System and method for controlling access to protected information

• US 20040215571A1
• Filed: 05/21/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schull, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,089,212 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/02 Viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2213/025 Sightline detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/109 by using specially-adapted hardware at the client
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification

Abstract

A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User'"'"'s System via a Programmer'"'"'s Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer'"'"'s Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer'"'"'s Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User'"'"'s System. Advanced features will thus re-lock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User'"'"'s System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.

Claims

1-24. -24. (Canceled).

25. A method for providing a password to a first program to control access to protected information, the method comprising:

receiving a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

generating a password, based at least in part on the first identifier, which password may only be validated using at least data accessible to the first program including the first identifier; and

storing the password in a first location accessible to the first program.

26. The method of claim 25, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first identifier is based on a software-accessible serial number for hardware in the first device.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the first identifier is based on a software-accessible characteristic of the first device selected from the group consisting of:

the number of one or more peripherals to the first device, a kind of the one or more peripherals, the number of one or more CPUs in the first device, a kind of the one or more CPUs, an interleave factor, and one or more timing characteristics of the first device.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

35. The method of claim 25, comprising generating the first identifier on a first device.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein generating the first identifier is performed on a first device on which the first program resides.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein generating is performed on a first device separate from a second device on which the first program resides.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

39. The method of claim 38, comprising directly or indirectly transmitting the first identifier from the first device to the second device.

40. The method of claim 38, comprising transmitting the generated password from the second device to the first device.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein generating the first identifier is performed after installation of the first program on the first device.

42. The method of claim 25, wherein the data includes only the first identifier.

43. The method of claim 25, wherein generating the password is performed using a licensing processor.

44. The method of claim 25, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the number generator is a random number generator.

46. The method of claim 44, comprising validating the password by using the first identifier as a seed to the number generator.

47. The method of claim 25, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

48. The method of claim 25, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device separate but accessible from a second device on which the first program resides.

49. The method of claim 25, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password in copy-protected form.

50. The method of claim 25, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password in a first location hidden from a user but accessible to the first program.

32. The method of 25, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the first identifier is based on a voice pattern of the user.

51. A system for providing a password to a first program to control access to protected information, the system comprising:

means for receiving a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

means for generating a password, based at least in part on the first identifier, which password may only be validated using at least data accessible to the first program including the first identifier; and

memory means for storing the password in a first location accessible to the first program.

52. The system of claim 51, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

53. The system of claim 51, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the first identifier is based on a software-accessible serial number for hardware in the first device.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the first identifier is based on a software-accessible characteristic of the first device selected from the group consisting of:

the number of one or more peripherals to the first device, a kind of the one or more peripherals, the number of one or more CPUs in the first device, a kind of the one or more CPUs, an interleave factor, and one or more timing characteristics of the first device.

58. The system of claim 51, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the first identifier is based on a voice pattern of the user.

60. The system of claim 51, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

61. The system of claim 51, comprising means for generating the first identifier on a first device.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein generating the first identifier is performed on a first device on which the first program resides.

63. The system of claim 61, wherein generating is performed on a first device separate from a second device on which the first program resides.

64. The system of claim 61, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

65. The system of claim 64, comprising means for directly or indirectly transmitting the first identifier from the first device to the second device.

66. The system of claim 64, comprising means for transmitting the generated password from the second device to the first device.

67. The system of claim 62, wherein generating the first identifier is performed after installation of the first program on the first device.

68. The system of claim 51, wherein the data includes only the first identifier.

69. The system of claim 51, wherein generating the password is performed using a licensing processor.

70. The system of claim 51, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein the number generator is a random number generator.

72. The system of claim 70, comprising validating the password by using the first identifier as a seed to the number generator.

73. The system of claim 51, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

74. The system of claim 51, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device separate but accessible from a second device on which the first program resides.

75. The system of claim 51, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password in copy-protected form.

76. The system of claim 51, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password in a first location hidden from a user but accessible to the first program.

77. A computer usable medium or media storing program code which, when executed on one or more computerized devices, causes the one or more computerized devices to execute a method for providing a password to a first program to control access to protected information, the method comprising:

receiving a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

generating a password, based at least in part on the first identifier, which password may only be validated using at least data accessible to the first program including the first identifier; and

storing the password in a first location accessible to the first program.

78. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, the method further comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

79. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

80. The computer usable medium or media of claim 79, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

81. The computer usable medium or media of claim 79, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

82. The computer usable medium or media of claim 81, wherein the first identifier is based on a software-accessible serial number for hardware in the first device.

83. The computer usable medium or media of claim 81, wherein the first identifier is based on a software-accessible characteristic of the first device selected from the group consisting of:

the number of one or more peripherals to the first device, a kind of the one or more peripherals, the number of one or more CPUs in the first device, a kind of the one or more CPUs, an interleave factor, and one or more timing characteristics of the first device.

84. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

85. The computer usable medium or media of claim 84, wherein the first identifier is based on a voice pattern of the user.

86. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

87. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, the method further comprising generating the first identifier on a first device.

88. The computer usable medium or media of claim 87, wherein generating the first identifier is performed on a first device on which the first program resides.

89. The computer usable medium or media of claim 87, wherein generating is performed on a first device separate from a second device on which the first program resides.

90. The computer usable medium or media of claim 87, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

91. The computer usable medium or media of claim 90, the method further comprising directly or indirectly transmitting the first identifier from the first device to the second device.

92. The computer usable medium or media of claim 90, the method further comprising transmitting the generated password from the second device to the first device.

93. The computer usable medium or media of claim 88, wherein generating the first identifier is performed after installation of the first program on the first device.

94. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein the data includes only the first identifier.

95. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein generating the password is performed using a licensing processor.

96. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

97. The computer usable medium or media of claim 96, wherein the number generator is a random number generator.

98. The computer usable medium or media of claim 96, the method further comprising validating the password by using the first identifier as a seed to the number generator.

99. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

100. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device separate but accessible from a second device on which the first program resides.

101. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password in copy-protected form.

102. The computer usable medium or media of claim 77, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password in a first location hidden from a user but accessible to the first program.

103. A method for providing access to protected information, the method comprising:

receiving an identifier, the identifier being based at least in part on a characteristic of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

generating a password, based at least in part on the identifier, using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity; and

storing the password in a first location accessible to the first program.

104. The method of claim 103, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

105. The method of claim 103, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

107. The method of claim 105, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

108. The method of claim 103, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

109. The method of claim 103, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

110. The method of claim 103, comprising generating the first identifier on a first device on which the first program resides.

111. The method of claim 110, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

112. The method of claim 103, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

113. The method of claim 103, wherein storing the password comprises, storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

114. A system for providing access to protected information, the system comprising:

means for receiving an identifier, the identifier being based at least in part on a characteristic of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

means for generating a password, based at least in part on the identifier, using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity; and

memory means for storing the password in a first location accessible to the first program.

115. The system of claim 114, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

116. The system of claim 114, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

117. The system of claim 116, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

118. The system of claim 116, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

119. The system of claim 114, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

120. The system of claim 114, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

121. The system of claim 114, comprising means for generating the first identifier on a first device on which the first program resides.

122. The system of claim 121, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

123. The system of claim 114, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

124. The system of claim 114, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

125. A computer usable medium or media storing program code which, when executed on one or more computerized devices, causes the one or more computerized devices to execute a method for providing access to protected information, the method comprising:

receiving an identifier, the identifier being based at least in part on a characteristic of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

generating a password, based at least in part on the identifier, using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity; and

using the password to control access to the protected information.

126. The computer usable medium or media of claim 125, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

127. The computer usable medium or media of claim 125, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

128. The computer usable medium or media of claim 127, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

129. The computer usable medium or media of claim 127, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

130. The computer usable medium or media of claim 125, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

131. The computer usable medium or media of claim 125, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

132. The computer usable medium or media of claim 125, the method further comprising generating the first identifier on a first device on which the first program resides.

133. The computer usable medium or media of claim 132, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

134. The computer usable medium or media of claim 125, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

135. The computer usable medium or media of claim 125, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

136. A method for providing a password to a first program to access protected information, the method comprising:

a user processor generating a first identifier using information about the user processor;

transmitting the first identifier from the user processor to a licensing processor;

the licensing processor generating a password, based at least in part on the first identifier, which password may only be validated using at least data accessible to the first program including the first identifier; and

transmitting the generated password from the licensing processor to the user processor.

137. The method of claim 136, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

138. The method of claim 136, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

139. The method of claim 138, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

140. The method of claim 138, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

141. The method of claim 136, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

142. The method of claim 136, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

143. The method of claim 136, comprising generating the first identifier on a first device on which the first program resides.

144. The method of claim 143, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

145. The method of claim 136, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

146. The method of claim 136, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

147. A system for providing a password to a first program to access protected information, the system comprising:

a user processor generating a first identifier using information about the user processor;

means for transmitting the first identifier from the user processor to a licensing processor;

the licensing processor generating a password, based at least in part on the first identifier, which password may only be validated using at least data accessible to the first program including the first identifier; and

means for transmitting the generated password from the licensing processor to the user processor.

148. The system of claim 147, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

149. The system of claim 147, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

150. The system of claim 149, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

151. The system of claim 149, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

152. The system of claim 147, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

153. The system of claim 147, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

154. The system of claim 147, comprising means for generating the first identifier on a first device on which the first program resides.

155. The system of claim 154, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

156. The system of claim 147, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

157. The system of claim 147, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

158. A method for controlling access to protected information using a first program, the method comprising:

generating a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

transmitting the first identifier to a licensing processor;

receiving a password based at least in part on the first identifier, which password may only be validated using at least data accessible to the first program including the first identifier; and

storing the password in a first location accessible to the first program.

159. The method of claim 158, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

160. The method of claim 158, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

161. The method of claim 160, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

162. The method of claim 160, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

163. The method of claim 158, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

164. The method of claim 158, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

165. The method of claim 158, the method further comprising generating the first identifier on a first device on which the first program resides.

166. The method of claim 165, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

167. The method of claim 158, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

168. The method of claim 158, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

169. A method for providing a password to a first program to control access to protected information, the method comprising:

receiving a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

generating a password, based at least in part on the identifier, using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity; and

transmitting the password to a device accessible to the first program.

170. The method of claim 169, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

171. The method of claim 169, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

172. The method of claim 171, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

173. The method of claim 171, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

174. The method of claim 169, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

175. The method of claim 169, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

176. The method of claim 169, comprising generating the first identifier on a first device on which the first program resides.

177. The method of claim 176, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

178. The method of claim 169, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

179. The method of claim 169, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

180. A system for providing a password to a first program to control access to protected information, the system comprising:

means for receiving a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

means for generating a password, based at least in part on the identifier, using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity; and

means for transmitting the password to a device accessible to the first program.

181. The system of claim 180, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

182. The system of claim 180, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

183. The system of claim 182, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

184. The system of claim 182, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

185. The system of claim 180, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

186. The system of claim 180, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

187. The system of claim 180, comprising means for generating the first identifier on a first device on which the first program resides.

188. The system of claim 187, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

189. The system of claim 180, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

190. The system of claim 180, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

191. A computer usable medium or media storing program code which, when executed on one or more computerized devices, causes the one or more computerized devices to execute a method for providing a password to a first program to control access to protected information, the method comprising:

receiving a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

generating a password, based at least in part on the identifier, using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity; and

transmitting the password to a device accessible to the first program.

192. The computer usable medium or media of claim 191, comprising the first program using the stored password to control access to the protected information.

193. The computer usable medium or media of claim 191, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device accessible to the first program.

194. The computer usable medium or media of claim 193, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a first device on which the first program resides.

195. The computer usable medium or media of claim 193, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware in the first device.

196. The computer usable medium or media of claim 191, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the first program.

197. The computer usable medium or media of claim 191, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the entity.

198. The computer usable medium or media of claim 191, the method further comprising generating the first identifier on a first device on which the first program resides.

199. The computer usable medium or media of claim 198, wherein the first device is located remotely from a second device on which the password is generated.

200. The computer usable medium or media of claim 191, wherein generating the password comprises using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

201. The computer usable medium or media of claim 191, wherein storing the password comprises storing the password on a first device on which the first program resides.

202. The computer usable medium or media of claim 191, wherein the protected information comprises executable program code.

203. The computer usable medium or media of claim 191, wherein the protected information comprises non-executable information.

204. A method for accessing protected information using a first program, the method comprising:

retrieving a first password stored in a location accessible to the first program;

retrieving a first identifier generated based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the protected information is linked;

generating a second password using the first identifier;

comparing the first password to the second password; and

if the first password is the same as the second password, using the first password to access the protected information.

205. The method of claim 204, wherein generating the second password comprises using the first identifier as a seed in a number generator.

206. The method of claim 204, wherein generating the second password comprises using a password generation technique used to generate the first password using the first identifier.