Optical storage medium having distortion regions, and a method of modifying an optical storage medium to include distortion regions

• US 7,376,073 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2001
• Issued: 05/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SCA IPLA Holdings Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: ECD Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Hart, III, John J., LeVine, Richard B., Lee, Andrew R., Howard, Daniel G.
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, TAN X
• Application Number:
  US10/023,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20020114265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,351 Days
• Field of Search: 369/275.5, 369/275.1, 369/272, 369/27.3, 369/30.05, 369/47.12, 369/53.21, 369/283, 369/286, 369/284, 369/285, 428/64.1, 428/64.4, 430/320, 430/321
• US Class Current: 369/275.5
• 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 20/00123 the record carrier being identified by recognising some of its unique characteristics, e.g. a unique defect pattern serving as a physical signature of the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00173 wherein the origin of the content is checked, e.g. determining whether the content has originally been retrieved from a legal disc copy or another trusted source
• 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 20/00659 involving a control step which is implemented as an executable file stored on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00927 wherein said defects or errors are generated on purpose, e.g. intended scratches
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/281 by changing the physical properties of the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 7/24 Record carriers characterised by shape, structure or physical properties, or by the selection of the material characterised by the arrangement of information on the carrier G11B7/007
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/21 Circular sheet or circular blank

Abstract

Theft, distribution, and piracy of digital content on optical media (software, video, audio, e-books, any content of any kind that is digitally stored and distributed) is often accomplished by copying it directly to another disc using commonly available copy tools and recordable optical media, or the copying of media to another mass manufactured disc. Methods which cause the copy process to become lengthy and inconvenient, or which produce copies that are significantly measurably different from the original and therefore be recognizable as copies, deter or prevent an unauthorized individual from making copies. This is accomplished by modifying the optical path of an optical medium to include regions of selective distortion. This, in turn, modifies the read operation of the data in the regions, which can be used to identify and authenticate the medium.

Claims

1. A method for determining authenticity of an optical medium comprising:

modifying an optical path of the optical medium, the optical medium including a first layer adjacent a data layer, the modifying of the optical path of the optical medium comprising;

selecting a region of the first layer to be distorted; and

prior to a reading operation of the medium, distorting the region of the first layer,

the distorted region extending in a direction along a track of the data layer;

performing a reading operation of the optical medium, the distorted region modifying the reading operation of data stored in the data layer corresponding to the distorted region, such that when data stored in the data layer corresponding to the distorted region is read, a measurable change in system performance of the reading operation results and the ability to perform the reading operation in the distorted region is maintained with at least one of error-free status and degrees of error status that indicates an avoidance of complete data corruption while slowing down the reading operation process, the distorted region maintaining its optical characteristics following irradiation of the distorted region during the reading operation;

detecting the measurable change in system performance that occurs during the reading operation that is maintained during reading of the distorted region, wherein the measurable change in system performance is based on timing of the reading operation;

authenticating the optical medium based on the measurable change in the system performance.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first layer comprises a reading layer through which the optical path is directed.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the optical medium further comprises a back layer adjacent the data layer, opposite the reading layer.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein selecting a region and distorting the region are further performed on the back layer.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first layer comprises a back layer.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the optical medium further comprises a reading layer adjacent the data layer, the reading layer opposite the back layer.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein selecting a region and distorting the region are further performed on the reading layer.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting comprises selecting a predetermined region of the first layer.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting comprises selecting a random region of the first layer.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein distorting comprises distorting the region of the first layer such that the optical path of incident light in the distorted region for reading the corresponding data in the data layer is modified.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein distorting comprises forming an indentation in an outer surface of the first layer.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising encapsulating the indentation.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein encapsulating comprises providing a second layer on the first layer and the indentation.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein forming an indentation comprises forming multiple indentations of multiple depths in the first layer.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein distorting comprises providing a convex feature at the first layer.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the convex feature extends from an outer surface of the first layer.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the convex feature is embedded within the first layer.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising encapsulating the convex feature with a second layer provided on the first layer and the convex feature.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein distorting further comprises forming an indentation in an outer surface of the first layer, and wherein the convex feature is provided within the indentation.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein distorting further comprises forming an indentation in an outer surface of the first layer, and wherein the convex feature is embedded within the first layer below the indentation.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein providing a convex feature comprises forming multiple convex features of multiple thicknesses at the first layer.

22. The method of claim 15 wherein the convex features comprise voids formed in the first layer.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein distorting comprises altering an outer surface of the first layer in the region.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein altering comprises altering the texture of the outer surface.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein distorting the region of the first layer is conducted during manufacture of the optical medium.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein distorting the region of the first layer is conducted following manufacture of the optical medium.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein distorting is conducted by a distorting technique selected from the group of techniques consisting of:

pressure, heat, chemical, electrical, friction, and drilling.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein the optical medium is a dual-sided medium having dual opposed data layers and first layers.

29. An optical medium having a modified optical path for authenticating of the optical medium comprising:

a first layer adjacent a data layer; and

a distorted region formed at the first layer prior to a reading operation of the medium such that a reading operation of data stored in the data layer corresponding to the distorted region is modified, such that when data stored in the data layer corresponding to the distorted region is read in a reading operation, a measurable change in system performance of the reading operation results and the ability to perform a reading operation in the distorted region is maintained with at least one of error-free status and degrees or error status that indicates an avoidance of complete data corruption while slowing down the reading operation process, the measurable change in system performance being based on timing of the reading operation, the distorted region extending in a direction along a track of the data layer, the distorted region maintaining its optical characteristics following irradiation of the distorted region during the reading operation.

30. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the first layer comprises a reading layer through which the optical path is directed.

31. The optical medium of claim 30 wherein the optical medium further comprises a back layer adjacent the data layer, opposite the reading layer.

32. The optical medium of claim 31 wherein a distorted region is further provided on the back layer.

33. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the first layer comprises a back layer.

34. The optical medium of claim 33 further comprising a reading layer adjacent the data layer, the reading layer opposite the back layer.

35. The optical medium of claim 34 wherein a distorted region is further provided on the reading layer.

36. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the distorted region is provided at a predetermined location.

37. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the distorted region is provided at a location that is randomly generated.

38. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the distorted region distorts the first layer such that the optical path of incident light in the distorted region for reading the corresponding data in the data layer is modified.

39. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the distorted region comprises an indentation in an outer surface of the first layer.

40. The optical medium of claim 39 further comprising a second encapsulation layer on the first layer and the indentation.

41. The optical medium of claim 39 wherein the indentation comprises multiple indentations of multiple depths in the first layer.

42. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the distorted region comprises a convex feature at the first layer.

43. The optical medium of claim 42 wherein the convex feature extends from an outer surface of the first layer.

44. The optical medium of claim 42 wherein the convex feature is embedded within the first layer.

45. The optical medium of claim 42 wherein the convex feature is encapsulated by a second layer provided on the first layer and the convex feature.

46. The optical medium of claim 42 wherein the distorted region further comprises an indentation formed in an outer surface of the first layer, and wherein the convex feature is provided within the indentation.

47. The optical medium of claim 42 wherein the distorted region comprises an indentation formed in an outer surface of the first layer, and wherein the convex feature is embedded within the first layer below the indentation.

48. The optical medium of claim 42 wherein the convex feature comprises multiple convex features of multiple thicknesses at the first layer.

49. The optical medium of claim 42 wherein the convex features comprise voids formed in the first layer.

50. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the distorted region comprises an alteration of an outer surface of the first layer in the region.

51. The optical medium of claim 50 wherein the alteration comprises an alteration in the texture of the outer surface.

52. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the distorted region is formed during manufacture of the optical medium.

53. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the distorted region is formed following manufacture of the optical medium.

54. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the distorted region is formed by a distorting technique selected from the group of techniques consisting of:

pressure, heat, chemical, electrical, friction, and drilling.

55. The optical medium of claim 29 wherein the optical medium is a dual-sided medium having dual opposed data layers and first layers.

56. A method for determining authenticity of an optical medium, comprising:

modifying an optical path of an optical medium, the optical medium including a first layer adjacent a data layer comprising;

selecting a region of the first layer to be distorted; and

prior to a reading operation of the medium, distorting the region of the first layer by applying a permanent physical distortion to the medium in the first layer, to provide a distorted region in the first layer that modifies the optical path of the medium, the distorted region extending in a direction along a track of the data layer,

performing a reading operation of the optical medium, the distorted region modifying the reading operation of data stored in the data layer corresponding to the distorted reaion, such that when data stored in the data layer corresponding to the distorted region is read, a measurable change in system performance of the reading operation results and the ability to perform the reading operation in the distorted region is maintained with at least one of error-free status and degrees of error status that indicates an avoidance of complete data corruption while slowing down the reading operation process, the distorted region maintaining its optical characteristics following irradiation of the distorted region during the reading operation;

detecting the measurable change in system performance that occurs during the reading operation that is maintained during reading of the distorted region, wherein the measurable change in system performance is based on timing of the reading operation;

authenticating the optical medium based on the measurable change in the system performance.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein distorting comprises forming an indentation in an outer surface of the first layer.

59. The method of claim 58 further comprising encapsulating the indentation.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein encapsulating comprises providing a second layer on the first layer and the indentation.

61. The method of claim 58 wherein forming an indentation comprises forming multiple indentations of multiple depths in the first layer.

62. The method of claim 56, wherein distorting comprises providing a convex feature at the first layer.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein the convex feature extends from an outer surface of the first layer.

64. The method of claim 62 wherein the convex feature is embedded within the first layer.

65. The method of claim 62 further comprising encapsulating the convex feature with a second layer provided on the first layer and the convex feature.

66. The method of claim 62 wherein distorting further comprises forming an indentation in an outer surface of the first layer, and wherein the convex feature is provided within the indentation.

67. The method of claim 62 wherein distorting further comprises forming an indentation in an outer surface of the first layer, and wherein the convex feature is embedded within the first layer below the indentation.

68. The method of claim 62 wherein providing a convex feature comprises forming multiple convex features of multiple thicknesses at the first layer.

69. The method of claim 62 wherein the convex features comprise voids formed in the first layer.

71. The optical medium of claim 62 further comprising a second encapsulation layer on the first layer and the indentation.

72. The optical medium of claim 62 wherein the indentation comprises multiple indentations of multiple depths in the first layer.

57. An optical medium having a modified optical path for authenticating of the optical medium comprising:

a first layer adjacent a data layer; and

a distorted region formed at the first layer prior to a reading operation of the medium by applying a permanent physical distortion to the medium in the first layer, to provide a distorted region in the first layer that modifies the optical path of the medium such that a reading operation of data stored in the data layer corresponding to the distorted region is modified, such that when data stored in the data layer corresponding to the distorted region is read in a reading operation, a measurable change in system performance of the reading operation results and the ability to perform a reading operation in the distorted region is maintained with at least one of error-free status and degrees of error status that indicates an avoidance of complete data corruption while slowing down the reading operation process, the measurable change in system performance being based on timing of the reading operation, the distorted region extending in a direction along a track of the data layer, the distorted region having permanent optical characteristics as a result of the physical distortion that are maintained following irradiation of the distorted region during the reading operation.

70. The optical medium of claim 57, wherein the distorted region comprises an indentation in an outer surface of the first layer.

73. The optical medium of claim 57, wherein the distorted region comprises a convex feature at the first layer.

74. The optical medium of claim 73 wherein the convex feature extends from an outer surface of the first layer.

75. The optical medium of claim 73 wherein the convex feature is embedded within the first layer.

76. The optical medium of claim 73 wherein the convex feature is encapsulated by a second layer provided on the first layer and the convex feature.

77. The optical medium of claim 73 wherein the distorted region further comprises an indentation formed in an outer surface of the first layer, and wherein the convex feature is provided within the indentation.

78. The optical medium of claim 73 wherein the distorted region comprises an indentation formed in an outer surface of the first layer, and wherein the convex feature is embedded within the first layer below the indentation.

79. The optical medium of claim 73 wherein the convex feature comprises multiple convex features of multiple thicknesses at the first layer.

80. The optical medium of claim 73 wherein the convex features comprise voids formed in the first layer.