On April 12, 2005, U.S. Patent No. 6,879,556 titled Method and Apparatus for Optical Data Storage was issued to Iomega. This patent is the first in a series of nano-technology-based subwavelength optical data storage patents sought by Iomega. The patent covers a novel technique of encoding data on the surface of a DVD by using reflective nano-structures to encode data in a highly multi-level format. This technology, termed AO-DVD (Articulated Optical - Digital Versatile Disc), allows more data to be stored on a DVD and could allow future optical discs to potentially hold 40-100 times more information with data transfer rates 5-30 times faster than today's DVDs, and at similarly low costs. This invention was recently recognized as a winner of the Nanotech Briefs' Nano 50 awards in its product category. The Nano 50 awards are given to the "best of the best" in the industry - the innovative people and designs that will move nano-technology to key mainstream markets.
About Fred C Thomas III
Fred Charles Thomas III - Engineer and Inventor
Fred Thomas received a BS in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Physics from Bucknell University in 1982. In 1990 he received a MS in Mechanical Engineering specializing in Control Systems and Non-linear Dynamics.
His awards include the International Design Excellence Award in 2009, Industrial Forum Product Design Award in 2008, "Nano50 Award" for "Subwavelength Optical Data Storage" in 2005, Lemelson-MIT "Inventor of the Week" Award in 2004, Iomega "Exceptional Invention Award" in 1999, and Laser Focus World "Electro-Optic Application of the Year Award" in 1994.
In The Fields of Nano-Technology and Compatibility of Digital Devices
Media please contact:
Chris Romoser, Iomega Corporation, (858) 314-7148 romoser@iomega.com
Analyst/Investors, please contact:
Tom Liguori, Iomega Corporation, (858) 314-7188
For Immediate Release
Iomega Corporation Announces Two New Patents In The Fields of Nano-Technology and Compatibility of Digital Devices
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Iomega's Patent Portfolio Stands at More Than 530 Patents
SAN DIEGO, May 24, 2005 - Iomega Corporation (NYSE: IOM), a global leader in data storage celebrating 25 years in
business, today announced that the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) recently issued two highly notable
patents to Iomega for its work with (1) nano-technology and optical data storage, and (2) external storage media.
On April 12, 2005, U.S. Patent No. 6,879,556 titled Method and Apparatus for Optical Data Storage was issued to Iomega.
This patent is the first in a series of nano-technology-based subwavelength optical data storage patents sought by
Iomega. The patent covers a novel technique of encoding data on the surface of a DVD by using reflective nano-structures
to encode data in a highly multi-level format. This technology, termed AO-DVD (Articulated Optical - Digital Versatile Disc),
allows more data to be stored on a DVD and could allow future optical discs to potentially hold 40-100 times more
information with data transfer rates 5-30 times faster than today's DVDs, and at similarly low costs. This invention was
recently recognized as a winner of the Nanotech Briefs' Nano 50 awards in its product category. The Nano 50 awards are
given to the "best of the best" in the industry - the innovative people and designs that will move nano-technology to key
mainstream markets.
Iomega is working to investigate the commercial feasibility of this format and other nano-structural data encoding
formats. One possibility being investigated, termed NG-DVD (Nano-Grating - DVD), uses nano-gratings to encode multi-
level information via reflectivity, polarization, phase, and reflective orientation multiplexing. Iomega is concurrently
evaluating and developing appropriate partners to leverage this intellectual property for producing commercial data
storage devices.
"Subwavelength optical data storage can provide an array of mechanisms by which the state of a focused spot of light
upon reflection can be precisely changed. This is the key to new commercially interesting multi-level optical data storage
that this technology represents," commented Fred Thomas, Chief Technologist, Research and Development, Iomega
Corporation. "The nano-replication technologies that are used to fabricate these structures at low-cost are just emerging
from various labs. I believe the scope of Iomega patents issued and pending in this area, in conjunction with these
exciting new nano-replication technologies, will make this a fertile area for optical data storage development and
innovation for years to come. As high definition content becomes more pervasive, Iomega sees significant technology
partnership and licensing opportunities for this intellectual property."
Thomas will present an overview of subwavelength optical data storage technology at the prestigious Information
Storage Industry Consortium (INSIC) symposium in July in Monterey, CA.
On August 31, 2004, U.S. Patent No. 6,785,091, titled Interchangeable Cartridge Data Storage System for Devices
Performing Diverse Functions, was issued to Iomega. This is the third in a very exciting series of related patents that apply
to Iomega's pioneering work related to bridge media - the use of media, or disks, that can work on a computer as well as
other devices. The new '091 patent covers inventions dating back to at least November 1996, for exchanging digital data
among multiple digital devices. A common digital data format is employed to further facilitate exchange of data between
devices.
"Iomega believes these bridge media patents provide for broad range market protection for manufacturers of various
types of mobile data storage devices," stated Thomas Kampfer, Executive Vice President, Business Solutions and General
Counsel, Iomega Corporation. "The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has confirmed that Iomega invented the broad
concept of exchanging data between a computer and another digital device using removable data storage. As devices
such as digital cameras and cellular telephones become more complex, consumers are able to benefit from Iomega's
creativity by using simple, removable data storage media to exchange information between the device and a computer."
Today, Iomega's multifaceted portfolio of patents totals more than 530 issued patents worldwide, addressing a wide
variety of technical areas. The Company has multiple patents in the areas of data storage, servo writing, security,
software and digital rights management.