US6996544B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiple party content distribution system and method with rights management features
Assignee: Imagineer Software Inc
•
Filing: 2003-02-27
•
Granted: 2006-02-07
•
Expires: 2023-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A multiple party system for distributing content. In one embodiment, four parties are involved in the system: a consumer, a service provider, an authenticator, and a content provider. The distribution of content from the content provider to the consumer is carried out using a predefined protocol, mutating IDs, and licenses. The authenticator controls the distribution of mutating IDs and verifies the identity of one or more participating parties.
Inventors
- 👤 William Sellars
- 👤 William K. Cochran, Jr.
- 👤 David C. Hunt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/835; G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/36; G06Q20/367; G06Q20/3674; H04N21/20; H04N21/25; H04N21/254; H04N21/2541; H04N21/258; H04N21/25866; H04N21/25875; H04N21/40; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4627; H04N21/8355; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17309; H04N7/17318; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2111; G06F2221/2115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of distributing content requested by a first party, the method comprising: generating, with a processor, a first mutating identifier associated with the content; repeatedly mutating a previously generated mutating identifier at at least one subsequent party, starting with the first mutating identifier; terminating mutating a previously generated mutating identifier when the previously generated mutating identifier is authenticated; encrypting the content based on the previously authenticated mutating identifier; distributing the encrypted content to the first party; and distributing a decryption key to the first party.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of distributing content requested by a first party, the method comprising: generating, with a processor, a first mutating identifier associated with the content; repeatedly mutating a previously generated mutating identifier at at least one subsequent party, starting with the first mutating identifier; terminating mutating a previously generated mutating identifier when the previously generated mutating identifier is authenticated; encrypting the content based on the previously authenticated mutating identifier; distributing the encrypted content to the first party; and distributing a decryption key to the first party.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the encrypted content is distributed to the first party by a second party, and the decryption key is distributed to the first party by a third party.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing each of the parties with a license.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 , further comprising tagging the previously generated mutating identifier with a party license.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein mutating a previously generated mutating identifier further comprises: tagging the previously mutating identifier with a party license; and encrypting the previously tagged mutating identifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of terminating mutating the previously generated mutating identifier when the previously generated mutating identifier is authenticated further comprises: decrypting the previously generated mutating identifier; and validating the decrypted mutating identifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising tracking a use of the content by a second party.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising discarding the previously generated mutating identifier.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising modifying the first mutating identifier associated with the content after the content has been requested.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating a new first mutating identifier associated with the content after the content has been requested.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
185 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator, the authenticator is configured to randomly generates a content provider license, a service provider license, and a consumer device license; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a first mutating identifier associated with the content identifier; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
185 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator, the authenticator is configured to randomly generates a content provider license, a service provider license, and a consumer device license; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a first mutating identifier associated with the content identifier; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the first mutating identifier is modified after the content has been requested.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the second mutating identifier is associated with the service provider license.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the third mutating identifier is associated with the consumer device license.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
172 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a first mutating identifier associated with the content identifier; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, which comprises decrypting the third mutating identifier, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
172 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a first mutating identifier associated with the content identifier; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, which comprises decrypting the third mutating identifier, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
174 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator, wherein the authenticator tracks the use of the content; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a first mutating identifier associated with the content identifier; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
174 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator, wherein the authenticator tracks the use of the content; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a first mutating identifier associated with the content identifier; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
175 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a first mutating identifier associated with the content identifier; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer, and wherein the plurality of the mutating identifiers are discarded.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
175 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a first mutating identifier associated with the content identifier; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer, and wherein the plurality of the mutating identifiers are discarded.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
174 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a new first mutating identifier associated with the content and content identifier after the content has been requested; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
174 words
A content distribution system comprising: an authenticator; a content provider device, the content provider device having content and a content identifier, and generating a new first mutating identifier associated with the content and content identifier after the content has been requested; a consumer device, the consumer device operable to generate a request for the content; and a service provider device, the service provider device configured to receive the request from the consumer device, receive the first mutating identifier from the content provider device, generate a second mutating identifier associated with the first mutating identifier, and distribute the second mutating identifier to the consumer device, the consumer device generating a third mutating identifier associated with the second mutating identifier, and distributing the third mutating identifier to the authenticator, the authenticator obtaining a validation of the request, the authenticator thereafter informing the service provider of the validation of the request, the content provider thereafter encrypting the content and sending the encrypted content to the consumer device while the authenticator sends a decryption code to the consumer.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of content distribution, the method comprising: making a request with a consumer device for content; associating a first mutating identifier with the content at a content provider; distributing the first mutating identifier from the content provider to a service provider over a network; generating a second mutating identifier with the first mutating identifier at the service provider; distributing the second mutating identifier from a service provider to the consumer device, over a network; generating a third mutating identifier with the second mutating identifier at the consumer device; distributing the third mutating identifier from a service provider to an authenticator; determining the request from the third mutating identifier; generating encrypted content based on the request at the content provider; distributing the encrypted content to the consumer device; and distributing a key from the authenticator to the consumer device.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of content distribution, the method comprising: making a request with a consumer device for content; associating a first mutating identifier with the content at a content provider; distributing the first mutating identifier from the content provider to a service provider over a network; generating a second mutating identifier with the first mutating identifier at the service provider; distributing the second mutating identifier from a service provider to the consumer device, over a network; generating a third mutating identifier with the second mutating identifier at the consumer device; distributing the third mutating identifier from a service provider to an authenticator; determining the request from the third mutating identifier; generating encrypted content based on the request at the content provider; distributing the encrypted content to the consumer device; and distributing a key from the authenticator to the consumer device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 , further comprising providing each identifier with a license.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising tagging the identifier with the license.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein mutating an identifier further comprises: tagging the identifier with a license; and encrypting the tagged identifier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein determining the request from the third mutating identifier further comprises: decrypting the third mutating identifier; and validating the decrypted mutating identifier.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 , further comprising tracking a use of the content.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19 , further comprising discarding the plurality of the mutating identifiers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 25 , further comprising generating a new first mutating identifier associated with the content after the content has been requested.
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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) | 2009-02-06 | 2009-08-08 | 2010-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-02-06 | 2013-08-08 | 2014-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-02-06 | 2017-08-08 | 2018-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |