SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO DIGITAL INFORMATION
First Claim
1. A method for renting or selling digital content, the method comprising:
- (a) providing a digital content storage device having stored therein digital content to be rented;
(b) embedding within the digital content storage device a firmware lock that disables access to the digital content in the absence of a corresponding digital key;
(c) providing a digital content player dimensioned and configured to access and to play the digital content stored in the digital content storage device, and configuring the digital content player such that it is incapable of accessing or playing the digital content in the absence of the corresponding digital key; and
(d) providing the corresponding digital key to a user desirous of renting or buying the digital content stored on the digital content storage device, wherein the digital content player is configured to access and to play the digital content when, and only when, the corresponding digital key is transmitted to the firmware lock; and
(e) transmitting the digital key to the firmware lock, whereby the digital content is accessed.
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Abstract
Described is a method for renting or selling digital content, and a corresponding system for carrying out the method. The method includes the steps of providing a digital content storage device having stored therein digital content to be rented; embedding within the digital content storage device a firmware lock that disables access to the digital content in the absence of a corresponding digital key; providing a digital content player dimensioned and configured to access and play the digital content stored in the digital content storage device, and configuring the digital content player such that it is incapable of accessing or playing the digital content in the absence of the corresponding digital key. The corresponding digital key is then provided to a user desirous of renting or buying the digital content stored on the digital content storage device, wherein the digital content player is configured to access and to play the digital content when, and only when, the corresponding digital key is transmitted to the firmware lock. The digital key is then transmitted to the firmware lock, thereby allowing access to the digital content.
59 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for renting or selling digital content, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a digital content storage device having stored therein digital content to be rented; (b) embedding within the digital content storage device a firmware lock that disables access to the digital content in the absence of a corresponding digital key; (c) providing a digital content player dimensioned and configured to access and to play the digital content stored in the digital content storage device, and configuring the digital content player such that it is incapable of accessing or playing the digital content in the absence of the corresponding digital key; and (d) providing the corresponding digital key to a user desirous of renting or buying the digital content stored on the digital content storage device, wherein the digital content player is configured to access and to play the digital content when, and only when, the corresponding digital key is transmitted to the firmware lock; and (e) transmitting the digital key to the firmware lock, whereby the digital content is accessed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for renting or selling digital content, the method comprising:
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(a) providing a digital content storage device having stored therein digital content to be rented; (b) embedding within the digital content storage device a firmware lock that disables access to the digital content in the absence of a corresponding digital key, and wherein the digital lock and key comprise a Rijndael cipher of 128 bits, 196 bits, or 256 bits; (c) providing a digital content player dimensioned and configured to access and to play the digital content stored in the digital content storage device, and configuring the digital content player such that it is incapable of accessing or playing the digital content in the absence of the corresponding digital key; and (d) providing the corresponding digital key to a user desirous of renting or buying the digital content stored on the digital content storage device, wherein the digital content player is configured to access and to play the digital content when, and only when, the corresponding digital key is transmitted to the firmware lock; and (e) transmitting the digital key to the firmware lock, whereby the digital content is accessed. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for renting or selling digital content, the system comprising, in combination:
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a digital content storage device having stored therein digital content to be rented; a firmware lock embedded within the digital content storage device that disables access to the digital content in the absence of a corresponding digital key; a digital content player dimensioned and configured to access and to play the digital content stored in the digital content storage device, wherein the digital content player is configured such that it is incapable of accessing or playing the digital content in the absence of the corresponding digital key; and the corresponding digital key, wherein the digital content player is configured to access and to play the digital content when, and only when, the corresponding digital key is transmitted to the firmware lock. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for renting or selling digital content, the system comprising, in combination:
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a digital content storage device having stored therein digital content to be rented; a firmware lock embedded within the digital content storage device that disables access to the digital content in the absence of a corresponding digital key; a digital content player dimensioned and configured to access and to play the digital content stored in the digital content storage device, wherein the digital content player is configured such that it is incapable of accessing or playing the digital content in the absence of the corresponding digital key; and the corresponding digital key, wherein the digital content player is configured to access and to play the digital content when, and only when, the corresponding digital key is transmitted to the firmware lock, wherein the firmware lock and key comprise a Rijndael cipher of 128 bits, 196 bits, or 256 bits.
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Specification