ACTIVATION CONFIRMATION FEEDBACK CIRCUITS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A method for confirming an optical disc has likely been activated, comprising:
- monitoring for an amount of charge transferred into an optical shutter that is connected to the optical disc;
determining, responsive to the monitoring step, that the optical shutter has changed to an activated state; and
setting, responsive to the determining step, a signal indicating that the optical disc is to have been successfully activated.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit and method is provided for confirming that an activation state for a target has been changed. For example, a confirmation signal or message may be generated that a target device has transitioned from a non-operating or deactivated state to an activated state, or that a target device has been deactivated from an operating or activated state. The target may be, for example, optical media or electronic or electrical devices. In one example, the target device is an optical media such as a DVD. The DVD may be deactivated at the time of manufacture and, distributed in a non-playable condition. Upon an authorized sale or other event, a switch in the DVD may be transitioned to an activated state, allowing the DVD to play normally. The switch, which may be an electro-optic or electrochromic material, is monitored for an amount of charge transferred to the switch. By monitoring the total charge or other charge characteristic, it may be confidently determined that the switch has properly changed to its activated state. A confirmation message may then be generated for local or remote use.
75 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for confirming an optical disc has likely been activated, comprising:
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monitoring for an amount of charge transferred into an optical shutter that is connected to the optical disc;
determining, responsive to the monitoring step, that the optical shutter has changed to an activated state; and
setting, responsive to the determining step, a signal indicating that the optical disc is to have been successfully activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for confirming a likely change in activation state for a target, comprising:
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monitoring for an amount of charge transferred into an electrically switchable device that is connected to the target, the electrically switchable device initially in a first state;
determining, responsive to the monitoring step, that the electrically switchable device has changed to a second state; and
setting, responsive to the determining step, a signal indicating the state of the switch. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An integrated circuit, comprising:
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a connection to an electrically switchable material, the electrically switchable material setting an activation state for a target;
a memory holding electrical characterization information regarding the electrically switchable material;
a monitoring circuit arranged to monitoring for an amount of charge transferred into an electrically switchable device;
a logic configured to determine that the electrically switchable device has likely changed to a second state. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification