Patent US3401733A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6449367B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Steganographic techniques for securely delivering electronic digital rights management control information over insecure communication channels
Assignee: Intertrust Technologies Corp
•
Filing: 2001-02-23
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Granted: 2002-09-10
•
Expires: 2021-02-23
Abstract
Abstract Electronic steganographic techniques can be used to encode a rights management control signal onto an information signal carried over an insecure communications channel. Steganographic techniques ensure that the digital control information is substantially invisibly and substantially indelibly carried by the information signal. These techniques can provide end-to-end rights management protection of an information signal irrespective of transformations between analog and digital. An electronic appliance can recover the control information and use it for electronic rights management to provide compatibility with a Virtual Distribution Environment. In one example, the system encodes low data rate pointers within high bandwidth time periods of the content signal to improve overall control information read/seek times.
Inventors
- 👤 David M. Van Wie
- 👤 Robert P. Weber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:43
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/10; H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/04; H04L63/0428; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/382; G06Q20/3821; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00086; G11B20/00137; G11B20/00159; G11B20/00188; G11B20/00195; G11B20/0021; G11B20/00485; G11B20/00557; G11B20/0071; G11B20/00731; G11B20/00746; G11B20/00753; G11B20/00768; G11B20/0084; G11B20/00884; G11B27/00; G11B27/02; G11B27/031; G11B27/10; G11B27/19; G11B27/28; G11B27/32; G11B27/327; G11B27/329; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/40; H04L12/40052; H04L12/40104; H04L12/40117; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/20; H04N21/23; H04N21/234; H04N21/2347; H04N21/25; H04N21/254; H04N21/2541; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/426; H04N21/42646; H04N21/43; H04N21/44; H04N21/4405; H04N21/441; H04N21/4415; H04N21/442; H04N21/44204; H04N21/44236; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4627; H04N21/80; H04N21/83; H04N21/835; H04N21/8358; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/91; H04N5/913; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; G06F12/00; G06F12/14; G06F12/1458; G06F12/1483; G06F2211/00; G06F2211/007; G11B20/10; G11B2020/10916; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/20; G11B2220/21; G11B2220/215; G11B2220/216; G11B2220/218; G11B2220/25; G11B2220/2537; G11B2220/2562; G11B2220/2575; H04N2005/91307; H04N2005/91321; H04N2005/91328; H04N2005/91335; H04N2005/91357; H04N2005/91364; H04N5/765; H04N5/77; H04N5/772; H04N5/775; H04N5/84; H04N5/85; H04N9/00; H04N9/79; H04N9/80; H04N9/804; H04N9/8042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method including: at a first apparatus, receiving (1) a secure digital container including a file and information steganographically encoded into the file, and (2) a first control set made up of at least one control; at the first apparatus, opening the secure digital container to retrieve at least a first portion of the file, the step of opening being at least in part controlled by the first control set; and recording information relating to the opening of the secure digital container, the recording occurring at least in part under control of the first control set.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method including: at a first apparatus, receiving (1) a secure digital container including a file and information steganographically encoded into the file, and (2) a first control set made up of at least one control; at the first apparatus, opening the secure digital container to retrieve at least a first portion of the file, the step of opening being at least in part controlled by the first control set; and recording information relating to the opening of the secure digital container, the recording occurring at least in part under control of the first control set.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 1 in which: the recorded information includes usage information relating to the date or time of the opening of the secure digital container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 1 in which: the recorded information includes usage information relating to the identity of a user of the first apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as in claim 1 in which the file consists of the first portion and a second portion, and the method further including: receiving a second control set made up of at least one control, the second control set at least in part governing access to or other use of the second portion, but not governing the first portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as in claim 4 further including: at the first apparatus, opening the secure digital container to retrieve at least the second portion of the file, the step of opening being at least in part controlled by the second control set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 5 in which: the second portion of the file contains a description of the first portion of the file.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 1 further including: steganographically decoding the file to recover at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 1 in which: the steganographically-encoded information includes information relating to the number of times the file may be accessed or used.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 1 , further including: transmitting at least a portion of the file to a second apparatus, the transmission being at least in part controlled by the first control set.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
98 words
A method including the following: at a first apparatus, receiving (1) a secure digital container including a file and information steganographically encoded into the file, and (2) a control set made up of at least one control; at the first apparatus, opening the secure digital container to retrieve at least a portion of the file, the step of opening being at least in part controlled by the control set; and transmitting information relating to the opening of the secure digital container to a remote site, the transmission occurring at least in part under control of the control set.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
98 words
A method including the following: at a first apparatus, receiving (1) a secure digital container including a file and information steganographically encoded into the file, and (2) a control set made up of at least one control; at the first apparatus, opening the secure digital container to retrieve at least a portion of the file, the step of opening being at least in part controlled by the control set; and transmitting information relating to the opening of the secure digital container to a remote site, the transmission occurring at least in part under control of the control set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as in claim 10 in which: the transmitted information includes usage information relating to the date or time of the opening of the secure digital container.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 10 in which: the transmitted information includes usage information relating to the identity of a user of the first apparatus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 10 in which: the control set includes a first control governing a first portion of the file and a second control governing a second portion of the file.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 10 in which: the first file portion contains a description of at least a portion of the second file portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 10 in which: the transmitted information includes usage information relating to the number of times the file has been accessed or used.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 10 further including: steganographically decoding the file to recover at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 10 in which: the steganographically-encoded information includes information relating to the number of times the file may be accessed or used.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 10 , further including: transmitting at least a portion of the file to a second apparatus, the transmission being at least in part controlled by the control set.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as in claim 18 , in which: the transmitted file portion includes at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
131 words
A method including: at a first apparatus, receiving a first secure digital container including a file and information steganographically encoded into the file; at the first apparatus, receiving a first control set made up of at least one control; at the first apparatus, performing the following steps at least in part under the control of the first control set: (a) locating at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information; (b) retrieving at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information; (c) evaluating at least a portion of the retrieved information; (d) based at least in part on the evaluation, determining whether a user of the first apparatus may access or otherwise use at least a portion of the file; and (e) based on the determination, authorizing or blocking use of the file.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
131 words
A method including: at a first apparatus, receiving a first secure digital container including a file and information steganographically encoded into the file; at the first apparatus, receiving a first control set made up of at least one control; at the first apparatus, performing the following steps at least in part under the control of the first control set: (a) locating at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information; (b) retrieving at least a portion of the steganographically-encoded information; (c) evaluating at least a portion of the retrieved information; (d) based at least in part on the evaluation, determining whether a user of the first apparatus may access or otherwise use at least a portion of the file; and (e) based on the determination, authorizing or blocking use of the file.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 20 , further including: (f) if use of the file is authorized, transmitting at least a portion of the file to a second apparatus.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 20 , further including: (f) if use of the file is authorized, converting at least a portion of the file to a different format.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 20 , further including: (f) if use of the file is authorized, transmitting information relating to the use of the file to a remote location.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as in claim 23 , in which: the transmitted information includes usage information.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 23 , in which: the usage information includes information relating to relating to a user of the first apparatus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 20 in which: the usage information includes information relating to the date or time of the opening to the secure digital container.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as in claim 20 in which: the steganographically-encoded information includes information relating to the number of times the file may be accessed or used.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 20 further including: transmitting at least a portion of the file to a second apparatus, the transmission being at least in part controlled by the first control set.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 20 in which: the steganographically-encoded information includes a second control set made up of at least one control.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
74 words
A method including: at a first apparatus, receiving a signal including governed information and a steganographically-encoded first rule; at the first apparatus, steganographically decoding the signal to recover the first rule; at the first apparatus, receiving a second rule in a communication with a second apparatus; and using the first rule or the second rule to govern an aspect of access to or other use of at least a portion of the governed information.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
74 words
A method including: at a first apparatus, receiving a signal including governed information and a steganographically-encoded first rule; at the first apparatus, steganographically decoding the signal to recover the first rule; at the first apparatus, receiving a second rule in a communication with a second apparatus; and using the first rule or the second rule to govern an aspect of access to or other use of at least a portion of the governed information.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 30 in which: the first rule specifies a first payment amount, and the second rule specifies a second payment amount.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 30 , in which: the first rule includes a requirement related to a digital certificate, and the second rule relates to a payment method.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as in claim 32 , in which: the digital certificate includes information relating to the capabilities of a device.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as in claim 30 , in which: the first rule and the second rule each relate to the number of times at least a portion of the governed information may be used.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 30 , in which: the first rule relates to a payment; and the second rule relates to permission for a user or class of users to use at least a portion of the governed information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as in claim 30 , in which: the governed information includes a first portion and a second portion; the first rule governs use of the first portion; and the second rule governs use of the second portion.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 36 , in which: the first rule relates to the number of times the first portion may be used.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 36 , in which: the first rule relates to transmission of the first portion to a third apparatus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 36 , in which: the first rule relates to conversion of the first portion from a first format to a second format.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
86 words
A method including: at a first apparatus, receiving a signal including governed information and a steganographically-encoded first rule, the first rule requiring payment to a remote site prior to an access to or other use of at least a portion of the governed information; at the first apparatus, initiating an attempt to access at least a portion of the governed information; and communicating payment information from the first apparatus to a remote second apparatus, the payment information relating to the access to the governed information portion.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
86 words
A method including: at a first apparatus, receiving a signal including governed information and a steganographically-encoded first rule, the first rule requiring payment to a remote site prior to an access to or other use of at least a portion of the governed information; at the first apparatus, initiating an attempt to access at least a portion of the governed information; and communicating payment information from the first apparatus to a remote second apparatus, the payment information relating to the access to the governed information portion.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as in claim 40 , further including: at the second apparatus, checking to determine that payment information has been received from the first apparatus; and communicating authorization information from the second apparatus to the first apparatus, the authorization information allowing the access to proceed.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method as in claim 40 , further including: making an analog copy of at least a portion of the governed information; and steganographically incorporating a second rule into the analog copy, the second rule at least in part governing use of the analog copy.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as in claim 40 , in which: the signal also includes a steganographically-encoded watermark.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 43 , in which: the watermark includes information relating to the identity of a user of the governed information.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 40 , in which: the signal also includes a steganographically-encoded copy indicator.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as in claim 40 , in which: the governed information includes a first portion and a second portion; the first rule governs use of the first portion but not the second portion; and the attempt to access and the payment both relate to use of the first portion.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
68 words
A method as in claim 40 , further including: communicating permission information from the second apparatus to the first apparatus, the permission information being communicated after receipt of the payment information, the permission information authorizing use of at least a portion of the governed information; the first apparatus receiving the permission information; and at the first apparatus, completing access to at least a portion of the governed information.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method as in claim 40 , further including: communicating a second rule from the second apparatus to the first apparatus, the second rule being communicated after the second apparatus receives the payment information; the first apparatus receiving the second rule; and at the first apparatus, making use of at least a portion of the governed information, the use being governed at least in part by the second rule.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as in claim 48 , in which: the second rule specifies the number of times the governed information portion may be used.
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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) | 2005-09-09 | 2006-03-11 | 2006-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-09 | 2010-03-11 | 2010-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-09 | 2014-03-11 | 2014-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |