Aladdin's "XCD" smart card-on-a-disc

Security firm Aladdin Knowledge Systems thinks it has found two great tastes that go good together, recently snagging a patent for a combination smart card / optical disc. Dubbed the "XCD" (for Extended, not Xtreme, alas), the technology embeds the smart card chip on the surface of the disc, along with a foldable or detachable USB (or FireWire) connector to connect the disc to a PC or other device. The idea, apart from the just-for-the-heck-of-it factor, is to use the smart card functionality to control access to data on the disc -- for instance, limiting the number of times a CD can be played. Not surprisingly, Aladdin sees virtually limitless potential for the device, with XCDs able to replace ATM cards, credit cards, ID cards, and key cards, with the disc even able to fold up and fit in your wallet. Let's just hope they've also got a patent for super-durable CDs.

[Via NewScientistTech]

[naz @ Oct 16th 2006 5:04PM]

the diagram looks like the cross-section of an eye

[scot @ Oct 16th 2006 5:14PM]

why dont they just make a card? or a cd?

[Owen V @ Oct 16th 2006 5:25PM]

I hope they dont plan on making people insert the credit card cd into a drive then have it spin up to be read. a card swipe takes 2 seconds and with an RFID card I literally dont even have to open my wallet to pay for things. please please please dont make things take 25 times as long at the counter

[C. H. Reynolds HotPlate Corp. @ Oct 17th 2006 11:48AM]

Hi Owen: Good point about awkwardly long read periods at the counter. We have protoyped and are patenting a method that achieves swift read times appropriate for certain types of transactions. The process is alluringly short.

[crypt @ Oct 16th 2006 6:37PM]

"for instance, limiting the number of times a CD can be played."

And RIAA and MPAA have already shown great interest in adapting this new technology in to their future Music CD business.

You know, for added Consumer Benifits

[Juaquin @ Oct 16th 2006 7:13PM]

Meh. It'll be too complicated for the average user.

"Wait...so it's a cd?"

"yes"

"But it also has USB?"

"yes"

"But...but....*head explodes*"

Seriously. That's exactly, word for word, what will happen.

[Farris @ Oct 16th 2006 7:26PM]

Lemme get this straight... a foldable USB plug comes out of the CD, right?

Exactly how fast does a CD spin, again?

[C. H. Reynolds HotPlate Corp. @ Oct 17th 2006 11:50AM]

Hi Farris: We have prototyped and are patenting a method that needs no external power and obviates the connector. This is preferable to balancing the weight of a connector to move the center of mass into the footprint of the spindle hole, as the optical disc standards require tight (< 2 deg.) tolerances on tilt angle.

[telepheedian @ Oct 16th 2006 8:16PM]

This is going to be used for DRM if anything. It might actually be the only perfect way to prevent direct rips, but if they start playing with encoded stuff, it will be time to download it ALL off of bittorrent, since it won't be worth money.

[namire @ Oct 17th 2006 7:49PM]

.t0rr3n75 r0X0r 0v3r