US6233684B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for controlling the distribution and use of rendered digital works through watermaking
Assignee: Contentguard Holdings Inc
•
Filing: 1997-10-10
•
Granted: 2001-05-15
•
Expires: 2017-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A trusted rendering system for use in a system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works. A trusted rendering system facilitates the protection of rendered digital works which have been rendered on a system which controls the distribution and use of digital works through the use of dynamically generated watermark information that is embedded in the rendered output. The watermark data typically provides information relating to the owner of the digital work, the rights associated with the rendered copy of the digital work and when and where the digital work was rendered. This information will typically aid in deterring or preventing unauthorized copying of the rendered work to be made. The system for controlling distribution and use of digital works provides for attaching persistent usage rights to a digital work. Digital works are transferred between repositories which are used to request and grant access to digital works. Such repositories are also coupled to credit servers which provide for payment of any fees incurred as a result of accessing a digital work.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark J. Stefik
- 👤 Glen W. Petrie
- 👤 Steve A. Okamoto
- 👤 Nicholas H. Briggs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:29
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06F16/00; G06F16/40; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/14; G06T; G06T1/00; G06T1/0021; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/0014; G07F17/16; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/32; H04N1/32101; H04N1/32144; H04N21/00; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/835; H04N21/8358; G06T2201/00; G06T2201/005; G06T2201/0064; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/32; H04N2201/3201; H04N2201/3225; H04N2201/3233; H04N2201/3236; H04N2201/3269
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
A system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works comprising: means for creating usage rights, each instance of a usage right representing a specific instance of how a digital work may be used or distributed; means for attaching a created set of usage rights to a digital work including a rendering right, said rendering right for permitting said digital work to be rendered, said rendering right further specifying watermark information to be embedded into a rendering of said digital work, said watermark information including information related to the rendering of said digital work and sand rendering right further specifying rendering criteria that an instance of a rendering system must satisfy before the digital work can be rendered, said rendering right originally being an external data with respect to the watermark; a communication medium for coupling repositories to enable exchange of repository transaction messages, a general repository for storing a securely exchanging digital works with attached usage rights; a rendering system comprising a rendering repository for receiving a digital work to be rendered from said general repository and a rendering device for rendering digital works, said rendering repository further comprising: means for gathering watermark information specified in a rendering right associated with said digital work to be rendered; and means for encoding said watermark information for embedding in said digital work when rendered.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
224 words
A system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works comprising: means for creating usage rights, each instance of a usage right representing a specific instance of how a digital work may be used or distributed; means for attaching a created set of usage rights to a digital work including a rendering right, said rendering right for permitting said digital work to be rendered, said rendering right further specifying watermark information to be embedded into a rendering of said digital work, said watermark information including information related to the rendering of said digital work and sand rendering right further specifying rendering criteria that an instance of a rendering system must satisfy before the digital work can be rendered, said rendering right originally being an external data with respect to the watermark; a communication medium for coupling repositories to enable exchange of repository transaction messages, a general repository for storing a securely exchanging digital works with attached usage rights; a rendering system comprising a rendering repository for receiving a digital work to be rendered from said general repository and a rendering device for rendering digital works, said rendering repository further comprising: means for gathering watermark information specified in a rendering right associated with said digital work to be rendered; and means for encoding said watermark information for embedding in said digital work when rendered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said rendering criteria is comprised of a predetermined security level and predetermined watermarking capabilities.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said rendering right is a print right, said rendering system is a printing system and said rendering repository is a printer repository.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as recited in claim 3 further comprising digital work authoring means having means for placing a watermark character on a digital document.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system as recited in claim 4 wherein said means for encoding said watermark information for embedding in said digital work when rendered is further comprised of means for encoding glyph patterns based on said watermark information to create a dynamic watermark font, wherein said glyph patterns correspond to watermark characters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as recited in claim 5 wherein said means for encoding said watermark information for embedding in said digital work when rendered is further comprised of means for changing said watermark characters to have said dynamic watermark font.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as recited in claim 3 wherein said printer repository is in the same enclosure as said print device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system as recited in claim 3 wherein said printer repository is in a different enclosure from said print device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as recited in claim 1 wherein said printer repository is further comprised of means for causing a printing fee to be paid when said [document] digital work is printed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 1 further comprising a watermark extraction means for extracting the watermark information from said digital work.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system as recited in claim 10 wherein said watermark extraction means is further comprised of: a scanner device for creating a bit mapped representation of a printed medium; means for locating said watermark in said bit mapped representation of a printed medium; and means for decoding embedded data contained in said watermark.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as recited in claim 11 wherein said means for decoding embedded data contained in said watermark of said watermark extraction means is comprised of means for decoding glyph patterns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works, a method for providing a watermark on a rendered digital work comprising the steps of: a) a digital work creator assigning a rendering right to said digital work and storing in a distribution repository, said rendering right specifying watermark information indicating information identifying a rendering event and rendering criteria that an instance of a rendering system must satisfy before the digital work can be rendered; b) a user obtaining an encrypted version of said digital work from said distribution repository and storing in a user repository; c) said user requesting that said digital work be rendered; d) said user repository determining if said digital work has the appropriate rendering right; e) if said digital work has the appropriate rendering right, said user repository communicating with a rendering repository to establish a trusted session; f) said user repository transferring said digital work to said rendering repository; g) said rendering repository gathering watermark information specified in said rendering right and determining that it meets the required rendering criteria; h) said rendering repository encoding data for said watermark information; i) said rendering repository decrypting said digital work and embedding said watermark information, to be transmitted for subsequent extraction of watermark information; and j) said rendering repository transmitting said digital work with embedded watermark information to a rendering device for rendering.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works, a method for providing a watermark on a rendered digital work comprising the steps of: a) a digital work creator assigning a rendering right to said digital work and storing in a distribution repository, said rendering right specifying watermark information indicating information identifying a rendering event and rendering criteria that an instance of a rendering system must satisfy before the digital work can be rendered; b) a user obtaining an encrypted version of said digital work from said distribution repository and storing in a user repository; c) said user requesting that said digital work be rendered; d) said user repository determining if said digital work has the appropriate rendering right; e) if said digital work has the appropriate rendering right, said user repository communicating with a rendering repository to establish a trusted session; f) said user repository transferring said digital work to said rendering repository; g) said rendering repository gathering watermark information specified in said rendering right and determining that it meets the required rendering criteria; h) said rendering repository encoding data for said watermark information; i) said rendering repository decrypting said digital work and embedding said watermark information, to be transmitted for subsequent extraction of watermark information; and j) said rendering repository transmitting said digital work with embedded watermark information to a rendering device for rendering.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 13 wherein said rendering right is a print right and said rendering repository is a printer repository.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as recited in claim 14 wherein prior to said step of said digital work creator storing said digital work in a distribution repository, said digital work creator placing watermark characters on said digital work, said watermark characters in an original watermark font.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method as recited in claim 15 wherein said rendering event is printing of the digital work and said step of said rendering repository gathering watermark information specified in said rendering right is further comprised of the step of said rendering repository obtaining identification certificates for said user repository and said printer repository and extracting identification information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as recited in claim 16 wherein said step of said print repository encoding data for said watermark information is further comprised of the step of defining glyph patterns defining said watermark information as characters in a dynamic watermark font.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said step of said printer repository embedding said watermark information is further comprised of the step of said printer repository changing the original watermark font of said watermark characters to said dynamic watermark font.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
200 words
In a system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works, a method for providing a watermark on a rendered digital work comprising the steps of: a) a digital work creator assigning a rendering right to said digital work and storing in a distribution repository, said rendering right specifying criteria for a rendering system that must be satisfied before the digital work can be rendered and watermark information indicating information identifying a rendering event; b) a user requesting a rendered version of said digital work be rendered on a user rendering system having a rendering repository; c) said distribution repository determining if said user rendering system meets the specified criteria in said rendering right; d) if said rendering system satisfies said specified criteria, said distribution repository encrypting said digital work and sending to said rendering repository; e) said rendering repository gathering watermark information specified in said rendering right; f) said rendering repository encoding data for said watermark information; g) said rendering repository decrypting said digital work and embedding said watermark information, to be transmitted for subsequent extraction of watermark information; and h) said rendering repository transmitting said digital work with embedded watermark information to a rendering device for rendering.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
200 words
In a system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works, a method for providing a watermark on a rendered digital work comprising the steps of: a) a digital work creator assigning a rendering right to said digital work and storing in a distribution repository, said rendering right specifying criteria for a rendering system that must be satisfied before the digital work can be rendered and watermark information indicating information identifying a rendering event; b) a user requesting a rendered version of said digital work be rendered on a user rendering system having a rendering repository; c) said distribution repository determining if said user rendering system meets the specified criteria in said rendering right; d) if said rendering system satisfies said specified criteria, said distribution repository encrypting said digital work and sending to said rendering repository; e) said rendering repository gathering watermark information specified in said rendering right; f) said rendering repository encoding data for said watermark information; g) said rendering repository decrypting said digital work and embedding said watermark information, to be transmitted for subsequent extraction of watermark information; and h) said rendering repository transmitting said digital work with embedded watermark information to a rendering device for rendering.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said criteria for said rendering repository is comprised of a security criteria and a watermarking criteria.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said rendering right is further for specifying watermark information indicating information identifying a rendering event.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 21 wherein said rendering right is a print right and said rendering repository is a printer repository.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 13 , wherein said rendering criteria is further comprised of a predetermined security level for said rendering system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as recited in claim 13 , wherein said rendering criteria is further comprised of a predetermined watermarking capabilities for said rendering system.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works comprising: at least one digital work having an associated rendering usage right, said associated rendering usage right for permitting said digital work to be rendered, said rendering usage right further specifying watermark information to be embedded into a rendering of said digital work, said watermark information including information related to the rendering of said digital work, and said rendering usage right further specifying rendering criteria that an instance of a rendering system must satisfy before the digital work can be rendered, said rendering right originally being an external data with respect to the watermark; a communication medium for coupling repositories to enable exchange of repository transaction messages, a general repository for storing and securely exchanging digital works; a rendering system comprising a rendering repository for receiving a digital work to be rendered from said general repository and a rendering device for rendering digital works, said rendering repository further comprising: means for determining that said rendering system meets said rendering criteria; means for gathering watermark information specified in a rendering right associated with said digital work to be rendered; and means for encoding said watermark information for embedding in said digital work when rendered.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
204 words
A system for controlling the distribution and use of digital works comprising: at least one digital work having an associated rendering usage right, said associated rendering usage right for permitting said digital work to be rendered, said rendering usage right further specifying watermark information to be embedded into a rendering of said digital work, said watermark information including information related to the rendering of said digital work, and said rendering usage right further specifying rendering criteria that an instance of a rendering system must satisfy before the digital work can be rendered, said rendering right originally being an external data with respect to the watermark; a communication medium for coupling repositories to enable exchange of repository transaction messages, a general repository for storing and securely exchanging digital works; a rendering system comprising a rendering repository for receiving a digital work to be rendered from said general repository and a rendering device for rendering digital works, said rendering repository further comprising: means for determining that said rendering system meets said rendering criteria; means for gathering watermark information specified in a rendering right associated with said digital work to be rendered; and means for encoding said watermark information for embedding in said digital work when rendered.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as recited in claim 25 , wherein said rendering criteria is further comprised of a predetermined security level for said rendering system.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system as recited in claim 25 , wherein said rendering criteria is further comprised of a predetermined watermarking capabilities for said rendering system.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for providing watermark information for a rendered digital work, said method comprising the steps of: a) a digital work creator placing watermark characters on said digital work, said watermark characters in an original watermark font; b) said digital work creator assigning a rendering right to said digital work and storing in a distribution repository, said rendering right specifying watermark information indicating information identifying a rendering event; c) a user requesting a rendered version of said digital work be rendered on a user rendering system having a rendering repository; d) said rendering repository gathering watermark information specified in said rendering right; e) said rendering repository encoding data for said watermark information as characters in a dynamic watermark font, with the capability to be changed, using an embedded data technology; f) said rendering repository changing the original watermark font of said watermark characters to said dynamic watermark font; and g) said rendering repository transmitting said digital work with embedded watermark information to a rendering device for rendering.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for providing watermark information for a rendered digital work, said method comprising the steps of: a) a digital work creator placing watermark characters on said digital work, said watermark characters in an original watermark font; b) said digital work creator assigning a rendering right to said digital work and storing in a distribution repository, said rendering right specifying watermark information indicating information identifying a rendering event; c) a user requesting a rendered version of said digital work be rendered on a user rendering system having a rendering repository; d) said rendering repository gathering watermark information specified in said rendering right; e) said rendering repository encoding data for said watermark information as characters in a dynamic watermark font, with the capability to be changed, using an embedded data technology; f) said rendering repository changing the original watermark font of said watermark characters to said dynamic watermark font; and g) said rendering repository transmitting said digital work with embedded watermark information to a rendering device for rendering.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3263158A
Cited
US4529870A
Cited
US4658093A
Cited
US5339091A
Cited
US5014234A
Cited
US5010571A
Cited
US5050213A
Cited
US4977594A
Cited
US5047928A
Cited
EP0332707A1
Cited
US4937863A
Cited
US4924378A
Cited
US4961142A
Cited
US5247575A
Cited
US4932054A
Cited
US5023907A
Cited
US4953209A
Cited
US5159182A
Cited
US5113519A
Cited
GB2236604A
Cited
US5191193A
Cited
US5146499A
Cited
US5263158A
Cited
US5263157A
Cited
US5058164A
Cited
US5432849A
Cited
US5291596A
Cited
US5103476A
Cited
WO1992020022A1
Cited
US5438508A
Cited
US5260999A
Cited
US5204897A
Cited
WO1993001550A1
Cited
US5504814A
Cited
US5235642A
Cited
US5768426A
Cited
US5629980A
Cited
US5530235A
Cited
US5748783A
Cited
US5708717A
Cited
US5745569A
Cited
US5761686A
Cited
US5943422A
Cited
US5825892A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-14 | 2004-11-13 | 2005-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-14 | 2008-11-13 | 2009-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-11-13 | 2013-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |