Abstract:
A data recording element includes a data recording medium and a recording medium support; data recorded on the data recording medium; and c) a unique ID corresponding to the data on the recording medium, recorded on the recording medium support.

Description:
FIELD OF TH INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to security of data storage mediums having software thereon and, more particularly, to such data storage mediums having invisible ink for storing a security code for permitting access to the stored software.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Various amusing computer games software have been developed for home video games of which various games can be played by changing CD ROMs. Such video games are very popular for amusement. Sometimes, the supply of popular game software does not catch up with the demand, and CD-ROMs caring games software are trading at high prices. Counterfeits of such CD ROMs are continually been discovered.  
           [0003]    Producers of games software have made various security systems to prohibit counterfeiting of games software which is the fruit of development by producers with considerable amounts of investment of time, money and effort.  
           [0004]    One such security system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,930. In this system, a trademark containing embedded data is placed on the CD-ROM. A sensor reads the embedded data and compares it with reference data previously stored in the game unit. If the data matches, the software program is initialized for operation, and if there is not a match, operation of the software program is prohibited.  
           [0005]    Although the above-described method and apparatus are satisfactory, it includes drawbacks. For instance, it is sometimes desirable for commercial reasons not to include a trademark, or any of the visual indication, on the surface of the CD-ROM. Consequently, a need exists for security mechanisms which do not utilize visual indications.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The need is met according to the present invention by providing a data recording element, comprising (a) a data recording medium and a recording medium support; (b) data recorded on the data recording medium; and (c) a unique ID corresponding to the data on the recording medium, recorded on the recording medium support. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reader illustrating its internal mechanics and a CD-ROM of the present invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a comparison software program of the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention,  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0013]    These and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims, and by reference to the accompanying drawings.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0014]    The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0015]    Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a CD ROM reader  10  of the present invention for receiving and operating CD ROMs  20 . The reader  10  includes an infrared emitter and sensor module  30  therein for reading invisible ink on the upper surface of the CD-ROM  20 . The reader  10  also includes a secondary emitter and sensor module  40  for retrieving the software program stored on the CD-ROM. This standard CD-ROM configuration, except for the infrared emitter and sensor module  30 , is well known in the art.  
         [0016]    The CD-ROM  20  includes a first surface  50 , or recording medium support surface, having a digital number encoded thereon via invisible ink. The invisible ink may be, for example, Tennessee Eastman dye pm 19599/10. The digital number is different for each CD-ROM  20  and is predetermined by the content of the CD-ROM  20 . The information recorded in a predetermined sector is analyzed and a digital number is determined by an algorithm from the data in the predetermined sector. This digital number will be used for a security comparison as will later become readily apparent. The CD-ROM  20  also includes a second surface  60 , or data recording medium surface, in which the digital data is stored. The stored data may be, for example, pictorial images, text, graphics, amusement games or the like. A predetermined sector on the second surface includes the exact digital number which is stored on the first surface. The reader  10  compares the digital number from the first and second surfaces, and if they are the same or in checksum, the operation of the reader  10  is initiated. If they are not in agreement, operation of the reader  10  is prohibited.  
         [0017]    Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a flowchart of the comparison software program of the present invention. The comparison software is preferably stored as firmware in the reader. This operation includes starting the software upon proper insertion of the CD-ROM. The software directs S 2  the emitter and sensor pair  30  to read the invisible data (number) on the first surface  50 . The software then directs S 4  the secondary emitter and sensor pair  40  to read the predetermined sector of the second surface for retrieving the digital number thereon. If the numbers are the same S 6 , operation of the software program is started S 8 . If they are not the same S 6 , operation of software program is prohibited S  10  and an error message is displayed to the user.  
         [0018]    As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, other data recording mediums may be used in lieu of the CD-ROM. Referring to FIG. 3, one such embodiment is a videotape  70 . The invisible data is placed on the plastic housing  80  or case and the corresponding digital number is stored on the magnetic tape (not shown). In this embodiment, the corresponding digital number is stored on the initial portion of the magnetic tape. As is obvious to those killed in the art, the comparison software will be slightly modified so that this initial portion is read and further reading is prohibited until the security check has been satisfied. Still further, the reader  10  will also be modified to accommodate videotapes in lieu of CD-ROMs, as is obvious to those skilled in the art and will not be discussed in detail herein.  
         [0019]    Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown another alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, the invisible data is placed on the outer shell  100  of a floppy disk  90  and the corresponding digital number is stored on the disk. The method of using the disk  90  and the reader  10  is substantially similar to that for CD-ROM  20  and will not be discussed in detail herein.  
         [0020]    Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternative embodiment of a solid state memory cartridge  110 . In this embodiment, the invisible data is placed on the plastic case  120  of the solid state memory cartridge  110  and the corresponding digital number is stored in the integrated circuit  130 . The method of using the solid state memory cartridge  110  and the reader  10  is substantially similar to that for the CD-ROM  20  and will not be discussed in detail herein.  
         [0021]    Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternative embodiment of a photograph  140 . In this embodiment, the invisible data is placed within the image  150  and the corresponding digital number is stored in a predetermined portion  160  of the photograph  140 . The method of using the photograph  140  and the reader  10  is substantially similar to that for the CD-ROM  20  and will not be discussed in detail herein.  
         [0022]    The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.  
                                         PARTS LIST                                 10   CD ROM reader        20   CD ROMs        30   infrared emitter and sensor module        40   secondary emitter and sensor module        50   first surface        60   second surface        70   videotape        80   plastic housing        90   floppy disk       100   outer shell (of the floppy disk)       110   solid state memory cartridge       120   plastic case (of the solid state memory cartridge)       130   integrated circuit       140   photograph       150   image       160   predetermined portion (of the photograph       S2   flow chart step       S4   flow chart step       S6   flow chart step       S8   flow chart step        S10   flow chart step