US6473860B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Information distribution and processing system
Assignee: Online News Link LLC
•
Filing: 1998-10-22
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Granted: 2002-10-29
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Expires: 2018-10-22
Abstract
Abstract Digital information is separated into two portions. The first portion is a clear portion and the second portion is encrypted. The clear portion and an identification label are distributed to a plurality of processing units. Some of the processing units send the identification label to a remote station and receive the encrypted portion. They decrypt the received encrypted portion and combine the decrypted data with the clear portion to generate a graphic image. In another embodiment, the first portion can also be encrypted at a different level of security as the second portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Hark C. Chan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H20/00; H04H20/38; H04H20/86; H04H20/93; H04H60/00; H04H60/76; H04H60/81; H04H60/90; H04H60/91; H04H60/93; H04H60/94; H04L; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04H20/40; H04H20/65; H04H20/71; H04H20/74; H04H60/09; H04H60/14; H04H60/23; H04L69/00; H04L69/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A method for generating graphic images by a plurality of processing units, each of said processing units being located in a separate remote site and connected to an output unit, each of said plurality of processing units connectable to a remote station via a first communication link, said method comprising the steps of: distributing a first set of digital data to each of said plurality of processing units, said first set of digital data being unencrypted and comprising a content portion and an identification label; processing said first set of digital data by at least two of said plurality of processing units, further comprising the following steps performed by each of said at least two processing units: separating said first set of digital data into said content portion and said identification label; sending said identification label to said remote station using said first communication link; receiving a second set of digital data from said remote station using said first communication link, said second set of digital data being encrypted; decrypting said second set of digital data to generate a third set of digital data; generating a graphic image using said content portion and said third set of digital data; and delivering said graphic image to said output unit; and performing by said remote station the following steps: receiving said identification label; retrieving said second set of digital data in response to said identification label; and transmitting, using said first communication link, said second set of digital data to said at least two processing units.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
254 words
A method for generating graphic images by a plurality of processing units, each of said processing units being located in a separate remote site and connected to an output unit, each of said plurality of processing units connectable to a remote station via a first communication link, said method comprising the steps of: distributing a first set of digital data to each of said plurality of processing units, said first set of digital data being unencrypted and comprising a content portion and an identification label; processing said first set of digital data by at least two of said plurality of processing units, further comprising the following steps performed by each of said at least two processing units: separating said first set of digital data into said content portion and said identification label; sending said identification label to said remote station using said first communication link; receiving a second set of digital data from said remote station using said first communication link, said second set of digital data being encrypted; decrypting said second set of digital data to generate a third set of digital data; generating a graphic image using said content portion and said third set of digital data; and delivering said graphic image to said output unit; and performing by said remote station the following steps: receiving said identification label; retrieving said second set of digital data in response to said identification label; and transmitting, using said first communication link, said second set of digital data to said at least two processing units.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of said at least two processing units further comprises memory for storing accounting data, said method further comprising a step of sending said accounting data by each of said at least two processing units to said remote station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of said at least two processing units contains a device ID and said sending step further comprises a step of sending said device ID by each of said at least two processing units to said remote station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said graphic image comprises a JPEG image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said second set of digital data has a size approximately same as or less than one percent of that of said content portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of distributing said first set of digital data includes distributing using a second communication link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 6 wherein each of said at least two processing units further comprises memory for storing accounting data, said method further comprising a step of sending said accounting data by each of said at least two processing units to said remote station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 6 wherein each of said at least two processing units contains a device ID and said sending step further comprises a step of sending said device ID by each of said at least two processing units to said remote station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said graphic image comprises a JPEG image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said second set of digital data has a size approximately same as or less than one percent of that of said first set of digital data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first and said second sets of digital data are stored in said remote station.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said first set of digital data is distributed using a broadcast communication link.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 12 wherein each of said at least two processing units further comprises memory for storing accounting data, said method further comprising a step of sending said accounting data from each of said at least two processing units to said remote station.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said graphic image contains a JPEG image.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
272 words
A method for generating graphic images by a plurality of processing units, each of said processing units being located in a separate remote site and connected to an output unit, each of said plurality of processing units connectable to a remote station via a first communication link, said method comprising the steps of: distributing a first set of digital data to each of said plurality of processing units, said first set of digital data comprising a content portion and an identification label, said first set of digital data being encrypted in a first level; processing said first set of digital data by at least two of said plurality of processing units, further comprising the following steps performed by each of said at least two processing units: decrypting said first set of digital data to obtain said content portion and said identification label; sending said identification label to said remote station using said first communication link; receiving a second set of digital data from said remote station using said first communication link, said second set of digital data being encrypted in a second level; decrypting said second set of digital data to generate a third set of digital data; generating a graphic image using said decrypted first set of digital data and said third set of digital data; and delivering said graphic image to said output unit; and performing by said remote station the following steps: receiving said identification label; retrieving said second set of digital data in response to said identification label; and transmitting, using said first communication link, said second set of digital data to said at least two processing units.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
272 words
A method for generating graphic images by a plurality of processing units, each of said processing units being located in a separate remote site and connected to an output unit, each of said plurality of processing units connectable to a remote station via a first communication link, said method comprising the steps of: distributing a first set of digital data to each of said plurality of processing units, said first set of digital data comprising a content portion and an identification label, said first set of digital data being encrypted in a first level; processing said first set of digital data by at least two of said plurality of processing units, further comprising the following steps performed by each of said at least two processing units: decrypting said first set of digital data to obtain said content portion and said identification label; sending said identification label to said remote station using said first communication link; receiving a second set of digital data from said remote station using said first communication link, said second set of digital data being encrypted in a second level; decrypting said second set of digital data to generate a third set of digital data; generating a graphic image using said decrypted first set of digital data and said third set of digital data; and delivering said graphic image to said output unit; and performing by said remote station the following steps: receiving said identification label; retrieving said second set of digital data in response to said identification label; and transmitting, using said first communication link, said second set of digital data to said at least two processing units.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said graphic image comprises a JPEG image.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 15 wherein each of said at least two processing units contains a device ID and said sending step further comprises a step of sending said device ID by each of said at least two processing units to said remote station.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 15 wherein each of said at least two processing units further comprises memory for storing accounting data, said method further comprising a step of sending said accounting data by each of said at least two processing units to said remote station.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said second set of digital data has a size approximately same as or less than one percent of that of said content portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said first set of digital data is distributed using a broadcast communication link.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 20 wherein each of said at least two processing units contains a device ID and said sending step further comprises a step of sending said device ID by each of said at least two processing units to said remote station.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 20 wherein each of said at least two processing units further comprises memory for storing accounting data, said method further comprising a step of sending said accounting data by each of said at least two processing units to said remote station.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said second set of digital data has a size approximately same as or less than one percent of that of said content portion.
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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) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-04-29 | 2006-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | 2010-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-28 | 2014-04-29 | 2014-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |