System and method for distributing protected information
First Claim
1. A method of distributing protected information having a plurality of protected features and one or more unprotected features, the protected information being distributed to one or more devices, the method comprising:
- providing the protected information to a first device through a distribution channel comprising a first set of one or more distribution networks;
invoking, at the first device, a password management component managing access to the protected features;
generating an identifier based at least in part on one or more biometrics input by a user of the first device or characteristics of the first device to which access to one or more specific ones of the protected features is linked;
providing the identifier to a licensing processor;
creating, at the licensing processor, a password based at least in part on the identifier;
providing the password to the first device through an authorization channel comprising a second set of one or more distribution networks;
storing the password at a location accessible to the first device;
comparing the password to the identifier and determining that the password is a valid password, wherein the comparing comprises preventing any device other than the first device from being able to determine that the same password is valid;
providing access to the one or more unprotected features; and
providing access to the one or more specific ones of the protected features in a manner such that the one or more specific ones of the protected features is inaccessible without a determination that the password is valid, while restricting access to other ones of the protected features other than the one or more specific ones of the protected features linked to the first device.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User'"'"'s System via a Programmer'"'"'s Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer'"'"'s Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer'"'"'s Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User'"'"'s System. Advanced features will thus relock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User'"'"'s System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.
139 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method of distributing protected information having a plurality of protected features and one or more unprotected features, the protected information being distributed to one or more devices, the method comprising:
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providing the protected information to a first device through a distribution channel comprising a first set of one or more distribution networks; invoking, at the first device, a password management component managing access to the protected features; generating an identifier based at least in part on one or more biometrics input by a user of the first device or characteristics of the first device to which access to one or more specific ones of the protected features is linked; providing the identifier to a licensing processor; creating, at the licensing processor, a password based at least in part on the identifier; providing the password to the first device through an authorization channel comprising a second set of one or more distribution networks; storing the password at a location accessible to the first device; comparing the password to the identifier and determining that the password is a valid password, wherein the comparing comprises preventing any device other than the first device from being able to determine that the same password is valid; providing access to the one or more unprotected features; and providing access to the one or more specific ones of the protected features in a manner such that the one or more specific ones of the protected features is inaccessible without a determination that the password is valid, while restricting access to other ones of the protected features other than the one or more specific ones of the protected features linked to the first device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A system for distributing protected information having a plurality of protected features and one or more unprotected features, the system distributing the protected information to one or more devices, the system comprising:
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a programmer system providing the protected information to a first device through a distribution channel comprising a first set of one or more distribution networks; a password management component managing access to the protected features at the first device, wherein the password management component comprises an identity generator generating an identifier based at least in part on one or more biometrics input by a user of the first device or characteristics of the first device to which access to one or more specific ones of the protected feature is linked, a registration component communicating the identifier through an authorization channel to a licensing processor to seek a password, wherein the authorization channel comprises a second set of one or more distribution networks, a password authenticator comparing the password to the identifier to determine that the password is a valid password, and to prevent any device other than the first device from being able to determine that the same password is valid, and an unlocking mechanism providing access to the one or more unprotected features without regard to password validity, and to the one or more specific ones of the protected features in a manner such that the one or more specific ones of the protected features are inaccessible without a determination that the password is valid, while restricting access to other ones of the protected features other than the one or more specific ones of the protected features linked to the first device; and a licensing processor, wherein the licensing processor comprises a password generator generating the password responsive at least in part to the identifier, and a registration response component providing the password to the first device through the authorization channel. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification