Patent US7516147B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US7516147B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
URL system and method for licensing content
Assignee: SCSK Corp
•
Filing: 2003-10-23
•
Granted: 2009-04-07
•
Expires: 2023-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A licensing system and method for deploying digital content is provided. A client system can download the digital content from the server and, if a valid license for the content is also found on the server, software may be permitted to run digital content. The license is stored in a location that is separate from the content. The license can be located using the URL address of the content. The system can locate the license on the server and determine whether the license covers the content. Content that is covered by the license can be processed and rendered. The content can be any form of digital media, such as a computer application.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Kranz
- 👤 Robert H. Halstead, Jr.
- 👤 Tom Lyons
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/955; G06F16/9566; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99933; Y10S707/99936; Y10S707/99939; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942; Y10S707/99943; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A computer-implemented method of determining whether digital content is licensed to be provided to a client system, the method comprising: providing a processor; receiving a content URL address for a content location on a server system at which a desired unit of digital content is stored; identifying a licensing information address from the content URL address, the licensing information address being different from the content URL address, and the licensing information address comprising an address to a licensing information location at which is stored licensing information from which licensed content URL addresses may be identified, the licensed content URL addresses comprising addresses of locations of licensed units of digital content that the server system is authorized to provide to a client system; using the licensing information address to access the licensing information at the licensing information location; and utilizing the processor for reviewing the content URL address and the licensing information to determine whether the content URL address comprises a licensed content URL address, wherein the reviewing further includes: determining a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information; and comparing the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A computer-implemented method of determining whether digital content is licensed to be provided to a client system, the method comprising: providing a processor; receiving a content URL address for a content location on a server system at which a desired unit of digital content is stored; identifying a licensing information address from the content URL address, the licensing information address being different from the content URL address, and the licensing information address comprising an address to a licensing information location at which is stored licensing information from which licensed content URL addresses may be identified, the licensed content URL addresses comprising addresses of locations of licensed units of digital content that the server system is authorized to provide to a client system; using the licensing information address to access the licensing information at the licensing information location; and utilizing the processor for reviewing the content URL address and the licensing information to determine whether the content URL address comprises a licensed content URL address, wherein the reviewing further includes: determining a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information; and comparing the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein comparing the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address further includes: confirming that the license covers the desired unit of digital content by determining that the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information corresponds to the content URL address.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , wherein the URL pattern corresponds to the content URL address when the URL pattern matches the content URL address.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 2 , further comprising: responding to the URL pattern that corresponds to the content URL address by directing the client system to render the desired unit of digital content.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the licensing information address from the content URL address further includes: determining at least one potential location for the licensing information on the server system based on a prefix of the content URL address.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 5 , wherein the at least one potential location is determined through a directory system on the server system, the directory system having a root directory and at least one subdirectory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , further comprising: searching through the root directory for the licensing information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , further comprising: searching for the licensing information through the at least one subdirectory where the desired unit of digital content resides on the server system when: the licensing information is not found through the root directory, or the licensing information found through the root directory does not correspond to the desired unit of digital content.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the end-user is a user of the client system; wherein the client system is the content provider for the end-user; and wherein identifying the licensing information address is in response to a request, by the client system, to download the desired unit of digital content from the content location to provide to the end-user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 9 , further comprising: responding to the request by: delivering the desired unit of digital content to the client system, confirming that a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information corresponds to the content URL address; and in response to confirming that the URL pattern corresponds to the content URL address, rendering the desired unit of digital content on the client system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the licensing information includes a licensing key.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the license key is an encrypted text file.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 11 , wherein the license key comprises a first license key, and further comprising: overriding any other license key on the server system when the first license key is located through a root directory of the content URL address.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein reviewing the content URL address and the licensing information further includes: determining whether the licensing information has been altered.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the licensing information further includes information pertaining to restrictions on rendering of the desired unit of digital content.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the licensing information further includes information about a feature of the desired unit of digital content that is enabled or disabled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information indicates one or more licensed content URL addresses.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
198 words
A computer-readable hardware medium having computer executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor in a computer system, cause the processor to respond to a request to download a desired unit of digital content at a content location on a server system, the content location having a content URL address, by: identifying a licensing information address from the content URL address, the licensing information address being different from the content URL address, and the licensing information address comprising an address to a licensing information location at which is stored licensing information from which licensed content URL addresses may be identified, the licensed content URL addresses comprising addresses of locations of licensed units of digital content that the server system is authorized to provide to a client system; using the licensing information address to access the licensing information at the licensing information location; and utilizing the processor for reviewing the content URL address and the licensing information to determine whether the content URL address comprises a licensed content URL address, wherein the reviewing further includes: determining a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information; and comparing the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
198 words
A computer-readable hardware medium having computer executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor in a computer system, cause the processor to respond to a request to download a desired unit of digital content at a content location on a server system, the content location having a content URL address, by: identifying a licensing information address from the content URL address, the licensing information address being different from the content URL address, and the licensing information address comprising an address to a licensing information location at which is stored licensing information from which licensed content URL addresses may be identified, the licensed content URL addresses comprising addresses of locations of licensed units of digital content that the server system is authorized to provide to a client system; using the licensing information address to access the licensing information at the licensing information location; and utilizing the processor for reviewing the content URL address and the licensing information to determine whether the content URL address comprises a licensed content URL address, wherein the reviewing further includes: determining a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information; and comparing the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 18 , wherein the instructions to compare the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address further include: instructions to confirm that the license covers the desired unit of digital content by determining that the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information corresponds to the content URL address.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 19 , wherein the URL pattern corresponds to the content URL address when the URL pattern matches the content URL address.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 19 , further comprising instructions for: responding to a URL pattern that corresponds to the content URL address by directing the client system to render the desired unit of digital content.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 18 , wherein the instructions for identifying the licensing information address from the content URL address further include: instructions that determine at least one potential location for the licensing information on the server system based on a prefix of the content URL address.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 22 , wherein the at least one potential location is determined through a directory system on the server system, the directory system having a root directory and at least one subdirectory.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 23 , further comprising: instructions for searching through the root directory for the licensing information.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
65 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 23 , further comprising instructions for: searching for the licensing information through the at least one subdirectory where the desired unit of digital content resides on the server system when the licensing information is not found through the root directory, or the licensing information found through the root directory does not correspond to the desired unit of digital content.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
66 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 18 , wherein the end-user is a user of the client system; wherein the client system is the content provider for the end-user; wherein identifying the licensing information address is in response to a request, by the client system, to download the desired unit of digital content from the content location on the server system to provide to the end-user.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
69 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 26 , further comprising: instructions for responding to the request by: delivering the desired unit of digital content to the client, confirming that a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information corresponds to the content URL address; and in response to confirming that the URL pattern corresponds to the content URL address, rendering the desired unit of digital content on the client system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 18 , wherein the licensing information further includes a license key.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 28 further including instructions for: overriding any other license key on the server system when the license key is located through a root directory of the content URL address.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer-readable hardware medium of claim 18 , wherein the instructions for processing the licensing information further include: instructions that determine whether there are any restrictions on rendering of the desired unit of digital content.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
230 words
A system for determining whether a desired unit of digital content is licensed, comprising: a processor; a communications handler responsive to a request to download a desired unit of digital content at a content location on a server system, the content location having a content URL address; a licensing manager, in communication with the communications handler, the licensing manager having computer executable instructions operative on the processor for: identifying a licensing information address from the content URL address, the licensing information address being different from the content URL address, and the licensing information address comprising an address to a licensing information location at which is stored licensing information from which licensed content URL addresses may be identified, the licensed content URL addresses comprising addresses of locations of licensed units of digital content that the server system is authorized to provide to a client system; using the licensing information address to access the licensing information at the licensing information location; and utilizing the processor for reviewing the content URL address and the licensing information to determine whether the content URL address comprises a licensed content URL address, wherein the reviewing further includes: determining a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information; and comparing the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address; and the licensing manager, utilizing the processor, providing authorization to the communication handler to download.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
230 words
A system for determining whether a desired unit of digital content is licensed, comprising: a processor; a communications handler responsive to a request to download a desired unit of digital content at a content location on a server system, the content location having a content URL address; a licensing manager, in communication with the communications handler, the licensing manager having computer executable instructions operative on the processor for: identifying a licensing information address from the content URL address, the licensing information address being different from the content URL address, and the licensing information address comprising an address to a licensing information location at which is stored licensing information from which licensed content URL addresses may be identified, the licensed content URL addresses comprising addresses of locations of licensed units of digital content that the server system is authorized to provide to a client system; using the licensing information address to access the licensing information at the licensing information location; and utilizing the processor for reviewing the content URL address and the licensing information to determine whether the content URL address comprises a licensed content URL address, wherein the reviewing further includes: determining a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information; and comparing the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address; and the licensing manager, utilizing the processor, providing authorization to the communication handler to download.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The software system of claim 31 , wherein the communications handler or the licensing manager is associated with a runtime environment executing on a client system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The software system of claim 31 , wherein a client system initiates the request to download the desired unit of digital content from the content location on the server system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
40 words
The software system of claim 31 , wherein the licensing manager is further configured to confirm that the license covers the desired unit of content when the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information corresponds to the content URL address.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
The software system of claim 34 , wherein the licensing manager is configured to respond to a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information that corresponds to the content URL address by directing the client system to render the desired unit of digital content.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
42 words
The software system of claim 31 , wherein the licensing manager is configured to obtain the licensing information by determining, based on a prefix of the content URL address, at least one potential location for the licensing information on the server system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
The software system of claim 36 , wherein the licensing manager is configured to determine the at least one potential location through a directory system on the server system, the directory system having a root directory and at least one subdirectory.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The software system of claim 37 , wherein the licensing manager further includes: a search routine to search through the root directory for the licensing information.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
74 words
The software system of claim 38 , wherein the search routine is further configured to search for the licensing information through the at least one subdirectory which is the same directory where the desired unit of digital content is stored when: the licensing manager determines that licensing information is not found through the root directory, or the licensing information found through the root directory does not correspond to the desired unit of digital content.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
The software system of claim 31 , wherein the licensing manager further includes: logic for forgoing processing of any other licensing information on the server system when the licensing information is located through the directory system, using a prefix of the content URL address.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
The software system of claim 31 , wherein the licensing manager is further configured to determine from the licensing information whether there are any restrictions on rendering of the desired unit of digital content.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
203 words
A system for determining whether a unit of digital content is licensed, comprising: a processor; computer executable instructions operative on the processor comprising: means for receiving a content URL address for a content location on a server system at which a desired unit of digital content is stored; means for identifying a licensing information address from the content URL address, the licensing information address being different from the content URL address, and the licensing information address comprising an address to a licensing information location at which is stored licensing information from which licensed content URL addresses may be identified, the licensed content URL addresses comprising addresses of locations of licensed units of digital content that the server system is authorized to provide to a client system; means for using the licensing information address to access the licensing information at the licensing information location; and means for reviewing the content URL address and the licensing information to determine whether the content URL address comprises a licensed content URL address, wherein the means for reviewing further includes: means for determining a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information; and means for comparing the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
203 words
A system for determining whether a unit of digital content is licensed, comprising: a processor; computer executable instructions operative on the processor comprising: means for receiving a content URL address for a content location on a server system at which a desired unit of digital content is stored; means for identifying a licensing information address from the content URL address, the licensing information address being different from the content URL address, and the licensing information address comprising an address to a licensing information location at which is stored licensing information from which licensed content URL addresses may be identified, the licensed content URL addresses comprising addresses of locations of licensed units of digital content that the server system is authorized to provide to a client system; means for using the licensing information address to access the licensing information at the licensing information location; and means for reviewing the content URL address and the licensing information to determine whether the content URL address comprises a licensed content URL address, wherein the means for reviewing further includes: means for determining a URL pattern referenced in the licensing information; and means for comparing the URL pattern referenced in the licensing information with the content URL address.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5287408A
Cited
EP0686906A2
Cited
US5724425A
Cited
US5745765A
Cited
US5790664A
Cited
WO1998025373A2
Cited
US7324972B1
Cited
WO1998045768A1
Cited
US5950001A
Cited
US6059838A
Cited
US6189146B1
Cited
US5963953A
Cited
US6226747B1
Cited
US20060089912A1
Cited
US7346580B2
Cited
US7110984B1
Cited
US20060095792A1
Cited
US20060085343A1
Cited
US6983371B1
Cited
US20010011254A1
Cited
US20060053077A1
Cited
US7277870B2
Cited
US7069271B1
Cited
US6915425B2
Cited
US20020120839A1
Cited
US7216368B2
Cited
US6708250B2
Cited
US20050021783A1
Cited
US20050086501A1
Cited
US20050246282A1
Cited
US20040181490A1
Cited
US20070124602A1
Cited
US20050278259A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2012-04-06 | 2012-10-06 | 2013-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2016-04-06 | 2016-10-06 | 2017-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2020-04-06 | 2020-10-06 | 2021-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |