Software Or Content Usage Protection Patents (Class 705/908)
  • Patent number: 9015067
    Abstract: A device includes a memory for storing digital media, a transfer module, and a processor. The media includes first data that associates the media with the device, second data authorizing the device to play back the media, and third data authorizing the device to transfer a copy of the media. A transfer includes transfer data identifying the copy uniquely relative to the device. The processor implements instructions to receive a request to transfer a copy of the media to a peer device, create a copy of the media that includes the first data and the transfer data, and direct the transfer module to transfer the copy to the peer device and send a transaction record including the first data and the transfer data to a server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Samuel Zellner
  • Patent number: 9009077
    Abstract: Metering is enabled through an arrangement in which a metering certificate is communicated to a mobile device using an over-the-air protocol. A metering trigger provides the metering certificate that includes a location to which metering data is posted by the mobile device and a public key of a public-private key pair, or alternatively provides a link to such metering certificate. A metering helper passes the metering certificate to a DRM system on the mobile device which collects metering data associated with the metering ID and uses the public key to encrypt the metering data into a metering challenge. The metering helper posts the metering challenge to the location. The metering service extracts the metering data from the metering challenge using a private key and generates a metering response that is received by the metering helper which prompts the DRM system to reset at least a portion of a data store in which the metering data is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Lau, Scott Plette, Clifford P. Strom, Alex McKelvey, Jonathan Billings
  • Patent number: 8914790
    Abstract: A reduced capability subset of an application referred to as a “starter application” is provided on a computer device prior to purchase and intended for use by a user purchasing the computer device. The starter application may monitor input from the user when the starter application is executing to ascertain opportunities to inform the user of an upgrade and then solicit the user for purchasing the upgrade. The starter application may use a limited access browser to contact a server to assist in the solicitation and complete the transaction. Upon completing the transaction, the upgrade is provided to the computing device. The upgrade may comprise the full capability version of the application, templates, clip art, or other software. The upgrade may entail transmitting the upgrade to the computer device or providing an authorization key to unlock the upgrade that is already stored on the computer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Farrell, Norbert van Woerkom, Robert McQuillan, David Mowatt, Pieter Kasselman
  • Patent number: 8910302
    Abstract: Media rights are managed to include not just device authentication, but to include elements of user, device, and service authorization. A user can play media on a mobile device, continue playing the media on a desktop computer, and subsequently move to a large screen television and media rights are automatically identified to provide the most appropriate authorized content. This allows an authorized user to seamlessly access different forms of the same content on a variety of authenticated devices using the same digital rights management mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: MobiTV, Inc.
    Inventor: Kay Johansson
  • Patent number: 8909733
    Abstract: An engine identifying segments or portions of one source material or source file common to or found in another source material or file. The engine may receive a first data stream in binary form as well as a second stream in binary form. The engine may include a data stream processor or pre-processor programmed to translate the first and second data streams to generate respective first and second processed data streams. The commonality between the first and second processed data streams may be greater than the commonality between the first and second data streams themselves. Also, a comparator may be programmed to compare the first and second process data streams and identify binary segments found in both the first and second processed data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Phillip M. Adams
  • Patent number: 8862503
    Abstract: A method of tracking software application downloads over the internet in which clicking on a web advertisement for a software application causes a user's device web browser to link to a tracking server which creates a unique identifier which is stored by the user's device browser, and also on the tracking server together with an indication of the web page including the advertisement. The user's device web browser then downloads the desired software application which includes executable code which, upon first execution, suspends the downloaded application and starts the browser, directing it to the tracking server and sending the unique identifier to the tracking server together with identification of the device and downloaded software application. The tracking server then uses the unique identifier to correlate the information on the downloaded application with the information originally stored at the time of clicking on the web advertisement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: AD-X Limited
    Inventors: Paul Michael Hayton, Philip Stephen Jones
  • Patent number: 8862894
    Abstract: Personal Digital Server (“PDS”) is a unique computer application for the storage, updating, management and sharing of all types of digital media files, including audio, video, images and documents, irrespective of their format. PDS provides users with a single location to store and access, both locally and remotely, all of their digital media. It also provides the user total control of the overall management of these assets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventors: James Hoffman, James Friskel
  • Patent number: 8826442
    Abstract: A method of identifying a traced media playback decoder embedded in a device, wherein data representative of a trace message is included in the content field of a media content file and a trigger string (16) is included in the user data field of the file. The file is input to the decoder, and a traced decoder is arranged and configured to render the trace message in a desired format in response to detection of the trigger string. If the decoder is not the traced decoder, the trigger string will be disregarded and the component will try and process the media content file like a normal media content file, which results in an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Philippe Gentric
  • Patent number: 8819456
    Abstract: A content exporting and reproducing method includes i) a content export step of encrypting a decryption key for content, that is used for decrypting the encrypted content, by using an encryption key for decryption key, recording the encrypted decryption key for content in the portable recording medium, and exporting the encrypted content sequentially to the portable recording medium, and ii) a content reproduction step of reading out the encrypted decryption key for content from the portable recording medium, decrypting the encrypted decryption key for content by using a decryption key for decryption key, reading out the encrypted content that has been exported to the portable recording medium, and decrypting the encrypted content that is read out from the portable recording medium, by using the decrypted decryption key for content to reproduce the content, while the encrypted content is exported to the portable recording medium sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hisashi Tsuji, Takuya Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8745725
    Abstract: A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: determining that a computing device that was presenting an item has been transferred from a first user to a second user; and presenting, via the computing device, one or more highlighted portions of the item, the one or more highlighted portions being highlighted in response, at least in part, to said determining. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 8726367
    Abstract: A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: determining that a computing device that was presenting an item has been transferred from a first user to a second user; and presenting, via the computing device, one or more highlighted portions of the item, the one or more highlighted portions being highlighted in response, at least in part, to said determining. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Royce A. Levien, Richard T. Lord, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo, Jr., Clarence T. Tegreene
  • Patent number: 8706635
    Abstract: A content key (CK) to decrypt a piece of encrypted content is obtained encrypted according to a public key of a licensor (PU-L) to result in (PU-L(CK)). (PU-L(CK)) is obscured according to (PU-L) and a value R to result in Obs (PU-L(CK)), and Obs (PU-L(CK)) is sent to the licensor, which applies a private key (PR-L) corresponding to (PU-L) to Obs (PU-L(CK)) to result in Obs (CK) as an obscured version of (CK). Obs (CK) is received from the licensor; and (CK) is obtained from Obs (CK) based on applying R thereto. The licensor cannot identify from Obs (PU-L(CK)) or from Obs (CK) the encrypted content or the content key (CK) from which the encrypted content may be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Charles William Kaufman
  • Patent number: 8677430
    Abstract: A content rental system includes one data store for storing rental content. The content rental system also includes a content server for transferring content to one viewing device based upon a received request. The content server is further configured to authorize the transfer of the content from the viewing device to another viewing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiro Mitsuji, Alan Ward, Mihailo Despotovic, Sam Gharabally
  • Patent number: 8644646
    Abstract: A system for identifying digital content related to a portion of a block of text receives, automatically or via input by a user, an indication of one or more words included in the block of text. The system searches a database of digital content based on the one or more words and retrieves from the database one or more digital content items or identifiers of digital content items that are related to the one or more words. The system provides the retrieved digital content items or identifiers to the user, and receives a selection of one or more of the provided items or identifiers from the user. The system associates for display or replay the one or more selected digital content items with the one or more words in the block of text. Other embodiments of the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Getty Images, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Heck
  • Patent number: 8521632
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for improving clarity of disclosure materials provided to investors, by enabling securities issuers, intermediaries and/or other entities to create and disseminate clear and concise summary-level information on individual securities to investors to enable informed investment decisions. The information may include a summary version of the full statutory prospectus (a “summary prospectus”). A summary prospectus may include a concise, “plain English” synopsis and/or representation of certain information contained in the full statutory prospectus, such as a security's investment objectives and strategies, costs, risks and/or other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Broadridge Content Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell E. Planitzer, Mark Asdoorian, David Brown, Ying Chen, Leonard Driscoll, Jeffrey B. Levering, Alex Magary
  • Patent number: 8498942
    Abstract: A device initialization method includes generating a license request for a personal media device. A timeout indicator may be obtained for a subscription associated with the personal media device. The license request and the timeout indicator may be combined to form a device license for the personal media device. The device license may be digitally-signed to form a signed device license.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua D. Hug
  • Patent number: 8467275
    Abstract: A system and method for managing video content through a set-top box. User input is received to record the video content to a set-top box. Digital rights management parameters associated with the set-top box are determined. The video content is recorded directly to the set-top box in response to the DRM parameters. The video content is edited based on selections by a user in response to receiving a selection to edit the video content. Preferences for distributing the video content are determined. The video content is distributed from the set-top box to a number of addresses in response to the preferences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: David E. Emerson, Gary W. Lafreniere, Kelsyn D. S. Rooks, Michael S. Goergen
  • Patent number: 8424083
    Abstract: User operates a selection switch to instruct temporary activation of an application. For the application of which the temporary activation has been instructed, a CPU of a console allocates resources necessary for signal processing by a DSP of an engine and for a parameter editing function of the console. In the DSP, a bypass parameter is set to ON. Thus, there is provided a state capable of accepting various parameter setting operation related to the application, but the signal processing based on the application program is prevented from being started in a substantive manner. In response to a full activation instruction of an application via a full activation instruction switch, the bypass parameter is set to OFF, so that audio signal processing based on the application can be started. In this way, preparatory work for setting parameters related to the application can be performed efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Ayumi Fukata, Kei Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8416983
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing a time stamp in a remotely applied watermark is disclosed. The method permits a time stamp of high resolution to be added remotely while minimizing the number of bits necessary in the time stamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuriacose Joseph
  • Patent number: 8412644
    Abstract: Usage rights for a digital work are established prior to creation of the corresponding content. The rights can be associated with the content after the content is created. A content creation, such as a video recorder or a still camera, device can store labels of the rights and can associate usage rights with content in real time as the content is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: ContentGuard Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Raley, Edgardo Valenzuela, Bijan Tadayon, Aram Nahidipour, Xin Wang, Guillermo Lao, Thanh Ta
  • Patent number: 8392547
    Abstract: The invention proposes a solution for controlling logical guest machines, such as virtual machines or logical partitions, in a system management application (and especially in a licensing application). There is provided an enabler running in a physical host machine implementing the guest machines or in a corresponding console; this enabler gathers information relating to the hardware configuration of the host machine (which information is not available inside the guest machine). The hardware configuration information is then passed to a licensing agent of the guest machine; for example, the desired result may be achieved by means of dedicated variables or registry keys that are accessible without providing any user credentials. The licensing agent directly gathers other information, for example, indicating the software products that are used by the guest machine. The available information is then transmitted by the licensing agent to a runtime server for the correct management of the guest machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Domenico D'Alterio, Marco Mechelli, Paolo Salerno, Antonio Perrone
  • Patent number: 8326774
    Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems to distribute content over a network. Some embodiments provide methods to distribute content within a local media network. These methods receive a request for a first content to be transferred to a sink device, request from the source an access criteria for a first content that is protected according to a first digital rights management (DRM), forward the access criteria to the sink device, receive an evaluation of the access criteria from the sink device regarding at least whether the sink device can interpret the first DRM, determine according to the evaluation received from the sink device whether the sink device can utilize the first content that is protected according to the first DRM, and initiate a transfer of the first content from the source device to the sink device when the sink device can utilize the first content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Brant Candelore
  • Patent number: 8296569
    Abstract: Interoperability of protected content items between computing devices is facilitated by providing content items having a standard representation, and media players having support for the content item representations. The representation of the content item may be limited by a profile as to the elements it contains. The elements allowed in the content item may also be limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Florian Pestoni
  • Patent number: 8290871
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing secure, captured data in a customer center. In one embodiment, the method comprises: capturing data with a recording system; receiving a request to retrieve electronic keys for encrypting the data; responsive to receiving the request, transmitting the electronic keys to the recording system; encrypting the data using the electronic keys; associating the electronic keys with the encrypted data; and storing the encrypted data in the recording system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Verint Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Watson, Marc Calahan, Jamie Richard Williams, Thomas Z. Dong, Damian Smith
  • Patent number: 8285646
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for central management of licenses, particularly those relating to wagering games. A license proxy deployed in and/or dedicated to a gaming establishment may operate under the control of a central licensing manager controlled by another entity, e.g., by a game provider. The license proxy may receive requests to enable features of an electronic gaming machine of the gaming establishment (e.g., game themes, player tracking features and/or peripheral device features) and determine, based on information provided by the central licensing manager, whether to grant such requests. The license proxy may also process requests to enable features of other devices in a gaming establishment, such as server-based features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Michael Kinsley
  • Patent number: 8285082
    Abstract: A system for identifying digital content related to a portion of a block of text receives, automatically or via input by a user, an indication of one or more words included in the block of text. The system searches a database of digital content based on the one or more words and retrieves from the database one or more digital content items or identifiers of digital content items that are related to the one or more words. The system provides the retrieved digital content items or identifiers to the user, and receives a selection of one or more of the provided items or identifiers from the user. The system associates for display or replay the one or more selected digital content items with the one or more words in the block of text. Other embodiments of the system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Getty Images, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Heck
  • Patent number: 8185476
    Abstract: Technologies for a Consumer Privacy Digital Rights Management system based on stable partially blind signatures that enable a license server to provide licenses for delivery to users without knowing the corresponding digital contents that users access with the license. Therefore consumer privacy is protected during license acquisition. Further, if the client DRM module in the DRM system does not disclose any information about a user's digital content access, and the messages that the client DRM module sends out are in plain text enabling verification that the client DRM module is not disclosing such information, then consumer privacy is fully protected by the DRM system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Bin Benjamin Zhu, Min Feng
  • Patent number: 8156049
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow a system or client device to process multiple Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems and formats using a universal DRM client. The universal DRM client can operate based on a universal license so that it may use the same DRM scheme or format used by the content provider. A DRM system may then build a universal license that includes information for gaining access to the content in the DRM package. In turn, a DRM package and the universal license may be provided to the universal client. Based on the information in the universal license, the client device can access the protected content even if it does not have the specific client program code for the DRM format used originally by the content provider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Mahlbacher
  • Patent number: 8131645
    Abstract: Various techniques are provided for the gifting between multiple electronic devices of media content provided by an online digital media provider. An offer and acceptance of a selected gift file is accomplished between a gifter device and a receiving giftee device using a near-field communication (NFC) connection. If a connection to the online provider is available, the gifter device may transmit a gift request by which the gifter's account is charged for the gift file. Thereafter, a gift file created using DRM keys associated with the giftee's account may be downloaded to the giftee device. If a network connection is unavailable, the giftee device may transfer a locked gift file and a corresponding gift license to the giftee device using a peer-to-peer connection. The giftee device may authenticate the license and unlock the gift file once a connection to the online provider is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gloria Lin, Amir Mahmood Mikhak, Taido Lantz Nakajima, Sean Anthony Mayo, Michael Rosenblatt, Andrew Hodge
  • Patent number: 8121954
    Abstract: An information processor is capable of restricting the available application program interface for each application program. The information processor capable of executing a predetermined application program includes at least one application program interface for providing predetermined control function for the application program, a determining unit for determining an available application program interface for the application program based on license information of the application program, and an operation controlling means for controlling the operation of the application program interfaces in accordance with the results determined by the determining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisa
    Inventor: Takaharu Oosawa
  • Patent number: 8095469
    Abstract: An encrypted content and its encryption key under a copy right use condition of prohibiting a copy by the device having received a content are stored, and the encrypted content is copy-transferred with another device through the network, and at the same time, the encryption key is transferred through the network, so that it is stored in either one of the devices. Even when a high definition television broadcast signal received with a copy-once taken as a copy right use condition is recorded, an access flag that controls the presence or absence of the reproduction of the broadcast content for each broadcast content is provided. When an original broadcast content is transcoded into a low resolution, and is transfer to another device, its access flag is turned on, thereby making the reproduction possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masaki Yamashima, Osamu Kawai
  • Publication number: 20110282792
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a utilization permit key may be pre-defined to permit at least one of displaying, editing, storing, copying, and/or transferring of digital data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: INTARSIA SOFTWARE LLC
    Inventor: Makoto Saito
  • Patent number: 8046302
    Abstract: A Digital Rights Management (DRM) method and system for content copyright protection protect right information on DRM content and effectively manage the right information. The DRM system for content copyright protection includes: a time security module for providing time change information when a user arbitrarily changes time; and a time security list management module for providing the right information on content and the time change information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-sung Kim
  • Patent number: 8027936
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating copyright information for a secondarily processed content obtained by performing secondary processing on an original content, includes a secondary processed substance acquiring unit, a default license information generating unit, and a license information editing unit. The secondary processed substance acquiring unit acquires operation substances of the secondary processing performed on the original content. The default license information generating unit obtains rights expressions for the operation substances acquired by the secondary processed substance acquiring unit to generate default license information including the rights expressions as an initial value. The license information editing unit accepts selection of a desired rights expression by a user from the rights expressions of the default license information generated by the default license information generating unit to generate license information of the secondary processed content from the selected rights expression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Satoshi Ito
  • Patent number: 7996335
    Abstract: Usage rights information indicating a license which is usage rights corresponding to contents is stored in a license storage device, and at the time of using the contents, the rights information is output from the license storage device to a contents using device and further transmitted to a contents distribution server, and legitimacy verification of the rights information is executed at the contents distribution server, such that contents corresponding to the rights information are transmitted to the contents using device. Thus, a device and method is realized whereby distribution of contents over a network and use thereof is enabled without detracting from safety and user convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Taizo Shirai, Masafumi Kusakawa
  • Patent number: 7979354
    Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a utilization permit key may be pre-defined to permit at least one of displaying, editing, storing, copying, and/or transferring of digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Intarsia Software LLC
    Inventor: Makoto Saito
  • Patent number: 7962424
    Abstract: In response to receiving an order (e.g., including payment for one or more software licenses), a license distribution manager allocates a specified number of software licenses for distribution to a corresponding customer's clients that utilize the licenses to operate software associated with a corresponding vendor software application. The license distribution manager can allocate one or more overdraft licenses for distribution to the customer in addition to the specified number of software licenses associated with the order. Accordingly, the license distribution manager can allocate extra software licenses (e.g., the overdraft licenses) and distribute more software licenses than are actually purchased by a respective customer. This enables the customer to use one or more provisional licenses (e.g., overdraft licenses) that support restricted use of the vendor's software application such as until the customer can replace the provisional licenses with corresponding purchased licenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Adobe Systems Incorporated
    Inventors: Juan-Carlos Colosso, Katherine K. Nadell, Wei Cheng
  • Patent number: 7949604
    Abstract: This invention relates to an information providing system which is designed to be able to realize secondary utilization of broadcasting contents, along with copyright of the broadcasting contents being protected. A broadcasting receiving and picture recording device 5-1 records broadcasting contents that a broadcasting device 4 broadcasted, and a terminal 6-1 edits the broadcasting contents which were recorded, and generates corresponding metadata. The metadata is transmitted from the terminal 6-1 to a metadata delivery server 2 through Internet 1, and registered. The metadata delivery server 2, on the basis of utilization availability information of broadcasting contents which is held in advance, in case that the broadcasting content that the metadata targets can be utilized, registers the metadata. The registered metadata is delivered through the Internet 1 on the basis of a request of a terminal 6-2. This invention is applied to an information providing system which delivers the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Asazu, Tomoyuki Yamamoto, Katsuro Matsuzaki, Kensuke Ohnuma
  • Patent number: 7949606
    Abstract: Intellectual property is sold to buyers through a kiosk. The kiosk provides users with the ability of located desired content on a seller's computer. When a user located the desired intellectual property, a payment transaction is initiated. When the payment transaction is complete, the seller transmits the intellectual property to the kiosk. The kiosks also preferably include production facilities that transfer the owner's intellectual property onto a permanent medium and/or presentation facilities that present the owner's intellectual property on a one-time basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Inventor: William Sweet
  • Patent number: 7917440
    Abstract: Metering is enabled through an arrangement in which a metering certificate is communicated to a mobile device using an over-the-air protocol. A metering trigger provides the metering certificate that includes a location to which metering data is posted by the mobile device and a public key of a public-private key pair, or alternatively provides a link to such metering certificate. A metering helper passes the metering certificate to a DRM system on the mobile device which collects metering data associated with the metering ID and uses the public key to encrypt the metering data into a metering challenge. The metering helper posts the metering challenge to the location. The metering service extracts the metering data from the metering challenge using a private key and generates a metering response that is received by the metering helper which prompts the DRM system to reset at least a portion of a data store in which the metering data is stored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Lau, Scott Plette, Clifford P. Strom, Alex McKelvey
  • Patent number: 7912894
    Abstract: An engine identifying segments or portions of one source material or source file common to or found in another source material or file. The engine may receive a first data stream in binary form as well as a second stream in binary form. The engine may include a data stream processor or pre-processor programmed to translate the first and second data streams to generate respective first and second processed data streams. The commonality between the first and second processed data streams may be greater than the commonality between the first and second data streams themselves. Also, a comparator may be programmed to compare the first and second process data streams and identify binary segments found in both the first and second processed data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Inventor: Phillip M. Adams
  • Patent number: 7885894
    Abstract: There are provided a content distribution system and a license management method for performing, in a collective manner, license management of a plurality of resources contained in contents. Each piece of content contains one upper-level resource (which is first referred to within the content), at least one lower-level resource (which can be referred directly or indirectly from the upper-level resource), one startup document and a license-corresponding document (which is an information file for performing, in a collective manner, license management of the resources contained in the content). The startup document contains at least upper-level resource reference destination information and at least one piece of license information for identifying view licenses required for viewing the resources contained in the content. In each resource, if link information for accessing other content is described, information for accessing the startup document of the other content is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Shimoji, Hideki Kagemoto, Yoshiharu Dewa, Naohisa Kitazato, Yasushi Katayama
  • Patent number: 7882034
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an elapsed playback time associated with a digital playback device is determined and compared to an allotted playback time for the device. In the event the elapsed and allotted playback times satisfy a predetermined relationship with respect to one another, further content playback on the device may be denied or otherwise regulated until content playback rights intrinsic to the device are renewed or “recharged”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: RealNetworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Hug, Bradley D. Hefta-Gaub
  • Patent number: 7860809
    Abstract: A brokerage for digital media distribution allows initial recipients of digital media to promote and generate additional distribution of the digital media. The brokerage may involve transferring a copy of the digital media from the device of the initial recipient to a device of an entity interested in obtaining the same digital media, and the device of the entity may then complete the transfer by submitting a record of the transaction that identifies the recipient who has generated the sale such that this initial recipient is compensated by the digital media distributor. The brokerage may alternatively involve directing the device of the receiving entity to a network link that provides access to the digital media and that is associated with the initial recipient. The device of the entity may then complete the transfer that causes the initial recipient to be compensated by the digital media distributor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Samuel Zellner