Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the association of a non-guessable, unique ID with a user and the automatic or electronic referral of user ID to a medical service provider, without revealing private medical information. After the assignment of a unique ID to a User, the ID may then provide authentication by a certified health care source. In some embodiments, the delivery of a unique ID to a User can act as a token that can provide authentication for data entering a secure transmission system for medical referrals and tracking. In some embodiments, an electronic system compensates various parties by tracking activities associated with a unique user ID number without revealing any private medical information of a user also associated with the ID.

Abstract: A method of making optical devices includes applying an energy sensitive protective material and an energy sensitive advanced optical material to a surface. The surface can be on the optical device or on a carrier, such as a thin sheet, to be applied to the optical device. Light energy is applied through a special production filter to cure the energy sensitive protective material on the surface while blocking light energy outside a selected wavelength spectrum from reaching the material. A portion of the optical device can then be masked, and light energy outside the spectrum filtered by the special production filter can be applied to activate the unmasked portion of the advanced optical material. The special production filter allows curing of the protective material using light energy in a limited (e.g., visible) spectrum so that the advanced optical material can be activated using light energy in the ultraviolet spectrum.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for manufacturing an optical devices and optical devices incorporating optical blocking material on the read-side surface of the optical disc. A protective layer and an optical blocking material are applied to the read-side surface of an optical disc. The protective layer, for example, may prevent corrosive solvents in the optical blocking material from damaging the read-side surface of the optical disc. Applying the optical blocking material to the read-side surface of the optical disc may prevents an optical disc player from reading the optical device until the optical blocking material deactivated. Once activated, the optical blocking material becomes sufficiently transparent to allow the optical disc player to read the optical disc.

Abstract: A system for selectively enabling or disabling an optical device, such as an optical disc, includes an optical blocking material bonded or otherwise integrated into the optical device. In a specific embodiment, the optical blocking material includes a dye, such as an energy-sensitive dye. The optical blocking material is initially applied to the optical device during production using a spin coating or other suitable technique. An area of the optical device that will prevent a function of the device is then masked, and sufficient energy is applied to the unmasked area to activate the optical blocking material of the unmasked area while leaving the masked area unactivated. In a specific embodiment, the masked area corresponds with a lead-in area of an optical disc. The optical blocking material of the masked area remains non-transparent to disable the optical device until a second application of energy at a retail location.

Abstract: A device for enabling detection of a counterfeit optical CD-ROM is disclosed for use in a conventional mastering system. The device includes a signal source for providing a first signal for forming a predetermined defect in a glass master. The device also includes a switch for connecting a recorder of the mastering system to the signal source. In addition, the device includes a decoder for decoding encoded data and address information provided from an input source of the mastering system. Furthermore, the device includes a central processor unit which serves to detect whether a selected address from the decoded data is present. Upon detection of the selected address, the CPU controls the switch to connect the signal source to the recorder to enable the recorder to receive the first signal and form the predetermined defect at the selected address.