AU769978B2

AU769978B2 - Optical disc authentication and data storage

Info

Publication number: AU769978B2
Application number: AU12842/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hilary S. Lackritz; Mark Mclaughlin; J. Bradford Merry; Karl R. Schneck Jr.; Jerry Smith; James Weldon
Original assignee: HIDE AND SEEK TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Current assignee: HIDE AND SEEK TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Priority date: 1997-10-28
Filing date: 1998-10-28
Publication date: 2004-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-28
Also published as: CA2311764A1; EP1025543A1; AU1284299A; WO1999022340A1; WO1999022340A9

Description

OPTICAL DISC AUTHENTICATION AND DATA STORAGE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a data storage device that provides high data storage capabilities and is easily carried by a user in that the device can be approximately the size of a credit card. In particular, the present invention can be used with both conventional magnetic card swipe readers and optical disc readers.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present invention may be viewed as a combination of a typical credit card with a (magnetic or optical) strip that is read via swiping the S. 10 present invention through a card swipe reader and an optical disc such as a mini compact disc DVD).

o o: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The need for individuals to easily carry potential large amounts of personal data is becoming increasingly desirable. For example, it is desirable for individuals S.to carry with themselves their entire medical history, including x-rays and MRIs.

Additionally, detailed financial transaction data regarding items purchased and funds available, as well as lines of credit and credit history, may be desirable for a user to easily carry. However, presently known devices for transporting such large 20 amounts of data do not lend themselves to being carried in, for example, a wallet or purse. That is, there have heretofore been no known, readily available devices for reading and/or writing data to/from portable data storage devices, wherein the data storage devices are capable of being carried in a wallet or purse, and wherein large amounts of data 50-100 megabytes or more) may be stored.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have portable personal data storage devices that can easily fit in a wallet or purse. In particular, it would be advantageous to have such a device having substantially the dimensions of a credit card. Further, it would be advantageous to have such a device wherein the high data storage capabilities of such a device could be easily read from or written to using substantially conventional data read and/or write devices such as compact disc Melbourne\004186422 Printed 5 December 2002 (15:38) la readers and magnetic card swipe readers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an identification card, comprising: a magnetic strip for encoding data thereon, wherein said strip is capable of being read when said card is swiped through a magnetic strip reader, said strip detectable from a first surface of said card; an optical data storage portion for encoding data thereon, wherein said optical data storage portion is capable of being read from one of: said first surface, and a second surface of said card, when an optical disc reader rotates said card about a hole in said card.

Therefore, in general terms, the present invention may be regarded as a data storage card that includes data stored thereon using a combination of data storage mediums including a magnetic strip, and an optical storage portion one of an optical disc or a magneto optical disc). In a preferred embodiment the card is sufficiently small approximately 2 1/8 inches by 3 3/8 inches) so that it can be used as a typical identification/financial transaction card wherein data included on the magnetic strip of the card can be swiped through a conventional magnetic strip reader for reading data from the card. Furthermore, the optical data storage portion of the card is preferably capable of being read by a compact disc reader and/or a DVD reader when the card is rotated on the reader's optical disc spindle via the spindle penetrating hole in the card. That is the card can be used as a conventional optical disc.

In a preferred form, the optical data storage portion of the data storage card may be modified by a method and system for the protection of the optical disc data against copying and/or unauthorised use. In particular, the method and system operates to purposefully induce a physical alteration of one or more portions of an optical disc surface during the manufacturing process, within the data area, for the purpose of creating either a correctable or uncorrectable defect within the data stream of an attempted read of one of the physically altered portions of the optical disc. In particular, such read attempts may be performed in response to a query by a software module, either provided on an optical disc manufactured according to the present "invention, or external thereto, for verifying the authenticity of the optical disc. In S. performing this task, the present invention does not require the changing of any specific S•bit, rather, it utilizes the data area of the optical disc as a "canvas" on which to "paint" 5 or distribute defects, subject to the requirement that such defects reside within some 0. specific area of the optical disc. The physical alteration of the optical'disc surface for providing the defects can be accomplished by first providing corresponding defects \\melbfiles\homeS\marieag\Keep\Speci\12842-99doc 2/12/03 lb within an optical disc master from which the optical disc may be manufactured.

Alternatively, the defects in the optical disc may be manufactured into the optical disc after the optical disc has had data from the master disc transferred to it.

In a preferred form, the optical data storage portion of the card defined above is modified by a method for creating physical defects in said portion for use in identifying said card in the manner defined in any one of claims 11 to 25 or 30 or 34 to 46 or by the apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 26 to 29.

*o o* \\melbjiles\home$\marieag\Keep\peci\12842-99.doc 2/12/03 2 Other features and aspects of the present invention will become evident from the detailed description and the accompanying figures herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1A through 1D show various orientations of a first embodiment of the carddisc 12 of the present invention.

Figs. 2A through 2C show an alternative embodiment of the carddisc 12 of the present invention wherein the optical data storage area 40 is recessed in comparison to surrounding areas 50a and 50b, thereby providing protection to the optical data storage area.

Figs. 3A and 3B show another embodiment of the present invention wherein there is a protective cover 60 for protecting the optical data storage area 40 from damage.

Figs. 4A and 4B provide yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein protective offset rings 86a and 86b are provided about the optical data storage area 40 for protecting this storage area.

Figs. 5A through 5C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, wherein an additional optical data storage area 40a is provided on an opposite side of the carddisc 12d from that of the optical data storage area 40. Additionally, note that this embodiment provides offset protective rings 86 on both sides of the carddisc 12d.

Figs. 6A through 6C illustrate another embodiment of the present invention, wherein there are separable portions of the carddisc. In particular, the carddisc of the present embodiment includes a thin film data layer 200, having potentially large.

amounts of data storage for storing data encoded thereoni for being optically read by i 25 substantially conventional optical disc readers, and a base portion 204 upon which the layer 200 may be provided when such data storage is to be accessed.

S•Fig. 7 illustrates an enlarged view of a data portion on an optical disk with pits 2010 aligned in rows or tracks extending radially outwardly in the direction 24 from a point about which the optical disk is intended to rotate when data is written or read.

Further, this figure shows pit 2020 of extended length in the tracking direction 2028, S-wherein this extended •go• *o H:\marieag\Keep\Speci\12842-99.doc 3/12/03 WO 99/22340 PCT/US98/22871 3 pit is intentionally generated during the manufacturing of the optical disk and where this pit is detected as a defect in the optical disk.

Fig. 8 is identical to Fig. 7 except that the extended pit 2020 is replaced by an extended land 2022.

Fig. 9 is similar to Figs. 7 and 8, except that the intentionally manufactured defect 2026 spans multiple rows or tracks on the optical disk; DETAILED DESCRIPTION In Figs. IA-ID, a card according to the present invention is disclosed (denoted hereinafter as a "CARDDISC" 12), wherein, in one embodiment, a first side of the card includes typical identification/financial card information and the second side has optical information stored substantially as is done on optical discs. Thus, since the CARDDISC 12 is approximately the size of a typical credit card, the present invention may provide dual purpose functionality in that it can be used in typical magnetic card swipe readers as well as optical disc readers. Accordingly, on side 16 (Fig. IA) of the CARDDISC 12, the following features may be provided: a magnetic reading strip 20 for storing date that can be read by card swipe readers, signature location 24 and IS imprinted identification information including- the name 28 of the individual to which the CARDDISC is assigned (and/or the individual capable of providing access to the data encoded on the CARDDISC), (ii) an expiration date 32 of the carddisc, and (iii) a card holder identification number 36, wherein the name, date and identification number are embossed, printed and/or laminated or otherwise attached to the carddisc. Thus, side 16 provides the information typically provided on, e.g., a credit card.

On the opposite side of the carddisc 12, side 38 (Fig. IB), optical disc data is encoded in the optical data storage area 40 (shown as darkened). The optical data storage area 40 of the carddisc 12 includes an optical medium that may be read, e.g, by a conventional optical reader such as a CD-ROM and/or DYD reader when the center hole 34 is aligned with a spindle of the optical reader for spinning the carddisc 12 thereabout. Thus, detailed records relating to the cardholder and/or the use of the carddisc 12 can be stored on this portion of the arddisc. In particular, 50 to 100 megabytes of data may be stored in the approximately 4 inch inner radial extent of the optical data storage area 40 from the center of the center hole 34. Thus, detailed financial, medical, educational and/or vocational records can be provided thereon.

The carddisc 12 may be circular in shape or, in some embodiments, contain straight edges and/or a combination of straight and curved edges. Note that a combination of straight and curved edges may facilitate the carddisc 12 being used both for financial transaction data transfers via, in magnetic card swipe readers, as well as being used in conventional optical compact disc and DYD readers for reading and/or writing, more copious amounts of data. Moreover, the carddisc 12 can be square or rectangular in shape and may also contain some or all of the features in Figs. IA-ID. Further, note that protection of the optical data storage area 40 of the carddisc may be enhanced by the addition of a sleeve, wherein the optical WO 99/22340 PCT/US98/22871 4 data storage area is rotatable within the protective sleeve in a manner similar to magnetic diskettes typically used with personal computers for storing data.

The optical data storage area 40 may be of any type such as: a read-only CD-ROM or CD DYD), read/ write-once CD-R or DVD-R), or read/write many times CD.RW or DVD-RW). The optical data storage area may also utilize technologies for copy protection such as optically sensitive polymers, oxidative polymers, embedded or painted defects and protection bands and software to limit or control usage as, for example, disclosed in the patent application having international application number PCT/US97/08842, herein incorporated by reference. The optical data storage area 40 may also utilize other protection technologies such as encryption and/or passwords to limit access or control usage.

Additionally, note that at least on the side 38 of the carddisc 12, the areas 50a and SOb may include decorative artworkincluding pit art (where instead of using optically reflective pits and lands for encoding data bits, the pits and lands are used for creating a picture), and printed materials such as logos.

Further note that an embodiment of the carddisc 12 having the ability to (re)write to the optical data storage area may also be used as a "Smart Card" with vastly superior storage capabilities to prior art Smart Card technologies and at a much cheaper cost to manufacture.

Figs. 2 through 5 show alternative embodiments of the present invention wherein comparable features to those in Figs. IA-ID have identical numerical labels. Referring to Figs. 2A and 2B, the side 38 of the carddisc 12a having the optical data storage 40 has raised decorative areas 50a, 50b. Such raised areas may be utilized to protect the optical data storage area 40 from abrasive damage when the carddisc 12a is swiped through credit card readers for reading, the magnetic strip on the opposite side (side 16) of carddisc 12a, (this opposite side including some or all of the features included in side 16 of the carddisc 12 embodiment of fig. IA). Additionally, as shown in Fig. 2C, the optical data storage area 40 may have a protective plastic covering 56 to further protect the optical storage area Referring to Figs. 3A and 3B, another embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein a carddisc 12b includes a protective cover 60 that is attached to an edge 64 by one or more hinges 70 so that the cover 60 is capable of folding adjacent to side 38 for protecting optical data storage area 40 when the carddisc 12b is used in card swipe readers, and is capable of folding adjacent to the opposite side (side 16) when the data encoded in optical data storage 40 is to be accessed.

Accordingly, protective cover 60 includes a center hole 74 that aligns with the center hole 34 when the protective cover is folded adjacent to side 16 so that an optical reader spindle can align with the center holes and spin the carddisc 12b substantially as a conventional optical disc. Additionally, note that the edge 78 of the protective cover 60 may include one or more latches (not shown) that can be used for securing the protective cover 60 to the edge 82 when the protective cover is folded adjacent to side 16 and/or side 38. Additionally, note that the surface of protective cover 60 that becomes adjacent to side 38 when the side 38 is protected may also include a second optical data storage area (not shown).

WO 99/22340 PCT/US98/22871 In Figs. 4A and 4B an embodiment 12c of the carddisc is shown wherein side 38 includes one or more raised offset rings 86 both for protecting the optical data storage 40 from damage during use of the carddisc in a magnetic card swipe card reader, and for assisting in alignment of the carddisc when provided in an optical disc reader. In particular, the offset ring 86b may be used for mounting carddisc 12c so that this ring aligns with a minidisc recess provided on a typical compact disc cradle. That is, this offset ring 86b has a radius from the center of the center hole 34 that allows this offset ring to fit within the recess that is used for aligning minidiscs within the compact disc cradle and thereby assists in aligning the carddisc with the optical reader so that the carddisc rotates properly.

In Figs. A through SC,an embodiment 12d of the carddisc is shown, wherein in addition to the optical data storage area 40 being provided on side 16, there is another optical data storage area 40a provided on side 16. Accordingly, to protect the optical data storage areas 40 and 40a, the present embodiment provides offset rings 86a and 86b on side 38, and offset rings 86c and 86d on side 16. However, it will be appreciated that any of the other features for optical data protection described in previous embodiments of a carddisc can be utilized here as welL Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 6A-6C. In the embodiment of these figures, a thin film data layer 200 is provided with a data storage area 40, and decorative areas 50a and SOb. The layer 200 can be repeatedly attached and detached from a carddisc base 204, which in some embodiments, is clear and is sufficiently rigid to maintain a substantially planar surface 208 upon which the thin film layer 200 can be attached and reattached. In addition to having the data storage area 40 and the decorative areas 50a and 50b, the layer 200 may also include a magnetic strip area on the same side 212 of the layer as the data storage area 40, oron an opposite side 216 of the layer 200). Moreover, the layer 200 may contain other forms of identification such as a user name area 28, signature location 24, one or more account numbers and an expiration date. The data layer 200 can be produced by piiining and/or bonding the above-mentioned data areas to, e.g, a Mylar sheet or substrate. In particular, such printing and/or bonding techniques can be used to provide the optical data storage area That is, such techniques are capable of providing metallized optically detectable data structures corresponding to the pits and lands of compact disc data encodings. Accordingly, various types of optical data storage technologies may be used for the data storage area 40. In particular, the data storage area 40 may be read-only, write once CDR, DYDR) and/or readwrite many times CDRW, DDDRW). The layer 200 also includes a center hole 220 that is intended to substantially align witha center hole 224 in the arddisc base 204 when the layer 200 is properly aligned on the base 204 so that similarly shaped edges coincide.

Regarding the carddisc base 204, in one embodiment, the base is a clear plastic that is effective for providing both proper support and for providing a surface 208 with adherence qualities that are compatible with repeatedly attaching and detaching a thin film layer 200. In another embodiment, the carddisc base 204 may be hinged along an edge such as in Figs.

3. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the layer 200 may be placed between the hinged portions of the base 208 when data 6 on the layer 200 is to be accessed. In another embodiment, a slot (not shown) may be provided within the thickness of the base 204, wherein a layer 200, enclosed within a laminate for providing greater rigidity, is able to be inserted within the slot when the data on the layer is desired to be read. Subsequently, the layer can be removed from the slot when it is not desired to (optically or magnetically) access the data on the layer.

A plurality of layers 200 may be easily carried by a user in, a compact carrying case, and when desired, the user can select one of the plurality of layers 200 to be combined with a card disc base 204 for communicating data with a compatible optical or magnetic device such as a CD or DVD optical data reader, or a magnetic card swipe reader.

Note additionally, that a base 204 need not be carried by a user. For example, a base 204 may be provided for use with each optical or magnetic device for exchanging data with a layer 200 selected by a user.

Also, note that various encryption, authentication, and/or copy protection techniques may be used with the present invention. In particular, chemically reactive polymers, purposefully embedded defects, and/or protection bands may be provided on either side of the layer 200 and/or the base 204. More particularly, the optical protection techniques disclosed in U.S. Patent 5815484 having the same assignee as the present application is incorporated herein by reference for thereby providing illustrative and enabling techniques for providing such copy protection. Moreover, additional copy protection techniques, and other information relevant to the manner in which the card embodying the invention is to be implemented, are also illustratively disclosed in WO/9841979 which is additionally incorporated herein by reference.

~In the preferred embodiment of the present invention involving the manufacturing of defects into the optical data storage portion of the card the following *techniques, 1 through 4, hereinbelow, may be used. In the following description, any 0: reference to an optical disc should be read as referring to the optical data storage •portion of the card described above.

1. A defect in a master disc (a "mastered defect") may be created by: (a) generating a continuous data land or data pit of sufficient length in the tracking direction; or generating a series of defective data lands and/or data pits of sufficient "frequency and/or length and/or data encoding peculiarity in the tracking direction to induce either a correctable or uncorrectable data error when the defect is transferred to an optical disc and an attempt to read the optical disc is performed by an optical disc 35 reader. To generate such mastered defects, note that the process of mastering involves conversion of a digital or analog source signal to code for subsequent translation into a digital pattern of pits and lands, wherein the transitions between lands and pits of \\melbfiles\home$\mariea\Keep\Speci\12842-99.doc 2/12/03 6a the master disc are intended to then translate into readable data on an optical disc generated from the master disc. The software is intended to be incorporated into the software for controlling a master disc generating device. In particular, this software modifies the code derived from the source signals by replacing portions thereof with code interleaved with one or more encodings of purposefully induced defects. In some embodiments, the appropriate coding to decode a specified encoded pattern of purposefully induced defects is incorporated into the original program content.

The placement of the defects is controlled such that the created errors are individually detectable. One method of this may be the placement of defects in no more than every third sector, so that the effect of the normal interleaving of the \\melbfies\homeS\arieag\Keep\Speci\12842-99.doc 2/12/03

I

WO 99/22340 PCT/US98/22871 7 original data is negated such that a detected error in a specific block of 3 sectors can be identified as being the effect of a purposefully induced defect in a specific sector.

Further, this software determines the areas of a master disc in which to place each purposefully induced defect by its sector address or-time code. Subsequently, the software of the present invention causes the master disc generating device to use the modified code in place of the code derived directly from the source signals to thereby generate defects on a master disc. For example, the defective code may be a continuous data pattern of or a continuous pattern of which, in turn causes an LBR (Laser Beam Recorder) of a master disc generating device to either remain in an "on" condition, creating a continuous pit, or to remain "off", creating a continuous land, as one skilled in the art will understand. Accordingly, by replacing a valid data pattern within an area of the master disc with a continuous data pit 20 (Fig. 7) or data land 22 (fig.

a corresponding digital error can be generated on an optical disc generated from the disc master, wherein the error is either correctable or uncorrectable, depending on the size of the defect 20 and its position with regard to surrounding data bits. For example, an uncorrectable such continuous data pit or data land may be at least approximately 300 jim in length, and a correctable such data pit or data land may be less than approximately 300 /im in length. Such a defect 20 or 22 may be of normal track width in the radial direction 24 for the optical disc medium. Note that in a typical optical disc manufacturing process, commercially distributable optical discs have their data encodings created through a variety of manufacturing processes including: injection/compression molding, utilizing a metal stamper which is a generated metal part that is the "inverse image" of the original master disc, or in some cases, the original master disc, where the original master disc is inscribed with the inverse image of the final disc data pattern; and a printing method that creates the data pattern on a subsurface of the final disc.

2. Alternatively, a mastered defect may be created that spans multiple tracks. In Fig. 9, a mastered defect 26 is shown that is of multi-track width in the radial direction 24. The defect 26 may be of sufficient length in the tracking direction 28, or include a long enough series of smaller mastered defects that are of multi-track width in the radial direction 24 so that either a correctable or uncorrectable data error is generated when a read is attempted.

Accordingly, such a defect 26 can replace the legitimate data that would normally reside in that particular area.

3. In another embodiment, a mastered defect may be etched into either a glass master or one of the series of metal parts generated from it. Accordingly, the etched defect will be duplicated in the commercially distributable optical discs that are either directly or indirectly generated from the master so that the commercially distributable optical disks have corresponding defects of sufficient length in the tracking direction or there are a series of etched defects of sufficient quantity and length in the tracking direction to cause either a correctable or uncorrectable data error to be generated when such a generated commercially distributable disk is supplied to an optical reader. The process of etching in defects may be accomplished by any means that is adequate to create the desired defect (for example: laser etching, burning, drilling, cutting, slicing, punching, etc.). Such a defect replaces the data that normally resides in the area etched. The defect can be either of WO 99/22340 PCT/US98/22871 8 normal track width or of multi-track width in the radial direction 24 for that particular optical disc medium. Such etching may also be controlled by a locating technique which provides a similar data location accuracy as provided by the software program described hereinabove for placing defective data pits or data lands on a master disc. This locating technique may involve: inscribing a radial line outwardly from a center of the surface of the disc; utilizing testing device to locate both this radial line and the location of a specific data area with respect to the radial line; and having the testing device provide the position of the specific data area with respect to the radial line, wherein the defect will be created on this specific area.

4. In another embodiment, one or more defects can be created in each commercially distributable optical disc by physically damaging each such optical disk directly during the manufacturing process by techniques such as cutting, slicing, punching, burning, etching, painting, sticking the disk with a sharp pointed implement, etc., so that a purposefully induced defect of sufficient length in the tracking direction is produced, or a series of physical defects of sufficient quantity and length in the tracking direction is produced to generate one or more correctable or uncorrectable data errors when a read of the defective area is attempted. As in previous embodiments, the defects for the present embodiment replace the data that would normally reside in the particular areas having the defects. Moreover, such one or more defects are either of normal track width or of multi-track width in the radial direction for the particular optical disc medium being utilized.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Further, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, within the skill and knowledge of the rekvant art, are within the scope of the present invention. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain the best mode presently known of practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention as such, or in other embodiments, and with the various modifications required by the particular application or uses of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

Claims

1. An identification card, comprising: a magnetic strip for encoding data thereon, wherein said strip is capable of being read when said card is swiped through a magnetic strip reader, said strip detectable from a first surface of said card; an optical data storage portion for encoding data thereon, wherein said optical data storage portion is capable of being read from one of: said first surface, and a second surface of said card, when an optical disc reader rotates said card 10 about a hole in said card. oQ

2. An identification card according to claim 1, wherein said card is approximately 2 /4inches by 3 3/8 inches.

3. An identification card according to either one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said optical data storage portion includes data readable by one of a compact disc reader, and a DVD reader.

4. An identification card according to any one of the preceding claims, further 20 including visually detectable information on one of said first and second surfaces.

An identification card according to claim 4, wherein a name identifying a person that can provide access to the data encoded on the card is provided on one of said first and second surfaces.

6. An identification card according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said optical data storage portion is recessed from at least a raised boundary area surrounding said optical data storage area.

7. An identification card according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein Melbourne\004186422 Printed 5 December 2002 (15:38) 10 said card includes a protective covering for said optical data storage portion.

8. An identification card according to claim 7, wherein said protective covering is foldable so that said protective covering is capable of folding adjacent to said first side in a first configuration, and adjacent to said second side in a second configuration.

9. An identification card according to claim 8, wherein said optical data storage portion is provided on said protective covering.

An identification card, according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a second optical data storage portion is included on one of said first and said second sides not having said optical data storage portion.

11. An identification card as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by a method for creating physical defects in said optical data storage portion for identifying the card comprising: receiving source signals of data to be encoded onto said optical data storage portion; purposefully combining a representation of said source signals with one or more defective codes to obtain a different representation; encoding said different representation having said defective codes onto said storage portion so that the sites of said storage portion having encodings of said defective codes are capable of generating one or more errors when said optical data storage portion is read by an optical reader; determining an authenticity of said card by detecting said one or more errors. .0

12. The card according to claim 11, wherein said step of encoding includes 0 encoding said combination of said representation and said one or more defective codes .:6 •9 25 onto a master disc. 0*

13. The card according to either one of claims 11 or 12, wherein said step of combining includes distributing said defective codes within said representation so that a plurality of non-contiguous sites on said optical disc each have an encoding of one of said defective codes.

14. The card according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein said step of combining includes replacing one or more portions of said representation with said defective codes. o

15. The card according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein said defective codes include at least one code for one of: a continuous data pit along an optical disc track, and a continuous data land along an optical disc track. 1 T

16. The card according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein said defective codes •loo \\melb-fi es\home$\marieag\Keep\Speci\12842 -99.doc 2/12/03 11- include a code for a defect that is of multi-track width in a radial direction of said optical data storage portion.

17. An identification card as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by a method for creating physical defects in said optical data storage portion for identifying the card comprising: receiving a source signal of data to be encoded onto said optical data storage portion; encoding a representation of said source signals onto a master optical disc; purposefully damaging said master optical disc at a plurality of addressable locations for providing one or more defective data areas: wherein for at least a first of said addressable locations, there is an error in said encoding of the representation at said first location, and said error is obtained without identifying an address of said first addressable location during said purposefully damaging step: transferring data from said master disc to said optical data portion so that said card includes one or more corresponding data areas corresponding to said one or more defective data areas of said master optical disc, wherein when said corresponding data areas are read by an optical reader, one or more errors are generated, said errors capable of being used for identifying said card.

18. The card according to claim 17, wherein said step of purposefully damaging said master optical disc includes etching said defective data areas into said master disc.

19. An identification card as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by a method for creating physical defects in said optical data storage portion for identifying the card comprising: transferring data from a master optical disc to said storage portion; es o determining one or more areas of said storage portion having data thereon; S•o, purposefully damaging said one or more areas so that when said areas are read by an optical reader, read errors are generated, said errors capable of being detected for identifying said card; encrypting together a representation of said one or more areas and identification i data related to at least one of: an identify of a user and an identity of a device for accessing information on said storage portion, wherein a result of said step of encrypting yields an identifying code. *0

20. The card according to claim 19, wherein said step of purposefully damaging said optical data storage portion includes predetermining said one or more areas.

21. The card according to either one of claims 19 or 20, wherein said step of o o• \\melbfiles\home\marieag\Keep\Speci\12842-99.doc 2/12/03 12- determining includes determining a relative position of each of said areas with respect to an identifiable location on said optical disc.

22. An identification card as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by a method for creating physical defects in said optical data storage portion for identifying the card comprising: receiving a source signal of data to be encoded onto a master optical disc; encoding a representation of said source signals onto the master optical disc; creating a metal part or a series of metal parts from the master optical disc; purposefully damaging said metal part at a plurality of addressable locations for providing one or more defective data areas; wherein for at least a first of said addressable locations, there is an error in said encoding of the representation at said first location, and said error is obtained without identifying an address of said first addressable location during said purposefully damaging step; transferring data from said metal part or said series of metal parts to said storage portion, said storage portion including one or more corresponding data areas corresponding to said one or more defective areas of said master optical disc, wherein when said corresponding data areas are read by an optical reader, one or more errors are detected for identifying said card.

23. The card according to claim 22, wherein said step of purposefully damaging said metal part includes etching said defective data areas into said metal part.

24. The card according to either one of claims 22 or 23, wherein said step of purposefully damaging said metal part includes determining an area for purposefully damaging according to a spacing of said area from another area for damaging.

25. The card according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein said step of purposefully damaging includes locating a particular one of said areas to be damaged S•by determining a relative position of the particular one area with respect to an S.identifiable location on said optical disc.

26. An identification card as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by an apparatus for creating physical defects comprising: means for receiving source signals of.data to be encoded onto said storage portion; means for purposefully combining a representation of said source signal with 35 one or more defective codes; S•wherein said defective codes are intended to change at least a portion of said representation; \\melbf iles\home$\marieag\Keep\Speci\12842-99.doc 2/12/03 13 means for encoding said representation having said defective codes onto said storage portion so that sites of said storage portion having encodings of said defective codes are capable of generating one or more errors when said optical disc is read by an optical reader, wherein said one or more errors are capable of identifying said card.

27. An identification card as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by an apparatus for creating physical defects comprising: means for receiving a source signal of data to be encoded onto said storage portion; means for encoding a representation of said source signals onto a master optical disc; means for purposefully damaging said master optical disc at a plurality of addressable locations for providing one or more defective data areas; wherein for at least a first of said addressable locations, there is a corresponding error in said encoding of the representation obtained via said means for purposefully damaging, wherein said corresponding error is obtained without identifying an address of said first location; means for transferring data from said master disc to said storage portion, said storage portion including one or more corresponding data areas corresponding to said one or more defective data areas of said master optical disc, wherein when said corresponding data areas are read by an optical reader, one or more errors are detected for identifying said card.

28. An identification card as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by an apparatus for creating physical defects 25 comprising: means for transferring data from a master optical disc to said storage portion; •.•means for determining one or more areas of said storage portion having data thereon; means for purposefully damaging said one or more areas so that when said areas are read by an optical reader, read errors are detected that are capable of identifying said

29. An identification card as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said eeeooptical data storage portion is modified by an apparatus for creating physical defects comprising: means for receiving a source signal of data to be encoded onto said storage portion; \\melbfiles\homeS \marieag\Keep\speci\12842-99.doc 2/12/03 14 means for encoding a representation of said source signals onto a master optical disc; means for creating a metal part or a series of metal parts from the master optical disc; means for purposefully damaging said metal part at a plurality of addressable locations for providing one or more defective data areas; wherein for at least a first of said addressable locations, there is a corresponding error in said encoding of the representation obtained via said means for purposefully damaging, wherein said corresponding error is obtained without identifying an address of said first location; means for transferring data from said metal part to said storage portion, said storage portion including one or more corresponding data areas corresponding to said one or more defective areas of said master optical disc, wherein said corresponding data areas are read by an optical reader, one or more errors are detected for identifying said card.

The card of any one of claims I1 to 16, wherein one or more of said sites for said defective codes includes a defective extent that extends into at least two adjacent tracks of said optical data portion, and wherein at least one of said adjacent tracks includes an encoding of said source signals.

31. The card of claim 26, wherein one or more of said sites for said defective codes includes a defective extent that extends into at least two adjacent tracks of said optical data portion, and wherein at least one of said adjacent tracks includes an encoding of said source signals.

32. The card of claim 28, wherein the means for damaging causes replacement of a portion of the data, and wherein at least one of said areas includes a damaged portion o that extends into at least two adjacent tracks having at least a portion of the data therein.

33. The card of claim 29, wherein said metal part includes lands and pits indicative of said representation, and wherein the means for damaging the metal part is for obtaining an encoding including, at a plurality of said addressable locations, one or more defective data areas.

