System for encoding a glass master to enable detection of a counterfeit optical CD-ROM

A device for forming a glass master to inhibit manufacture of a counterfeit optical CD-ROM, wherein said device is used in conjunction with a mastering system having an input source for providing EFM encoded data which includes sector address information and a recorder for forming said glass master in accordance with a received signal, comprising:

• a signal source for providing a random high frequency signal for forming a first defect in said glass master;
• a switch for connecting said recorder to either said input source or said signal source;
• a decoder for decoding said EFM encoded data and said sector address information to provide decoded data;
• a central processor unit (CPU) coupled to said decoder for detecting whether or not a selected address from said decoded data is present, wherein when said selected sector address is detected, said CPU controls said switch to connect said signal source to said recorder to enable said random high frequency signal to form said first defect at said selected address wherein said first defect is not visible to an unaided eye in a CD-ROM manufactured from said glass master, and when said CD-ROM is played back a predetermined error signal is generated indicating said CD-ROM is not counterfeit and when duplicating equipment is used to duplicate said CD-ROM to form a counterfeit glass master, said first defect is not accurately duplicated wherein when a counterfeit CD-ROM formed from said counterfeit glass master is played back, said predetermined error signal is not generated thus indicating a counterfeit CD-ROM;
• and
• selecting means for selecting said sector address from said encoded data.

A mastering system for forming a glass master having a defect at a predetermined address to inhibit manufacture of a counterfeit CD-ROM, comprising:

• an input source for providing an input signal having encoded data which includes address information;
• a signal source for providing a random high frequency signal for forming a first defect;
• a recorder for forming said glass master in accordance with a received signal;
• a switch for connecting said recorder to either said input source or said signal source;
• a decoder for decoding said encoded data and said address information to provide decoded data;
• and
• a central processor unit (CPU) coupled to said decoder for detecting whether or not a selected address from said decoded dam is present, wherein when said selected address is not detected, said CPU controls said switch to connect said recorder to said input source to enable formation of said glass master, and wherein when said selected address is detected, said CPU controls said switch to connect said signal source to said recorder to enable said random high frequency signal to form said first defect at said selected address wherein said first defect is not visible to an unaided eye in a CD-ROM manufactured from said glass master, and when said CD-ROM is played back a predetermined error signal is generated indicating said CD-ROM is not counterfeit and when duplicating is used to duplicate said CD-ROM to form a counterfeit glass master, said first defect is not accurately duplicated wherein when a counterfeit CD-ROM formed from said counterfeit glass master is played back, said predetermined error signal is not generated thus indicating a counterfeit CD-ROM.

A method for forming a glass master having a defect, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an input signal to a recorder for forming said glass master;
• (b) generating a a random high frequency signal for forming a first defect;
• (c) selecting a predetermined address at which to form said first defect;
• (d) providing said signal to said recorder to form said first defect at said predetermined address wherein said first defect causes generation of a predetermined error signal in a CD-ROM manufactured from said glass master for inhibiting manufacture of counterfeit CD-ROMs.