Limited play optical devices with interstitial reactive layer and methods of making same

• US 20030152019A1
• Filed: 06/05/2002
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Flexplay Technologies
• Original Assignee: Flexplay Technologies
• Inventors: Paulus, Joseph W., Thompson, Robert F., LeBlanc, Arthur R. III, Bakos, Yannis
• Granted Patent: US 7,177,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 369/275.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/80 in storage media based on magnetic or optical technology, e.g. disks with sectors preventing unauthorised reproduction or copying of disc-type recordable media G11B20/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00586 said format change concerning the physical format of the recording medium
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00608 wherein the material that the record carrier is made of is altered, e.g. adding reactive dyes that alter the optical properties of a disc after prolonged exposure to light or air
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00927 wherein said defects or errors are generated on purpose, e.g. intended scratches
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/282 Limited play
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/24038 Multiple laminated recording layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/244 comprising organic materials only
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/246 containing dyes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/252 of layers other than recording layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/253 of substrates
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/2531 comprising glass
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/2533 comprising resins
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/2534 polycarbonates [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/2542 consisting essentially of organic resins
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/256 of layers improving adhesion between layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/257 of layers having properties involved in recording or reproduction, e.g. optical interference layers or sensitising layers or dielectric layers, which are protecting the recording layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/2578 consisting essentially of inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/258 of reflective layers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/259 based on silver
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/2595 : based on gold
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/263 : Preparing and using a stamper, e.g. pressing or injection molding substrates production of optical record carriers, e.g. optical discs B29D17/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/21 : Circular sheet or circular blank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 : Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31511 : Of epoxy ether
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31551 : Of polyamidoester [polyurethane, polyisocyanate, polycarbamate, etc.]

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media in which the reading beam passes through a bonding layer configured with a reactive material that transforms from an optically transparent state to an optically opaque state after exposure to a predefined stimulus, thereby inhibiting access to the data encoded on the optically readable storage media. The method includes steps of synthesizing a blocked dye combining the blocked dye with a carrier material curing the resultant combination deblocking the dye to produce a reduced dye in the resultant bonding layer exposing the optically readable storage media with the reactive material in its bonding layer to a predetermined stimulus. In a further aspect of the present invention methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media wherein the reading light passes through the bonding layer and the data encoded information is encoded on the L1 substrate. In yet another aspect of the present invention methods and apparatus are provided for making an optically readable storage media with at least two mechanisms for limiting access to the encoded data of the optically readable storage media.

Claims

1. A data storage device, comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein at least the first substrate has defined thereon a plurality of pits and lands covered by a reflective material; and

a bonding layer between the first and second substrates including a reactive agent that interferes with the passage of light in response to predetermined stimulus.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the reactive agent interferes with the passage of light in response to oxygen.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the reactive agent interferes with the passage of light in response to moisture

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the optical properties and the thicknesses of the second substrate and the bonding layer define an optical path length relative to the pits and lands of the first substrate for a light of predetermined wavelength that is external to the second substrate, wherein the optical path length is about 0.845 mm or greater but less than about 1.039 mm.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the reflective properties of the reflective material deteriorate in response to predetermined stimulus.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein a second reactive agent, in response to predetermined stimulus, promotes the deterioration of the reflective properties of the reflective material.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the refractive index (RI) of the second substrate and the RI of the bonding layer are approximately equal.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the second substrate has defined thereon a plurality of pits and lands covered by a semi-reflective material, and wherein the second substrate further includes instructions defined therein to direct an optical reading laser to read a portion of the first substrate, prior to the laser accessing at least a predefined portion of the second substrate.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the semi-reflective material on the pits and lands of the second substrate permits the predetermined stimulus that reacts with the reactive agent to pass therethrough.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the semi-reflective material on the pits and lands of the second substrate is a fast deposition of a semi-reflective material.

11. The device of claim 2 wherein the device further includes protective substance to control the time necessary for the reactive agent to interfere with the passage of light.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the protective substance is a coating of at least one surface of at least one of the first and second substrates.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the protective substance includes a layer of antioxidant material disposed between the second substrate and the reactive agent.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the reactive agent interferes with the passage of light of a predetermined frequency range and wherein the device further comprises material that interferes with the passage of light of a second predetermined frequency range through the material.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the material is a coating of at least one surface of at least one of the first and second substrates.

16. The device of claim 13 wherein the material that interferes with the passage of light of a second predetermined frequency range is included in the second substrate.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein the material that interferes with the passage of light of a second predetermined frequency range is included in the bonding layer.

18. The device of claim 13 wherein the material that interferes with the passage of light of a second predetermined frequency range is included in a separate layer disposed between the second substrate and the reflective material covering the pits and lands of the first substrate.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein the device further includes protective substance to control the time necessary for the reactive agent to inhibit the passage of light.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the protective substance increases the time necessary for the reactive agent to inhibit the passage of light.

21. The device of claim 19 wherein the protective substance includes a layer of antioxidant material disposed between the second substrate and the reactive agent.

22. The device of claim 11 wherein the protective substance increases the time necessary for the reactive agent to inhibit the passage of light.

23. A data storage device, comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein at least the first substrate has defined thereon a plurality of pits and lands covered by a reflective material;

a bonding layer between the first and second substrates;

a reactive agent that, in response to predetermined stimulus, interferes with the passage of light of a predetermined frequency range; and

material that interferes with the passage of light of a second predetermined frequency range through the material.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein the material is a coating of at least one surface of at least one of the first and second substrates.

25. The device of claim 23 wherein the material that interferes with light of a second predetermined frequency range is included in the second substrate.

26. The device of claim 23 wherein the material that interferes with light of a second predetermined frequency range is included in the bonding layer. here

27. The device of claim 23 wherein the material that interferes with light of a second predetermined frequency range is included in a separate layer disposed between the second substrate and the reflective material covering the pits and lands of the first substrate.

28. A data storage device, comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein at least the first substrate has defined thereon a plurality of pits and lands covered by a reflective material, wherein the reflective properties of the reflective material deteriorate in response to predetermined stimulus;

a bonding layer between the first and second substrates; and

a reactive agent that, in response to predetermined stimulus, interferes with the passage of light of a predetermined frequency range.

29. A data storage device, comprising:

a first substrate and a second substrate, wherein at least the first substrate has defined thereon a plurality of pits and lands covered by a reflective material;

a bonding layer between the first and second substrates;

a reactive agent that, in response to predetermined stimulus, interferes with the passage of light of a predetermined frequency range; and

a second reactive agent, in response to predetermined stimulus, promotes the deterioration of the reflective properties of the reflective material.

30. An optically-readable storage media, comprising a substrate having encoded data stored thereon;

a reactive agent that, in response to predetermined stimulus, interferes with the passage of light of a predetermined frequency range; and

material that interferes with the passage of light of a second predetermined frequency range through the material.

31. An optically-readable storage media, comprising

a substrate having encoded data stored thereon, wherein the readability of the encoded data deteriorates in response to predetermined stimulus;

and

a reactive agent that, in response to predetermined stimulus, interferes with the passage of light of a predetermined frequency range.

32. An optically-readable storage media, comprising

a substrate having encoded data stored thereon;

a reactive agent that, in response to predetermined stimulus, interferes with the passage of light of a predetermined frequency range; and

a second reactive agent, in response to predetermined stimulus, degrades the readability of the encoded data.