JP2016129052A - Function determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for executing right to designate a using method of an item.SOLUTION: A system comprises: means for enabling a recipient of an item to designate first right display to instruct at least one of a desired using method of the item by the recipient and use conditions of the item by the recipient; means for associating the right display with the item; and means for supplying the item to the recipient on the basis of satisfaction of at least one of the desired using method of the item by the recipient and use conditions of the item by the recipient.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for Digital Rights Management, and more particularly to systems and methods for providing and managing rights indications.

  To enable the widespread distribution of digital works, such as documents or other content in computer-readable form, and the deployment of electronic means and management of the use of digital works, especially via the Internet, One of the most important needs is the ability to specify and enforce the intellectual property rights and other rights of content owners, consumers and other interested parties during the distribution and use of digital works. is there. Initiatives to meet this need include intellectual property rights management (IPRM), digital property rights management (DPRM), and intellectual property management (Intellectual Property Management). ), Rights management (RM)), and electronic copyright management (ECM), and collectively referred to herein as digital rights management (DRM). . There are a number of issues to consider when implementing a DRM system. For example, authentication, authorization, accounting, payment and financial settlement, rights assignment, rights verification, rights enforcement, and document protection issues should be addressed. Nos. 5,530,235, 5,629,980, 5,634,012, 5,638,443, 5,715,403 assigned to the assignee of the present invention. 6,233,684, and 6,236,971, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose DRM systems that address these and other issues.

  For example, US Pat. No. 5,634,012 discloses a system for controlling the distribution of digital documents. Each granting device has a repository associated with it. The predetermined set of usage transaction actions defines the protocol used by the repository to enforce the usage rights associated with the document. Usage rights persist with document content. The usage right can permit various usage methods of content such as browsing only, one-time use, and distribution. The right to use may be subject to payment or satisfaction of other conditions and variables. Conceptually, a repository can contain a set of functional specifications that define the core functionality. A repository can include a trusted system in that the repository can maintain physical integrity, communication integrity, and behavioral integrity. The repository may be removable or stationary, large or small, or portable, may be of any suitable shape such as a card or smart card, or other such as a microprocessor It may have functionality.

  The use and distribution of digital content, such as documents or other information that can be provided by a computer or other device, can be controlled using usage rights and conditions. This protects the rights of content owners while allowing digital content to be distributed in a flexible manner, and helps other content owners and other people who add value to the transaction Enable to create a flow. However, tangible items such as goods and services generally cannot be distributed in such a flexible manner.

  Auctions, reverse auctions, aggregation mechanisms, and other distribution models can be used to distribute goods and services in a more flexible manner. For example, US Pat. No. 5,897,620 matches destinations and unspecified times with airline flights to allow airlines to fill otherwise empty seats. A system for disclosing is disclosed. However, the disclosed system simply matches the traveler with the air ticket and does not generally allow for flexible distribution of various services and products.

US Pat. No. 6,041,308 provides conditional purchase offers (CPs) to the CPO management system for desired products.
Disclose a system to encourage buyers to submit Os)). The CPO management system processes each received CPO to determine whether one or more merchants are willing to accept a given CPO. Although this system can be applied to a wider variety of goods and services, the disclosed system is also merely a mechanism for matching buyers with sellers.

  Despite the new business models and techniques for selling various products and services as discussed above, the sale and exchange of products and services is still generally the legal theory and Depends on the relationship. For example, the parties to each transaction must ultimately agree, directly or indirectly, on parameters for delivering goods and services, such as price, quantity, and item identity. Thus, trade in goods and services can be restrained by legal and relationship issues. In addition, there is a need for business models and information technology systems to recognize the existence of stakeholders in addition to content owners and consumers.

  Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method that enables trading of goods and services that are not constrained by legal and relationship issues. Furthermore, there is a need for a system and method that recognizes stakeholders in addition to content owners and consumers. These and other needs are addressed by a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which provides an improved system and method for providing and managing rights claims. .

  Accordingly, in one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, there is a method for enforcing a rights indication specifying how to use an item, wherein a potential recipient of an item is the first item proposed by the recipient. An action designating a first right indication indicating how to use, an action designating a second right indication directed by the provider of the item to a second usage of the item proposed by the provider, and a first Apply a rule to the action to determine whether there is a correspondence between the right indication and the second right indication and the determined correspondence between the first right indication and the second right indication And a procedure for determining whether a recipient should be allowed to use the item.

  In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a system for enforcing a rights indication specifying how to use an item, the first use of an item proposed by a recipient of a potential recipient of the item Means for specifying a first rights indication indicating a method; means for specifying a second rights indication indicating a second method of use of the item proposed by the provider by the item provider; , Means for determining whether there is a correspondence between the first right indication and the second right indication, and the determined correspondence between the first right indication and the second right indication, There is provided a system comprising means for applying a rule to determine whether a recipient should be allowed to use the item.

  In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a method for enforcing a right to specify how to use an item, wherein the item recipient wants the recipient to use the item and the recipient uses the item. An action designating a first rights claim indicating at least one of the conditions, an action associating the rights notice with the item, a desired method of use of the item by the recipient, and a condition of use of the item by the recipient. A method of providing an item to a recipient based on at least one satisfaction.

  In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a system for enforcing a right to specify how an item is used, wherein the item recipient wants the recipient to use the item and the recipient uses the item. Means for designating a first rights claim indicating at least one of the conditions; means for associating the rights notice with the item; desired use of the item by the recipient and use of the item by the recipient There is provided a system comprising means for supplying an item to a recipient based on satisfaction of at least one of the conditions.

  In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a method for enforcing a rights indication specifying how to use an item, the repository specifying a rights indication indicating how to use the item in the repository, and a repository A method is provided that includes associating a rights claim with a repository. Usage is at least one of what actions the repository should take when the repository processes the item, and what actions the repository should take when the repository receives a request for an item. Direct one.

  In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a system for enforcing a rights indication specifying how to use an item, the means for specifying a repository rights indication that indicates how to use the item in the repository; And a means for associating a repository rights representation with the repository. The usage is at least one of what actions the repository should take when the repository processes the item, and what actions the repository should take when the repository receives a request for the item. Tell one.

  In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a system for enforcing a right indication specifying how to use an item, indicating at least one of the usage method and usage conditions of the item in the repository, A system is provided that includes one or more repositories with one or more rights indications associated therewith. The usage and terms of use include what actions the repository should take when the repository processes the item, and what actions the repository should take when the repository receives a request for an item. Instruct at least one of them.

  In another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention, a repository for use in a system for enforcing a rights indication that specifies how to use an item, associated with the repository and using the item in the repository And a processor module configured to process a rights indication that indicates at least one of the usage conditions, what action the repository should take when the repository processes the item, and the repository A determination module configured to determine at least one of what actions the repository should take when receiving a request based on a rights indication associated with the repository; A repository is provided.

  Still other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, by way of example only, of a number of preferred embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. It is easy to see. The invention is capable of other and various embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting.

1 illustrates a preferred Digital Rights Management system in which various preferred embodiments of the present invention can be implemented. FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred rights label that can be utilized within the preferred system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred license that can be utilized within the preferred system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred item ticket that can be utilized within the preferred system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. FIG. Fig. 2 illustrates a preferred Digital Rights Management system in which client and server repositories can create and associate usage rights. A preferred Digital Rights Management system in which multiple repositories associate multiple usage rights with an item is shown. Fig. 2 illustrates a preferred Digital Rights Management system in which a central control repository with associated usage rights controls the functions to be performed on an item. FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred repository that can be utilized within the preferred system of FIG. 1 and FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a preferred process for processing an item recipient's rights indication based on a rule and that can be utilized within the preferred system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a preferred process for processing item recipient and supplier rights representations and that may be utilized within the preferred system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a preferred process for processing a rights display associated with a repository and that can be utilized within the preferred system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7.

  The invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate like elements.

  Systems and methods for providing and managing entitlements have been described. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or with equivalent constructions. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.

  Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly, referring to FIG. 1 thereof, preferred digital rights management ( Although a Digital Rights Management) system 100 is shown, it is used in conjunction with the described preferred embodiment to specify, supply, and provide rights indications for enforcing usage rights associated with an item. Management, processing, etc. can be performed. In one preferred embodiment, the usage rights can include designation of the permitted usage of the item, which associates its use, such as digital content, software, services, merchandise, and resources. Can include any thing that can be controlled by a given usage right. Resources can include digital devices or portions thereof that can be controlled by associated usage rights. The rights indication may include any suitable indication of usage rights, such as a rights label, license, or fragment thereof. A rights label can include a pre-packaged set of usage rights that is not associated with a particular item. A license can include a pre-packaged set of usage rights, including an association with an item. eXtensible Rights Markup Language (XrML), eXtensible Access Control Controls (XACML), Open Digital Rights Language (ODRL), etc. Any suitable language that has syntax and semantics and that can be used to indicate usage rights can be included.

  In FIG. 1, a suitable Digital Rights Management system 100 can be used to specify and enforce property rights of items such as content, goods, services, and other items. In a preferred embodiment, a right to use a specified item can be provided according to enforceable property rights, eg, usage rights associated with the item. In another preferred embodiment, the usage rights can include a declarative designation of how to use the item, which is identifiable and enforceable through a software mechanism.

  A suitable Digital Rights Management system 100 may include a user activation module in the form of an activation server 110 that may issue a public and private key pair 112 to the user in a protected manner, for example. Can be included. During the boot process, information can be exchanged between the boot server 110 and a client environment 120 such as a computer or other device associated with the user, in which case the client environment 120 includes a client component 122. Can be downloaded, and installed.

  In one preferred embodiment, the client component 122 can be configured to prevent unauthorized operation and a set of public and private keys 112 issued by the activation server 110 as well as a protected item ticket 134. Other components may be included such as an engine for parsing or appending. In a preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 can be used to specify an item and, for example, thereby associate a license with a non-digital item, eg, a tangible item such as a product or service. Mechanisms can be included.

  Rights label 132 can be associated with item ticket 134 and can be used to specify usage rights and, for example, zero or more conditions that can be selected by the end user. In one preferred embodiment, the conditions can include the specification of one or more preconditions for exercising how the item is used. The license server 140 can be used, for example, to manage the encryption key 112 and issues a rights indication in the form of a license 142 for the exercise of property rights.

  In one preferred embodiment, the license 142 may embody the actual delivery of usage rights to the end user based on the usage rights selected from the rights label 132. For example, rights label 132 redeems item ticket 134 for an item, subject to payment of a $ 5 fee, and redeems or distributes item ticket 134 when a $ 10 fee is paid. The right to use can be included. Client component 122 can be used to interpret and enforce the usage rights specified in license 142. In one preferred embodiment, the devices and subsystems of a suitable Digital Rights Management system 100 can communicate with each other over a communications network 170.

  FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred rights label that can be utilized within the preferred system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. In FIG. 2, the rights label 132 can include multiple rights offers 202. Rights offer 202 can include usage rights 202a, conditions 202b, and ticket designations 202c. Ticket designation 202c may include any suitable mechanism for referencing, calling, finding, or otherwise designating item ticket 134 associated with rights offer 202. Rights label 132 can be displayed using an appropriate rights indication.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred license that can be utilized within the preferred system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. In FIG. 3, the rights display in the form of a license 142 includes, for example, a unique license identification (ID) 142a and a ticket designation that specifies, for example, usage rights, principals, conditions, state variables, and associated item tickets 134. A grant 142b may be included. The license 142 can also include a digital signature 142c, including any suitable encryption key, etc., for unlocking the item ticket 134.

  In one preferred embodiment, the usage rights can be used to specify a usage method. Usage methods can include the ability to use items in a specified manner over a specified period, buy items over a specified period, and so on. In a preferred embodiment, the usage rights can be bundled, used to specify transfer rights, such as distribution rights, allow the delivery of usage rights to others, or use rights It can be used to allow derivation, etc. Such usage rights may also be referred to as meta rights, which may include rights that can be manipulated, modified, etc. to derive other usage rights. Thus, a meta right is a right to use, use, grant, obtain, transfer, delegate, track, hand over, exchange, revoke, etc., the right to use it. Can be included. Meta rights can include the right to modify conditions associated with other rights. For example, meta-rights can include rights that extend or reduce the scope of certain rights. Meta rights can also include rights that extend or shorten the validity period of the rights.

  In a preferred embodiment, one or more conditions that can be satisfied to enforce a usage within specified usage rights can be utilized. For example, the conditions may include payment of fees, submission of personal data, or any other suitable requirement that is desired prior to authorizing usage. The condition can include an access condition. For example, access conditions may apply to a particular user population, such as a university student or a book club member. In a preferred embodiment, the condition may be that the user is a specific person or a member of a specific group. In one preferred embodiment, the rights and conditions can exist as separate entities or can be combined.

  In these preferred embodiments, in order to grant an item ticket 134 or to convert the item ticket 134 into a redeemable form for the item specified therein, several These conditions must be satisfied. In one preferred embodiment, other conditions can be applied to the redeemable form of ticket 134 and can be referred to as post-license conditions.

  In one preferred embodiment, state variables can be used to track dynamic states, conditions, etc. For example, state variables may include variables having values representing item status, usage rights status, license status, or other dynamic conditions. State variables can be tracked, for example, by the clearinghouse 160 or another device, based on the identification mechanism in the license 142 and ticket 134.

  In one preferred embodiment, the value of the state variable can be used in a condition. For example, the usage rights can include the right to redeem the item ticket 134 for a specified product, and the conditions can include the ability to exercise the usage rights three times. Each time the usage right is exercised, the value of the state variable can be increased. In one preferred embodiment, when the value of the state variable reaches 3, the condition can no longer be satisfied and the ticket 134 can no longer be redeemed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the state variable can include time. For example, the condition of the license 142 may specify that the item ticket 134 is redeemed within 30 days. The state variable can be used to track the expiration of the 30 day time limit. In a preferred embodiment, usage rights state changes can be tracked as a collection of state variables. Advantageously, a collection of such changes in the status of usage rights can be used to represent the usage history of such usage rights.

  In one preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 is used, for example, using a document creation application 138 installed on the computer 130 associated with the item distributor, content service provider or any other suitable party. Can be created. Creation of item ticket 134 can include, for example, actions that specify rights and values of any suitable condition or state variable that can redeem item ticket 134. Rights label 132 can be associated with item ticket 134 and item ticket 134 is protected using a cryptographic algorithm or any other suitable mechanism to prevent processing, granting, etc. of item ticket 134. can do.

  In one preferred embodiment, a rights language such as XrML, XACML, ODRL can be used to represent a rights indication that specifies rights, conditions, state variables, etc. for rights label 132. However, in another preferred embodiment, the rights and conditions can be specified in any suitable manner. Thus, the process of specifying rights refers to any suitable process that associates rights with tickets. The rights label 132 associated with the item ticket 134 and the encryption key used to encrypt the item ticket 134 can be transmitted over the communication network 170 to the license server 140.

  FIG. 4 shows a preferred item ticket that can be utilized within the preferred system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. In FIG. 4, the item ticket 134 may include an item reference 134a that can be used to specify an item, and a post-license condition 134b. In one preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 with the security mechanism unlocked may include human readable or computer readable coupons, codes, documents, and the like. Thus, the item ticket can include any suitable tangible or intangible indication of the item. Item ticket 134 can be used to specify one or more items. Thus, advantageously, usage rights and conditions are objects that are to be controlled, constrained, recorded, metered, charged, or monitored in any way for use, access, distribution or enforcement. Can be associated with any suitable item, including class, category, and service. Item ticket 134 and license 142 can therefore be used to define property rights.

  In a preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 can be linked to the corresponding item through the item reference 134a. Such linking can include any suitable type of association, such as a description, a pointer, etc. For example, the ticket 134 may include a unique code associated with the item through a database record. Once the code is presented to the vendor, the database can be searched and the corresponding item can be delivered. Item ticket 134 may also include a human readable description of the item, or any suitable post-license condition 134b that is not yet satisfied. For example, if a condition in the license 142 specifies that the item ticket 134 must be redeemed at some location or time, such condition is parsed and the post-license condition 134b as an item. The ticket 134 can be transferred.

  A preferred workflow for the preferred Digital Rights Management system 100 is a procedure in which a user working within the client environment 120 is activated by the activation server 110 to receive the item ticket 134. Can be included. The public / private key pair 112 and, for example, user / machine specific information can then be downloaded to the client environment 120 in the form of a client software component 122. In one preferred embodiment, the activation process can be implemented at any suitable time prior to issuance of license 142.

  In a preferred embodiment, the usage rights, conditions, state variables, etc. of the license 142 can be stored with or associated with the item ticket 134. For example, the item ticket 134 can include a reference to a usage right that can be stored elsewhere. If the user wishes to obtain a specific enforceable property right for an item, the user can request an item ticket 134, thereby specifying the item through the item reference 134a.

  In one preferred embodiment, the user uses a browser installed in the client environment 120 to browse a website operated on the web server 150a of the vendor 150, and corresponds to the item ticket 134, In addition, an item as specified in the item reference 134a can be requested. The user can examine the rights offer 202 in the rights label 132 associated with the item ticket 134 and can select the desired usage rights and conditions. During this process, the user can go through a series of actions to satisfy usage rights conditions, including, for example, fee transactions, other transactions such as collecting information, and the like.

  Once the appropriate conditions and other prerequisites such as fee collection and verification that the user has been activated are satisfied, the web server 150a may be used, for example, a channel using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), etc. The license server 140 can be contacted over a communication network 170 including a secure communication channel. The license server 140 can then generate a license 142 for the item ticket 134 and can download the item ticket 134 and the license 142 using the web server 150a.

  In a preferred embodiment, the license 142 can include usage rights 202a and conditions 202b selected from the rights label 132 of the item ticket 134 and downloaded from a computer associated with the vendor, distributor or other party. can do. In one preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 can be secured, for example, through encryption or other security mechanisms, and can be granted, accessed, etc., through rights display in the form of a license 142. The license can include a mechanism for unlocking the item ticket 134. In a preferred embodiment, any suitable mechanism for controlling access to documents can be utilized.

  The client component 122 in the client environment 120 can then interpret the license 142 and allow granting or other access of the item ticket 134 based on the rights and conditions specified in the license 142. . In one preferred embodiment, any suitable mechanism for interpreting and enforcing usage rights and associated systems and techniques may be utilized. The above processing can occur sequentially, almost simultaneously, or in various orders. For example, if the license 142 is configured to purchase items at a price of $ 10 within one month from the date of issue of the item ticket 134, the client component 122 will expire after one month. The item ticket 134 can be granted as a displayable or printable coupon for a simple purchase, in which case the price and due date data may be a post-license condition 134b. In a preferred embodiment, such a condition can be indicated in the granted or otherwise unlocked form of the item ticket 134 and can be identified when the item ticket 134 is redeemed. Can do.

  Advantageously, the preferred Digital Rights Management system 100 addresses the security aspects of the item ticket 134. For example, the preferred system 100 can be used to authenticate a license 142 issued by the license server 140. In one preferred embodiment, such authentication may include an application 122 configured to determine whether the license 142 can be trusted. For example, application 122 includes the ability to verify and validate signature 142c, such as a cryptographic signature or other identifying feature of license 142, using any suitable mechanism, algorithm or technique. It can be configured as follows. In another preferred embodiment, license 142 and item ticket 134 can be distributed from different entities.

  In one preferred embodiment, the clearinghouse 160 can be used to process payment transactions, validate payments prior to issuing a license, and the like. However, in other preferred embodiments, various other workflows can be utilized, various other parties can be included, and various other devices and architectures can be implemented to implement the workflow. Can be used.

  In one preferred embodiment, the distributor or other party can associate rights label 132 with item ticket 134. The rights label 132 can be registered with the clearing house 160 and stored in a repository such as a memory element associated with the clearing house 160. The item ticket 134 can be stored in a ticket repository such as a storage device associated with the distributor. In another preferred embodiment, rights label 132 and item ticket 134 may be stored on the same device or in a common file.

  In one preferred embodiment, when the license 142 is purchased, the private key 112 or other identifying information can be issued to the user. Payment for the item can be passed by the clearing house 160 from the user to the license server 140 or other party, who wants to purchase the property rights of the item from the user. Requests can be collected from other desired users. The clearinghouse 160 collects payment information such as debit transaction information, credit card transaction information, information about other electronic payment methods, and forwards the collected payments as a payment batch to the item's final provider. You can also.

  In one preferred embodiment, the clearinghouse 160 holds the payment share, and the distributor holds a portion of the batch payment from the item provider and forwards the payment to the item provider. be able to. The clearinghouse 160 can be used to determine the payments made to the parties in the item's revenue stream. The clearinghouse 160 acts as a transaction aggregator that can function to aggregate multiple transactions over a period of time, and advantageously, to the parties in an appropriate manner that reduces accounting costs. You can charge.

  In a preferred embodiment, the user requests an item ticket 134 corresponding to the desired item through the web server 150a, and the clearinghouse 160 has the conditions specified in the license 142 associated with the item ticket 134. Information such as credit card and billing authorization information, personal information, etc. can be provided. Authorization identification information such as a secret key acquired from the activation server 110 can also be submitted. Advantageously, the license 142 may allow the item ticket 134 to be decrypted so that the item ticket 134 can be used according to the usage rights specified in the license 142, or Otherwise, it can allow the security mechanism to be unlocked.

  In a preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 can be used to specify any suitable item, and is selected from the rights label 132 and embodied in the license 142 as a usage right 202a. When combined with, can represent an enforceable property right that can be exercised by redeeming the item ticket 134. Redemption of the item ticket 134 may include a procedure for presenting the granted coupon or code to the vendor electronically or physically. However, in other preferred embodiments, redemption of the item ticket 134 can take a variety of other forms and can include a variety of other processes. Accordingly, the redeeming action can include any suitable process or mechanism for converting the item ticket 134 to access the item.

  In one preferred embodiment, clear content 136, such as unprotected content, is installed on a computer 130 associated with a content publisher, content distributor, content service provider, or any other suitable party. It can be created using an application 138 such as a document creation application. The creation of clear content 136 includes the steps of specifying usage rights 202a and conditions 202b under which clear content 136 can be used, the steps of associating rights offer 202 with clear content 136, and for generating protected content. For example, a procedure for protecting the clear content 136 using an encryption algorithm may be included.

  In one preferred embodiment, rights languages such as XrML, XACML, QDRL may be used to specify rights offer 202. However, the rights offer 202 can be specified in any suitable manner. Actions that specify rights information can include actions that create, derive, or otherwise utilize information related to rights indications. In one preferred embodiment, the rights offer 202 may be in the form of a predefined specification, profile, template, etc. that can be associated with protected content. Thus, the process of specifying rights offer 202 can include any suitable process of associating rights, conditions, etc. with the content. The encryption key 112 used to encrypt the rights offer 202 and clear content 136 associated with the protected content can be sent to the license server 140 and ultimately by the client environment 120. Can be used.

  In a preferred embodiment, enforceable assets can be shown in terms of stocks or other market transactions. For example, property rights can include the right to buy or sell securities in advance or at a threshold. In one preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 can be used to specify 1000 shares of a particular company in the item reference 134a. The right to buy stock between two thresholds, such as at a specified future time, can be specified by usage rights and conditions. Item ticket 134 can also be used to specify the ability to change the type of stock, such as margin calls, common stock or preferred stock, the ability to convert stock options to regular stock, and the like. In one preferred embodiment, the usage rights can be associated with stocks in bankruptcy proceedings, for example, to determine who can be liquidated first and in how. The conditions of the bankrupt stock and the status of other parties such as creditors can be displayed as state variables, for example.

  In a preferred embodiment, the enforceable property can be shown in terms of real estate. For example, property rights of a physical property include a shareholder or property sharer relationship that has options to convert to other options, changes in ownership percentage, designations such as survivorship options, etc. Can be displayed. Advantageously, such ownership can be displayed as a usage right, and the physical property can be specified in the item reference 134a of the item ticket 134.

  In one preferred embodiment, the item reference 134a of the item ticket 134 can be used to specify professional services. For example, a user may pay only a fixed or variable self-payment for each visit, up to the maximum amount, at a designated dentist's office, one or more associated dentist's offices for one year. You can buy the right to go to the hospital. In one preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 can be used to designate a lawyer, accountant, etc., and the usage rights and conditions are limited to a period of limited use of the item, a fixed number of times, a specific number Can be used to specify a project or problem. In a preferred embodiment, the item reference 134a is used to pre-specify rights for services offered by the organization, including rights associated with intellectual property such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, etc. Can do. Advantageously, the preferred embodiment can be applied to software programmers, customer service representatives, training services, or other technical or non-technical services.

  A preferred embodiment can be utilized, for example, to allow a user to acquire a property right and then sell the property right to a third party, where such transfer is This is a case where the use of the license 142 associated with the item ticket 134 is authorized. Advantageously, the preferred embodiment is applicable to the mobility and liquidity of various types of assets that allow the expansion of the market concept to include the property rights of any suitable item. . For example, property rights can include an item ticket 134 that defines coupons, gift certificates, raindrops, currency certificates, returns, authorizations, etc., in which case the rights and conditions of the license 142 are associated with the redemption. Can do. In one preferred embodiment, the coupon can be configured to be awarded only after the condition is met. In another preferred embodiment, the post-license condition 134b can be displayed in a granted coupon.

  Preferred embodiments may have one or more attributes such as, for example, maturity date or due date, deposit certificate, checking account, wire transfer, email, direct debit, currency exchange, current or future interest rate Applicable to any suitable type of financial account or transaction, such as fixed points, points paid for loans or other fees, bonds, loans, secondary loans, and stocks. Item reference 134a can be used to specify such items, and license 142 can be used to specify the rights and conditions associated with access to such items. .

  Preferred embodiments are applicable to future tangible or intangible things or object rights, such as printed or electronic books, physical media, or electronic music. The license 142 usage rights and conditions can be used to limit the specified rights during or after a period of time, or to a predetermined number of units such as a CD or book unit. .

  In one preferred embodiment, property rights are specified for the distribution of property or other assets, for the provision of rights, services or benefits to people or entities and other things, and by item reference 134a. Can include a written will or a right displayed against the trust. Advantageously, access may be restricted to certain parties or in any other suitable manner, depending on usage rights and conditions.

  In one preferred embodiment, the property rights can include online services. For example, customized diet and vitamin calculations based on personal characteristics and data, stock quotes, interest rate and mortgage payment calculations, credit rating, identity verification, loan application and approval, online banking, investment advice, translation services Graphic design, advertising services, currency conversion and exchange, job placement, etc. can be specified by the item reference 134a of the item ticket 134. In one preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 may include an access code to an online service that can be used after the terms of the license 142 are met.

  In one preferred embodiment, the item provider or another designated party can specify the conditions for access to the corresponding item. For example, a user who wishes to obtain property rights for such an item will have to satisfy such conditions. In a preferred embodiment, such concepts can be utilized regardless of the direction or order in which information travels. For example, a user can supply conditions to a supplier within the license 142 and the supplier will not be able to make a sale without satisfying it.

  In a preferred embodiment, partial satisfaction of a condition can result in property rights or other results, but the property rights or other results are the same as if the conditions were fully satisfied. And may be different. For example, universities can collect and dispose of research materials, such as for archiving, for prosperity, or to make research materials available to students. Can be a recipient. The university can create a server site and people can upload materials there. However, universities may only want to accept information under certain conditions. For example, the university decides that only recognized expert invitees may be allowed to provide information, so that the provider will be the owner of the information and the provider will be off-peak You may have to explicitly agree that you can upload to the server in time. As a recipient, the university may have the right to specify any suitable transaction terms for receiving such information.

  If the provider of such information does not agree with the university's requirement that the university have ownership of such information, the university may still accept the work, but such information There is a possibility of changing the treatment of. For example, instead of making the information available to all students, access to such information can be restricted to a small number of people. In one preferred embodiment, the provider of such information can provide such information based on conditions that can be specified in the item ticket 134 and the recipient can do so. Conditions for accepting sensitive information can be provided. Thus, there can be multiple rights indications with usage rights and conditions associated with an item, in which case some of the rights and conditions can be satisfied, while other rights and conditions are satisfied. The plurality of rights indications may still result in an agreement based on matching rights conditions, such as an agreement for access to the work, purchase and sale.

  In a preferred embodiment, rights and conditions required by the first party and not prohibited by the second party, and required by the second party and not prohibited by the first party The rights and conditions can be combined to form agreed rights and conditions, such as terms and conditions under which access to the digital work is granted. However, in another preferred embodiment, a party may specify that a party will not agree to any transaction unless it is based solely on the rights and conditions that such party has raised. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the rights and conditions of another party can include prohibited rights and conditions.

  In one preferred embodiment, in addition to content owners, consumers, etc., the parties can include any suitable interested party, such as a parent or government. If one or more of the parties can match the scope, the right to use or conditions within the scope may also be specified so that there may still be an agreement based on the matches appearing within the scope. it can. For example, the dealer may specify that the dealer accepts offers from customers at prices in the range of $ 5 or more. In one preferred embodiment, the dealer can utilize techniques to keep the area hidden from the customer.

  Distributors of people, such as digital music, movies, etc., may be fully taught that wisdom self-interest may indicate that flexibility is the best policy. For example, a distributor can offer music for sale on free terms and conditions to sell in large quantities, and the distributor thinks the consumer will find it attractive You can offer music. If the consumer in general, or some subset of consumers, finds such terms and conditions unattractive, distributors can modify such terms to suit consumers Can be determined, and such modifications can be fully invited. For example, a distributor may offer a package of 10 songs for $ 1 and think that such an offer is an attractive offer for customers. However, if the customer wants to buy only one of those songs and is willing to pay 50 cents, the distributor may think that such terms are perfectly acceptable There is sex. In one preferred embodiment, the distributor can allow the customer to propose amendments to the rights and conditions that have been raised, propose new rights and conditions, or choose among alternatives. Can be specified. A transaction can be formed if the rights and conditions requested by the consumer are within parameters such as scope that are acceptable to the distributor. In one preferred embodiment, advantageously, the distributor can dynamically change the parameters to better match the requested rights and conditions.

  The preferred embodiment is applicable to customers who readily accept to receive promotional material regarding objects of interest to the customer. For example, a customer may wish to receive a travel brochure or the like. However, the customer may wish to control what information the customer receives and when and how the customer receives such information. Such business use is different from the distributor scenario, where the distributor may have valuable content such as popular songs, movies, etc. in demand. In contrast, promotional material providers may have to persuade people to accept such materials. Therefore, the position is reversed with respect to the bargaining power, and the proposed recipient can often dominate the rights and conditions. For example, the provider can decide to deliver all the desired rights for the content, few or no conditions, and satisfy all the transaction conditions required by the customer There is sex.

  A preferred embodiment may utilize a digital ticket, for example as further described in US Pat. No. 6,336,971. In a preferred embodiment, the digital ticket may include a digital token, etc., whose possession may be a condition for exercising the usage method specified in the usage rights. For example, for a preferred embodiment related to a university, the inviter can deposit information with the university if the inviter presents the appropriate digital ticket. In another preferred embodiment, a person can vote if he presents a digital ticket recognized by the election management committee. Digital tickets can be punched to ensure that double voting with the same ticket is not performed. In another preferred embodiment, the sender, if the sender presents a digital ticket, will send an email that does not meet the recipient's acceptance criteria (eg, the email exceeds the 1 kilobyte limit), Can be sent. In a preferred embodiment, the presence, possession, presentation, etc. of a digital ticket may be a condition for exercising the rights displayed by the usage rights.

  In a preferred embodiment, a Digital Rights Management system can be utilized in which access to digital resources can be controlled by rights indications. In general, in such a system, a rights indication specifying usage rights can be created and associated with an item in one repository, and another repository then to an item in a client-server relationship. You can request access to. In one preferred embodiment, a client-server relationship is provided, in which case the client and server repository can create a rights indication that specifies the rights label 132 and usage rights 202a, and the rights indication. Can be associated with an item. Once the rights label 132 and the item ticket 134 are created, the client environment 120 can send items, such as digital content, to the server for distribution or other purposes, as defined in the associated rights. Can be configured to send out.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred Digital Rights Management system 500 in which client and server repositories can create and associate usage rights. In FIG. 5, a digital work or other item 502 can be utilized, such as a movie, song, etc., for example in the form of digital content, but the preferred embodiment applies to any suitable type of item. Can do. The creator can specify the usage rights 504 for creating and associating the item 502 via the rights display. In one preferred embodiment, usage rights 504 and associated items 502 can be deposited in respective client repositories 506b and 506a. In another preferred embodiment, usage rights 504 and associated items 502 can be deposited in the same client repository 506, such as a common repository.

  In one preferred embodiment, repositories 506b and 506a may be the same or different physical devices. Repository 506 can initiate a session with server repository 508. Repository 506 or repository 506a may upload item 502 to server repository 508 along with associated usage rights 504 if usage rights 504 and item 502 are not in a common repository. In one preferred embodiment, the item 502 can be uploaded or otherwise sent before, after, or at the same time as the usage rights 504. For example, the item 502 can be uploaded after the server repository 508 is determined to accept access to it. Server repository 508 can check whether usage rights 504 specify that server repository 508 can access item 502. If the usage right 504 does not allow the server repository 508 to access the item 502, the server repository 508 can deny access or terminate the session. However, if the server repository 508 can access the item 502, the server repository 508 can perform the authorized actions requested by the client repository 506 according to the server usage rights 510.

  In one preferred embodiment, if the usage rights 504 do not allow the server repository 508 to access the item 502, the server repository 508 requests access and the server usage rights 510 that the server repository 506 requests. A session can be initiated with the repository 506 to specify. In another preferred embodiment, repository 506 can initiate such a session. If the client repository 506 agrees to such access, the access can be granted.

  In one preferred embodiment, the determination as to whether there is an access agreement is specified by the server repository 508 and rights and conditions that are not prohibited by the repository 506, specified by the repository 506, and the server repository 508. May be based on the rights and conditions of an agreement formed in combination with rights and conditions that are not prohibited by. However, in other preferred embodiments, other rules can be utilized. One or more of the client repository 506 and the server repository 508 can perform the function of determining whether there is consent, or both repositories do it and compare the results can do. In one preferred embodiment, the client repository 506 or server repository 508 initiates a request and may thus be the requesting repository. In one preferred embodiment, a particular usage right, request, or repository need not specify rights and conditions.

  In one preferred embodiment, after performing the requested action, the server repository 508 can provide feedback to the repository 506 based on the exercise of the requested action. In a preferred embodiment, such feedback may include the result of the requested action or an acknowledgment of receipt of the request.

  In one preferred embodiment, the rights and conditions for comparison can be generated in any suitable manner. For example, usage rights associated with a digital work or other item and one or more repositories can be utilized. However, in another preferred embodiment, it is not necessary to utilize usage rights. In a preferred embodiment, the usage rights associated with an item can be compared to the rights and conditions specified in the request from the requesting repository.

  In a preferred embodiment, a client repository in a client-server model can be configured to create usage rights and associate them with items such as digital works. In contrast, typical client-side repositories simply consume content distributed by server repositories and are generally not involved in creating usage rights. In one preferred embodiment, the item provider or another designated party can specify the conditions for access to the item and wishes to obtain property rights for such item. The user must satisfy such conditions. The preferred embodiment works equally well regardless of the direction or order in which the information moves. For example, a user can supply conditions to a supplier, and the supplier cannot sell without satisfying such conditions. Accordingly, the preferred embodiment provides the ability to create rights associated with a client repository.

The preferred embodiment is applicable in a scenario where ten law firms file a lawsuit and team as a consortium to divide profits such as commission fees. For example, a law firm may want a law firm to provide documentation and other information and share the cost of maintaining such information. A law firm may wish to maintain information in a central repository, such as central repository 706. Thus, such a consortium needs to put information into and out of the central repository. The consortium is metadata that has been approved for search, in an agreed format, such as the Adobe PDF format, where the information deposited or entered in the repository is deposited by an authorized person. I want to ensure that certain conditions are met, such as being scanned for viruses by appropriate software, such as tagged, not too many bytes, or Symantectec virus software there is a possibility. Law firm consortium
You can also request that you pay $ 1 for each document deposited.

  In a preferred embodiment, a law firm consortium may have a list or class, called Class A, that includes depositors who pay $ 1 per deposit or per period. There may be a second class called class B, where the depositor pays $ 2.50 per deposit, and more classes C-N with variable or gradual payment schemes. In addition, there may be a class M1 which means a depositor who has to pay $ 1 for each deposit and a class M2 which means a depositor who has to pay $ 2.50. Therefore, depending on the usefulness of the class for the entire consortium, or based on an overall rating, or a pre-determined rule or contract, the consortium may make payments or conditions in both directions for different classes. Can be set.

In a preferred embodiment, for example, “METHOD AND APPARATUS for dynamically assigning usage rights to digital works” filed May 31, 2001.
No. 09 / 867,745, the co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 09 / 867,745 assigned to the assignee of the present invention, referred to as "FOR DYNAMICALLY ASSIGNING USAGE RIGHTS TO DIGITAL WORKS". The direction or condition can be changed based on dynamic conditions, such as based on interest rates. Advantageously, preferred embodiments can be used to implement the above-described invention.

  In a preferred embodiment in connection with a law firm, when an item for deposit is presented, usage rights can be assigned to the central repository to teach the central repository what to do. In another preferred embodiment, the user influences the results in combination with dynamic rights and dynamic conditions, for example, based on user preferences, via the user interface, as time passes. The relative weight of dynamic conditions can be changed.

  In one preferred embodiment, a law firm wishing to deposit information can create items to be deposited, including content such as deposited manuscripts, rights labels 132, and protected item tickets 134. . The license server 140 can check to determine if the conditions established by the consortium for the deposit have been fulfilled, and if so, can permit the deposit of information to the central repository. The $ 1 deposit fee can be collected via the clearinghouse 160, withdrawn from a deposit account, or settled by some other means, for example.

  In a preferred embodiment, authorization for a deposit can be denied if the corresponding conditions for the deposit are not met. However, in another preferred embodiment, if the condition is not met, the authorization for the deposit may be denied, but the corresponding item is deposited in temporary storage for a fixed or indeterminate period. If the conditions are met during that time, the item can be transferred and deposited in the main or central repository.

  In one preferred embodiment, information can move from many sources to a central source, such as when a university collects research material. Any suitable rights and conditions that the provider may designate as terms and conditions for the provider to give information to the university are the rights and conditions applicable by the university to the agreement to receive the information and As conditions, they can be specified equally. This concept provides a right to be free from being supplied, or to specify conditions of capability that are considered to be provided, unless something is supplied based on agreed terms of receipt. Can be called. Accordingly, law firm consortiums and universities have established rules that agree to receive information, and the rules are configured to enforce such rules, FIGS. 1 and 5-7. Can be implemented by any suitable Digital Rights Management system.

  Thus, the preferred embodiment is applicable to supplying digital content to law firms, universities, etc., but can also be applied to supplying any suitable item to any other suitable entity. In one preferred embodiment, the supplied items can include an item ticket 134. In another preferred embodiment, the supplier can be configured to be satisfied with the rules established by a recipient, such as a customer, and that is the preferred system of FIG. 1 and FIGS. It can be performed via a Digital Rights Management system.

  Advantageously, the preferred embodiment may be useful for scientific articles deposited for magazine or conference presentations. For example, a magazine or meeting may have one or more editors and / or collaborators. Thus, there may be multiple review actions and a hierarchy of authority for review and edit between the editor and reviewer, and advantageously, an appropriate rights statement Can be specified. Depositors may view usage rights, conditions, privileges, assignment rights, voting, veto rights, edit rights, security levels, internal comments, or the ability to hide comments, comment integration, The use of different size keys for encryption, revocation rights, control over the direction of information flow, etc. can be specified. Thus, the preferred embodiment can also be applied to newspaper editors and journalists who work for newspaper companies as temporary or permanent employees and have different levels of security, access, modification or editing privileges.

  The preferred embodiment is applicable to receiving electronic mail. For example, a recipient of an email can specify that the email is not received unless the email satisfies certain conditions within an appropriate rights display. In a preferred embodiment, the recipient may receive an e-mail message that is 200 characters in length, cannot exceed 1 kilobyte in size, or cannot have an attachment, or @name. It can be specified that it must not come from a sender in the net domain. In a preferred embodiment, the rights indication specifies that the email must not be an item that does not meet the above criteria unless the sender has permission to deviate from the stated rules. Can be used to do. In one preferred embodiment, the recipient must have certain parameters, such as the email must be less than 1 kilobyte, but other constraints are imposed by the person granted such permission. It can be specified that it can be avoided.

  In one preferred embodiment, voting on the Internet can be enabled via a corresponding rights display. For example, the state may choose to go and vote on a voting day, or use Internet voting technology instead of sending absentee ballots. It is necessary to ensure that only registered voters vote and that they cast their votes in the proper constituencies that can be specified in the corresponding rights claim. Can be specified in the right display. Voters may access and vote on the election management committee site only if they have permission and only if they are voting within the election they are entitled to vote, , Can be specified in the corresponding rights display. The voter's right to provide votes to the Election Commission may be subject to fulfillment of conditions established by the Election Commission, as specified in the corresponding rights statement.

  In another preferred embodiment, the rights indication is such that the voter can exist in any of a number of suitable designated locations and once the voter has reached it, A displayable or printable coupon that contains the information necessary to ensure that you are eligible for voting within that particular election and that the coupon can only be used once Can be used to specify that can be presented. In one preferred embodiment, such coupons can be presented at an unattended kiosk and personal identification is used to ensure that the presenter is a voter entitled to vote. Security measures such as number (PIN) and biometrics can be used. In another preferred embodiment, such coupons are in electronic form and can be present on a portable device or the like.

  In one preferred embodiment, if the voter is not authorized, the kiosk uses biometrics as a way to identify unauthorized parties, acting as if there were no problems, Discard the vote and notify the authorities of the trap or hacking attempts, property damage, brute force intrusion, etc. However, the preferred embodiment can be applied to any suitable type of situation where there are unauthorized attempts and can be used as a security measure.

  In one preferred embodiment, the server repository 508 and the client repository 506 can create usage rights and be associated with an item 502, such as a digital work or other item. Thus, the preferred system 500 can be used to perform partial satisfaction of a condition that can result in property rights or other results, but the property rights or other results are not It may be the same or different compared to being satisfied. For example, if the server repository 508 checks whether the server repository 508 has the right to access the item 502, such a check is made in light of the server usage rights 510 associated with the server repository 508. be able to. Server usage rights 510 can be used to specify conditions under which server repository 508 agrees to accept item 502 from client repository 506. Thus, if the usage rights 504 provided by the client repository 506 grant access and the usage rights 510 associated with the server repository 508 also allow the server repository 508 to access the item 502, the server repository 508 , Access to item 502 may be granted.

  In one preferred embodiment, such conditions can be dynamic conditions and state variables can be used to track such potentially dynamic state conditions. State variables can include variables having values that represent the status of items, usage rights, licenses or other dynamic conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the value of the state variable can be used in the condition.

  Although the preferred system 500 of FIG. 5 is described in terms of a client device repository 506 and a server device repository 508, in another preferred embodiment, the role of the repository can be reversed, and any The repository can also operate in both client and / or server mode. Thus, storing usage rights or items or digital works, initiating sessions, uploading and checking usage rights and other functions may be any suitable including, for example, another or any suitable number of other repositories. Can be executed by the repository.

  In one preferred embodiment, a user working with a personal computer (PC) such as the client repository 506 can create an item 502 such as a word processing document. The user may wish to convert the word processing document 502 to a document in another format, such as Adobe PDF format, but the user's PC lacks software to perform such conversion. there is a possibility. However, in one preferred embodiment, the publicly available server repository 508 can be configured to provide a service for converting a word processing format to another format. Such a service can be performed, for example, provided that the user pays a $ 1 fee, as specified in server usage rights 510.

  A user at the client repository 506 then allows the specified server repository 508 only to access the word processing document 502 and uses rights 504 for the purpose of converting the word processing document 502 to another format. Can be created and associated with the word processing document 502. Server repository 508 can then access word processing document 502 and associated usage rights 504. Server repository 508 can then check whether server repository 508 has the necessary rights to access word processing document 502.

  If the server repository 508 has such a right, the server repository 508 can proceed to a process of converting the word processor document 502 into a document of another format after determining from the usage right 504. Server repository 508 then associates usage rights 510 with the converted document, and the user is thereby granted full access to the converted document, subject to a $ 1 fee.

  In another preferred embodiment, the server repository 508 can request a $ 1 payment prior to conversion of the word processing document 502 to another format. Such requirements can be associated with the server repository 508 via usage rights 510, and the server repository 508 can retrieve the word processing document 502 from the client repository 506 for the purpose of the server repository 508 performing the conversion. Conditions that are allowed to be accepted can be checked. Server repository 508 can then determine that a $ 1 payment is required, and server repository 508 can perform a conversion to another format if the $ 1 is paid.

  In a preferred embodiment, multiple repositories can each be used to assign usage rights to a particular item, or a single repository assigns usage rights to items on multiple occasions. be able to. The assigning repository can be controlled by one or more entities or stakeholders. The usage rights may be cumulative. For example, in the case of a digital work in the form of a movie file, music file, etc., first create a usage right that allows the studio to view the movie file, for example, five times within a period of 30 days. Can do. The customer can then retrieve the movie file using the associated usage rights. After 29 days, the studio can decide to offer the customer a new transaction and allow the customer unlimited viewing of the movie file for one year.

  Thus, a transaction using any suitable method, such as a transaction through an Internet site, can be executed between the studio and the customer, and the movie held by the customer is associated with the second Can have one usage right and the customer can exercise either one of these usage rights. In a preferred embodiment, the first usage right may effectively be a subset of the second usage right, so effectively the second usage right is the right that the customer has for the movie file, Can be defined.

  However, in other preferred embodiments, multiple usage rights need not be subsets of each other. For example, the first usage right acquired by the customer may be for browsing five times within an unlimited period. In the first 29 days, if the customer uses 2 of those 5 views, the customer can then start using unlimited viewing rights in the next year, and When that right expires, the customer can still leave three views in the first usage right.

  In a preferred embodiment, the studio may specify that the customer must waive the first usage right as a condition for the customer to receive the second usage right. In another preferred embodiment, the first use right or intervention use right cannot be associated with any other use right, or a further use right is granted unless certain conditions are met. Can be used to specify that it cannot be assigned.

  FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred Digital Rights Management system 600 in which multiple repositories associate multiple usage rights with an item. In FIG. 6, repository 602 creates usage rights 604 and associates usage rights 604 with item 602, such as a digital work or other item. Repository 606 can then create two usage rights 608 and 610 and associate usage rights 608 and 610 with item 602. Usage rights 608 and usage rights 610 can be generated at the same time or at different times. In a preferred embodiment, one of the usage rights 608 or 610 may be a subset of the other usage rights 608 or 610, or the usage rights 608 and 610 may be different from the other, respectively. 604 may include different usage right information.

  In a preferred embodiment related to accessing an item 612 in the form of a movie file, music file, etc., the repository 606 can be controlled by a movie studio, and usage rights 608 allows the movie file 612 to be within 30 days. Can be allowed to browse five times. Thereafter, usage rights 610 may be issued by a studio that allows unlimited viewing over a period of one year. In one preferred embodiment, the studio creates rights to distribute the studio's movies, including the right to create a business deal with the distributor and provide usage rights to the owner of the movie file 612, for example, preferred Can be given to distributors through various meta rights. In one preferred embodiment, the distributor can maintain control of the repository 602.

  After a period of more than one year has passed since the customer acquired usage rights 604 and the customer has ceased all rights under usage rights 608, the customer is entitled to a movie, subject to a $ 2 payment. Know that the distributor is offering to provide usage rights that allow the file 612 to be viewed an unlimited number of times. The customer can then initiate a transaction with repository 602, pay a $ 2 fee, and obtain usage rights 604 associated with movie file 612. Thus, movie file 612 can have usage rights 604, 608, and 610 associated with it, in which case the rights granted by two of the usage rights have expired. However, in another preferred embodiment, zero or more of usage rights 604, 608, and 610 may be active at the same time.

  In a preferred embodiment, a user, such as a customer, may be allowed to exercise any of a plurality of usage rights that the user has and the user has chosen to exercise. Advantageously, such a free approach can be particularly adapted to the business-consumer situation. For example, a consumer who has two item tickets that allow rental of a car at two prices can choose the lowest price or the least restrictive item ticket. In a preferred embodiment, a customer who owns a copy of a song file, movie file, etc. can choose the right to play the file at no cost instead of the right to play the file in exchange for a fee. In a preferred embodiment, any suitable system and method can be utilized to automatically select the best usage rights, or the user can obtain the desired rights, eg, through human intervention. Or the user can select rules or preferences to allow the system to automatically make decisions for rights selection based on such rules or preferences. Can be specified.

  In another preferred embodiment, a constrained system can be provided that can generally be utilized in a business, government, or other corporate environment. In a preferred embodiment, the use of the system can be granted based on the most restrictive usage rights.

  In another preferred embodiment, the permutations of free systems and constrained systems can include systems where access can be based on the most restrictive right unless certain conditions are met. In another preferred embodiment, a system can be provided in which access is based on the most liberal rights unless certain conditions are met. In a preferred embodiment, such conditions can include the presentation or presence of a digital ticket, or a lack thereof. In a preferred embodiment, such a condition may be a dynamic condition that is tracked by a state variable or the like.

  In a preferred embodiment, the constrained system can include a system in which multiple usage rights are a subset of each other and only a minimum set of usage rights can be exercised. A system that enforces rights management can make a choice as to which usage rights are applied, and thus reverse the situation determined by the customer. In one preferred embodiment, such selection can include human intervention, rules or combinations thereof, in which case the usage rights associated with the repository according to the preferred embodiment can be utilized. In a preferred embodiment, if there are multiple usage rights and / or conditions and some are inconsistent with other usage rights and / or conditions, the result is based on the matching rights, It may be an agreement such as access to the work or an agreement on purchase and sale.

  In a preferred embodiment, usage rights can be associated with a repository. For example, usage rights 504 can be assigned to an item 502 such as a digital work or other item, and server usage rights 510 can be assigned to a server repository 508. In one preferred embodiment, usage rights 510 associated with repository 508 can then be combined or associated with item 502. However, such association with item 502 may be optional.

  In one preferred embodiment, repository 508 may have one or more usage rights 510 associated with it. Advantageously, usage rights 510 can be used to inform the repository which usage rights can be associated with item 502, including, for example, rights and / or conditions, and Such usage rights need not be the same as usage rights 510 associated with repository 508.

  In a preferred embodiment, server repository 508 can assign or hand over server usage rights 510 to specific items 502, such as digital works or other items. In one preferred embodiment, the functionality of the server repository 508 can include the ability to associate usage rights with the item 502. Thus, once associated, the item 502 is a usage right (if any), such as a usage right assigned by the repository 508 and a usage right 504 associated with the item 502 prior to encountering the item 502 with the repository. Etc. and may have one or more usage rights associated therewith. Such assignment of usage rights can be done by any suitable method. In a preferred embodiment, the usage rights associated with the repository can then be combined with the items as in the case of usage rights previously associated with such items.

  Advantageously, server usage rights 510 associated with repository 508 may be used to allow server repository 508 to know what to do when server repository 508 encounters item 502. it can. In one preferred embodiment, the server usage rights 510 associated with the server repository 508 tell the server repository 508 what the server repository 508 can and cannot do. Can be used. In one preferred embodiment, such usage rights need not be permanently associated with item 502.

  In one preferred embodiment, the concatenation of the usage rights 504 associated with the item 502 and the usage rights 510 associated with the repository 508 may be transitional, e.g., intent regarding what functions to perform. It may exist long enough to allow analysis of various types of usage rights so that decisions can be made. Usage rights 510 associated with repository 508 send item 502 or information about item 502 or usage rights 504 associated with item 502 to another location such as a network, node, router, other repository, It can then be used to make a decision or to send item 502 there by another route.

  In another preferred embodiment, the item 502 need not be sent to such a location, but rather can refer to that location for determination, in which case item 502 or its associated use Information about rights 504 can be sent. Similarly, usage rights associated with item 503 may be used to send item 502 or other such information to another such location. In another preferred embodiment, the usage rights are such that the item 502 must not be sent to a location, should refer to such a location, or cannot go further than a specified location. That can be used to specify

  In one preferred embodiment, the usage rights 510 associated with the repository 508 allows the repository 508 to grant any suitable item 502, such as a digital work or other item presented in the repository 508. It can be used to notify the repository 508. In another preferred embodiment, the usage rights 510 associated with the repository 508 specify that the repository 508 can perform any suitable action requested by the repository 508, for example, except grants. Can be used for In another preferred embodiment, usage rights 510 include grants, except that repository 508 is restricted from actions that grant certain types of files, such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) files. Can be used to specify that the repository 508 can take any suitable action requested.

  Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the usage rights 510 can be configured to be forgiving, for example to allow everything, or almost anything, or, for example, only JPEG files It can be constrained, allowing grants. It should be noted that usage rights 510 can belong to repository 508, while other usage rights, such as usage rights 504, can belong to item 502. Thus, the combination of usage rights 504 (if any) belonging to item 502 and usage rights 510 (if any) belonging to repository 508 can be used to determine what is allowed. Preferred embodiments thus include the preferred systems and methods described herein, in which a repository can associate, pass, etc. usage rights to items.

  In one preferred embodiment, repository actions can be applied to a particular digital work or item, or to a group or class of such digital work or items. In one preferred embodiment, the usage rights can be used to specify that the repository can perform the requested operation, eg, based on certain conditions being met. In a preferred embodiment, such conditions can be dynamic and can be based on state variables and the like. For example, a repository may be allowed to perform operations on items when there is a digital ticket corresponding to such items. In a preferred embodiment, a repository has a certain watermark, or is signed in a certain way, or otherwise in some way, depending on the usage rights associated with it. With respect to items that are identifiable, an action may be notified to perform. Such identification can be based on factors such as the type of item, such as a video file, music file, source of the item, such as from a trusted source, or any other suitable factor.

  In one preferred embodiment, the association of usage rights to the repository can be used to determine actions that can be performed on the item. In a preferred embodiment, any suitable item can be presented to the repository, and the repository can determine whether it can perform the requested action on that item. it can.

