Abstract: A copy-protected optical disc, including a preformed identification number (ID) in the ATIP signal and the subcode which is impressed upon the optical disc and a number of other optical discs during optical disc manufacture, a unique identification number for the optical disc which was written on the optical disc after it is manufactured; and an encrypted program written onto the optical disc wherein the encryption of such program is based upon the preformed ID and the unique ID and includes two or more selectable security levels.

Abstract: A method of transferring information from a content supplier from one or more databases, such information including program(s), audio, still, video, data files (e.g.

Abstract: A credit or debit copy-protected optical disc for use with a CD-ROM drive to provide for payment over a network to a seller of supplies or services comprising: a hybrid optical disc having a ROM portion and a RAM portion; the ROM portion including a preformed identification signature which is impressed into the ROM portion of the hybrid optical disc and is arranged to be difficult for a pirate to copy; and the RAM portion being adapted to be written on to include user-specific encrypted information which makes the hybrid optical disc unique or personalized for a specific user and in combination with the ROM preformed identification signature provides a user-personalized secure signature that permits a user to communicate over the network to make payment for ordered products or services with a high degree of assurance that the information on the optical disc is secure from piracy.

Abstract: A method of transferring information from a content supplier from one or more databases, such information including program(s), audio, still, data files, or video, or combinations thereof to a remote location that uses an authorizing hybrid optical disc that permits the use of such transferred information, comprising the steps of: providing an authorizing hybrid optical disc having a ROM portion and a RAM portion; providing the ROM portion to include a preformed identification signature which is impressed into the ROM portion of the disc and is arranged to be difficult for a pirate to copy; providing the RAM portion which includes user-specific encrypted information which personalizes the optical disc for that specific user and in combination with the ROM preformed identification signature provides a user-personalized secure signature; a content supplier authenticating a user using the user-personalized secure signature so as to permit a user to communicate over a network with the content supplier and the use

Abstract: A customizable optical disc for merchandising products or services comprising: a hybrid optical disc having a ROM portion and a RAM portion; the ROM portion including a merchandiser's catalog information of products or services which can be provided to a user; and the RAM portion being written by the merchandiser to include user-specific information which personalizes the hybrid optical disc for that specific user.

Abstract: A copy-protected optical disc, including a preformed identification number (ID) in the ATIP signal and the subcode which is impressed upon the optical disc and a number of other optical discs during optical disc manufacture, a unique identification number for the optical disc which was written on the optical disc after it is manufactured; and an encrypted program written onto the optical disc wherein the encryption of such program is based upon the preformed ID and the unique ID and includes two or more selectable security levels.

Abstract: A copy-protected optical disc, including a preformed ID which is impressed upon the optical disc during optical disc manufacture, a unique ID which was written on the optical disc after it is manufactured; and an encrypted program written onto the optical disc wherein the encryption of such program is based upon the preformed ID and the unique ID.

Abstract: A computer program product for creating a soft edge in digital images comprises a computer readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon for performing the steps of independently receiving a transition width that indicates the width of the soft edge from a computer interface; independently receiving a desired position of a hard-edged boundary from the computer interface; receiving a function of the soft edge which uniquely corresponds a pixel value to a scaled pixel location in the digital image from the computer interface; and calculating an absolute profile of the soft edge, which uniquely corresponds a pixel value to a pixel location in the digital image, from the received transition width, position of the hard-edged boundary and function.