an aspect in which the array direction indicator pattern in one embodiment of the present invention is represented by a pattern imitating the braille numbers of the row numbers and the column numbers. FIG. 11: is a top view which shows the other aspect (the 4) of the arrangement direction parameter | index pattern in one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of the boundary pattern in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of the arrangement of boundary patterns in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a partial plan view showing an arrangement example of the unit data pattern, the array direction indicator pattern, and the boundary pattern according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of generating drawing data according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing steps of a method for manufacturing a data storage medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a process flow diagram showing a process of manufacturing a replica of a data storage medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the data reading device in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a flowchart schematically showing a data reading method in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a plan view schematically showing a method for determining the direction (extraction direction) for extracting the physical structure of the unit data pattern in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a partially enlarged perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the data storage medium in one embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[Data storage medium]
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a data storage medium according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a unit storage area according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 illustrates the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged cut end view of the data storage medium according to the present embodiment, which is a cut end view taken along the line II in FIG.

  The data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first surface 21 and a second surface 22 opposite to the first surface 21, and includes a base material 2 made of substantially square quartz glass. In the substantially rectangular storage area SA defined on the first surface 21, the data content (bit string) of the data is expressed by the physical structure corresponding to each bit of the data contents (bit string) of the stored data. A data pattern is formed.

  In the storage area SA, a plurality of unit storage areas UA are arranged in parallel in a matrix arrangement of M rows × N columns (one of M and N is an integer of 2 or more and the other is an integer of 1 or more). Has been. As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, an example in which 24 unit storage areas UA are arranged in parallel in a matrix arrangement of 4 rows (M = 4) × 6 columns (N = 6) will be described. However, it is not limited to this aspect.

  The storage area SA includes a plurality of unit storage areas UA and a saddle-shaped data non-storage area NA located between adjacent unit storage areas UA. Each unit storage area UA is an area in which the unit data pattern 30 is formed, and the data non-storage area NA is an area in which the array direction indicator pattern 40 and the boundary pattern 50 are formed.

The size of the unit storage area UA can recognize the size of a shootable area in the imaging unit 111 (to be described later) (the physical structure of the unit data pattern 30 formed in the unit storage area UA (the concave portion 31 and the convex portion 32)). The size can be set as appropriate according to the size of the area that can be imaged at a high magnification. Further, the size of the data non-storage area NA is not particularly limited as long as it is at least a size capable of forming the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40. However, the data non-storage area NA can be stored by reducing the size of the data non-storage area NA as much as possible. The proportion of the unit storage area UA in the area SA can be increased, and the data recording capacity can be increased. At this time, the width W _NA of the data non-storage area NA is set so as to be inconsistent with an integral multiple of the interval between the physical structures (concave part 31 and convex part 32) of the unit data pattern 30 in the unit storage area UA. Is preferred. This makes it possible to clearly grasp the data non-storage area NA.

  The unit data pattern 30 formed in each unit storage area UA is a recess (hole) that represents the data content (unit bit string) of the unit data obtained by dividing the data recorded and stored in the data storage medium 1 into a plurality of units. 31 and convex portions (portions where holes are not formed) 32. In the present embodiment, the bit “1” in the unit bit string of the unit data is defined as the concave portion 31, and the bit “0” is defined as the convex portion 32. For example, in FIG. 2, unit data expressed by a unit bit string (unit bit matrix) “1010011101...” From the upper left to the right is recorded and stored in the unit storage area UA of the data storage medium 1. . The bit “1” in the unit bit string may be defined as the convex portion 32, and “0” may be defined as the concave portion 31.

  The concave portions 31 and the convex portions 32 as the unit data pattern 30 are formed in the unit storage area UA so as to be arranged in a matrix, and the matrix arrangement of the concave portions 31 and the convex portions 32 is a unit of unit data. This is an arrangement corresponding to a unit bit matrix obtained by converting a bit string into a matrix arrangement.

  The type of data recorded / stored in the data storage medium 1 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include text data, image data such as moving images and still images, audio data, and the like.

  The arrangement direction index pattern 40 is a pattern indicating information related to the arrangement direction of the unit bit string (unit bit matrix) expressed by the unit data pattern 30 (the concave portion 31 and the convex portion 32) formed in each unit storage area UA. The unit storage area UA is provided corresponding to each unit storage area UA, and includes a recess 41 as a physical structure. The array direction indicator pattern 40 indicates information related to the matrix arrangement of the unit data pattern UP (unit bit string of unit data) formed in the unit storage area UA. In the illustrated example, the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40 is formed in the vicinity of the upper left corner and the vicinity of the lower left corner of the rectangular unit storage area UA, and the aspect in which the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40 is formed at this position is data. This is the normal position of the storage medium 1. Assuming this, the unit data pattern 30 (concave portion 31 and convex portion 32) has a matrix arrangement corresponding to the unit bit string (unit bit matrix) (matrix arrangement from the upper left to the lower right of the unit storage area UA). It can be understood that it is formed. FIG. 5 shows that the unit data patterns 30 (concave portion 31 and convex portion 32) corresponding to each bit of the unit bit string of the unit data are arranged in the arrow direction.

  The arrangement direction index pattern 40 may be formed at a position where the arrangement direction of the unit bit string (unit bit matrix) expressed by the unit data pattern 30 formed in each unit storage area UA can be specified. It is not limited to the embodiment. The array direction indicator pattern 40 is formed at a position such that the overall shape constituted by the unit storage area UA and the array direction indicator mark DP has a shape having no symmetry such as point symmetry, line symmetry, and rotational symmetry. It is preferable. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the unit storage area UA has a substantially rectangular shape, the array direction indicator pattern 40 has one corner (FIG. 6) among the four corners of the unit storage area UA. In the example shown in FIG. 6, it may be formed along one side (long side or short side, long side located on the upper side in the example shown in FIG. 6) near the upper left corner. Since the array direction indicator pattern 40 is formed at such a position, as will be described later, when the data storage medium 1 is set in the data reading device 100, the storage area SA (unit storage area UA) is data. It is possible to easily recognize whether or not the position is the normal position based on the positional relationship with the imaging unit 111 of the reading device 100.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the arrangement direction index pattern 40 in this embodiment is different from the base material 2 such as a metal thin film made of chromium oxide or the like as long as the assumed life and stability of the data storage medium 1 are not impaired. You may be comprised by the different member. In addition, the shape, dimensions, and the like of the array direction indicator pattern 40 are not particularly limited, but are preferably different from the shapes and dimensions of the physical structures (the concave portions 31 and the convex portions 32) constituting the unit data pattern 30. . The shape and dimensions of the physical structures constituting the unit data pattern 30 and the array direction indicator pattern 40 are different from each other, so that the array direction indicator pattern 40 is obtained from the image data acquired by the imaging unit 111 of the data reading device 100. It can be easily recognized.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the array direction indicator pattern 40 may be formed in the unit storage area UA. In this case, the data non-storage area NA may not exist in the storage area SA. Thereby, the recording capacity in the data storage medium 1 can be increased.

  The unit data pattern 30 in the present embodiment is not limited to the concave portion 31 and the convex portion 32 as long as it has a physical structure that can be optically recognized. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the through-hole portion 33 corresponding to the bit “1” of the unit bit string and the non-hole portion 34 corresponding to the bit “0” may be included. In this case, the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40 is preferably formed of the same physical structure as the unit data pattern 30, that is, a through-hole portion, from the viewpoint of labor for manufacturing the data storage medium 1. On the other hand, one of the unit data pattern 30 and the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40 may be configured by a non-penetrating recess, and the other may be configured by a through hole. In such an aspect, when image data on the second surface 22 side of the data storage medium 1 is acquired by the imaging unit 111 of the data reading device 100 (see FIG. 18) described later, either one (unit data pattern) 30 or the arrangement direction index pattern 40) cannot be confirmed, and therefore, it can be easily recognized that the front and back of the data storage medium 1 set in the data reading device 100 are reversed.

  The array direction indicator pattern 40 indicates information related to the array direction of the unit data pattern 30 formed in each unit storage area UA and also indicates position information of each unit storage area UA in the storage area SA. It may be a thing. For example, the array direction index pattern 40 has a p-th row (p is an integer from 1 to M) and a q-column representing the parallel positions of the unit storage areas UA arranged in a matrix in the storage area SA. A pattern (see FIG. 10) imitating Braille representing the numbers of the row number and column number (p, q) of the eye (q is an integer of 1 or more and N or less) is a physical structure (concave portion 41 and convex portion 42). ) May be used. In FIG. 11, the array direction indicator pattern 40 indicates that the unit storage area UA is an area located at the 04th row and the 02nd column.

  In this case, like the unit data pattern 30, the array direction indicator pattern 40 may be configured by a physical structure (a concave portion 41 and a convex portion 42) representing a bit string obtained by binarizing the numbers of row numbers and column numbers. Good.

  The boundary pattern 50 is a pattern that indicates a boundary between one unit storage area UA and another unit storage area UA that is adjacent in the row direction and the column direction via the data non-storage area NA. The unit storage area UA is formed so as to be positioned outside the four corners. By forming the boundary pattern 50, the unit storage area UA can be easily recognized by the imaging unit 111 of the data reading apparatus 100, and is recorded and stored as a plurality of unit data patterns 30. Data can be read accurately.

  In this embodiment, the boundary pattern 50 is substantially cross-shaped, and is the length of one pattern 51 of the four patterns 51 to 54 extending outward from the intersection L (the extension of the pattern from the intersection). The length in the direction) is shorter than the lengths of the other three patterns 52 to 54 (see FIG. 12A). The boundary pattern 50 having such a shape is formed so as to be rotated by 90 ° in parallel order of the plurality of unit storage areas UA in the storage area SA (order from the upper left to the horizontal direction in FIG. 3). (See FIG. 13). As will be described later, when reading data recorded / stored in the data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment, the image data of each unit storage area UA is compared with the data storage medium 1 by the imaging unit 111. Get while moving to. Therefore, each time the image capturing unit 111 moves, the image capturing unit 111 is aligned and image data is acquired. However, the boundary pattern 50 is rotated by 90 ° in order of the unit storage areas UA in parallel. Image data can be acquired in the parallel order of the unit storage areas UA while scanning the imaging unit 111.

  In addition, the boundary pattern 50 may be substantially L-shaped (having two patterns orthogonal to each other extending in two directions from the reference point Cp) as another aspect (planar shape) (see FIG. 12 (b)), which is substantially cross-shaped, and the length of the four patterns extending outward from the reference point Cp (the length in the extending direction of the pattern from the intersection) is substantially the same. It is also possible (see FIG. 12C).

  In the present embodiment, the concave portions 31 constituting the unit data pattern 30 have a hole shape that is substantially rectangular in plan view. The dimension of the recess 31 may be a dimension that allows the recess 31 to be optically recognized by a general imaging device. However, in order to increase the data capacity that can be recorded and stored in the data storage medium 1, a unit data pattern The size of the 30 recesses 31 can be set to, for example, 400 nm or less, preferably about 100 to 250 nm.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the unit data pattern 30, the array direction indicator pattern 40, and the boundary pattern 50 are all formed so as to overlap the intersection PI of the virtual grid Gr set in the storage area SA. More specifically, the unit data pattern 30 and the array direction index are set so that the reference points Cp of the unit data pattern 30 (concave portion 31), the array direction index pattern 40, and the boundary pattern 50 overlap the intersection point PI of the virtual grid Gr. A pattern 40 and a boundary pattern 50 are formed. Here, the reference point Cp of the unit data pattern 30 and the array direction indicator pattern 40 is a center point in a plan view of the physical structure constituting the unit data pattern 30 and the array direction indicator pattern 40, and the reference point of the boundary pattern 50 Cp is a substantially cross-shaped intersection L. Note that it is sufficient that at least the reference point Cp of the unit data pattern 30 overlaps the intersection PI of the virtual grid Gr, and the reference point Cp of the arrangement direction index pattern 40 and the boundary pattern 50 is the intersection of the virtual grid Gr. PI may overlap with the grid line of the virtual grid Gr, but may not overlap with the intersection point PI, or may not overlap with either the intersection point PI or the grid line of the virtual grid Gr.

  In the data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the data content (bit string) of the recorded / stored data is a unit data pattern 30 formed in each unit storage area UA of the storage area SA. (Represented by the concave portions 31 and the convex portions 32 as physical structures arranged in a matrix). An array direction index pattern 40 serving as an index of the arrangement order of physical structures (concave portions 31 and convex portions 32) in the unit data pattern 30 is formed corresponding to each unit storage area UA. Therefore, by recognizing the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40, the order of reading data can be recognized accurately, and the data can be accurately restored.

  The data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment can be produced by processing a base material made of quartz, and has extremely excellent heat resistance and water resistance. Therefore, even if the storage environment changes, the recorded / stored data (unit data pattern 30) and the array direction index pattern 40 are not lost, and the data is stored in ultra-long term (in units of several hundred years or more). ) It can be stored, and by recognizing the array direction indicator pattern 40 even after a very long span, the order of reading the data stored in the data storage medium 1 can be accurately recognized, and the data can be accurately Can be restored.

  Furthermore, the data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment can record and store data by the data pattern (the concave portion 31 and the convex portion 32 as a physical structure) formed on the first surface 21 of the substrate 2. Therefore, as will be described later, by performing imprint lithography processing using the data storage medium 1, a copy (backup) of the data storage medium 1 on which the data is recorded / stored is transferred to the data (digital data). Even if it does not exist, it can be easily produced.

  Furthermore, since the data recorded and stored in the data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment is expressed by a physical structure that can be optically recognized using a general imaging device, it is extremely long-term. In the future, data can be easily restored simply by imaging the physical structure (concave portion 31 and convex portion 32) using the image sensor present at that time and converting it into a bit string.

  In the data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment, when the array direction indicator pattern 40 is formed as indicating position information in the storage area SA of each unit storage area UA in which data is recorded / stored, Even when a part of data recorded / stored in the data storage medium 1 (unit data patterns 30 formed in some unit storage areas UA of the plurality of unit storage areas UA) is read out, Based on the array direction indicator pattern 40, the target data (a part of the data) can be easily read. In addition, even if a part of the physical structure (recess 31) formed in the unit storage area UA is damaged, the unit storage area UA in which a part of the physical structure is damaged Since it can be specified by the array direction indicator pattern 40, if a copy (backup) of the data storage medium 1 is prepared in advance, the data recorded and stored in the unit storage area UA from the copy can be easily obtained. By combining with data read from another unit storage area UA of the data storage medium 1, it is possible to restore the data recorded and stored in the data storage medium 1.

[Method of manufacturing data storage medium]
The data storage medium 1 having the above-described configuration can be manufactured as follows. FIG. 15 is a flowchart schematically showing a process of designing drawing data as a pre-stage for producing the data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 16 produces the data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment. It is a partial expansion perspective view which shows the process to do.

[Drawing data design process]
First, drawing data for forming the unit data pattern 30 and the array direction index pattern 40 in the storage area SA (each unit storage area UA) of the data storage medium 1 based on the data D recorded and stored in the data storage medium 1. To design.

Specifically, first, all the bit strings of the data D are divided into X unit bit strings (X is an integer of 2 or more) from the head in a predetermined bit length unit, and unit data including the unit bit string is included. UD _{1 to} UD _X are generated. The bit length of the unit bit string of each unit data UD can be set to be the same as the bit length that can be recorded and stored in the unit storage area UA. When data can be stored in a bit matrix of 8 rows × 16 columns in each unit storage area UA in this embodiment, all the bit strings of data D to be recorded / stored are unit data of unit bit strings of 128 bits from the beginning. Divide into UD. Note that it is not necessary to divide the entire bit string of data D if it can be recorded / saved in one unit storage area UA without dividing the entire bit string of stored data D.

Next, the unit bit string of each unit data UD is converted into a unit bit matrix UM of 8 rows × 16 columns, and unit pattern data D ₃₀ is generated based on the unit bit matrix UM. In the present embodiment, at this time, a virtual grid Gr is defined in an area corresponding to the unit storage area UA, and the bit “1” of the unit bit matrix UM is overlapped with the intersection point PI of the virtual grid Gr. Only in the corresponding position, the bit graphic (square graphic) corresponding to the recess 31 is arranged, and the bit graphic is not arranged in the position corresponding to the bit “0” (see FIG. 15). The unit pattern data D _30, depending on the presence or absence of a bit graphic at each position constituting a matrix of 8 rows × 16 columns, expresses the 128-bit information constituting the unit bit matrix UM. The unit pattern data D ₃₀ is used as the drawing data for forming the unit data pattern 30 (recess 31) in the unit storage area UA.

Subsequently, (a data non-conserved regions NA, the unit upper left corner and near the lower left corner near the conserved regions UA) outside of the unit pattern data D ₃₀ adds the array direction indication pattern data D ₄₀ to. The array direction indication pattern data D ₄₀ is used as the drawing data for forming the array direction indicator pattern 40 in the data non-conserved region NA.

In this way, the unit pattern data D ₃₀ which is the drawing data of the unit data pattern 30 formed in each unit storage area UA and the arrangement direction which is the drawing data of the arrangement direction index pattern 40 formed in the data non-storage area NA. after generating the target pattern data D _40, with placing them in a matrix, the addition of the boundary pattern data D ₅₀ is a drawing data of the boundary pattern 50 in the data non-conserved regions NA, to produce drawing data Can do.

The arrangement direction index pattern 40 may not be added in the above order, and may be added in an order other than the above. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40 is provided in the unit storage area UA, the area occupied by the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40 in the unit storage area UA (to provide the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40). The number of intersection points PI of the virtual grid Gr required for the unit data UD) restricts the bit length of the unit data UD that can be arranged in the unit storage area UA. In such a case, after the arrangement direction index pattern data D ₄₀ is generated, the unit pattern data D ₃₀ is designed, and the portion (virtual grid) excluding the area where the arrangement direction index pattern 40 is arranged from the unit storage area UA. It is preferable to divide the entire data string of the stored data D in units of bit length that can be arranged at the intersection point PI) of Gr.

[Data storage medium production process]
Subsequently, a data storage medium substrate 10 made of quartz having a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 opposite to the first surface 11 is prepared, and unit data is provided on the first surface 11 of the substrate 10. Resist patterns R ₃₀ , R ₄₀ , and R ₅₀ corresponding to the pattern 30, the array direction index pattern 40, and the boundary pattern ₅₀ are formed (see FIG. 16A).

Such resist patterns R ₃₀ , R ₄₀ , and R ₅₀ can be formed using a conventionally known exposure apparatus (electron beam drawing apparatus, laser drawing apparatus, etc.) used in a semiconductor manufacturing process or the like. Using this exposure apparatus, based on the drawing data generated as described above, a pattern latent image is formed on the resist layer formed on the first surface 11 side of the substrate 10 for data storage medium, and developed. By performing the treatment, resist patterns R ₃₀ , R ₄₀ and R ₅₀ can be formed.

The material constituting the resist layer is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known energy beam sensitive resist material (for example, electron beam sensitive resist material) can be used. In the example shown in FIG. 16 (a), an example using a positive type energy ray sensitive resist material is shown. Therefore, by performing development on the resist layer on which the pattern latent image is formed, Concave resist patterns R ₃₀ , R ₄₀ and R ₅₀ are formed.

After forming the resist patterns R ₃₀ , R ₄₀ , R ₅₀ in this way, the substrate 10 for data storage medium 10 is formed by wet etching or dry etching using the resist patterns R ₃₀ , R ₄₀ , R ₅₀ as a mask. The first surface 11 is etched (see FIG. 16B), and the remaining resist patterns R ₃₀ , R ₄₀ , and R ₅₀ are removed. Thereby, the data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment, in which the unit data pattern 30, the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40, and the boundary pattern 50 are formed on the first surface 21 of the substrate 2, can be manufactured. If necessary, a data storage medium substrate 10 having a hard mask layer such as chromium oxide formed on the first surface 11 side surface is used to mask resist patterns R ₃₀ , R ₄₀ , and R ₅₀ . The data storage medium 1 is formed by forming a hard mask pattern by etching the hard mask layer and removing the hard mask pattern by etching the first surface 11 of the substrate 10 for data storage medium using the hard mask pattern as a mask. May be produced.

  A method for producing a copy of the data storage medium 1 thus produced will be described. FIG. 17 is a process flow diagram showing a process of producing a replica of the data storage medium 1 according to the present embodiment at a cut end face.

  First, the data storage medium 1 in which the unit data pattern 30, the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40, and the boundary pattern 50 are formed on the first surface 21 of the base material 2, the first surface 61, and the second surface 62 opposite thereto are provided. Then, a substrate 6 having the resin layer 7 provided on the first surface 61 is prepared (see FIG. 17A).

  The material constituting the substrate 6 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a quartz glass substrate, a soda glass substrate, a fluorite substrate, a calcium fluoride substrate, a magnesium fluoride substrate, an acrylic glass substrate, and a borosilicate glass substrate. A glass substrate; a single-layer substrate composed of a polycarbonate substrate, a polypropylene substrate, a polyethylene substrate, other resin substrates such as a polyolefin substrate, or a laminated substrate obtained by laminating two or more arbitrarily selected from the above substrates. It is done.

  The resin layer 7 is a layer in which the unit data pattern 30, the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40, and the inversion pattern of the boundary pattern 50 of the data storage medium 1 are formed in a process described later (see FIG. 17B). As the resin material constituting the resin layer 7, a resin material such as a thermoplastic resin, a thermosetting resin, or an ultraviolet curable resin can be used. More specifically, an acrylic resin, a styrene resin, an olefin resin, or the like can be used. Resins, polycarbonate resins, polyester resins, epoxy resins, silicone resins, and the like can be used.

  Next, the first surface 21 of the data storage medium 1 is pressed against the resin layer 7 on the substrate 6, and the unit data pattern 30, the array direction indicator pattern 40 and the boundary pattern 50 of the data storage medium 1 are applied to the resin layer 7. Are transferred to form a reversal pattern thereof (see FIG. 17B). After the resin layer 7 is cured, the data storage medium 1 and the substrate 6 are peeled from the resin layer 7 to produce a resin mold 8 (see FIG. 17C). If there is no hindrance in the subsequent steps (FIGS. 17D to 17F), or if the adhesion between the substrate 6 and the resin layer 7 is high and it is difficult to peel them, FIG. The step shown in c) may be omitted, and the substrate 6 and the resin layer 7 may not be peeled off.

  Subsequently, a replica base material 10 ′ made of quartz having a first surface 11 ′ and a second surface 12 ′ opposite to the first surface 11 ′ is prepared. On the first surface 11 ′ of the replica base material 10 ′. The resist layer 9 is formed, the surface of the resin mold 8 on which the reverse pattern is formed is pressed against the resist layer 9, and the resist layer 9 is cured in this state (see FIG. 17D).

  After the resist layer 9 is cured, the resin mold 8 is peeled from the resist layer 9 to form a resist pattern 91 to which the reverse pattern of the resin mold 8 is transferred (see FIG. 17E). Using the resist pattern 91 as a mask, the first surface 11 ′ of the replica substrate 10 is etched. Thereby, a replica 1 'of the data storage medium 1 can be produced (see FIG. 17F). As long as there is no influence on the curing of the resist layer 9, a material in which a hard mask layer such as chromium oxide is formed on the first surface 11 ′ side surface of the replica base material 10 ′ is used as necessary. Then, a hard mask pattern is formed by etching the hard mask layer using the resist pattern 91 as a mask, and the hard mask pattern is removed by etching the first surface 11 ′ of the replica substrate 10 ′ using the hard mask pattern as a mask. By doing so, a replica 1 ′ of the data storage medium 1 may be produced.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the data storage medium 1 can be easily manufactured by using a conventionally known lithography technique used in a semiconductor manufacturing process or the like. In addition, a copy as a backup of data recorded / stored in the case where the data storage medium 1 is damaged can be easily made by using a conventionally known imprint technique.

[Data reading device / data reading method]
A data reading apparatus for reading data recorded and stored in the data storage medium 1 having the above-described configuration and a data reading method using the data reading apparatus will be described. FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the data reading device in the present embodiment.

  The data reading apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is based on a stage on which the data storage medium 1 is placed (set), an image data acquisition unit 110 that acquires image data in the storage area SA of the data storage medium 1, and the image data. A control unit 121 that performs data processing and the like, and a control device 120 that has a storage unit 122 that stores image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 110, various data generated by the control unit 121, various programs, and the like. Although the data storage medium 1 can be set on the stage at a normal position with respect to the image data acquisition unit 110, the image data acquisition unit 110 is rotated 90 ° to the left and 90 ° to the right. The data storage medium 1 can also be set in a state where it is rotated 180 degrees.

  The image data acquisition unit 110 captures an image in a predetermined shooting target area such as a CCD camera as image data, and the unit storage area UA in which the shooting target area is the storage area SA of the data storage medium 1. And a scanning unit 112 that performs a scanning process so as to sequentially move relative to the unit 111. A general-purpose optical microscope or the like can be used as the image data acquisition unit 110.

  The control unit 121 performs arithmetic processing according to instructions of various programs. Specifically, the control unit 121 reads the unit data (unit bit string) from the image data based on the unit data pattern 30 formed in each unit storage area UA, and the combination order of the unit data (unit bit string) Acquired by the image data acquisition unit 110, a process for generating data related to the unit data (combination order data), a process for determining the extraction direction of the unit data (unit bit string) corresponding to the unit data pattern 30 based on the array direction index pattern 40 Processing for storing image data, various generated data, and the like in the storage unit 122 and combining the read unit data (unit bit string) to restore the data recorded and stored in the data storage medium 1 Perform processing.

  The storage unit 122 is read from the image data based on the image data of the storage area SA (unit storage area UA) acquired by the image data acquisition unit 110 and the unit data pattern 30 formed in the unit storage area UA. Stores unit order (unit bit string) combination order data and the like. A general-purpose computer or the like can be used as the control device 120 having the control unit 121 and the storage unit 122.

  A method of reading data recorded / stored in the data storage medium 1 using the data reading device 100 having such a configuration will be described. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing each step of the data reading method in this embodiment.

  First, when the data storage medium 1 is set in the image data acquisition unit 110, the image data acquisition unit 110 causes the scanning unit 112 to move the data storage medium 1 relative to the imaging unit 111, and the imaging unit 111. Thus, each unit storage area UA of the storage area SA of the data storage medium 1 is imaged in a predetermined order, and image data including at least the unit storage area UA and the array direction indicator pattern 40 image is acquired (S1). When the entire shape of the unit storage area UA is rectangular and the unit storage areas UA are arranged in a matrix arrangement of M rows × N columns (M ≠ N) in the storage area SA (see FIG. 3) Before acquiring data, the overall shape of the unit storage area UA is recognized, and if the overall shape is a horizontally long rectangle, the data storage medium 1 is set at the normal position or rotated by 180 ° from the normal position It is determined that it has been set. Therefore, in this case, M × N pieces of image data may be obtained by scanning the imaging unit 111 in the row direction corresponding to M rows × N columns. On the other hand, if the entire shape of the unit storage area UA is a vertically long rectangular shape, it is determined that the data storage medium 1 is set in a state where it is rotated 90 ° to the right or left from the normal position. Therefore, in this case, M × N image data may be acquired by scanning the imaging unit 111 in the row direction corresponding to N rows × M columns. If the unit storage area UA has a square overall shape and the unit storage areas UA are arranged in a matrix arrangement of M rows × N columns (M = N) in the storage area SA, the data storage medium It is not necessary to determine whether 1 is set at the normal position or after being rotated by 180 ° or whether it is set at a position rotated by 90 ° to the right or left from the normal position.

  Next, the control unit 121 determines the positional relationship of the unit storage area UA with respect to the normal position of one image data arbitrarily selected from the image data stored in the storage unit 122, and based on the positional relationship. In addition to determining the direction (extraction direction) for extracting the physical structure (concave portion 31 and convex portion 32) of the unit data pattern 30 formed in the unit storage area UA, unit data that can be read from each image data ( The join order data indicating the join order of the unit bit string) is generated (S2).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the control unit 121 defines a rectangular frame Fr that physically includes the unit storage area UA and the corresponding array direction indicator pattern 40, and rotates the frame Fr. In this way, the position P of the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40 within the frame Fr and the arrangement direction indicator pattern 40 in the image data IM are matched. In the example shown in FIG. 20, it can be determined that the frame Fr matched as described above is rotated 90 ° to the left with respect to the normal position of the unit storage area UA. Therefore, the control unit 121 determines that the unit data patterns 30 formed in the unit storage area UA in the image data IM are arranged in a matrix from the lower left to the upper right, and the physical structure (recessed portion) according to the matrix arrangement. 31 and the convex direction 32) are determined. Further, the control unit 121 combines the unit data in such a manner that the unit data is combined in the order from the image data located in the lower left to the upper direction in the column direction when the image data is arranged in a matrix in the imaging order. Is generated.

  Subsequently, the control unit 121 determines the physical structure (concave portion 31 and convex portion 32) of the unit data pattern 30 from each image data stored in the storage unit 122 according to the extraction direction determined as described above. Extraction is performed, unit data (unit bit string) is read based on the physical structure, and the unit data (unit bit string) is stored in the storage unit 122 (S3).

  When the physical structure (concave part 31 and convex part 32) of the unit data pattern 30 is extracted and the unit data (unit bit string) is read based on the physical structure, the control unit 121 includes the unit storage area UA, the array direction indicator. A virtual grid Gr is defined on the image data including the pattern 40 and the boundary pattern 50. The virtual grid Gr is defined so as to pass through the reference point Cp of the boundary pattern 50 located at the four corners. And the control part 121 determines whether the recessed part 31 exists on each intersection PI of the virtual grid Gr in the unit storage area UA. The determination of whether or not the recess 31 is present can be made based on, for example, the light / dark distribution in the image data.

  The control unit 121 associates the bit “1” with the intersection point PI determined to have the recess 31, and associates the bit “0” with the intersection point PI determined to have no recess 31, thereby generating unit data (unit bit string). Is read out.

  The control unit 121 stores unit data (unit bit string) for all image data in the storage unit 122 (S3), and then combines the unit data (unit bit string) according to the combination order data to generate data (bit string). (S4). In this way, data stored in the data storage medium 1 can be restored.

  As described above, according to the data reading apparatus and the data reading method using the same in the present embodiment, the data storage medium 1 is provided with the array direction indicator pattern 40, so that the data storage medium 1 is the data reading apparatus. Regardless of the direction in which the data is set, the data stored in the data storage medium 1 can be accurately restored.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the above embodiment is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

  In the above embodiment, the data storage medium 1 is formed by arranging a plurality of unit storage areas UA in a matrix within one storage area SA defined on the first surface 21 of the substrate 2. The invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, a data pattern representing a bit string of data may be formed in one storage area SA.

In the above embodiment, the data storage medium 1 has the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 opposite to the first surface 11 of the data storage medium substrate 10 made of quartz. Although it is produced by forming the index pattern 40 and the boundary pattern 50 simultaneously (see FIG. 16), the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, a plurality of unit storage areas UA and data are provided on a first surface 11 ′ of a base material 10 ′ made of quartz having a first surface 11 ′ and a second surface 12 ′ opposite thereto. A storage area SA including a non-storage area NA is set, and an array direction index pattern 40 and a boundary pattern 50 corresponding to each unit storage area UA are formed in the data non-storage area NA of the storage area SA. The data storage medium 1 may be manufactured by preparing a medium and forming the unit data pattern 30 in each unit storage area UA of the data storage medium. In this case, when the unit data pattern 30 is formed in each unit storage area UA of the data storage medium, the array direction index pattern 40 is recognized in advance, and the unit data is based on the array direction index pattern 40. placing the unit pattern data D ₃₀ is a drawing data used to form the pattern 30.

  In the data storage medium 1 according to the above embodiment, the physical structure constituting the unit data pattern 30, the array direction indicator pattern 40, and the boundary pattern 50 may be a dot-like convex portion. In this case, when the data storage medium 1 is manufactured, a negative material may be used as the energy ray sensitive resist material.

  In the above embodiment, the extraction direction of the physical structure of the unit data pattern 30 is determined from the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 110 of the data reading device 100, and the physical structure is extracted according to the extraction direction to obtain unit data. Although (unit bit string) is read, the present invention is not limited to such a mode. For example, the positional relationship of the unit storage area UA with respect to the normal position of the image data is determined from the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 110, and when the unit storage area UA does not match the normal position of the image data. Alternatively, the image data may be rotated to return to the normal position, the physical structure may be extracted in a matrix arrangement from the upper left to the lower right, and the unit data (unit bit string) may be read.

  In the data reading apparatus 100 and the data reading method in the above embodiment, the image data acquisition unit 110 can recognize the first image data that can recognize the arrangement direction index pattern 40 but cannot recognize the unit data pattern 30 or that is difficult to recognize. Acquired and based on the first image data, the direction in which the data storage medium 1 is set (a normal position or a state rotated 90 ° to the left, 90 ° to the right, or 180 ° to the right) Or the second image data capable of recognizing the unit data pattern 30 may be acquired. In this case, as the first image data, one image data including one unit storage area UA arbitrarily selected from the plurality of unit storage areas UA may be used, and after the second image data is acquired. The image data obtained by rotating the second image data and returning it to the normal position in accordance with the direction in which the data storage medium 1 is set may be stored in the storage unit 122. Thereby, in the control part 121, the physical structure (the recessed part 31 and the convex part 32) of the unit data pattern 30 is extracted from the image data memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 122 on the assumption that it is a normal position, and unit Data (unit bit string) may be read out.

  In the data reading device 100 according to the above-described embodiment, when image capturing is performed by the image capturing unit 111, one image data including one unit storage area UA is acquired, and data is obtained from the image data based on the array direction index pattern 40. It has an alert function that determines whether or not the storage medium 1 is set in the correct direction, and if it is determined that the storage medium 1 is set in the wrong direction, informs the operator that the storage medium 1 is set in the correct direction. May be.

  In reading the data in the above embodiment, it may be confirmed whether the data storage medium 1 is set with the imaging unit 111 facing the first surface 21 or set with the second surface 22 facing. When the imaging unit 111 is focused on the first surface 21 facing the imaging unit 111, if the second surface 22 is opposed to the imaging unit 111, the thickness of the substrate 2 of the data storage medium 1 and the imaging unit Depending on the focal length of 111, image data that can recognize the unit data pattern 30 and the array direction indicator pattern 40 formed on the first surface 21 cannot be acquired. Therefore, the data storage medium 1 is formed on the first surface 21 by confirming whether the data storage medium 1 is set with the imaging unit 111 facing the first surface 21 or the second surface 22 facing. The image data that can recognize the unit data pattern 30 and the array direction indicator pattern 40 can be reliably acquired.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Data storage medium 2 ... Base material 21 ... 1st surface 22 ... 2nd surface 30 ... Unit data pattern 31 ... Concave part 32 ... Convex part 40 ... Arrangement direction parameter | index pattern SA ... Storage area UA ... Unit storage area NA ... No data Storage area Gr ... Virtual grid PI ... Intersection

Claims (1)

A data storage medium in which data is stored,
A base material made of quartz, having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface;
A data pattern formed in a rectangular storage area defined on the first surface of the substrate, and representing a data bit string of the data by a physical structure corresponding to each bit of the data bit string; ,
An array of the data bit strings that are provided on the first surface of the base material so as to correspond to the storage area and are expressed by the physical structure of the data pattern formed in the storage area An array direction indicator mark indicating information on the direction,
The data storage medium, wherein the array direction index mark is provided at a position where the array direction of the data bit string expressed by the physical structure of the data pattern can be specified.

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