On Tuesdays the USPTO issues new patents. Both of today's Spotlight Patents concern aspects of digital rights management. Assigned to NullRing, the first patent pertains to techniques for limiting access to sensitive data. Assigned to Sony, the second patent pertains to key sharing techniques for DRM interoperability.
7,840,795, "Method and apparatus for limiting access to sensitive data," assigned to NullRing, Inc.
Abstract
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sharing sensitive data. A trusted operating system is configured to securely execute boot instructions for one or more hardware component. A virtual operating system in communication with the trusted operating system is configured with one or more security policies defining access rights associated with the one or more hardware component.
7,840,489, "Key sharing for DRM interoperability," assigned to Sony (JP).
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a method comprises generating a cryptographic key and sharing the cryptographic key with a plurality of digital rights management (DRM) systems supplied by different providers. This provides flexibility in using any DRM system by media receiving devices targeted to receive media.
