System for controlling the distribution and use of digital works using digital tickets

• US 7,664,708 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2005
• Issued: 02/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. (Pendrell Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ContentGuard Holdings, Inc. (Pendrell Corporation)
• Inventors: Pirolli, Peter L. T., Stefik, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fischer; Andrew J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCINTYRE, CHARLES AARON
• Application Number:
  US11/240,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20060271484A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,597 Days
• Field of Search: 705 50- 59
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/301 for introducing or steering flexible instruments inserted into the body, e.g. catheters or endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/376 using X-rays, e.g. fluoroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/37 Master-slave robots A61B34/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0113 Mechanical advancing means, e.g. catheter dispensers
• 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 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2115 Third party
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2135 Metering
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/101 Collaborative creation, e.g. joint development of products or services
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/12 specially adapted for electronic shopping systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0185 Product, service or business identity fraud
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• 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 50/184 : Intellectual property management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 : Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 : Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/146 : using digital cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1485 : Tariff-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1496 : involving discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/56 : Financial cryptography, e.g. electronic payment or e-cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/603 : Digital right managament [DRM]
• 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 61/00 : Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/45 : Network directories; Name-to-address mapping
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 : 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 63/0464 : using hop-by-hop encryption, i.e. wherein an intermediate entity decrypts the information and re-encrypts it before forwarding it
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0807 : using tickets, e.g. Kerberos cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using tickets or tokens H04L9/3213
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 : using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 : for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 : Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 : Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 : Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 : received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3213 : using tickets or tokens, e.g. Kerberos network architectures or network communication protocols for entities authentication using tickets in a packet data network H04L63/0807
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3297 : involving time stamps, e.g. generation of time stamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23412 : for generating or manipulating the scene composition of objects, e.g. MPEG-4 objects
• 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 21/26613 : for generating or managing keys in general key distribution for secret or secure communication involving central third party, e.g. key distribution center [KDC] or trusted third party [TTP] H04L9/083; network support of key management H04L63/06; key management for network security in communication control or processing H04W12/04
• 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 21/6332 : directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6377 : directed to server one-way streaming services wherein the source is controlled by the destination H04L65/613
• 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 7/16 : Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 : Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 : Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A method, system and software for controlling the number of times that a usage right associated with a digital work can be exercised, including creating a digital work; determining a usage right for the digital work, the usage right specifying a digital ticket, the digital ticket indicating a number of times the usage right may be exercised; requesting access to the digital work including an identification of the usage right; determining the validity of the usage right based on a number of times the digital ticket has been used; granting or denying access to the digital work based on the result of the determining step; and updating the digital ticket if access to the digital work is granted.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the number of times that a usage right associated with a digital work can be exercised, the method comprising:

specifying a digital work;

specifying a license associated with the digital work, the license including a usage right for the digital work, the usage right specifying a manner of use of the digital work and the usage right specifying a digital ticket, the digital ticket being a digital work separate from the license and indicating a number of times the usage right may be exercised, whereby the license can be distributed without the digital ticket;

requesting access to the digital work including an identification of the manner of use specified by the usage right;

determining the validity of the usage right based on a number of times the digital ticket has been used;

granting or denying access to the digital work based on the result of the validity determining step; and

updating the digital ticket if access to the digital work is granted and the usage right has been exercised.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

creating the digital ticket;

storing the digital work, the usage right, and the digital ticket in a first repository;

requesting by a second repository to the first repository access to the digital work, the request by the second repository including an identification of the manner of use specified by the usage right;

determining by the first repository if the digital ticket for the usage right indicates that the usage right has been exercised the indicated number of times;

if the digital ticket indicates that the usage right has been exercised the indicated number of times, denying access by the first repository to the digital work;

if the digital ticket indicates that the usage right has not been exercised the indicated number of times, granting by the first repository access to the digital work; and

punching the digital ticket to indicate an instance of exercising the usage right.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first repository punches the digital ticket to indicate the instance of exercising the usage right.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second repository punches the digital ticket to indicate the instance of exercising the usage right.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital ticket includes address information designating a repository for punching the digital ticket.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the designated repository comprising a special ticket agent.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage right specifies a manner of rendering at least a portion of the digital work.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital ticket comprises an instance of a digital work.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the digital ticket in a memory device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the memory device is an ASIC chip.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the memory device is a PC card.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the memory device is removable.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the usage right indicates that access to the digital work requires a fee.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital ticket includes a timestamp part for indicating a time when the digital ticket was punched.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital ticket includes a timestamp part for indicating a time when the digital ticket was used.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising timestamping the digital ticket when the digital ticket is updated.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising refreshing the digital ticket to enable subsequent use.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is implemented for use in a computer system for controlling the distribution of digital works

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is implemented with one or more hardware and/or software components configured to perform the steps of the method.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is implemented with one or more computer readable instructions embedded on a computer readable medium and configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform the steps of the method.

21. A computer program product for controlling the number of times that a usage right associated with a digital work can be exercised, including one or more computer readable instructions embedded on a computer readable medium and configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform the steps of:

specifying a digital work;

specifying a license associated with the digital work, the license including a usage right for the digital work, the usage right specifying a manner of use of the digital work and the usage right specifying a digital ticket, the digital ticket being a digital work separate from the license and indicating a number of times the usage right may be exercised, whereby the license can be distributed without the digital ticket;

requesting access to the digital work including an identification of the manner of use specified by the usage right;

determining the validity of the usage right based on a number of times the digital ticket has been used;

granting or denying access to the digital work based on the result of the validity determining step; and

updating the digital ticket if access to the digital work is granted and the usage right has been exercised.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, further configured to cause the one or more computer processors to perform the steps of:

creating the digital ticket;

storing the digital work, the usage right, and the digital ticket in a first repository;

requesting by a second repository to the first repository access to the digital work, the request by the second repository including an identification of the manner of use specified by the usage right;

determining by the first repository if the digital ticket for the usage right indicates that the usage right has been exercised the indicated number of times;

if the digital ticket indicates that the usage right has been exercised the indicated number of times, denying access by the first repository to the digital work;

if the digital ticket indicates that the usage right has not been exercised the indicated number of times, granting by the first repository access to the digital work; and

punching the digital ticket to indicate an instance of exercising the usage right.

23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the first repository punches the digital ticket to indicate the instance of exercising the usage right.

24. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the second repository punches the digital ticket to indicate the instance of exercising the usage right.

25. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the digital ticket includes address information designating a repository for punching the digital ticket.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the designated repository comprises a special ticket agent.

27. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the usage right specifies a manner of rendering at least a portion of the digital work.

28. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the digital ticket comprises an instance of a digital work.

29. The computer program product of claim 21, further configured to cause the one or more computer processors to perform the step of storing the digital ticket in a memory device.

30. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the memory device is an ASIC chip.

31. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the memory device is a PC card.

32. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the memory device is removable.

33. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the usage right indicates that access to the digital work requires a fee.

34. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the digital ticket includes a timestamp part for indicating a time when the digital ticket was punched.

35. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the digital ticket includes a timestamp part for indicating a time when the digital ticket was used.

36. The computer program product of claim 21, further configured to cause the one or more computer processors to perform the step of timestamping the digital ticket when the digital ticket is updated.

37. The computer program product of claim 21, further configured to cause the one or more computer processors to perform the step of refreshing the digital ticket to enable subsequent use.

38. A system for controlling the number of times that a usage right associated with a digital work can be exercised, the system comprising:

means for specifying a digital work;

means for specifying a license associated with the digital work, the license including a usage right for the digital work, the usage right specifying a manner of use of the digital work and the usage right specifying a digital ticket, the digital ticket being a digital work separate from the license and indicating a number of times the usage right may be exercised, whereby the license can be distributed without the digital ticket;

means for requesting access to the digital work including an identification of the manner of use specified by the usage right;

means for determining the validity of the usage right based on a number of times the digital ticket has been used;

means for granting or denying access to the digital work based on the result of the validity determining step; and

means for updating the digital ticket if access to the digital work is granted and the usage right has been exercised.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the digital ticket is created, and the system further comprises:

a first repository for storing the digital work, the usage right, and the digital ticket; and

a second repository for requesting to the first repository access to the digital work, the request by the second repository including an identification of the manner of use specified by the usage right;

wherein the first repository determines if the digital ticket for the usage right indicates that the usage right has been exercised the indicated number of times,

if the digital ticket indicates that the usage right has been exercised the indicated number of times, the first repository denies access to the digital work,

if the digital ticket indicates that the usage right has not been exercised the indicated number of times, the first repository grants access to the digital work, and

the digital ticket is punched to indicate an instance of exercising the usage right.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the first repository punches the digital ticket to indicate the instance of exercising the usage right.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the second repository punches the digital ticket to indicate the instance of exercising the usage right.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein the digital ticket includes address information designating a repository for punching the digital ticket.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the designated repository comprises a special ticket agent.

44. The system of claim 38, wherein the usage right specifies a manner of rendering at least a portion of the digital work.

45. The system of claim 38, wherein the digital ticket comprises an instance of a digital work.

46. The system of claim 38, further comprising a memory device for storing the digital ticket.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the memory device is an ASIC chip.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein the memory device is a PC card.

49. The system of claim 46, wherein the memory device is removable.

50. The system of claim 38, wherein the usage right indicates that access to the digital work requires a fee.

51. The system of claim 38, wherein the digital ticket includes a timestamp part for indicating a time when the digital ticket was punched.

52. The system of claim 38, wherein the digital ticket includes a timestamp part for indicating a time when the digital ticket was used.

53. The system of claim 38, further comprising means for timestamping the digital ticket when the digital ticket is updated.

54. The system of claim 38, further comprising means for refreshing the digital ticket to enable subsequent use.

55. The system of claim 38, wherein the system is configured for controlling the distribution of digital works.

56. The system of claim 38, wherein the system is implemented with one or more hardware and/or software components.