Systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection

• US 20090132805A1
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intertrust Technologies Corporation (Fidelio Acquisition Co LLC)
• Original Assignee: Intertrust Technologies Corporation (Fidelio Acquisition Co LLC)
• Inventors: Ginter, Karl L., Spahn, Francis J., Shear, Victor H., Van Wie, David M.
• Application Number:
  US11/980,245
• Publication Number:
  US 20090132805A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/150
• 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 21/31 User authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/33 using certificates
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6209 to a single file or object, e.g. in a secure envelope, encrypted and accessed using a key, or with access control rules appended to the object itself
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/71 to assure secure computing or processing of information
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2101 Auditing as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2137 Time limited access, e.g. to a computer or data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2151 Time stamp
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/023 the neutral party being a clearing house
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/085 involving remote charge determination or related payment systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 : Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 : with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 : specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/24 : Credit schemes, i.e. "pay after"
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/306 : using TV related infrastructures external card used for payment with client device H04N21/4185
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/308 : using the Internet of Things
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2220/16 : Copy protection or prevention
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 : Determination of fees for advertising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 : Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 : Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 : Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 : Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 : Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 : Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 : Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/184 : Intellectual property management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/188 : Electronic negotiation
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 : Image watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 : for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 : Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/60 : Digital content management, e.g. content distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 : applying security measures for digital rights management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/102 : applying security measure for e-commerce
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/103 : applying security measure for protecting copyright
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 : for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 : for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0435 : wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply symmetric encryption, i.e. same key used for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for symmetric key encryption H04L9/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 : wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 : for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 : using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 : using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 : Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 : received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/16 : Implementing security features at a particular protocol layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/168 : above the transport layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/20 : for managing network security; network security policies in general filtering policies H04L63/0227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/006 : involving public key infrastructure [PKI] trust models network architecture or network communication protocol for supporting authentication of entities using certificates in a packet data network H04L63/0823
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0819 : Key transport or distribution, i.e. key establishment techniques where one party creates or otherwise obtains a secret value, and securely transfers it to the other(s) network architectures or network communication protocols for key distribution in a packet data network H04L63/062
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0838 : Key agreement, i.e. key establishment technique in which a shared key is derived by parties as a function of information contributed by, or associated with, each of these network architectures or network communication protocols for key exchange in a packet data network H04L63/061
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/0861 : Generation of secret information including derivation or calculation of cryptographic keys or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3218 : using proof of knowledge, e.g. Fiat-Shamir, GQ, Schnorr, ornon-interactive zero-knowledge proofs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 : involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3263 : involving certificates, e.g. public key certificate [PKC] or attribute certificate [AC]; Public key infrastructure [PKI] arrangements network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using certificates in a packet data network H04L63/0823
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2005/91364 : the video signal being scrambled
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2347 : involving video stream encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23476 : by partially encrypting, e.g. encrypting the ending portion of a movie
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/235 : Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2362 : Generation or processing of Service Information [SI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 : Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2547 : Third Party Billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 : involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42646 : for reading from or writing on a non-volatile solid state storage medium, e.g. DVD, CD-ROM
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 : Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 : Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4405 : involving video stream decryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44204 : Monitoring of content usage, e.g. the number of times a movie has been viewed, copied or the amount which has been watched monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; protecting generic digital content where the protection is independent of the precise nature of the content G06F21/10; arrangements for monitoring the use made of the broadcast services in broadcast systems H04H60/31
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/443 : OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 : Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8166 : involving executable data, e.g. software arrangements for executing specific programs G06F9/44; broadcasting computer programmes in broadcast systems H04H20/91; involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/835 : Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8355 : involving usage data, e.g. number of copies or viewings allowed
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/83555 : using a structured language for describing usage rules of the content, e.g. REL
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8358 : involving watermark protecting executable software by watermarking G06F21/16; image watermarking in general G06T1/0021; watermarks inserted in still images for transmission purposes H04N1/32144; inserting watermarks during video coding H04N19/467
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/913 : for scrambling ; for copy protection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/162 : Authorising the user terminal, e.g. by paying; Registering the use of a subscription channel, e.g. billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

The present invention provides systems and methods for secure transaction management and electronic rights protection. Electronic appliances such as computers equipped in accordance with the present invention help to ensure that information is accessed and used only in authorized ways, and maintain the integrity, availability, and/or confidentiality of the information. Such electronic appliances provide a distributed virtual distribution environment (VDE) that may enforce a secure chain of handling and control, for example, to control and/or meter or otherwise monitor use of electronically stored or disseminated information. Such a virtual distribution environment may be used to protect rights of various participants in electronic commerce and other electronic or electronic-facilitated transactions. Distributed and other operating systems, environments and architectures, such as, for example, those using tamper-resistant hardware-based processors, may establish security at each node. These techniques may be used to support an all-electronic information distribution, for example, utilizing the “electronic highway.”

Claims

1. A method of controlling access to, or other use of, electronic content, the method comprising:

associating first control information with electronic content; and

transferring the first control information to a first electronic appliance, wherein the first control information is configured to enable the first electronic appliance to transmit second control information to at least a second electronic appliance, the second control information configured to enable the second electronic appliance to access or otherwise use the electronic content but not to enable the second electronic appliance to transmit control information to enable another electronic appliance to access or otherwise use the electronic content.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the first control information is further configured to enable the first electronic appliance to access or otherwise use the electronic content.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

transferring the electronic content to the first electronic appliance separately from the first control information.

4. The method of claim 1, in which the first control information comprises an electronic object including permission information and an encrypted first key, the first key being configured to decrypt the electronic content.

5. The method of claim 4, in which a second key associated with the first electronic appliance is configured for use in decrypting the first key.

6. A method of controlling access to, or other use, of electronic content, the method comprising:

receiving a piece of electronic content at a first electronic appliance;

receiving, separately from the piece of electronic content, first control information at the first electronic appliance, the first control information permitting creation of second control information for transmission to a second electronic appliance;

transmitting the second control information to the second electronic appliance, the second control information enabling the piece of electronic content to be accessed or otherwise used on the second electronic appliance, the second control information not enabling control information to be sent from the second electronic appliance to a third electronic appliance to enable the piece of electronic content to be accessed or otherwise used on the third electronic appliance;

wherein the first electronic appliance comprises hardware and/or software for resisting attempts by users of the first electronic appliance to tamper with the creation of the second control information.

7. The method of claim 6, in which the first control information is further configured to enable the first electronic appliance to access or otherwise use the piece of electronic content.

8. The method of claim 6, in which the first control information comprises an electronic object including permission information and an encrypted first key, the first key being configured to decrypt the electronic content.

9. The method of claim 8, in which a second key associated with the first electronic appliance is configured for use in decrypting the first key.

10. A method of securely packaging electronic content using a secure application program running on an electronic appliance, the secure application program being resistant to tampering by users of the electronic appliance, the method comprising:

enabling a user to select a first piece of electronic content; and

transferring the first piece of electronic content into a secure electronic container, the secure electronic container comprising control information for governing contents of the secure electronic container, wherein the control information comprises one or more permissions specifying one or more permitted and/or prohibited uses of contents of the secure electronic container, and wherein subsequent use of the first piece of electronic content is governed by said one or more permissions.

11. The method of claim 10, in which the secure application program comprises a word processing program.

12. The method of claim 10, in which the secure application program is configured to enable a user to specify additional control information for governing use of the first piece of electronic content.

13. The method of claim 10, in which the control information includes a specification of a time period before which the contents of the secure electronic container may not be used.

14. The method of claim 10, in which the contents of the secure electronic container comprise a second piece of electronic content.

15. A method comprising:

distributing a first electronic budget to a user, the first electronic budget being configured for use in governing usage of one or more electronic objects of a first type, the first electronic budget specifying a time-based limitation on usage of electronic objects of the first type; and

distributing a second electronic budget to the user, the second electronic budget being configured for use in governing access to or other usage of one or more electronic objects of a second type.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

distributing first permission information to the user, the first permission information being associated with at least a first electronic object of the one or more electronic objects of the first type, the first permission information including an encrypted first key, the first key being configured for use in decrypting at least the first electronic object, the first permission information being configured to be applied by tamper- resistant software executing on an electronic appliance associated with the user to enable the user to make at least one use of at least the first electronic object if allowed by the first electronic budget.

17. The method of claim 15, in which the second electronic budget specifies a monetary limitation on usage of electronic objects of the second type.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

modifying first permission information to reference the first electronic budget, the first permission information being associated with at least a first electronic object of the first type;

modifying second permission information to reference the second electronic budget, the second permission information being associated with at least a second electronic object of the second type; and

distributing the modified first permission information and the modified second permission information to the user.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

distributing second permission information to the user, the second permission information being associated with at least a second electronic object of the one or more electronic objects of the second type, the second permission information including an encrypted second key, the second key being configured for use in decrypting at least the second electronic object, the second permission information being configured to be applied by the tamper-resistant software executing on the electronic appliance associated with the user to enable the user to make at least one use of at least the second electronic object if allowed by the second electronic budget.

20. An integrated circuit comprising:

a microprocessor;

a clock;

a random number generator;

an encryption/decryption engine;

non-volatile memory, the non-volatile memory comprising;

one or more load modules;

an operating system comprising a memory management unit and a virtual memory manager;

one or more cryptographic keys;

volatile memory; and

a tamper-resistant barrier enclosing the foregoing.

21. The integrated circuit of claim 20, further comprising a remote procedure call services table, the remote procedure call services table describing where requests for specific services are to be routed for processing, the remote procedure call services table further including one or more indications of whether certain load modules may be called by an external caller.

22. The integrated circuit of claim 21, in which at least some of the certain load modules are stored in encrypted form in memory external to the integrated circuit.

23. The integrated circuit of claim 20, in which the non-volatile memory comprises a combination of read only memory, non-volatile random access memory, and/or electrically erasable programmable read only memory.

24. The integrated circuit of claim 20, in which the operating system comprises code which, when executed by the microprocessor, is configured to swap blocks of code and data out of the volatile memory, encrypt the blocks of code and data, and write the encrypted blocks of code and data to storage external to the integrated circuit.

25. The integrated circuit of claim 20, in which at least some of the one or more load modules are configured to perform rights management tasks selected from the group consisting of:

metering use of protected content;

maintaining a budget related to use of protected content;

opening a secure electronic container comprising protected content; and

auditing use of protected content.