Patent Publication Number: US-2004052202-A1

Title: RFID enabled information disks

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to wireless communication systems. In particular, the invention relates to the implementation of radio frequency identification apparatus in information media for use with systems to prevent the unauthorized use of copyrighted or otherwise secured work.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002] Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has been used for wireless automatic identification. An RFID system typically includes a transponder, also referred to as a tag, an antenna, and a transceiver with a decoder. The tag includes a radio frequency integrated circuit and the antenna serves as a pipeline between the circuit and the transceiver. Data transfer between the tag and transceiver is wireless. RFID systems may provide non-contact, non-line of sight communication.  
       [0003] RF tag “readers” utilize an antenna as well as a transceiver and decoder. When a tag passes through an electromagnetic zone of a reader, the tag is activated by the signal from the antenna. The transceiver decodes the data on the tag and this decoded information is forwarded to a host computer for processing. Readers or interrogators can be fixed or handheld devices, depending on the particular application.  
       [0004] RFID systems may utilize passive, semi-passive, or active transponders. Each type of transponder may be read only or read/write capable. Passive transponders obtain operating power from the radio frequency signal of the reader that interrogates the transponder. Semi-passive and active transponders are powered by a battery, which generally results in a greater read range. Semi-passive transponders may operate on a timer and periodically transmit information to the reader. Active transponders can control their output, which allows them to activate or deactivate apparatus remotely. Active transponders can also initiate communication, whereas passive and semi-passive transponders are activated only when they are read by another device first. Multiple transponders may be located in a radio frequency field and read individually or simultaneously.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005] According to the invention, an information disk comprises an annular disk structure, an antenna, and a radio frequency identification processor. The annular disk structure has a surface with a metalized data storage area for storing information. The antenna is affixed to the annular disk surface and positioned radially inwardly from the metalized data storage area. The radio frequency identification processor is coupled to the annular disk surface and to the antenna. A protective coating is coupled to at least one of the processor or the antenna.  
       [0006] In another embodiment, a system for reading an information disk includes the information disk described above and a reader. The reader has two coupling plates, with one coupling plate electrically interacting with the antenna, and the other coupling plate electrically interacting with the metalized data storage area to activate the dipole inductive processor.  
       [0007] In yet another embodiment, a process for enabling an information disk with a radio frequency identification processor is provided. This process includes providing a disk having a disk surface with an outer metalized data storage portion and an inner antenna portion separated by a gap for accommodating a radio frequency identification processor. The processor is positioned in the aforementioned gap such that it is electrically active. The disk is coated to cover the disk surface. The coating step includes coating at least the antenna portion, the gap, the processor, and the metalized data storage portion.  
       [0008] An alternative embodiment also concerns a process for enabling an information disk with a radio frequency identification processor. This process includes providing an annular disk having a surface with an outer metalized data storage portion and an inner antenna portion, with the inner and outer portions being separated by a non-conductive gap, the gap being dimensioned to accommodate a processor. The process also includes positioning the processor radially inwardly from the antenna portion on the disk surface such that the processor is electrically coupled to the antenna, and coating the disk with a coating to cover the disk surface.  
       [0009] In another embodiment, the process of enabling an information disk with a processor includes providing a disk having a surface with an outer metalized data storage portion around the outer periphery thereof and an inner portion, positioning a loop-type antenna on the inner portion of the disk surface, positioning a processor having a first and a second terminal in association with the loop-type antenna, and coating the disk with a protective layer. The loop-type antenna has a first and a second pole. The first terminal of the processor is associated with the first pole of the loop-type antenna and the second terminal of the processor is associated with the second pole of the loop-type antenna.  
       [0010] In yet another embodiment, a process for enabling an information disk with a radio frequency processor includes embedding a radio frequency processor in a disk structure, and metalizing the disk structure over the processor to form a data storage area and an antenna such that the processor is electrically associated with at least one of the antenna and the data storage area. The process may further include coating the disk with a coating.  
       [0011] In another embodiment, an information disk is provided that has a rigid disk structure and a processor. The disk structure has a surface with a first metalized portion and a second metalized portion with a gap positioned therebetween. The processor is positioned at least partially in the gap such that the processor is electrically coupled to at least one of the first or second metalized portions. An interposer may be associated with the radio frequency processor and the interposer is positioned at least partially in the gap. The processor is connected to the interposer. The disk structure may be annular with the first metalized portion being positioned near the outer periphery of the disk structure and the second metalized portion being positioned radially inwardly from the first metalized portion.  
       [0012] In another embodiment of the information disk, the disk includes a rigid, annular disk structure having a surface with a central opening and a metalized data storage area positioned on the surface for storing information. A radio frequency identification processor is coupled to the annular disk surface positioned radially inwardly from the metalized data storage area.  
       [0013] Alternatively, the information disk may include an annular disk structure having an annular disk surface with an outer metalized portion and an inner metalized portion. An annular gap is positioned between the portions. A processor is positioned radially inwardly from the inner metalized portion. The processor is electrically coupled to the inner metalized portion. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is an elevated top view of an embodiment of the RFID enabled information disk of the claimed invention utilizing a capacitive antenna system;  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure shown in FIG. 1, taken at line  2 - 2 , for a CD construction;  
     [0016]FIG. 3 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure shown in FIG. 1 depicting an alternative embodiment of a CD construction where a recess is sized to accept an RFID processor, or the processor is otherwise embedded in the disk surface, again taken at line  2 - 2  in FIG. 1;  
     [0017]FIG. 4 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing the metalized areas positioned under the processor in the recess;  
     [0018]FIG. 5 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure of FIG. 1 for a CD construction, depicting an alternative embodiment where an interposer is positioned between the processor and the metalized areas, taken at line  2 - 2  in FIG. 1;  
     [0019]FIG. 6 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure of FIG. 1 for a CD construction, depicting an alternative embodiment where the conductive areas on the disk surface are covered by a non-conductive layer, and an interposer and chip are positioned for capacitive coupling with the conductive areas;  
     [0020]FIG. 7 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure of FIG. 1, similar to FIG. 6, but without the non-conductive layer;  
     [0021]FIG. 8 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure of FIG. 1, showing a DVD construction having two disk layers that are bonded together, with the processor positioned in a recess in one of the disk layers and the metalized areas extending into the recess, again taken at line  2 - 2  of FIG. 1;  
     [0022]FIG. 9 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 8, but showing a recess formed in both disk layers of the DVD and with a layer of bonding material positioned between the disk layers;  
     [0023]FIG. 10 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 8, but without any recesses being formed in the disk layers and with the processor positioned between and embedded in the bonding material utilized to join the two disk layers together;  
     [0024]FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a reader for reading a capacitive or inductive RFID processor using a capacitive antenna system, with components of the reader positioned over an information disk;  
     [0025]FIG. 12 is an elevated top view of an alternative embodiment of the disk structure utilizing a capacitive antenna system;  
     [0026]FIG. 13 is an elevated top view of an alternative embodiment of the disk structure shown utilizing an inductive antenna system;  
     [0027]FIG. 14 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure for a CD construction shown in FIG. 13, taken at line  14 - 14 ;  
     [0028]FIG. 15 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure shown in FIG. 13 for a CD construction depicting an alternative embodiment where a recess is sized to accept an RFID processor, or the processor is embedded in the surface of the disk structure, again taken at line  14 - 14 ;  
     [0029]FIG. 16 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 14, but depicting a DVD construction where an RFID processor is bonded between two disk layers;  
     [0030]FIG. 17 is an elevated top view of an alternative embodiment of the disk structure showing an interposer and processor positioned adjacent the metalized data storage area on the disk structure;  
     [0031]FIG. 18 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure shown in FIG. 17, taken at line  18 - 18  for a CD construction  
     [0032]FIG. 19 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view similar to that shown in FIG. 18, but including a non-conductive layer between the metalized data storage area and interposer for a CD construction;  
     [0033]FIG. 20 is an elevated top view of an alternative embodiment of the disk structure showing an inductive antenna system utilizing a loop antenna;  
     [0034]FIG. 21 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure shown in FIG. 20, taken along line  21 - 21 , for a CD construction;  
     [0035]FIG. 22 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of an alternative disk structure shown in FIG. 20, taken along line  21 - 21 , for a CD construction;  
     [0036]FIG. 23 is an elevated top view of an alternative embodiment of the disk structure showing an inductive antenna system;  
     [0037]FIG. 24 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure shown in FIG. 23, taken along line  24 - 24 , for a CD construction;  
     [0038]FIG. 25 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the disk structure shown in FIG. 23, taken along line  24 - 24 , for a CD construction;  
     [0039]FIG. 26 is an elevated top view of an alternative embodiment of the disk structure showing the processor positioned in the area defined for the coils of a loop antenna;  
     [0040]FIG. 27 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view of the disk structure shown in FIG. 26, taken along line  27 - 27 , for a CD construction;  
     [0041]FIG. 28 is an expanded partial cross-sectional view similar to that of FIG. 27 for a CD construction, but with the antenna positioned over the processor;  
     [0042]FIG. 29 is an elevated top view of an alternative embodiment of the disk structure showing a dipole antenna in conjunction with a processor;  
     [0043]FIG. 30 is an elevated top view of an alternative embodiment of the disk structure showing a folded dipole antenna in conjunction with a processor; and  
     [0044]FIG. 31 is an elevated top view of several alternative embodiments of the disk structure showing a processor having an onboard antenna embedded in the disk structure at a variety of locations. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0045] An information disk  10  with an associated radio frequency identification (RFID) processor  22  is shown in FIGS.  1 - 30 . The RFID processor may be energized to provide a radio frequency signal that can be used to prevent unauthorized copying of copyrighted or otherwise secured information on the information disk. The processor can be associated with any type of information disk, whether the disk comprises a single disk, as in the case of a compact disk (“CD”), or multiple laminated disks, as in the case of a Digital Versatile Disk (“DVD”).  
     [0046] The present design uses standard CD and DVD construction and positions a processor  22  on the disk  10 . A CD has an annular, substantially rigid, disk structure  10  approximately 12 centimeters in diameter and 1.2 millimeters thick, with an approximately 1.6 centimeter diameter central opening  12 , also called a hub. CDs are typically made from a polycarbonate base  11  in an injection molding process. During molding, data in the form of tiny pits in a spiral pattern are formed in the surface  14  of the disk base  11 , and the data portion on the surface  14  of the base  11  is then coated with a thin layer of metal to form a metalized data storage area  16 . A typical coating material is aluminum, copper, or gold. The data storage area  16  is typically a ring-shaped area that is concentric to the annular disk structure, with an inner diameter of approximately 4.125 centimeters and an outer diameter of approximately 11.75 centimeters. The data storage area  16  preferably does not extend to the outer periphery  18  of the disk structure  10 , leaving a thin non-metalized annular ring  20  at the outer periphery  18  and an annular portion at the center of the disk  10 . The data stored on the CD (the spiral trail of tiny pits) may be read by a laser in a player.  
     [0047] The entire disk surface  14  of the base  11  is covered by a transparent protective coating, such as acrylic or nitrocellulose, to protect the metalized data storage area  16 . The interior annular non-conductive portion of the CD (between the data storage area  16  and the central opening  12 ), previously did not contain any information aside from occasional printed information. A processor  22 , such as an RF chip having an integrated circuit, is now positioned on the surface  14  of the base  11  in the interior area. The processor  22  is associated with an antenna  28 , which may also be positioned on the disk surface  14  in the interior area. The processor  22  is electrically active and can be activated by an RF reader positioned near the surface  14  of the CD inside a player. The processor  22  may be positioned in a variety of positions on the disk surface  14 , which will each be discussed in connection with the respective figures.  
     [0048] DVDs have approximately the same physical dimensions as the CDs discussed above, but include multiple data storage areas  16 , such as two disk layers  24  that are 0.6 millimeters thick. The metalized data storage areas  16  on each layer  24  of a DVD are parallel to each other. An additional reflective layer may be positioned between the disk layers in the vicinity of the metalized data storage area  16 . This reflective layer may be a non-conductive material, such as the material that is used to bond the two disk layers  24  together. DVDs can store more information than CDs because data is stored in a tighter spiral or pattern than the data of a CD, and due to the multiple data layers on the DVDs.  
     [0049] Like CDs, DVDs-are formed using an injection molding process. In one such process, two molds are utilized to make a single DVD. Each mold produces a 0.6 mm disk layer  24 . A plastic material, such as polycarbonate, is heated to a molten state and fed into the mold. The plastic layer  24  is compressed in the mold under several tons of pressure so that the pits corresponding to the data are formed in the plastic disk layers  24 . The clear plastic layers are then chilled and removed from the mold. After each layer  24  is pressed, the data area on the disk layers  32  are coated with a metallic layer to cover the pits to form the metalized data storage area  16 . A preferred coating technique is sputter coating and preferred materials are aluminum, copper, or gold. The two disk layers  24  are then bonded together with a bonding material, such as lacquer, and UV light is applied as the disks are squeezed together. The exterior surfaces of the disk layers  24  may also be coated with a protective coating  26 . A processor  22  and an antenna  28  are positioned on the disk between the two disk layers  24 . Alternatively, the processor and/or antenna may be positioned on an exterior surface of the DVD.  
     [0050] The term “processor” as used herein refers generally to a computer that processes or stores information, such as a computer chip. The processor may include a semiconductor circuit having logic, memory, and RF circuitry. It may include a computer chip in conjunction with an interposer, a computer chip in conjunction with leads for attaching the computer chip to conductive materials, or simply a computer chip with terminals for electrical connection with conductive materials. The computer chip may be a silicon-based chip, a polymer based chip, or other chips that are known today or will be developed in the future. In addition, the term “processor” includes new “chipless” technology, such as that manufactured by Checkpoint, where information is stored on an RFID chip and the information can be read by a reader; “flip chips” that include bridging connectors built directly into the chip; or other chips that include substrates that act like interposers. Thus, the term “processor” as used herein is meant to encompass a variety of embodiments and configurations.  
     [0051] Referring to the figures, the present design utilizes the surface  14  of a CD or DVD and positions a processor  22  and an antenna  28  on the surface  14 . In particular, the design uses the currently unused inner surface area of the disk to create a conductive area. As shown in the figures, the disk  10  has an outer metalized data storage area  16  and an inner metalized area  28  that is separated from the outer metalized data storage area  16  by an annular ring or gap  30  that is not conductive. The inner metalized area  28  serves as an antenna and may be structurally formed on the existing surface  14  of the disk  10 . The antenna  28  can take on various forms depending on the type of RFID processor used. In addition, the antenna  28  may be any type of conductive material, for example, such as copper or gold. While the inner area is referred to herein as the inner metalized area  28 , it may include materials other than metal, as long as the materials are conductive. In addition, as will be discussed in greater detail below in connection with several embodiments, it is not necessary that the entire inner area be conductive. Several embodiments involve small parts of the inner area to define a conductive area. Other embodiments do not require that any part of the inner area be metalized. Further, the term metalized also includes antennas that are preformed and are positioned on the inner surface.  
     [0052] As discussed above, the RFID system of the present design includes an RFID processor  22  and an antenna system. In one embodiment, the RFID processor  22  is positioned between the metalized data storage area  16  and the inner metalized area in the gap  30 . The processor  22  may alternatively be positioned in the outer metalized data storage area  16 , the outer non-metalized ring  20 , or the inner antenna area  28 . The RFID processor can be of the type that utilizes a capacitive antenna system or an inductive antenna system. A processor having an onboard antenna may also be utilized. The processor  22  may be capacitively coupled to the antenna system or may be physically connected to the antenna system utilizing a lead, trace, or other connector.  
     [0053] Referring to FIGS.  1 - 10 , the disk  10  has a base  11  that includes a disk surface  14 . The metalized data storage area  16  is positioned on the surface  14  around the outer periphery  18  of the disk. An opening  12  is positioned in the center of the disk  10 , an inner metalized area  28  is positioned on the disk surface  14  at a position spaced radially inwardly from the outer data storage area  16 , and a gap  30  is positioned between the outer and inner metalized areas  16 ,  28 . The inner metallized area  28  serves as an antenna. The terms “inner metalized area” and “antenna” are used broadly herein and interchangeably to refer to any type of antenna that is formed by any known or described method. Gap  30  is non-conductive and, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 10 , is on the disk surface  14 . The processor  22  is positioned at least partially in the gap  30  and is coupled to both the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas. The processor may be coupled capacitively, or may be physically attached to one or both of the metalized portions  16 ,  28 . Each of the RFID system components is preferably positioned on the same surface of the disk structure.  
     [0054] Both capacitive and inductive antenna systems can be utilized with the processor  22 . A disk  10  utilizing a capacitive antenna system is shown in FIGS.  1 - 10  and  12 . With the capacitive antenna system, one terminal of the dipole processor  22  is electrically coupled to the antenna  28 , and the other terminal is electrically coupled to the metalized data storage area  16 . With an inductive antenna system, as shown in FIGS.  13 - 30 , the two terminals of the RFID processor  22  are electrically coupled to the two poles of the antenna. With either type of antenna system, the antenna  28  may be formed by depositing metal, such as by sputter coating or hot foil stamping, or printing a conductive material, such as a polymer or ink, on the surface  14  of the disk base  11 . Alternatively, the antenna  28  may be formed by adhesively attaching a preformed antenna, or by attaching a preformed tag, which includes both the processor and the antenna, on the disk surface  14 . The antenna may be shaped as a solid annular area of conductive material, as shown in FIGS. 1, 11,  12  and  13 , or may be formed as a more defined shape, such as a spiral, a coil, a loop, or an arm, examples of which are shown in FIGS. 20, 23,  26  and  29 - 30 . Alternatively, the outer metalized data storage area may be used as an antenna, without requiring the deposit of conductive material in the inner area. The processor and antenna are embedded within the disk structure so that they form an integral part of the disk  10 .  
     [0055] In forming varied shapes, such as a coil, loop, or spiral, the center of the disk is metalized and the antenna pattern may be cut into the metalized area using etching, laser ablation, or mechanical or chemical removal. A shaped antenna may also be formed using sputter coating, hot foil stamping, plating or other known techniques for forming shaped patterns of materials on surfaces. The antenna  28  may be deposited by printing with highly conductive ink on the disk surface  14 , such as ink manufactured by Dupont. A shaped antenna may also be formed by masking off parts of surface  14 , depositing material over the maskings and surface  14 , and removing the maskings. With each of these systems, the RFID components may be covered with a protective coating after they are applied to the surface. The coating may be an acrylic, a nitrocellulose, or another suitable material as known by those of skill in the art.  
     [0056] FIGS.  1 - 10  depict a capacitive processor  22  positioned on the surface  14  of the disk base  11  in the gap  30  in a variety of configurations. FIGS.  2 - 7  represent a CD construction and FIGS.  8 - 10  represent a DVD construction. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas are positioned on the disk surface  14  and the processor  22  is positioned on the metalized areas. A layer of adhesive or other adhering material may be positioned under the processor  22 , or the processor  22  may simply be positioned over the metalized areas so that a space is formed under the processor  22 . The electrical connection between the processor  22  and the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas may be established by positioning each of the terminals on one of the inner  28  or outer  16  metalized areas. The connection may be physical, where the terminals are physically connected to the conductive areas (as shown in FIG. 2), or may be capacitive, where a non-conductive layer is positioned between the processor and the metalized areas. The physical connection may be provided by attaching a lead (not shown) from each of the metalized areas to the terminals, or vice versa. The physical connection may also be established by positioning the terminals of the processor directly on the metalized areas.  
     [0057] In FIG. 3, the processor  22  is recessed into the surface  14  of the disk  10  while the antenna  28  and metalized area  15  are positioned on top of the surface  14  of the disk base  11 . The processor may be recessed by either creating a recess  32  in the surface  14  and positioning the processor  22  in the recess  32 , or by pressing the processor  22  into the surface  14  so that it sinks into the surface  14  during the disk molding process. With the former, the recess  32  may be formed either during molding of the disk  10  or after the disk is formed by removing material utilizing a known technique. Several methods for forming a recess  32  in the disk surface after the annular disk  10  is created are laser ablation, or mechanical or chemical removal. The recess  32  is preferably of a size sufficient to accept the processor. The processor  22  may be positioned in the recess  32  before the disk  10  is coated with a protective coating  26 . An adhesive may be adhered to the processor before it is positioned in the recess  32 , or may be positioned in the recess prior to insertion of the processor into the recess. An adhesive is optional and may be conductive. After the processor is positioned in the recess, the antenna  28  and/or outer metalized data storage area  16  may be positioned on the surface  14  so that they physically contact the terminals of the processor. Alternatively, if the antenna  28  and metalized data storage area  16  are already positioned on the surface  14 , conductive leads or traces may be formed on the processor  22  and surface  14  to create an electrical coupling. The surface of the disk, including the processor, antenna, and metalized data storage area, may then be coated with a protective coating  26 , as discussed above.  
     [0058]FIG. 4 depicts a processor  22  positioned in a recess  32 , but with the conductive poles from the antenna  28  and metalized data storage area  16  extending into the recess for electrical coupling to the terminals of the processor  22 . The recess  32  may be formed before the surface  14  is metalized so that the metalized layer of the data storage area  16  and the inner metalized area  28  may extend into the recess  32 . Alternatively, leads or traces may extend from the metalized area  16 ,  28  into the recess to connect the metalized areas  16 ,  28  to the recess  32  for coupling to the processor  22 .  
     [0059] FIGS.  5 - 7  show a system that utilizes an interposer  40  in addition to the processor  22 . In FIG. 5, the processor  22  is positioned in a recess  32  and the interposer  40  covers the processor  22  and electrically couples the processor  22  to the antenna  28  and the metalized data storage area  16 .  
     [0060]FIG. 6 depicts a non-conductive layer  42  positioned over the antenna  28 , gap  30 , and metalized data storage area  16 . An interposer  40  is positioned over the non-conductive layer  42  so that the interposer  40  extends partially over the antenna  28  and metalized data storage area  16 . The processor  22  is positioned under the interposer  40  in the gap  30  area and is surrounded by the non-conductive layer  42 . The processor  22  may be embedded in the non-conductive layer  42 . The components are covered by a protective coating  26 . The electrical connection between the processor  22 , antenna  28 , and metalized data storage area  16  is established capactively.  