34. The identification card of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by a method for creating physical defects in said optical data storage portion for identifying the card comprising: receiving source signals of data to be encoded onto said storage portion; purposefully combining a representation of said source signals with one or more S•defective codes to obtain a different representation; •ego \\melb files\homeS\mieag\Keep\Speci\1284299.doc 2/12/03 15 encoding said different representation having said defective codes onto said optical disc so that the sites of said storage portion having encodings of said defective codes are capable of generating one or more errors when said storage portion is read by an optical reader; determining an authenticity of said card by detecting said one or more errors; wherein said defective codes includes at least one for one of: a continuous data pit along an optical track, and a continuous data land along an optical track.

The identification card of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by a method for creating physical defects in said optical data storage portion for identifying the card comprising: receiving source signals of data to be encoded onto said storage portion; purposefully combining a representation of said source signals with one or more defective codes to obtain a different representation; encoding said different representation having said defective codes onto said storage portion so that the sites of said storage portion having encodings of said defective codes are capable of generating one or more errors when said storage portion is read by an optical reader; determining an authenticity of said card by detecting said one or more errors; wherein one or more of said sites for said defective codes includes a defective extent that extends into at least two adjacent tracks of said storage portion, and wherein at least one of said adjacent tracks includes an encoding of said source signals in a track without a predetermined buffer area therebetween, wherein said buffer area can not provide an effective area for storing said encoding of the source signals.

36. The identification card of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by a method for creating physical defects in said optical data storage portion for identifying the card comprising: S•receiving a source signal of data to be encoded onto said storage portion; encoding a representation of said source signals onto a master optical disc; purposefully damaging said master optical disc at a plurality of addressable locations for providing one or more defective data areas; wherein for at least a first of said addressable locations, there is a purposefully provided error in said encoding of the representation at said first location, and said error is obtained without determining a location of the placement of said error such that L identifies a specific bit encoded on the storage portion; transferring data from said master disc to said storage portion so that said 0•00 *storage portion includes one or more corresponding data areas corresponding to said one or more defective data areas of said master optical disc, wherein when said 000000one or more defective data areas of said master optical disc, wherein when said \\melb-files\home$\mariea\Keep\Speci\12842-99 doc 2/12/03 16 corresponding data areas are read by an optical reader, one or more errors are generated, said errors capable of being used for identifying said card.

37. The identification card of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said optical data storage portion is modified by a method for creating physical defects in said optical data storage portion for identifying the card comprising: transferring data from a master optical disc to said storage portion; determining one or more areas of said storage portion having data thereon; purposefully damaging said one or more areas so that when said areas are read by an optical reader, read errors are generated, said errors capable of being detected for identifying said card; encrypting together a representation of said one or more areas and identification data related to at least one of: an identity of a user and an identity of a device for accessing information on said storage portion, wherein a result of said step of encrypting yields an identifying code; wherein said step of determining includes determining a relative position of each of said areas with respect to an identifiable location on said storage portion.

38. The card of Claim 19 or 35, wherein said encrypting step includes encrypting together a representation of said one or more areas and identification data related to at least an identity of the device for accessing information on said optical disc.

39. The card of Claim 11, wherein at least one of said sites having an encoding of one 6r more of said defective codes includes a defective portion extends into at least two adjacent tracks of said optical disc.

The card of Claim 39, wherein said defective portion spans at least two tracks.

41. The card of Claim 17, wherein at least one of said defective data includes a 25 defective portion extends into at least two adjacent tracks of said optical disc.

42. The card of Claim 41, wherein said defective portion spans at least two tracks. •coo

43. The card of Claim 19, wherein at least one of said areas includes a damaged portion extending into at least two adjacent tracks of said optical disc.

44. The card of Claim 43, wherein said damaged portion spans at least two tracks.

45. The card of Claim 22, wherein at least one of said corresponding data areas includes a damaged portion extending into at least two adjacent tracks of said optical disc.

46. The card of Claim 45, wherein said damaged portion spans at least two tracks.

47. An identification card substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to •0•00 \\melbfiles\home$\marieag\Keep\Speci\12842-99.doc 2/12/03 17 the accompanying drawings. Dated this 3 day of December 2003 HIDE AND SEEK TECHNOLOGIES. INC By their Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia see: \\relb..files\home\maieag\Keep\Speci\12842-99.doc 2/12/03