Registers – Coded record sensors – Holding devices
Reexamination Certificate
2003-01-24
2004-08-24
Lee, Michael G. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Holding devices
C206S308100, C206S309000, C235S487000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06779729
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to novel, quick, and reliable detection methods for determining the authenticity of optical and/or audio disc articles (such as compact discs, digital video discs, CD-ROM discs, and the like). Such a method basically entails the incorporation of an identifier or marking means within the edges of target optical discs or within any other portion of a target disc such that exposure to non-visible light sources will provide the desired identification upon irradiation or detection of the marking means therein. Such an identifier or marking agent thus may be utilized in conjunction with a transparent holding case whereby the optical discs may be exposed through the transparent walls thereof to permit detection of counterfeit or authentic discs without requiring opening of the case itself. Such a method may also be utilized for discs that are removed from or have not been placed and sealed within such a case as well. Specific methods of utilizing particular transparent cases are thus also encompassed within this invention as are novel storage unit configurations to maximize the benefits of the transparent properties thereof.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
Optical data storage discs, such as compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), and compact discs having read-only memory (CD-ROMs), have been utilized within the entertainment and computer field for a number of years, with DVDs recently entering the market with much higher amounts of available encoded information for more impressive video results. Such discs generally comprise a layer of plastic material, on one side of which is formed a micro-relief pattern in the form of indentations which comprise an encoded information signal. This information-containing side exhibiting such a micro-relief pattern is then provided with a lacquer-protected metallized reflective layer to permit reading via a laser sensor. DVDs may contain more than one such layer of micro-relief patterns thus providing increased amount of information. Such DVDs exhibit several formats but always comprise two substrates, each formed with at least one information layer, that are secured to one another. Furthermore, the lacquered portion of the disc, generally being solely on one side, usually is provided with visible printed information for identification, informational, and/or aesthetic purposes to the user. Standard and particular production methods for such discs are disclosed within such documents as U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,391 and European Patent EP 0608358B1 (including the production of discs including holographic images embossed in the lacquer forming the protective layer for the metallized surface in order for the micro-relief pattern to define such an holographic image).
Such optical discs are normally formed from polycarbonate material which is injected into an injection molding machine in which a stamper is present, the stamper forming the pattern of indentations in the subsequently formed disc to provide the encoded signal. Other techniques utilize compression molding with a specific mold to provide the encoded signals therein.
The discs may thus include certain holographic images on the surface as well as different additives within the plastic layer, all not detrimental to the operation of the target disc itself. The periphery of the disc (which is normally produced in circular configuration) is thus available for utilization of any number of identification purposes without affecting the sound or vision quality of the encoded information therein.
Furthermore, storage units for such discs have predominately been either polystyrene in nature (for CDs and CD-ROMs) or black (and thus opaque) polypropylene (for DVDs). Polystyrene is generally very clear and has become commonplace in terms of CD and CD-ROM storage; however, such material has proven to be less than reliable in terms of long-term usage. Polystyrene is generally susceptible to breakage easily, requires a two piece case to provide a hinge, and is more expensive than polyolefins. Opaque polypropylene prevents the ability to view the actual disc prior to opening of the unit itself. Polypropylene withstands certain forces better than polystyrene (such as accidental drops, colliding with solid objects, etc.), and is cheaper than such an expensive material. Furthermore, transparent polypropylene has been utilized to a certain degree as well to reduce costs in other ways. For example, DVDs generally include an attached sleeve to the target storage unit of transparent thin film in order to place an identifying publication therein. Such a thin film sleeve increases costs to such a degree that certain storage unit producers have noted the ability to remove the need for such a costly thin film sleeve and move the published identification papers within the storage unit itself. Thus, with sufficient transparency, the identifying publications can be viewed without opening the box itself.
Unfortunately, even with such a development in storage unit design and production, there has been a lack of maximization of such a benefit. In the past, booklets of limited size have been produced for informational purposes for the user. Such booklets were placed within the storage unit but normally required removal from the storage unit itself prior to reading. Such booklets also cost a great deal of money to produce and pack. There thus exists the need to maximize the benefits of having the full published information documentation within the inside of the target disc storage unit. To date, for example, there still exists a standard configuration wherein the discs as stored remain within the storage unit and thus act as obstacles to reading the provided printed information literature accompanying the disc itself. To date, there has been no discussion or fair suggestion on how best to maximize such a limited design in order to maximize the benefits of utilizing transparent polyolefin storage unit materials themselves.
Additionally, counterfeit audio and/or optical discs are an enormous problem within the pertinent industries. In fact, billions of dollars a year are lost to the respective recording industries due to forged or counterfeited articles. Combating such a problem has proven extremely difficult as the appearance of such counterfeit discs are generally the same as those of authentic quality. Thus, proving authenticity is generally difficult, if not impossible. Past attempts at preventing or detecting such counterfeit discs have included technologies such as anti-copying/encryption technologies, digital signatures, watermarks, and the like, embedded within the disc's content. However, these technologies have proved ineffective as decoders have been easy to develop for encryption and identifiers have been easy to copy. Therefore, stopping such counterfeit articles is quite elusive, particularly at the customs (importation) or customer level. A simplified method of facilitating such needed detection of counterfeit articles is thus of utmost importance to these industries. Of particular interest is the ability to provide such detection when discs are shrink-wrapped together, prior to placement within ultimate storage units, as well as upon placement within such storage units (which are also generally shrink-wrapped for consumer purchase) in a manner that detection can be made without having to open the storage unit itself (and thus provides an easy method for the distributor to determine disc authenticity without affecting the value of the pre-packaged disc). Thus, such a desirable simplified detection method has not been accorded these particular industries to date.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of this invention to provide a manner of detecting counterfeit optical discs either while removed from any packaging, while present within a closed storage unit, or while present in a shrink-wrapped package of multiple discs. Another object of this invention is to provide a detection method for the authenticity of optical discs through the exposure of
Batlaw Rajnish
Delaere Marc
Parks William S.
Milliken & Company
Moyer Terry T.
Nguyen Kimberly
Vick, Jr. John E.
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