Wireless Activation System and Method

Abstract

A system and method for wireless activation of a target. A communication device transmits and ID associated with the target to a network operations center. The network operations center provides an activation signal to the communication device. The communication device wirelessly transmits an acoustic activation signal to a nearby activation device. The activation device is positioned proximate the target and causes a change in at least one physical property of the target. The target may be an optical media containing an electrochromic material with optical properties that change on application of an electric signal.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A wireless activation device for activating a target, comprising: 
 a material attached to the target that renders at least a portion of the target unreadable; and    an activation device on the target and connected to the material, the activation device configured to cause an electrical signal to be applied to the material in response to an activation signal to effect a change in an optical, physical or electrical property of the material to thereby affect readability of the target.    
   
   
       23 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 22 , wherein the target is an identification card, security pass, ticket, coupon, license, credit card, optical media, optical disc, DVD, or CD.  
   
   
       24 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 22 , wherein: 
 the target is an optical disc;    the material is attached to the optical disc to render the disc unreadable; and    the activation device is on the disc and connected to the material, the activation device configured to cause the electrical signal to be applied to the material in response to the activation signal to effect the change in the optical, physical or electrical property of the material to thereby affect readability of the disc    
   
   
       25 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24 , wherein the material is attached to a surface of the disc.  
   
   
       26 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24 , wherein the material is attached to a surface of the disc and covered with a protective coating.  
   
   
       27 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24 , wherein the material is embedded in the disc.  
   
   
       28 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the activation device is removable from the disc.  
   
   
       29 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the activation device is part of a removable sticker.  
   
   
       30 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the activation device is part of a peel-off sticker.  
   
   
       31 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the activation device has circuitry for regulating the application of power to the material.  
   
   
       32 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the optical disc is a DVD or CD.  
   
   
       33 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the material changes to allow the disc surface under the material to be revealed.  
   
   
       34 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the activation device is permanently attached to the disc.  
   
   
       35 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the activation device is releasably attached to the disc.  
   
   
       36 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the material is permanently attached to the disc.  
   
   
       37 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the material is releasably attached to the disc.  
   
   
       38 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 24  wherein the activation device includes a wireless transceiver.  
   
   
       39 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 38  wherein the activation device is configured to convert a received wireless signal to the electrical signal.  
   
   
       40 . The wireless activation device according to  claim 38  wherein the activation device is constructed to transmit an embedded ID value using the wireless transceiver.  
   
   
       41 . A method for activating an optical disc, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a wireless signal at an activation device that is in or an optical disc;    using the received wireless signal to generate and electrical signal;    applying the electrical signal to a material in or on the disc;    changing, responsive to the electrical signal, a physical property of the material; and    revealing content under the material subsequent to the physical change in the material's property.    
   
   
       42 . The method according to  claim 41 , further including the step of removing the activation device from the optical disc subsequent to the physical change in the material's property.  
   
   
       43 . The method according to  claim 41 , further including the step of peeling a sticker off the optical disc subsequent to the physical change in the material's property, the sticker including the activation device.  
   
   
       44 . A method for activating a target, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a wireless signal at an activation device that is in or on the target;    using the received wireless signal to generate an electrical signal;    applying the electrical signal to a material in or on the target;    changing, responsive to the electrical signal, an optical property of the material; and    revealing content under the material subsequent to the optical change in the material's property.    
   
   
       45 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the revealing step further comprises revealing a hologram, revealing printed information, or exposing stored data.  
   
   
       46 . A method for activating a target, comprising the steps of: 
 receiving a wireless signal at an activation device that is in or on the target;    using the received wireless signal to generate an electrical signal;    applying the electrical signal to a material in or on the target;    changing, responsive to the electrical signal, an electrical property of the material; and    activating content on the target subsequent to the electrical change in the materials's property.