Patent Abstract:
A counterfeit-resistant portable storage medium is presented. The counterfeit-resistant portable storage medium comprises a non-volatile solid-state memory for storing data on the storage medium. The counterfeit-resistant portable storage medium also comprises a computer-readable read-only security device storing a security value uniquely identifying the storage medium. A method for delivering counterfeit-resistant data is also presented. The method comprises providing a portable storage medium storing computer-readable data, wherein the portable storage medium comprises a non-volatile memory storing the computer-readable data. The portable storage medium also comprises a computer-readable read-only security device storing a security value that uniquely identifies the portable storage medium.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/109,967, filed on Apr. 19, 2005, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/462,974, filed on Jun. 16, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,073 B2, which are hereby incorporated by reference. This application is also related to commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/260,028 and 11/259,826. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Counterfeiting is a problem for content providers. In the past, especially when using analog devices, counterfeits were typically inferior in quality to an authentic, or genuine, product. However, due in part to the advent of digital storage, counterfeits are now equal to, or nearly equal to, the authentic, or original, product in quality. Further compounding the problem for content providers is that optical media, upon which most digital content is delivered, is now relatively easy and inexpensive to duplicate. Additionally, many illicit counterfeiting operations generate counterfeited products that are increasingly difficult to distinguish from the genuine products.  
         [0003]     As part of their anti-counterfeiting efforts, content providers have focused considerable effort at identifying counterfeited products. Some of these efforts include adding identification labels (that are difficult and costly to duplicate) to the packaging and, more recently, creating holograms on the reflective coating applied to the optical media. The ability to identify counterfeits is important to content providers as a large amount of counterfeits come through customs from areas of the world where counterfeiting is inexpensive, and perhaps even encouraged. Thus, if the content providers can identify the counterfeits as they pass through customs, such counterfeits can be confiscated and/or destroyed. As an added benefit to the identification efforts, the cost of creating counterfeits is increased. Theoretically, if the overall cost to counterfeit a genuine article was raised to a level where there was no profit in selling a counterfeit, no counterfeits would be produced.  
         [0004]     Many areas of an optical disk are generally unused. For example, the hub area of an optical disk, i.e., the interior area of an optical disk surrounding the optical disk&#39;s center hole, is almost universally unused. With the exception of some printed artwork in this area, it is generally an area that is not utilized. No optically stored data is located within the hub area. Part of the reason that this area is unused is that this is the area that an optical disk drive uses to secure and rotate the disk while reading and/or writing.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.  
         [0006]     A counterfeit-resistant portable storage medium is presented. The counterfeit-resistant portable storage medium comprises a non-volatile solid-state memory for storing data on the storage medium. The counterfeit-resistant portable storage medium also comprises a computer-readable read-only security device storing a security value uniquely identifying the storage medium.  
