US6138119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Techniques for defining, using and manipulating rights management data structures
Assignee: Intertrust Technologies Corp
•
Filing: 1999-04-27
•
Granted: 2000-10-24
•
Expires: 2019-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A descriptive data structure provides an abstract representation of a rights management data structure such as a secure container. The abstract representation may describe, for example, the layout of the rights management data structure. It can also provide metadata describing or defining other characteristics of rights management data structure use and/or processing. For example, the descriptive data structure can provide integrity constraints that provide a way to state rules about associated information. The abstract representation can be used to create rights management data structures that are interoperable and compatible with one another. This arrangement preserves flexibility and ease of use without compromising security.
Inventors
- 👤 Edwin J. Hall
- 👤 Victor H. Shear
- 👤 Luke S. Tomasello
- 👤 David M. Van Wie
- 👤 Robert P. Weber
- 👤 Kim Worsencroft
- 👤 Xuejun Xu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 03:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/60; G06F21/62; G06F21/6218; G06F21/10; G06F21/106; G06F21/1062; G06F21/1063; G06F21/107; G06F21/1073; G06F21/1078; G06F21/108; G06F21/1086; G06F21/1088; G06F21/6236; H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/10; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/254; H04N21/2541; H04N21/40; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4627; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/835; H04N21/8355; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2101; G06F2221/2135; G06F2221/2141; G06F2221/2145; G06F2221/2149; G06F2221/2151; H04L2463/00; H04L2463/101; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99934; Y10S707/99939; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method including: generating a descriptive data structure in a first data processing device characterized by a first security aspect; specifying information in the descriptive data structure, including information relating to the first security aspect, a first rule, and a second rule; associating a third rule with the descriptive data structure, the third rule at least in part controlling use of at least a portion of the descriptive data structure; transmitting the descriptive data structure to a second data processing device; at the second environment, retrieving from the descriptive data structure the information relating to the first security aspect, the retrieval being governed at least in part by the third rule; and determining whether to use the first rule or the second rule based on the information.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method including: generating a descriptive data structure in a first data processing device characterized by a first security aspect; specifying information in the descriptive data structure, including information relating to the first security aspect, a first rule, and a second rule; associating a third rule with the descriptive data structure, the third rule at least in part controlling use of at least a portion of the descriptive data structure; transmitting the descriptive data structure to a second data processing device; at the second environment, retrieving from the descriptive data structure the information relating to the first security aspect, the retrieval being governed at least in part by the third rule; and determining whether to use the first rule or the second rule based on the information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1, wherein determining includes determining the level of security present at the first data processing device based on the information related to the first security aspect.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2, wherein determining includes determining to use the first rule or the second rule, but not both.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein specifying information in the descriptive data structure includes populating a first target block and a second target block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
A descriptive data structure embodied on a computer-readable medium or other logic device, including the following elements: identification information at least in part identifying a first rights management data structure; organization information at least in part describing the organization of at least some governed information contained within or referenced by the first rights management data structure; rule information relating to a first rule used to at least in part govern use of at least a portion of the governed information contained within the first rights management data structure; and a second rule used to at least in part govern use of at least a portion of the descriptive data structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
A descriptive data structure embodied on a computer-readable medium or other logic device, including the following elements: identification information at least in part identifying a first rights management data structure; organization information at least in part describing the organization of at least some governed information contained within or referenced by the first rights management data structure; rule information relating to a first rule used to at least in part govern use of at least a portion of the governed information contained within the first rights management data structure; and a second rule used to at least in part govern use of at least a portion of the descriptive data structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, in which the first rights management data structure is a secure container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 6, in which the secure container includes: the governed information; and the first rule.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 6, in which the secure container includes the descriptive data structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, in which: the first rule is stored outside the descriptive data structure; and the rule information includes information regarding the location at which the first rule is stored.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, in which: the first rule is a display rule at least in part governing the display of at least a portion of the governed information.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, in which: the governed information includes source information at least in part identifying an author, creator, publisher and/or owner of at least a portion of the governed information; and the first rule requires display of the source information under circumstances specified by the rule.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, in which: the first rule constitutes a creation rule at least in part governing the creation of a specific example of the first rights management data structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 12, in which: the creation rule at least in part specifies information which must be included with the specific example of the first rights management data structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, in which: the descriptive data structure is stored in a second rights management data structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, further including: information relating to the organization of at least some information contained in a second rights management data structure which differs in at least one respect from the first rights management data structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, which: the organization information includes information relating to the location of at least some of the governed information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, further including: a first target data block including information relating to a first target environment in which the descriptive data structure may be used.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 17, further including: a second target data block including information relating to a second target environment in which the descriptive data structure may be used.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5, further including: a source message field containing information at least in part identifying at least one source for the descriptive data structure.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 19, in which: the source identification information includes environment information relating to at least one aspect of an environment in which the descriptive data structure was at least in part created.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 20, in which: the environment information includes information relating to security present at the environment.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 5 further including a source seal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 22, in which: the source seal includes a hash of at least a portion of the descriptive data structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 22, in which: the source seal is encrypted based on a private key.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 24, further including: key location information related to a location from which a public key corresponding to the private key may be obtained.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 25, in which: the key location information is contained within a certificate.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The descriptive data structure of claim 26, in which: the certificate is contained in the descriptive data structure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
161 words
A distributed data processing arrangement including: a first data processing apparatus including: a central processing unit; and a first memory storing (1) a descriptive data structure, the descriptive data structure including information regarding a first organization of elements within a secure container, and (2) a first rule at least in part governing use of at least a portion of the descriptive data structure; and a second data processing apparatus including: a central processing unit; and a second memory storing a first secure container including: data elements organized at least in part in accordance with the information contained in the descriptive data structure; and a rule set made up of at least a second rule, the rule set used to at least in part govern at least one aspect of access to or use of the data elements; the second rule requiring that information regarding at least one use of at least one of the data elements be at least temporarily recorded.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
161 words
A distributed data processing arrangement including: a first data processing apparatus including: a central processing unit; and a first memory storing (1) a descriptive data structure, the descriptive data structure including information regarding a first organization of elements within a secure container, and (2) a first rule at least in part governing use of at least a portion of the descriptive data structure; and a second data processing apparatus including: a central processing unit; and a second memory storing a first secure container including: data elements organized at least in part in accordance with the information contained in the descriptive data structure; and a rule set made up of at least a second rule, the rule set used to at least in part govern at least one aspect of access to or use of the data elements; the second rule requiring that information regarding at least one use of at least one of the data elements be at least temporarily recorded.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 28, in which: the descriptive data structure is contained in a second secure container, which also includes the second rule.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 29, further including metadata relating to the contents of the first secure container.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 30, in which: the metadata is stored in the second secure container.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 30, in which: the metadata is stored in a third secure container.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
80 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 31, further including: a third data processing apparatus, including: a central processing unit; a third memory including: the third secure container and a rule used to at least in part govern at least one aspect of access to or use of the metadata; and communications means by which the third data processing apparatus may communicate the third secure container, or a copy of the third secure container, to the second data processing apparatus.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
41 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 28, further including: a computer program designed to use at least a portion of the descriptive data structure in an operation on the first secure container or the contents of the first secure container.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 34, in which: the computer program includes means for using a rule from the rule set to govern at least one aspect of the computer program's use of the descriptive data structure.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 34, which the computer program is designed to use the information regarding the organization of elements within the first secure container to identify or locate at least one of the elements.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
48 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 34 in which: the computer program includes a browser which uses the information regarding the organization of elements within the first secure container to control, at least in part, the display of at least some information from the first secure container.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 34, in which: the computer program is integrated into an operating system.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 38, in which: the operating system is compatible with at least one version of Microsoft Windows.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 28, in which: the rule set includes a rule at least in part controlling at least one aspect of an auditing process.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 28, in which: the rule set includes a rule at least in part controlling at least one aspect of a budgeting process.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The distributed data processing arrangement of claim 28, in which the second data processing apparatus includes a secure electronic appliance.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of using a descriptive data structure, at a first data processing arrangement located at a first site, including: receiving a first secure container including governed information; receiving a first rule set including at least one rule, the first rule set governing at least one aspect of access to or use of the governed information and containing a first rule at least in part governing at least one aspect of an auditing process involving the governed information; receiving a second secure container including a descriptive data structure, the descriptive data structure including information at least in part describing or representing at least one aspect of the organization of the first secure container governed information; receiving a second rule set including at least one rule, the second rule set governing at least one aspect of access to or use of the descriptive data structure; using the second rule set to gain access to at least a portion of the descriptive data structure; and using the accessed descriptive data structure portion to make a use of the first secure container governed information.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of using a descriptive data structure, at a first data processing arrangement located at a first site, including: receiving a first secure container including governed information; receiving a first rule set including at least one rule, the first rule set governing at least one aspect of access to or use of the governed information and containing a first rule at least in part governing at least one aspect of an auditing process involving the governed information; receiving a second secure container including a descriptive data structure, the descriptive data structure including information at least in part describing or representing at least one aspect of the organization of the first secure container governed information; receiving a second rule set including at least one rule, the second rule set governing at least one aspect of access to or use of the descriptive data structure; using the second rule set to gain access to at least a portion of the descriptive data structure; and using the accessed descriptive data structure portion to make a use of the first secure container governed information.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 43, in which using the descriptive data structure portion includes: identifying a first portion of the first secure container governed information using information from the descriptive data structure.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 44, in which: the first portion of the first secure container governed information identifies or describes a second portion of the first secure container governed information.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 45, in which identifying a first portion is followed by displaying information from the first portion of the first secure container governed information.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 46, in which displaying information from the first portion of the first secure container governed information includes: displaying a title of a work contained in the second portion of the first secure container governed information.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 46, in which displaying information from the first portion of the first secure container governed information includes: displaying a summary of the second portion of the first secure container governed information.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 43, in which the first data processing arrangement includes a descriptive data structure interpreter; and using the accessed descriptive data portion is carried out at least in part through use of the descriptive data structure interpreter.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 49, in which the descriptive data structure interpreter is integrated with a browser and using the accessed descriptive data structure portion further includes the steps, performed by the browser, of: using the descriptive data structure to identify and locate a portion of the first secure container governed information, and causing the display of the located portion.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of creating a first secure container, including: accessing a first control, which at least in part governs use of a descriptive data structure; in compliance with the first rule, accessing the descriptive data structure, which includes or addresses: organization information at least in part describing a required or desired organization of a content section of the first secure container, and metadata information at least in part specifying at least one step required or desired in creation of the first secure container; organizing information contained in the first secure container using the descriptive data structure; and using the metadata information to at least in part generate or identify a second control designed to govern at least one aspect of access to or use of at least a portion of the information contained in the first secure container.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of creating a first secure container, including: accessing a first control, which at least in part governs use of a descriptive data structure; in compliance with the first rule, accessing the descriptive data structure, which includes or addresses: organization information at least in part describing a required or desired organization of a content section of the first secure container, and metadata information at least in part specifying at least one step required or desired in creation of the first secure container; organizing information contained in the first secure container using the descriptive data structure; and using the metadata information to at least in part generate or identify a second control designed to govern at least one aspect of access to or use of at least a portion of the information contained in the first secure container.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 51, in which the descriptive data structure is contained in a second secure container with which the first control is associated and accessing the descriptive data structure includes: opening the second secure container in compliance with the first control.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 51, further including: using the metadata information to at least in part identify or generate a third control to govern an aspect of access to or use of at least a portion of the information contained in the first secure container.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of claims further including: associating the third control with the first secure container.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 51, further including: receiving the descriptive data structure at a first site from a second site prior to accessing the descriptive data structure; and creating the first secure container at the first site.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 55, further including: receiving the metadata at the first site prior to using the metadata, the metadata being received separately from the descriptive data structure.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 56, further including: requesting the metadata by the first site based on information contained in the descriptive data structure.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 56, wherein receiving the metadata includes: receiving the metadata at the first site in a second secure container having associated a third control; and wherein using the metadata in the creation of the first secure container occurs after the first site has complied with a requirement imposed by the third control.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 51, further including: storing owner or creator information in the first secure container in compliance with the descriptive data structure.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 59, further including: storing copyright ownership information in the first secure container in compliance with the descriptive data structure.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 60, further including: storing an advertisement in the first secure container in compliance with the descriptive data structure.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 61, in which: the creation of the first secure container includes placing the owner or creator information, the copyright ownership information, and the advertisement in locations specified at least in part by the descriptive data structure.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 51, in which: the descriptive data structure includes information specifying fields relating to at least one atomic transaction.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 63, in which: the atomic transaction information fields include fields for offer and acceptance information.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3609697A
Cited
US3573747A
Cited
US3798360A
Cited
US3798359A
Cited
US3798605A
Cited
US3796830A
Cited
US3806882A
Cited
US3931504A
Cited
US3829833A
Cited
US3911397A
Cited
US3924065A
Cited
US3946220A
Cited
US3956615A
Cited
US3970992A
Cited
US3906448A
Cited
US4270182A
Cited
US3958081A
Cited
US4217588A
Cited
US4112421A
Cited
US4209787A
Cited
US4071911A
Cited
US4196310A
Cited
US4163280A
Cited
US4048619A
Cited
US4120030A
Cited
US4200913A
Cited
US4232193A
Cited
US4220991A
Cited
US4168396A
Cited
US4278837A
Cited
US4262329A
Cited
US4253157A
Cited
US4265371A
Cited
US4232317A
Cited
US4305131A
Cited
US4323921A
Cited
US4337483A
Cited
US4236217A
Cited
US4465901A
Cited
US4309569A
Cited
US4319079A
Cited
US4328544A
Cited
US4375579A
Cited
US4306289A
Cited
US4361877A
Cited
US4434464A
Cited
US4528588A
Cited
US4595950A
Cited
US4513174A
Cited
US4446519A
Cited
US4433207A
Cited
US4471163A
Cited
US4593353A
Cited
US4670857A
Cited
US4454594A
Cited
US4442486A
Cited
US4553252A
Cited
US4458315A
Cited
US4589064A
Cited
US4683553A
Cited
US4484217A
Cited
US4494156A
Cited
US4462076A
Cited
US4462078A
Cited
US4558176A
Cited
US4807288A
Cited
US4528643A
Cited
US4588991A
Cited
GB2136175B
Cited
US4680731A
Cited
US4593376A
Cited
US4597058A
Cited
US4658093A
Cited
US4584641A
Cited
US4562306A
Cited
US5103392A
Cited
US4768087A
Cited
US4652990A
Cited
US4558413A
Cited
US4740890A
Cited
US4577289A
Cited
US4646234A
Cited
US4672572A
Cited
US4712238A
Cited
US4791565A
Cited
US4562495A
Cited
US4634807A
Cited
US4747139A
Cited
BE900479A
Cited
US4903296A
Cited
US4644493A
Cited
US4696034A
Cited
US4677434A
Cited
US4757534A
Cited
US4701846A
Cited
US4713753A
Cited
US4688169A
Cited
US4685056A
Cited
US4757533A
Cited
US4691350A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-24 | 2004-04-24 | 2004-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | 2008-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-24 | 2012-04-24 | 2012-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |