EP0843449A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Encryption system with transaction coded decryption key
Assignee: Sunhawk Corp Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-07
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2017-11-07
Abstract
Abstract The encryption secured computer system (10) includes a server (12) that communicates with clients (14-20) across a public network (21) using a novel transaction coded decryption key technology that discourages wrongful redistribution of protected information such as digital musical scores, and allows for tracking of infringing activity. In one implementation, the server (12) distributes access software and partially encrypted musical scores to clients upon request. A client can sample the partially encrypted scores prior to consummating a transaction. When a score is selected, the client enters payment information and is assigned a password that is specific to the client and transaction. The password functions as a decryption key to enable use of the musical score by the client employing the access software. Any subsequent wrongful redistribution of the musical score together with the decryption password can be traced due to client identifying information encoded into the password.
Inventors
- 👤 Marlin J. Eller
- 👤 Brent R. Mills
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/12; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F21/16; G06Q20/04; G06Q20/123; G06Q20/1235; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/382; G06Q20/3829; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/0014; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1016; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0033; G10H1/0041; G10H1/0058; H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/04; H04L63/0428; H04L63/08; H04L63/083; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/12; H04L67/125; H04L67/50; H04L67/535; H04L69/00; H04L69/03; H04L69/26; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007; G10H2240/00; G10H2240/011; G10H2240/026; G10H2240/171; G10H2240/281; G10H2240/295; G10H2240/305; H04L65/00; H04L65/1066; H04L65/1101; H04L67/02; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for use in monitoring distribution of information accessible
through a public network said information included in a database at a server of said public
network, comprising the steps of: encrypting at least a first portion of said information using a key-based
encryption system, said key-based encryption system requiring entry of a key to decrypt said
encrypted information; in connection with a request by a network client, assigning a first
client-specific key to said client for decrypting said encrypted information, said first
client-specific key including at least a first identifier useful for identifying said client; and transmitting said first client-specific key to said client, wherein said key can be
used to monitor distribution of said information on a client-specific basis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said information comprises a
digital musical score and said step of encrypting at least a portion of said information
comprises retaining a second portion of said digital musical score in an unencrypted form so
as to allow for sampling of said digital musical score prior to decryption.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of assigning said
first client-specific key comprises acquiring identification information regarding said client
and encoding said identifier with respect to said acquired identification information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said identifier comprises a
password that is indexed to a client database including said identification information.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said identifier includes
information for identifying client equipment.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said identifier includes
information for identifying a client user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of
transmitting said encrypted information to said client prior to said step of transmitting said
first client-specific key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of
transmitting accessing software to a client, said accessing software being operative for
allowing said client to access said information in said database.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, further comprising the step of
employing said accessing software to print a copy of said information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said information comprises a
digital representation of a musical score, and said method further comprises the step of
employing said accessing software to play back said musical score.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as set forth in claim 8, farther comprising the step of
displaying said information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of assigning said
first client-specific key is conducted in response to receiving said request by said client.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of
storing said information in a first area of memory and storing said first key in a second area of
memory separate from said first area, wherein said information and said first key can be
separately accessed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of
storing said information in a client memory in encrypted form, receiving a request to output
said information, and decrypting said encrypted information in response to said output
request.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of
receiving an access request from a second network client requesting access to said
information and assigning a second client-specific key, different from said first client-specific
key, to said second client for decrypting said encrypted information.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of using
said first client-specific key to track subsequent redistribution of said information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the steps of
outputting an output copy of said information and embedding identification information in
said output copy, wherein said identification information facilitates tracking of redistribution
of said information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer system for use in monitoring distribution of protected
information accessible through a public network, comprising: a first area of memory tor storing a database including said protected
information; a controller operative for receiving an access request from a network client
requesting access to said protected information, obtaining identification information useful
for identifying a source, and assigning a decryption key using said identification information;
and encryption logic for encrypting said protected information based on said
decryption key wherein said decryption key is useful for decrypting said encrypted protected
information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer system as set forth in claim 18, further comprising a
second area of memory for storing said identification information, wherein said identification
information is indexed to said decryption key.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as set forth in claim 18 or 19 wherein said controller is
further operative for receiving payment information from a client, wherein said decryption
key is assigned in response to receiving said payment information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as set forth in claim 18, 19, or 20 wherein said protected
information comprises a digital musical score and said encryption logic is operative for
partially encrypting said score.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system as set forth in claim 18, 19, 20, or 21 wherein the source is
said network client.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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