System and method for processing protected audio information
First Claim
1. An audio processor comprising:
- a first receiver effective to receive audio information;
a processor effective to process the received audio information;
a generator effective to generate a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the audio processor;
a transmitter effective to transmit the first identifier to a licensing processor;
a second receiver effective to receive a generated password based at least in part on the first identifier, the generated password generated using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the audio processor; and
means for using the generated password to control access to at least one of the received audio information and the processed audio information.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. An audio processor comprising:
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a first receiver effective to receive audio information;
a processor effective to process the received audio information;
a generator effective to generate a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the audio processor;
a transmitter effective to transmit the first identifier to a licensing processor;
a second receiver effective to receive a generated password based at least in part on the first identifier, the generated password generated using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the audio processor; and
means for using the generated password to control access to at least one of the received audio information and the processed audio information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for controlling access to audio information in an audio processor, the method comprising:
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receiving audio information;
processing the received audio information;
generating an identifier, the identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the audio information is linked;
transmitting the first identifier to a licensing processor;
receiving a generated password based at least in part on the identifier, the generated password generated using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity; and
using the generated password by an audio processor to control access to at least one of the received audio information and the processed audio information. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for operating a licensing server to distribute passwords to a plurality of users to access audio recordings at remote user audio processors, the method comprising:
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receiving, at a licensing server, a first identifier associated with a request for access to an audio recording, the request generated by a first program at a first remote audio processor, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the audio recording is linked, the first identifier being previously unknown to the licensing server;
generating, at the licensing server, a password based at least in part on the first identifier; and
transmitting the password to a first location accessible to the first remote audio processor. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for enabling access to an audio recording using an audio processor, the method comprising:
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receiving a request to access a first program;
enabling access to the first program using the audio processor;
receiving a request to access an audio recording while the first program is being accessed;
in response to the request to access the audio recording, awakening a second program from a dormant state, the second program includes the steps of;
checking the audio processor for a first password; and
when the audio processor does not include the first password, requesting the first password from a licensing system; and
providing the audio recording in response to the first password being received from the licensing system. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for distributing an audio recording created by a creator, the audio recording accessible only with a password, the method comprising:
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providing an audio processor to a user, the audio processor effective to process the audio recording, the audio processor provided through a first distribution channel comprising a first set of one or more distribution methods;
providing the audio recording to a user through a second distribution channel comprising a second set of one or more distribution methods; and
providing a password to access the audio recording to the user through an authorization channel comprising a third set of one or more distribution methods, the authorization channel being distinct from the second distribution channel, the authorization channel excluding participation by the creator. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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47. A method for creating a plurality of audio recordings to be accessed by a user, the method comprising:
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generating a first audio recording, the first audio recording being accessible to the user after the user communicates with a licensing system and acquires a first password from the licensing system; and
generating a second audio recording, the second audio recording being accessible to the user after the user communicates with the licensing system and acquires a second password from the licensing system;
whereinthe first and second passwords are distinct. - View Dependent Claims (48, 49)
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Specification