Method and apparatus for using imperfections and irregularities in optical media for identification purposes

1. A method for using optical media for identification purposes, comprising:

exposing a portion of the optical media to a source of radiation;

detecting one or more imperfections in the portion of the optical media;

quantifying the imperfections to create a unique identifier; and

using the identifier as part of an authentication or security system to ensure that subsequent use of the optical media is properly authorized.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the portion exposed to radiation comprises a number of different locations which may or may not include an imperfection, and wherein the unique identifier is generated as a result of the presence or lack of an imperfection at each different location.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the source of radiation is a coherent light source.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the source of radiation is a non-coherent light source.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the imperfection in the portion of the optical media comprises measuring a change of an intensity of the radiation after the radiation has passed though the portion of the optical media.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the imperfection in the portion of the optical media comprises measuring a change of a phase of the radiation after the radiation has passed though the portion of the optical media.

7. An apparatus for using an optical media for identification purposes, comprising:

a light source for exposing a series of different locations of the optical media comprising one or more imperfections to a radiation;

a receptor for receiving the radiation through the different locations of the optical media, wherein the receptor measures a change in radiation that is received once the radiation has passed through the different locations of the optical media comprising the imperfections;

a computer system attached to the light source and to the receptor. the computer system configured to evaluate the change in the radiation received by the receptor and to determine from the evaluated change a unique identifier corresponding to the presence or lack of imperfections at the series of different locations;

wherein the unique identifier is used to authenticate subsequent use of the optical media.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the unique identifier comprises a series of numbers consisting of 1s or 0s, wherein one of the 1 or 0 corresponds to the presence of an imperfection at one location, and the other of the 1 or 0 corresponds to the lack of an imperfection at one location on the optical media.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the source of radiation is a coherent light source.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the source of radiation is a non-coherent light source.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the evaluated change in radiation comprises a change of an intensity of the radiation after the radiation has passed though one of the different locations of the optical media.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the evaluated change in radiation comprises a change in phase of the radiation after the radiation has passed though one of the different locations of the optical media.

13. An apparatus for using optical media for identification purposes, comprising:

a laser transmitter for directing a laser beam onto a series of different locations of an optical media;

a laser receiver for receiving the laser beam after it has passed through the series of different locations of the optical media; and

a processor configured to:

evaluate the laser beam received by the laser receiver to detect a presence or lack of an imperfection at each location in the series of different locations,

formulate a unique identifier for the optical media based on the detected presence or lack of an imperfection each location in the series of different locations, and

record in a memory coupled to the processor the unique identifier to authenticate subsequent use of the optical media.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the unique identifier comprises a binary number, wherein one of a 1 or 0 corresponds to the presence of an imperfection at one location, and another of the 1 or 0 corresponds to the lack of an imperfection at one location on the optical media.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the source of radiation is a coherent light source.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the source of radiation is a non-coherent light source.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein detecting the presence of the imperfection at each location of the optical media comprises measuring a change of an intensity of the radiation after the radiation has passed though each location of the optical media.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein detecting the presence of the imperfection at each location of the optical media comprises measuring a change of a phase of the radiation after the radiation has passed though each location of the optical media.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the evaluated change is a change in the intensity of the radiation.

20. The apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein the evaluated change is a change in the phase of the radiation.

21. A method for uniquely identifying an optical media comprising the steps of:

directing radiation to a first portion of the optical media;

receiving the radiation once it has contacted the first portion of the optical media;

evaluating a change in the radiation after it has contacted one or more imperfections existing in the first portion of the optical media;

directing radiation to a second portion of the optical media;

receiving the radiation once it has contacted the second portion of the optical media;

evaluating a change in the radiation after it has contacted one or more imperfections existing in the second portion of the optical media;

developing a unique identifier for the optical media based on the evaluated changes, wherein the unique identifier corresponds to the presence or lack of imperfections in the first and second portions; and

storing and using the unique identifier to authenticate subsequent use of the optical media.

22. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein steps for directing radiation to the first portion and to the second portion of the optical media are performed using a common light source.

23. The method as recited in claim 21 further comprising additional sequences of directing, receiving, and evaluating steps in corresponding additional portions of the optical media, and wherein the unique identifier corresponds to the presence or lack of imperfections in all evaluated portions of the optical media.

24. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein the unique identifier comprises a binary number, wherein one of a 1 or 0 corresponds to the presence of an imperfection at one location, and another of the 1 or 0 corresponds to the lack of an imperfection at one location on the optical media.