Optical article having anti-theft feature and a system and method for inhibiting theft of same

Abstract

An optical article for being transformed from a pre-activated state of functionality to an activated state of functionality is provided. The optical article includes a convertible element disposed in or proximate to the optical article and being responsive to an external stimulus. The convertible element for irreversibly altering the optical article from the pre-activated state of functionality to the activated state of functionality upon interaction with the external stimulus.

1 . An optical article that can transform from a pre-activated state of functionality: 
 to an activated state of functionality, said optical article comprising:    an optical data layer for storing data; and    a convertible element capable of responding to an external stimulus to irreversibly alter the optical article from the pre-activated state of functionality to the activated state of functionality.    
   
   
       2 . The optical article of  claim 1 , wherein said convertible element is for rendering an optical state change, wherein said optical state change comprises at least one from the group consisting of layer reflectivity, single layer reflectivity, dual layer reflectivity, refractive index, birefringence, polarization, scattering, absorbance, thickness, optical pathlength, and position.  
   
   
       3 . The optical article of  claim 1 , wherein said pre-activated state is characterized by an optical reflectivity of at least a portion of the optical article being less than about 45 percent and said activated state is characterized by an optical reflectivity of at least a portion of the optical article being more than about 45 percent.  
   
   
       4 . The optical article of  claim 1 , wherein an optical reflectivity of the optical article in both said pre-activated and activated states is more than about 45 percent and readability of the optical article in said pre-activated state is available for a finite period of time.  
   
   
       5 . The optical article of  claim 1 , wherein said optical article comprises one of a CD, a DVD, a HD-DVD, a blu-ray disc, a near field optical storage disc, a holographic storage medium or another like volumetric optical storage medium.  
   
   
       6 . The optical article of  claim 1 , wherein the optical article comprises an identification card, a passport, a payment card, a driving license, or a personal information card.  
   
   
       7 . The optical article of  claim 1 , wherein said convertible element alters the functionality of said optical article upon interaction with one or more of a laser, a thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultra violet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, mechanical energy, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The optical article of  claim 1 , wherein said convertible element comprises a color-shift dye, a photovoltaic material, a magnetic material, an electro-chromic material, a thermo-chromic material, a magneto-optical material, a photorefractive material, a light scattering material, a phase-change material, dye aggregates, nanoparticles or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The optical article of  claim 1 , wherein said convertible element is disposed in a discrete area of the optical article, a continuous layer extending across a portion of the optical article, or a patterned layer extending across a portion of the optical article.  
   
   
       10 . The optical article of  claim 1 , further comprising a packaging for the optical article, wherein said packaging enables an external stimulus to be directed toward at least a portion of said convertible material.  
   
   
       11 . The optical article of  claim 10 , wherein said packaging comprises a window aligned with said at least a portion of said convertible material.  
   
   
       12 . The optical article of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said optical data layer comprises a tailored menu, wherein said tailored menu renders the optical article un-readable in said pre-activated state of functionality.  
   
   
       13 . The optical article of  claim 12 , wherein said tailored menu facilitates display of a message upon interaction with a laser.  
   
   
       14 . A system for altering a functionality of an optical article, comprising: 
 an external stimulus for generating radiation in a predetermined wavelength range;    an optical article comprising    an optical data layer for storing data, wherein said data is readable from said optical data layer in an activated state of functionality; and    a convertible material, wherein said convertible material can change a property of said optical article upon interaction with the predetermined wavelength range to irreversibly alter the optical article from a pre-activated state of functionality to the activated state of functionality.    
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said convertible element is for rendering an optical state change, wherein said optical state change comprises at least one from the group consisting of layer reflectivity, single layer reflectivity, dual layer reflectivity, refractive index, birefringence, polarization, scattering, absorbance, thickness, optical pathlength, and position.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said pre-activated state is characterized by an optical reflectivity of at least a portion of the optical article being less than about 45 percent and said activated state is characterized by an optical reflectivity of at least a portion of the optical article being more than about 45 percent.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein an optical reflectivity of the optical article in both said pre-activated and activated states is more than about 45 percent and readability of the optical article in said pre-activated state is available for a finite period of time.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said optical article comprises one of a CD, a DVD, a HD-DVD, a blu-ray disc, a near field optical storage disc, a holographic storage medium or another like volumetric optical storage medium.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the optical article comprises an identification card, a passport, a payment card, a driving license, or a personal information card.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said convertible material alters the functionality of said optical article upon interaction with one or more of a laser, a thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultra violet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, microwaves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, mechanical energy, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said convertible material comprises a color-shift dye, a photovoltaic material, a magnetic material, a thermo-chromic material, an electro-chromic material, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein said convertible material is disposed in a discrete area of the optical article, a continuous layer extending across a portion of the optical article, or a patterned layer extending across a portion of the optical article.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the change of property of said optical article is a change from a pre-activated state to an activated state.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a packaging for said optical article, wherein said packaging enables the external stimulus to be directed toward at least a portion of said convertible material.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein said packaging comprises a window aligned with said at least a portion of said convertible material.  
   
   
       26 . A system for altering a functionality of an optical article from a pre-activated state to an activated state, comprising: 
 an optical article comprising an optical data layer for storing data;    an external radiation source for generating an external stimulus adapted to interact with the optical article, such interaction causing a change in optical accessibility of optically stored data; and    a directing material, wherein said directing material is for directing the external stimulus to selective portions of the optical article, thereby altering the functionality of the optical article from a pre-activated state to an activated state.    
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein said directing material is patterned such that only certain wavelengths of the external stimulus are directed to the optical article.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein said directing material is removable in the activated state.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the directing material comprises metal foil enclosing one or two sides of the optical article.  
   
   
       30 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the directing material comprises metal foil attached to an opaque substrate, the metal foil being inside the opaque substrate.  
   
   
       31 . A method for altering functionality of an optical article from a pre-activated state to an activated state, comprising: 
 providing an optical article which is accessible by an optical access device that is enabled to first access a menu of allowable methods by which the optical access device may further access the optical article;    creating two menus on the optical article, wherein a first menu accessible by the optical access device allows execution of pre-activation commands or accessibility to pre-activation data, and wherein a second menu allows execution of post-activation commands or accessibility to post-activation data;    providing a means to render the first menu inaccessible by the optical access device in such a manner that the optical access device accesses the second menu.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein more than two menus are included.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the pre-activation menu causes a message to be displayed on a video display device associated with the optical access device indicating that the optical article has not been activated.  
   
   
       34 . A method comprising exposing an optical article to an external stimulus, wherein the optical article comprises: 
 an optical data layer for storing data; and    a convertible material, wherein the convertible material changes upon exposure to the external stimulus, said change irreversibly converting the optical article from a pre-activated state to an activated state.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein data is readable from the optical data layer in said activated state of functionality.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising verifying a change of states of functionality of the optical article.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the external stimulus comprises a predetermined wavelength range.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising providing the optical article, comprising: 
 mixing a convertible material in a polycarbonate matrix; and    forming the optical article with the polycarbonate matrix having the convertible material.    
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the step of providing the optical article comprises: 
 patterning a convertible material on a surface of the optical article.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein exposure of the convertible material to the external stimulus comprises directly or indirectly transmitting heat to the optical article.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein exposure of the convertible material to the external stimulus comprises exposing the convertible material to an interactive radiation.  
   
   
       42 . A method for selling an optical article, comprising: 
 receiving an optical article, comprising:    an optical data layer for storing data;    a convertible material in optical communication with the optical data layer for enabling a change of functionality of the optical article from a pre-activated state to an activated state; and    conducting a monetary transaction at a first location.    
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising: 
 authorizing the optical article for use, comprising:    interacting the convertible material to an external stimulus to alter a property of the convertible material, wherein said interacting the convertible material to an external stimulus renders an irreversible change in the optical article from the pre-activated state to the activated state.    
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising verifying the authorization of the optical article.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the step of verifying is conducted at a second location.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 42 , further comprising providing a source for the external stimulus.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the source comprises a thermal source, a high intensity electric lamp, a light source, an X-ray source, a gamma source, microwave source, a radio frequency source, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the source for the external stimulus is embedded in a bar code reader.