MXPA97007261A - Multimedia system for interact transaction handling - Google Patents

Abstract

A multimedia system (10) for interactive transaction handling includes a transaction terminal (12) having a CD player (20) for accessing a multiplicity of mass storage elements coded compact discs (22) that are serilized by means of a code able to be read by the single machine (24), the disc reader includes a code reader (23), an audio and video output connector (30) for feeding the portions of the recorded information to a device of output (14, 16); and a transaction connector (28) for bidirectional communication with an external installation (42). A transaction processing facility (TPF) (40) of the system includes a database processor (46), a terminal connector (44) for communicating with the transaction connector, and an optional provider connector (52) for an electronic bidirectional communication with a plurality of sellers. The use of the mass storage element is authorized or measured by correlating the transactions in the elements using an index (48) of the serial codes. A memory system (12) incorporating the disk reader and a method (300) to produce the serial elements is also broken down.

Description

MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM FOR INTERACTIVE TRANSACTION HANDLING BACKGROUND The invention in question is related to multimedia systems that use mass storage elements, such as compact discs to access protected information and the application of such systems for the personalized handling of transactions. Multimedia systems are a relatively recent discovery that combine computers and mass storage, such as compact disc (CD) technology, to efficiently access jobs that include encyclopedias, sales catalogs, lists of telephone numbers nationwide, legal and technical databases, video games, audio recordings and video recordings, such as full movies. Such systems avoid the problem of having access to large amounts of information through telephone lines, for example, which include extensive limitations of wave amplitude and significant utility costs. A major problem in this field is the prohibitively high cost of purchasing the works stored in their entirety, particularly in the case of full-length films in the first part of their presentation in the video rental market to individuals.

It is known that the stored information is coded to allow its use only to those who have authorized access. It is also known that users are charged for the amount of information that is decoded. See, functional equivalent the United States Patent of North America Number 5,050,213 of Shear, which presents a measurement database and a protection system and method. A problem with the prior art, even as advanced as Shear's discovery, is that the sales profit margins are difficult and impractical for the contribution according to the use of the information. For example, a recorded movie can be provided to be seen unlimited, but the cost of a movie seen for the first time would be very high compared to the rights to see it for a limited period, for example, 24 hours. Current commercial systems are not ready to handle both types of transactions for a single mass-produced copy of a particular job. Also, there is no practical way to measure authorized uses of the medium as pirated copies are monitored. In this way, many markets for multimedia products, such as premiere movie rentals, are not working properly. Therefore, there is a need for a multimedia system that supports the flexible commercial strategy that includes a compensation for the distributors that can be granted in accordance with the use of the stored works.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention meets this need by providing an interactive multimedia system to provide personalized transaction handling. In one aspect of the invention, the system includes a transaction terminal having a reading unit in the terminal to access at least one mass storage item containing recorded information, an audio and video output connector for feeding portions of the recorded information to one or more output devices, a transaction connector for bidirectional electronic communications with external characteristics and control means for the terminal to activate the output connector and the transaction connector in response to the operator's power; a means for transaction processing (TPF) having a database processor and a terminal connector for bidirectional electronic communications between the transaction connector and the database processor; means to correlate the mass storage element with a transaction involving one of the sellers in particular; and means to measure the use of the element based on the particulars of the transaction. The TPF can have a connector that facilitates bidirectional electronic communications between a plurality of vendors and the database processor, the means to correlate are implemented to identify specific vendors that have rights in the elements and the means to measure are implemented to Give credit to the sellers, in particular in accordance with the use of the associated mass storage elements. As used herein, the term "Seller" means an entity that, directly or indirectly, makes a contribution to the value of the mass storage element. The contribution can be related to the creation, production and / or sale of the mass storage element. The term "measure" means limiting the use as to the amount of recorded information that is allowed to be read from the terminal's reading unit, the number of times the recorded information is allowed to read, the duration of the use or duration of one or more periods of time, within which the use was allowed or any combination of the above. The terminal control means may have a manual remote control unit for receiving at least a portion of the operator's power. Preferably, the transaction terminal includes a key memory for storing user authorization information for comparison with the user's power, the control means inhibits at least some operations of the first reading unit, unless the user equals a default portion of the authorization information. The system also includes means to update the key memory using the transaction connector. The authorization information may include a key code, the means for correlating the mass storage element include an index of keyboard codes and mass storage elements authorized for use under the respective keyboard codes. Preferably, the system is able to update the index based on the use of the mass storage element to implement the measurement efficiently. The index may also include the identification of sellers who have prospective rights in the authorized use of the mass storage elements. The mass storage element can be one of the multiplicity of elements that have recorded information that corresponds to identical information and includes an identifier job, the means of the control terminal are operative to signal the job identifier to the TPF using the transaction connector , the index has a unique serial identifier for each of the elements, the means for correlating the mass storage element also include means for locating a serial identifier, in particular in the index that uses the work identifier and the keyboard code, as noted from the reading unit in the terminal; and means for reading the seller, in particular from the index, by means of the association with the serial identifier. As used herein, the phrase "elements having the recorded information corresponding to the identical information" means any of the following: (a) the same information is recorded identically in each of the elements; (b) the same information is recorded in each of the elements, as modified by one of the many fixed functions (such as coding); and / or (c) the same information is recorded in each of the elements, along with the additional information. The terminal may include a keyboard for interrogating an identification apparatus with keyboard connector. The keyboard can be a coded card, the connector for the keyboard is operational to signal a keyboard code from a card to the control means of the terminal, the user's feed includes the insertion of the keyboard. The transaction terminal can be operated to compare the key code with a plurality of authorization codes, each of the authorization codes corresponds to a different user account. Preferably, the keyboard includes read and write memory elements for storing transaction information. The system can also include a plurality of sales terminals to use at least some of the vendors to communicate with the TPF, each sales terminal has a keyboard reader to read the keyboard code on the keyboard, the TPF has means to update the index based on transactions with someone who has the card. As an alternative, the means for correlating the mass storage element may include an index of keypad codes and the authorized mass storage elements that are associated with the latter. When the mass storage element has the serial identifier capable of being read by the machine, the reader unit of the terminal including means for signaling the serial identifier to the terminal control means, the means for correlating the mass storage element You can also use the work identifier and the keyboard code, as indicated from the reader unit in the vendor identification. The mass storage element can be selected from a group consisting of a CD-ROM disc, a CD-I disc, a CD-R disc, a CD-V disc, a video CD, a photo CD, a CD- DA and a DVD disc, the terminal's reading unit is a CD player. DVD discs are a technology that is just emerging. As used herein, DVD discs are capable of storing at least 3GB of recorded information. DVD discs are formatted in various ways, for example, SD, HDCD and MMCD. The term "compact disc", as used herein, refers to each of the discs mentioned above, as well as to future variations thereof. When the mass storage element has the unique serial identifier capable of being read by the machine, the terminal reading unit will include means for signaling to the serial identifier the means of control of the terminal, the means for correlating the storage element can include an index of serial identifiers associated with particular vendors; the comparative means for comparing a particular serial identifier, as indicated by the terminal reading unit with serial identifiers of the index; and means for reading a particular seller of the index in response to comparative means. The serial identifier may be a bar code, the means for signaling the serial identifier include a barcode reader. The index may include the price information of the use of the recorded information associated with the serial identifiers, the means to give credit include means to charge the user's account and deposit to the seller's account according to the price information of the user. use.

The system further preferably includes a plurality of sales terminals for the use of at least some of the vendors to communicate with the TPF, each sales terminal having a serial identification reader to read the serial identifiers associated with the elements. of mass storage, and optionally a key reader to read the keyboard code from the apparatus, the TPF will have means to update the index based on the communications from the sales terminals. The recorded information of the mass storage element may include vendor information, the transaction terminal further includes means for receiving and storing updates of the information from the TPF, using the transaction connector, the use of the mass storage element includes the feeding of one or more output devices based on a combination of portions of recorded information and information updates. The use may include selecting and ordering catalog items, updates include catalog updates, the system signals and confirms catalog orders, using the transaction connector. Preferably, the transaction terminal also includes a keypad memory for storing authorization information for comparison with the user's power, the control means inhibits at least some functions of the reading unit, unless the user's power is equal to a predetermined portion of the authorization information. Preferably, the transaction terminal includes means for comparing the initial information of the mass storage element with predetermined information to verify the authenticity of the information and means for inhibiting at least some functions of the terminal reading unit, unless a portion of the initial information is equal to the predetermined information. When the mass storage element is one of the multiplicity of elements that have the information recorded from the identical information, each of the elements will preferably have a serial identifier capable of being read by the single machine, the reading unit of the terminal includes means for signaling the serial identifier to the terminal control means based on the use of each of the corresponding elements, and the means for correlating the mass storage element includes an index of the serial identifiers authorized for use by particular users; and means for determining the uses of the elements by comparing a serial identifier, in particular as indicated by the reading unit of the terminal with the serial identifiers of the index.

Preferably, the system also has means for determining the use of pirate counterparts of the elements, including means for storing information corresponding to the successive uses of the elements having particular serial identifiers; and means to determine unbelieving users based on one or more consecutive times between successive ones that involve the same serial identifier, the occurrence of simultaneous uses and the geographical distances between the sites of the successive uses. The mass storage element may be a CD-R disc, the serial identifier recorded along with other information recorded on the mass storage element. The system provides protection against unauthorized use of specific CDS, such as full movies. Because mass storage elements independently have a serial identifier capable of being read by the single machine, validation of each formatted CD is possible before it can be used, allowing billing to be linked through use to provide the continuous input generation. Thus, film studios can receive tickets every time a user watches the movie. The serial identifier capable of being read by the machine may include information on the status of the authorization, such as whether a single use or multiple uses of the item are authorized. Preferably, at least a portion of the serial identifier can be altered by the reader reading unit of the terminal in response to a user transaction to update the authorization status information. As used herein, a user transaction may include the purchase of additional authorization, as well as the actual use of the mass storage element. In another aspect of the invention, a memory system incorporates the reading unit, an output connector for feeding portions of the recorded information from a main information region to one or more output devices and means for signaling the serial identifier suitable for be read by the machine from a region, outside the main information region to an external device. The reading unit may include a mobile information head to read at least a portion of the recorded information, as well as to search for the serial identifier. The system can include a read unit controller having an operator connector and means for accessing authorization information, the controller will inhibit at least some operations of the reading unit, unless the user's power is equal to a predetermined portion of the authorization information. A single auxiliary information track may contain a plurality of auxiliary information parts of the serial identifier.

Preferably, that single auxiliary information track will include at least 200 parts of auxiliary information. The serial identifier may include approximately 2,000 parts of auxiliary information. The serial identifier can be located within a main region of the mass storage element. The system can be operated to determine the use of pirated elements, having an index of authorized serial identifiers, a comparator between the serial identifiers of the index and the serial identifiers indicated from the reading unit to determine the uses of the elements, storage for the information associated with the uses and monitoring of at least one of the times elapsed between successive uses with the same identifier, simultaneous uses, and geographic distances between the sites of successive uses to determine unbelieving uses. Serial identifiers may be associated in the index with particular users, and the system may make use of a keyboard code associated with the reading unit and / or the user's power to intensify the determination of pirate uses. The determination can also be intensified by comparing the work identifier, as read from the reading unit with a corresponding work identifier of the index. In still another aspect of the invention, a method for reading mass-produced recorded information while preventing unauthorized uses thereof, includes the following steps: (a) producing recorded copies of particular works on respective media elements; (b) providing in each element a serial identifier capable of being read by the single machine; (c) providing an apparatus for reading the recorded information from the elements in conjunction with the authorization information, the apparatus will also have means for reading the serial identifier; (d) maintaining an index of the valid authorization codes associated with the particulars of the serial identifiers; (e) read the serial identifier in relation to the tentative reading of a copy; (f) receive a proposed authorization code; (g) conditionally permitting authorization information to the apparatus based on the equality of the proposed authorization code in a valid authorization code from the index for the serial identifier, in particular a copy; (h) read the copy as it is increased by the authorization code. Preferably, the method measures the permitted uses of the recorded information, including the following steps: (a) the formation of an index that includes authorization levels for particular copies; (b) charge authorization levels based on the successive uses of the information; (c) grant credit to authorization levels based on transactions involving particular copies; and (d) condition the authorization based on authorization levels. The method may further include the step of maintaining at least one counterpart of the authorization level for a particular copy in a form apt to be read by the machine in the copy. Any of the above methods may also include the additional steps of encoding the jobs in relation to the step of producing the recorded copies and decoding the work using a portion of the authorization code in relation to the step of reading a copy. In yet another aspect of the invention, a mass storage element includes a substrate; a main storage information on the substrate for storing a multiplicity of main information elements which are apt to be read by the main information means from a main information region, where the main information means move within a predetermined main path relative to the substrate; and auxiliary storage information on the substrate for receiving and storing a plurality of auxiliary information elements that can be read by auxiliary main means from outside the main information region when the auxiliary information means moves on a relative predetermined auxiliary path to the substrate. As used in this, the main information elements are mass stored information of the type that is read by an information head of a conventional CD player when the information is recorded on a conventional compact disc. In a similar way, the main path it has is of the movement of the type that involves the rotation of the disk in combination with the movement of location of the information head of said CD player. Correspondingly, the auxiliary path is of the type that involves the rotation of the disk and the placement of the auxiliary head means to access the auxiliary information elements. The main information elements can be substantially read only by characters. The main storage information can be adapted to receive the main information elements by means of pressure molding. The main storage information can be adapted to receive the main information elements by selective radiation. The main information elements can be read optically. The substrate and the main storage information can be configured as a rotating compact disc. The auxiliary storage information can be adapted to be recorded and read by a single auxiliary head. The auxiliary storage information can be a magnetic layer. The auxiliary storage information may be adapted to receive the auxiliary information elements by selective radiation. A mass storage reader that incorporates the mass storage element may also include means to give mobile support to the mass storage element; an information head to read the main information elements; auxiliary heads for reading auxiliary information elements; and reading means for moving the substrate on a predetermined path relative to the information head and the means of auxiliary heads for the operation thereof. The information head can be an optical head; the auxiliary head means may also include a magnetic head that can write at least some of the auxiliary information elements; and in any case, the means of auxiliary heads may include an optical head.

The auxiliary head means may be provided by the information head to be movable on a predetermined auxiliary path relative to the substrate to examine the auxiliary information. The mass storage reader may include a main circuit having a main amplifier with an output for signaling the main information elements in response to the information head, the circuit will have a separate auxiliary output for signaling the auxiliary information elements. The main circuit may include an auxiliary amplifier to drive the auxiliary output. The main amplifier may include an effective first frequency response to pass the main information elements and the auxiliary amplifier may have a response at a second frequency to pass the auxiliary information elements while effectively blocking the main information elements. The main amplifier can have a first reference connection to balance the main output in relation to the information threshold, the auxiliary amplifier has a second effective reference connection to balance the auxiliary output in relation to a serial code threshold of the head of the information when the information head is reading auxiliary information elements. The mass storage element can be a compact disc, the reading means will include means for rotating the disc. The invention also provides a method for making a serial multiplicity of mass storage elements having the mass recorded information, including the steps of preparing a master disk, recording the counterparts of the master disk over the respective main information regions of a multiplicity of mass storage elements, thus generating a unique serial number associated with each master recording and writing a serial code corresponding to the serial number on each corresponding mass storage element outside the main information region, therefore, serializing the elements. The method may include the encoding of the serial number, the respective serial codes of the elements corresponding to the coded serial numbers. The writing step can include the selective radiation of the mass storage elements. The counterparts of the master disk can be stored within their respective main information regions of the mass storage elements and the step of writing the serial codes can include the selective alteration of the mass storage elements outside their respective regions of storage. main information. Each mass storage element may have a control region outside the main information region and the step of altering mass storage elements may include altering the control region of each. The step of the alteration is preferably carried out in a sufficiently spaced relation to the main information region to preserve the functionality of the control region adjacent to the main information region. Likewise, or as an alternative, the step of the alteration also includes the steps of altering subregions separately from the control region corresponding to the respective portions of the serial code and the separation of subregions enough within the control region to conserve the functionality of the control region. The mass storage elements can be compact disks, the control regions thereof are primary regions that have characteristic information recorded on them and the step of altering can also include the rotation of each of the disks, modulating a laser engraver with counterparts of the serial codes and direct the radiation of the laser engraver within the primary region of each of the discs.

DRAWINGS These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and the drawings included, wherein: Figure 1 is a pictorial block diagram of a multimedia system for access to personalized information in accordance with the present invention. Figure IA is a partial planar view of a disk reading unit using a mass storage element for use in the system of Figure 1. Figure 2 is the flow diagram of the main program of the system of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a flow chart for the initialization of the system of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a flow chart of a program for running the films within the system of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a flow chart of a program for the billing portion of the program of Figure 4. Figure 6 is a planar view showing a remote control unit of the system of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a functional block diagram showing an alternative configuration of a portion of the system of Figure 1. Figure 8 is a block diagram of the processor section of the system portion of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a block diagram of the CD reader section. of the system portion of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a block diagram of the video section of the portion of the system of Figure 7. Figure 11 is a schematic pictorial diagram showing a method and apparatus for producing a preferred form of the mass storage element of the Figure ÍA. Figure 12 is a schematic pictorial diagram showing an alternative configuration of the disk reader unit of Figure IA, configured to be used with the mass storage element of Figure 11. Figure 13 is a graph showing reflectivity levels of serial coding as applied in an attached information region of the mass storage element of Figure 1. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative configuration of a portion of the disk reader unit of Figure 12. Figure 15 is a detailed plan view showing the other details of the mass storage element of Figure 11.

DESCRIPTION The present invention is directed to a multimedia transaction system that is particularly effective and versatile, of accessible price and easy to use. With reference to Figures 6 of the drawings, a multimedia system 10 includes a transaction terminal 12 having a television monitor 14 which may be a conventional television receiver, a pair of speakers 16, and a transaction unit 18. The transaction unit 18 includes a terminal reading unit 20 for accessing a mass storage element 22 which may be a high density optical disk (CD), the reading unit 20 having conventional means (not shown) to read the information recorded in element 22. Compact disks have advantages particularly for mass information for distribution to a multiplicity of users in that they can be mass produced by printing from a master disk. Direct copying, such as copying by printing, initially yields indistinguishable copies from one another. The present invention provides the possibility of tracking individual copies of such mass produced work to allow a variety of initial and subsequent transactions involving the works. In an exemplary configuration of the system 10 illustrated in Figure 1, the terminal reading unit 20 includes means for reading a unique serial number or code 24 that is formed in or on the mass storage element 22, the means being code readers of designated bars 23. It will be understood that bar code reader 23 may be present as an extension of the location range of a conventional reproduction head of reading unit 20 as an alternative to having a stationary head (low resolution) per separated. furtherMany conventional compact discs have an inner track that carries a bar code that is mass produced along with mass copied information, the mass produced bar code identifies the particular job played on the compact disc. The conventional bar code is used in stock inventory and storage schemes, and is not suitable for being read by conventional compact disc players. As illustrated in Figure IA, the serial code 24 is located in the annular space of the compact disc 22 which may also contain the conventional bar code. One method of producing the serial bar code 24 is to use the laser engraving on a reflective cover of the CD 222 that also contains the information produced in mass (and may also contain the mass produced bar code). The serial code 24 is unique for each copy of the CDs 22 and preferably includes different work identifications in particular, so that the work and the particular copy thereof are distinguishable by the operation of the bar code reader 23. It will be understood that other methods for producing the serial code 24 are possible, including the application of an adhesive label and by direct or pressure molding of the bar code elements within the CD 22 using movable cast elements that are electrically operated under control of a computer. Also, the serial code 24 can be recorded along with other information recorded in mass when the mass storage element 22 is a CD-R disc (suitable for recording). In addition, other sites are available to place the serial code 24, such as radially inside or outside the mass produced bar code. Moreover, it is preferred that at least a portion of the serial bar code 24 be alterable to record the state of the information as described in detail below. Accordingly, and in particular with reference to Figure IA, a portion of the serial code 24, designated serial read / write code 24 ', is formed as a magnetic line using means well known in the credit card industry. Correspondingly, an important and preferred configuration of the system 10 includes the terminal reading unit 20 having the bar code reader 23, including a magnetic read or write head 232 and a main reading head 234. The reading unit 20 is adapted to transportably receive the element 22, being configured as a rotating compact disk having a substantially rigid substrate 222, on a disc reader 236, the main reading head 234 is movable inwardly and outwardly in relation to the reader discs 236 for accessing the tracks of the main information elements which are pre-stored in a conventional manner in a main storage means 223 on the substrate 222. The serial read / write code 24 'is formed in an auxiliary storage means 226 on the element 22, the auxiliary storage means 226 is in position to be accessed by the read head and writing 232. The magnetic material for the auxiliary storage means 226 for receiving the portion 24 'of the serial code may be applied as part of a process for labeling the CD 22. In implementations where only a portion of the serial code 24 is alterable , it is contemplated that the portion 24 'be radially deviated from the remainder of the code 24, as illustrated in Figure IA. The content of the serial code 25, including the serial number, status information and accounting can be from approximately 200 bits of information to approximately 2 Kb. The transaction unit 18 also includes a keyboard connector 26, a transaction connector 28 and a transaction controller 30 for operating the terminal reading unit 20 in response to the operator power and the signals received from the keyboard connector 26 and the transaction connector 28. The controller 30 includes a power connector 32 that can be connected to a joystick unit 34 for playing video games and the like, the power connector 32 responds alternatively to a wireless remote controller 36 which is shown in greater detail in Figure 6, the remote controller 36 has a numeric keypad, transport controls, an equivalent to a mouse, and possibly some keys of the special purpose. An important feature of the present invention is a local memory for handling the authorized access to the mass storage elements 22. In one instance, the system 10 includes a key memory apparatus 38 that can be inserted inside the keyboard connector 26. The apparatus 38, which may be slightly larger than a credit card, has information able to be read by a machine stored in itself, including a personal identification number (PIN) and a key code that is interrogated, as described in detail below in relation to Figures 2 and 4 to allow authorized access to the restricted portions of information from the mass storage element 22. The restricted information is preferably encoded by means such as those used by DES, and described by FIPS in publication number 46 (NTIS), which are incorporated herein by this reference. As also described below, the keyboard 38 preferably has a read and write memory for storing and retrieving user information and transactions for greater security and flexibility in the handling of transactions by a user of the apparatus 38. Terminal 12 is intended to be one of several of those terminals 12, as indicated by dotted lines and designation 12 'in Figure 1, system 10 also includes at least one transaction processing site (TPF) 40 which it intermittently communicates with the terminals 12 through a terminal of an appropriate work network 42 that uses a terminal connector 44. The TPF 40 also includes a database processor 46 for controlling and verifying the work network terminal 42, the processor 46 is also connected to the mass database memory or index 48, a service terminal 50 and, optionally, a provider connector 52 to communicate with a plurality of sales terminals 54 through a counterpart of the work network terminal, designated provider work network 42 '. Each sales terminal 54 may include a sales connector 56 and a counterpart of the bar code reader, designated 58. The bar code reader 58 reads a unique serial number (which may contain a code corresponding to the job title). ) of each mass storage element 22 to locate the individual copies of each job. The bar code reader 58 corresponds to the bar code reader 23 of the transaction terminal 18, except that the mass recorded information of the element 22 does not need to be read by the sales terminal 54 when the reader 58 is active. The bar code reader 58 may be implemented to read labels on boxes containing multiple copies of the mass storage element 22, the labels identify the work and the range of serial numbers on the elements 22 in the boxes. As illustrated in Figure 1, an exemplary configuration of terminal 54 also includes a keypad connector 26 * which corresponds to keypad connector 26 of transaction unit 18, but only needs to read the PIN for user identification for allow a direct correlation of a particular user with the mass storage element 22 in a transaction involving the element 22. The correlation may be between the user and a particular copy of the element 22 when the code reader 58 reads the serial code 24 or the counterpart of the same element 22. When the code reader 58 reads a range of serial numbers, the user is correlated with a group of elements 22 that the particular vendor has. It will be understood that the monitor 14 may include the speakers 16, or as an alternative, a monaural speaker.

Transaction Terminal Arrangement In an exemplary arrangement protocol for the system 10 of Figure 1, the user receives the transaction unit 18, the remote controller 35, the key memory apparatus 38, an "initial" counterpart of the Massive storage element or compact disc 22 initial and a printed installation manual. (In the alternative configuration of Figures 7 to 10, explained below, the key memory apparatus 38 is omitted, the functions thereof are provided internally to a counterpart of the transaction controller 30). The initial compact disc 22 and the installation manual guide the (untrained) user through the installation process using the remote controller 36, without requiring the keyboard, mouse or other similar computing device. The installation manual explains how to make the preliminary connections to the transaction unit 18 to see the initial CD 22. Also, since it is necessary to turn off the transaction unit 18 and the television monitor 14 when making the final connections, the manual serves as a practical reference, wherein the arrangement of the installation illustrated in the initial compact disc 22 can be copied . The initial compact disc 22 is normally retained by the user to serve as a guide to solving problems and as an operational reference after the installation has been successfully completed. The information (for example: name, address, credit card number) that is required to access the services provided by the system 10 is provided to a trained customer service representative by means of a unique telephone call made by the user, the information the database processor 46 of the TPF 40 is fed to the index 48 via the service terminal 50. As better described below, an information call is established between the transaction unit 18 and the TPF 40 over the work network 42 for loading all this information to the key memory apparatus 38 (or other memory) using the keypad connector 26. This call is initiated by the transaction unit 18 or the TPF 40, depending on the particular configuration of the system. The transaction unit 18 then indicates (via the television monitor 14) that it has received the initialization information, and that the user is ready to begin any of the various applications. Trained installers can be available for telephone inquiries once the transaction unit 18 is connected to the television monitor 14. The transaction unit 18 is connected to an ordinary 120 volt alternating current outlet, a socket of modular telephone, the antenna input of the television monitor 14 and any other related home entertainment device, such as a VCR. The user connects the transaction unit 18 to the power to the television, and also installs batteries within the remote controller 36. To use the initial compact disc 22 ', the user turns on the transaction unit 18 and the television monitor 14, and places the initial compact disc inside the terminal 20 reading unit. The compact disc boot procedures use voices, graphic diagrams, and motion videos to demonstrate the installation in detail. The television monitor 14 then shows a welcome message, at the same time providing a summary of the operating instructions. The user then chooses the installation options of the operational guide on the compact disc and the parallel configuration guide in the manual. The user is instructed to copy the correct installation connections to the installation guide of the initial manual, including connections to the telephone, television monitor 14, power, VCR, cable set-top box, etc. So, with the current disconnected, the user connects all the connections in accordance with the installation guide and turns on the transaction unit 18. As described below, the transaction unit 18 verifies that the installation is correct, and if not, shows an appropriate error message to the user through the television monitor 14. On the home phone, the user calls the customer service operator at the 1-800 number, provided to give the information to support the installation. A form is shown on the television monitor 14 and in the initial manual. The necessary support information includes names and PINs (personal identification number), telephone number, credit cards with expiration dates, address, credit amounts or advanced by being stored with maximums, minimums, thresholds, postal address for purchases and the method of address per issue. An information call is then established through the work network 42, as described above, to send the necessary information from the TPF 40 to the transaction unit 18. The communications between the TPF 40 and the transaction unit 18 are they ensure through an appropriate coding of the information. The use of public and private keys for encoding and decoding is contemplated in the present invention. The public and private key protocol is available under license from RSA Data Security Corp. of Red ood City, California, described in, for example, U.S. Patent No. 4,405,829 to Rivest et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. the present by this reference. The transfer of the information from the TPF 40 to the transaction unit 18 is shown on the television monitor 14 to be confirmed by the user. If any information is incorrect, the user could correct it on the line or make a call to the 1-800 operator. When this screen is full and correct, the transaction unit will be ready to use. With particular reference to Figure 2, the transaction controller 30 is programmed with signature programs in a main routine 100 for appropriate operations with the mass storage element (compact disc) 22 in one of several formats. Following the single initialization described below in relation to Figure 3, the control is passed to the normal start step 102, and once the compact disc 22 is loaded, the reading unit of the terminal 20 is activated in one step Initial reading 104 for reading the initial information of the compact disc 22, that information is interrogated in a test sequence 106 of the format to link to an appropriate reading routine 108, which may be a game routine 108A, a movie routine 108B, a catalog routine 180C or an open routine 108D. When the reading is completed or for another terminated reason, as described below, the control goes to an ejection step, then returns to the normal start step 102. The main routine 100 further includes an initialization test step 112, which automatically starts at power-up to determine if the transaction unit 18 has been initialized. In that case, the control goes to the normal start step 102; otherwise, an initialization routine 114 is carried out as illustrated in Figure 3. In the initialization routine 114, a test step 116 of the initial compact disc stops processing until the initial compact disc 22 'which is formatted for initialization is present. Next, a message requiring the insertion of the key memory apparatus is sent to the television monitor 14 in a typing request step 118, followed by a key test step 120 to determine the presence of, and valid communication with the key memory apparatus 38. (As indicated above, the key memory apparatus 38 is omitted in the alternative configurations of Figures 7 to 10, described below). If the valid communication is established within the predetermined time limit, the control is passed to the TPF call test step 122; otherwise, an error message step 124 appropriately signals on the television monitor 14, with control back to the test step 116 of the initialization compact disk. In the TPF call step 122, the initialization routine 114 waits for the information call to be completed with the TPF 40, as described above, the PIN and other personal information is transmitted through the transaction work network 42 during the call. The received information is stored in the flash memory (of the key memory apparatus 38 or elsewhere in the transaction controller 30) in what is step 126 of updating the user information, the information is also shown on the television monitor 14 in step 128 of displaying the user information. The information received also includes the date, by which a subsequent telephone contact with the TPF is expected. Next, step 130 of a test of the information is run by the user to verify whether the illustrated information is consistent with that given orally to the personnel operating the TPF 40. If not, a step 132 of feeding the user is run to allow the user the corrections to be made, after which, the test step 130 of the information is repeated. Once the user is satisfied with the personal information fed, the control is passed to step 134 of the test changes to invoke a step 136 of transmission information in case changes have been made, the initialization routine 114 concludes with step 138 of ejecting the compact disc. In step 136 of the transmission information, the edited personal information is transmitted through the transaction work network 42 to the TPF 40, where it is stored for future use, as described below.

Normal Operations During normal operations, a session begins when the user inserts a selected compact disc or mass storage element 22 into the reading unit of terminal 20 of transaction unit 18. Operations are displayed on the television monitor 14 in an intuitive graphic user connector c, while the user makes the choices with the remote controller 36 of the options presented to him. The available operations are determined by the type of mass storage element 22 inserted within the reading unit of the terminal 20. At this point, if the transaction unit 18 has received a text message from part of the TPF 40, the user You will be informed, for example, that certain catalogs have been updated or that certain promotions are in effect. The user is asked to make his choices, using the remote controller 36 to select the items on the television monitor 14, to progress through the session. Preferably, the messages, commands or information transmitted from the TPF 40 will be accompanied with a new date, by which, a contact with the subsequent TPF is expected. If there have been no previous calls to it, then the transaction unit 18 will automatically initialize a call for the updated instructions of the TPF 40. If the transaction unit 18 can not contact the TPF 40, then the user is notified with a error message to verify phone lines. This error message is repeated every time the unit 18 has a compact disc 22 inserted until the call to the TPF 40 is completed. After an established number of days without having contact with the TPF 40, the computer program of the signature in the transaction unit 18 will cause the unit 18 to disconnect its own operation. At appropriate points in each session, the transaction unit 18 requests the user to insert the key memory apparatus 18 into the transaction unit 18, if it is not already in place, and to supply a counterpart of the personal identification number ( PIN) using the remote controller 36, as also described below. Each person in the family can have their own PIN number stored in the key memory apparatus 38 to properly identify each authorized user for the transaction unit 18. Credit information, restrictions on use (such as movie presentation) classified to be under supervision only), information about catalog orders, etc., are associated with each PIN number; this information is duplicated in the TPF 40. Although most of the mass storage 22 entertainment elements are assigned a "pay-per-event" or "payment for a designated period of time" arrangement, as explained below , it is possible to have an initial portion of item 22 with "free advances" that do not need to be encoded. Also, all portions of a catalog are usually accessible without feeding a PIN, as described below, unless the information in the catalog is restricted, such as information that may not be appropriate for children. The system 10 is configured to minimize the use of the user's particular telephone or other network channel, both in terms of number and duration of calls. Apart from the cost of the local call, all costs related to voice or information calls are estimated to be free for users. However, considering that computers or modems for faxes typically in the home offices, or when there are teenagers present, there is competition for the use of a single telephone line in the home. Therefore, if the particular telephone is being used when the transaction unit 18 attempts to make a call to the TPF 40, the transaction unit 18 may be programmed to retry the telephone call afterwards until it succeeds. As an alternative, an information-over-voice protocol is considered.

Purchases by Catalog To purchase by catalog, the user receives mass storage elements 22 with catalogs by mail or through other appropriate channels. After inserting the compact disk element 22 with catalog into the reader unit of the terminal 20, the transaction controller 30 causes the initial information to be read from the compact disc 22 in the format test sequence 106. In the case of catalogs, the sequence 106 searches for a digital signature to determine that the catalog is authorized to be used in the system before entering the catalog routine 108C, as described above. The catalog routine 108C allows the user to look or search for specific items, usually without the need to feed a PIN, as described above. Only when the user places an order for an item is the PIN required. In the implementation of Figure 1, the user can choose to view the mass storage elements 22 in the neighbor's house or in a second house having a counterpart of the transaction unit 18 and can place his orders, provided that the Key memory 38 is present. The presentation of catalog items by the system 10 is greatly improved with the use of stereo sound, graphics, text and film, combined with an easy-to-use multimedia format. At any time, during the review through the catalog, the user can choose an article or several articles to buy them. The transaction unit 18 automatically sends the order to the order acceptance computer of the catalog distributor via the TPF 40. By using the transaction unit 18, the user receives the confirmation of the availability and the total price of his order quickly. Filling the order on the television monitor only requires selecting the desired items, since all the necessary information regarding the user is already stored in the key memory device 38 of the user (or other memory of the transaction controller 30) . After the system 10 completes the order form and sends it to the distributor's computer, the normal procedures for satisfying the distributor's orders are initiated, and the purchased items are mailed directly from the catalog distributor to the user. Any problem or refund is solved with the distributor and any return of costs that could exist is automatically achieved and recorded by the database processor 46 and the TPF 40. Alternatively, the user can choose to use the telephone to lift an order before the operator of the catalog distributor. The order confirmation and purchase orders are sent by mail directly from the catalog distributor to the user. Any problem or refund is solved by the distributor, include the return of costs. The transaction unit 18 has been created with the idea that it never goes out, entering into a standby mode since it is not being used to receive the updates of the catalogs and promotional messages. In this way, catalog distributors can also continue with current prices through communication with transaction unit 18, even after the catalog has been published. In addition, close coordination of the catalog distributors, combined with the ability to have two-way communication of the system 10, allows the user, as well as the distributor, to benefit from the availability of special sale prices on a daily basis.

Films A major feature of system 10 is the ability to run full movies on a single mass storage element or compact disc 22. These films can be distributed in a variety of ways, such as in video stores, vending machines or through of the mail. Due to the minimum manufacturing cost of compact discs, these do not need to be returned to the video store or any other distribution center. Thus, users can maintain a library of movies at home for personal use or can lend them to others. In a demonstration transaction, the user selects a film compact disc at the local video store and pays a small usage fee that covers two 24-hour periods to view them. Once the mass storage element 22 in the form of a compact disk with film is loaded in the terminal reading unit 20, the control passes to the movie routine 108B, as described above. With particular reference to Figures 3 and 4, the movie routine 108B first obtains the initial information, including a charge rate and the compact disc expiration date 22 in an initial step 140. Then, the expiration date is compared with the internal calendar in an expiration test step 142 to determine the possible expiration of the authorization to use it, in which case, an appropriate message will appear in an expiration message step 144, followed by the termination of the routine of the film 108B, using a counterpart of the compact disk ejecting step 138. If the compact disc 22 has not expired, the control passes to the counterparts of the keypad test step 120, and the error message step 122 (until the key memory device is in place in the configuration of the figure). 1), at said point, the user is required to power a valid PIN in a step 146 of feeding the PIN. The fed PIN is rejected in a PIN test step 147, the control is returned to the PIN admission step 146; otherwise, the reading unit 20 is activated in a step 148 to run the selected information from the compact disc 22, the selected information is normally a free advance of the main content of the compact disc 22. Continues the step 148 of running, and while As the decoded information is read from the compact disc 22, the control proceeds to the collection routine 150. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the collection routine 150 first determines whether the compact disc 22 was purchased for unlimited use in step 152. of the limits test. In the exemplary system 10 illustrated in Figure 1, the serial numbers and ownership status of each compact disc 22 can be stored in the memory of the key memory apparatus 38. Alternatively, said information can be stored in another memory within of the transaction unit 18. The same information is also stored in the index of the TPF 40. However, a call to the transaction work network 42 to have access to it starts only in case of a malfunction or other circumstance extraordinary to avoid unnecessary delays and use of the work network 42. If there is an unlimited property, the control is passed to step 154 of the memory update, where the flash memory of the key memory apparatus 38 or another non-volatile memory of the transaction unit 18 is updated if necessary, after which, the authorization to read the main content is returned to the movie routine 108B by a step 156 of output of the authorization. It will be understood that the memory update step 154 may include overwriting the serial read and write code 24 with the current authorization status of the compact disc 22. In this way, other tests of the state of the compact disc 22 may be required. locally supplemented without making phone calls to the TPF 40. In this implementation, the keyboard information for decoding the compact disc 22 is pre-loaded in the transaction terminal 18 during prior telephone communications. In this way, the number of communications between the transaction terminal 18 and the TPF 40 is significantly reduced, with the corresponding cost savings. In the event that the unlimited use has not been previously authorized, the control goes from step 152 of limit tests to step 158 of the beginning of the test, to determine whether a measured collection period has been initialized previously. If not, the initialization of the first period is carried out in a step 160 of the first start, retrieving the current date and time, with the control going to step 154 of memory update to store the current date and time in a site of the appropriate memory. If the first period has been initialized, the expiration thereof is determined in a step 162 of the first period in which the date and time previously stored, in addition to a predetermined duration of the first period (24 hours, for example), are compared with the current date and time. If the first period is still in effect, the control goes to step 154 of memory update (which can be ignored as an alternative here); otherwise, a counterpart of the test start step, designated 158 ', is carried out to determine whether a second measured charging period has begun. If not, a counterpart of step 160 first start, designated step 164 second start, is made, followed by step 154 of memory update, as described above; otherwise, a second test step 166 of the second period to determine whether the second period has not expired, in which case the control is passed to memory update step 154, as described above; otherwise, an option for unlimited use is presented on the television monitor 14 in a step 168 of unlimited offer, after which, an acceptance test step 170 is carried out to determine the acceptance of the offer by the user. Once accepted, the control goes to step 154 of memory upgrade to store the unlimited use choice; otherwise, an alternative option is presented in a single-use step 172, which is followed by a counterpart of step 170 of the acceptance test. If accepted, the control returns to step 164 of the second start, followed by memory update step 154 for storage of the acceptance and initialization of the "second" collection period. If the single use offer is reneged, an authorization exit 174 is taken to reflect the fact in returning to the movie routine 108B. After the collection routine 150, the control is passed from the movie routine 108B to the payment test step 176 to determine if a usage was requested beyond that previously paid. If not, the key required to decode is requested from the key memory apparatus 38 in a key obtaining step 178, and a key test step 180 is carried out to determine a successful access to the keys. If the key was available in the apparatus 38 (or anywhere else within the transaction unit 18), the control is passed to the decoding start step 182 to continue reading the compact disc 22 beyond the initial decoded portion. . Upon completion of the reading of the movie, the program control returns to the ejection step 110 of the main routine 100. If it is not available in the transaction unit 18, the decoding key is obtained by telephone, using the work network of transactions 42 in a TPF key obtaining step 184, followed by a key storage step 186, in which the key is stored in an appropriate non-volatile memory (of the key memory apparatus 38). From the payment test step 176, a payment request step 188 is carried out where an appropriate message is sent to the television monitor 14 to request the authorization of the payment request. An authorization test step 190 returns the control to the collection routine 150 if authorized; otherwise, the control goes to the main routine 100 for ejection without continuing to read the compact disc 22. As described above, the first period of use begins from the first time it is used, not when the compact disc 22 leaves the store . The second period of use may begin at any later time. This point of view provides the consumer with more convenient and more cost-effective means of obtaining films than the rental services for time in traditional video stores. If the user subsequently decides to acquire periods of use of an additional 24 hours, no further action is required on their part. He only runs the compact disc 22 in the transaction unit 18, and an increased usage charge will be automatically charged to his account. Also, the user can at the same time decide to buy the movie for unlimited use, this transaction can also be implemented from the comfort of the home in the transaction unit 18.

Other uses The system 10 is also designed for the user to play video games and other compact discs 22 for multimedia entertainment using the control lever unit 34 for playing games or navigating through multimedia applications. The compact disks for personal computers with existing multimedia can be used in the system 10, the person who publishes them has the ability to change the combination of price and / or use in the TPF 40. The reading unit of the terminal 20 of the system 10 also has the ability to read compact discs formatted for common audio, like a standard CD player, the transaction unit 18 has stereo outputs to connect the amplifier or surround sound system to provide high fidelity sound. The selection of tracks and other functions can be selected with the remote controller 36. The transaction unit 18 can be configured to further allow the user to present images on a compact disc of Kodak® photographs, the images will be viewed using the remote controller 36 with the computer programs to access the compact disc of photography. The transaction unit 18 is like a combination of a compact disc player, a personal computer with multimedia and a laser disc player, all of them within a box about the size of a VCR. Accordingly, the transaction unit 18 provides a subset of operations and connections found in all of these entertainment systems, in addition to the memory connector 26 (and / or the flash memory of the transaction controller 30), the transaction connector 28 and the transaction controller 30. As described above, the correlation of the mass storage element 22 with the transactions involving it is achieved through the operation of a sales terminal 54, wherein the particular serial numbers of the compact disks 22 which are sold by the vendor are read by a bar code reader 58, and are transmitted to index 48 in the TPF 40. At the same time (or at another time), other information unique to the user can in turn be transmitted from the sales terminal 54 to the index 48 to correlate the sale of the vendor of the item 22. Also, the transaction terminal 18 provides a correlation of the item With the transactions of user use by operations of the bar code reader 23 in conjunction with the key memory apparatus 38, the key memory apparatus 38 (or other memory in the terminal 18) is loaded with the User information and the serial number of the authorization as provided by the TPF 40.

Another correlation capability is achieved by locating blocks or ranges of serial numbers of mass storage elements 22 that are delivered to particular vendors, that information is stored in index 48 of TPF 40. When the user of terminal 18 attempt to use the mass storage element or compact disc 22, the serial number is read with the barcode reader 23, the number is apt to be correlated with the corresponding number (or range containing that number) in the index 48 for the association of item 22 with the particular seller who sold it, thus allowing payment for the use of item 22 beyond the initial sale made by the seller. In this example, the correlation, which is also based on the serial number of the compact disc 22, is first done by communicating with the TPF 40 through the work network terminal 42, with the appropriate authorization and information for the decoding, being stored in the key memory apparatus 38, subsequent uses in accordance with the authorization are verified by the transaction terminal 18. In another example, the title and other information identifying the particular work sold, the type of sale (limited or unlimited use) and the buyer is transmitted from the sales terminal 54 to the TPF 40 through the provider's work network 42 'for storage in the index 48. The correlation is obtained in the terminal of transactions 12 as in the previous example, based on the title and other identification information (but not a unique serial number) under the presumption that only a copy of a particular job would be purchased by a single user, or the copy in use is the most recently purchased by the user. Thus, the use of bar code readers 23 or 58 is not required. In this example, the title and other information necessary to identify a particular job is stored in index 48, together with the information that identifies the seller and to the buyer (user).

Alternative Configuration With reference to Figures 7 to 10, an alternative configuration of the transaction unit has a counterpart of the key memory apparatus 38 integrally incorporated with a counterpart of the transaction controller, designated 30 *. Figure 7 shows the controller 30 ', including a computer processor 60, system memory, including ROM 62, RAM memory 64 and a DRAM 66 connected to a system 68, the DRAM 66 is also directly connected to the processor 60. The processor 60, which is shown in greater detail in Figure 8, has therein a first parallel port 60A connected to the power connector 32, and a second parallel port 60B, connected to a counterpart of the key connector 26, designated expansion connector 26", which provides expansion and the ability of a local information exchange, as described below.The processor 60 also includes a serial port / time meter 60C that is connected to the transaction connector 28, and an IDE connector that is connected to the reading unit of the terminal 20. Moreover, the processor 60 includes a high-speed connector 60E which supplies a secure processing unit (SPU) 70 that provides other functions of the key-memory apparatus 38, as described below, and a video block 72 shown in Figure 10 and described below, the SPU 70 and the video block 72 are also connected to the system 68, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 7. Furthermore, the processor 60 includes a DRAM controller 60F and an interrupt controller 60G that is connected to the switch lines of the system 68, the switch lines are also connected to the power connector 32 to respond to the intervention operator. The DRAM controller feeds addresses and control signals to the DRAM 66, the memory information is communicated bidirectionally through the system 68. A device suitable for use as a computer processor 60 is available as the MC68EC000"flex core" from Motorola, Phoenix, Arizona The ROM 62 can have a conventional 512K x 16 bit configuration, the RAM memory 64 can be implemented as 2 megabytes of storage in the disk reader, and the DRAM 66 can have a conventional 256K x 16 configuration having a access time of 80 nS. The secure processing unit or SPU 70 is responsible for all encryption, decoding, transactions and security requirements of the transaction unit 18. An SRAM 74 is connected to the SPU 72 separately in relation to the system 68 to maintain the contents of the system. same insurance against unauthorized uses. For example, the expansion connector 26"is a signature computing program programmed to access the terminal reading unit, the transaction connector 28 and the SPU 70, but not the restricted information that is stored in the SRAM 74 The SRAM 74 can be implemented as a conventional 32K x 8 COMS device.The SPU 70 contains a limited amount of on-chip memory for storage of information and transactions.Additional information can be encoded and stored in the main memory of the system (the flash memory in RAM 64 and DRAM 66. SPU 70 attempts to provide a sustained decoding type of 1.2 MBbs.The SPU can be a master system apparatus, with conventional arbitration logic (not illustrated) implemented between the SPU and the 60 processor The public key cryptographic algorithms can be used to manage the key distribution and to provide a digital signature capability to the transaction unit 18. The SPU 70 contains the secret keys of the secret / public key pairs that are unique to each SPU 70 of the multimedia system 10. As indicated above, the secret / public key protocol, including encoding and decoding, as illustrated in United States Patent Number 4,405,829, is included under license from RSA Data Security Corp. SPU 70 generates digital signatures when it communicates with TPF 40. Digital signatures are verified by SPU 70 before of certain restricted information, as the catalogs and instructions of the TPF 40 are allowed to be processed by the transaction unit 18. It is expected that the SPU 70 incorporates other physical and functional characteristics that provide an unauthorized interrogation and / or turn back to engineering impossible or impractical. Such features may include isolation of internal memory address sites from external connections until the appropriate access codes are applied and electromagnetic blocking to block X-ray analysis, for example. An apparatus suitable for use as the SPU 70 is available based on internal reference number SPU2.0 / PV3, from National Semiconductor Corp, of Sunnyvale, California. Figure 9 shows a preferred implementation of the reading unit of terminal 20, implemented in a conventional manner for reading movies, except that quad-density reproduction is contemplated. It will be understood that the total capacity of each compact disc 22 is proportional to the recording density and the effective area of the recording medium. In this way there is an exchange between the size and density of the compact disc 22 to obtain a desired duration time, using an established recording format. Also illustrated in Figure 9 is a separate audio output for use in the reproduction of conventional audio discs, said output can directly lead an audio decoder that is described below in relation to Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, An exemplary implementation of the video block 72 includes a decomposition processor 76 for films having internally connected memory, including a ROM 78, an SRAM 80 and a DRAM 82. The decoder 76 supplies a digital audio converter 84 and an NTSC 86 encoder. which feed respective audio and video signals analogous to the television monitor 14. The ROM 78 can have a capacity of 64 Kb, the SRAM can be organized as 4 x 256K x 16 bits having a time of 70 nS. An apparatus suitable for use as the decompression processor 76 is available as the IIT 3201 MPP, available from Integrated Information Technology, Inc., of Santa Clara, California. As an alternative, the DRAM 82 can incorporate the functions of the ROM 78 and the SRAM 80, being operated in the fast page mode with an access time of 45 nS. Another apparatus suitable for use as the decompression processor 76 is available as STI3500A, available from SGS-Thomson Microelectronics Inc., of Carrollton, Texas. An apparatus available for use as the digital audio converter 84 is available as TDA 1310 from Phillips Semiconductor of Sunnyvale, California. An apparatus suitable for use as the NTSC 86 encoder is available as SAA 7188A from Phillips Semiconductor. As described above, the serial code 24 may be located either inside or outside the bar code produced in conventional series. Particularly advantageous locations for the serial code 24 are outside the mass recorded information, but within the physical range and suitable for being read by the main reading head 234. With further reference to Figures 11, 12 and 15, a significant configuration and preferred of the storage element (CD) 22 has the serial code 24 located within the main storage information 224 and outside the mass recorded information, the mass recorded information is substantially confined within the radial boundary R, the code serial 24 occupies a thin wide ring? R, as shown in Figure 11. More particularly, the width? R can be inside the Aleadout region? 226, as shown in Figure 15, the initial region 226 has the special information of the same that characterizes that region. As also illustrated in Figure 15, the initial region 226 surrounds the main information region 228 which contains the mass recorded information of the work that will be output from the terminal reading unit 20, the main information region 228 has a radius Rx interior, the regions 226, 228 and 230 are within the main storage information 224. Figure 11 shows a process 300 for producing the compact disc 22, including a master step 302 for preparing a master disk, followed by a step 304 mass recording, in which the counterparts of the master disk are copied onto a multiplicity of substrates 222 having the main storage information 224 therein. Typically, mass recording step 304 may include pressure molding of substrate 222, followed by the application of a reflective metal layer. It will be understood that the information may be recorded in encoded form, and that the information may be encoded differently on different substrates 22. A serializer apparatus 306 is then used in the process 300, the apparatus 306 having a counter 308 is increased with the passage of each of the substrates recorded in mass, by feeding a serial number Sn to an encoder 310. The serial number Sn can vary from 1 to N, where N is the total number of mass recordings of a single disk teacher. It will be understood that other protocols for serial numbers are taken into account. The encoder 310 scrambles the serial number, either alone or in combination with other information, such as a work identifier and / or authorization level, as explained above, and feeds the resulting code to a 312 shift recorder. The composite code is presented in serial form by the shift recorder 312 to a reader 314 which feeds a selective radiation apparatus such as, for example, a laser engraver 316 to selectively alter the main storage information 224, thus creating the serial code 24 of the compact disc 22. The laser engraver 316 may include a conventional fixed laser apparatus operating in conjunction with an acoustic optical modulator (AOM) and an optical focusing system for selectively irradiating a region of approximately 25 microns in diameter sufficiently to record the metallic layer of the compact disc 22, the compact disc 22 rotates by default by the counterpart of the lect One of discs 236, designated 318. Thus, process 300 in the exemplary configuration of Figure 11 includes the remaining steps of counting compact discs 22 to generate a unique serial number associated with each copy of the master disc, encoding the number of discs. series and writing the encoded result as the serial code 24 within the main storage information 224 of the finished compact disc 22. It will be understood that the generation of serial code 24 in a single step, as described above, results in the width? R of approximately 25 microns. Alternatively, the focusing system of the laser engraver 316 can be configured to produce a radially narrower cut and the serial code 24 could be generated in multiple passes (rotations of the substrate 222) with the engraving carried out by progressively changing the radius to form the serial code 24 with the width? F, which is greater than the engraving width in the desired quantity. In addition, the engraving can be carried out on segments that are angularly dispersed to preserve the content of sufficient information from the Aleadout information? to retain a functionality, such as for the location of the servo head. The disc reader 318 may include counterparts of the main reading head 234 and associated components (not shown) to verify the successful completion of the engraving and initialize the appropriate corrective action, if necessary. As also shown in Figure 9, discussed above, the reading unit 20 includes a CD ROM mechanism 240 and a laser / diode amplifier 244 supply, the above diode amplifier has a main output 244 which feeds the decoder 246. of the compact disk and a digital servo circuit 248 that controls the movement of the main reading head 234 (Figure IA). Figure 12 shows a preferred configuration of the reading unit 20 for use with the compact disks 22, as was produced by the process 300. As with several conventional compact disc readers of the prior art, the main reading head 234 has mobility outward beyond the limits of the radius R for purposes known to those skilled in the art, the main storage information of conventional compact disc elements extends, in turn, in that way. The reading unit 20 of Figure 12 includes a preamplifier 250 which supplies a main amplifier 252, producing the main output 244 for use as shown in Figure 9, above, the preamplifier 250 and the main amplifier 252 correspond together to the diode amplifier in the circuit block 242 in Figure 9. In accordance with the present invention, the counterpart of the diode amplifier of Figure 21 has an auxiliary output 254 which is fed by the upward flow of the main amplifier 252, as by an auxiliary amplifier. 256 which is driven by the preamplifier 250.

It is estimated that the density of the serial code information 24 is generally significantly less than that of the mass recorded information, and while the main amplifier 252 is better optimized for high frequencies over a limited bandwidth, it is preferred that auxiliary output 254 provides useful signals at a much lower frequency. Also, the 2550 preamplifier is optional, but, if present, it should not cut the signal components completely if they have frequencies below the bandwidth of the main amplifier 252. Furthermore, in implementations that include the preamplifier 250, the amplifier Auxiliary 256 is optional. However, while the output of the main amplifier 22 is usually digital (fragmented or binary), the output of the auxiliary amplifier 256 can be analog (linear) or digital. With further reference to Figures 13 and 14, another factor in detecting the auxiliary code 24 is that the reflectivity of the recorded regions of the compact disks 22 is much less than that of the regions having a reflective layer on a smooth surface that does not It is interrupted by holes, spaced approximately 0.5 microns in diameter. As illustrated in Figure 13, the main amplifier 252 responds to a first high reflectivity 258 and a second low reflectivity 260 of the information recorded in mass, the recorded regions of the serial code 24 have a much lower third reflectivity 262. In this way, the main amplifier 252 can be balanced to detect the reflectivity 264 of the information threshold that is between the second and third reflectivities. Figure 14 shows in simplified form an implementation of the amplifiers 250, 252 and 256 that apply to the previous considerations. The main amplifier 252 in Figure 14 has a main band jump amplifier 268 which powers a main comparator 270 having an information input input D corresponding to the threshold reflectivity of the information 264. Similarly, the auxiliary amplifier 256 includes an auxiliary band jump amplifier 272 that feeds an auxiliary comparator having a serial code reference input C corresponding to the reflectivity 266 of the serial code threshold. It is estimated that the type of bit of the main information is of the order of 50 times or greater than that of the auxiliary information, thus facilitating discrimination between the output signals of the main output 254, using the amplifiers jump bands 268 and 272. For example, it is estimated that with the substrate 222 moving at a speed of 3.27 meters per second in relation to the main reading head 234, the mass recorded information has a bit type in channel of approximately 24 Mbits / second. , wherein the type of auxiliary information of serial code 24 is approximately 164 Kbits / second. As also shown in Figure 15, the dimensional parameters of the DVD discs currently contemplated include an external diameter of the substrate of DS of 120 millimeters, the outer radius R0 of the region of the main information is of a maximum radius of 58 millimeters, the initial region 226 has a maximum radius RL that is 58.5 millimeters. A maximum "wobble" or eccentricity of the recorded tracks of these DVDs is 100 microns in total, which includes 40 microns between the tracks and the diameter of the substrate 222, 40 microns for the disk reader 236 and 20 microns for various contributions, such as variations in the location of the substrate 222 on the disc reader 236. It is also contemplated that the tracks are spaced approximately one mite from center to center. Within these imperatives, a favorite site of serial code 24 is near the outside of the initial region. In the exemplary case of the width? R of approximately 25 micras, the serial code 24 can be positioned between an internal radius Rl of about 58.555 microns and an outer radius R2 of about 580 microns. In one variation, the width? R is increased to approximately 125 microns to have a reliable detection without servo localization, Rl is reduced to approximately 58,355 microns. As also shown in Figure 15, the serial code 24 is preferably distributed in annularly spaced segments 24A, 24B, 24C, etc., with padding information of the main region 226 interposed between the segments to allow the servo location of the main reading head 234.

Conion The system of the present invention provides the ability to shop at home, by selecting a wide range of interactive multimedia catalogs, several of the items illustrated using videos, the ordered items are automatically sent to the user's door. You can also watch movies complete in the system, the user buys the movie in a video rental store, a small fee is charged to the user each time he sees the movie, with the option to buy the rights for unlimited private use. The system of the present invention also allows to play video games and educational multimedia applications, such as multimedia encyclopedias, either by adding appropriate initial information or by configuring the system 10, directly reading the CD ROM discs that are currently available for personal computers. System 10 can also be implemented to play open-format compact discs, such as standard audio and video compact discs, as well as Kodak® compact discs, images are viewed using the television in the user's home. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. For example, the compact disc element 22 may be sold with authorization for a single reproduction or for multiple reproductions during a single time interval, with subsequent reproductions or authorized time slots that are contracted to use the transaction unit 18, as described previously. The authorization can be for a predetermined number of reproductions in an unlimited time interval. Also, the option for unlimited reproduction can be omitted or offered based on switches that are loaded from TPF 40. Similarly, the duration of the specific reproductions authorization and the price thereof can also be altered by loading these switches. Compact disc elements can be provided without the free advance portions. The initialization and / or operation of the transaction unit 18 can be implemented by communicating with the TPF 40 initiated only by the transaction connector 28 to avoid audible rings on the telephone that could be presented at the user's premises. computer-programmed games can be developed specifically for the system 10, and the system 10 can ine a slot for the cartridges that allows the addition of electronics for the use of the games using a third person. Moreover, the correlation of sellers with user transactions can be based on the number of copies of particular jobs with which each vendor has contributed (through creation, production, sale). Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims (73)

1. An interactive multimedia system that provides management of personalized transactions, comprising: (a) a transaction terminal that includes: (i) a terminal reading unit to access at least one massive item containing recorded information; (ii) an audio and video output connector for feeding portions of the recorded information to one or more output devices; (iii) a transaction connector for electronic bidirectional communications with an external unit; and (iv) control means for the terminal to activate the output connector and the response connector to the operator of the unit; (b) a unit to process transactions (TPF) that includes; (i) a database processor; and (ii) a terminal connector for electronic bidirectional communications between the transaction connector and the database processor; (c) means for correlating the mass storage element with a particular transaction; and (d) means to measure the use of the element based on the particulars of the transaction.

The system of claim 1, wherein the TPF further comprises a connector that provides bidirectional electronic communications between a plurality of vendors and the database processor, the means for correlating are operative to identify one of the vendors in particular and means for measuring comprise means for crediting a particular vendor with a predetermined amount based on the use of the mass storage item.

The system of claim 1, wherein the control of the terminal includes a manual remote control unit for receiving at least a portion of the operator's power.

The system of claim 1, wherein the transaction terminal comprises a key memory for storing the authorization information to be compared with the user's power, the control means inhibit at least some operations of the first unit of reading, unless the user's feed is equal to a predetermined portion of the authorization information.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for updating key memory using the transaction connector.

The system of claim 1, wherein the authorization information includes a key code and the means for correlating the mass storage element comprises an index of key codes and mass storage elements authorized for use under its codes of corresponding keys.

The system of claim 6, further comprising means for updating the index based on the use of the mass storage element.

The system of claim 6, wherein the index further includes the identification of vendors who have prospective rights in the authorized use of the mass storage elements.

The system of claim 8, wherein the mass storage element is one of a multiplicity of elements that have the recorded information corresponding to identical information and include the identification of the work, the means of control of the terminal are operative to indicate the identification of the work to the TPF using the transaction connector, the index has for each of the elements a unique serial identifier, the means for correlating the mass storage element also comprise: (a) means for locating a particular serial identification in the index using the identification of the job and the code of keys, as indicated by the reading unit of the terminal; and (b) the means for reading one of the particular vendors of the index by association with serial identification.

The system of claim 4, wherein the transaction terminal further comprises a key connector for interrogating a key authorization apparatus.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the key apparatus is a coded card, the key connector is operative to signal a key code of a card to the terminal control means.

The system of claim 11, wherein the transaction terminal is operative to compare the key code with a plurality of authorization codes, each of the authorization codes corresponds to a separate user account.

The system of claim 11, wherein the key apparatus includes write and read memory elements for storing transaction information.

The system of claim 2, wherein: (a) the transaction terminal further comprises a key connector for interrogating the authorization key apparatus to obtain a key code; and (b) the system further comprises a plurality of sales terminals for use by at least some of the vendors to communicate with the TPF, each sales terminal has a key reader for reading the key code of the key apparatus, the TPF has the means to update the index based on transactions with someone who owns the card.

The system of claim 10, wherein a key connector is operative to signal a key code from the apparatus to the terminal control means and the means for correlating the mass storage element comprises a code index of keys and mass storage elements authorized to be used under each of the respective key codes.

The system of claim 15, wherein the mass storage element is one of a multiplicity of elements that have the recorded information corresponding to the identical information and include the job identification, the terminal control means are operative for point out the identification of the work to the TPF using the transaction connector, the index has for each of the elements a unique serial identifier and an identifier of the seller that has respective rights over the authorized use of the mass storage element under the key codes in in particular, the means for correlating the mass storage element further comprises: (a) means for locating the particular serial identification in the index using the job identification and the key code, as indicated by the terminal reading unit; and (b) the means to read the index vendor by association with the serial identifier.

The system of claim 1, wherein the mass storage element is one of a multiplicity of elements having the recorded information corresponding to the identical information, each of the elements also having a serial identification suitable to be read by the single machine, the terminal reading unit comprises means for signaling the serial identification to the terminal control means, the means for correlating the mass storage element comprise: (a) an index of serial identifications associated with the vendors in particular; (b) the means for comparing a particular serial identification, as indicated by the terminal reading unit with the serial identifications of the index; and (c) the means to read a particular vendor of the index in response to the means for comparison.

The system of claim 17, wherein the serial identification is a bar code and the means for signaling the serial identification comprises a barcode reader.

The system of claim 17, wherein the index includes information of the stored usage rates associated with the serial identifications and means for the measurement include means for charging an amount to the user and crediting a seller's account in accordance with the information of the rate of use.

The system of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of sales terminals for use by at least some of the vendors to communicate with the TPF, each sales terminal having a serial identification reader to read the serial identifications associated with the massive storage elements, the TPF has means to update the index based on the communications with the sales terminals.

The system of claim 20, wherein at least some of the sales terminals further comprise a key reader for reading a key code of an apparatus owned by the buyer of a mass storage item.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the recorded information of the mass storage element includes the information of the vendor., and wherein the transaction terminal further comprises the means to receive and store updates to the information from the TPF, using the transaction connector and the use of the mass storage element includes the feeding of one or more output devices based on the combination of portions of recorded information and information updates.

The system of claim 22, wherein the use of the mass storage element includes the selection and ordering of catalog items, the information updates include the catalog updates, the system further comprises the means to signal and conform the catalog orders using the transaction connector.

The system of claim 22, wherein the transaction terminal further comprises a key memory for storing the authorization information that will be compared to the user's power, the control means inhibits at least some functions of the unit. reading of the terminal, unless the user's power is equal to a predetermined portion of the authorization information.

The system of claim 22, wherein the transaction terminal includes means for comparing the initial information of the mass storage element with the predetermined information to verify the authenticity of the information and the means to inhibit at least some of the functions of the terminal reading unit, unless at least some portion of the initial information equals the predetermined information.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the mass storage element is one of a multiplicity of elements having the recorded information corresponding to the identical information, each of the elements also having a serial identification suitable to be read by the single machine, the terminal reading unit comprises means for signaling the serial identification to the terminal control means based on the use of each of the corresponding elements, the means for correlating the mass storage element comprise: (a ) an index of serial identifications authorized for the use of particular users; and (b) the means to determine the uses of the elements by comparing the serial identifiers in particular, as indicated by the reading unit of the terminal with the serial identifications of the index.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the identifier includes the authorization status information.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein at least a portion of the serial identification is capable of being recorded by the terminal reading unit, the system is capable of updating the authorization status information of the serial identification in response to the user's transaction.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the mass storage element is a CD-R disc, and the serial identification is recorded together with other information recorded on the mass information element.

30. The memory system comprising a reading unit for accessing at least one selected mass storage element containing recorded information, wherein the mass storage element is one of a multiplicity of elements having the information recorded corresponding to the information identical in main information tracks, each of the elements also has a serial identification apt to be read by the unique machine located in a region of auxiliary information exclusive of the main information tracks, the system has an output connector to feed portions of the recorded information to one or more output devices and means for signaling the serial identification of the reading unit to an external device, wherein the reading unit includes an information head that can be moved relative to the reading element. mass storage to read at least a portion of the recorded data , the information head can also operate to scan the serial identification, at least 200 parts of serial identification information being able to be read by the track information head different from the main information tracks.

The system of claim 30, wherein approximately 2,000 pieces of serial identification information can be read on the different tracks of the main information tracks.

32. The system of claim 30, further comprising a controller for operating the reading unit and having: (a) means for receiving power from the operator; and (b) means for accessing the authorization information, the controller inhibits at least some of the operations of the reading unit, unless the user's power is equal to the predetermined portion of the authorization information.

The system of claim 30, wherein the means for signaling serial identification is operational when at least a portion of the serial identification is contained in a single auxiliary information track having at least 200 parts of serial identification information. .

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the means for signaling are operative when the serial identification contains approximately 2000 parts of auxiliary information.

35. The system of claims 30-34, wherein the means for signaling are operative when the serial identification is located within an output region of the mass storage element.

36. The system of claims 26 or 30, further comprising means for determining the use of pirate counterparts of the elements, comprising: (a) an index of authorized serial identifications; (b) the means to store the information corresponding to the uses of the elements that have serial identifications in particular; and (c) the means of determining unbelieving uses that give evidence of unauthorized duplication of the elements, based on one or more of a time elapsed between successive uses involving the same serial identification, the presentation of simultaneous uses, geographic distances between locations of successive uses, and the entry of the operator.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the recorded information of the mass storage element includes an identification of the work, and wherein the means to determine the unbelieving uses is also based on the correlation of the identification of the work with an identification of the work corresponding to the index.

38. The system of claim 36, further comprising: (a) an index of the authorized identifications; and (b) the means to determine the use of the elements by comparing the particular serial identification, as indicated by the reading unit with the identifications of the index.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the index has the serial identifications associated with the particular users.

40. The system of claim 39, further comprising the means for determining a key code for the reading unit, and wherein the means for determining unbelieving uses are further based on the correlation of the key code with the index of keys. identifications of the users.

41. The system of claim 39, further comprising the means for receiving the user's power, and wherein the means for determining unbelieving uses is further based on the correlation of the user's power with the identifications of the user of the index.

42. The system of claim 30, further comprising means for receiving the user's power and means for maintaining an index of user codes corresponding to the users' power, the index includes counterparts of the serial identifications. unique to the mass storage elements authorized to be used under their respective user codes, the system is operative to prevent unauthorized uses of the elements.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the recorded information of the mass storage element includes the identification of the work, the system is operative to signal the identification of the work to the external apparatus, the system is operative to transmit the authorization code to the external device to be used in conjunction with the recorded information of the mass storage element.

44. The system of claim 30, further comprising: (a) an index of the identifications of the elements corresponding to the serial identifications of the elements; (b) the means to compare a serial identification, in particular as indicated by the reading unit with the identifications of the elements of the index; and (c) the means to allow the use of the recorded information in response to the means of comparison.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the serial identification is a bar code and the means for signaling the serial identification comprises a barcode reader.

46. The system of claims 26, 30, 42 or 44, wherein the mass storage element is selected from a group consisting of CD-ROMs, CD-Is, CD-Rs, CD-Vs, compact discs of video, compact discs of photography, CD-DAs and a disc DVD and the unit of reading is a reader of compact disks.

47. A method for reading mass-recorded information while preventing unauthorized uses of the latter, comprising the steps of: (a) producing recorded copies of particular works on respective information elements, each item having information corresponding to the Identical information in the main tracks of the same; (b) providing each element with a serial identification capable of being read by a single machine, in an auxiliary region of the same exclusive of the main tracks, after the step of producing the recorded copies; (c) providing an apparatus for reading the recorded information in conjunction with the authorization information, the apparatus also having an information head for reading at least a portion of the information from the main tracks, and the serial identification; (d) maintaining an index of the valid authorization codes associated with the particular serial identifications; (e) read the serial identification in relation to the attempt to read a copy; (f) receive a proposed authorization code; (g) conditionally providing the authorization information to the apparatus based on the equality of the proposed authorization code with an index authorization code for serial identification of the particular copy; and (h) read the copy as the authorization code increases.

48. A method for measuring the permitted uses of the recorded information according to the method of claim 47, comprising the following steps: (a) forming an index to include the authorization levels of the particular copies; (b) charge the authorization levels based on the successive uses of the information; (c) pay the authorization levels based on the transactions that involve the particular copies; and (d) condition the permits based on authorization levels.

49. The method of claim 48, comprising the step of maintaining at least one counterpart of the authorization level for a particular copy in a form that can be read by the machine in the copy.

50. The method of any of claims 47 to 49, wherein the step of producing the recorded copies includes the step of encoding the works and the step of reading the copies includes the step of decoding the copies using a portion of the code of authorization.

51. A mass storage element comprising: (a) a substrate; (b) a main storage information on the substrate storing a multiplicity of main information elements; the main information elements can be read from a plurality of main information tracks with the means of the information head, when the information head moves in a predetermined main path relative to the substrate; and (c) an auxiliary storage information for recording and storing a plurality of auxiliary information elements in at least one auxiliary information track, wherein the auxiliary information contains at least 200 information parts, the auxiliary information elements being read by the information head element, when the information head element moves in an auxiliary path previously determined in relation to the substrate, the auxiliary path being exclusive of the main information tracks.

52. The storage element of claim 51, wherein at least a portion of the auxiliary information elements is contained in a single track of the auxiliary information having a plurality of auxiliary information parts of the serial identification.

53. The mass storage element of claim 52, wherein the serial identification contains approximately 2,000 pieces of information.

54. The mass storage element of claim 51, wherein the elements of the main information are substantially read only in characters.

55. The mass storage element of claim 54, wherein the main storage information is adapted to receive the main information elements by pressure molding.

56. The mass storage element of claim 51, wherein the main storage information is adapted to receive the main information elements by selective radiation.

57. The mass storage element of claim 51, wherein the main information elements can be read optically.

58. The mass storage element of claim 51, wherein the substrate and the main storage information are configured as a rotating compact disk.

59. The mass storage element of claims 51 to 58, wherein the auxiliary storage information is adapted to receive the auxiliary information elements by selective radiation.

60. A mass storage reader incorporating the mass storage element of claim 51, and further comprising: (a) the means for reading the main information elements; (b) an information head to read the main information elements; (c) the means for the auxiliary head for reading the auxiliary information elements; and (d) the means for reading to move the substrate in a predetermined path relative to the information head and the auxiliary head means for the operation thereof.

61. The mass storage reader of claim 60, wherein the information head is an optical head.

62. The mass storage reader of claim 60, further comprising a head circuit including a main amplifier having a main output for signaling the main information elements in response to the information head, the circuit also having a Separate auxiliary output to signal the auxiliary information elements in response to the information head.

63. The mass storage reader of claim 62, the head circuit further comprising an auxiliary amplifier for reading the auxiliary output in response to the information head.

64. The mass storage reader of claim 63, the main amplifier having a first effective frequency response to pass the main information elements, the auxiliary amplifier having a second frequency response to pass the auxiliary information elements, blocking the second frequency response substantially to the main information elements.

65. The mass storage reader of claim 63, the main amplifier having a first effective reference connection for balancing the main output in relation to a threshold information output of the information head, when the information head is reading the elements. of main information, the auxiliary amplifier having a second effective reference connection for balancing the auxiliary output in relation to a threshold output of the serial code of the information head, when the information head is reading the auxiliary information elements.

66. The mass storage reader of any of claims 60 to 65, wherein the mass storage element is a compact disk, and the reading element comprises an element for rotating the disk.

67. A method for making a multiplicity of mass storage elements in series having mass recorded information representing identical information, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a master disk; (b) recording counterparts of the master disk over a multiplicity of mass storage elements having respective primary information regions; (c) generate a unique serial number associated with each of the teacher's recordings; and (d) writing a serial code corresponding to the serial number of each mass storage element, selectively altering the storage element in further outside the main information region thereof, thereby the elements being.

68. The method of claim 67, comprising the step of encoding the serial number, the respective serial codes of the elements corresponding to the serial numbers as coded.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein the step of writing the serial codes comprises the selective radiation of the mass storage elements.

70. The method of claim 67, 68 or 69, wherein each mass storage element has a control region outside the main information region and the step of altering the mass storage elements comprises the selective alteration of the storage region. control of it.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the step of the alteration is carried out in a sufficiently distanced relationship from the main information region to preserve the functionality of the control region adjacent to the main information region.

72. The method of claim 70, wherein the step of the alteration comprises the steps of separately altering the subregions of the control region corresponding to the respective portions of each serial code and the separation of the subregions sufficiently within the control region to preserve the functionality of the control region.

73. The method of claim 70, wherein the mass storage elements are compact disks, the control region is a leader region having the characteristic information recorded therein and the step of altering comprises the following steps: (a) turn each of the discs; (b) the modulation of an engraving apparatus with counterparts of the serial codes; and (c) directing the radiation of the engraving apparatus within the leading region of each of the discs.