Location-based data access control
First Claim
1. A control method for an item of equipment that is provided with particular functionality for using target data on a removable data carrier or in a received data file, the method involving enabling said particular functionality upon at least a first location condition being satisfied, this condition being tested for by:
- (a) obtaining current-location data representing the current location of the equipment;
(b) comparing the current-location data with authorised-location data that is associated with the target data and represents a predetermined authorised location or locality for operation of said particular functionality of the equipment in relation to the associated target data; and
(c) generating a location-match signal upon the comparison step (b) indicating that the equipment is currently located in said authorised location or locality.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In order to restrict access to content data held on a removable data carrier (83) or included in an electronic file, equipment (70) for accessing this content is arranged only to be enabled upon a location condition being satisfied. This condition is tested for by obtaining current-location data (67) representing the current location of the equipment, and comparing the current-location data with authorized-location data representing a predetermined authorized location or locality for operation of the equipment. The authorized location data may be stored in the equipment itself, in a remote system (42), or in the removable data media or received data file.
142 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A control method for an item of equipment that is provided with particular functionality for using target data on a removable data carrier or in a received data file, the method involving enabling said particular functionality upon at least a first location condition being satisfied, this condition being tested for by:
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(a) obtaining current-location data representing the current location of the equipment;
(b) comparing the current-location data with authorised-location data that is associated with the target data and represents a predetermined authorised location or locality for operation of said particular functionality of the equipment in relation to the associated target data; and
(c) generating a location-match signal upon the comparison step (b) indicating that the equipment is currently located in said authorised location or locality. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18)
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15. Equipment including particular functionality for using target data provided on a removable data carrier or in a received data file, the equipment further including a control sub-system for enabling said particular functionality upon at least a first location condition being satisfied, the control sub-system comprising, for testing this condition:
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a location discovery arrangement for obtaining current-location data representing the current location of the equipment;
a read arrangement for reading from the removable data carrier or received data file authorized-location data representing a predetermined authorised location or locality for operation of said particular functionality of the equipment; and
a comparison arrangement for comparing the current-location data with the authorized-location data whereby to generate a location-match signal upon this comparison indicating that the equipment is currently located in said authorised location or locality.
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16. Equipment including particular functionality for using target data provided on a removable data carrier or in a received data file, the equipment further including a control sub-system for enabling said particular functionality upon at least a first location condition being satisfied, the control sub-system comprising, for testing this condition:
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a location discovery arrangement for obtaining current-location data representing the current location of the equipment;
a store for storing in association with identity data, authorized-location data representing a predetermined authorized location or locality for operation of said particular functionality of the equipment a read arrangement for reading from the removable data carrier or received data file identity information relating to the target data;
a data retrieval arrangement for using the identity information to access the authorized-location data held in said store in respect of the identity data matching the identity information; and
a comparison arrangement for comparing the current-location data with the accessed authorized-location data whereby to generate a location-match signal upon this comparison indicating that the equipment is currently located in said authorised location or locality.
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17. A service system for determining when an item of equipment is located at a location where particular functionality of the equipment is authorised for use in accessing target data provided on a removable data carrier or in a received data file, the service system comprising:
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a communications sub-system for communicating with said equipment both to receive therefrom identity information concerning said target data, and to return to the equipment enablement signals for enabling said particular functionality for accessing the target data;
a location discovery arrangement for obtaining current-location data representing the current location of the equipment;
a store for storing in association with identity data, authorized-location data representing a predetermined authorized location or locality for operation of said particular functionality of the equipment;
a data retrieval arrangement for using identity information received from the equipment via the communication sub-system to access the authorized-location data held in said store in respect of identity data matches the identity information; and
a comparison arrangement for comparing the current-location data with the accessed authorized-location data whereby to generate a location-match signal upon this comparison indicating that the equipment is currently located in said authorised location or locality.
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19. A removable data carrier on which is registered target content data and authorised location data, the latter representing a predetermined authorized location or locality where access to the target data is permitted.
Specification