Abstract: A system including a storage medium containing encrypted information comprises: (a) a control unit for selecting information to be retrieved from the storage medium; (b) a storage medium reader for reading the selected information from the storage medium; and (c) a decryption device for decrypting at least portions of the selected information using a decryption key. The decryption key is defined, at least in part, by rules and/or data which are read from the storage medium by the storage medium reader. A different and unique key is associated with each separate item or file of encrypted information.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for retrieving information from a secure electronic information source, wherein at least some of the information is in encrypted form and may be decrypted for use. The device comprises:(a) a computer, having an input device and a display device, for selecting information to be retrieved from the information source;(b) an information retrieval device, coupled to the computer, for retrieving the selected information from the information source;(c) a decryption device, coupled to the computer, for decrypting at least portions of the selected information retrieved from the information source; and(d) a data logging device, coupled to the computer, for maintaining a data log of the selected information as it is retrieved from said information source and decrypted. According to the invention, a unique brand code is automatically, electronically added to at least some of the selected and decrypted information, and to the data log.

Abstract: A system for retrieving a packet of informational digital data which is stored on a secure storage medium. The informational data packet (IDP) is read from the secure storage medium and then expanded in length to form a sequence of digital data which is so large as to be inconvenient for permanent storage.

Abstract: A personal computer or "host computer" and a Mass storage device are arranged on an SCSI bus. A "decryption controller", in a separate enclosure outside of the host computer, is also arranged on the SCSI bus. This controller is addressable by the host computer as if it were the mass storage device. Upon receipt of an information request, the decryption controller initiates a request to the mass storage device for the desired information, retrieves this information, decrypts it (if it is encrypted) and then passes it to the host computer. The decryption controller is thus "transparent" to the host computer.

Abstract: An information distribution system provides information to a user, when the information corresponds to criteria individually selected by the user, and then charges the user only for the selected information thus provided. Encrypted information packages (IP's) are provided at the user site, via high and/or low density storage media and/or by broadcast transmission. The IP's selected by the user are decrypted and then printed or displayed for viewing by the user. The charges for the IP's thus displayed are accumulated within the user apparatus and periodically reported by telephone to the system's central accounting facility which issues encryption keys. The encryption keys, used to decrypt the IP's, are changed periodically. If the central accounting facility has not issued a new encryption key for a particular user station, the station is unable to retrieve information from the system when the key is changed.