     [0061]FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6, except the interposer  40  is positioned directly in contact with the antenna  28  and metalized data storage area  16  to create a direct electrical connection. The processor  22  is positioned in gap  30  between the metalized data storage area  16  and the antenna  28 . The interposer  40  is positioned over the processor  22  and is in electrical contact with the processor  22 . The interposer is also in electrical contact with the antenna  28  and metalized data storage area. The interposer  40  may be attached to the outer  16  metalized area or antenna  28  using an adhesive or other adhering medium. The processor  22  may be positioned in gap  30  with an adhesive and gaps may be positioned around the processor. The processor is not in direct electrical association with the antenna  28  and metalized data storage area  16 . If the interposer is flexible, it may conform to the surfaces below it, so as to slightly fill in any gaps surrounding the processor.  
     [0062] While the processor  22  is shown positioned under the interposer  40  in FIGS. 6 and 7, it may alternatively be positioned on top of the interposer  40  (not shown). When the processor  22  is positioned on top of the interposer  40 , it may be applied by an adhering medium, such as a conductive adhesive. The space under the interposer  40  in gap  30  may be filled with a non-conductive material, such as a polymer or adhesive, or may remain unfilled such that an air space is created under the interposer  40 . If the interposer  40  is flexible, it may conform to the space in gap  30  such that the air space is minimized.  
     [0063] Alternatively, the processor  22  may be positioned in a recess  32  after the annular disk  10  is coated with a protective coating  26 . This may occur by pressing the processor into the coating material while the material is soft, or by forming a recess into the protective coating  26  and positioning the processor  22  in the recess  32 . After the processor  22  is positioned in the recess  32  formed in the protective coating  26  (not shown), the recess  32  and processor  22  may be covered with an additional protective material, which may be the same type of material as the protective coating  26 , or a different type of material. Thus, while many of the embodiments described and shown herein depict the processor embedded in surface  14 , the processor may also be embedded in or positioned on the protective coating  26 .  
     [0064] It should be noted that the antenna  28  may also be recessed below the surface  14 . The antenna may be recessed by any of the techniques discussed above, in addition to other known techniques.  
     [0065] FIGS.  8 - 10  depict a DVD construction of the disk  10 . As discussed above, a DVD includes two disk layers  24  and the processor  22  may be bonded between the layers, or positioned on an exterior surface of one of the disk layers. FIG. 8 depicts a processor  22  positioned in a recess  32  formed in one of the disk layers  24 . Leads to the antenna  28  and metalized data storage area  16  extend into the recess in order to establish a connection between the processor and metalized areas. A layer of bonding material  44 , such as a lacquer, is shown positioned between the upper layer  24  and the lower layer  24 . This bonding material  44  may fill in any gaps around the processor  22  in the recess  32 . FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, except a recess  32  is positioned in both the upper and lower layers  24 . FIG. 10 differs from FIGS. 8 and 9 in that it does not utilize a recess. Instead, the processor  22  is embedded in the layer of bonding material  44 . In this embodiment, a small space may remain under the processor  22  in gap  30 . This space may be filled by the bonding material  44  or other filler material. Alternatively, this space may be left unfilled so that a small air space is created under the processor  22 . In addition, the processor  22  may be pressed into one or both of the surfaces  14  of the disk layers  24  during manufacture of the disk layers  24  so that a recess  32  does not have to be separately formed. While not shown, an interposer  40  can be used with any of the described embodiments.  
     [0066]FIG. 11 depicts a schematic of a reader  46  positioned in close proximity to the disk  10  of FIGS.  1 - 10 . The processor  22  on the disk has two terminals and is positioned in gap  30 . It has one terminal electrically coupled to the inner metalized area  28  and another terminal that is electrically coupled to the outer metalized data storage area  16 . The reader  46  includes two coupling plates  48 , one of which is positioned over the inner metalized area  28  and the other of which is positioned over the outer metalized data storage portion  16 . This reader and antenna arrangement can be used with a capacitive or inductive chip.  
     [0067]FIG. 12 depicts a different embodiment of the claimed invention, where an interposer tag  50  that is circular is positioned in the interior portion of the disk  10  around central opening  12 . The interposer tag  50  includes a conductive patch  52  arranged concentrically that substitutes for antenna  28  on the disk surface  14 . Interposer tag  50  also includes a conductive pad  54  for electrically coupling to the outer metalized data storage area  16 . A processor  22  is positioned between conductive patch  52  and conductive patch  54  and is electrically coupled to both patches. Patch  54  serves as the interposer between the processor  22  and the metalized data storage area  16 . Interposer tag  50  may be positioned directly on the disk surface  14  and may be adhesively applied, if desired. A protective layer  26  may then be coated onto the disk surface  14  and tag  50 . While the interposer tag  50  is depicted and described as circular, it may take on other shapes, as desired.  
     [0068] Referring to FIG. 13, a disk  10  having an inductive antenna system is shown. The processor  22  is positioned partially in the gap  30 , and has one terminal that is connected to the inner antenna portion  28 . The inner antenna portion  28  in FIG. 3 is shown as being a solid block of conductive material. However, as previously discussed, antenna portion  28  may take on other shapes and is not limited to the shape shown. A second terminal of the processor may be associated with an onboard antenna on the processor (not shown). Alternatively, the processor does not have another antenna associated with the other terminal. Instead, a reader may obtain a reading from the processor utilizing a touch mode, where the reader touches the disk in the vicinity of the processor. FIGS.  14 - 16  are similar to FIGS.  2 - 4  and  9 , discussed above, but instead of being connected to both the data storage area  16  and the antenna  28 , they are not electrically coupled to the data storage area  16 . The connections described above in connection with FIGS.  2 - 10  are also applicable to FIGS.  14 - 16 .  
     [0069] FIGS.  17 - 19  depict an alternative embodiment of an inductive antenna system where only an outer metalized area  16  is provided. The inner area  56  of the disk surface  14  is free of conductive material. In this embodiment, the processor  22  is positioned in the non-conductive inner area  56  and is coupled to an interposer  40 . One side of the interposer  40  extends into the non-conductive inner area  56  and the other side of the interposer is electrically coupled to the metalized data storage area  16 . The interposer  40  may be in physical contact with the metalized data storage area  16 , as shown in FIG. 18. Alternatively, the interposer  40  may be spaced from the metalized data storage area  16 , as shown in FIG. 19, by a non-conductive layer  58 , but capacitively coupled with the metalized data storage area  16 . Non-conductive layer  58  may be an acrylic or other non-conductive material, as known by those of skill in the art. With this embodiment, a reader can read the chip either capacitively, or by physically touching the disk in the vicinity of the outer edge of the interposer  14 .  
     [0070] FIGS.  20 - 28  also depict a disk having an inductive antenna system, of the spiral, coil, or loop variety. FIGS. 20, 23 and  26  differ from one another in the placement of the processor  22  in relation to the antenna  28 . In FIG. 20, the processor  22  is positioned radially inwardly from the antenna  28 , in the vicinity of the central opening  12 . In FIG. 23, the processor  22  is positioned between the antenna  28  and the data storage area  16 , and FIG. 26 shows the processor  22  positioned over or under the antenna  28 .  
     [0071] Referring to FIGS.  20 - 22 , the processor  22  is positioned on the disk surface  14  near the central opening  12  and has two terminals, each of which are coupled to one pole of the antenna  28 . The antenna has a plurality of loops  34 , which wind around one another. The loops wind away from the central opening  12 . One pole of the loop  34  bridges the inner antenna coils  34  with a bridging connector  36  to connect the pole of the antenna  28  to the processor  22 . The bridging connector  36  may be electrically isolated from the inner antenna loops  34  by an insulating dielectric  38 , and the outer inductive loops  34  may be isolated from one another by the protective coating  26  or a different non-conductive material positioned over the bridging connector. Furthermore, the insulating dielectric  38  may be the same material as the protective coating  26 . FIG. 21 depicts the processor positioned in a recess  32 , with the antenna  28  positioned over the processor. The bridging connector  36  is in physical contact with the processor  22  at one pole and the antenna  28  at the other pole. The antenna  28  is positioned over the bridging connector  36 . FIG. 22 differs from FIG. 21 in that the antenna is positioned directly on the disk surface  14 , so that the bridging connector  36  spans over the antenna loops  34 .  
     [0072] FIGS.  23 - 25  depict a disk similar to that of FIGS.  20 - 22 , but with the processor  22  positioned between the antenna  28  and the metalized data storage area  16 . The processor  22  has two terminals, each of which is attached to one pole of the antenna loop  34 . With this embodiment, in order to contact the second terminal of the inductive processor  22 , the antenna loop  34  closest to the disk central opening  12  bridges the outer antenna loops  34  with a bridging connector  36  without electrically contacting the loops. The bridging connector  36  may be electrically isolated from the outer antenna coils  34  by utilizing an insulating dielectric  38 . FIG. 24 shows the processor positioned in a recess  32 , with the antenna  28  positioned over the processor  22 . The bridging connector  36  is in physical contact with the processor  22  at one pole, and the antenna  28  at the other pole. The antenna  28  is positioned over the bridging connector  36  and an insulating dielectric  38  is positioned between the coils  34  and the bridging connector  36 . The insulating dielectric may be any type of insulating material, including the same material as the protective coating  26 .  
     [0073]FIG. 25 differs from FIG. 24 in that leads  62  are connected to the processor  22 . The leads  62  are electrically coupled with the processor, the antenna  28 , and the bridging connector  36 . As shown in both FIGS. 24 and 25, the protective coating  26  may serve as an insulator between the respective loops  34  of the antenna  28 .  
     [0074] FIGS.  26 - 28  depict a different inductive antenna system where the processor  22  is positioned either over or under the loops  34  of the antenna  28 . Because the antenna loops  34  are positioned directly over or under the processor  22 , a bridging connector  36  is not required. FIG. 27 depicts the processor  22  positioned in a recess  32  in the surface  14  of a CD structure. The antenna  28  is positioned under the processor  22  in the recess  32 . Since the antenna  28  is a spiral loop, the recess  32  in this case will preferably extend annularly around the central opening  12 . The processor  22  is coupled with the ends of the spiral at its terminals. The antenna loops  34  in the intermediate areas  64  of the loops  34  are separated by a non-conductive material. FIG. 28 is similar to FIG. 27, except the antenna  28  is positioned over the processor  22  in a recess  32 . It should also be noted that the recess  32  is not required. The antenna and processor could be deposited directly on surface  14 . Alternatively, as discussed with several embodiments above, the processor  22  or antenna  28  could be pressed into the disk surface  14  during manufacture of the disk, or positioned in a recess formed on the protective coating  26 .  