  Thus, according to one preferred embodiment, the thing being managed and controlled is a repository. Repository usage rights may be controlled beyond the usage rights associated with the item. For example, if the usage rights associated with an item specify actions that are not allowed, while the usage rights associated with the repository stipulate that such actions are allowed, the result is It may be that the repository performs such an action. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the repository usage rights advantage may be in a default mode. However, in other preferred embodiments, the repository usage rights can yield to the item usage rights, or the repository usage rights can be based on certain conditions specified in the usage rights, or On certain occasions specified within the rights, you can yield to the item usage rights.

  In another preferred embodiment, the thing being managed and controlled is an item. In one preferred embodiment, the usage rights associated with such an item may specify that the operation can be performed, for example, by some sort of one or more repositories. In a preferred embodiment, the usage rights are a grant of multiple rights and that some subset of such rights can be performed by some kind of repository, or all rights are Can be used to specify what must be done by a specified repository of seeds. This concept can be viewed as a condition regarding the rights associated with the item.

  In a preferred embodiment, the usage rights associated with the item do not need to grant any particular right or specify any particular condition, but rather direct the item to the repository or the repository It can function to refer to. In a preferred embodiment, repository usage rights can define and determine what actions are allowed for such items. Accordingly, usage rights associated with an item can be used to present or direct the item to one or more designated repositories. In another preferred embodiment, one or more of such pointers can be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the item or information about the item can go to any of the appropriate places permitted by such pointers, or where it will allow the requested action. Can be used to try to find.

  In a preferred embodiment, through appropriate usage rights, the company grants the right to grant digital documents in a central repository, such as the company's technical resource library, such as by browsing or printing, It can be configured to be delivered to a person. In one preferred embodiment, such usage rights are such that a scientist is not allowed any other action, such as transferring a downloaded document, but for example downloading a copy from a central repository to a personal computer. Can be used to specify that rights can be granted. Advantageously, after one year, the company can make a business decision that authorizing such printing was not a good idea, and through a modified usage right It can be specified that such printing is no longer permitted, and that such rules are applicable to documents previously downloaded to the scientist's personal computer.

  In one preferred embodiment, when a scientist accesses a digital document in a technical resource library, the usage rights associated with the document include, for example, viewing the document, printing the document, and document It can be used to allow one copy to be downloaded to a scientist's personal computer. In one preferred embodiment, the downloaded copy of the document can include usage rights to view and print the document associated with it. In a preferred embodiment, such usage rights can also be used to specify that printing rights can be exercised on an authorized grantor repository, such as a designated printer. In another preferred embodiment, such usage rights may specify that documents can be printed on a group of authorized printers, such as printers on a corporate network.

  Thus, if a scientist presents a document to a printer that is not authorized to grant, the scientist does not have the right to print on the unauthorized printer, so printing is not performed. However, when the document is presented to an authorized printer, such as a printer on a corporate network, the document can be printed. In one preferred embodiment, an attempt is made to access an unauthorized printer, or some type of printer, or generally an unauthorized repository, or a repository so designated by usage rights or system design. The item and / or usage rights can then be confiscated or retained for machine or human intervention and a report can be made regarding the attempt. Thus, according to the preferred embodiment, the condition for exercising rights is that the item is not presented in an unauthorized repository, and optionally what results from unauthorized presentation Can be specified using a usage right.

  In one preferred embodiment, one or more authorized printers may have usage rights associated with it. Initially, the usage rights associated with one or more authorized printers allowed the printing of digital documents having usage rights associated with it that allowed printing. However, once a company has made a decision to prohibit printing such documents from a technical resource library, advantageously, the company has a usage right associated with one or more authorized printers. Can be changed. In a preferred embodiment, such changes may be general changes, such as prohibiting printing of all documents, or have certain characteristics, or appropriate authorization such as digital tickets. It may be a specific change, such as prohibiting printing of a document without accompanying.

  Thus, when a scientist attempts to print a document, the printer can check the usage rights associated with it and determine that the document presented to the printer is not allowed to print. Can do. Advantageously, in the preferred embodiment, the company does not have to search for a copy of the document, change the usage rights already associated with the document, or take other actions. Document printing can be successfully prevented. In addition to printer applications, the preferred embodiments can be applied in a general manner to perform various other types of other applications, including, for example, a wide variety of transactions and rights.

  In a preferred embodiment, the repository need not be a single set of functional specifications, and need not be a single device or software program, or resident in it. Thus, a repository can include a virtual repository including, for example, multiple computers, printers, storage devices, fax machines, processing devices, and the like. Such a virtual repository can be viewed as turning multiple devices or functionality into a single virtual device or functionality. For example, a home network can be configured as a single repository, can take advantage of the capabilities of a distributed computing scheme, and can include multiple repositories connected within a trust zone. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the repository with usage rights may be a repository that can include a virtual repository. In a preferred embodiment, if such a virtual repository has usage rights associated with it, can other repositories in the group, including the virtual repository, have their usage rights? Alternatively, each such usage right can be derived from another repository, such as another repository in the group, a central node of a virtual repository, or a central control repository.

  In a preferred embodiment, the central control repository can be used in conjunction with various other repositories, item types, actions, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the usage rights associated with an item can point to or refer to such a repository and constitute or include a pointer. In a preferred embodiment, the central control repository is connected to a specific network such as a printer, router, computer, music player, email server, copier, storage repository, video player, DVD media player, etc. through a communication network such as communication network 170. You can connect to other repositories or devices that can perform the function. In a preferred embodiment, the central control repository can be utilized as a virtual repository.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a preferred Digital Rights Management system 700 in which a central control repository having usage rights associated therewith controls the functions to be performed on an item. In FIG. 7, usage rights 702 associated with an item 704, such as a digital work or other item, can be used to point to the central control repository 706. In one preferred embodiment, usage rights 702 associated with item 704 can refer to central control repository 706 as a place to specify what usage rights belong to item 704. In another preferred embodiment, usage rights 702 can be used to define usage rights belonging to item 704, but such rights can only be exercised through central control repository 706, and Can be used to further specify. References to the central control repository 706 can be viewed as a condition regarding the right to exercise the rights specified in the usage right 702.

  In a preferred embodiment, the central control repository 706 may have usage rights 708 associated with it that control the actions, functions, etc. that the repository 706 is authorized to perform. In one preferred embodiment, usage rights 708 may be of any suitable type, including, for example, general in nature, or specific in nature, or intermediate usage rights therebetween. For example, the general usage right 708 includes an action to reject printing of an item 704 such as a document or a usage right associated with the item 704 even when the usage right 702 associated with the item 704 permits printing. Even if the e-mail transmission is permitted, if the item 704 is larger than 1 megabyte, a process of not permitting the routing of the item 704 such as an e-mail to the e-mail server 718 may be included.

  In one preferred embodiment, a particular usage right 708 is a movie file even if the right to view the usage right 702 associated with the item 704 has expired because the time allowed for viewing has expired. , Including allowing the user to upgrade the usage rights 702 of the item 704, such as a music file, and allowing the item 704 to be viewed. In a preferred embodiment associated with a technical resource library, usage rights 708 can be used to specify that certain identified documents from the technical resource library cannot be printed. .

  In one preferred embodiment, the central control repository 706 may use the right 708 and right 702 of the item 704 to determine, for example, what functions are allowed and what action to take. Can be configured to analyze. In a preferred embodiment, if a request to perform a function or action is not allowed, such a request can be denied. However, if the requested function or action is allowed, or if some of the requested functions or actions are allowed, the central control repository 706 may request the requested function or action. Requests can be routed to a repository or other device authorized to execute. In another preferred embodiment, the central control repository 706 may be authorized and capable of performing a given function, in which case it is not necessary to utilize a routing action.

  Thus, according to one preferred embodiment, when a print function is requested, the central control repository 706 can route the request to the printer 710 or 712. Advantageously, the request can be routed to any suitable printer requested. However, if either usage right 702 or 708 specifies printing on one or more specified printers, such as printer 710, the request is routed to one or more authorized printers. can do.

  In another preferred embodiment, if both a printed copy and a digital copy are requested, the request is routed to a printer 710 and a repository 716 that can perform the function of creating the digital copy. Can do. In a preferred embodiment, when attempting to exercise unauthorized rights, the item and / or usage rights are confiscated or retained for machine or human intervention and the Results such as reporting on attempts, or other results can be produced. Thus, using usage rights, the conditions for exercising the rights specify that unauthorized actions are not attempted and, optionally, the consequences of unauthorized attempts. be able to.

  In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the repositories 710-720 may have usage rights (not shown) associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment, there may be as many layers as the system designer desires to perform. For example, the email server 718 is specific to the email server 718 and uses associated with it to define what the email server 718 can and cannot do Can have rights.

  In one preferred embodiment, for example, the usage rights associated with email server 718 may be the email server even if usage rights 702 associated with central control repository 706 and item 704 do not prohibit processing of item 704. 718 can prevent such processing. For example, a repository that performs the copy function 716 via the appropriate usage rights associated with it can make a copy, based on a determination by the central control repository 706 based on the action analyzing usage rights 702 and 708. Regardless, it may be configured to impose conditions on making such a copy, such as refusing to make a copy of item 704, or paying a $ 1 fee, for example. In other preferred embodiments, one or more of the repositories 710-720 can be configured as a virtual repository.

  In one preferred embodiment, a usage right associated with one repository, eg, a copier repository 716, and a usage right associated with another repository, eg, a usage right 708 associated with a central control repository 706, include: If there is a conflict, can result in a conflicting transaction, or does not consistently trade with the same transaction, for example, the copy repository 716 rejects the print, but the central control repository usage right 708 is If you do not reject the print, but do not explicitly allow the print, you can make a decision to eliminate the sovereignty of each use right, for example, based on one or more rules .

  In a preferred embodiment, the repository can perform functions if, for example, the repository or item is configured in a particular way. For example, an artist may want to allow a black and white version of an item 704, such as an artist's digital work, including art, for example, but want to prohibit printing a color version. Usage rights 702 associated with item 704 may define that item 704 can only be printed on a black and white printer. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the conditions are used to ensure that the printer 712 is configured in some manner, for example, the printer 712 is configured to print item 704 only in a grayscale format. be able to. For example, such a condition may specify that the presence of a black only print cartridge in the printer 712 should be detected. In one preferred embodiment, the cartridge can be identified in any suitable manner, including identification of the presence of hardware or firmware elements, such as, for example, via a CRUM technique for identifying print cartridges. .

  In one preferred embodiment, such conditions specify that an item 704 can be printed if a particular type of print cartridge, such as a particular manufacturer's print cartridge, is present in the print repository 712. Can be used for In a preferred embodiment, a condition specifying the presence of a particular print cartridge is associated with one or more of item 704, printer repository 712 or central control repository 706 via corresponding usage rights. Can do. In another preferred embodiment, the condition can be used to specify that printing is allowed only if authorized, such as by presenting a digital ticket or the like. The preferred embodiment can advantageously be applied to any suitable repository or sub-repository configuration, such as a repository that in some way depends on another repository.

  In one preferred embodiment, item 704 need not have usage rights associated with it, in which case usage rights analysis by central control repository 706 is that of usage rights 708 associated with it. It may be. In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the central control repository 706, or other repositories 710-720, includes metadata, file type, file size, presence of appropriate digital tickets, watermarks or Other attributes relating to item 704 may be inspected and analyzed, such as security indicators, absence of tampering, or any other suitable feature. One or more of such features may be used as part of an action to determine which of the repositories 706 and 710-720 can process the item 704. it can. For example, if the determined characteristic of the item 704, such as a music file or movie file, is that the size of the item 704 exceeds 1 megabyte, the determination is made regardless of whether an email transmission is requested by the user. , Item 704 may not be emailed.

  In a preferred embodiment, if usage rights are associated with a repository, the usage rights need not be associated with an item, such as a digital work or other item. For example, an item can have a pointer or reference to where to go to find out what can be done with the item. In a preferred embodiment, such a location may be a repository, which may have usage rights associated with it. In another preferred embodiment, a repository to which an item can be pointed is an authorized place to go to assign usage rights to the item, or go to another repository to be routed differently It may be a place to be.

  Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, things that are coupled to or associated with an item, such as a digital work or other item, determine what can be done with the item, such as by utilizing a pointer. It may be a way to find repositories that are authorized to do so. Advantageously, the preferred embodiment can be utilized in a resource constrained environment because the reference can consume less space than the information that displays the corresponding usage rights. It is.

  In a preferred embodiment, the repository analyzes any suitable item that is presented to the repository, and based on the usage rights associated with the repository, the feature of the item or what function it performs on the item. It can be configured to determine if it can be performed. Thus, advantageously, an item has a pointer associated with the item that directs the item to a particular repository in order for the repository to analyze the item and perform functions or actions. There is no need to be. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the repository is presented on any suitable item presented in the repository, or from an authorized source, such as from the central control repository 706, or otherwise, The repository can be configured to perform analysis and functions or actions on any suitable item that has been identified as being authorized to analyze or process.

  Advantageously, the processing of items that do not have usage rights associated with them through repositories that have usage rights associated with them can be utilized in various types of business applications. May be particularly useful within a company or any other suitable type of closed environment. For example, businesses including government departments can include internal networks that connect to stationary or portable client devices, such as laptop computers, PDAs, and the like. In one preferred embodiment, the usage rights can be associated with a suitable repository, such as a server, including, for example, a central control repository 706. Thus, any suitable item that leaves the client device has a usage right associated with it, and travels to a repository where the item can be examined and a determination can be made about the item, or Can pass through it. In a preferred embodiment, such a determination can include an action that assigns usage rights to the item, where such usage rights include state information or conditions that include dynamic conditions. be able to.

  In a preferred embodiment, the client device is external to the device (eg, external to the device's hard drive), except when passing through a corporate network or through an authorized repository or device. It can be configured not to communicate. For example, in situations where the stakeholder is a government, the law may include one or all items of digital traffic, etc. that enter and / or exit a country, government sector or other environment, or It can be configured to require passing through further authorized repositories. Advantageously, the repository may be configured to inspect such items and to analyze and process such items according to usage rights associated with such repositories.

  In another preferred embodiment, the repository can be configured to inspect any suitable characteristic of the item, such as media type, content, security type, size, watermarking, source, author, etc. If the item also has usage rights associated with it, such analysis can include an action that compares the usage rights associated with the item with the usage rights associated with the repository. Thus, a preferred system is that usage rights or certain usage rights associated with an item can or will be ignored regardless of the usage rights associated with the item, and the item Can be configured for an entity such as a government that can determine that it will be processed according to usage rights associated with the repository.

  In one preferred embodiment, if an item is encrypted or otherwise protected in some way, the preferred system will program to refuse to process such item. Alternatively, it can be configured. Advantageously, items with usage rights that have not been authorized by the stakeholder need not be processed if such usage rights cannot be revoked, eg from the country or other environment There is no need to exit or enter it.

  The preferred embodiment is applicable to non-government entities such as businesses or private business owners. For example, stakeholders can use, for example, a network such as a wireless network, a WiFi network, a home network, and a repository through which traffic to or from the home can be handled, It may be a parent that controls access to information entering or leaving the home. In one preferred embodiment, such control and processing may be for any suitable reason, such as audit or census or censorship or control or security reasons.

  In one preferred embodiment, with respect to usage rights, the functions performed by the repository can include actions to apply usage rights to items such as digital works or other items. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, any suitable item that enters and / or exits a country or other environment is granted a usage right associated with it by a repository, such as an authorized repository. As a result, an item can be used inside or outside a country or other environment according to the usage rights associated with it by the repository. In one preferred embodiment, the enforcement of such usage rights is, for example, US Pat. Nos. 5,530,235, 5,629,980, 5,634, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. 012, 5,638,443, 5,715,403, 6,233,684, and 6,236,971 (incorporated herein by reference). As can be done.

  In another preferred embodiment, the client device presents the item to, for example, a corporate network, so that the item is analyzed, or an operation is performed with respect to the item, such as assigning usage rights to the item. It does not need to be executed. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, a repository, such as an authorized repository, connected to a network of companies or other stakeholders or other environment accesses and resides on a client or other device. For items found to do, the items can be analyzed and decisions can be made or actions can be taken on such items.

  Accordingly, preferred embodiments relating to companies with scientists accessing items such as digital works or other items from a technical resource library and holding copies on their personal computers are advantageously Can be further enlarged. For example, a networked repository, such as a central control repository 706, accesses a client device, such as a scientist's personal computer, to find an appropriate digital work or other item, such as a document from a technical resource library, and Access it and, for example, associate a new usage right so that the item can no longer be printed, and advantageously includes actions that allow the pre-issued printing right to be revoked The usage rights associated with the item can be changed.

  FIG. 8 illustrates a preferred repository 800 that can be utilized within the preferred systems of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. In FIG. 8, a preferred repository 800 includes a rights display 808 in the form of a usage right associated with the repository 800 that specifies, for example, how to use the item 812 in the repository 800, conditions for use of the item 812, etc. It may include a processor module configured to process, such as interpreting.

  A suitable repository 800 may also include, for example, a determination module 804. The determination module 804 may determine when the repository 800 processes the item 812 or when the repository 800 receives the request 814 for the item 812 based on the rights indication 808 and / or one or more rules. The repository 800 can be configured to determine what action (s) 816 can be taken.

  A suitable repository 800 may also include a comparison module 806, for example. The comparison module 806 compares the right display 810 that is associated with the item 812 and designates, for example, the usage method and use conditions of the item 812 with the right display 808, and the determination module 804 determines whether the action (one) Or a plurality of) 816 may be determined.

  In a preferred embodiment, the rights indication in the form of a master license can include, for example, master usage rights and can be stored in one or more repositories. A master license can include usage rights belonging to items such as digital works or other items. Item users, customers, consumers, distributors, etc. may have references or pointers that can be associated with a master license.

  In one preferred embodiment, many people can maintain pointers or references associated with a common master license, but in other preferred embodiments, only one person can use such a reference or reference. A pointer can be held. However, in other preferred embodiments, there are multiple copies of the master license on servers located on different local area networks (LANs) or devices, eg, servers located in different regions. Good. In one preferred embodiment, the multiple licenses may be similar or different. For example, it can be desired that a master license be applied worldwide, except France, and that a variant of such a master license be applied to France. In a preferred embodiment, an appropriate reference or pointer can be provided for a client or person to be associated with the French variant of the master license.

  In one preferred embodiment, the master license can include all usage rights and conditions belonging to the item, in which case the user advantageously provides a reference or pointer to such master license, You only need to own it. Advantageously, the preferred embodiment may be useful in a resource constrained environment, but this requires less space for the reference or pointer to consume than the information displayed in the master license Because. In a preferred embodiment, the master license can specify usage rights and conditions that are not all. For example, some rights and conditions can be specified in separate usage rights, including, for example, usage rights specific to each instance of an item.

  In a preferred embodiment, the reference or pointer utilizes any suitable communication mode, such as a hyperlink, an offline communication mode such as combining two hardware devices, or a communication within a single device. be able to. For example, the repository containing the master license associated with the movie may be on the same computer hard drive as the repository where the movie is stored. Even if the usage rights and the movie are on the same device, there may be a pointer or reference that establishes a correspondence between the usage rights and the movie specified in the master license.

  In one preferred embodiment, the master license can specify usage rights and conditions to be associated with the item, in which case the reference or pointer can point to the master license. In a preferred embodiment, the owner of an item, such as a digital work or other item, accesses the item, grants the item, copies the item, or moves the item to another repository, etc. If you wish to do so, you can access the master license. The purpose of the access is to determine that the right to perform the proposed transaction can be associated with the item, such as granting the item or copying the item, and any payment, such as payment of a fee It may be to check and implement appropriate conditions.

  In a preferred embodiment, such a check can be performed at each instance of attempted use, for example, to perform dynamic changes. However, in other preferred embodiments, such checks can be performed at various times, frequencies, etc. For example, whenever a user wants to grant or take action on an item, such as copying or moving, the current state of its usage rights, for example by interpreting the master license About the master license can be checked. In a preferred embodiment, if the master license can be determined to have changed, the master license can be interpreted differently than when the master license was last referenced. Thus, actions that were allowed yesterday may not be allowed today, or requested actions that were denied yesterday may be allowed today. In one preferred embodiment, the master license can be changed at any suitable time.

  In a preferred embodiment, the master license may be held by its issuer or by some authority other than the issuer. For example, a studio that owns a movie can utilize an agent who can manage the master license for the studio. In one preferred embodiment, the studio can maintain legal control of the master license, even though the agent can maintain or maintain physical control of the master license. In one preferred embodiment, the studio or its representative can change the master license as needed. However, in another preferred embodiment, the master license may be held outside the issuer's control over the master license (eg, under government authority or entity control).

  In one preferred embodiment, a digital ticket can be utilized that points to a reference or pointer, which in turn points to a license, including a master license. For example, consumers may hold digital tickets issued by rights holders or other interested parties, such as those issued by content owners as rights holders, or governments as interested parties. Yes, in which case the digital ticket includes a pointer to a reference pointer. In a preferred embodiment, the reference pointer can be hosted, controlled, etc. by a rights holder, which includes the item or content owner or another stakeholder. Can do.

  However, in another preferred embodiment, it is not necessary to utilize a digital ticket. For example, a pointer can be associated with an item, such as a digital work or other item, and included as part of a license, including usage rights associated with the item. As with the preferred digital ticket embodiment, such a pointer can point to a reference pointer, which then points to the actual license, including, for example, a master license. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the user, consumer, distributor, etc. of an item can retain usage rights, which are or include pointers to reference pointers. Can do. The reference pointer can be hosted, controlled, etc. by a rights holder, which can include a content owner or another stakeholder.

  Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the reference pointer points to the actual usage rights and can advantageously be configured to provide the flexibility to perform usage rights changes. For example, the change can be performed simply by changing the actual usage right pointed to, or let the reference pointer change the location (eg, usage right) that the reference pointer is pointing to. Can be executed. Since the change of the pointer to the usage right occurs at the reference pointer, advantageously the pointer associated with the digital ticket or license need not be changed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the person issuing the digital ticket, license, usage rights, etc. need not be the same person as the person hosting or controlling the reference pointer. For example, the publisher may be the owner of an item such as digital content, digital work or other item, and the reference pointer is hosted by another stakeholder, such as government authority or authority within the company. Or it can be controlled. For example, in the preferred embodiment associated with a scientist accessing a document from a technical resource library, if the corporate information technology office controls the reference pointer, such office is printed by the scientist. Technical actions that change the right to create a document can be advantageously performed to avoid the need to perform changes on specific examples of digital documents.

  In a preferred embodiment, the license 142 can provide flexibility and can be used in a variety of ways. For example, the license 142 can be used to access a website, in which case, as a condition for accessing the website, the license 142 can be used by a user within a particular geographic region (eg, within the United States). The condition that it must be located in can be included. This may include, for example, language translation, customization, or property rights including local customs, news, culture, hobbies, local sports news, local newsmakers, local industry, local products or local advertising. Can be useful for localizing a website in terms of For example, if the user is located in the United States, the language may be English and American spelling and dialects may be used. In other preferred embodiments, advertisements can be based on American preferences, seasons, or current political situation. Accordingly, preferred embodiments increase localization appeal, facilitate the provision of appropriate property rights, and generally improve localization of customer satisfaction and traffic or sales volume of the website. Enable.

  Advantageously, the preferred embodiment allows property owners to publish certain property rights, for example, first in the United States and in three months later in Europe or another region of the world. to enable. This is common in the movie industry, where different geographic regions are based on time schedules designed to provide maximum benefit to the owner or other recipients of income. Different publications are limited. The publication date and / or timetable can be automatically assigned without further human intervention so that timetable assignment or modification can be easy for content owners, and actions that keep track of various points in time It can be incorporated into a rights template so that it can be done.

  The preferred embodiment is applicable to web crawlers for collecting data from websites. For example, a webmaster or other authority that controls a website may access it after midnight as a condition of access to the website with minimal traffic on the website, thus reducing the load, Alternatively, the crawler can be requested to request access. In addition, if a website is accessed during peak hours, the access will be timed out after a certain amount of time, such as by specifying that the website will access the site, such as by specifying that the access will time out. , Can impose varying conditions.

  In one preferred embodiment, the license 142 can be used to specify how to gain access to property rights. For example, the user can specify how content or other items can be distributed, such as by super-distribution. This gives the content owner more control over where and how the distribution is performed. The geographical location constraint may be a condition. To further limit distribution methods, such as due dates, number of copies, and people who are prohibited from obtaining copies, such as hostile customers or known hackers, superdistribution parameters are also subject to Can be specified by content owner.

  In one preferred embodiment, a single user may wish to share a personal calendar with others. Access to the calendar may be an item specified in the item reference 134a, which may include an access code. However, as a condition of the license 142, the user may require the accessing party to perform a specific task. For example, a condition may require the user to open one particular file or share the user's calendar. The calendar may be used and edited by all other persons or some person, and all other persons or some persons are within the rights of use of the license 142. The right to enter, modify, or edit may be granted as displayed. Some of the parties may be entitled to browse only or browse and enter without modification rights. The calendar can keep track of schedule conflicts for two or more people and can automatically notify the conflicting party or all of the parties regarding the conflict. The calendar can also highlight unavailable days when one or more parties are away from the city or otherwise unavailable. The calendar can also suggest some day or time when the calendar is relatively free, or a common acceptable date or time based on input by one or more users for a specified party. Can also be found.

  In a preferred embodiment, the property rights that can be controlled can include access to a print shop service, in which case the policy for restricting the user's access to the print service specified by the item ticket 134. Can be used. For example, access to service items can be specified in reference 134 a and constraints can be displayed as usage rights and conditions for license 142. For example, the user can send a large file to be printed by a print shop for a fee. However, smaller files that can be printed sooner as a way to manage job orders can have higher priority, for example. The size of files within a predetermined time frame can be compared and ordered for printing purposes. For example, a condition of license 142 may be that smaller files cannot be queued for printing. The status of other files that are queued for printing can be tracked as state variables. However, if the job must be printed by the deadline, the length of the printing process can be estimated and the job schedule can be modified to meet the deadline. This out-of-order prioritization can be indicated by a flag or variable, or a set of variables or parameters, where the flag or variable, or set of variables or parameters contains information about priorities, deadlines, etc. Can be included. If schedules collide or do not have enough time to meet all deadlines, jobs in a class with higher priority can be handled before other jobs. Thus, the size of the file to be printed can be significant within a particular class of priority.

  In another preferred embodiment, a print job can skip the queue when a fee is paid or another condition is met, or a color job and a black and white job can be routed to different printers. Or the user can specify the priority that the user wants based on the fee paid. Customer rights and print jobs can be assigned for print job assignment, priority assignment, print job class, price and fee negotiation, and priority transfer, and such rights are licensed 142 can be displayed.

  In a preferred embodiment, the service provider can set quality conditions in the rights label 132. For example, lower quality images can be purchased at a lower fee, or slower delivery can be delivered at a lower fee. For example, the resolution can be set to correspond to a price based on values on a table, formula, function, or curve. Other preferred embodiments apply to variations other than quality, such as speed or timing, and the variations can be based on conditions other than fees paid. Advantageously, such services or items can be specified in the item reference 134a.

  Another possible property right is the right to change or set the time for a computer or other system. In a preferred embodiment, the condition may be the identity of a person as the system administrator. Thus, identification can be based on an individual's role, which can be established by a smart card, ID, etc. Such a role-based model makes it easier to implement rights assignment changes or individual position changes.

