Method and apparatus for preventing unauthorized data from being transferred

• US 20060140409A1
• Filed: 11/22/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sharma, Sanjeev K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,321,761 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 380/270
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0021 Image watermarking

Abstract

A method and apparatus for preventing the transfer of unauthorized data among a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), an external network, and at least one access point in a wireless communication system includes the WTRU recording a subject and storing the recording as data in a memory of the WTRU. The WTRU transmits the data to the access point. The access point examines the data to determine if the data is allowed for transfer to the external network.

Claims

1. A method for preventing the transfer of unauthorized data among a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU), an external network, and at least one access point in a wireless communication system, comprising:

the WTRU recording a subject and storing the recording as data in a memory of the WTRU;

the WTRU transmitting the data to the access point; and

the access point examining the data to determine if the data is allowed for transfer to the external network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the access point allows the transfer of the data to the external network if the data does not include a watermark.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a watermark imparted on it.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the watermark is an allow watermark.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the access point allows the transfer of the data to the external network.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the watermark is a disallow watermark.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein no sensitivity level is associated with the watermark and the access point refuses the transfer of the data to the external network.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein a sensitivity level is associated with the watermark and the access point refuses the transfer of the data to the external network.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the access point warns the user of the WTRU of the attempt to transfer unauthorized data.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the access point warning the user of the WTRU of the attempt to transfer unauthorized data includes transmitting a message to the user on the WTRU.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the access point places the WTRU on a blacklist.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the access point stores identifying information about the WTRU in a memory of the access point.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the access point notifies security personnel of the attempt by the WTRU to transfer unauthorized data to the external network.

14. The method of claim 3, wherein the watermark is a composite watermark and the access point allows the transfer of the data to the external network.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein the watermark is an audit watermark and the access point allows the transfer of the data to the external network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the access point logs the transfer of the data to the external network by storing the transfer in a memory of the access point.

17. The method of claim 3, wherein the watermark is a request permission watermark.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the access point authenticates the WTRU attempting to transfer the data to the external network.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the access point allows the WTRU to transfer the data to the external network if the WTRU can authenticate itself and refuses the transfer of the data to the external network if the WTRU cannot authenticate itself.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the WTRU attempting to transfer the data to the external network extracts an identification code from the memory of the WTRU and transmits the identification code along with the data.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the access point compares the identification code transmitted by the WTRU to codes stored in a memory of the access point to determine if the WTRU has authenticated.

27. The IC of claim 19, further comprising an antenna in communication with the transmitter and the receiver.

22. In a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), an access point, and an external network, the access point comprising:

a transmitter;

a receiver; and

a processor in communication with the transmitter and the receiver, wherein an application for preventing the unauthorized transfer of data from the WTRUs to the external network in the wireless communication system runs on the processor, the receiver receives an attempt from one of the WTRUs attempting to transfer data to the external network, the processor examines the data to determine if the transfer of data is authorized, and the processor transfers the data to the external network if the transfer is authorized.

23. The access point of claim 22, further comprising a memory in communication with the processor.

24. The access point of claim 22, further comprising an antenna in communication with the transmitter and receiver.

25. In a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs), an access point, and an external network, the access point including an integrated circuit (IC) comprising:

a transmitter;

a receiver; and

a processor in communication with the transmitter and the receiver, wherein an application for preventing the unauthorized transfer of data from the WTRUs to the external network in the wireless communication system runs on the processor, the receiver receives an attempt from one of the WTRUs attempting to transfer data to the external network, the processor examines the data to determine if the transfer of data is authorized, and the processor transfers the data to the external network if the transfer is authorized.

26. The IC of claim 25, further comprising a memory in communication with the processor.