System for permitting off-line playback of digital content, and for managing content rights

• US 20060021068A1
• Filed: 06/27/2005
• Published: 01/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Dalun Bao, Kyle Smith, Weijun Li, Xu Bin
• Original Assignee: Dalun Bao, Kyle Smith, Weijun Li, Xu Bin
• Inventors: Xu, Bin, Li, Weijun, Smith, Kyle, Bao, Dalun
• Application Number:
  US11/165,995
• Publication Number:
  US 20060021068A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/30
• 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 2221/2107 File encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0457 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply dynamic encryption, e.g. stream encryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for stream encryption H04L9/065
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles

Abstract

A system for permitting offline content playback and for managing the rights to one or more digital content files within a computer network. The system manages these rights by encrypting the content files to prevent unauthorized access to the files. Encryption is accomplished by using one or more keys which are associated with one or more segments of the content file. These keys enable an authorized user to decrypt and playback the content files at a subsequent time. When the keys are received, a license which specifies the rights of the user regarding the content files, is obtained by the end user system, and verified locally to permit the content playback.

Claims

1. A method for inhibiting unauthorized use of a digital content file, the method comprising:

removing a portion of said digital content file;

replacing said removed portion with a header,

said header including information enabling retrieval of said removed portion.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

generating a license file; and

adding said removed portion to said license file,

said license file enabling recombination of the removed portion with said digital content file and allowing authorized use of said digital content file.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said license file includes machine specific information.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said digital content file is selected from the group consisting of:

a musical recording, an audio file and a video file.

5. A method for encrypting a digital content file, the method comprising:

encrypting at least one segment of said content file using at least one separate encryption key respectively.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising:

storing said encryption keys in a database; and

retrieving said encryption keys from said database.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising:

removing a portion of said digital content file; and

replacing said removed portion with a header,

said header including information enabling retrieval of said removed portion.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising generating a license file for said content file, said license file comprising the removed portion of said content file for enabling recombination of the removed portion with said digital content file and allowing authorized use of said digital content file.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said license file includes a user'"'"'s machine specific information thereof.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said digital content file is selected from the group consisting of:

a musical recording, an audio file and a video file.

11. A method for permitting authorized use of a digital content file, the method comprising:

generating a modified digital content file, said generating including;

removing a portion of said digital content file; and

replacing said portion with a header, said header including information enabling an authorized user to retrieve said removed portion;

providing said modified digital content file to said authorized user; and

providing said authorized user access to said removed portion.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

generating a license file, said license file including said removed portion; and

providing said license file to said authorized user.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein said license file further comprises a machine identifier.