MXPA00009482A - System and process for limiting distribution of information on a communication network based on geographic location - Google Patents

Abstract

A communications system includes a plurality of recipient processors located at geographically remote locations with respect to each other and connected for communication with an information provider processor, over the communications network. The provider and recipient processors may comprise respective computers coupled for communication on the Internet or WWW. The provider processor is capable of providing information from any suitable source, by communicating such information over a communications network. However, access to the information by the recipient processors is controlled, based on the geographic location or region of the recipient processors. Each recipient processor is operably associated with a positioning system for providing geographic location information corresponding to the location or region in which the positioning system is located, such as a global positioning system GPS. The geographic position information is used to determine whether or not the processor requesting the information is within a restricted (or limited) or non-restricted region. This determination may be made comparing the geographic information provided by the recipient processor and positioning system with a list of non-restricted or non-limited (or a list of restricted or limited) geographic locations or regions.

Description

SYSTEM AND PROCESS TO LIMIT THE DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK BASED ON THE GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention refers in general to a system, process and article to elaborate the limitation of information distribution in a communication network based on the geographical location, and in preferred modalities, to a system, process and article to limit the distribution of information on the Internet or in the World Wide Web, based on the geographical location of the Internet user or Global Mesh that requests the information, based on the information of the geographic location generated by the positioning system via satellite signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) have opened new coarse places of global market and opportunities for companies, organizations, institutions and individuals to distribute and get information and interact verbally and ffi ^ «j ^? ^^ g ^ visually with others, virtually on a worldwide basis. By using the Internet or the WWW, companies and groups of all sizes and individuals can, in effect, have a worldwide market in which to distribute information, products, and services through the Internet or WWW (including, in a enunciative, programs, movies, photographs and other information that can be transmitted on the Internet or WWW). However, this geographically extensive market place can be problematic for suppliers of some products and services. Considering for example, a company or individual comprised in the business of selling a product or service, but that is limited under the statute or contract to a geographic region of sale, limited. In a representative example, a computer software company has contracts with several computer program distribution companies to sell their computer programs in specific sales regions, where each distributor is provided with a sales region and under and the terms of the contract, you are not allowed to sell the computer program outside the region. A distribution company may wish to use the Internet or the WWW as a distribution channel, but will need to limit sales (and access to the distributed computing program) to only those users (clients) on the Internet who are located within the region. assigned to that company. As another example, consider a company or individual in the business of providing a lottery game or another in which a cup is required to be paid and the player is given an opportunity to earn money or prizes. Under many legal jurisdictions (which may also be defined based on geographic areas), these lottery and gambling games may be illegal or be limited in some way by statutes governing the game, rules or regulations. Again, the company or individual may wish to offer the lottery or gambling service over the Internet or the WWW, but also avoids the potential legal responsibility to offer these services to Internet users who are located in a geographic region with a jurisdiction. adverse legal As another example, consider a company, organization or individual comprised in the distribution of information that has a content that is politically or ethically sensitive in certain geographic regions, but not in other geographic regions. Again, the company, organization or individual may wish to provide information about the Internet but, for political, ethical or legal reasons, also wishes to limit the accessibility of information to certain geographical regions. Thus, in several contexts, there is a need in the industry for a system whereby a provider of a service or product on the Internet can easily limit access to the product or service, based on the geographic region in which it is located. The user who asks for the product or service.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The modalities of the present invention refer to a system, process and article to elaborate the limit of the distribution of information in a communication network based on geographical location. In the preferred embodiments, the invention relates to a system, process and article to limit the distribution of information on the Internet or in the World Wide Web (WWW), based on the geographic location of the Internet user requesting the information. A system according to a general embodiment of the present invention includes at least one information providing processor that couples to a plurality of receiving processors in a communication network. The receiving processors are located in geographically distant locations with respect to each other and are connected for intercommunication with the provider, over the communications network. In preferred embodiments, the provider and receiver processors comprise respective computers coupled for communication on the Internet. The provider processor is able to provide information from any suitable source, by communicating this information over a communications network. However, access to information by the receiving processors is controlled, based on the location or geographic region of the receiving processors. Each receiver processor operates with an associated means to provide a position signal. Various embodiments of the invention may employ any suitable means that provides a computer-readable signal corresponding to that of the position, or geographical location, of the receiving processors, including, but not limited to, devices for generating pre-registered geographic information and devices of entry operated by user. However, in preferred embodiments, the geographic location information is generated by a means that calculates the location from the information received at the location from satellite signals, such as a GPS global positioning system. The geographic position information is used to determine if the processor requesting the information is within a restricted (or limited) or unrestricted area, or if it is not. This determination can be made by any suitable method, including, but not limited to, comparing the geographic information provided by the receiving processor and placing the system with a list of geographic or non-restricted or unrestricted (or restricted) locations or regions. In this way, according to some modalities, information can be provided or can not be provided (access to ? * d ** information can be allowed or denied) depending on the geographic information provided by the receiving processor, such that, if a receiving processor provides geographic information that corresponds to a region or restricted geographical location, then the provider processor will be controlled to not provide selective information to the receiving processor. On the other hand, if a receiving processor provides geographic information that corresponds to an unrestricted geographical location or region, then the providing processor is controlled to provide the selective information to the receiving computer. In additional modalities, a set of rules can be implemented, depending on geographic information (and thus, the region or geographic location) so that various restrictions or limitations can be implemented for various regions or geographic locations. In this way, if a receiving processor provides geographic information that corresponds to a first location or geographic region, then the provider processor can be controlled to not provide information s. i i i M & 8? & L¡, & £ selective to the receiving processor, unless additional criteria are met. For example, these additional criteria may include, but are not limited to, a minimum user age, a particular period of the day, week, month or year, or other appropriate criteria. Other geographic locations or regions may be associated with similar or different limitations or restrictions on accessing information from the provider processor. In this way, the distribution of information in a communications network can be controlled, based on a geographical location of the recipient of the information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A brief description of the preferred embodiments of the invention will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic, generalized view of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a flowchart representing a process carried out by the system of Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3a is a block diagram representing a communications packet provided by a user computer of the system shown in Figure 1, in accordance with a embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3b is a block diagram representing communication packets provided by a user computer and the computer of the system provider shown in Figure 1, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a flowchart representing an example mode and a process carried out by a user computer of the system shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a flowchart representing an example mode of a process carried out by the computer of the system provider shown in Figure 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES The following detailed description is the best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not going to take in a limiting sense, but it's only done - £ -----------? G! ^ ^ SL ^ j ^ = - -a S * _ ^ _: _ * * _ * .-. . . < . t »v •. * < -. - .. ** ** ^. - -y ^ ** ** *. for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention is better defined by the appended claims. As summarized above, the present invention relates, in general, to a system, process and article for making a limitation of the distribution of information in a communications network based on geographic location and in preferred embodiments, to a system, process and article to limit the distribution of information on the Internet or the WWW, based on the geographical location of the Internet user requesting the information. Figure 1 represents a general embodiment and may also represent a specific embodiment of the Internet of the present invention, as described below. With reference to Figure 1, a system 10 according to a general embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein an information provider processor (provider processor 12) is coupled for communication to a plurality of located 14-16 receiver processors. in mutually different geographic locations with respect to each other, by a communications network 18. The processors may comprise any suitable data processing and communication device, preferably controlled by a computer program, to operate as described below . The communications network may comprise any suitable means that allows the receiving processors and the providing processor to communicate with each other, including, without limitation, the Internet or the WWW, intranet, cable or other wired networks, optical, electromagnetic or other wireless networks. , as well as hybrids of the same, or similar. The provider processor 12 is capable of providing information from any suitable source (including, but not limited to, an online source or a computer-readable storage medium such as a hard disk or floppy disk, random access memory RAM, read memory only ROM, compact disc (CD), or other optical storage disk, such as DVD, or the like), when communicating this information over a communications network 18. This information may include, but is not limited to, data, text or image information, for example, which has different market applications, legal, political, social, ethical or moral in different geographical regions. However, the excess information is controlled by the receiving processors 14-16, based on the location or geographic region of the receiving processors. Each receiver processor 14-16 operates with an associated means 20-22 to provide a position signal. Various embodiments of the invention may employ any suitable means providing a computer readable signal corresponding to the position, or region or geographical location, of the receiving processors, including, but not limited to, devices for generating pre-registered geographic information, or input devices operated by a user to enter information corresponding to a location or geographic region (e.g., a keyboard, touch screen, microphone, display icons that are selected by placing a mouse cursor and pressing the mouse button However, in preferred embodiments, the information of the geographical location is generated by a means -Mttfaadi & eM-y- J- «fc« «t,. _. »I faith -« A,. . - _. . . < _ ». t. »«, ".-, 3" ». » . . '*,, - », j». . í? JÜj * taM *, ii ??? which calculates the location from the information received at the location from satellite signals, such as a global GPS processing system. The geographic position information is used to determine if the processor requesting the information is within a restricted (or limited) or unrestricted region, or if it is not. This determination can be made by any suitable method including, but not limited to, comparing the geographical information provided by the receiving processor and the positioning system with a list of unrestricted or unrestricted (or restricted) geographic regions or locations. In this way, according to some modalities, information can be provided (that is, access to the information can be allowed or denied) or can not be provided, depending on the geographic information provided by the receiving processor, such that, if a receiving processor provides geographic information that corresponds to a restricted geographic location or region, then the provider processor will be controlled so as not to provide selective information to the receiving processor. On the other hand, if a receiving processor provides geographic information that corresponds to an unrestricted geographical location or region, then the providing processor is controlled to provide the selective information to the receiving computer. In additional modalities, a set of rules can be implemented, which depend on geographical information (and thus, the region or geographic location, such that several restrictions or limitations can be implemented for several geographic locations or regions. if a receiving processor provides the geographic information that corresponds to a first geographic location or region, then the provider processor can be controlled not to provide selective information to the receiving processor, unless additional requirements are met. Other locations or geographic regions can be associated with similar or different requirements, limitations or restrictions on access to information from the provider processor, while the embodiments of the invention can be applied to a variety of network contexts, in which a network of processors in mutually different geographical locations are coupled to through a communication network to a provider processor, the preferred modalities related to the Internet or WWW contexts, in which a supplying computer and a plurality of user computers are coupled for communication, through the Internet. For example, Figure 1 may be considered a generalized representation of a mode of the Internet or the WWW, wherein it comprises a computer or server of the service provider or products of the Internet (hereinafter referred to as the provider server) coupled for communication, through the Internet 18, to a plurality of user computers. The plurality of user computers includes a first user computer 14 at a location within a first geographic region X and a second user computer 15 at a location within a second geographic region Y, away from the first region X. Any number of user computers in mutually different locations and / or geographic regions can be connected through the Internet 18, as represented by the N-th user computer 22. User computers can be coupled in communication with the provider server 12 simultaneously or during mutually different periods of time. The user computers 14-16 and the provider center (or server) 12 may each comprise any suitable computer device having a means to interconnect and communicate in a communications network and to operate, preferably under the control of computer programs, in the manner described below. These computers and communication interconnection are well known in the art and are not described in further detail herein for purposes of simplifying the present disclosure. The user computer 14-16 is operatively coupled by an associated means 20-22 to provide a position signal to its associated user computer, indicative of the location or region in which the medium is located. As discussed above, in some embodiments, this means may include a user input device associated with a given user computer 14-16 (including, but not limited to, a keyboard, touch screen, microphone, display icons that are selected at place a mouse cursor and press the mouse button, or similar) that is operated by the user to enter information associated with the user's location or region. For example, this information may include, without limitation, the postal code, address, city, state, country or similar of the user. Alternatively, the means for providing the position information may include a free storage medium by computer (including, but not limited to, a hard disk, a flexible disk, an optical or magneto-optical disk, or the like, in which pre-stores the position information and is selectively retrieved or provided to its associated user computer In an alternative, additional mode, the means for providing the position information comprises a user input device, such as that described above , to allow a user to enter a code (such as an alphanumeric sequence) that includes the user's geographical location in an encrypted (or otherwise hidden) format, for example, the provider of a product or service on the network (for example, Internet example) can issue to authorized users a code, based on the geographical location of the user, more preferably, to the user. or will also be issued a user-specific user identification number, (such as without limitation, a number associated with the user's network address by the user's computer, such as a serial number of the computer or other number typically issued and stored on computers by computer manufacturers, where the user's identification number and geographic location information can be encrypted together in a user code. The product or service provider can issue and communicate this code to a user, for example, over the telephone, postal mail, email (E-mail) or similar, to the user requesting this code and in addition to the provider that verifies the location geographic of the user. Verification of geographic location can be achieved by any appropriate process, including, but not limited to, the search of the user's email address, or by asking the user to * • > t present evidence. In this embodiment, the means for providing the position information communicates the code (encrypted code of the user's information and location or an encrypted code of the user's location and combined user's id) to the provider server. The provider server includes an additional means (for example, a suitable program for controlling the server processor) to decrypt the encrypted code and derive therefrom the user's location information and / or the user's id. The provider server additionally includes a means (for example, a suitable program for controlling the processor of the server) to compare the decrypted information for example with the entries in a table of authorized users and / or geographical locations for it, stored in a memory Persistent associated (or accessible) by the provider server. If the decrypted information does not correspond to an entry for an authorized user (for example, the id code of the authorized user, network address or computer information) and / or does not correspond to the entry in the table for that verified geographical location of the user, then the provider server will be controlled (by the computer program) to deny access to the product or service. On the other hand, if the decrypted information corresponds to an entry for an authorized user and its associated geographic location, then the user will be allowed access to the product or service. However, in preferred embodiments, the means 20-22 associated with each user computer 14-16, to provide the position information to its associated user computer, comprises a means that is capable of generating the position information from signals and / or information obtained by the medium in its location environment, including, but not limited to, satellite signals received in its location environment. In preferred embodiments, each means of provision of position information comprises a satellite signal positioning system, for example, a GPS global positioning system 20-22. More specifically, each positioning system 20-22 includes a receiver that receives satellite signals from one or more satellites 24 in orbit around the earth and "-;Item . .1 -process the information derived from these signals to produce additional information regarding the geographical location of the positioning system. Therefore, the positioning system produces information regarding its geographic location. Similarly, the positioning system 22 produces information with respect to its geographical location, which is different from that of the positioning system 20. According to modern GPS technology, this geographic information for example may correspond to a coordinate system globally pre-established such as in an enunciative way, latitude and longitude (Lat / Long), Transverse Mercator Universal (UTM), Recognition of Ordinance of the Great Britain (OSGB), Universal Polar Stereographic (UPS), Thomas Brother and GridMR Page, Trimble AtlasMR or similar. In preferred embodiments, the positioning systems 20-22 are coupled in close proximity to their respective associated computer 14-16 (or at least one video monitor coupled to the associated computer), such that each positioning system and its respective associated computer (or computer monitor) is located in the same geographic region. Thus, in Figure 1, the positioning system 20 is in a location within the same geographical region X as the computer 14. Similarly, the positioning system 21 is in a location within the same geographical region AND as the computer 15. In preferred embodiments, the positioning system is internal positioning systems, since they are incorporated within the same housing that also contains its respective associated computer, as shown with respect to the positioning system 20 and the computer 14. In other preferred embodiments, the positioning systems are located in a housing external to the housing of the associated computer, but still within the vicinity of the housing (or monitor) of the associated computer, as shown with respect to the positioning system 21 and the computer 15. Preferred, additional modes may employ one or more computers with internal positioning systems and one or more computers with external positioning systems, as shown in FIG. Figure 1. Due to the close proximity of each positioning system to its associated computer (or computer monitor), a given positioning structure will produce the information and location that corresponds to the geographic location of its associated computer (or computer monitor) ), or at least to a geographical location, within the same geographical region c omo as your associated computer (or computer monitor). As described above, the location information produced by each positioning system 20-22 provides the computer 14-16 respectively associated with the positioning system that produces the information. The physical equipment and the interconnection computing program for coupling positioning systems, such as GPS, with computers is well known in the art. In addition, some laptops are currently being manufactured with physical equipment and internal GPS computing program to process the geographic positioning information in relation to the geographical pressure of the laptop. Accordingly, the technology associated with the interconnection of a positioning system and a computer to communicate the information therebetween and process, by the computer, the geographic location information is well known in the art and for the purpose of simplifying the present description. , is not described in detail in the present. In the embodiment of Figure 1, computers 14-16 are operated under the control of user program 26-28, associated, respectively, to communicate geographic information to the provider, computer, such as a server or provider 12. The The server is operated under the control of the computer program 29 of the partner server to selectively provide or deny a given computer 14-16 access to a product or service depending on the geographic information provided by the given computer. One embodiment of this operation process is shown in general with respect to the flow diagram of Figure 2. In step 30 in Figure 2, a user of for example, the first user computer 14, sends a request over the Internet 18 to server 12, which requests one or more products or services that can be provided over the Internet connection. The exemplary embodiments of this request are described in detail below, with respect to Figures 3a and 3b. In addition, the geographic information corresponding to the geographic location and / or region X of the positioning system 20 (and thus the first user computer 14) is communicated from the first computer to the server 12. This geographic information can be include, for example, data corresponding to coordinate values provided by the positioning system. Alternatively, this geographic information may include data corresponding to the region X, for example, determined by a routine of the computer program 26, from the information provided by the positioning system 20. In this way, for example, a computer program routine can control computer 14 to determine an X region for example, the region within a postal code, city, state, particular country or other geographically defined region) in which computer 14 is located from the location information provided by the positioning system 20 and for communicating identification data corresponding to that region (such as the name or identification code pre-assigned for region X). However, in preferred embodiments, the determination of the region in which the user computer is located is performed on the provider server, under the control of a program routine 29 (as represented by step 32 in Figure 2). Once the region (region X of the user's computer) is determined, a program routine 29 controls the provider server 29 to determine if the region X is a restricted region (step 34) or is not. by any suitable routine, including without limitation a comparison of the data (eg ID data) for the X region with a pre-stored (or online) table or list of the restricted regions (or a list of unrestricted regions) As an alternative, the determination of whether the user's computer is in a restricted region or not, can be done (in the user's computer 14 or more preferably, in the provider server 12) from the corresponding data to location information (such».» -, .. »» ». > , .-,. *** - - * «^. . . : - * *. J? *? ? **** t? S & ** ^ i .. as coordinate values) provided by the positioning system 20, without determining the name or pre-assigned ID code for the X region. For example, the data corresponding to 5 coordinate values (as opposed to the name or code of ID) can be applied to an algorithm or comparison routine to determine if the coordinates are within a restricted region, or not. In this way, in an example mode, by a routine or pre-stored (or inline) mathematical comparison algorithm, if the data of the coordinate values are within a particular range, or not, which corresponds to the range of coordinates of a geographical region restricted (or not restricted). The route marked "No" from step 34 in Figure 2 represents a determination that the region X in which the user computer 14 is located is a restricted region. If the region X is determined to be a restricted region, then the serving server 12 is controlled to deny access by the user's computer 14 to the requested product or service (see step 36). In preferred embodiments, the server 12 provides a denial message to the user's computer * jSft »M- * M? t¡m * 14 as part of step 36. On the other hand, if the region X is determined in step 34 that is within an unrestricted region, then it can be provided to the computer of user 14 access to the product or service (step 38). In preferred embodiments, if access is allowed (in step 38) the server 12 downloads to the user's computer 14, the files of computer programs, programs, data, decoding keys, or other information that defines the product or service order or that is necessary for the user to obtain the requested product or service. Accordingly, in the embodiment of the system of Figures 1 and 2, a user computer can communicate a request for a product or service, as well as geographic information identifying the region or location of the user's computer, to a provider of the user's computer. product or service in a wide area computer network, such as the Internet or the WWW. The provider uses geographic information to determine whether the product allows or denies access to the product or service ordered by the user's computer. In this way, the supplier of a product or service ordered in the network can control access to the product or service based on the geographical location of the user making the request. In additional, preferred embodiments, instead of a simple access / deny access determination, the provider may provide limited access to one or more geographic regions or may provide several degrees of limited access, depending on the geographic region of the user's computer . In this way, for example, a set of rules can be implemented such that the server 12 in Figure 1 can be controlled to allow full access to a particular product or service for the user computers (such as 14) in a first region (region X), partial access to the product or service for user computers (such as 15) in a second region (region Y) and no access for user computers (such as 16) located outside the X and Y regions. They can be pre-stored (for example, as part of the program that controls the step of determination 34 as part of another program or file operable with the control program, a set of rules, to implement various combinations and degrees of limitations, depending on the geographic location of the user's computer making the request. , a set of rules may be provided to the server 12 from an online source, or the like In some embodiments, according to these rules, the provider may request additional user input or other information to provide limited or complete access, depending on the geographical location of the user's computer. For example, with respect to the above embodiment, the provider server 12 can be controlled to allow access to any user computer in the second region (region Y), only if the user also provides additional information, such as age, information of identification, payment information, acceptance of an agreement or other user information, or only after the user is given a warning, negative or other message or information. Preferably, the provider server 12 is controlled by the computer program 29 to communicate a request for this additional information and / or to communicate the warning, waiver or other message or information to the user. Other information, which is not necessarily received from the user's computer, can be used in the determination of whether access is allowed or not (complete or limited). For example, limitations or restrictions of certain regions may be imposed during certain times of day during certain dates, wherein the time or date information is provided to the server 12 from any suitable source. One factor that affects the reliability and integrity of the modalities described above is the reliability and integrity of the positioning system (20-22) that receives the satellite signals and provides the information and location used by the computer (14-16) to order the product or service. In preferred embodiments, the reliability can be improved by communicating the time information from the computer requesting the server, where the time information corresponds to the time that the positioning system (20-22) associated with the request computer received the satellite signals. In other embodiments, the time information may correspond to the time at which the positioning system generated the location information or provided the location information to the requesting computer for use in conjunction with the request. The server 12 can be controlled to make a determination (step 36 in Figure 2) of whether the time information was received from the request computer (14-16) or not, being within an expected range, for example , within a preselected period of time before the time that the server 12 receives the request (and / or the location information) that can be represented as: (tt -? t) < t2 > t: where? t, is the preselected time period, ti is the time at which the request and / or location information was received) by the server, and t2 is the time corresponding to the time information received from the request computer. Other suitable algorithms or similar means can also be used to determine whether the t2 is acceptable, or not, for a given request of the user's computer. A step 40 to test the acceptability of time t2 can improve the * i J i.i i j-c-Ktatir - Reliability that the location information was not pre-generated and recorded in another region. In this way, the time test step 40 can provide greater confidence to the provider that the location information in a given request was generated by a positioning system in the same location (or at least within the same local region) as the requesting computer and at approximately the same time as the requesting computer is making the request. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the determination of whether the time information received from the request computer corresponds to an acceptable time (step 40) or not, is carried out following the determination that the requesting computer is within an unrestricted region, or at least, a limited access region (step 34). However, in other embodiments, the acceptable time determination step (step 40) may be carried out before the step of determining the region restriction (step 34), such that the request is tested for an acceptable time before be tested for an acceptable geographic region. In this mode, if time t2 is determined to be unacceptable, then access will be denied (step 36). The process will not proceed to the termination step of the region restriction (step 34) unless the time t2 is determined to be acceptable in the time determination step. The time information (corresponding to the time t2) that is communicated to the server 12 by the request computer (14-16) is derived preferentially or is generated from the information obtained from the satellite signals (u others) received by the positioning system (20-22) associated with the request computer.

Modern, typical GPS receivers receive and process the time information signals as part of the processing steps of the satellite signals carried out to determine the geographical location. Because this time information will generally correspond to the time at which the satellite signals are received and processed by the position computer, this time information can be used to provide the time information communicated to the server 12 by the computer. petition (14-16). Alternatively, time information may be obtained from other sources, including, but not limited to, a clock (not shown) located externally or internally to the positioning system (20-22) and / or computer (14-16). ). In preferred, additional embodiments, for purposes of minimizing false position or time information, the requesting computer (or more preferably, the positioning system) can be controlled to encode the time and data data of the user. the geographic location before transmission to the server 12. In additional, still preferred, modes, the location and time information provided by the positioning system (20-22) are coded together to make it more difficult to determine either or both of the information points without the algorithm or decryption key. In still further preferred embodiments, the location and time information may be encoded by the request computer (or more preferably, the associated positioning system) according to an asynchronous key coding scheme, wherein a key is used Kl of common coding on the user's computer side and a decoding key K2, different from the key of -? * Kl decoding issued to user computers, used by server 12 to decode the user's computer communication and obtain location and time information from this. In this way, a request computer that communicates the location information it has (and preferably coded), in effect, a time stamp that corresponds in general to the time at which the satellite signals were received and generated the location information. In one embodiment, the location and time information may be communicated from the request computer as part of the request (as represented in Figure 3a) or as part of a separate communication (as depicted in Figure 3b) . More specifically, Figures 3a and 3b depict examples of alternative schemes for carrying out step 30 of Figure 2. In Figure 3a, a request packet 42 communicated by the requesting computer to the server 12 includes the information of location and time, as well as the information that identifies the requested product or service ("request info") and optionally, the information that identifies the user ("user info"). Preferably, at least the location and time information is encoded. However, in additional, preferred embodiments, all the information may be coded together to make it more difficult to decode without the decoding key or algorithm. In more preferred embodiments, the location and time information is communicated separately from the information of the requested product ("request info"), as shown in Figure 3b. In Figure 3b, the requesting computer first communicates a request for a product or service, as represented by the request packet 44. The server 12 can then be controlled to determine whether the requested product or service is one comprising restrictions or geographical limitations, or not. If it is not, the server can be operated to take additional steps to provide access to the requested product or service. However, if the requested service or product is one that comprises geographical restrictions or limitations, then the server can be controlled to communicate a question 46 to the requesting computer, in response to which the requesting computer can then communicate the information of the requesting computer. location and time (represented by package 48). In further, preferred embodiments, the user computer 14-16 is controlled by the computer program 26-28 to periodically (or otherwise successively) communicate the location and / or time information generated by the associated positioning system 20-22 (also preferably periodically or successively, corresponding to periodic or successive communications) during a communication exchange between the provider server 12 and the user's computer. As a result, the provider server is provided with multiple packets of location and / or time information during the course of a communication exchange, to continue monitoring the location (or region) of the user's computer and time reported, to allow this so that the provider server has greater confidence that the user's computer is located in the location or region corresponding to the location information during the time of the communication exchange. Meanwhile, in the above modalities, the user computers can be controlled to automatically communicate the location information and / or time, periodic (or successive), in an additional mode, the user computers can be controlled to communicate automatically the periodic (or successive) information of location and / or time, in an additional mode, the server computer 12 can be controlled by the computer program 29 to periodically (or otherwise successively) communicate questions to the user computer 14-16 during a communication exchange, asking the user to communicate the location and / or time information. The user computer can then be controlled by its associated computer program to answer each question by location information and / or communication time to the provider server. The flowcharts of Figures 4 and 5 show example processes carried out by the request computer (14-16) of the server 12, respectively, under the control of the computer program (26-28) and 29, respectively. The flow chart of Figure 4 represents an example mode of a process carried out by the request computer according to the scheme of Figure 3b. Initially, the request computer communicates a request (step 50) and then waits for an answer (step 52 and 54). Preferably, if a response is not received within a predetermined time from the request step 50, a determination is made (in step 54) to determine the process as a failed attempt. If a reply is received within the allotted time, then a determination is made as to whether the answer is a question for the location information and / or time information (step 56) or not. If it is not, the request computer prepares the reception of the requested product or service (step 58). However, if the answer is a question for the location and / or time information, then the requesting computer is controlled to communicate the location and / or time information (step 60) and awaits an answer (steps 62 and 64) . This location and / or time information may be encoded prior to communication, as part of step 60. Preferably, if a reply is not received within a predetermined time from the sending step 60, a determination is made ( in step 64) to end the process as a failed attempt. If a reply is received within the allotted time, then a determination is made as to whether the reply is a denial message (step 66) or not, and if so, the user's computer can be controlled to display a message "denied access" to the user and the procedure can be terminated. If, on the other hand, the reply is an acceptance message or the requested product or service, then the requesting computer prepares the reception of the requested product or service (step 58). The flow diagram in Figure 5 represents an example mode of a process carried out by the server 12, upon receipt of a request for a product or service. In the embodiment of Figure 5, the server receives a request from a user computer (step 70) The server 12 is then controlled to determine whether the requested product or service is one that is limited or restricted by geographic region (step 12) or not. This can be achieved, for example, by comparing the identification information for an ordered product or service with the pre-stored (or online) table or list of products or services that have geographic limitations or restrictions (or that are free of these). limitations or restrictions). If the requested product or service is not limited or restricted by the geographical location of the petitioner then from step 72, the process continues to prepare the shipment of the requested product or service (step 74). On the other hand, if the requested product or service is one that is geographically limited or restricted, then the server 12 is controlled to send one or more requests, requesting location and / or time information (step 76) and then awaiting reception of this information (step 78 and 80). Preferably, if a reply is not received within a predetermined time from the sending step 76, a determination is made (in step 80) to terminate the process as a failed attempt. If a reply is received within the allotted time, then, at least in some modalities, the region in which the user's computer resides is determined (step 82) and the region determined in this way is compared to a table or list of regions unrestricted (or restricted or limited) (step 84) to determine whether the request computer is within a region of restricted, limited or unrestricted access. Alternative modes can determine this information from the location information, instead of first determining the region to which the location information corresponds. If the location and / or time information was coded prior to communication from the user's computer, then step 82 will also comprise a step to decode the coded information before determining the geographic region associated with the information. If the server determines that the request computer is within an unrestricted region then the server prepares the shipment of the requested product or service (step 74). Otherwise, the server sends a denial message to the request computer 76 and terminates the process (step 86). Meanwhile, the processes represented in Figures 4 and 5 are exemplary embodiments for carrying out the various aspects of the present invention, other processes comprising communication over the Internet (or other communications network) of the location information obtained. from the positioning system (such as a GPS) and which limits or restricts access to products or services based on this location information), may be within the scope of additional embodiments of the present invention. In addition, it is noted that the determinations, such as whether the user's computer is in a restricted region or not, or the degree of restriction or additional information necessary based on the user's geographical location is described primarily before it is performed by the server 12. This may be preferred for purposes of minimizing fraudulent requests. However, other embodiments may employ the computer program (26-28) of the user's computer to perform some or all of these determinations. In this way, for example, the user's computer (or information receiver processor) may operate with the computer program that effectively blocks the user's computer (information receiver) or otherwise disables or limits the ability of the user's computer. the user's computer to receive the requested information, products or services requested, in the case that the user's computer (receiver of information) is in a geographical region for which this information is restricted or limited, products or services, or is not in a location that corresponds to a predefined (unrestricted) or expected geographical region. In this embodiment, the user computer (information receiver) may be controlled by computer programs, computer programs established in suitable circuit, or the like, residing in the user's computer (or otherwise accessible by the user's computer). ), for example to selectively allow or deny access to predefined information on the network, to allow or deny the reception of information from the network, or to enable or disable the circuitry or processing or reception routines necessary to receive or use effective way the predefined information in the network, without requesting the transmission of location information from the user's computer (receiver of information).

The systems and processes, as described above, in which the computer or user processor (instead of the provider processor) is controlled by computer programs, computer program established in circuit or similar to make the determinations, as if the The user's computer is in a restricted region or not, or the degree of restriction or additional information necessary based on the geographical location of the user, which has a wide variety of useful applications to control the access of information on the Internet or the WWW. However, the additional modalities that employ these systems or processes have a wide variety of useful applications in conjunction with other communication systems. For example, consider communication systems via satellite in which an information signal (such as, but not limited to, a television signal) is transmitted from a satellite to a plurality of receiver processors located in multiple geographic regions. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the transmitted information signal will be secured from (will be inaccessible to) receiving processors that are in t, á.í »* geographical regions restricted or not in an acceptable geographical region. In a preferred embodiment, the information provider comprises a provider of satellite television signals by subscription and the receiving or receiving processors comprise satellite television receivers located at the user (subscriber) locations. The positioning system (preferably a GPS), as well as the processor and computer program for performing the steps as described above, are located with the user's satellite signal receiver (or subscriber) or electronic processing products. In this way, the reception and / or processing (such as decryption or decoding) of the television signal can be inhibited or restricted, unless the GPS location data corresponds to the predefined or expected location. The provider can program or store the predefined or expected location in the processor on the receiver side and the associated memory, for example, when the provider issues the receiver equipment to the user (subscriber) or installs the receiving equipment at the user's location ( subscriber). Alternatively, the provider may include information in the transmitted signal, which represents the expected or predefined location of the processor on the receiver side. This predefined or expected location information (either pre-programmed, pre-stored received with the transmitted signal) is fed to the processor on the receiver side. In addition, the current location information, such as GPS data from the GPS associated with the user (subscriber), is fed to the processor on the receiver side, for example, when the receiver is activated (or a particular television channel or program is selected by the user) to receive a content signal. If the current location information corresponds to the predefined or expected location, then access to the information is allowed (television signal). Alternatively, or in addition, the content signal may be encoded according to the coding scheme that can be decoded by a decoding scheme that requires appropriate GPS data as part of the decoding algorithm or as a decoding key .1 »-or simply to allow access to the decoding code or algorithm. Also, while some of the above embodiments are described as employing the computer program 26 to operate with the user computers, other modes may employ positioning systems 20-22 that have a processing means capable of processing the computer program 26-28 and perform the functions described above with respect to computers 14-16, such that some or all functions of generation of location, time and request are performed by systems 20-22. In these modalities, the provider can issue (loan, lease or sell) and periodically monitor (or otherwise successively) these processing systems to clients (users) and in this way can be better guaranteed against the fraudulent use of the equipment. While the modalities described above are mainly related to the location information of the user who uses (or receiver), to control access to the information, other modalities may use the location information of the provider to control access to the information of the user. a similar way. In this mode, the provider's processor is associated with a positioning system (such as a GPS) to provide the location information that represents the geographic location of the provider. This information is transmitted over the communication network to the receiving processor (s), for example during a conformance exchange or in conjunction with the transmission of the content information. The processor or receiver will then be controlled by way of example according to the processes described above, to determine whether the location information of the provider processor corresponds to an expected location (or predefined or pre-stored). If not, then the receiving processor may ignore or deny the user access to the information. If the location information of the provider processor corresponds to an expected location, then the receiver process will be controlled to allow processing and / or access to the user to the additional information received from the provider. In this way, the authentication to the provider, using the provider's information and location (such as GPS data) to verify the authenticity of the provider's information. Also, while several determinations are described above as being achieved by comparing a value (product identification, location information, region information, user's computer id, user information) to a table or list of these values, other modalities can use suitable schemes based on algorithms to make the determinations. The additional embodiments may employ additional features, such as a means for the provider's computer to compare the location information received from the request computer with other location information obtained from the user such as, but not limited to, the information of the billing address associated with the credit card numbers provided by the user, the pre-stored address information (eg, stored in the storage medium 13 or available to the server from other online sources, not shown) it is expected to correspond to a particular user, or similar. If the location information does not correspond to the information and address, access to the requested product or service may be denied or limited. Other uses of location information transmitted by a user's computer only on the Internet may include, by way of example, uses associated with the detection of stolen or contraband computers. For example, user computers operating with satellite signal positioning systems via as described above can be programmed to transmit the information and location to a predetermined address when they are connected to the Internet such that, in the case when the computer is stolen, the location of the computer can be traced. Location information can also be used to track the location of illegal subscribers of Internet connection services. The embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, instead of the description , .t, .¿. J jsM? H > asaü & previous. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore proposed to be encompassed hereby. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the present invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property:

Claims (21)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method for controlling the distribution of information from a processor of the information provider to a plurality of receiving processors in a communication network, based on the geographic locations of the receiving processors, the method is characterized in that it comprises: associating a respective positioning system with each respective receiver processor; generating the location information with a first system of the positioning systems and providing the location information to the receiving processor associated with the first positioning system, the location information corresponding to the general geographical location of the positioning system; communicating, in the communication network, the location information from the receiving processor associated with the first positioning system to the supplying processor; determine, from the location information, if the geographical location of the first positioning system is within a predefined location or region for which access limitations or restrictions are imposed; impose limitations or restrictions on information access by the receiving processor associated with the first positioning system 5 in the case where the geographical region of the first positioning system is determined to be within a location or region for which these limitations are imposed or access restrictions in the determination step, and allow the information access by the receiving processor without limitations or restrictions in the event that the geographical location of the first positioning system is determined not to be within a location or region for the which are imposed 15 these limitations or restrictions on access in the determination step. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of associating a respective positioning system 20 with each respective receiver processor comprises coupling a signal processing and reception device via satellite to each respective receiver processor, in close proximity geographically to the respective receiver processor. 25 3. A method of compliance with the < "« &) 6 '«SM¿é« a- & jB »a» -ai- ,. < -i * * ** ** * * i * * *. * - ... * * * »* .. *! * *, * * *. * ** * * **. < &-a. ******* ** - * & iaa» Jm * ^ * mtí *** ^ claim 2, characterized in that the step of providing a data signal corresponding to the geographical location of the receiver processor comprises the steps of receiving signals via satellite and processing the signals received via satellite to provide the data signal. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving processors and the provider processors each comprise a computer coupled for communication over the Internet and the communication network comprises the Internet and where the step of transmitting the signals of Location communications over the communications network comprises transmitting the location communication signals over the Internet from the computer of the associated receiving processor c on the first positioning system to the processor processor of the supplier. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the step of imposing the limitations comprises the steps of: denying access to predefined information by the receiving processor associated with the first positioning system in the case that the geographical location of the first system of positioning is determined to be within a restricted region; transmitting a denial message from the provider processor to the receiving processor associated with the first positioning system. 6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of imposing limitations comprises the steps of: denying access to predefined information by the receiver processor associated with the first positioning system in the case that the geographical region of the first system of positioning is determined to be within a restricted region; transmitting a denial message from the provider processor to the receiver processor associated with the first positioning system. 7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: generating time data representing the time in which the information and location is generated; communicating the time data in the communication network, from the receiving processor associated with the first positioning system to the provider's processor; determining whether the time data corresponds to a time within a period of time of generation of the expected location information; and imposing limitations or restrictions on the access of information by the receiver processor associated with the first positioning system in the event that the time data does not correspond to a time within the period of time of generation of information and expected location. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that: the step of associating a respective positioning system with each respective receiver processor comprises coupling a satellite signal reception and processing device to each respective receiver processor, in close proximity geographically to a respective receiver processor; the step of providing a data signal corresponding to the geographical location of the receiving processor comprises the step of receiving Í. ? -I & the satellite signals and process the signals received via satellite to provide the data signal; and the method further comprising the steps of: generating time data from the signal received via satellite, the time data representing the time at which the satellite signal is received; communicating the time data in the communication network, from the receiving processor associated with the first positioning system to the supplying processor; determining if the time data correspond to a time within a predefined interval; and imposing limitations or restrictions on accessing information by the receiver processor associated with the first positioning system in the event that the data does not correspond to a time within the predefined interval. 9. A method for communicating the information from one unit of the information provider to one or more receiving units coupled in a communication network, based on the location x? . * ~ ü ) geographical, the method is characterized in that it comprises: associating a respective positioning system with each respective receiving unit; providing, with at least one of the positioning systems, a data signal corresponding to the geographical location of the receiving unit associated therewith; transmitting the communication signals over the communication network from at least one of the receiving units, the location communication signals including the geographical location information corresponding to the data signal provided by the positioning system associated with the transmission receiving unit; receive the communication and location signals with the information provider unit; transmitting the communication signals of the provider from the information provider unit to at least one receiving unit, based on the geographical location information included in the 'location communication signals received in at least one unit ? ~ *? * & .sj?, é * - '-t Er ^ * ií-J¿ receptor. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the step of associating a respective positioning system with each respective receiving unit comprises coupling a signal processing and reception device via satellite to each respective receiving unit, in a geographically close proximity to the receiving unit, respectively. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the step of providing a data signal corresponding to the geographical location of the receiving unit comprises the steps of receiving signals via satellite and processing the signals received via satellite to provide the signal of data. 12. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the receiving units and the provider unit each comprise a computer coupled for communication over the Internet and the communication network comprises the Internet and where the step of transmitting the communication and location signals on the communication network comprises transmitting communication and location signals over the Internet from at least one computer of the receiving unit to the computer of the provider unit. 13. A method for communicating information between coupled processors in a communication network, depending on the geographical location in one of the processors, the method is characterized in that it comprises: associating a positioning system with a first processor coupled in the network; providing, with the positioning system, a data signal corresponding to the geographical location of the first processor; transmitting communication and location signals over the network from the first processor to at least one other processor coupled in the network; control additional communications between the first processor and at least one other processor, depending on the geographical location of the first processor. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the step of associating the positioning systems with a first processor comprises coupling a device Jhtík * m fc¿ of processing satellite signal reception to the first processor, in proximity geographically close to the first processor and wherein the step of providing a data signal corresponding to the geographic location of the first processor comprises the steps of receiving signals via satellite and process the signals received via satellite to provide the data signal. 15. A method according to claim 13, characterized in that the processors each comprise a computer coupled for communication over the Internet and the communication network comprises the Internet and where the step of transmitting the communication signals of location over the network comprises transmitting communication and location signals over the Internet from the first processor computer to another processor computer. 16. A method for controlling communications between the first and second communication units coupled in a communication network, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving location information on the .SJ. network with the first communication unit, the location information corresponding to the geographical location of the second communication unit; determining, from the location information, whether the geographic location of the second communications unit is within a predefined geographical region; controlling the communication of additional information between the first and second communication units, depending on the determination of whether the second communication unit is within the predefined geographical region. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the step of controlling the communication of additional information comprises controlling the communication of information from the first communication unit to the second communication unit, depending on the determination whether the second communication unit is within the predefined geographical region. 18. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving time data with the first communication unit, the time data representing the time in which the location information was generated; and determining whether the time data correspond to the time within a period of time of generation of expected location information; and wherein the step of controlling the communication of additional information comprises the step of controlling the communication of additional information between the first and second communication units, depending on the determination of whether the time data correspond to a time within the time period generation of information and expected location. 19. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the location information comprises communication signals representing location data generated by a satellite signal processing receiving device located in the vicinity of the second communication unit. 20. A method according to claim 19, characterized in that it further comprises the steps of: receiving time data with the first communication unit, the time data comprising data generated from the device receiving and processing signals via satellite and which represents the time in which the location information was generated; and determining whether the time data correspond to a time within a period of time of generation of expected location information; and wherein the step of controlling the communication of additional information comprises the step of controlling the communication of additional information between the first and second communication units; depending on the determination of whether the time data correspond to a time within the time period of generation of information and expected location. 21. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the first and second communication units each comprise a computer coupled for communication over the Internet and the communications network. ^ ¡^ ^ ^^ ¡^ ¡^ ^ ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡! from the computer associated with the second communication unit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A communication system includes a plurality of receiver processors (14, 15, 16) located in geographically remote locations with respect to one another and connected for communication with a processor (12) of the information provider, over the network of communications. The provider (12) and the receiving processors (14, 15, 16) may comprise respective computers coupled for communication on the Internet or the WWW. The provider's processor is able to provide the information from any suitable source, by communicating this information over a communications network. However, access to information is controlled by the receiving processors, based on the location or geographic region of the receiving processors. Each processor or receiver is operably associated with a positioning system to provide the geographic location information corresponding to the location or region in which the positioning system is located, such as GPS global positioning system (20, 21 , 22). The geographic position information is used to -S determine if the processor requesting the information is within a restricted region, or not restricted. -. to. t. »- ?? * M *** ~ **