Directory read inhibitor for optical storage media

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for inhibiting the readability of an optical media due to changes in a pseudo-reflective material that composes the optical media after the optical media has been exposed to air for a predetermined time. An optical media includes a data encoded component. At least a fraction of the data encoded component transforms from a substantially optically reflective state to a substantially optically non-reflective state as at-least-in-part a function of time from an initializing event. The systems and methods provide advantages because of low cost, limited content lifetime, avoidance of rental returns and minimum changes to existing manufacturing processes.

1 .- 59 . (canceled)  
     
     
         60 . A limited-play optical medium, comprising 
 at least one substrate layer having defined thereon information encoded features, said information encoded features are readable by a reading device for reading said limited-play optical medium;    at least one reflective layer coupled to said at least one substrate layer;    at least one reactive substance that changes at least one optical property or physical property in response to a predefined stimulus,    wherein said change in at least one optical property or physical property of said at least one reactive substance permanently and irreversibly prohibits the reading device from reading at least a portion of said information encoded features after a predetermined period of time;    wherein said at least one reactive substance is located between said at least one substrate layer and said at least one reflective layer; and    at least one antioxidant material in communication with said reactive substance.    
     
     
         61 . The limited-play optical medium of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one reflective layer is a metal layer formed of silver.  
     
     
         62 . The limited-play optical medium of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one reflective layer is a metal layer formed of gold.  
     
     
         63 . The limited-play optical medium of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one reflective layer is a metal layer formed of aluminum.  
     
     
         64 . The limited-play optical medium of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one reflective layer is formed of silicon.  
     
     
         65 . The limited-play optical medium of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one substrate layer comprise polycarbonate.  
     
     
         66 . The limited-play optical medium of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one reactive substance comprises an oxidizing reactive compound.  
     
     
         67 . The limited-play optical medium of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one reactive substance comprises a spiropyran compound.  
     
     
         68 . The limited-play optical medium of  claim 60 , wherein said at least one reactive substance is selected from a group of dyes consisting of methylene blue, brilliant cresyl blue, basic blue 3, and toluidine blue 0.