Patent US6141754A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6141754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated method and system for controlling information access and distribution
Assignee: Uniloc 2017 LLC
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Filing: 1997-11-28
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Granted: 2000-10-31
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Expires: 2017-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A distributed content entity includes a protection specification and an information entity, in which the protection specification and the information entity are attached and transported together. The protection specification includes information for controlling the use of the information entity. A framework generates the distributed content entity, in which the framework includes a protection specification unit storing the protection specification and including an access control enforcement manager and an enhanced access control enforcement manager; an information unit for storing the protected information entity; and an access checking unit connected to the protection specification unit and the information unit. The access checking unit checks whether a user has a privilege to access the protected information entity based on the protection specification and the access control manager, and checks whether the requested access meets conditions determined based on the protection specification and enforced by the enhanced access control manager. An example of the enhanced access control manager is a terms and conditions enforcement manager for enforcing the terms and conditions of an agreement relating to permitted uses of the protected information entity.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Choy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/60; G06F21/62; G06F21/6218; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2141
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 73
Claim 1
Independent Claim
64 words
A distributed content entity embodied in a computer-readable medium, comprising: an information entity: a protection specification; wherein the protection specification includes information for controlling use of the information entity, the protection specification and the information entity are associated, and the protection specification is distributed with the information entity; and an identifier for identifying at least one of a protection model and an information model.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
64 words
A distributed content entity embodied in a computer-readable medium, comprising: an information entity: a protection specification; wherein the protection specification includes information for controlling use of the information entity, the protection specification and the information entity are associated, and the protection specification is distributed with the information entity; and an identifier for identifying at least one of a protection model and an information model.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 1, wherein the protection specification is physically attached to the information entity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 1, wherein the protection specification is logically attached to the information entity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 1, wherein the protection specification includes at least one of access control information, intellectual property rights management information, and integrity and authenticity assurance information related to the information entity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 1, wherein the distributed content entity is encrypted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 1, wherein the distributed content entity contains a digital signature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 1, wherein the distributed content entity is embodied in a computer-readable medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 1, wherein the protection specification is located remotely from the information entity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 1, wherein the protection specification is attached to the information entity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 9, wherein the protection specification is indirectly attached to the information entity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The distributed content entity according to claim 1, wherein the protection specification is associated with more than one information entity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
143 words
A framework for protecting a distributed content entity, the distributed content entity including a protection specification and an information entity, the framework comprising: a protection specification unit storing the protection specification; an information unit for storing the information entity, wherein the information unit is in a distributed arrangement with the protection specification unit; and an access checking unit connected to the protection specification unit and the information unit, wherein the access checking unit checks whether a user has a privilege to access the information entity based on the protection specification, checks whether the requested access meets conditions determined based on the protection specification, combines the information entity and the protection specification into a distributed content entity and sends the distributed content entity to a user, and wherein the protection specification includes one or more information items for controlling use of the information entity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
143 words
A framework for protecting a distributed content entity, the distributed content entity including a protection specification and an information entity, the framework comprising: a protection specification unit storing the protection specification; an information unit for storing the information entity, wherein the information unit is in a distributed arrangement with the protection specification unit; and an access checking unit connected to the protection specification unit and the information unit, wherein the access checking unit checks whether a user has a privilege to access the information entity based on the protection specification, checks whether the requested access meets conditions determined based on the protection specification, combines the information entity and the protection specification into a distributed content entity and sends the distributed content entity to a user, and wherein the protection specification includes one or more information items for controlling use of the information entity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein the access checking unit performs the checking in response to a request from the user for access to the information entity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The framework according to claim 13, wherein the user is one of an end-user consumer of the information entity and a distributor of the information entity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The framework according to claim 14, further comprising a user privilege unit connected to the access checking unit, the user privilege unit storing user privileges.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
71 words
The framework according to claim 14, further comprising a usage meter connected to the access checking unit, the usage meter recording a number of uses of the information entity and providing the recorded number of uses to the access checking unit when checking whether the requested access meets the conditions determined based on the protection specification, wherein one of the conditions is the number of allowed uses of the information entity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The framework according to claim 16, wherein the access checking unit receives transaction information from a commerce unit indicating a transaction based use of the information entity is to be allowed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein the access checking unit performs the checking in response to a request from a push unit for transmitting the information entity to the user without the user requesting the information entity.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The framework according to claim 18, wherein the user is one of an end-user consumer of the information entity and a distributor of the information entity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The framework according to claim 19, further comprising a user privilege unit connected to the access checking unit, the user privilege unit storing user privileges.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
71 words
The framework according to claim 19, further comprising a usage meter connected to the access checking unit, the usage meter recording a number of uses of the information entity and providing the recorded number of uses to the access checking unit when checking whether the requested access meets the conditions determined based on the protection specification, wherein one of the conditions is the number of allowed uses of the information entity.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The framework according to claim 21, wherein the access checking unit receives transaction information from a commerce unit indicating a transaction based use of the information entity is to be allowed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein the protection specification contains only information applicable to the user.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein the protection specification contains all information items associated with the information entity being sent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
60 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein the access checking unit combines the information entity and the protection specification into a distributed content entity only in response to the access checking unit checking and determining that the user has a privilege to access the information entity and that the requested access meets the conditions determined based on the protection specification.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein prior to sending the distributed content entity to the user, the distributed content entity is encrypted.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The framework according to claim 26, wherein the distributed content entity is encrypted according to an encryption method provided by a clearance center.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein the protection specification includes at least one of access control information, intellectual property rights management information, and integrity and authenticity assurance information related to the information entity.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The framework according to claim 11, wherein the distributed content entity further includes an identifier for at least one of a protection model and an information model.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein the protection specification is located remotely from the information entity.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein the protection specification is combined to be indirectly attached to the information entity.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The framework according to claim 12, wherein the protection specification is combined with more than one information entity.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
23 words
The framework according to claim 12, further comprising an access control manager enforcing access to the information entity based on the protection specification.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for generating a distributed content entity including a protection specification and an information entity, the protection specification containing information for controlling use of the information entity, the apparatus comprising: a protection specification unit storing the protection specification; an information unit for storing the information entity, wherein the information unit is in a distributed arrangement with the protection specification unit; and an access checking unit connected to the protection specification unit and the information unit, wherein the access checking unit combines the information entity from the information unit with the protection specification from the protection specification unit to form the distributed content entity for distribution.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for generating a distributed content entity including a protection specification and an information entity, the protection specification containing information for controlling use of the information entity, the apparatus comprising: a protection specification unit storing the protection specification; an information unit for storing the information entity, wherein the information unit is in a distributed arrangement with the protection specification unit; and an access checking unit connected to the protection specification unit and the information unit, wherein the access checking unit combines the information entity from the information unit with the protection specification from the protection specification unit to form the distributed content entity for distribution.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the access checking unit transmits the distributed content entity to a receiver without the receiver requesting access to the information entity.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 35, wherein prior to transmitting the distributed content entity the distributed content entity is encrypted.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the distributed content entity is encrypted according to an encryption method provided by a clearance center.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the protection specification includes at least one of access control information, intellectual property rights management information, and integrity and authenticity assurance information related to the information entity.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the distributed content entity further includes an identifier for at least one of a protection model and an information model.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the protection specification is located remotely from the information entity.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the protection specification is combined to be indirectly attached to the information entity.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the protection specification is combined with more than one information entity.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus according to claim 34, further comprising an access control manager enforcing access to the information entity based on the protection specification.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for transmitting a protected information entity, comprising: generating a distributed content entity by combining the protected information entity with a protection specification containing information for controlling use of the protected information entity, and an identifier for identifying at least one of a protection model and an information model; and transmitting the distributed content entity.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
56 words
A method for transmitting a protected information entity, comprising: generating a distributed content entity by combining the protected information entity with a protection specification containing information for controlling use of the protected information entity, and an identifier for identifying at least one of a protection model and an information model; and transmitting the distributed content entity.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the protection specification specifies access and privilege controls for using the protected information entity.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 44, further comprising encrypting the distributed content entity prior to transmission.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the protection specification includes at least one of access control information, intellectual property rights management information, and integrity and authenticity assurance information related to the protected information entity.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the protection specification is located remotely from the information entity.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the protection specification is combined to be indirectly attached to the information entity.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 44, wherein the protection specification is combined with more than one information entity.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
122 words
A program product, embodied on a computer-readable medium, for protecting a distributed content entity which includes an information entity and a protection specification containing information for controlling use of the information entity, wherein the protection specification is for distribution with the information entity, the program product comprising: a protection specification code means for storing the protection specification; an information code means for storing the information entity, wherein the information code means is in a distributed arrangement with the protection specification code means; and an access checking unit code means for checking whether a user has a privilege to access the information entity based on the protection specification, and for checking whether the requested access meets conditions determined based on the protection specification.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
122 words
A program product, embodied on a computer-readable medium, for protecting a distributed content entity which includes an information entity and a protection specification containing information for controlling use of the information entity, wherein the protection specification is for distribution with the information entity, the program product comprising: a protection specification code means for storing the protection specification; an information code means for storing the information entity, wherein the information code means is in a distributed arrangement with the protection specification code means; and an access checking unit code means for checking whether a user has a privilege to access the information entity based on the protection specification, and for checking whether the requested access meets conditions determined based on the protection specification.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
40 words
The program product, embodied on a computer-readable medium, according to claim 51, wherein the protection specification includes at least one of access control information, intellectual property rights management information, and integrity and authenticity assurance information related to the information entity.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
33 words
The program product, embodied on a computer-readable medium, according to claim 51, wherein the distributed content entity further includes an identifier for at least one of a protection model and an information model.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The program product according to claim 51, wherein the protection specification is located remotely from the information entity if the user has a privilege to access the information entity.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
The program product according to claim 54, wherein the protection specification is located remotely from the information entity.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
17 words
The program product according to claim 54, wherein the protection specification is attached to the information entity.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
The program product according to claim 56, wherein the protection specification is indirectly attached to the information entity.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The program product according to claim 54, wherein the protection specification is associated with more than one information entity.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
25 words
The program product according to claim 54, further comprising an access control code means enforcing access to the information entity based on the protection specification.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for receiving a distributed content entity including a protection specification associated with an information entity, the protection specification containing information for controlling use of the information entity, the apparatus comprising: an access checking unit receiving the distributed content entity; and an information unit connected to the access checking unit and storing the information entity, wherein the protection specification is in a distributed relation with the information unit, and wherein the access checking unit records the information entity in the information unit, and controls use of the information entity based on the protection specification.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for receiving a distributed content entity including a protection specification associated with an information entity, the protection specification containing information for controlling use of the information entity, the apparatus comprising: an access checking unit receiving the distributed content entity; and an information unit connected to the access checking unit and storing the information entity, wherein the protection specification is in a distributed relation with the information unit, and wherein the access checking unit records the information entity in the information unit, and controls use of the information entity based on the protection specification.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for receiving a distributed content entity including a protection specification associated with an information entity and an identifier for identifying at least one of a protection model and an information model, the protection specification containing information for controlling use of the information entity, the method comprising: receiving the distributed content entity; and controlling use of the information entity based on the protection specification and the identifier, wherein the protection specification is in a distributed relation with the information entity.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for receiving a distributed content entity including a protection specification associated with an information entity and an identifier for identifying at least one of a protection model and an information model, the protection specification containing information for controlling use of the information entity, the method comprising: receiving the distributed content entity; and controlling use of the information entity based on the protection specification and the identifier, wherein the protection specification is in a distributed relation with the information entity.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 61, further comprising: requesting a key for decrypting the information entity; receiving the key only if authorization is granted based on the protection specification.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 61, wherein the protection specification is located remotely from the information entity.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 61, wherein the protection specification is attached to the information entity.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 64, wherein the protection specification is indirectly attached to the information entity.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 61, wherein the protection specification is associated with more than one information entity.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-31 | 2004-05-01 | 2004-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | 2008-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-31 | 2012-05-01 | 2012-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |