Wireless activation system and method

• US 7,227,445 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: Kestrel Wireless, Inc.
• Inventors: Atkinson, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US10/632,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20040022542A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.51, 340/5.5, 340/5.2, 340/5.1, 713/189, 720/718, 720/719, 369/52.1, 369/100, 369/273, 369/272.1, 726/27, 726/28, 726/30, 726/33, 726/36
• US Class Current: 340/5.51
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/38 with central registration
• 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 20/00876 wherein physical copy protection means are attached to the medium, e.g. holograms, sensors, or additional semiconductor circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/281 by changing the physical properties of the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/284 on the record carrier

Abstract

A system and method for wireless activation of a target. A communication device transmits an ID associated with the target to a network operations center. The network operations center provides an activation signal to the communication device. The communication device wirelessly transmits an acoustic activation signal to a nearby activation device. The activation device is positioned proximate the target and causes a change in at least one physical property of the target. The target may be an optical media containing an electrochromic material with optical properties that change on application of an electric signal.

Claims

1. A method for controlling access to content within an optical media, comprising the steps of:

providing an activation device in or on the optical media;

receiving an activation signal at the activation device;

applying, using the activation device, an electrical signal to the optical media to alter at least one optical, physical or electrical property of the optical media.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the activation device receives the activation signal from a communication device and causes the electrical signal to be applied to an electro-optic material contained in or on the optical media.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

obtaining an optical media ID from the optical media; and

generating the activation signal based on the optical media ID.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the activation signal is wirelessly transmitted to the activation device.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein applying the electrical signal to the electro-optic material causes content in or on the optical media to become perceptible.

9. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

transmitting the optical media ID to a network operations center which generates the activation signal in response to the optical media ID.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

encrypting the optical media ID prior to transmission to the network operations center.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

transmitting the activation signal from the network operations center to the activation device.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

encrypting the activation signal prior to transmission to the activation device.

6. A wireless activation system for activating a target, comprising:

an activation device configured to cause an electrical signal to be applied to a target in response to an activation signal to effect a change in an optical, physical or electrical property of the target to thereby activate the target;

a communication device for wirelessly providing an activation signal to the activation device;

a third party entity that participates in the activation of the target in response to information provided by the communication device; and

wherein the activation device is part of a sticker disposed proximate the optical media and in communication with the communication device.

7. A method for activating a target at a user'"'"'s point of presence having a communication device and an activation device, the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the user is authorized to activate the target;

generating an activation signal based on this determination;

transmitting the activation signal from a third party to the communication device;

wirelessly transmitting the activation signal to the target via the activation device to alter at least one physical, optical or electrical property of the target; and

wherein elements of the activation device are composed as part of a sticker disposed positioned proximate the target and communicatively coupled to the communication device.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

removing the sticker from the target alters at least one physical, optical or electrical property of the target.