Pseudo-reflective 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 precesses.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . A method for renting content comprising 
 providing an optically readable data on a limited play optical medium, 
 said limited play optical medium comprising: 
 information encoding features, said information encoding features readable by a reading beam of an optical medium reading device; and  
 a reading inhibit agent, wherein said reading inhibit agent automatically and irreversibly, once activated, inhibits reading of at least a portion of said information encoding features after a predetermined period of time;  
 
   selling said limited play optical medium to an end user; and    viewing by said end user said information encoding features on said optical medium within said predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       30 . A method for increasing consumer awareness of a product and/or service comprising 
 providing an optically readable data on a limited play optical medium, 
 said limited play optical medium comprising: 
 information encoding features, said information encoding features readable by a reading beam of an optical medium reading device; and  
 a reading inhibit agent, wherein said reading inhibit agent automatically and irreversibly, once activated, inhibits reading of at least a portion of said information encoding features after a predetermined period of time;  
 
   providing said limited play optical medium to an end user at no cost to said end user; and    viewing by said end user said information encoding features on said optical medium within said predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       31 . A method for increasing consumer awareness of a product and/or service comprising 
 providing an optically readable data on a limited play optical medium, 
 said limited play optical medium comprising: 
 information encoding features, said information encoding features readable by a reading beam of an optical medium reading device; and  
 a reading inhibit agent, wherein said reading inhibit agent automatically and irreversibly, once activated, inhibits reading of at least a portion of said information encoding features after a predetermined period of time;  
 
   providing said limited play optical medium to an end user with a purchase of a product and/or service; and    viewing by said end user said information encoding features on said optical medium within said predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       32 . A method for avoiding late fees from renting content comprising 
 providing an optically readable data on a limited play optical medium, 
 said limited play optical medium comprising: 
 information encoding features, said information encoding features readable by a reading beam of an optical medium reading device; and  
 a reading inhibit agent, wherein said reading inhibit agent automatically and irreversibly, once activated, inhibits reading of at least a portion of said information encoding features after a predetermined period of time;  
 
   selling said limited play optical medium to an end user;    viewing by said end user said information encoding features on said optical medium within said predetermined period of time; and    not returning said limited play optical medium to a retailer.    
   
   
       33 . A method of marketing entertainment comprising 
 providing a limited play optical medium,    said limited play optical medium comprises 
 information encoding features, said information encoding features readable by a reading beam of an optical medium reading device; and  
 a reading inhibit agent, wherein said reading inhibit agent automatically and irreversibly, once activated, inhibits reading of at least a portion of said information encoding features after a predetermined period of time;  
   wherein said information encoding features comprises premium content and promotional content; and    configuring the limited play optical medium wherein the promotional content remains viewable beyond said predetermined period of time and the premium content is viewable only within the predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       34 . A method of marketing interactive entertainment comprising 
 providing a limited play optical medium,    said limited play optical medium comprises 
 information encoding features, said information encoding features readable by a reading beam of an optical medium read device; and  
   a reading inhibit agent, wherein said reading inhibit agent automatically and irreversibly, once activated, inhibits reading of at least a portion of said information encoding features after a predetermined period of time;    wherein said information encoding features comprises at least one of video game content and instructional content; and    interacting with said at least one of video game content and instructional content for said predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       35 . A method of trialing software comprising 
 providing a limited play optical medium,    said limited play optical medium comprises 
 information encoding features, said information encoding features readable by a reading beam of an optical medium read device; and  
 a reading inhibit agent, wherein said reading inhibit agent automatically and irreversibly, once activated, inhibits reading of at least a portion of said information encoding features after a predetermined period of time;  
   wherein said information encoding features comprises a software application; and    configuring the limited play optical medium so that the software application is accessible for said predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       36 . A method of playing a video game comprising 
 providing a limited play optical medium,    said limited play optical medium comprises 
 information encoding features, said information encoding features readable by a reading beam of an optical medium reading device; and  
   a reading inhibit agent, wherein said reading inhibit agent automatically and irreversibly, once activated, inhibits reading of at least a portion of said information encoding features after a predetermined period of time; and    configuring the limited play optical medium with video game content, wherein said predetermined period of time is an element of the video game play, wherein an end user must complete the challenges in the video game before the predetermined period of time.