         [0007]     A method for delivering counterfeit-resistant data is also presented. The method comprises providing a portable storage medium storing computer-readable data, wherein the portable storage medium comprises a non-volatile memory storing the computer-readable data. The portable storage medium also comprises a computer-readable read-only security device storing a security value that uniquely identifies the portable storage medium. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial diagram illustrating an exemplary optical disk having an embedded security wafer in the hub area of the disk, in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an optical disk embedded with a security wafer, where the security wafer is embedded in the optical disk such that the top of the security wafer is flush with a surface of the optical disk;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a pictorial diagram illustrating one exemplary manner of creating the optical disk embedded with a security wafer as shown in  FIG. 2 , using a specially molded optical disk;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a pictorial diagram illustrating an optical disk having a security wafer embedded entirely within the optical disk substrate;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an optical disk having a security wafer embedded entirely within the optical disk substrate, as described above in regard to  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are pictorial diagrams illustrating a security wafer with a spacing device on one side of the security wafer used to further embed the security wafer into the optical disk;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an optical disk embedded with a security wafer having a spacing device, and formed in the manner described in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a pictorial diagram illustrating another exemplary manner of creating an optical disk embedded with a security wafer using two specially molded optical platters which, when combined with a security wafer, form a single optical disk;  
         [0017]      FIGS. 9A-9C  are pictorial diagrams illustrating cross-sections of an optical disk embedded with a security wafer formed from bonding two optical platters;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a pictorial diagram illustrating an exemplary mold specially formed for creating specially molded optical platters as described in regard to  FIGS. 2 and 8 ;  
         [0019]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are pictorial diagrams illustrating cross-sections of an exemplary mold for creating optical disks, and having a security wafer placed on the center pin of the mold;  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process for creating an optical disk embedded with a security wafer using a typical optical disk mold, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary routine for creating an optical disk embedded with a security wafer using specially formed optical disks, such as those described in regard to  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary routine for creating an optical disk embedded with a security wafer using specially formed optical platters, such as those described in regard to  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a pictorial diagram illustrating an exemplary magnetic disk having a security device according to aspects of the disclosed subject matter; and  
         [0024]      FIGS. 16A-16C  are pictorial diagrams illustrating exemplary solid-state storage mediums having a security device in accordance with aspects of the disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     For purposes of this discussion, an optical disk refers to any of the Compact Disk (CD) family of optical disks, including, but not limited to, CD-ROM, CD-R, and the like, as well as the Digital Video Disk (DVD) family of optical disks, including, but not limited to, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, and the like. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other storage media, including other optical storage media and non-optical storage media, may realize similar benefits in applying the present invention. Additionally, as mentioned above, for purposes of this discussion, the hub area of an optical disk refers to the interior area of an optical disk surrounding the center hole. For example, in regard to a CD or DVD disk, the hub area is a concentric ring on the disk, having an inside diameter of 15.08 mm and an outside diameter of 34 mm, in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) specifications.  
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial diagram illustrating an exemplary optical disk  102  having an embedded security wafer  104  in the hub area of the optical disk, in accordance with the present invention. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the security wafer  104  is embedded into the optical disk  102 , and occupies the entire hub area of the disk. However, it should be noted that, while  FIG. 1  illustrates that the security wafer  104  occupies the entire hub area, it is for illustration purposes only, and should not be construed as limiting upon the present invention. While the dimensions shown illustrate the maximum area for a security wafer  104 , other dimensions for a security wafer may be used. Additionally, while embedding a security wafer  104  into the hub area of an optical disk may be a preferred embodiment of the present invention, other non-data bearing areas may also be utilized. For example, many optical disks are single-sided disks; thus, one side of the disk is a non-data bearing area. The outside edge of an optical disk is also typically a non-data bearing area. Both of these areas, as well as others, may be utilized, or in other words, embedded with a security wafer.  
         [0027]     While the security wafer  104  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and in other figures, as a circular disk, it is also for illustrative purposes, and should not be construed as limiting upon the present invention. While a circular security wafer, such as the security wafer  104  shown in  FIG. 1 , makes optimal use of the hub area, other geometric shapes may used. These other geometric shapes may prove beneficial for anti-counterfeiting purposes, such as providing easily identifiable patterns, as well as proving more difficult to duplicate. It should be noted that the security wafer  104  should be embedded in the optical disk such that it has only minimal effects upon the balance and/or rotational dynamics of the optical disk. To achieve this minimal impact, in one embodiment the security wafer  104  is concentrically located on the optical disk.  
         [0028]     Additionally, it should be further noted that while the following descriptions describe using a security wafer  104 , it is illustrative only, and should not be construed as limiting upon the present invention. Other security devices that are not wafers may be used. For example, instead of a security wafer  104 , a cylinder, bearing similar security features as the security wafer, may be used. Other shapes and forms may also be used, and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0029]     In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the security wafer  104  may include any number of security, or anti-counterfeiting, features. Examples of these security features placed on a security wafer  104  may include: encrypted, printed serial numbers; digital fingerprints or watermarks; holograms; polarized filters, photo-luminescent coatings (detectable by specially tuned lasers); microscopic taggants, i.e., microscopic markers not found in the base material but added to the base material to indicate the object&#39;s origin or authenticity; and radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices, to name just a few. Multiple features may be combined on a single security wafer  104 . Additionally, any or all of the various security features may be combined in such a way as to uniquely identify each authentic optical disk  102 , the content written onto the optical disk, or both. In other words, the various security features provide a security value that uniquely identifies each optical disk  102 , or other type of portable storage medium, such that the storage medium can be verified as being authentic.  
         [0030]     While many materials may be suitable for use as a security wafer  104 , such materials should not significantly increase the weight of the optical disk  102 , such that the optical disk&#39;s mass falls outside of specified standards. Additionally, the security wafer  104  should be constructed and placed on the optical disk  102  so as to not cause an imbalance to occur when the disk is rotated. According to one embodiment, the base material of the security wafer is comprised of the same base material as that of the optical disk  102 . For example, most CD and DVD disks are made of a base polycarbonate material. Thus, in one embodiment, the base material for the security wafer  104  is a like polycarbonate material.  
         [0031]     According to embodiments of the present invention, because the security wafer  104  is embedded either fully or partially within the optical disk  102 , the security wafer&#39;s thickness should be less than the thickness of the optical disk. For example, CD and DVD disks share the same standard thickness, 1.2 mm. Thus, the thickness of a security wafer  104  must be less than 1.2 mm. In one embodiment, the security wafer is 0.127 mm thick. Other thicknesses may also be used. According to an alternative embodiment (not shown), the security wafer  104  may be the same thickness as the optical disk  102  and include a center hole, and this security wafer is bonded to a specially formed optical disk, one formed to utilize such a security wafer as the hub area.  
         [0032]     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the top surface of the security wafer  104  is flush with a surface of the optical disk  102 .  FIG. 2  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104 , where the security wafer is embedded in the optical disk such that the top of the security wafer is flush with a surface of the optical disk.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a pictorial diagram illustrating one exemplary manner of creating the optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , using a specially molded optical disk  302 . The specially molded optical disk  302  includes a cavity  304  to accommodate the security wafer  104 , and is molded using a specially formed mold as described in regard to  FIG. 10 . As will be described below in regard to  FIG. 13 , after a specially molded optical disk  302  is formed, the security wafer  104  is placed in the cavity  304  and is bonded to the specially molded optical disk  302 .  
         [0034]     While a security wafer  104  may be partially embedded in an optical disk  102 , such as described above in regard to  FIG. 2 , alternatively, the security wafer may be entirely embedded within the optical disk.  FIG. 4  is a pictorial diagram illustrating an optical disk  102  having a security wafer  104  embedded entirely within the optical disk substrate. One advantage realized by entirely embedding the security wafer  104  within the optical disk  102  is that removing the security wafer from the optical disk completely destroys the hub area, rendering the optical disk unusable.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an optical disk  102  having a security wafer  104  embedded entirely within the optical disk substrate, as described above in regard to  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the optical disk substrate is found on either side of the security wafer. To create this embodiment, the security wafer  104  must be placed in the mold when the optical disk is created. This process is described in greater detail below in regard to  FIG. 12 .  
         [0036]     Often, when the security wafer  104  is placed in the mold prior to forming the optical disk  102 , the security wafer will “float” to one surface as the optical disk is formed, i.e., as the polycarbonate substrate is injected into the mold. In order to alleviate this situation, and to generally realize the benefits of an entirely embedded security wafer, a spacing device may be added to the security wafer.  
         [0037]      FIG. 6  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a security wafer  104  with a spacing device  602  on one side of the security wafer used to further embed the security wafer into the optical disk  102 . Creating an optical disk  102  with a security wafer  104  having a spacing device  602  is substantially the same as creating an optical disk having a fully embedded security wafer, as described below in regard to  FIG. 12 . However, as the security wafer  104  tends to “float” to a surface during creation of the optical disk  102 , the spacing device prevents the security wafer from reaching the optical disk&#39;s surface, and allows the optical disk&#39;s base material to almost entirely surround the security wafer.  
         [0038]     The combined thickness of the spacing device and the security wafer must be less than the thickness of the optical disk. Typically, the thickness of the spacing device  602  is less than the thickness of the security wafer  104 . For example, in one embodiment, the security wafer  104  is 0.127 mm thick, while the spacing device  602  is 0.100 mm thick. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the spacing device  602  may be a ring located on one surface of a security wafer  104 . Other shapes may also be used, as well as multiple spacing devices. For example, a plurality of small disks may be appropriately located on the surface of the security wafer  104 . When using a ring as the spacing device  602 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the inside diameter of the spacing device should correspond to the inside diameter of the hub area, i.e., 15.08 mm, as the optical disk&#39;s base material may not be able to flow into any cavity on the inside of the spacing device.  
         [0039]     In addition to rings having a suitable thickness such that the security wafer  104  is properly embedded within the base material, an alternative spacing device may comprise raised “bumps” or posts distributed on the security wafer.  FIG. 6B  illustrates a security device  104  having raised bumps  604 - 610  thereon. Like the spacer device  602  ( FIG. 6A ), the bumps are of an appropriate height, such as 0.100 mm, to ensure that the security wafer is properly embedded in the base material.  
         [0040]      FIG. 7  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  having a spacing device  602 , and formed in the manner described in  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the spacing device  602  is flush with a surface of the optical disk  102 . However, the security wafer  104  is almost entirely embedded within the optical disk base material. Thus, any attempts to remove the security wafer  104  from the optical disk will result in the destruction of the hub area, rendering the optical disk unusable.  
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a pictorial diagram illustrating another exemplary manner of creating an optical disk embedded with a security wafer using two specially molded optical platters, platter  802  and platter  804 , which, when combined with a security wafer  104 , form a single optical disk  102 . Similar to the specially molded optical disk  302  of  FIG. 3 , the specially molded optical platters  802  and  804  are formed with a cavity, shown as cavity  806  and  808 , to accept a security wafer  104 . The specially molded optical platters  802  and  804  are bonded together with the security wafer  104  located in the cavities  806  and  808 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 9A  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  formed according to the manner described above in regard to  FIG. 8 . As shown in this diagram, the security wafer  104  is generally located equally between the two specially molded optical platters  802  and  804  in the cavities  806  and  808 .  
         [0043]     Alternatively (not shown), only one of the optical platters is specially molded with a cavity to accept a security wafer  104 , while the other optical platter is a typical optical platter.  FIG. 9B  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of the resulting optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  formed according to this alternative embodiment. As shown, the security wafer  104  is positioned in the cavity of the specially molded optical platter  802  and flush with the second, typical optical platter  806  when they are bonded together.  
         [0044]     As yet a further alternative (not shown), one or both of the optical platters may be molded such that the security wafer  104  is flush with an outside surface of the resultant optical disk  102 , i.e., after bonding the optical platters.  FIG. 9C  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an optical disk  102  with a security wafer  104  partially embedded in a specially molded optical platter  802 , and flush with a surface of the resulting optical disk  102 .  
         [0045]     Those skilled in the art will recognize that DVD disks are commonly formed by bonding two optical platters together. Thus, the manner for creating an optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  described above in regard to  FIGS. 8 and 9 A- 9 C may be readily applied to creating DVD disks. However, it should be understood that the above identified process should not be limited to creating DVD disks with an embedded security wafer  104 . For example, while CD disks are typically created as a single platter, a CD disk embedded with a security wafer  104  may be created using two platters.  
         [0046]     As already mentioned, various embodiments of the optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  utilize a specially formed disk or platter having a cavity to accommodate the security wafer.  FIG. 10  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an exemplary mold  1000  for creating the specially molded optical disks or platters, as described in regard to  FIGS. 2 and 8 . It should be understood, however, that, while  FIG. 10  and the following discussion present some aspects of molds used for creating optical disks or platters, there are other aspects that are not included in this discussion, but are well known in the art.  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIG. 10 , the mold  1000  is comprised of two halves, the top portion  1002 , which has a center pin  1008 , and the bottom portion  1004  that is capable of receiving the center pin when the mold is closed. When the two halves of the mold  1000  are closed, a cavity area  1006  is created. This cavity area  1006  is filled with the optical disk&#39;s base material to form the disk or platter. In contrast to a typical mold, the top portion  1002  shown in  FIG. 10  includes a raised platform  1010  that forms the cavity in the specially formed optical disk or platter discussed above.  
         [0048]     The height of this raised platform  1010  corresponds to the height of the security wafer  104 , whether it is to be completely inserted into a single cavity, or shared between two cavities, such as described above in regard to  FIGS. 8 and 9 A. For example, a security wafer  104  is approximately 0.127 mm thick. Thus, in one embodiment, the raised platform  1010  should be a corresponding height to accommodate the security wafer when creating a specially formed optical disk  302  ( FIG. 3 ). Alternatively, if the mold  1000  is used to create specially formed optical platters, such as platters  802  and  804  described in regard to  FIG. 8 , the height of the raised platform  1010  would be approximately 0.064 mm.  
         [0049]      FIG. 11A  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an exemplary mold  1100  for creating optical disks, and having a security wafer  104  placed on the center pin  1008  of the mold. The two halves of the mold  1100 , the top portion  1102  and the bottom portion  1004 , are typical of those found in the prior art. In contrast to the mold  1000  described above in regard to  FIG. 10 , the mold  1100 , and in particular the top portion  1102 , does not have a raised platform. Instead, this exemplary cross-section illustrates a security wafer  104  located on the center pin  1008 . Placing the security wafer  104  on the center pin and subsequently forming the optical disk  102  is consistent with the process described above in regard to  FIG. 5 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 11B  is a pictorial diagram illustrating a cross-section of an exemplary mold  1100  for creating optical disks, and having a security wafer  104  with a spacer device  602  placed on the center pin  1008  in the mold. As shown in  FIG. 12 , by placing a spacing device  602  on the security wafer  104 , the security wafer is prevented from “floating” to a surface of the optical disk or platter, thereby embedding the security wafer substantially within the base material.  
         [0051]      FIG. 12  is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary process  1200  for creating an optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  using a typical optical disk mold, such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . While certain aspects of the process for making optical disks are described herein, they are included for describing the novel aspects of creating an optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that other steps, and combinations of steps, are involved with creating, or molding, an optical disk.  
         [0052]     Beginning at block  1202 , a security wafer  104  is positioned onto the center pin  1008  of an open mold, such as mold  1100  of  FIG. 11A . The security wafer  104  may or may not have a spacing device  602  attached to its surface. According to an actual embodiment, a robotic arm positions the security wafer  104  onto the center pin  1008  in the open mold  1100 . However, any number of other mechanisms for positioning the security wafer  104  onto the center pin  1008  may be utilized. After the security wafer  104 , with or without a spacing device  602 , is positioned onto the center pin  1008 , at block  1204 , the mold  1100  is closed.  
         [0053]     At block  1206 , the closed mold  1100  is filled with the base material. Typically, this material is a liquefied polycarbonate substrate, and filling the mold is performed by a well-known process referred to as injection molding. At block  1208 , the optical disk  102  is pressed, typically via a hydraulic ram. Those skilled in the art will recognize that pressing the filled mold  1100  imprints data onto the optical media from corresponding data located on the inner surface of one of the mold halves.  
         [0054]     At block  1210 , the center hole of the formed optical disk is punched to removed any sprues that may have formed, and to ensure that the center hole is the proper dimension. At block  1212 , the mold is opened and the optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  may be removed. Thereafter, the routine  1200  terminates. As previously mentioned, other steps may be taken to further prepare the optical disk  102  for delivery to an end user, such as coating the data area with a reflective substance, placing an exterior lacquer on the optical disk, printing labeling onto the optical disk, and the like.  
         [0055]     The routine  1200  described in  FIG. 12  is directed at one embodiment for creating an optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  by placing the security wafer in the open mold  1100 . Alternatively,  FIG. 13  is a flow diagram illustrating an alternative exemplary routine  1300  for creating an optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  using specially formed optical disks or platters, such as those described in regard to  FIG. 3 .  
         [0056]     Beginning at block  1302 , a specially formed optical disk, such as optical disk  302 , having a cavity  304  to accept a security wafer  104  is created. Specially formed optical disks may be created using the mold  1000  having a raised platform  1010 , described above in regard to  FIG. 10 . Other methods or molds may also be used, such as utilizing a special stamp within the mold. At block  1304 , the specially formed optical disk  302  is obtained. At block  1306 , a security wafer  104  is positioned into the cavity  304  found on the optical disk  302 . At block  1308 , the security wafer  104  is bonded to the optical disk  302 . Thereafter the routine  1300  terminates. As with the routine  1200  of  FIG. 12 , those skilled in the art will recognize that other steps that are not described herein, and not directly related with embedding the security wafer  104  in the optical disk  302 , may also be taken.  
         [0057]      FIG. 14  is a flow diagram illustrating yet another alternative routine  1400  for creating an optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  using specially formed optical platters, such as platters  802  and  804  described in regard to  FIG. 8 . Beginning at block  1402 , a first specially formed optical platter, such as platter  802  ( FIG. 8 ), is created. As mentioned above, specially formed optical disks or platters may be created using a specially formed mold  1000  having a raised platform  1010 , described above in regard to  FIG. 10 , or other methods, such as utilizing a special stamp within the mold. At block  1404 , a second specially formed optical platter, such as platter  804  ( FIG. 8 ), is created.  
         [0058]     At block  1406 , a security wafer  104  is positioned between the first and second specially formed optical platters such that the security wafer is located in the cavities of both the first and second optical platters. At block  1408 , the first and second specially formed optical platters, and the security wafer, are bonded together. Bonding optical platters together is known in the art, and that same process may be used to bond the first and second specially formed optical platters and the security wafer  104 . Thereafter, the exemplary routine  1400  terminates. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the optical platters and the resultant optical disk  102  embedded with a security wafer  104  will likely undergo additional processing steps, typical of preparing an optical disk for delivery to an end user, that are not described herein but are well known in the art.  
         [0059]     It should be appreciated that aspects of the disclosed subject matter may be beneficially applied to media other than optical disks and in a variety of forms. For example, a security device may be applied to magnetic media including floppy disks, Bernoulli disks, zip disks, hard drives, and the like. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , a security device  1502  may also function as the hub of a floppy disk  1500 , upon which a drive clamps down in order to rotate the storage media. Similarly, (while not shown) security devices may be mounted on, or embedded within one or more platters of a hard disk drive.  
         [0060]     While the above description is made with regard to placing a security device on spinning, or dynamic, media, it should be appreciated that security devices (as described above) may be beneficially used with regard to static or solid state devices, e.g., universal serial bus (USB) flash drives, flash memory devices, solid state drives, and the like. By way of illustration, and not limitation, with regard to FIGS.  16 A-C, a security device  1602  may be embedded within a circuit board  1600  ( FIG. 16A ) upon which solid state components  1604  are located, included as a discrete component  1612  ( FIG. 16B ) of the various components of a solid state device  1610 , or as an element  1622  ( FIG. 16C ) attached to or embedded within the casing of a solid state device  1620 .  
         [0061]     As discussed above, the security devices storing the security value may comprise, by way of illustration and not by limitation, radio frequency (RF) devices to be read by a radio frequency receiving, optical devices to be read by an optical sensor, and the like. Additionally, when included as a component of a solid-state storage medium, the security device may comprise a read-only chip storing the unique security value to be read by a computer system as it would other memory on the medium.  
         [0062]     While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6