Marking of a data medium material for information intended for reproduction

Abstract

A method of identifying a mechanically readable medium is described. The medium, for instance a gramophone record, a magnetic tape or a celluloid film, contains information which is contained in a continuous sequence on the medium and is intended for optical or acoustic reproduction. A sequence of markings which individualizes the medium, and which can be read out together with the acoustic or optical information, is formed in the area of this acoustic or optical information.

1 . A method of marking a machine-readable medium containing information which is included in a continuous sequence on the medium and is intended for reproduction, comprising the step of forming a sequence of markings which individualizes the medium, and which can be read out together with the information intended for reproduction, in an area of the information intended for reproduction.  
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the markings are formed in such a way that the reproduction of the information is changed in a way which individualizes the medium.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information intended for reproduction is sound information.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information intended for reproduction is image information.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information intended for reproduction is analog information.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the markings are formed on the medium separately in time from the information intended for reproduction.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the markings are formed by changing optical properties of the medium.  
   
   
       8 . A film medium, in which information is contained in a continuous sequence for reproduction, comprising: 
 a sequence of markings formed on the film medium in an area of the information intended for reproduction, which markings individualize the medium, and    wherein said markings are readable together with the information intended for reproduction.    
   
   
       9 . The film medium of  claim 8 , wherein the sequence of markings is an identification code.  
   
   
       10 . The film medium of  claim 8 , wherein said sequence of markings is formed such that the reproduction of said sequence of markings has little or no effect on the perception of the reproduced information by an audience.  
   
   
       11 . The film medium of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of said sequence of markings extends perpendicular to a travel direction of said film medium.  
   
   
       12 . The film medium of  claim 8 , wherein said sequence of markings is a sequence of parallel bars.