  In other preferred embodiments, the application of usage rights to an item is not the same between the item provider and the item seller, such as in the case of airfares and car rentals, and the travel agent or other party may Can be very useful in situations where it is often sold. For example, one or more round-trip tickets between Boston and Chicago, websites such as auction sites, reverse auction sites, airline direct sales, travel agencies, transfer tickets, or resale Can be purchased from individuals with property rights, clearinghouses, resellers or distributors. The destination, location or both may be variables. For example, the item specified in item reference 134a of item ticket 134 may be an air ticket from Boston to a city in the eastern United States, a city within 2000 miles of Boston, or a city in the continental United States. . The right to use the license 142 can include the right to exchange a ticket for another ticket within the continental Europe if conditions such as payment of a fixed or variable fee are met. In other preferred embodiments, usage rights may include the right to convert a ticket into cash, points, coupons, etc., for purchasing goods or services from an associated retailer. For busy periods or predetermined time windows, the condition can require a premium fee for a given property right. The predetermined time can be tracked as a state variable.

  In one preferred embodiment, the item ticket 134 is used, for example, to specify that a user can rent a car for 6 days in Boston from one of several car rental companies. be able to. The rental company can enter into a contract with the clearinghouse 160 that validates the item ticket 134, and the item reference 134a can be used to specify car rental. Usage rights and conditions can be used to specify, for example, mileage restrictions, drop-off locations, vehicle sizes, vehicle manufacturers, pick-up locations, various equipment in the vehicle as additional features, etc. . Thus, an item can include a car rental, for example, six days in the month of August, and the car owner can exercise such property rights when or where You don't need to know exactly what you might be doing.

  In a preferred embodiment, extra seats that do not need to have a one-to-one relationship, such as movie seats, airplane seats, or inventory of remaining tickets for rental cars, along with associated usage rights, as property rights for the item. It can also be adapted for distribution. For example, the property rights of a movie ticket can be purchased from a website, and the property rights can be exercised at a movie theater by redeeming the corresponding item ticket 134, May be configured to accept item tickets 134 and, for example, similar or other relationships that credit card companies have with various issuing banks with respect to customers and cardholders, or other A relationship similar to a more centralized control, such as that utilized by a credit card company, can be had with the distributor's website.

  In other preferred embodiments, multiple types of rights distributors, issuing entities, contract providers, or item ticket 134 types may be provided, each of which is a reciprocal possible cross-association boundary. With acceptance, with their own logos, terms and conditions, terms, associations, etc., advantageously accepting areas and usage for customers, similar to, for example, ATM machines cards and banks Easiness can be maximized. After accepting the item ticket 134, the theater owner can collect the item ticket 134 and acquire a refund every day, for example.

  In a preferred embodiment, an event ticket or seat having an unspecified date or specification can be displayed as an item of property rights. In other preferred embodiments, the property right item may be a hotel room and other reserved items, so that the reservation allows the transfer of the license 142 through a usage right or meta right. By doing so, it becomes very fluid and commutative.

  In one preferred embodiment, the clearinghouse 160 is, for example, as a vendor with a web server 150a that allows a user to rent a small car to be used in New York City for 6 days in August. You can have contracts with three car rental companies. The item ticket 134 may thereby be redeemable so that the property rights of the corresponding license 142 from one of the three car rental companies are exercised. The right to use the license 142 associated with the item ticket 134 is the ability to auction a property right in a particular city for the six days of August of the year, or otherwise transfer the property for a fee. It can be used to specify various aspects of property rights, such as the ability to replace, the ability to use some of the property rights to obtain cash.

  Advantageously, the flexibility in trading property rights, according to the preferred embodiment, is, for example, openness for various items to trade or exchange property rights, for example, similar to the NASDAQ stock market. Allows the market to be expanded. In such a market, rights can be very fluid, like cash, stocks, bonds, payment guarantee checks, and the like. Advantageously, such property rights can be traded as goods or objects of some predetermined or variable value, such as now or in the future. Thus, the process of associating rights and conditions with items through the license 142 and item ticket 134 mechanisms can provide a whole new dimension to transactions for various goods, services, and the like.

  In one preferred embodiment, the Internet and computer networks can be configured to provide a very fast and convenient method for distribution of property rights to various items. However, in other preferred embodiments, the distribution of the various items may be strictly limited, for example, as specified by the item owner or as desired by the user. For example, you can provide property rights to view or use personal or private data, in which case the distribution method, where the data is distributed, who can use the data, who One or more conditions and usage rights within the license 142 may be specified such as whether data should be reviewed, copied, distributed, or allowed to be used.

  In one preferred embodiment, access to private information can be treated as an item, and suitable private rights management measures can be used to protect such private data. For example, the preferred embodiment allows a user to provide private personal data to a website and only if the user has issued such property rights to the website It can be possible to sell the data to others. For example, one parameter of such property rights displayed as a condition is the content owner's acceptable level that can be quantified and expressed by an integer, descriptive name, or other means. It's okay. In a preferred embodiment, such tolerances may include geographical distribution restrictions, a list of authorized users, a list of unauthorized people, such as known hackers or infamous websites, for different websites , Pre-defined trust levels, security levels, pre-defined privacy levels for different websites, or other parameters or conditions can be accommodated. Such parameters may be, for example, static or determined dynamically and can be tracked as state variables.

  In a preferred embodiment, a website or other distribution site may be rated by an individual, for example, based on votes, or based on unannounced audits or regular audits, and with the rating organization's criteria. It can be rated by a for-profit or non-profit organization using the claims or rules set for such sites to be compared. Such a rating can be achieved in any suitable manner. For example, a rating may be a condition of the license 142 to determine whether a party can access private information. If there is an undesired leakage of private information to the outside, such site responsibilities in monetary compensation or otherwise can be stated as a parameter for the site rating calculation.

  In one preferred embodiment, the condition can include an indication that the content owner is willing to sell personal data. For example, a license 142 that grants access to a network or other service may have the requirement that the user grant permission to sell personal data as a condition. In other preferred embodiments, the conditions can include price or other compensation, or conditions set for such personal data. For example, the preferred embodiment allows content owners to receive commissions or fixed fees or other benefits such as airplane miles for each sale or transaction of personal data. Such small sums can be paid, for example, based on usage rights parameters in license 142 and through one or more clearinghouses 160 at the end of each month or other period.

  In a preferred embodiment, personal data can be aggregated or averaged for economic, cultural, regional, national, medical or other reasons, in which case a particular person's Personal data need not be significant individually. In one preferred embodiment, the individual's identity generally does not need to be disclosed. Such data can be used generally by a non-profit organization or a trusted organization for a number of purposes (eg, for medical or census purposes). In one preferred embodiment, conditions can be used to specify the purpose of a collection of such data, and usage rights can be used to collect such data on a collective, average, etc. , Can be used to specify how it can be used.

  In another preferred embodiment, conditions can be used to specify which sections or portions of a collection of personal data can be allowed to use for a given purpose. . Such designation can be performed using a suitably configured user interface including, for example, a template form, with flags that designate each piece of information. For example, for medical research, permission can be issued that accesses a person's age, height, and weight but does not access a person's name, income, credit card number, credit history or address. . In a census or insurance survey, accessible information can include, for example, a town name or zip code, the number of accidents over the past six months, the number of cars owned per household, and the like.

  In a preferred embodiment, the content owner exchanges data with another data collection entity within the clearinghouse 160 to average, aggregate, or sell or exchange such data. Can be specified in the license 142. Advantageously, the preferred embodiment allows the content owner to, on a case-by-case basis, for example, specify the data acquirer's identity and the new owner's associated trust level as specified conditions, Enable to verify.

  In one preferred embodiment, license 142 and ticket 134 redemption can be tracked as state variables. Advantageously, the preferred embodiment thus allows a user to enter personal data only once and then maintain or keep track of such data, in which case the user or Other designated parties can be informed of how the data is or what part of the data is being used. The user can be informed where the data is, for example by tracking means, including actions to send an email message back to the user. In another preferred embodiment, the user can receive rewards from the sale or use of such personal data.

  In one preferred embodiment, for example, an item containing personal information can be divided into different components that can be assigned different values of privacy conditions by the owner or another authorized person. In another preferred embodiment, the personal information can have only one component.

  In a preferred embodiment, the privacy parameter can be based on various types of scales. For example, a typical scale of privacy parameters may be between 0 and 1, where zero can mean the absence of privacy, such as unconditional access, and 1 is any condition It can mean absolute privacy, such as no access underneath. A set of rules can be used to define the scale of privacy parameters. Different constraints, conditions, fees, rights, etc. can be associated with privacy parameters, and each parameter can be assigned to a given component of personal information.

  In a preferred embodiment, the content owner, an independent trusted organization, or some other entity can set a credit rating for a different entity or person, and such a credit rating. Can be used as a condition for access to specific information associated with a given privacy parameter for such an entity or person. Such credit ratings can be based on a scale, such as a scale with privacy parameters. For example, a person with the highest possible credit rating can be given access to information with the highest privacy parameter, and a person with the lowest credit rating can access information that does not require privacy. Can be given access. Intermediate ratings can be used to deliver access to corresponding portions of information. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the content can have a rating, and the viewer or user of the content can have a rating, and the conditions for accessing the content are as required. Accordingly, the two ratings can be full or partial correspondence. In other preferred embodiments, different parts of the content have different ratings, which can advantageously provide greater flexibility.

  In a preferred embodiment, usage rights, rights offers, tickets, licenses, etc. can be displayed in any suitable language, format, tag set, rule set, grammar or formulation, eg, XrML language. . In other preferred embodiments, various aspects and limitations can be displayed as various combinations of items, principals, conditions, and the like. For example, property rights can be used to specify that person A can send a purchase order of less than $ X to company C. There are a number of ways to display such license usage rights and conditions in property rights, such as using the preferred rights display shown below.

Preferred right indication # 1:
Principal: Person A
Item: Company C purchasing the service
Use Rights: Send Condition: Type = “Purchase Order”, Cost <X
Preferred right indication # 2:
Principal: Person A
Item: Purchase order Use right: Send Condition: Recipient = "Company C purchasing the service", Cost <X
Preferred right indication # 3:
Principal: Person A
Item: Any product from Company C Use right: Purchase Condition: Cost <X
Preferred right indication # 4:
Principal: Person A
Item: Optional Use Rights: Purchase Condition: Recipient = “Company C purchasing service”, Cost <X
Preferred right indication # 5:
Principal: Person A
Item: Optional Use Rights: Spend <$$ Condition: Recipient = “Company C purchasing service”
Preferred right indication # 6:
Principal: Person A
Item: Purchase Order Use Rights: Send to “Company C Purchasing Service” Conditions: Cost <X
Preferred right indication # 7:
Principal: Person A
Item: "Company C purchasing service" with a total cost of less than X dollars
Purchase order to: Use right: Submit Condition: None Preferred right display # 8:
Principal: Person A
Item: Optional Use Rights: Purchase from Company C Conditions: Cost <X
What can be seen from a suitable rights display is that property rights can be displayed in various ways, and constraints can be shown in usage rights, in items, as conditions, etc. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, people can advantageously enforce how they use or access goods, services or other items. Can be specified through various property rights. For example, the item owner or item distributor can be given more control over the item, and the item user has what property rights and at what cost. Can give you a better management of what is acquired.

  The preferred embodiment thus provides the ability to create enforceable property rights for various items and allows such items to be traded in an open market environment. Although such an environment can be utilized for goods and stocks, preferred embodiments advantageously allow for the proper enforceable rights in goods, services, etc. The various rights, conditions, items, other indicators, etc. of the preferred embodiments can be displayed in any suitable manner and can be stored in the same location or in different locations. For example, the ticket 134 can be stored in one location, such as a user device, and the license 142 can be stored in another device or location, such as the license server 140. Advantageously, the various aspects and components of the preferred embodiments have individual utilities and can exist separately. For example, the licenses 142 can exist separately from the ticket 134, and each can exist outside of a particular computer architecture or system.

  A suitable system for distributing tickets 134 and creating and enforcing licenses 142 may utilize a variety of devices such as personal computers, servers, workstations, PDAs, thin clients, and the like. For example, the client environment 120 may include a handheld device such as a mobile phone, a PDA.

  In a preferred embodiment, different channels for communication are available and different functions can be integrated into one or more devices. For example, one or more functions performed by the license server 140 may be implemented by appropriately configured software and / or hardware within the client environment 120. In other preferred embodiments, one or more of the functions performed by the license server 142 or other modules for selecting rights and issuing the license 142 are stored in the item ticket 134. It can be implemented in the same device that is used to access and redeem it. The disclosed functional modules are separated by function for clarity. However, in other preferred embodiments, the various functions of the preferred system can be combined or separated as hardware and / or software modules in any suitable manner. Thus, the various functions may be useful separately or in combination.

  Various elements of the preferred embodiments, portions thereof, etc. can be stored on the same device or on different devices. For example, the license 142 can be stored with or separately from the item ticket 134. In other preferred embodiments, the various elements of the license 142 can be stored on separate devices. For example, the value of the state variable can be stored in a state variable repository of the system that tracks the current value of the state variable. The preferred embodiment can utilize various links, references, designations, etc. to associate such elements.

  The preferred embodiment can be further utilized for offline mode operation. For example, the item 134 and the license server 140 may be on the same device as the client component 122, and the activation server 110 may be on the same device. Such devices may include a personal computer hard drive, or some other handheld or portable device. Advantageously, the preferred embodiment allows transactions to be accomplished without having to establish a communication session with another device over the Internet or otherwise.

  In a preferred embodiment, the hard drive on the personal computer may include software that generates tickets 134, document creation software, boot server 110 software, and the like. Such a software system or component creates an item (eg, content such as a song, movie, etc.), creates an item ticket 134 and a license 142 that defines the rights and conditions associated with the item, and According to such rights and conditions, computing resources can be provided to redeem the ticket 134. In a preferred embodiment, such software systems can communicate with each other, such as within a personal computer hard drive.

In one preferred embodiment, the online session utilizes communication outside the client device to process the transaction for any reason, eg, to make a financial payment, other than requesting an item or using an item. At some point, it can be executed. For example, the client device can communicate with the clearinghouse 160 and make online payments. The payment can be recorded, for example, on a device within (but not limited to) the license server 140 software component on the client device. Records may be in units, such as $ 100.00, as a monetary amount, or as a unit, such as 10 viewings of a movie file or 10 daily rentals of a Hertz rental car, or in any other suitable manner Can be recorded. Each use can be recorded and deducted from the authorized usage amount or number of uses. In the case of a financial transaction, it is possible to perform a transaction offline using a digital storage device such as a smart card or a removable storage device. In one preferred embodiment, the information to be exchanged can be exchanged using physical devices instead of online communication. For example, the license 142 can be presented by inserting a card into a personal computer.

  In a preferred embodiment, a customer holding an item ticket 134 can present the ticket 134 and obtain items such as access to the service without having to be online at the time the service is obtained. The acquired service itself may be on a customer controlled device, such as a personal computer hard drive. In a preferred embodiment, the service can include the exercise of a computer program.

  In another preferred embodiment related to car rental, the clearinghouse 160 may allow a user to rent a small car to be used in New York City, for example, for six days in August, vendor 150. You can have contracts with three car rental companies. Item ticket 134 may be configured to be redeemable such that the property right of the corresponding license 142 from one of the three car rental companies is exercised. The right to use the license 142 associated with the item ticket 134 can be used to specify various aspects of such property rights, such as six days in August of the current year, in a particular city. The item ticket 134 can be carried by the customer as digital information on a portable device, in the form of a displayable or printable coupon, and one of the vendors 150. One can be presented. Vendor 150 can read digital or extracted information from printed tickets, such as by scanning, without the need for customers and vendors to engage in online forms of communication.

  In a preferred embodiment, the conditions permitting access to or use of the digital work or other item may be the repository requesting access, the item being received, stored, or any method The repository proposed to be involved in it has some kind of attribute, otherwise it is constructed in some way, or does not have any kind of attribute or configuration Good. For example, the repository may be required to have minimal security attributes. If the repository is part of a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, the repository must have a specified or minimal security attribute and the PDA requires for access May be required to be configured to allow the PDA to support

  In a preferred embodiment, a repository that includes devices such as PDAs, personal computers, etc. can be reconfigured before such devices can participate in a digital work or other item. For example, such a reconfiguration can include installing new software at the repository or system, or a device that controls the repository, and can include actions to change parameters or other settings of existing software. Yes, it can take the form of a software plug-in.

  In a preferred embodiment, the conditions for access, possession, or engagement with any suitable type of repository or device to a digital work or other item are: May be allowed to be reconfigured. For example, such a reconfiguration can cause a repository or device to change default settings, install new software, modify existing software, insert plug-ins, disable certain software or features , Etc., for example, by the central control repository 706, for example, such changes may not be denied, or at least be accessed in such a way that they cannot be easily denied. Allowing.

  In a preferred embodiment, if a repository or other device does not allow itself to be accessed or configured, such device is allowed to handle digital works or other items. There is no need to be done. In other preferred embodiments, such a device may be denied the right to handle certain items, or may not be allowed to perform otherwise permitted functions. There is. In other preferred embodiments, when accessing a repository or device, such a device is determined to be unable to be reconfigured in a manner that satisfies the requirements of the condition (eg, The right to access or otherwise handle the item may be denied, such as if it does not have a minimum level of security even after being reconfigured.

  In other preferred embodiments, the purpose of accessing the repository or device may be to determine whether such a device satisfies one or more conditions. For example, if it is determined that such a device satisfies such a condition, reconfiguration is not necessary, or such a device partially satisfies such a condition. If it is determined that it is, limited reconfiguration may be necessary.

  In a preferred embodiment, the repository or device is reconfigurable, or the conditions to be reconfigured can be implemented, for example, in any suitable type of repository or device Can be applied to any suitable function. For example, the condition may be to store any digital work or other item, to grant an item, to send an item across a communication medium, or to any repository or device that is a communication medium, Can be applied.

  FIG. 9 can be utilized within the preferred Digital Rights Management system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7 for processing the rights indication of the recipient of an item based on rules. It is a flowchart of a suitable process. In FIG. 9, in step 902, the potential recipient specifying the first usage of the item proposed by the recipient is designated by the potential recipient of the item and the second of the item proposed by the provider. The item provider designates a second right indication indicating how to use the item. At step 904, a correspondence between the first rights indication and the second rights indication is determined. If a response can be determined (verified in step 906), a rule is applied to the determined response to determine whether the recipient should be allowed to use the item (step 908). If the use of the item can be accepted (verified in step 910), the recipient can be accepted to use the item (step 912). However, if there is no response or if the use of the item cannot be accepted, the recipient can be denied use of the item (step 914).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for processing the recipient and supplier rights representation of an item, and can be utilized within the preferred Digital Rights Management system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. It is a flowchart of an important process. In FIG. 10, at step 1002, the recipient of the item specifies a right indication that indicates how the recipient wants to use the desired item and / or the terms of use of the item by the recipient. At step 1004, a rights indication is associated with the item. If the desired usage of the item and the conditions for use of the item can be satisfied by the provider (verified in step 1006), the item can be provided to the recipient (step 1008). However, if the desired method of use of the item and the conditions of use of the item cannot be satisfied by the provider, the item need not be supplied to the recipient (step 1010).

  FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred process for processing the rights display associated with the repository and that can be utilized within the preferred Digital Rights Management system of FIGS. 1 and 5-7. It is a flowchart. In FIG. 11, at step 1002, a repository rights indication can be specified that indicates how to use an item in the repository. At step 1104, a repository rights indication can be associated with the repository. When a request for an item is received at the repository (verified at step 1106), or when the item is processed by the repository (verified at step 1010), when the repository processes the item based on the repository rights indication, or When the repository receives a request for an item, actions to be taken by the repository may be performed by the repository (step 1108). However, if the request for the item was not received at the repository, or if the item was not processed by the repository, no action needs to be taken by the repository (step 1010).

  Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the rights indication may include a tangible (eg, any electronic) junction of usage rights, conditions, licenses or portions thereof. The rights display can include an XrML file or fragment, but can also be displayed in any suitable language, grammar, format, alphabet, etc. The usage right can be displayed as a right display, and can include a usage method, conditions, and the like. The license can also include the stated elements of usage rights and can further include principals, keys, authentications, and the like. The recipients of the items of the preferred embodiment can include users, distributors, consumers, etc. of the items. Granting access to an item can include a procedure that grants the use of the item, a procedure that allows the item to be lent, a procedure that grants access to the item, and the like.

  The devices and subsystems of the preferred system described with respect to FIGS. 1-11 can communicate, for example, over communications network 170 and can perform the processing of the disclosed preferred embodiments. Any suitable server, workstation, personal computer (PC), laptop computer, PDA, Internet appliance, set top box, modem, handheld device, telephone, mobile phone, wireless device or other device. it can. The devices and subsystems can communicate with each other using, for example, any suitable protocol and can be implemented using a general purpose computer system or the like. For example, one or more interface mechanisms may be utilized, including any suitable form of telecommunications, wireless communication media, etc., such as Internet access, voice, modem, etc. Accordingly, the communication network 170 includes, for example, a wireless communication network, a cellular communication network, a sanitary communication network, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a packet data network (PDN), the Internet, an intranet, a hybrid communication network, combinations thereof, and the like. Can do. Accordingly, the communication network 170 can include one or more networks.

  The preferred system described with respect to FIGS. 1-11 is for illustrative purposes, since many variations are possible for the specific hardware used to implement the preferred embodiment disclosed. Should be understood. For example, the functionality of the devices and subsystems of a suitable system can be performed via one or more programmed computer systems or devices. To perform such variations, as well as other variations, a single computer system may be programmed to perform one or more functions of the devices and subsystems of the preferred system. it can. On the other hand, two or more programmed computer systems or devices can be used in place of one or more of the devices and subsystems of the preferred system. Thus, the principles and benefits of distributed processing, such as redundancy, replication, etc., can also be implemented, if desired, to increase the robustness and performance of the preferred system described with respect to FIGS.

  The preferred system described with respect to FIGS. 1-11 can be used to store information related to various processes described herein. This information is stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, floppy disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, ROM, etc. of the devices and subsystems of the preferred system described with respect to FIGS. Can be stored. One or more databases of devices and subsystems may store information used to implement the preferred embodiments. A database can be organized using data structures such as records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, etc., contained in one or more memories, such as those listed above.

  All or a portion of the preferred system described with respect to FIGS. 1-11 may be programmed according to the teachings of the disclosed preferred embodiments, one or more general purpose computer systems, microprocessors, digital signal processors, It can be easily executed using a microcontroller or the like. Appropriate software can be readily created by programmers with ordinary knowledge based on the teachings of the preferred embodiments disclosed. Furthermore, a suitable system can be implemented by creating application specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting appropriate networks of component circuits.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention, stored on any one of the computer-readable media, or a combination thereof, is the preferred system device and sub-system described with respect to FIGS. Devices and subsystems of the preferred system for controlling the system, for driving the device (s) for carrying out the invention and described with respect to FIGS. 1-11 interact with a human user Software can be included to make it possible. Such software can include, but is not limited to, device drivers, firmware, operating systems, development tools, application software, and the like. Such a computer-readable medium further includes the computer program product of the embodiments of the present invention to execute all or part of the processing executed when the invention is executed (if processing is distributed). Can be included. Computer code devices of embodiments of the present invention include scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes and applets, complete executable programs, common object request broker architecture (CORBA) objects, etc. Any interpretable or executable code canism, including but not limited to: Further, some of the processing of embodiments of the present invention can be distributed for better performance, reliability, and / or cost.

  Computer readable media can include any suitable media that participates in a process that provides instructions to a processing device for execution. Such media can take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, and the like. Volatile media can include dynamic memory and the like. Transmission media can include optical fibers, including coaxial cables, copper wire, and wires that make up one or the bus of the computer. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic waves, light waves, or electromagnetic waves, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.

  As noted above, the preferred system described with respect to FIGS. 1-11 is suitable for holding instructions programmed in accordance with the teachings of the invention and for data structures, tables, records, or other described herein. One or more computer readable media or memory may be included to contain the data. Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, floppy disks, flexible disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes, any other magnetic media, CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical media, Any other physical media, RAM, PROM, and EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge having a perforated card, paper tape, optical mark sheet, perforated or other optically recognizable indicia pattern , Carrier waves, or any other computer readable medium.

  Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in providing instructions to the processing device for execution. For example, the instructions for performing at least a portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention may initially be on a remote computer magnetic disk connected to the network 170. In such a scenario, the remote computer loads the instructions into main memory and sends the instructions over the telephone line using, for example, a modem. A modem of a local computer system receives data on a telephone line, uses an infrared transmitter to convert the data into an infrared signal, and is a portable type such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a laptop, and an Internet home appliance. An infrared signal can be transmitted to the computing device. An infrared detector on the portable computing device can receive information and instructions carried by the infrared signal and place data on the bus. The bus can transmit data to the main memory, from which the processing unit retrieves and executes instructions. The instructions received by the main memory can optionally be stored on the storage device before or after execution by the processing device.

  Advantageously, the preferred embodiments described herein are for consumers or users of digital content or other items to accept content or items to be consumed or otherwise used. The right to use can be used to specify the terms or conditions of the transaction. Partial satisfaction of usage rights or conditions can be used to enable access, including adjustments to varying or conflicting usage rights or conditions. Usage rights can be associated with a repository, which can then pass the usage rights to the content or item. Usage rights can be used to determine what functions the repository is authorized to perform on content or items. Distribution and use of content or items can be determined and controlled without the usage rights associated with the content or items, in which case the usage rights are associated with the repository, which is the digital content. Or inspect, analyze and process other items. The preferred embodiment can be utilized in conjunction with a system that assigns usage rights to content or items by a repository that handles the content or items.

  Advantageously, the preferred embodiments described herein are for offline systems, online systems, etc. and for applications such as TV applications, computer applications, DVD applications, VCR applications, consumer electronics applications, CD player applications, etc. Can be used. Further, the signal utilized to transmit the legality indication of the preferred embodiment is within the human visible spectrum, within the human audible spectrum, outside the human visible spectrum, outside the human audible spectrum. It can be configured to be transmitted in combination or the like.

  Preferred embodiments are described in terms of applications such as music, games, movies, coupons, legal profession, etc., but preferred embodiments include digital and non-digital content, devices, software, services, goods, resources, etc. It can be applied to any suitable application and can be implemented by variations of technology, interface, language, grammar, content, rights, offerings, services, speed, size, restrictions, devices, etc.

  Although the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments and implementations, the invention is not limited thereto but includes various modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (3)

A function determination device for determining a function to be executed for an item,
Receiving means for receiving first information specifying a function to be executed for the item, and second information for controlling the function;
Determination means for determining a control method of the function based on the first information and the second information;
Based on the determination result of the determination unit, if the device itself is not a device that executes the function, a route specifying unit that specifies a route for transmitting information to the device that executes the function;
A function determination device comprising: A function determination device for determining a function to be executed for an item,
Receiving means for receiving first information specifying a function to be executed for the item, and second information for controlling the function;
Based on the first information and the second information, the control method of the function is determined, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, it is determined not to execute the function regardless of the content of the first information. A determination means;
A function determination device comprising: A function determination device for determining a function to be executed for an item,
Receiving means for receiving first information specifying a function that can be executed on the item in the function determination device and second information specifying a method of using the item;
Comparing means for comparing the first information and the second information;
Determination means for determining how to execute the function on the item based on the comparison result of the comparison means;
A function determination device comprising: