Optical Information Carrier

Abstract

An optical information carrier comprises a data layer for carrying the information, an outer surface for receiving a light beam for reading the information, and a transparent layer for transmitting the light beam to the data layer. The transparent layer comprises a pattern of physical damages for locally deforming the light beam. The physical damages are embedded in the transparent layer at a depth between the outer surface and the data layer. In the pattern of physical damages additional information is encoded. The additional information may be used for the purpose of copy protection.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.