Deterring theft of optical media
First Claim
1. An optical media disk comprising a substrate surface having data encoded thereon, the substrate surface being treated with a light-sensitive material that is initially in a first phase, wherein the light-sensitive material deters theft of the optical media disk by causing the encoded data to be unreadable while the light-sensitive material is in the first phase, and wherein the light-sensitive material is to be changed from the first phase to a second phase, prior to a point of sale of the optical media disk, when exposed to a mercury-based light source having a predetermined wavelength, the encoded data to be readable when the light-sensitive material is in the second phase, and wherein the light-sensitive material is to permanently remain in the second phase after being exposed to the light source.
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Abstract
An optical media disk is treated with a light-sensitive material that impedes the ability of an optical media player from reading data stored on the disk. This light-sensitive material is a material that changes phase upon exposure to one or more wavelengths of light. During the initial phase, the light-sensitive material will render the disk unreadable. After activation, however, the disk becomes permanently readable by conventional optical media players. In this fashion, theft of yet-to-be-activated optical media is deterred.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An optical media disk comprising a substrate surface having data encoded thereon, the substrate surface being treated with a light-sensitive material that is initially in a first phase, wherein the light-sensitive material deters theft of the optical media disk by causing the encoded data to be unreadable while the light-sensitive material is in the first phase, and wherein the light-sensitive material is to be changed from the first phase to a second phase, prior to a point of sale of the optical media disk, when exposed to a mercury-based light source having a predetermined wavelength, the encoded data to be readable when the light-sensitive material is in the second phase, and wherein the light-sensitive material is to permanently remain in the second phase after being exposed to the light source.
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2. A method of controlling data access, comprising:
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encoding data on an optical medium; concealing the encoded data by treating at least one section of the optical medium with a light-sensitive material; and permanently revealing the encoded data by activating the light-sensitive material with a light source. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for controlling data access, comprising:
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an optical media disk having data encoded thereon; a light-sensitive material placed on at least one section of the optical media disk to conceal the encoded data; and a light source that permanently reveals the encoded data by activating the light-sensitive material. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification