WO2008048747A2

WO2008048747A2 - Disc with optical shutter

Info

Publication number: WO2008048747A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/077525
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Atkinson; James R. Kruest; Eric Mikuteit; Rick Marquardt
Original assignee: Kestrel Wireless Inc.
Priority date: 2006-09-05
Filing date: 2007-09-04
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Also published as: WO2008048747A3

Abstract

An optical disc is provided with an internal optical shutter. The optical shutter may be, for example, an electro-optic or electrochromic device. The optical shutter may cooperate with an antenna and an RF circuit for selectively setting the state of the switch. In one state, the switch makes the optical disc unreadable, and in the switch's activated state, the optical disc plays normally. The optical disc may be constructed using a cap substrate bonded to a data substrate. The electro-optic device is positioned on the inside surface of the cap. The antenna and RF circuit also may be positioned on the inside surface of the cap, or may be mounted externally. The data substrate has one or more data layers formatted for play in an associated DVD player, high definition player, CD player, or gaming console. In some constructions, the cap may also have one or more data layers.

Description

Disc with Optical Shutter

BACKGROUND

1. RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to US Patent application number 60/824,536, filed September 5, 2006, entitled "Disc with Optical Shutter"; and is related to U.S. patent application 11/259,578, filed October 26, 2005, entitled "Method and System for Selectively Controlling the Utility of a Target"; to U.S. patent application 11/460,816, filed July 28, 2006, entitled "Structures and Processes for Controlling Access to Optical Media"; to U.S. patent application 11/456,037, filed July 6, 2006, entitled "Devices and System for Authenticating and Securing Transactions Using RF Communication"; to U.S. patent application 11/457,428, filed July 13, 2006, entitled "Devices and Methods for RF communication with an Optical Disc"; and to U.S. patent application 11/461,113, filed July 31, 2006, entitled "Stable Electro-Chromic Device", all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

2. FIELD

[0002] The field of the present invention is to the construction of optical discs, and in particular, to an optical disc with a switchable optical shutter for selectively allowing access to content on the disc.

3. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0001] Theft is a serious and growing problem in the distribution of optical discs such as DVDs, CDs, and gaming discs. From the facility where they are manufactured to the retail point-of-sale (POS) where they are sold, optical discs are vulnerable to theft. Various security techniques are used to minimize the losses (video cameras, security staff, electronic tagging, storing discs behind locked cabinets, etc.). Despite these efforts, theft of DVD's, CD's, video games, and the like cost manufacturers and retailers billions of dollars per year. [0002] Such rampant theft increases the cost of manufacturing, shipping, and selling of discs. Each entity in the distribution chain is at risk for theft, and must take steps to reduce or control the level of theft. This cost is ultimately borne by the legitimate purchaser, which places an unfair "theft tax" on purchased discs. Also, since discs are so easily stolen from a retail environment, retailers must take extraordinary steps to secure products. For example, DVDs, CDs, and game discs are often packaged in oversized holders to make them more difficult to hide. These holders, however, also interfere with a consumers ability to interact with the disc's promotional material, ultimately making the disc less attractive to the consumer. In another example, retail stores may place their highest demand discs in locked cases. In this way, retail consumers are completely distanced from these discs, which reduces theft, but also makes the discs difficult to purchase. The consumer cannot read the full labeling on these locked-up discs, can not physically interact with them, and must get the attention of a retail clerk, who might have a key, in order to get to the disc. In another attempted solution, retail stores put security tags on discs, which are intended to be disabled at the check stand upon purchase. If a consumer leaves the store with a live tag, then an alarm sounds. A guard or clerk is expected to stop the consumer and determine if the consumer has shoplifted. This process may be dangerous for the guard or clerk, and, since many of the alarms are false, causes undo stress for law-abiding consumers.

[0003] None of these attempts to stop retail theft has worked, and all make the retail experience less attractive to the consumer. In this way, the retailer is in the untenable position of having to accommodate and accept a certain (and sometimes significant) level of theft in order to maintain an attractive and desirable retail environment for paying customers. Further, neither the oversized holders, the locked cases, nor the guards address the significant level of theft that occurs between the manufacturer's dock to the retail shelf. Accordingly, the entire distribution chain has resigned itself to an "acceptable" level of theft, and passes the cost of theft on to the legitimate consumer. [0004] In another challenge for the distribution of discs, it is often desirable to stock a retail location with many copies of a new movie release. Since most sales of a DVD occur within just a few days of its initial release, a retail location does not want to run out of a popular title. Accordingly, it is common to over-stock a retail location, and to return unsold discs for a credit. However, it is expensive and time consuming to physically return the discs and account for the proper credit. Indeed, the cost to package, ship, and account for returns may exceed the manufacturing cost of the disc and disc packaging. In this regard, it would be economically advantageous to recycle discs locally instead of sending back to the distributor, but since there is no way to confidently account for how many discs have been destroyed, such a process has not been implemented. Instead, the distributor, manufacturer, and studio need firm confirmation that a disc has been removed from the stream of commence, and the only way to do so is for a physical return of the discs.

[0005] The distribution of optical discs other challenges. For example, consumers want to choose content that has a particular set of functions or utility, and find it desirable to purchase applications or content matched to their specific needs. For example, a game may be offered with different skill levels, or a movie may be offered in different rating versions. Although this is desirable from the consumer's standpoint, it complicates the manufacturing, shipping, inventorying, shelving, and retailing processes. This problem exists in the configuration of DVDs, CDs, game discs, and music CDs, for example. For a specific example, a DVD movie disc may be available in a family version, a theater version, and an "uncut" version. Each has a different age restriction, and will appeal to different and significant markets. Accordingly, three different versions must be manufactured, shipped, inventoried, shelved, and managed. A similar problem exists with feature sets for games, computers, and other products.

[0006] In another challenge for the distribution of products, it is sometimes desirable to rent a product to a customer for a set period of time. A typical example of a rental business model is the rental of optical media, such as DVDs. Rental models for content stored in physical media, i.e. movies recorded on video tape or optical disc, are typically dependent on the physical distribution of the media and in particular the checking-out and checking-in of the media out of, or into the retailer's inventory. In time-period based rental models, charges are related to how long the consumer has the media, e.g. the period between when the media is checked-out and when it is checked-in. In max-out subscription models, charges are based on the number of media checked-out to a customer less those that have been checked-in. In a max-turn model, charges are related to how frequently media are checked-out, or checked-in, by the retailer. These rental models suffer from several significant limitations. First the transport costs for each rental are substantial no matter how often the item is rented. Second they impose delays between the rental and selection decisions and the consumption of the item rented.

[0007] The video rental business illustrates the some of the limitations of these models. With traditional video rental stores, every time a customer rents a movie he must go to the store to pick-up the movie and then must go back to the store to return it. The time-period for which the consumer is charged depends on when the movie is checked-out and when it is returned and checked-in to inventory. In this model, the consumer bears the transport cost in the form of trips to and from the video store. The consumer also incurs delays between the rental and selection decisions and the actual watching of the movie. The video store incurs high costs too in the form of rent, inventory and the cost of checking- out and checking in each movie rented. [0008] Even with alternative transport methods such as the US mail, there are always delays from the time when the movie is selected, when it is rented and when it is watched by the consumer. And if it is a max-out or max-turn model, there is a further delay until the movie is returned to the retailer, checked into inventory and another movie distributed to them. In both cases the retailer also incurs substantial recurring shipping and handling costs. Other transactions such as authorization, activation or authentication of tangible media such as tickets, coupons, vouchers, credit cards, product labels and tags, security devices, memory cards, removable computer storage devices (optical and electromagnetic), etc. share similar limitations.

SUMMARY

[0003] Briefly, the present invention provides an optical disc with an internal optical shutter. The optical shutter may be, for example, an electro-optic or electrochromic device. The optical shutter cooperates with an antenna and an RF circuit for selectively setting the state of the switch. In one state, the switch makes the optical disc unreadable, and in the switch's activated state, the optical disc plays normally. The optical disc may be constructed using a cap substrate bonded to a data substrate. The electro-optic device is positioned on the inside surface of the cap. The antenna and RF circuit also may be positioned on the inside surface of the cap, or may be mounted externally. The data substrate has one or more data layers formatted for play in an associated DVD player, high definition player, CD player, or gaming console. In some constructions, the cap may also have one or more data layers.

[0004] In one example, the optical disc is constructed with the electro-optic device, RF circuit, and antenna structure all positioned on the inside surface of the cap. In this way, the cap may be separately manufactured independent from the construction of the data substrate. Then, at a later time, the cap is bonded to the data substrate. The electro-optic device is positioned directly above the lead- in area of the data substrate, or other important information in the data area. The antenna and RF circuit are positioned in the clamping area. In some disc constructions, sufficient space exists between the cap and the data substrate for receiving the RF circuit and antenna. In other constructions, the cap or data substrate may be made thinner or recessed in the clamping area to accommodate the RF circuit or antenna. In this arrangement, the RF chip or antenna rests at least partially in a recess, thereby allowing the use of thicker components. The RF antenna may be constructed to efficiently receive a High Frequency (HF) or Ultra High Frequency (UHF) signal. In a more particular example, the RF antenna may receive and transmit in an RFID compliant frequency band (about 900MHz in the US) or at an NFC compliant frequency band (about 13.5 MHz in the US). It will be appreciated that other frequencies may be used according to application needs, or currently used communication standards. [0005] In a specific example, the optical disc is constructed to be comparable to a DVD9 disc, and has two data layers having similar capacity as the DVD9. This DVD9-comparable disc has a cap piece and a data substrate piece. The cap piece has an electro-optic device, RF circuit, and antenna positioned on the inside surface. The data substrate piece has two data layers, with the inside layer being a semi-reflective metal layer LO. In one process of making the data substrate, a fully reflective metal layer is deposited on a molded base substrate; a semi- reflective metal layer is deposited on a molded temporary substrate; the temporary substrate is inverted over the fully reflective metal layer; the semi- reflective metal layer is bonded to the fully reflective metal layer; and the temporary substrate is removed, exposing the semi-reflective metal layer. A protective coating may be disposed over the semi-reflective metal. In this way, the semi-reflective layer becomes the LO data layer, while the fully reflective metal layer becomes the Ll data layer.

[0006] The cap piece is bonded to the data substrate such that the electro- optic device is positioned directly above the lead-in area of the data layers, or is positioned over other important information in the data area. The electro-optic device is initially set to a state that interferes with a laser's ability to read the disc. Accordingly, the disc may be transported through the distribution chain in an unplayable state, thereby reducing the risk of theft. At an activation station, and ID and activation token are read from the RF circuit, and the activation station generates or retrieves and activation key. The activation key is transmitted to the RF circuit, and if the activation key matches a hidden secret code, and then the RF circuit switches the electro-optic device to a substantially transparent state. Once activated, the DVD9-comparable disc plays normally.

[0007] Advantageously, the optical disc with an internal optical shutter provides a selectively activatable optical disc. Since the internal optical shutter is not accessible without destroying the disc, the disc is immune to physical tampering. Since the disc is deactivated during the distribution process, and is simply activated for a legitimate consumer, the risk of theft is substantially reduce. Accordingly, the disc may be packaged and displayed without the need for onerous security measures, which simplifies the retail process, and makes shopping more enjoyable for the customer. Also, over-stock discs may be permanently disabled, with an accurate accounting available to prove actual quantity sold and disabled. With such a robust system, discs may be locally destroyed and recycled, thereby reducing the cost and burden of returning overstock discs. Finally, the new optical disc with shutter enables new distribution models that give the consumer more choice and flexibility in making entertainment choices. For example, a consumer may be part of a discdistribution program that periodically sends sets of disabled discs. These discs may remain unused in the consumer's disc library until the consumer decides to watch a particular disc. The consumer uses a home-based activation device, such as an NFC-enabled phone, to purchase and activate the selected disc. Once purchased and activated, the disc may be viewed normally. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where: [0009] Figure 1 is an illustration and cut-away view of an optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 is an exploded view of an optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 is an exploded view of an optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] Figure 4 is a diagram of a single sided optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a process for making an optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] Figure 6 is a diagram of a single sided optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] Figure 7 is a diagram of a single sided optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] Figure 8 is a diagram of alternative single sided optical discs in accordance with the present invention.

[0017] Figure 9 is a diagram of a DVD9-comparable disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0018] Figure 10 is a flowchart of a process for making an optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] Figure 11 is a diagram of a alternative optical discs in accordance with the present invention.

[0020] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a process for making an optical disc in accordance with the present invention. [0021] Figure 13 is a diagram of a single sided optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0022] Figure 14 is a diagram of a single sided optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0023] Figure 15 is a diagram of a single sided optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] Figure 16 is a diagram of a dual sided optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0025] Figure 17 is a diagram of a dual sided optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0026] Figure 18 is a diagram of a dual sided optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0027] Figure 19 is a diagram of alternative arrangements for an optical shutter system on a cap for an optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0028] Figure 20 is an illustration and cut-away view of an optical disc with an HF antenna in accordance with the present invention.

[0029] Figure 21 is diagram of making connection to a spiral HF antenna on an optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0030] Figure 22 is diagram of making connection to a spiral HF antenna on an optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0031] Figure 23 is flowchart of a process for making connection to a spiral

HF antenna on an optical disc in accordance with the present invention.

[0032] Figure 24 is an illustration and cut-away view of an optical disc with multiple optical shutters in accordance with the present invention.

[0033] All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these

Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions of any device or part of a device disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by their intended use. It will also be understood that selected detail information may not be illustrated to enable a more effective description of inventive structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Referring now to figure 1, an optical disc construction 10 is illustrated. Optical disc 12 may be, for example, comparable to a DVD9, a high definition DVD, a gaming disc, or an audio CD. It will be appreciated that optical disc 12 may be formed to be comparable with other data, image, video, sound, or gaming formats. Optical disc system 10 defines a new way to construct and manufacture discs, and has components not found on standard discs. Accordingly, disc 10 is different from industry standard disc definitions, but is made to be compatible with the industry standards, and to play in normal disc players. For example, disc 10 may be constructed to have the data format, density, and play characteristics of a standard DVD-9 disc. However, disc 10 is constructed differently than the standard DVD-9, so will be referred to as a "DVD9-comparable" disc. In a similar way, disc 10 may be constructed as a DVD5-comparable disc, DVD14-comparable disc, DVD18-comparable disc, DVDHD-comparable disc, or a Blu-ray-comparable disc.

[0035] Disc 12 has a top surface 13 that allows for transmission and reflection of laser light from an interrogating optical disc player. Side 13, typically referred to as the reading side, is positioned in the player so that the interrogating laser shines through top surface 13 and is reflected from a metallic data layer inside the disc. The reflected light is received by a receiver in the optical disc player, and the reflected light is detected and converted into meaningful information. Disc 12 typically has a center hole 17 and a clamping area 18 that is used by the optical disc player for aligning, securing, and driving the optical disc. The disc 12 may also have a raised stacking ring 19, which allows discs to be stacked with a small separation to protect the discs¹ surfaces. Just outside stacking ring 19, a burst cutting area 20 is provided. The burst cutting area 20 provides an area where disc information may be laser-engraved into an underlying metallic layer. The burst cutting area may hold information such as identification data, encryption data, or other information to be read by the optical disc player. A lead-in area 24 provides a few tracks of information important to file structure, menuing, or other factors for the information in the data area 26. The lead-in data and the data area information are contained in one or more data layers within disc 12. Some optical discs may have only one data layer, while some discs may be made with two or more layers. In the case of two layers, the top layer uses a semi-reflective metal that enables the optical player to access and read the other data layer. Typically, the data layer closer to the reading laser is referred to as the LO data layer, while the data layer further away from the laser is referred to as the Ll data layer. It will be appreciated that different formats of optical disc may have constructions varying from this description, but still are within the spirit of this disclosure. Also, even though some data layers are referred to as "fully reflective", it will be appreciated that less than all the light is reflected.

[0036] Disc 12 is illustrated with a cutaway portion 14, which exposes an inside portion 16 for the disc. Electro-optic device 21 is positioned inside the disc such that it sits in the path of the interrogating laser. More particularly, the electro-optic device 21 is positioned over a small area of the lead-in data 32 and data area 26. The area covered by the electro-optic device is selected so that when the laser is blocked from reading that information, the optical disc player is not able to properly read the information on disc 12. For example, the electro- optic device may be placed over important menuing, file structure, or other information. The size of the electro-optic device may be adjusted according to the specific type of disc, or according to the amount of distortion desired. It will be appreciated that a smaller area of electro-optic device may be more readily switched between states, thereby using less time and power for switch conversion. The electro-optic device 21 typically has two states. In a first state, the electro-optic device prevents an interrogating laser from properly reading disc 12. In a second state, the electro-optic device is in a state that enables disc 12 to be read normally. For example, the electro-optic device 21 may be in an opaque or fully reflective state, which would not allow an interrogating laser to properly read information covered by the electro-optic device 21. In this state, disc 12 is unreadable using a normal commercial optical disc player. However, upon being properly authorized and activated, the electro-optic device 21 is switched to a substantially clear or transparent state. In this second state, the disc may be read normally by its associated optical disc player. [0037] An RF chip 23 connects to the electro-optic device 21, and is used to determine when the electro-optic device should be switched between states. Accordingly, RF chip 23 contains sufficient logic, memory, and power conversion circuitry to make these determinations, as well as to power the electro-optic device. RF chip 23 also connects to antenna 25. Antenna 25 is used for communication with a cooperating reading device. The reading device may be used to transmit and receive data from RF chip 23, as well as to provide energy for powering RF chip 23. Antenna 25 may be constructed according to the specific RF frequency used. In one example, antenna 25 is a UHF antenna operating in an RFID-compatible frequency. This RFID frequency may be, for example, about 900 MHz. In another example, antenna 25 may be constructed as an HF antenna for supporting near field communication (NFC) frequencies. A typical NFC-compatible frequency is about 13.56 MHz. It will be appreciated that other radio frequency bands may be used according to application specific needs, and according to the then-used communication standards. [0038] In operation, the electro-optic device is positioned inside disc 12 during the manufacturing process, and is initially set to a state that disables a player's ability to read the disc. For example, the electro-optic device may be set to an opaque state such that an interrogating laser is unable to read important lead-in or data area information. In this way, the disabled disc may be transported through the entire distribution chain in a state where the disc is unplayable, and therefore has a substantially reduced threat of theft. At a point- of-sale location, which may be a point-of-sale checkout stand, a kiosk, a vending machine, or an at-home activation device, a consumer desires to purchase or activate the disc. An associated reading device communicates with the RF chip to extract an identification and an authorization token. The reading device retrieves or generates an authorization key, which is transmitted through the antenna to the RF chip. Provided the proper authorization key is received, the RF chip causes sufficient power to be applied to the electro-optic device to switch the electro-optic device to its second state. In this second state, an interrogating laser is able to normally read the lead in and data area information, and therefore the disc plays normally. It will be understood that the RF chip may have more or less intelligence depending on application requirements. For example, is some cases the RF chip may simply act responsive to an external "switch" signal, and in other cases may operate more sophisticated encryption processes. Although disc 12 is described using an RF communication from a reader to the disc, it will be appreciated that other communication paths may be used. For example, the disc may have contacts for a direct connection, or another frequency may be used.

[0039] Advantageously, the electro-optic device 21, RF chip 23, and antenna 25 are fully internal to disc 12. Since the entire optical shutter system is positioned inside the disc, the risk of physical tampering with the optical shutter system is eliminated. Further, since the entire optical system is internal, it does not interfere with any packaging, identification, or aesthetic appeal of the disc. Also, as will be more fully described below, the data portions of disc 12 may be constructed using familiar disc manufacturing processes and techniques. In this way, the benefits of an integral optical shutter may be readily added to nearly any type of optical disc. [0040] Referring now to figure 2, an optical disc construction 50 is illustrated. Optical disc 50 is similar to optical disc 12 discussed with reference to figure 1. However, optical disc 50 shows an exploded view of one arrangement of components in the disc manufacturing process. In manufacturing an optical disc, a disc manufacturer may build a data substrate 52. The data substrate 52 has one or more data layers containing the lead-in and data area information. The data substrate 52 may be made using known processes, or may be made with simple modifications to existing methods. For example, data substrate 52 may hold data layers arranged in a DVD9-comparable data format. In another example, the data substrate 52 may have data arranged in a high definition comparable format, which may include one or more layers of data. The optical disc also has a cap 54 which is bonded to the data substrate piece 52. As illustrated in figure 2, the cap piece 54 is substantially transparent, enabling an interrogating laser light to be readily passed through with little interference. Accordingly, optical disc 50, when constructed, would have a laser read direction as shown by arrow 63. [0041] Prior to bonding cap 54 to data substrate 52, an optical shutter system 53 is positioned between the data substrate 52 and the cap 54. The optical shutter has an antenna 56 for communicating with an associated scanning system, which couples to an RF chip 58. The RF chip 58 connects to an electro-optic device 61, which is typically positioned over a lead-in or other important information in the data area. It will be understood that the optical shutter system 53 may be first fixed to cap 54, and then bonded as a unit to data substrate 52. In an alternative construction, the optical shutter system 53 may be first fixed to data substrate 52, and then bonded as a unit to cap 54. Also, although the full optical shutter 53 is illustrated as being inside disc 50, it will be understood that one or more components may be positioned on an external surface. For example, antenna 56 may be located on an external surface of cap 54 or data substrate 52, and connection lines routed to an internally mounted RF chip and electro-optic device. [0042] Referring now to figure 3, a more specific disc construction 65 is illustrated. Disc construction 65 has a cap 69 that is bonded to a data substrate 67. In construction 65, the data substrate 67 and the cap 69 may be independently manufactured and then bonded together. In this way, manufacturing constraints in making the cap 69 do not affect the manufacturing of the data substrate 67. Further, by separating the building of the component parts, the operation of the optical shutter may be tested prior to bonding. In this way, overall reject rates for the final disc product may be reduced. In making cap 69, an antenna 78 is fixed to cap 69 and coupled to RF chip 73. RF chip 73 connects to an electro-optic device 71, which has been disposed or placed on cap 69. Although illustrated as discrete parts, it will be understood that some of the shutter components may be first mounted onto a strapping circuit, flexible circuit, or label, and then secured to cap 69. To bond cap 69 to data substrate 67, an amount of a bonding material or adhesive is positioned and spread between the substrates, and the cap and data substrate are pressed together. Upon curing, a unitary optical disc with an internal optical shutter is created.

[0043] Referring now to figure 4, disc construction 100 is illustrated. Disc construction 100 is illustrated with an enlarged cross-section of an optical disc, showing a portion of the disc extending from central hole 108 to the first portions of the data area. It will be understood that this and other figures have dimensions and proportions which are not to scale, but are drawn to facilitate easier understanding. Disc construction 100 shows a cap 102 to be bonded to data substrate 104. Data substrate 104 has one or more data layers 106, which have been created using known processes or through modifications of existing processes. Cap 102 has an antenna 111 that couples to an RF circuit 118 through an antenna connection 113. The RF circuit 118 then couples to an electro-optic device 124 using a device connection 122. It will be understood that connections may be, for example, conductive ink. Since the device connection 122 may be placed above a part of a data layer, it may be constructed using a transparent conductor such as ITO (Indium -Tin Oxide). The electro-optic device 124 is positioned so that it is directly above an important portion of data layer 106, such as the lead-in area or start of the data area. When bonded together to form disc 125, the cap and data structure are fixed together to have an overall height in compliance with the optical disc standard. In bonding the pieces, a bonding material or adhesive 127 is spread between the pieces, and the pieces pressed together. The bonding material may extend or seep into the area holding the optical shutter, or may be contained within the data area. Advantageously, the entire optical shutter is positioned between the cap and the data substrate, and therefore is not subject to physical tampering.

[0044] Referring now to figure 5, a general process for manufacturing an optical disc is illustrated. Method 150 has a manufacturer construct a data substrate having one or more data layers as shown in block 152. The data layers may be constructed according to DVD9-comparable data formats as shown in block 154, or may be constructed according to HD-comparable data formats as shown in block 156. Also, the data layers may be constructed according to audio or data CD formats as shown in block 158, or may be made compliant with game disc format as shown in block 161. In dual side arrangements, the data structures may be made comparable with DVD18 or DVD14 data formats as shown in blocks 163 and 165. In some cases, the data substrate may be constructed concurrently with the construction of the cap portion, or may be constructed in an independent, off-line manner. The manufacturer also constructs a cap having a switchable shutter as shown in block 172. The switchable optical shutter system typically includes an electro-optic device 174, an antenna 176, and an RF chip 178. The optical shutter system may be positioned or fixed on one side of the cap, or some components may be placed on an external surface with connections to the inner surface of the cap. The cap may be constructed concurrently with the construction of the data substrate, or may be manufactured in an off-line, independent manner. If made off-line, the cap and shutter may be assembled and tested independently to reduce the rejection rate of finished optical discs. The data substrate and cap are bonded to each other as shown in block 181. Typically, the cap will be bonded to the data substrate immediately after the data substrate has been made. In this way, dust and contamination concerns are reduced. However, the data substrate may still be warm from its manufacturing process, and the cap may be at a lower temperature since it may have been manufactured at an earlier time. Accordingly, the cap may be warmed or otherwise processed to avoid adding stresses to the data substrate. The particular processes and techniques for bonding a cap to a data substrate are known, and will not be described in detail herein.

[0045] Referring now to figure 6, an alternative construction 200 is illustrated. Construction 200 has a cap 214 with a recess 201. The recess holds the optical shutter, which includes antenna 202, antenna connection 204, RF circuit 206, device connection 208, and electro-optic device 211. The cap 214 and data substrate 216 are bonded together using bonding material 218. When assembled, the electro-optic device 211 is positioned over an important lead-in or data area for data layers 222. By providing recess 201, the optical shutter may be internally formed, even using larger RF circuit chips. By recessing the optical shutter, the overall height requirements for the optical disc may be maintained, even when using larger shutter components.

[0046] Figure 7 shows another alternative construction 225. In construction 225, the cap has a deeper recess 226 for fully containing the optical shutter. The optical shutter may be fixed into the recess, and a fill material 228 used to substantially level off the bottom surface of the cap. In this way, the optical shutter is protected from contamination or dust, and may be more readily transported or moved to its final assembly location. In another alternative 250 illustrated in figure 8, the recess 256 is made in the data substrate 252. Recess 256 may be sized to accommodate the height of one or more components of the optical shutter. In this way, when cap 254 is bonded to data substrate 252, the RF circuit or other component may rest partially in recess 256. It will be appreciated that recess 256 may be sized to accommodate excess bonding material which flows during the process of assembling the data layers. Also, as illustrated by dotted lines for recess 256, recesses may have angled or sloped sides. This may assist the even flow of bonding material. In another alternative 265, the recess 271 occurs naturally due to the construction of the data layers on the data substrate 268. These data layers may provide a built-up area which exposes recess area 271. Accordingly, the larger optical shutter components, such as the RF circuit, are positioned so they fall in recess 271. In this arrangement, no additional recess needs to be molded or otherwise formed in either the cap or the data substrate. In yet another construction 275, a terraced recess 281 is provided in the data substrate 279. The terracing is formed to relate to the depth of associated optical shutter components, which are mounted to the inside surface of the cap 277. For example, the terraced portion of recess 281 that is intended to receive the RF chip may be made relatively deep, while the terrace for receiving the antenna may be made more shallow. It will be appreciated that other terracing, sloping, or gradient forms may be used. Arrangement 280 shows a sloping recess 281 in the data substrate . The slope may facilitate the even flow of bonding material when the cap and data substrate are bonded. [0047] Referring now to figure 9, construction of a DVD9-comparable disc 300 is illustrated. Construction 300 is illustrated with component parts 301 and as a finally assembled DVD disc 325. DVD parts 301 include a cap 304 which is bonded to a data substrate 320. Data substrate 320 has been separately manufactured with data layers LO and Ll. Typically, the LO and Ll data layers are spaced apart by about 30 microns, and are bonded together with an adhesive bonding material 327. An optional coating 322 may be disposed over LO to provide contamination resistance, and facilitate simplified handling. This coating may typically be around 10 microns thick. Also, the optional coating 322 may be selected for improved bonding. The cap 304 has an optical shutter comprising an antenna 306, which is connected to an RF circuit 311 by connection 308. The antenna 306 preferably is located near a central hole 302 for the disc. In some constructions, the antenna 306 may be a dipole antenna which extends nearly around the central hole 302. In other arrangements, the antenna may be a spiral or other shape. It will be understood that the particular construction of antenna 306 is dependent on the frequency band being used. The antenna connection 308 may be a conductive ink, while the device connection 313 may be a transparent conductive ink. The device connection 313 connects the RF circuit 311 to the electro-optic device 315. The RF circuit 311 may be a discrete chip component, a chip mounted on a strap, or a flexible circuit or label structure. Also, RF circuit 311 may contain multiple chips for advanced functions, or may be implemented using a surface mount arrangement. Typically, the antenna 306 and RF circuit 311 operate in response to a particular RF frequency, such as a UHF or HF frequency. In one example, the antenna 306 receives and sends information on an RFID-compatible frequency, while in another example, the antenna 306 may be constructed to receive and send information on an NFC-compatible frequency band. During assembly, the 304 is bonded to the data substrate 320 such that the electro-optic device 315 is positioned directly above an important area in the lead-in or data area. Typically, the bonding layer will be about 30 microns thick. As illustrated in construction 325, the final DVD is about 1.2 mm in height, which complies with DVD9 requirements. The bonding material 326 fixes the cap 304 to the data substrate 320, and may extend into the shutter system 328. [0048] In assembling the cap 304 to the data substrate 320, it is important that a sufficient space be available to accommodate the optical shutter system. In particular, the RF chip 311 may extend well into the space between the cap and the data substrate. As generally described above, there is about a 30 micron spacing between LO and Ll, about 10 micron of coating, and about 30 micron of bonding material. This means that, in the clamping area, a space of about 70 microns exists to accommodate the RF chip and antenna. In fixing the optical shutter to the cap 304, the conductive ink typically is about 15 microns thick, and a Z axis tape (anisotropic conductive film) used to adhere the chip to the conductive ink is also about 15 microns thick. This leaves about 40 microns for the RF chip, which is within current chip technology. Accordingly, it is possible to construct a DVD9-comparable assembly in the normal spacing between the cap 304 and the data substrate 320. However, if such a thin chip is not readily or economically available, then the cap or data substrate may be made thinner in the clamping area to accommodate a thicker chip as previously described. [0049] Advantageously, the DVD9-comparable disc 325 is constructed with the optical shutter system 328 fully embedded and internal to the DVD. Accordingly, shutter system 328 is not subject physical tampering, and does not interfere with disc aesthetics. Although construction 325 has all components for the shutter system 328 positioned inside disc, it will be appreciated that for example, the antenna may be moved to an outside surface. In this way, the antenna may be made removable, or may couple to an antenna on associated packaging. In operation, the DVD9-comparable disc would be manufactured with the electro-optic device 315 initially set to substantially interfere with an interrogating laser's beam. In this way, information directly below the electro- optic device 315 could not be read by the disc player, and the disc would not properly play. When activation is desired, the DVD is positioned near an associated RF reader. The RF reader retrieves identifying information from the RF circuit 311, as well as an activation token. The RF reader generates or retrieves an activation key, which is transmitted to RF circuit 311. The RF circuit 311 compares the authorization key to an internally stored secret code, and if the codes match, the RF circuit 311 provides power to the electro-optic device 315 sufficient to switch the electro-optic device 315 to a substantially transparent state. Power for switching the electro-optic device, as well as power for operating the RF circuit, is provided from the RF energy received by antenna 306. After the electro-optic device is substantially transparent, the DVD9-comparable disc has been activated for normal play. The RF circuit 311 may transmit a confirmation message to the scanner to confirm activation is complete. [0050] Referring now to figure 10, a process for making a DVD9-comparable disc is illustrated. Method 350 illustrates that a base substrate is molded with informational pits on which a fully reflective metal layer is deposited or disposed, as shown in block 352. This base substrate becomes the data substrate described previously, while the fully reflective metal layer becomes the Ll data layer of the DVD9-comparable disc. A temporary substrate is molded and a semi-reflective metal layer is deposited or otherwise disposed on the temporary substrate as shown in block 354. The temporary substrate is inverted and a bonding material bonds the semi-reflective layer to the fully reflective layer as shown in block 356. The temporary substrate is removed as shown in block 358, thereby exposing the semi-reflective layer. This semi-reflective layer becomes the LO data layer for the DVD9-comparable disc. In some cases, the temporary substrate may be reused or recycled as shown in block 361, and in other processes, the temporary substrate would be intended for a single use only. A protective coating may be placed over the semi-reflective layer as shown in block 363, as the semi-reflective layer may be subject to oxidation or contamination. For example, the semi-reflective layer may be made of a relatively thin silver material, which readily oxidizes when exposed to air. A set of caps have been previously built, with each cap having an optical shutter system fixed to its inside surface. In some cases, the entire optical system may be fixed to the inside surface, while in other cases some of the shutter components may be on the outside surface. The inside surface of the cap is bonded to the data substrate, so that the electro-optic device is integrally formed inside the disc as shown in block 365.

[0051] For the process of method 350, guidance for material selection and process control may be provided by US patent application number 6,117,284, issued September 12, 2000, and entitled "Dual layer DVD disc, and method and apparatus for making same". This application describes a process using a temporary substrate consisting of PMMA. The PMMA substrate is used to position a fully reflective metal layer onto a polycarbonate substrate, which has a semi-reflective layer. This process is useful for manufacturing standard DVD14 or DVD18 discs, but is incapable of creating a DVD9 data format. Another example of a known process for making DVD data layers is described in US publication number 2006/ 0003476 Al, published January 5, 2006, and entitled "Method for the production of multilayer discs". This application discloses using a polycarbonate temporary substrate. The temporary substrate is coated with a thin layer of carbon release agent, thereby allowing the temporary substrate to be reused. Further, it will be appreciated that other known processes, such as the DVD process commonly referred to as 2P, may be used to form data layers for optical discs. Although process 350 has been described with reference to a DVD9-comparable disc construction, it will be understood that the same or similar process may be used to construct other types of discs, such as high definition, gaming, or CD compliant discs.

[0052] Referring to figure 11, disc 370 has a cap bonded to a data substrate. The data substrate has a single data layer (LO), which is made selectively accessible by the optical shutter system. The data layer may be constructed so that disc 370 is a DVD5-comparable disc, or the data layer may constructed to make another type of disc, such as an audio CD-comparable or game-comparable disc. In another example, the data layer is made according to a high definition format, such as HD-DVD or Blu-ray. In construction 375, a DVD9-comparable disc is illustrated. In disc 375, the cap has the shutter system as previously described, but also has an LO data layer. This data layer may be formed by depositing a semi-reflective metal layer on a temporary molded substrate, and then bonding the semi-reflective metal layer over the optical shutter and data area. The temporary substrate is removed, leaving the semi-reflective metal layer bonded to the cap. A fully-reflective Ll data layer is made on the data substrate, which is bonded to the cap. In this way, the data area is made selectively accessible by the optical shutter system.

[0053] Construction 380 is similar to disc construction 375 described above, except that data layer LO is made to be fully reflective. Side 1, may be for example, an HD-comparable disc, while side 2 may be a DVD5-comparable disc. In this way, a hybrid disc is made that has a high definition side and a lower data density side. It will be apprenticed that other constructions may be used to make other combinations of comparable discs. On disc 380, side 1 is protected by the optical shutter system, so side 1 is made selectively accessible by the optical shutter system. However, side 2 is unprotected, and operates without an additional activation process. In this way, disc 380 may be distributed with side 2 always accessible, and side 1 accessible only after an additional authorized activation process. For example, discs may be distributed with advertising, marketing, or other promotional content on side 2, which may be freely viewed, but side 1 cannot be viewed without a further activation event. In a specific example, disc 380 may be distributed with a low-quality or limited version of a movie on side 2. This limited version may be, for example, a movie trailer, movie highlights, moving images, or other movie information. Upon viewing the trailer, the consumer may desire to purchase and watch the full DVD9 or high-definition movie embodied in the side 1 data layers. To complete activation, the consumer may have to return the disc to a point of sale register, a kiosk, or may use a home activation device to activate the shutter system. In another example, a consumer may use his or her NFC enabled handset for activating shutter system. In this example, the consumer would confirm payment using its handset, and then place the NFC antenna of the wireless handset adjacent to the antenna in disc 380. The NFC wireless handset would retrieve identification and activation token information, and retrieve an authentication key for the disc. The wireless handset transmits the activation key to the RF circuit inside the disc, and the disc, using power supplied by the NFC wireless handset, causes the internal electro-optic device to change to a clear state. Once cleared, the side one data layers may be normally played. [0054] In construction 385, the cap has an optical shutter system, as well as a fully-reflective metal layer, which is protected by the optical shutter. The data substrate has a semi-reflective (LO) and fully-reflective data layer (Ll), which are freely playable without activation. Side 2, then, is comparable to a DVD-9, or may be made comparable to another standard, such as a high definition standard such as HD-DVD. Construction 390 has a semi-reflective layer (LO) on the cap and the fully reflective Ll data layer on the data substrate. In this construction, LO of the cap and Ll (inner layer) of the data substrate cooperate to form a DVD9-comparable disc, which is protected by the optical shutter. The LO data layer on the data substrate is made fully reflective, so may be, for example, a DVD5-comparable disc, which is freely playable without activation. [0055] In construction 395, the cap has a semi-reflective LO layer and a fully- reflective Ll layer, each of which were formed on the disc using the temporary substrate process described earlier. Side , then, may be a DVD9-comparable disc, or may be comparable to another format, such as HD-DVD. Side 1 is protected by the optical shutter, so side 1 is made selectively accessible by the optical shutter system. However, side 2 is not protected, so is freely accessible. Side 2 is also constructed as a DVD9-comparable disc, with a fully-reflective Ll layer bonded to a semi-reflective LO layer. The Ll layer was formed using the temporary substrate process described earlier.

[0056] Referring now to figure 12, a process 400 for making an optical disc is illustrated. In process 400, an optical shutter is disposed on the inside surface of a cap as shown in block 401. The optical shutter may be an electro-optic or electrochromic stack, for example. In some cases, an RF chip and antenna may also be mounted on the inside surface of the disc, and are connected to the optical shutter. In other cases, these components may be alternatively position. For example, the antenna may be connected using contacts, with the antenna mounted on an outside surface of the disc, or on associated packaging. A temporary substrate is molded, onto which a metal layer is deposited as shown in block 402. In some cases the metal layer will be fully-reflective, and in other cases a semi-reflective metal will be used. The metal layer from the temporary substrate is bonded to the cap as shown in block 403, with the metal layer being positioned so that the lead-in area of the data layer is directly below the optical shutter. In this way, the optical shutter is in the path of a reading laser, and can be used to selectively allow the lead-in area to be read. The temporary substrate is removed, as shown in block 404, and optionally, a protective coating may be disposed to protect the metal layer from oxidation or contamination. A metal layer is deposited on a base data substrate, as shown in block 405. This metal layer may be fully-reflective or semi-reflective, dependent on the type of disc being constructed. The cap is bonded to the data substrate, as shown in block 406.

[0057] For the process of method 400, guidance for material selection and process control may be provided by US patent application number 6,117,284, issued September 12, 2000, and entitled "Dual layer DVD disc, and method and apparatus for making same". This application describes a process using a temporary substrate consisting of PMMA. The PMMA substrate is used to position a fully reflective metal layer onto a polycarbonate substrate, which has a semi-reflective layer. This process is useful for manufacturing standard DVD14 or DVD18 discs, but is incapable of creating a DVD9 data format. Another example of a known process for making DVD data layers is described in US publication number 2006/ 0003476 Al, published January 5, 2006, and entitled "Method for the production of multilayer discs". This application discloses using a polycarbonate temporary substrate. The temporary substrate is coated with a thin layer of carbon release agent, thereby allowing the temporary substrate to be reused. Further, it will be appreciated that other known processes, such as the DVD process commonly referred to as 2P, may be used to form data layers for optical discs.

[0058] Referring now to figure 13, another optical disc 415 is illustrated. Disc 415 has a cap having a shutter system fixed on its inside surface, which is the inside surface opposite the read side of the cap. The cap is bonded to a data substrate, and the data substrate has high definition data layers . Although two data layers are illustrated, it will be appreciated that high definition discs may have only one layer. Accordingly, disc 415 is a high definition optical disc. [0059] Referring now to figure 14, another construction 420 is illustrated. In construction 420, a thin cap is used to support the internal shutter system. For example, the cap may be made 0.1mm thick to be compatible with some high- definition data specifications, such as the Blu-ray disc. Other thicknesses may be used to support other standards. The data substrate may have a recess or may be made thinner in the clamping area to accommodate the RF chip or antenna. The data substrate has high definition data layer or layers. In one example, the data layer is compliant with Blu-ray formats, so that disc 420 is a Blu-ray-comparable disc. Although 1 data layer is illustrated, it will be understood that some high definition discs may operate with 2 data layers, and in the future, other high definition systems may be used with more than 2 data layers. As illustrated in figure 14, it will be understood that the relative heights of the data substrate and cap may be adjusted according to specific optical disc requirements. Figure 15 is an alternative construction for anther thin-cap disc 425. In construction 425, the optical shutter is disposed on the thin cap, but the antenna and RF chip are mounted on the data substrate. In another example (not shown), the antenna may be mounted externally, and contacts and connection lines used to connect an external antenna to the RF chip.

[0060] Referring now to figure 16, another disc construction 430 is illustrated. Disc 430 is a dual sided disc with data layers on both sides of the data substrate, and has an optical shutter protecting each side. More particularly, the side 1 cap 431 has internal shutter system for protecting the side 1 data layers, while a cap

432 has shutter system for protecting side 2 data layers. Each cap 431 and 432 has its own RF circuit, antenna, and electro-optic device. In an alternative construction 435, figure 17 shows side 1 protected by a shutter system in cap 436. However, cap 437 has an electro-optic device which couples through the data substrate to the antenna and RF circuit on cap 436. Accordingly, the electro-optic device in cap 437 protects the side 2 data. In one example, the connection through the data substrate is provided using an annular ring or ring structures at or near the central hole.

[0061] Referring now to figure 18, another disc construction 440 is illustrated. Disc 440 is a dual sided disc with data layers on both sides of the data substrate, and has an optical shutter protecting side 1 only. More particularly, the side 1 cap 441 has internal shutter system for protecting the side 1 data layers, while a cap 442 is substantially transparent, allowing free access to side 2 data. Although many alternatives have been illustrated for disc constructions, it will be appreciated that other combinations, densities, formats, and particular component placements may be substituted.

[0062] Referring now to figure 19, alternative constructions for an optical shutter are illustrated. In example 450, a UHF antenna 453 is disposed on the inside surface of cap 458. An electro-optic device 457 is also layered onto the inside surface of cap 458, and conductive ink 456, which is likely to be a transparent conductive ink such as ITO, provides a conductive link. The electro- optic device 457 is arranged so that it would be positioned directly above the lead-in or introduction to the data area 452 when the cap 458 is bonded to an associated data substrate. The antenna 453 and RF chip 455 are positioned in the clamping and burst cutting area 451. A layer of ACF (anisotropic conductive film) 454, which often is referred to as Z-axis tape, is adhered to the antenna 453 and the conductive ink pad 456. The Z-axis tape conducts electricity vertically, but is insulating in the horizontal axis. In this way, the pads on the contact side of RF chip 455 are coupled to the antenna 433 and conductive ink 456 respectively, without shorting. Example 450 shows the connection of one antenna lead and one device lead, but it will be appreciated that there is a second antenna connection and a second connection to the electro-optic device 47. Construction 450 is arranged such that RF chip 455 extends away from the inside surface of cap 458. Accordingly, the associated data substrate may need to have a recess to accommodate the optical shutter.

[0063] In a somewhat thinner construction shown by example 460, the RF chip 464 is received into a recess 468 for cap 467. The electro-optic device 466 is still positioned below the start of the lead-in and data area 462, and the antenna 463 and RF chip 464 are located in the clamping and burst cutting area 461. In some cases antenna 463 may be made of a conductive ink, and thereby may be printed or screened in a manner to directly connect to RF chip 464, while in other cases conductive ink may connect the RF chip 464 to an antenna pad. Transparent conductive ink 465 connects the RF chip 464 to the electro-optic device 466. Since the RF chip 464 is very small, to facilitate ease of handling, the RF chips may be pre-loaded onto straps as shown in example 470. In example 470, an RF chip 474 is a secured to a strap 476. The strap 476 is adhered to cap 478 in a way that the RF chip 474 is received into recess 473. The strap 476 has conductors or traces for connecting the contacts of the RF chip to the appropriate connections on cap 478. For example, a strap connection may directly connect to antenna 475, or conductive ink may be used for making the antenna connection. In a similar manner, the strap 476 may be connected to the electro-optic device 477, which is positioned in the lead-in and data area 472. The strap, including the RF chip, is located within the clamping and burst cutting area 471. [0064] Referring now to figure 20, another optical disc 500 is illustrated. Optical disc construction 500 has a disc 501 having a cutaway view 503. The cutaway view 503 shows an inside portion of the disc 505. As described previously, an electro-optic device 514 is positioned over a lead-in area of the data area 507. An RF chip 511 couples to an antenna 509. As illustrated, antenna 509 is an NFC spiral antenna, constructed to couple to near field communication frequencies. In one specific example, antenna 509 is constructed to coupled with an NFC reading device. Due to its inward spiral construction, one lead of antenna 509 may be connected directly to RF chip 511. However, the distal end of the coiled antenna terminates near the center hole, and therefore may use an insulating bridge 517 to coupled to the other terminal of RF chip 511. As illustrated in the optical shutter system 525 of figure 21, the coiled NFC antenna 538 is positioned within the clamping and burst cutting area 527. One of the terminals may coupled directly to RF chip 534, but the terminal end of the coiled antenna 538 uses a bridge conductor 536 to connect to the other terminal of RF chip 534. The bridge connector 536 allows the other traces in the antenna to be bridged without creating an electrical short, as illustrated in top view 540. More particularly, bridge conductor 536 has a insulating surface 541 which insulates the traces of the coiled antenna from the conductive portion of the bridge conductor. The terminal end of the coiled antenna is vertically connected to the bridge conductor, which then couples back to RF chip 534. The RF chip 534 may use a Z-axis tape 532 to coupled to the electro-optic device 528, which is positioned in the lead-in and data area 528. As illustrated, the entire optical shutter system is located on the inside surface of cap 526.

[0065] HF antennas will typically use copper or aluminum for the conductive traces for lower resistance. The design considerations for HF antennas are well understood and the techniques are established. Copper (or aluminum) of the appropriate thickness may be formed on the surface of the cap piece by any of several means, such as printing thin conductive traces and plating to the required thickness; applying adhesive-backed copper or aluminum foil and etching to form the antenna patterns; PVD of copper layers and etching; etc. The chip attachment may be done directly using the flip chip technology with ACF (anisotropic conductive film), or other methods such as strap technology. [0066] An additional requirement for the HF spiral-design is the crossover, or "bridge", to connect the inner terminus of the antenna coil (spiral) to the chip outside the coil. The "bridge" typically consists of a thin insulating substrate (e.g. PET), one side of which is copper or aluminum foil-coated. The bridge is positioned so that it crosses over the traces of the coil and the one end of the bridge is over the terminus of the coil, and the other end is over a lead trace outside the coil. An edged tool is used to pierce the ends, causing the metal foil to penetrate the substrate and contact the conductive traces beneath it. [0067] In some cases it may be desirable to build the antenna and chip assembly as an "inlay" that is connectable to the electro-optic device. Inlays are the RFID industry "standard" for RFID tag suppliers to supply tags to the label converters. Inlays can be designed and manufactured in a wide variety of form factors, from credit-card size to DVD tag size. With this approach, the antenna, crossover and chip are pre-assembled onto a thin flexible substrate. These can be pre-tested and delivered in roll form, and applied to the cap piece using adhesive technology. The connections to the electro-optic device traces can be done using a small dab of conductive epoxy to form the connection between the inlay trace and the ITO. Alternatively the inlay may be applied "upside down" so that the inlay traces contact the ITO directly with a thin layer of conductive film for adhesion.

[0068] Referring now to figure 22, another construction 550 for placing an optical shutter system is illustrated. Figure 22 shows a cap piece 557, which is to be bonded to a data substrate as previously discussed. Cap piece 557 has an electro-optic device 561 disposed on it, for example, by sputtering, ink printing, or other deposition process. The RF chip 553 is fixed to a strap 552, which provides connection lines, as well as facilitates easier handling of the small RF chip. The strap 552 has two connection lines and pads to connect the chip to the electro-optic device, as well as two connection lines and pads to connect the chip to an antenna. As illustrated, the antenna is a spiral antenna 559, which may be well suited for communications in the HF (high frequency) band, such as for a NFC transaction. It will be understood that other antenna constructions may be used. In the case of a spiral antenna, the strap 552 has a first antenna pad that connects to one end of the antenna, and has an insulator that allows a connection line to crossover or bridge the spiral antenna to contact a second pad at the distal end of the antenna.

[0069] An antenna structure and connection traces are printed on the cap 557, which has the electro-optic device 561 already on its inside surface. The antenna and connections are printed with a conductive ink, such as a silver ink. The antenna is printed with an enlarged contact pad at each end that will mate with an associated pad on the strap, and each connection to the electro-optic stack has a connection pad formed that will mate with an associated pad on the strap. While the ink is still wet, the strap is inverted and positioned so that 1) the RF chip 553 is received into a recess in the cap 557; 2) the antenna pads on the strap set into the inked antenna pads on the cap; and 3) the electro-optic pads on the strap set into the inked electro-optic pads on the cap. The ink is then cured, which provides for mechanical and electrical connections. It will be appreciated that other bonding or adhesive material may supplement the mechanical bonding.

[0070] Referring now to figure 23, a method for assembling an optical shutter system is illustrated. System 575 shows that a strap assembly is constructed, as shown in block 577. An RF chip 578 is fixed to the strap, which makes handling the chip easier, as well as provides for simplified connections. The strap also has connection pads 579 to connect to an electro-optic device and antenna on the cap. Typically, 2 electro-optic pads and 2 antenna pads are provided, although some applications may require additional pads. For example, if multiple antenna or chips are provided, then additional pads may be needed. In the case of spiral antennas, an insulated bridge 580 may be positioned on the strap to allow connection to the distal end of the antenna without shorting the antenna traces. [0071] A cap piece is also formed, which has a recess sized to receive the RF chip, as shown in block 585. An optical shutter is disposed on the inside surface of the cap as shown in block 587. The optical shutter may be, for example, an electro-optic or electrochromic device. An antenna structure and connection lines are printed on the cap as shown in block 589. The antenna and connections may be printed using a silver ink, and may use an ink-jet process. It will be understood that other inks and deposition processes may be used. The strap is positioned on the cap so that the RF chip is received into the recess, as shown in block 591. The connection pads on the strap also contact mating pads and connection lines on the cap, so that the RF chip is connected to the electro-optic device and to the antenna. The ink is cured to complete electrical and mechanical connection as shown in block 593. The curing may be facilitate by head or ultra-violet radiation, depending on the type of conductive ink used. Other inks may have alternative curing steps.

[0072] Referring now to figure 24, another optical disc 600 is illustrated. Optical disc construction 600 has a cutaway view showing an inside portion of the disc. As described previously, an electro-optic device 601 is positioned over a lead-in area of the data area. However, disc 600 has a second electro-optic device 602. This second electro-optic device 602 may be constructed and positioned to provide additional distortion to a reading laser, or may be positioned to protect a second portion of important information. Either way, the second electro-optic device 602 provides for increased security. In another example, the second electro-optic device 602 is intended to provide interference at a different frequency than the first electro-optic device 601. For example, the first electro- optic device 601 may be tuned to substantially interfere with a "red" laser frequency, while the second electro-optic device 602 may be tuned to substantially interfere with a "blue" laser frequency. In this way, the disc may be activated to operate on specific players.

[0073] In another example, the second electro-optic device is positioned to make a second disc-feature selectable. For example, activating the first electro- optic device 601 could make the "family" version of a movie available for play, while activating the second electro-optic device 602 could make the "PG" version of the movie available for play. In this way, a single optical disc could have multiple versions of a movie available, and the desired movie is activated by activating one of the available optical shutters. In a similar way, a disc may have multiple movies, and each movie is activated using a different optical shutter. Of course, if multiple versions or multiple movies were desired, then more than one shutter could be activated. It will be appreciated that multiple optical shutters may be used to selectively activate software functions, game features, or audio tracks, for example. The RF chip 604 has been modified to drive multiple electro- optic devices, and has extended logic and functionality to determine the conditions for activating, one or both the electro-optic devices. The RF chip 604 also couples to an antenna. As illustrated, the antenna is a UHF dipole antenna, constructed to couple to UHF frequencies, such as an RFID compatible frequency.

[0074] While particular preferred and alternative embodiments of the present intention have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that many various modifications and extensions of the above described technology may be implemented using the teaching of this invention. All such modifications and extensions are intended to be included within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An optical disc, comprising: a cap substrate having a read side and further comprising: an electro-optic device on the cap and positioned on a side opposite the read side; a radio frequency (RF) accessible circuit connected to the electro-optic device; and an antenna connected to the RF accessible circuit; a data substrate having one or more data layers; and a bonding material fixing the cap substrate to the data substrate.

2. The optical disc according to claim 1, wherein the RF accessible circuit, the electro-optic device and the antenna are all positioned on the side of the cap opposite the read side.

3. The optical disc according to claim 1, wherein the antenna at least partially extends around the optical disc's central hole.

4. The optical disc according to claim 1, further including a stacking ring on the optical disc, and wherein the antenna is substantially within the boundaries of the optical disc's stacking ring.

5. The optical disc according to claim 1, wherein the electro-optic device is positioned directly above the lead-in area of the data layer.

6. The optical disc according to claim 1, further including a recess in the cap substrate for receiving the RF accessible circuit, the electro-optic device or the antenna.

7. The optical disc according to claim 1, further including a recess in the cap substrate for receiving the RF accessible circuit, the electro-optic device and the antenna.

8. The optical disc according to claim 1, further including a recess in the data substrate for receiving the RF accessible circuit, the electro-optic device or the antenna.

9. The optical disc according to claim 1, wherein the data substrate has only one data layer, and the one data layer is a DVD5-comparble data layer or an high definition data layer.

10. The optical disc according to claim 1, wherein the data substrate has only one data layer, and the one data layer is a game disc data layer or an audio CD (compact disc) data layer.

11. The optical disc according to claim 1, wherein the data substrate has two data layers, and the one data layer is a fully-reflective data layer and the other is a semi-reflective data layer.

12. The optical disc according to claim 11, wherein the optical disc is a DVD9- comparable disc or a high definition comparable disc.

13. The optical disc according to claim 1, wherein the data substrate has more than two data layers.

14. The optical disc according to claim 13, wherein all the data layers are read from the read side of the cap.

15. The optical disc according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the data layers is a side-two data layer, and is read from a read side of the data substrate.

16. The optical disc according to claim 15, further including a second optical device between the read side of the data substrate and the side-two data layer.

17. The optical disc according to claim 15, further including a second optical device on the side-two data layer.

18. A method for making an optical disc, comprising: providing a data substrate with at least one data layer; providing a cap with an optical shutter; and bonding the cap to the data substrate.

19. The method according to claim 18, further including the step of positioning the cap and the data substrate prior to bonding so that the optical shutter is positioned between the read-side of the cap and a portion of the data layer.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the optical shutter comprises an electro-optic device, and the method further includes the step of setting the electro-optic state to a state where the electro-optic device would substantially interfere with a reading light beam.

21. The method according to claim 18, wherein the optical shutter comprises an electro-optic device, and the method further includes the step of setting the electro-optic state to a state where the electro-optic device is substantially clear, substantially opaque, fully reflective, or semi-reflective.

22. A method for making a DVD9-comparable disc, comprising: disposing a fully-reflective metal layer on a molded base substrate; disposing a semi-reflective metal layer on a temporary molded substrate; bonding the semi-reflective metal layer to the fully-reflective metal layer; removing the temporary substrate from the semi-reflective layer; and fixing a cap substrate to the semi-reflective layer.

23. The method according to claim 22, further including the step of disposing a release agent between the semi-reflective metal layer and the temporary molded substrate.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the release agent is carbon and the temporary molded substrate is polycarbonate.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein the temporary molded substrate is PMMA

26. The method according to claim 23, wherein the cap substrate has an optical shutter.

27. The method according to claim 23, wherein the cap substrate has an electro-optic device.

28. The method according to claim 23, wherein the step of fixing the cap comprises using a bonding material.

29. The method according to claim 23, further including the step of disposing a protective coating on the exposed surface of the semi-reflective layer after the temporary mold is removed.

30. An optical disc, comprising: a data substrate with at least one data layer; a cap piece; and an optical shutter between the data substrate and the cap piece.

31. The optical disc according to claim 30, wherein the optical shutter is an electro-chromic device.

32. The optical disc according to claim 30, wherein the optical disc is comparable to a DVD5, DVD9, DVD14, DVD18, game disc, CD, HD-DVD or BIu ray disc.

33. The optical disc according to claim 30, wherein the data substrate has one or more data layers, and the one or more data layers are read from the cap side of the data substrate.

34. The optical disc according to claim 30, wherein the data substrate has a plurality of data layers, and all the data layers are read from the cap side of the data substrate.

35. The optical disc according to claim 30, wherein the data substrate has a plurality of data layers, and some of the data layers are read from the cap side of the data substrate, and the remaining data layers are read from the other side of the data substrate.

36. The optical disc according to claim 30, further including an integrated circuit coupled to the optical shutter.

37. The optical disc according to claim 30, further including an antenna coupled to the optical shutter.

38. The optical disc according to claim 37, wherein the antenna is a UHF antenna or an HF antenna.

39. The optical disc according to claim 37, wherein the antenna is an RFID frequency antenna or an NFC frequency antenna.

40. The optical disc according to claim 30, further including an integrated circuit coupled to the optical shutter and an antenna coupled to the integrated circuit.

41. The optical disc according to claim 30, further including a second optical shutter between the data substrate and the cap piece.

42. The optical disc according to claim 41, wherein the second optical shutter provides substantial interference at a frequency different from the first optical shutter.

43. The optical disc according to claim 41, wherein the second optical shutter is positioned to protect a different feature of the disc as compared to the placement of the first optical shutter.

44. The optical disc according to claim 43, wherein the feature is a different movie, a different rating version of a movie, a different game, a different software application, or a different audio track.

45. A dual sided optical disc having a side 1 and a side 2, comprising: a data substrate having side 1 data layer or layers and side 2 data layer or layers; a cap piece connected to side 1 of the data substrate; and an optical shutter between the cap piece and the data substrate.

46. The dual sided optical disc according to claim 45, wherein the optical shutter comprises an electro-optic device.

47. The dual sided optical disc according to claim 45, further including a second optical shutter on one side 2 data layer.

48. The dual sided optical disc according to claim 45, further including a second optical shutter on the read side of one side 2 data layer.

49. The dual sided optical disc according to claim 45, further including a second optical shutter on the side opposite the read side of one side 2 data layer.

50. The dual sided optical disc according to claim 45, further including a second cap piece connected to side 2 of the data substrate.

51. The dual sided optical disc according to claim 50, further including a second optical shutter between the second cap piece and the data substrate.

52 The dual sided optical disc according to claim 45 wherein the side 1 data layer or layers form a DVD5-comparable disc, DVD9-comparable disc, CD- comparable disc, game-comparable disc, HD-DVD-comparable disc, or a Blu-ray- comparable disc.

53 The dual sided optical disc according to claim 45 wherein the side 2 data layer or layers form a DVD5-comparable disc, DVD9-comparable disc, CD- comparable disc, game-comparable disc, HD-DVD-comparable disc, or a Blu-ray- comparable disc.

54 A dual sided optical disc where side 1 data is accessible only after changing the state of an optical shutter.

55 The dual sided optical disc according to claim 54 where side 2 data is always accessible.

56 The dual sided optical disc according to claim 54 where side 2 data is accessible only after changing the state of a second shutter.

57 The dual sided optical disc according to claim 54 wherein the side 1 data forms a DVD5-comparable disc, DVD9-comparable disc, CD-comparable disc, game-comparable disc, HD-DVD-comparable disc, or a Blu-ray-comparable disc.

58 The dual sided optical disc according to claim 54 wherein the side 2 data forms a DVD5-comparable disc, DVD9-comparable disc, CD-comparable disc, game-comparable disc, HD-DVD-comparable disc, or a Blu-ray-comparable disc.

59 An optical disc, comprising: a cap substrate having a read side and further comprising: an electro-optic device on the cap and positioned on a side opposite the read side; a switching circuit connected to the electro-optic device; and a data layer on the electro-optic device; a second substrate; and a bonding material fixing the cap substrate to the second substrate.

60. The optical disc according to claim 59, wherein the second substrate is a data substrate having one or more data layers.

61. The optical disc according to claim 59, wherein the second substrate is a substantially clear substrate.

62. An optical disc, comprising: a first substrate; a second substrate; a data layer on the first substrate or the second substrate; an electro-optic device positioned between the first and second substrates; a switching circuit connected to the electro-optic device; and a bonding material fixing the cap substrate to the second substrate.

63. The optical disc according to claim 62, wherein the switching circuit comprises an integrated circuit and an RF antenna.

64. The optical disc according to claim 62, wherein the switching circuit comprises a connection to an external signal source.