On Tuesdays the USPTO issues new patents.Today's Spotlight Patents address aspects of DRM. Assigned to Microsoft, the first patent concerns techniques for device registration within a DRM framework. Assigned to IBM, the second patent concerns techniques for controlling access to wirelessly broadcast electronic works during playback.
7,620,809, "Method and system for device registration within a digital rights management framework," assigned to Microsoft.
Abstract
A method of registering network devices in a digital rights management system (DRMS) includes receiving a digital certificate transmitted by the network device requesting registration and verifying the validity of the certificate. The DRMS may then send cryptographic information to the applying network device. The network device may be authorized for registration via a user interface to the DRMS. The DRMS may conduct a proximity test to determine of the network device is proximate to the DRMS. If the certificate is validated, authorization is received, and the proximity test indicates that the network device is proximate to the DRMS, the network device may be registered. A registered network device is then authorized to play protected digital content.
7,620,362, "Controlling access to wirelessly broadcast electronic works during playback," assigned to IBM.
Abstract
A wireless broadcast of an electronic work with digital rights rules is received from a primary player at a secondary player. Synchronous play of the electronic work at the secondary player is enabled while the secondary player is within reception range of the primary player. A sample of the streamed electronic work with digital rights rules is stored at the secondary player. Responsive to detecting that the secondary player has moved outside reception range of the primary player, the secondary player only allows playback of the stored electronic work according to the digital rights rules.
Abstract
A method of registering network devices in a digital rights management system (DRMS) includes receiving a digital certificate transmitted by the network device requesting registration and verifying the validity of the certificate. The DRMS may then send cryptographic information to the applying network device. The network device may be authorized for registration via a user interface to the DRMS. The DRMS may conduct a proximity test to determine of the network device is proximate to the DRMS. If the certificate is validated, authorization is received, and the proximity test indicates that the network device is proximate to the DRMS, the network device may be registered. A registered network device is then authorized to play protected digital content.
7,620,362, "Controlling access to wirelessly broadcast electronic works during playback," assigned to IBM.
Abstract
A wireless broadcast of an electronic work with digital rights rules is received from a primary player at a secondary player. Synchronous play of the electronic work at the secondary player is enabled while the secondary player is within reception range of the primary player. A sample of the streamed electronic work with digital rights rules is stored at the secondary player. Responsive to detecting that the secondary player has moved outside reception range of the primary player, the secondary player only allows playback of the stored electronic work according to the digital rights rules.
