Data processing system and method to produce softcopy book readers which are limited to reading only books published by a specific publisher

• US 5,214,696 A
• Filed: 02/04/1992
• Issued: 05/25/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Unger, Jay, Stevens, Jeffrey N., Keiser, Harry R. II
• Primary Examiner(s): Barron, Jr., Gilberto
• Application Number:
  US07/834,189
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 380/3, 380/4, 380/28, 380/30, 380/25, 380/23, 364/419, 395/425
• US Class Current: 705/51
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/93 Document management systems
• 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 21/16 Program or content traceability, e.g. by watermarking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress

Abstract

A data processing system method and program are disclosed for limiting a book reading program for softcopy books, to be capable of reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher. The method includes the step of generating with a data processor, a customized polynomial expression to be associated with a selected softcopy book publisher. The method continues by merging with a data processor, the customized polynomial expression with a first shell program, forming a stamping tool program for stamping a key value onto a softcopy book published by the selected publisher. The key value results from the polynomial, using the product of an integer times a hash value of the publisher'"'"'s identity, as the value of the independent variable. Then the method continues by generating with a data processor, a customized inverse polynomial expression to the customized polynomial expression, to be associated with the selected softcopy book publisher. Finally, the method merges with a data processor, the customized inverse polynomial expression with a second shell program, forming a book validation program for validating the key value on the softcopy book published by the selected publisher and enabling a softcopy book reading program to read the softcopy book.

Claims

1. A data processing method for limiting a book reading program for softcopy books, to be for reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher, comprising the steps of:

generating with a data processor, a customized polynomial expression to be associated with a selected softcopy book publisher;

merging with a data processor, said customized polynomial expression with a first shell program, forming a stamping tool program for stamping a key value onto a softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

generating with a data processor, a customized inverse polynomial expression to said customized polynomial expression, to be associated with said selected softcopy book publisher;

merging with a data processor, said customized inverse polynomial expression with a second shell program, forming a book validation program for validating said key value on said softcopy book published by said selected publisher and enabling a softcopy book reading program to read said softcopy book.

2. A data processing method for limiting a book reading program for softcopy books, to be for reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher, comprising the steps of:

generating with a data processor, a customized polynomial expression to be associated with a selected softcopy book publisher;

generating with a data processor, a publisher identity value which is a hashed representation of an identifying characteristic of said selected publisher;

merging with a data processor, said customized polynomial expression and said publisher identity value with a first shell program, forming a stamping tool program for stamping a key value onto a softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

generating with a data processor, a first book identity value which is a hashed representation of an identifying characteristic of a first softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

computing a first key value with said stamping tool program using said first book identity value and affixing said first key value to said first softcopy book;

generating with a data processor, a customized inverse polynomial expression to said customized polynomial expression, to be associated with said selected softcopy book publisher;

merging with a data processor, said customized inverse polynomial expression and said publisher identity value with a second shell program, forming a book validation program for validating said first key value on said first softcopy book and enabling a softcopy took reading program to read said first softcopy book;

computing a first test value with said book validation program using said first book identity value and said first key value; and

enabling a softcopy book reader program to read said first softcopy book when said first test value indicates said first key value was generated by said stamping tool program.

3. A limited book reading program for softcopy books, for reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher, said books having a key expression incorporated therein formed from a customized polynomial expression which uniquely represents said selected publisher, comprising:

a customized program code module which includes a customized inverse polynomial expression to said customized polynomial expression, to be associated with said selected softcopy book publisher;

a shell program code module merged with said customized program code module, forming a book validation program for validating said key expression in a valid softcopy book published by said selected publisher and producing an enabling message;

a softcopy book reading program for reading said valid softcopy book in response to said enabling message.

4. A data processing system for limiting a book reading program for softcopy books, to be for reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher, comprising:

a first data processor, for generating a customized polynomial expression to be associated with a selected softcopy book publisher;

said first data processor merging said customized polynomial expression with a first shell program, forming a stamping tool program for stamping a key value onto a softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

a second data processor coupled to said first data processor, for receiving said stamping tool program from said first data processor and affixing said key value onto a softcopy book published by said selected publisher, forming a validly stamped book;

said first data processor generating a customized inverse polynomial expression to said customized polynomial expression, to be associated with said selected softcopy book publisher;

said first data processor merging said customized inverse polynomial expression with a second shell program, forming a book validation program for validating said key value on said validly stamped book;

a third data processor coupled to said first data processor for receiving said book validation program and coupled to said second data processor for receiving said validly stamped book, and having a book reader program for reading softcopy books, for validating said key value on said validly stamped book and enabling said softcopy book reading program to read said validly stamped book.

5. A data processing system for limiting a book reading program for softcopy books, for reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher, comprising:

a first data processor, for generating a customized polynomial expression to be associated with a selected softcopy book publisher;

said first data processor generating a publisher identity value which is a hashed representation of an identifying characteristic of said selected publisher;

said first data processor merging said customized polynomial expression and said publisher identity value with a first shell program, forming a stamping tool program for stamping a key value onto a softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

a second data processor coupled to said first data processor, for generating a first book identity value which is a hashed representation of an identifying characteristic of a first softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

said second data processor computing a first key value with said stamping tool program using said first book identity value and affixing said first key value to said first softcopy book;

said first data processor generating a customized inverse polynomial expression to said customized polynomial expression, to be associated with said selected softcopy book publisher;

said first data processor merging said customized inverse polynomial expression and said publisher identity value with a second shell program, forming a book validation program for validating said first key value on said first softcopy book and enabling a softcopy look reading program to read said first softcopy book;

a third data processor coupled to said first and said second data processors, for computing a first test value with said book validation program using said first book identity value and said first key value; and

said third data processor enabling a softcopy book reader program to read said first softcopy book when said first test value indicates said first key value was generated by said stamping tool program.

6. A data processing method for limiting a book reading program for softcopy books, for reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher, comprising the steps of:

generating with a data processor, a customized polynomial expression to be associated with a selected softcopy book publisher, said customized polynomial expression forming a stamping tool program for stamping a key value onto a softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

stamping a key value onto a softcopy book published by said selected publisher using said stamping tool program;

generating with a data processor, a customized inverse polynomial expression to said customized polynomial expression, to be associated with said selected softcopy book publisher, said customized inverse polynomial expression forming a book validation program for validating said key value on said softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

validating said key value on said softcopy book published by said selected publisher, using said book validation program; and

enabling a softcopy book reading program to read said softcopy book in response to said book validation program validating said key value.

7. A data processing method for limiting a book reading program for softcopy books, for reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher, comprising the steps of:

generating with a data processor, a customized monotonic, single valued function expression to be associated with a selected softcopy book publisher, said customized monotonic, single valued function expression forming a stamping tool program for stamping a key value onto a softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

stamping a key value onto a softcopy book published by said selected publisher using said stamping tool program;

generating with a data processor, a customized inverse monotonic, single valued function expression to said customized monotonic, single valued function expression, to be associated with said selected softcopy book publisher, said customized inverse monotonic, single valued function expression forming a book validation program for validating said key value on said softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

validating said key value on said softcopy book published by said selected publisher, using said book validation program; and

enabling a softcopy book reading program to read said softcopy book in response to said book validation program validating said key value.

8. The method of claim 7 which further comprises:

said monotonic, single valued function has a value for its independent variable which is a product of an integer times a hashed value characteristic of said selected publisher;

said validating step further comprises;

determining an inverse value for said customized inverse monotonic, single valued function expression from said key value;

dividing said inverse value by said hashed value to obtain a quotient value; and

determining if said quotient value is an integer.

9. A limited a book reading program process for softcopy books in a data processing system, for reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher, said books stamped with a key formed with a customized monotonic, single valued function expression associated with a selected softcopy book publisher, comprising:

validating in a data processing system, a key value on said softcopy book published by said publisher, using a book validation program having a customized inverse monotonic, single valued function expression to said customized monotonic, single valued function expression, associated with said selected softcopy book publisher;

enabling in a data processing system, a softcopy book reading program to read said softcopy book in response to said book validation program validating said key value;

said monotonic, single valued function has a value for its independent variable which is a product of an integer times a hashed value characteristic of said selected publisher;

said validating step further comprises;

determining an inverse value for said customized inverse monotonic, single valued function expression from said key value;

dividing said inverse value by said hashed value to obtain a quotient value; and

determining if said quotient value is an integer.

10. A stamping tool program process for stamping softcopy books in a data processing system, with a key formed with a customized monotonic, single valued function expression which is uniquely associated with a selected softcopy book publisher, comprising:

affixing in a data processing system, a key value on a softcopy book published by said selected publisher, using a stamping tool program having a customized monotonic, single valued function expression associated with a selected softcopy book publisher;

said key value resulting from said monotonic, single valued function having a value for its independent variable which is a product of an integer times a hashed value characteristic of said selected publisher;

said key value capable of being read by a book validation program to enable a softcopy book reading program to read said softcopy book in response to said book validation program validating said key value;

validating in a data processing system, said key value by determining an inverse value for a customized inverse monotonic, single valued function expression using said key value, dividing said inverse value by said hashed value to obtain a quotient value and determining if said quotient value is an integer.

11. A system for stamping softcopy books in a data processing system, with a key formed with a customized monotonic, single valued function expression which is uniquely associated with a selected softcopy book publisher, comprising:

a stamping tool means having a customized monotonic, single valued function expression associated with a selected softcopy book publisher, for affixing a key value on a softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

said key value resulting from said monotonic, single valued function having a value for its independent variable which is a product of an integer times a hashed value characteristic of said selected publisher;

said key value capable of being read by a book validation means to enable a softcopy book reading program to read said softcopy book in response to said book validation program validating said key value;

said book validation means validating said key value by determining an inverse value for a customized inverse monotonic, single valued function expression using said key value, dividing said inverse value by said hashed value to obtain a quotient value and determining if said quotient value is an integer.

12. A system for reading softcopy books, for reading only softcopy books published by a selected publisher, said books stamped with a key formed with a customized monotonic, single valued function expression associated with a selected softcopy book publisher, comprising:

a book validation means having a customized inverse monotonic, single valued function expression to said customized monotonic, single valued function expression, associated with said selected softcopy book publisher, for validating said key value on said softcopy book published by said selected publisher;

a softcopy book reading means coupled to said book validation means, for reading a softcopy book;

said book validation means enabling said softcopy book reading means to read said softcopy book in response to said book validation means validating said key value;

said monotonic, single valued function has a value for its independent variable which is a product of an integer times a hashed value characteristic of said selected publisher;

said book validation means further comprises;

means for determining an inverse value for said customized inverse monotonic, single valued function expression from said key value;

means for coupled to said determining means, for dividing said inverse value by said hashed value to obtain a quotient value; and

means coupled to said dividing means, for determining if said quotient value is an integer.