Security-activated production device

• US 20100031351A1
• Filed: 03/27/2008
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Secure3Dp+ Pte. Ltd. (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Rinaldo, John D. JR., Tegreene, Clarence T., Lord, Robert W., Jung, Edward K.Y., Levien, Royce A., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Malamud, Mark A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,626,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/21
• 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: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources

Abstract

Methods and systems for a security-activated production device include but are not limited to obtaining access to an object data file configured to produce one or more objects on the production device; verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file; and controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions.

Claims

1. A method for securely operating a production device, the method comprising:

obtaining access to an object data file configured to produce one or more objects on the production device;

verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file; and

controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the object data file at a buffer for the production device;

sending an acknowledgment that the object data file was received by the production device to a source of the object data file; and

processing the object data file in the buffer to verify a request to instantiate the object data file.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the authorization code at a buffer, the buffer configured to notify an application if the object data file is loaded in the buffer, the object data file including one or more of a production model file and/or a computer-aided design (CAD) solid model file and/or a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the receiving the authorization code at a buffer, the buffer configured to notify an application if the object data file is loaded in the buffer, the object data file including one or more of a production model file and/or a computer-aided design (CAD) solid model file and/or a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file includes:

extracting the authorization code from the object data file in the buffer, the authorization code required to enable the production device to acknowledge the object data file as a valid file.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

extracting the authorization code as one or more of a redundancy check, error checking algorithm, checksum code and/or cryptographic hash function.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

removing a header from the object data file, the header including the authorization code;

transmitting the authorization code to a control system operably coupled to the production device; and

receiving an enabling signal from the control system to enable reification of the one or more objects.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

comparing the authorization code to a stored list of authorization codes accessible to the production device.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

receiving an indication from a control system operably coupled to the production device that the authorization code has been verified as valid.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization code is associated with copyright protection of the object data file, the object data file including one or more reproducible object files to enable the production device to reify the one or more objects.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization code is associated with a licensing status associated with the one or more objects and/or object data file, the licensing status indicative of one or more of a royalty status, an expiration date pertaining to a license, and/or a number of manufacturing runs permitted according to the license.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization code enables a determination of a payment status and/or an authorization status under a reification agreement.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing manufacturing using one or more of a polymer, ABS (Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene), ABSi (ABS with high impact strength), ABS M-30 (Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene), PC (Polycarbonate), PC-ISO (Polycarbonate-ISO), PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/ABS Blend), PPSF (Polyphenylsulfone), clear and/or colored resin.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing rapid prototyping, three-dimensional printing, two-dimensional printing, freeform fabrication, solid freeform fabrication, and stereo lithography.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing one or more of stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), computer numerical control (CNC), and fused deposition modeling (FDM) if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing three-dimensional manufacturing using one or more of metal, wood, ice, stone, glass, polymer, composite, laminate, semiconductors, printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, nuclear materials, pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, edible substances, sand, ceramic materials, aluminum, silicon, carbides, silicon nitrides, silicon carbides, metal/ceramic combinations including aluminum/silicon nitride, aluminum/silicon carbide, aluminum/zirconia and aluminum/aluminum nitride including materials alterable by chemical processing, mixing, combustion, friction, heating and cooling if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing two-dimensional manufacturing using one or more of skin, textiles, edible substances, paper, silicon printing if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing subtractive manufacturing, including enabling or preventing drilling, milling, grinding, machining, polishing, patterning, etching, turning, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, plasma cutting, wire electrical discharge cutting, cold forging, warm forging, and hot forging metal fabrication, if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing one or more of the following types of manufacturing in accordance with the authorization code;

computer numerical controlled fabrication, micro-fabrication, injection molding, additive manufacturing, robotic production, packaging, engraving, casting, plating, coating, glazing, laminating, and bonding.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing functioning of a physical component of the production device if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing a read function if the authorization code is accepted by a control system operably coupled to the production device.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing a physical component of the production device to function if the authorization code matches a stored list of codes accessible by a control system operably coupled to the production device.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing the object data file to become readable by the production device if the authorization code passes a compare function associated with a machine identifier.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or disabling production dependent on one or more of the following predetermined conditions;

benchmark comparison, temporal milestone, time period restriction, production quantity limitation, production machine qualification, operator qualification, event occurrence, and quality certification.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or disabling one or more of the following types of production devices;

chemical process apparatus, product packaging, injection molding unit, subtraction machine, additive manufacture unit, two-dimensional production technique, three-dimensional production technique, stamping machine, extrusion machine, melting machine, die-casting machine, solidifying machine, manufacturing system, rapid prototyping device, and robotic production line.

25. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium configured to perform one or more acts for securely operating a production device, the one or more acts comprising:

one or more instructions for obtaining access to an object data file configured to produce one or more objects on the production device;

one or more instructions for verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file; and

one or more instructions for controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions.

26. The computer program product of claim 25 further comprising signal-bearing storage media for encoding the instructions for executing the one or more acts for securely operating the production device.

27. The computer program product of claim 25 further comprising signal-bearing communication media for encoding the instructions for executing the one or more acts for securely operating the production device.

28. The computer program product of claim 25 further comprising:

one or more instructions for receiving the object data file at a buffer for the production device;

one or more instructions for sending an acknowledgment that the object data file was received by the production device to a source of the object data file; and

one or more-instructions for processing the object data file in the buffer to verify a request to instantiate the object data file.

29. The computer program product of claim 25 further comprising:

one or more instructions for receiving the authorization code at a buffer, the buffer configured to notify an application if the object data file is loaded in the buffer, the object data file including one or more of a production model file and/or a computer-aided design (CAD) solid model file and/or a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file.

30. The computer program product of claim 29 wherein the one or more instructions for receiving the authorization code at a buffer, the buffer configured to notify an application if the object data file is loaded in the buffer, the object data file including one or more of a production model file and/or a computer-aided design (CAD) solid model file and/or a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) file includes:

one or more instructions for extracting the authorization code from the object data file in the buffer, the authorization code required to enable the production device to acknowledge the object data file as a valid file.

31. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

one or more instructions for extracting the authorization code as one or more of a redundancy check, error checking algorithm, checksum code and/or cryptographic hash function.

32. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

one or more instructions for removing a header from the object data file, the header including the authorization code;

one or more instructions for transmitting the authorization code to a control system operably coupled to the production device; and

one or more instructions for receiving an enabling signal from the control system to enable reification of the one or more objects.

33. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

one or more instructions for comparing the authorization code to a stored list of authorization codes accessible to the production device.

34. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

one or more instructions for receiving an indication from a control system operably coupled to the production device that the authorization code has been verified as valid.

35. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

one or more instructions for verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization code is associated with copyright protection of the object data file, the object data file including one or more reproducible object files to enable the production device to reify the one or more objects.

36. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

one or more instructions for verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization code is associated with a licensing status associated with the one or more objects and/or object data file, the licensing status indicative of one or more of a royalty status, an expiration date pertaining to a license, and/or a number of manufacturing runs permitted according to the license.

37. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the verifying an authorization code associated with the object data file includes:

one or more instructions for verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization code enables a determination of a payment status and/or an authorization status under a reification agreement.

38. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing manufacturing using one or more of a polymer, ABS (Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene), ABSi (ABS with high impact strength), ABS M-30 (Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene), PC (Polycarbonate), PC-ISO (Polycarbonate-ISO), PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/ABS Blend), PPSF (Polyphenylsulfone), clear and/or colored resin.

39. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing rapid prototyping, three-dimensional printing, two-dimensional printing, freeform fabrication, solid freeform fabrication, and stereolithography.

40. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing one or more of stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), computer numerical control (CNC), and fused deposition modeling (FDM) if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

41. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing three-dimensional manufacturing using one or more of metal, wood, ice, stone, glass, polymer, composite, laminate, semiconductors, printed circuit boards, integrated circuits, nuclear materials, pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, edible substances, sand, ceramic materials, aluminum, silicon, carbides, silicon nitrides, silicon carbides, metal/ceramic combinations including aluminum/silicon nitride, aluminum/silicon carbide, aluminum/zirconia and aluminum/aluminum nitride including materials alterable by chemical processing, mixing, combustion, friction, heating and cooling if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

42. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing two-dimensional manufacturing using one or more of skin, textiles, edible substances, paper, silicon printing if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

43. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing subtractive manufacturing, including enabling or preventing drilling, milling, grinding, machining, polishing, patterning, etching, turning, laser cutting, waterjet cutting, plasma cutting, wire electrical discharge cutting, cold forging, warm forging, and hot forging metal fabrication, if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

44. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

enabling or preventing one or more of the following types of manufacturing in accordance with the authorization code;

computer numerical controlled fabrication, micro-fabrication, injection molding, additive manufacturing, robotic production, packaging, engraving, casting, plating, coating, glazing, laminating, and bonding.

45. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing functioning of a physical component of the production device if the authorization code meets the one or more predetermined conditions.

46. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing a read function if the authorization code is accepted by a control system operably coupled to the production device.

47. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing a physical component of the production device to function if the authorization code matches a stored list of codes accessible by a control system operably coupled to the production device.

48. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or preventing the object data file to become readable by the production device if the authorization code passes a compare function associated with a machine identifier.

49. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for the controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or disabling production dependent on one or more of the following predetermined conditions;

benchmark comparison, temporal milestone, time period restriction, production quantity limitation, production machine qualification, operator qualification, event occurrence, and quality certification.

50. The computer program product of claim 25 wherein the one or more instructions for controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions includes:

one or more instructions for enabling or disabling one or more of the following types of production devices;

chemical process apparatus, product packaging, injection molding unit, subtraction machine, additive manufacture unit, two-dimensional production technique, three-dimensional production technique, stamping machine, extrusion machine, melting machine, die-casting machine, solidifying machine, manufacturing system, rapid prototyping device, and robotic production line.

51. A production system subject to security control, wherein the system comprises:

a production device;

an authorization code that requires one or more pre-conditions for controlling operation of the production device;

a verification module capable of enabling or disabling the production device, the verification module operably coupled to the authorization code; and

an object data file associated with an authorization code, wherein the object data file is configured to enable the production device to make one or more objects based on confirmation from the verification module.

52. The production system of claim 51 wherein the verification module is configured for controlling operation of the production device to enable or prevent production of the one or more objects pursuant to the authorization code in accordance with one or more predetermined conditions.

62. The production system of claim 51 wherein the verification module is configured for verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization code is associated with copyright protection of the object data file, the object data file including one or more reproducible object files to enable the production device to reify the one or more objects.

63. The production system of claim 51 wherein the verification module is configured for verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization code is associated with a licensing status associated with the one or more objects and/or object data file, the licensing status indicative of one or more of a royalty status, an expiration date pertaining to a license, and/or a number of manufacturing runs permitted according to the license.

64. The production system of claim 51 wherein the verification module is configured for verifying the authorization code wherein the authorization code enables a determination of a payment status and/or an authorization status under a reification agreement.

75. The production system of claim 51 wherein the verification module is configured for enabling or disabling production dependent on one or more of the following predetermined conditions:

benchmark comparison, temporal milestone, time period restriction, production quantity limitation, production machine qualification, operator qualification, event occurrence, and quality certification.

76. The production system of claim 51 wherein the verification module is configured for enabling or disabling one or more of the following types of production devices:

chemical process apparatus, product packaging, injection molding unit, subtraction machine, additive manufacture unit, two-dimensional production technique, three-dimensional production technique, stamping machine, extrusion machine, melting machine, die-casting machine, solidifying machine, manufacturing system, rapid prototyping device, and robotic production line.

77. The production system of claim 51 further comprising:

an input associated with the object data file for creating and/or duplicating and/or producing the one or more objects in accordance with the authorization code.

53-61. -61. (canceled)

65-74. -74. (canceled)