Methods and apparatus for content protection in a wireless network

• US 20050055574A1
• Filed: 09/10/2003
• Published: 03/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Chmaytelli, Mazen
• Granted Patent: US 7,203,967 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/12 Protecting executable software
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/62 Protecting access to data via a platform, e.g. using keys or access control rules
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/78 to assure secure storage of data address-based protection against unauthorised use of memory G06F12/14; record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/14 for detecting or protecting against malicious traffic

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for content protection in a wireless network. A method is provided for operating a protection system to protect an application from unauthorized distribution, wherein the application will fail to operate on a device that is outside a predetermined operating region. The method includes associating a geographic identifier with the application, wherein the geographic identifier identifies the predetermined operating region, and downloading the application and the geographic identifier to the device. The method also includes receiving a request to execute the application on the device, wherein the request includes the geographic identifier, and determining a device location. The method also includes comparing the device location with the predetermined operating region identified by the geographic identifier, and preventing the application from executing when the device is outside the predetermined operating region.

Claims

1. A method for operating a protection system to protect an application from unauthorized operation, wherein the application will fail to operate on a device that is outside a predetermined operating region, the method comprising:

associating a geographic identifier with the application, wherein the geographic identifier identifies the predetermined operating region;

downloading the application and the geographic identifier to the device;

receiving a request to execute the application on the device, wherein the request includes the geographic identifier;

determining a device location;

comparing the device location with the predetermined operating region identified by the geographic identifier; and

preventing the application from executing when the device is outside the predetermined operating region.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of associating comprises generating a digital signature for the geographic identifier.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of preventing comprises preventing the application from accessing information on a server.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is a wireless device.

5. Apparatus that operates to protect an application from unauthorized operation, wherein the application will fail to operate on a device that is outside a predetermined operating region, the apparatus comprising:

a geographic database that operates to associate the application with a geographic indicator that identifies the predetermined operating region; and

processing logic that operates to match a device location with the predetermined operating region identified by the geographic indicator to determine whether the device is outside the predetermined operating region, wherein if the device is outside the predetermined operating region the application is prevented from operating.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising transmission logic to transmit the application and the geographic indicator to the device.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising receiving logic to receive a communication from the application that includes the geographic identifier.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the geographic database further comprises logic to generate a digital signature for the geographic indicator.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the device is a wireless device.

10. Apparatus that operates to protect an application from unauthorized operation, wherein the application will fail to operate on a device that is outside a predetermined operating region, the apparatus comprising:

means for associating the application with a geographic indicator that identifies the predetermined operating region;

means for matching a device location with the predetermined operating region identified by the geographic indicator;

means for determining whether the device is outside the predetermined operating region; and

means for preventing the application from operating if the device is outside the predetermined operating region.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for transmitting the application and the geographic indicator to the device.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for receiving a communication from the application that includes the geographic identifier.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for generating a digital signature for the geographic indicator.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the device is a wireless device.

15. A computer-readable media comprising instructions that when executed by a processor in a protection system operate to protect an application from unauthorized operation, wherein the application will fail to operate on a device that is outside a predetermined operating region, the computer-readable media comprising:

instructions for associating the application with a geographic indicator that identifies the predetermined operating region;

instructions for matching a device location with the predetermined operating region identified by the geographic indicator;

instructions for determining whether the device is outside the predetermined operating region; and

instructions for preventing the application from operating if the device is outside the predetermined operating region.

16. The computer-readable media of claim 15, further comprising instructions for transmitting the application and the geographic indicator to the device.

17. The computer-readable media of claim 15, further comprising instructions for receiving a communication from the application that includes the geographic identifier.

18. The computer-readable media of claim 15, further comprising instructions for generating a digital signature for the geographic indicator.

19. The computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the device is a wireless device.