System and method for secure distribution of digital products
First Claim
1. A system (1) for electronically distributing reading material, comprising at least one electronic reading device (3) having a dedicated serial code (19), and storing means (2) for storing at least one block of digital data (37a) representing reading material in encrypted machine readable form and adapted to be accessed by the reading device, the block of data having a identification code (28), characterized by remote processing means (4) having receiving means for receiving a serial code and an identification code transmitted thereto by the or a reading device, decryption key generating means for generating a decryption key (34) in response to receipt of the serial code and the identification code, and transmitting means for transmitting a generated decryption key to the reading device, the reading device including decryption means for processing the decryption key and permitting decryption of the encrypted block of data, and display means (11) for displaying at least part of the decrypted data (36b).
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Accused Products
Abstract
Books which are to be read on portable electronic reading devices (3) are distributed to readers on pre-recorded mini-discs (2). Each book is distributed in encrypted machine readable form and has a unique identification code (28) and each reading device has a unique serial code (19). When a mini-disc is inserted into a reading device and a reader chooses a book title, the reading device transmits its serial code and the identification code of the encrypted book to a control computer (4). The control computer processes the codes to generate a decryption key (34) from the serial code and the identification code and transmits the decryption key to the reading device which is thereby enabled to decrypt the encrypted book and display the pages of the book in human readable form.
93 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A system (1) for electronically distributing reading material, comprising at least one electronic reading device (3) having a dedicated serial code (19), and storing means (2) for storing at least one block of digital data (37a) representing reading material in encrypted machine readable form and adapted to be accessed by the reading device, the block of data having a identification code (28), characterized by
remote processing means (4) having receiving means for receiving a serial code and an identification code transmitted thereto by the or a reading device, decryption key generating means for generating a decryption key (34) in response to receipt of the serial code and the identification code, and transmitting means for transmitting a generated decryption key to the reading device, the reading device including decryption means for processing the decryption key and permitting decryption of the encrypted block of data, and display means (11) for displaying at least part of the decrypted data (36b).
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2. A system for authenticating the procurement, by a reader, of electronic reading material stored in the form of at least one block of encrypted digital data in an electronic reading device (3) having means for selecting a block of data representing required reading material, the reading device having a dedicated serial code (19) and the or each block of data being associated with an individual identification code (28), characterized by
remote processing means (4) having decryption key generating means for receiving the serial code and the identification code of a selected block of data transmitted thereto from the reading device (3), and for producing a decryption key (34) in response to receipt thereof, and transmitting means for transmitting the generated decryption key to the reading device to permit decryption of the encrypted data.
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17. A method of electronically distributing reading material to readers provided with electronic reading devices (3) having dedicated serial codes (19), characterized by the steps of:
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producing blocks of digital data (37a) representing reading material in encrypted machine readable form, each block of data having a dedicated identification code (28);
storing the blocks (37a) and identification codes at a reading device;
actuating the reading device to select the block of data representing the required reading material;
transmitting the serial code of the reading device and the identification code of the selected block of data to a remote processing station (4);
processing the codes at the remote station to generate a decryption key (34);
transmitting the decryption key to the reading device;
processing the encrypted block of digital data in conjunction with the decryption key to permit decryption of the data; and
displaying at least part of the decrypted block of digital data (36b).
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18. A method of authenticating the procurement by a reader of reading material stored in the form of a block of encrypted digital data in an electronic reading device (3) having a dedicated serial code (19), characterized by the steps of
providing the blocks of digital data (37a) with dedicated identification codes (28), selecting with the reading device the block of data representing the required reading material, transmitting the serial code of the reading device and the identification code of the selected block of data to a remote processing station (4); -
processing the codes at the remote station to generate a decryption key (34), and transmitting the decryption key to the reading device.
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Specification