Glass media unique identification and tracking system

A method for reading identifying information from an optically encoded transparent substrate that stores data therein, the method comprising:

• providing an optically encoded transparent substrate comprising a data zone including optically encoded data therein and optically readable identification indicia etched within a transparent region of the transparent substrate that is outside of the data zone, the optically readable identification indicia corresponding to identifying information regarding the transparent substrate;
• directing light at the optically readable identification indicia identifying information, wherein the optically readable identification indicia comprise indicia portions comprising different reflective properties for the light relative to the transparent substrate;
• sensing an intensity of the light reflected from the optically readable identification indicia;
• and
• decoding identifying information from the optically readable identification indicia in response to the sensing operation.

An optically encoded transparent substrate for storing data, the transparent substrate comprising:

• a first surface defining a width and length of the transparent substrate;
• a data zone defined relative to the first surface and comprising optically encoded data within the transparent substrate;
• a second surface extending from the first surface to define a thickness of the transparent substrate;
• and
• optically readable identification indicia formed on the second surface, the optically readable identification indicia being etched within a transparent region of the encoded transparent substrate and comprising indicia portions comprising different reflective properties for a scanning light relative to the transparent substrate and corresponding to identifying information regarding the transparent substrate.