Abstract:
Novel digital optical media has recorded thereon certain symbols belonging to two classes of non-standard codes in precise predetermined locations. One class provides symbols which, when read many times by a standard optical media reader, are decoded as valid but having variable values. A second class embodies codes which are immediately recognized by the player's decoder as invalid. The first class of non-standard codes can be read by a standard optical media reader but cannot be written or reproduced by standard optical media recorders and mastering equipment, and its presence on optical media thereby serves to identify the optical media as authentic, as opposed to an unauthorized copy, which will lack these special symbols. Symbols belonging to the second class of non-standard codes serve to protect the reading of symbols belonging to the first class from being altered or stabilized by the error-correcting system of the player. Patterns combining symbols of these two classes provide a non-copyable mark for automatically verifying the authenticity of optical media and protecting the data recorded thereon from being usable except when present on authentic media.