Abstract: A new method and mechanism for associating information with a medium is provided. Unique markings are placed on the medium. The medium is defined by one or more segments, having first and second ends. The markings on each segment define a range of markings, which can be entered into a data base. By accessing a single marking, the information associated with that range of markings may be obtained.

Abstract: An input audio frequency analog signal, for example, speech, which is to be passed through a noisy transmission channel, is scrambled at the sending end by repetitively performing a modulo-v (MOD v) addition of an n-level, m-pulse codeword with an n-level digitized transformation of the input signal under the condition that m and v are integers. The resultant sum signal, after transmission through a noisy channel (which may be an acoustic medium, a conventional telephone link, a conventional CB radio link, etc.), is received at the receiving end and descrambled. Descrambling is achieved by carrying out a Mod v subtraction process involving repetitively subtracting the same codeword from an n-level digitized transformation of the received signal, the subtraction being carried out in synchronism with the addition at the sending end. The resultant difference signal is a representation of the input signal and is relatively insensitive to noise present in the transmission channel.