     [0075]FIGS. 29 and 30 show different antenna configurations. FIG. 29 shows a processor  22  with an associated dipole antenna  28  that has antenna arms  66  extending outwardly from the two terminals of the processor  22 . The processor  22  and dipole antenna  28  may be positioned directly on the surface  14  of the disk  10  in the interior area  56  of the disk by any of the means for deposit discussed above. The interior area  56  is preferably free from conductive material, other than that associated with the antenna arms  66  and processor  22 . The dipole antenna may vary in size, with the example shown in FIG. 29 being for illustration purposes only. Furthermore, either or both of the antenna  28  and the processor  22  may be positioned in a recess  32  defined on surface  14 . Alternatively, the processor  22  and dipole antenna arms  66  may be positioned on a tag, which can be adhesively, or otherwise applied to the surface  14  of base  11 . The surface  14  is coated with a protective coating so that the antenna  28  and processor  22  are integral with the disk structure.  
     [0076]FIG. 30 is similar to FIG. 29, but shows a folded dipole antenna  68  associated with processor  22  in the inner non-conductive area  56 . As discussed above for FIG. 29, the processor  22  and/or antenna  68  may be positioned on the disk surface  14  of base  11 , in a recess  32  defined in the disk surface  14 , or as a stand alone tag positioned on the disk surface  14  that is adhesively or otherwise applied.  
     [0077]FIG. 31 depicts a processor  60  that has an onboard antenna positioned on the disk  10 . With this embodiment, it is not necessary to have a separate antenna defined on the disk surface  14 , since the antenna is integral with the processor  60 . However, it may be beneficial to have the processor  60  associated with a separate antenna in order to augment the range of the processor. Three different placements for processor  60  are shown in FIG. 31, including in the inner non-conductive area  56 , the outer non-conductive area  20 , and under the metalized data storage area  16 . When the processor  60  is positioned in the metalized data storage area  16 , it is preferably positioned in a part of the area  16  that is free of data, such that the metal layer of the metalized data storage area covers the processor  60 , but the processor does not interfere with the data on the disk  10 . With this embodiment, the metal layer serves as an additional antenna to boost the signal of the processor  60 . As with other embodiments, the processor  60  may be embedded in a recess  32  (not shown). In addition, the processor  60  may be covered with a non-conductive material prior to having the metalized layer positioned over the processor. The processor may also be covered with a conductive material when it is positioned in the inner non-conductive area  56 . The conductive material may be shaped in an antenna pattern and may be utilized by the processor  60  to augment the range of the processor  60 .  
     [0078] With respect to the antenna  28 , the antenna may be a single layer of conductive material that is positioned on the disk surface  14  or in a recess  32 . Alternatively, it may be a metallic layer or a print deposited layer of conductive ink or other conductive material. The antenna  28  may be positioned above or below the protective coating  26 .  
     [0079] The process utilized to enable an information disk with an RFID processor includes molding the base  11  of the disk  10  and forming the data portion on the disk surface  14  in a generally concentric manner near the outer periphery  18  of the disk  10 . A small non-conductive ring  20  remains at the outer periphery  18 , where data is not stored. The data portion is then metalized by applying a thin layer of metal over the data portion to form the metalized data storage area  16 . This may be accomplished by techniques known by those of skill in the art.  
     [0080] The inner part of the disk may remain partly or wholly unmetalized or may be metalized to form an antenna  28  on the disk surface  14 . In one embodiment of the process, the inner area is metalized to form a conductive annular area near the center of the disk  10 . When an opening  12  is provided in the disk  10 , the inner metalized area  28  surrounds the center opening  12 , but may be slightly spaced from the opening. This inner metalized area  28  may be formed using sputter coating, hot foil stamping, or other metal depositing techniques. Alternatively, an antenna portion  28  may be print deposited on the surface  14  in the inner area of the disk base  11  using a conductive material, such as conductive ink. The inner metalized area  28  is preferably conductive and may be shaped as a solid ring-shape, or in a pattern, such as a spiral, loop, coil, arms, or other shapes.  
     [0081] A gap  30  is positioned between the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas, and a processor  22  is positioned at least partially in the gap  30  so that the processor  22  is electrically active. The processor  22  may be electrically coupled to either or both of the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas. The disk surface  14  may then be coated with a protective coating  26 . This coating  26  preferably covers the inner metalized area or antenna  28 , the processor  22  and any associated leads, and the metalized data storage area  16 .  
     [0082] The process may also include forming a recess  32  in the disk surface  14  at the gap  30 . The recess  32  is preferably sized to accept a processor  22  therein. Alternatively, a larger recess  32  may be formed to accept both the processor  22  and the antenna  28 . The processor  22  and/or antenna  28  are positioned in the recess  32 . The processor  22  and/or antenna  28  may include an adhesive for adhering them to the surface  14 . Alternatively, the processor  22  and antenna  28  may be positioned on a tag that can be positioned on the surface  14  of the base  11 . This tag may be positioned in a recess  32  formed on the surface  14  of the base  11  and may include an adhesive for attaching the tag to the surface  14 . The tag may be positioned partially in the gap  30  and partially in the inner antenna portion  28 .  
     [0083] A coating  26  may be applied over the recessed area  32  to fill in any gaps around the antenna  28  or processor  22  that remain after the processor  22  and/or antenna  28  are positioned in the recess  32 . The entire surface  14  of the disk, including any RFID components, may be coated with the protective coating  26 .  
     [0084] The recess  32  may be formed during manufacture of the disk base  11  during the compression molding process, so that the recess is integrally formed with the base  11 . Alternatively, the recess  32  may be formed after the base  11  is created in the molding process. The recess  32  may be formed by laser ablation, or mechanical or chemical removal, among other known techniques for forming a recess in a plastic material.  
     [0085] The metalized areas  16 ,  28  on the disk may be formed at the same time as one another. For instance, an annular ring area on the disk surface  14  may be masked by an appropriate masking agent and the disk surface  14  may then be metalized. Upon removal of the masking material, a gap  30  is formed between the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas. Alternatively, the entire inner portion of the disk surface  14 , including the gap  30 , may be masked and then the disk surface  14  is metalized to create the outer metalized data storage area  16 . The mask may be removed to reveal a non-conductive inner area. Separate applications may be applied to the inner area to form an antenna  28  on the inner area, if desired, such as print depositing a conductive material, or depositing a metal by sputter coating, hot foil stamping, or other known techniques for depositing metal on a plastic surface. In another embodiment, the entire disk surface  14  is metalized and the metalized surface is cut to form the gap  30  and/or a shaped antenna. Another embodiment involves masking the inner portion in the shape of an antenna, depositing a conductive material over the inner portion, and removing the masking to reveal a shaped antenna  28  in the inner portion. The gap  30  and antenna shape may be cut using a technique such as laser ablation, etching, or mechanical or chemical removal, among other known techniques.  
     [0086] The processor may be electrically coupled to either or both of the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas. In one embodiment, the processor  22  is a chip and the terminals of the chip span the gap  30  and establish an electrical connection with the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas. In another embodiment, the processor  22  is positioned in the gap  30  and leads are utilized to connect the processor terminals to the inner and outer metalized areas. In yet another embodiment, the processor  22  is positioned on an interposer  40 , and the interposer  40  is in electrical contact with the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas. Some embodiments of the invention do not require an electrical connection with both the inner  28  and outer  16  metalized areas. For instance, in one embodiment, the processor  22  is positioned in the inner area, which is non-conductive, and is electrically coupled to the outer metalized data storage area  16 , as shown in FIGS.  17 - 19 . In another embodiment, the processor  22  is only electrically coupled to the inner antenna portion  28 , as shown in FIGS.  13 - 16  and  20 - 30 , not to the outer metalized data storage area  16 .  
     [0087] When a loop, or other shape having two poles, is utilized for the antenna portion  28 , the poles of the loops are preferably electrically coupled to the terminals of the processor  22 . Where the antenna  28  is a spiral shape having loops that wind around each other, a bridging connector  36  may be utilized to establish a connection between one end or pole of the loop and the processor  22 , while the other end or pole of the loop may be directly coupled to the processor  22  without the use of a bridging connector  36 .  
     [0088] In the preferred embodiments, as shown in the Figures, the RFID processor is passive. However, a semi-passive or active system is also contemplated for use with the present design. If a semi-passive or active processor is utilized, a battery (not shown) is positioned on the surface of the disk.  
     [0089] A variety of commercially available processors are contemplated for use with the claimed invention, including both capacitive processors and inductive processors. Some commercially available processors include the Bistatix chip by Motorola, or chips manufactured by Phillips or Hitachi, among others. These chips may be positioned at any number of locations on the disk, such as those described above. Other types of processors that may be utilized include those where one terminal of the processor is connected to the metalized data storage area  16  and the other terminal of the processor is connected to an antenna provided integrally on a tag with the processor. Furthermore, as discussed above, a processor with an onboard antenna may also be utilized.  
     [0090] Conductive leads, traces, or other conducting elements may be utilized, as discussed above, to establish an electrical connection between the processor  22  terminals, antenna  28 , and metalized data storage area  16 . These leads may be any type of conductive material known to those of skill in the art, such as conductive adhesive, conductive polymer, or solder.  
     [0091] It should be noted that processor  22  may be installed either upright or upside down. A processor  22  may be installed upside down prior to metalization or printing of conductive ink. This would allow the antenna to be built over the processor instead of under the processor and would eliminate the need for a conductive adhesive or solder to attach the processor to the antenna. In some cases, it may be necessary to position the processor such that the chip on the processor faces the reader.  
     [0092] It should also be noted that while specific examples of CDs and DVDs are described above, the claimed invention is not limited to the specifically described embodiments. In particular, the dimensions provided above are for illustration purposes only. While the disks are shown and discussed as being annular, non-annular disks may also be utilized. In addition to the types of CDs and DVDs described above, other types of CDs and DVDs are also contemplated to be used with the claimed invention, such as CD-ROM, CD−R, CD−RW, DVD-ROM, DVD−R(G), DVD−R(A), DVD−RW, DVD-RAM, DVD+RW, and DVD+R, among others. Further, different DVD formats may be utilized with the claimed invention, in addition to those with dual layers, including DVD-5 (single side, single layer), DVD-9 (single side, dual layer), DVD-10 (double side, single layer), DVD-14 (DVD-5 single layer bonded to a DVD-9 dual layer) and DVD-18 (two bonded DVD-9 dual layer structures).  
     [0093] While disks having certain layer thicknesses are shown in the figures, it should be noted that the various relative thicknesses are for illustration purposes only. The actual disk structures may vary from the sizes and relative dimensions shown herein. Also gap  30  may vary in size. For example, gap  30  may be large enough to accept the size of a processor. In contrast, it may be small enough so that the terminals of a chip span the gap  30  to electrically couple the chip to both the antenna  28  and the metalized data storage area  16 , among other sizes.  
     [0094] It should be further noted that a reader is utilized to read the processor once installed on the disk surface  14 . With some of the above-discussed embodiments, a reading of the processor may require physical contact between the reader and the disk  10 . In other embodiments, physical contact between the reader and the disk is not required. Whether direct contact is necessary will depend on a number of factors, including antenna shape and size, and processor positioning and characteristics, among other things.  
     [0095] While various features of the claimed invention are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments depicted herein.  
     [0096] Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. The embodiments described herein are examples of the claimed invention. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements of the invention recited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention may thus include other embodiments that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.