System and method for processing protected audio information

• US 20050060268A1
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1992
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SL Patent Holdings LLC (Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schull, Jonathan
• Granted Patent: US 7,319,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 13/02 Viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2213/025 Sightline detection
• 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 21/32 using biometric data, e.g. fingerprints, iris scans or voiceprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2117 User registration
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/401 Transaction verification

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 re-lock 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.

Claims

1. An audio processor comprising:

a first receiver effective to receive audio information;

a processor effective to process the received audio information;

a generator effective to generate a first identifier, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the audio processor;

a transmitter effective to transmit the first identifier to a licensing processor;

a second receiver effective to receive a generated password based at least in part on the first identifier, the generated password generated using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the audio processor; and

means for using the generated password to control access to at least one of the received audio information and the processed audio information.

2. The audio processor of claim 1, wherein the first identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a device accessible to the audio processor.

3. The audio processor of claim 1, wherein the first identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware of the audio processor.

4. The audio processor of claim 1, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the audio processor.

5. The audio processor of claim 1, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the audio processor.

6. The audio processor of claim 1, wherein the password is generated by using the first identifier as a seed to a number generator.

7. The audio processor of claim 1, wherein the first identifier is based on a software-accessible serial number for the audio processor.

8. The audio processor of claim 1, wherein the first identifier is based on a software-accessible characteristic of the audio processor selected from the group consisting of:

the number of one or more peripherals to the audio processor, a kind of the one or more peripherals, the number of one or more CPUs in the audio processor, a kind of the one or more CPUs, an interleave factor, and one or more timing characteristics of the audio processor.

9. The audio processor of claim 1, wherein the first identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the audio processor.

10. The audio processor of claim 9, wherein the first identifier is based on a voice pattern of the user.

11. A method for controlling access to audio information in an audio processor, the method comprising:

receiving audio information;

processing the received audio information;

generating an identifier, the identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the audio information is linked;

transmitting the first identifier to a licensing processor;

receiving a generated password based at least in part on the identifier, the generated password generated using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity; and

using the generated password by an audio processor to control access to at least one of the received audio information and the processed audio information.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein the entity is the audio processor.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifier is based on one or more characteristics of a device accessible to the audio processor.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifier is based on a characteristic of hardware of the audio processor.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the audio processor.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifier is based at least in part on one or more adequately unique characteristics of the audio processor.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the audio processor generates the identifier.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the password is generated by using the identifier as a seed to a number generator.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifier is based on a software-accessible serial number for the audio processor.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifier is based on a software-accessible characteristic of the audio processor selected from the group consisting of:

the number of one or more peripherals to the audio processor, a kind of the one or more peripherals, the number of one or more CPUs in the audio processor, a kind of the one or more CPUs, an interleave factor, and one or more timing characteristics of the audio processor.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein the identifier is based at least in part on a characteristic of a user of the audio processor.

22. The method of claim 11, wherein the identifier is based on a voice pattern of the user.

23. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

playing the processed audio information at less than full fidelity before the using the generated password; and

playing the processed audio information at full fidelity after the using of the generated password.

24. A method for operating a licensing server to distribute passwords to a plurality of users to access audio recordings at remote user audio processors, the method comprising:

receiving, at a licensing server, a first identifier associated with a request for access to an audio recording, the request generated by a first program at a first remote audio processor, the first identifier being based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the audio recording is linked, the first identifier being previously unknown to the licensing server;

generating, at the licensing server, a password based at least in part on the first identifier; and

transmitting the password to a first location accessible to the first remote audio processor.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein receiving the first identifier comprises receiving the first identifier from a user previously unknown to the licensing server.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein generating a password comprises generating a password which may only be validated using at least data accessible to the first remote audio processor including the first identifier.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein generating a password comprises generating a password using a technique which does not require any additional information that is characteristic of the entity.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the request comprises a request including payment information associated with access to the audio recording.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the payment information is related to a monetary payment.

30. The method of claim 28, further comprising crediting or transferring, to an account dedicated to a party associated with programming at least one of the audio recording and the first remote audio processor.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first identifier includes a second identifier identifying the party.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising using at least the second identifier to transfer at least a portion of the payment.

33. The method of claim 28, further comprising processing the payment information to effect a transfer of funds.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the payment information comprises credit card information.

35. The method of claim 28, further comprising processing the payment information at a licensing server.

36. The method of claim 25, further comprising storing the password in the first location accessible to the first remote audio processor.

37. A method for enabling access to an audio recording using an audio processor, the method comprising:

receiving a request to access a first program;

enabling access to the first program using the audio processor;

receiving a request to access an audio recording while the first program is being accessed;

in response to the request to access the audio recording, awakening a second program from a dormant state, the second program includes the steps of;

checking the audio processor for a first password; and

when the audio processor does not include the first password, requesting the first password from a licensing system; and

providing the audio recording in response to the first password being received from the licensing system.

38. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the second program operates as a terminate and stay resident program.

39. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the requesting the first password is performed over the Internet.

40. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein the first password is received by another device distinct from the digital device.

41. A method for distributing an audio recording created by a creator, the audio recording accessible only with a password, the method comprising:

providing an audio processor to a user, the audio processor effective to process the audio recording, the audio processor provided through a first distribution channel comprising a first set of one or more distribution methods;

providing the audio recording to a user through a second distribution channel comprising a second set of one or more distribution methods; and

providing a password to access the audio recording to the user through an authorization channel comprising a third set of one or more distribution methods, the authorization channel being distinct from the second distribution channel, the authorization channel excluding participation by the creator.

42. The method as recited in claim 41, wherein the first distribution channel is distinct from the second distribution channel.

43. The method as recited in claim 41, wherein the authorization channel includes a licensing system.

44. The method as recited in claim 43, wherein the licensing system provides the password to the user and receives payment information from the user.

45. The method as recited in claim 41, wherein the second distribution channel includes the Internet.

46. The method as recited in claim 45, wherein the authorization channel includes the Internet.

47. A method for creating a plurality of audio recordings to be accessed by a user, the method comprising:

generating a first audio recording, the first audio recording being accessible to the user after the user communicates with a licensing system and acquires a first password from the licensing system; and

generating a second audio recording, the second audio recording being accessible to the user after the user communicates with the licensing system and acquires a second password from the licensing system;

wherein

the first and second passwords are distinct.

48. The method as recited in claim 47, further comprising generating a feature accessible by the user without the first or second password.

49. The method as recited in claim 47, wherein:

the first audio recording is associated with a feature identifier; and

the first password is a function of the feature identifier and an identifier based at least in part on one or more characteristics of an entity to which access to the audio recording is linked.