Patents by Inventor Christopher L. Knauft

Christopher L. Knauft has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8479305
    Abstract: A method and a system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage of the data object. To control the usage of the data object, a set of control data, defining usages of the data object which comply with the predetermined conditions, is created for the data object. The data object is concatenated with the user set of control data, encrypted and transferred to the user. When the user wants to use the data object, a special user program checks whether the usage complies with the control data. If so, the usage is enabled. Otherwise it is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Rovi Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Benson, Gregory H. Urich, Christopher L. Knauft
  • Patent number: 8479306
    Abstract: A method and a system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage of the data object. To control the usage of the data object, a set of control data, defining uses of the data object, which comply with the predetermined conditions, is created for the data object. The data object is concatenated with the user set of control data, encrypted and transferred to the user. When the user wants to use the data object, a special user program checks whether the usage complies with the control data. If so, the usage is enabled. Otherwise it is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Rovi Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Benson, Gregory H. Urich, Christopher L. Knauft
  • Patent number: 8474058
    Abstract: A method and a system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage of the data object. To control the usage of the data object, a set of control data, defining uses of the data object, which comply with the predetermined conditions, is created for the data object. The data object is concatenated with the user set of control data, encrypted and transferred to the user. When the user wants to use the data object, a special user program checks whether the usage complies with the control data. If so, the usage is enabled. Otherwise it is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Rovi Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Benson, Gregory H. Urich, Christopher L. Knauft
  • Patent number: 8402358
    Abstract: A client and one or more information retrieval (IR) engines, such as a search engine, may be in communication with each other via a network. A computer may read index information associated with at least a portion of an audiovisual object, the index information structured to be used in an index database of a search engine system. The computer may obfuscate at least a portion of the index information so that the intelligibility of the contents of the index information is reduced, and may transmit at least some of the obfuscated index information to the search engine system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: SuperMedia LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. Knauft, Martin Franklin
  • Publication number: 20100100551
    Abstract: A system and method of generating index information for electronic documents. The system includes a client, one or more information retrieval (IR) engines, such as a search engine, which are each in communication with each other via a network. In one embodiment of the invention, the server maintains a plurality or data objects that are protected by digital rights management (DRM) software. Upon receiving a network request from one of the IR systems, the server dynamically generates an electronic document that provides index information that is associated with one of the data objects. In one embodiment of the invention, the server dynamically generates the contents of the electronic document based upon the indexing characteristics of the IR system. Furthermore, upon receiving a network request from one of the client, the server determines whether the client is authorized to access the data object that is associated with the network request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher L. Knauft, Martin Franklin
  • Patent number: 7653870
    Abstract: A system and method of generating index information for electronic documents. The system includes a client and one or more information retrieval (IR) engines, such as a search engine, which are each in communication with each other via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Idearc Media Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Knauft, Martin Franklin
  • Patent number: 7200230
    Abstract: A system for providing rights controlled access to digital media comprises a server data processor and a client data processor connected by a communications network. The user data processor provides access to a data object in accordance with rules associated with the data object by the server data processor. The client data processor comprises a machine key device and a user key device. The machine key device is preferably an installed component of the client data processor that provides encryption, decryption, and authentication functionality for the client data processor. The user key device is preferably a removable, portable device that connects to the client data processor and provides encryption, decryption, and authentication functionality for the user. A method restricts the use of a data object to a particular user and a particular data processor through the use of additional layers of encryption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Macrovision Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher L. Knauft
  • Patent number: 7062707
    Abstract: A system and method of generating index information for electronic documents. The system includes a client and one or more information retrieval (IR) engines, such as a search engine, which are each in communication with each other via a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Inceptor, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Knauft, Martin Franklin
  • Patent number: 6981217
    Abstract: A system and method of generating index information for electronic documents. The system includes a client, one or more information retrieval (IR) engines, such as a search engine, which are each in communication with each other via a network. In one embodiment of the invention, the server maintains a plurality or data objects that are protected by digital rights management (DRM) software. Upon receiving a network request from one of the IR systems, the server dynamically generates an electronic document that provides index information that is associated with one of the data objects. In one embodiment of the invention, the server dynamically generates the contents of the electronic document based upon the indexing characteristics of the IR system. Furthermore, upon receiving a network request from one of the client, the server determines whether the client is authorized to access the data object that is associated with the network request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Inceptor, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Knauft, Martin Franklin, Greg Benson
  • Publication number: 20040039741
    Abstract: A method and a system for managing a data object so as to comply with predetermined conditions for usage of the data object. To control the usage of the data object, a set of control data, defining uses of the data object, which comply with the predetermined conditions, is created for the data object. The data object is concatenated with the user set of control data, encrypted and transferred to the user. When the user wants to use the data object, a special user program checks whether the usage complies with the control data. If so, the usage is enabled. Otherwise it is disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Greg Benson, Gregory H. Urich, Christopher L. Knauft
  • Patent number: 6654754
    Abstract: A system and method of generating index information for electronic documents. The system includes a client, one or more information retrieval (IR) engines, such as a search engine, which are each in communication with each other via a network. In one embodiment of the invention, the server maintains a plurality or data objects that are protected by digital rights management (DRM) software. Upon receiving a network request from one of the IR systems, the server dynamically generates an electronic document that provides index information that is associated with one of the data objects. In one embodiment of the invention, the server dynamically generates the contents of the electronic document based upon the indexing characteristics of the IR system. Furthermore, upon receiving a network request from one of the client, the server determines whether the client is authorized to access the data object that is associated with the network request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Inceptor, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. Knauft, Martin Franklin
  • Patent number: 6510516
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the usage of data objects in component object systems. According to the invention, each data object includes a peer list that defines one or more peer data objects that are required by the data object. Upon receipt of a data object, the system verifies the integrity of the data object. Further, the system identifies the integrity of the peer data objects. If the system cannot find the peer data objects, or the system cannot authenticate the peer data objects, the system may optionally retrieve a peer data object that can be authenticated from a data object depository. In addition to validating the integrity of the data object, the system verifies that the data object is authorized to communicate with each of the peer data objects. Further, the system verifies that the peer data objects are authorized to communicate with the data object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Macrovision Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Benson, Martin Franklin, Christopher L. Knauft
  • Publication number: 20010029581
    Abstract: A system for providing rights controlled access to digital media comprises a server data processor and a client data processor connected by a communications network. The user data processor provides access to a data object in accordance with rules associated with the data object by the server data processor. The client data processor comprises a machine key device and a user key device. The machine key device is preferably an installed component of the client data processor that provides encryption, decryption, and authentication functionality for the client data processor. The user key device is preferably a removable, portable device that connects to the client data processor and provides encryption, decryption, and authentication functionality for the user. A method restricts the use of a data object to a particular user and a particular data processor through the use of additional layers of encryption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventor: Christopher L. Knauft