| abstract |
An optical disc is provided with an associated optical shutter. In a first state, the optical media interferes with the ability of an interrogating laser beam to read data from the optical media, and in a second state, the optical media is substantially transparent, enabling the laser beam to read the disc. A powering circuit is used to cause the optical shutter to transition from a first state to the second state. In one example, an integrated circuit acts as the powering circuit, as well as providing logic and processing functions. The integrated circuit also couples to an RF antenna, enabling the integrated circuit to communicate with an associated RP scanning device. The optical shutter may take various geometric shapes, and typically has an electrochromic material for facilitating state change. The electrochromic device may be constructed to hold persistently the desired optical state. In this way, the desired optical state is maintained without application of external power. |