New patents are issued by the USPTO on Tuesdays. Both of today's Spotlight Patents concern digital rights management and 3D objects and printing. Assigned to Intertrust Technologies, the first patent addresses techniques for protecting intellectual property rights in connection with 3-dimensional printing processes. Assigned to eBay, the second patent addresses techniques for digital rights and integrity management in three-dimensional (3D) printing.
10,061,906, "Object rendering systems and methods," assigned to Intertrust.
Abstract
Systems and methods are described that protect intellectual property rights in connection with 3-dimensional printing processes. In certain embodiments, an object a user would like to render with a 3-dimensional printing device may be compared with one or more managed objects having certain associated intellectual property rights. If the object is found to be similar to a managed object (e.g., similar in shape, function, composition, etc.), policy associated with the managed object may be enforced in connection with rendering the object. In this manner, intellectual property rights associated with the managed objects may be enforced.
10,055,774, "Digital rights and integrity management in three-dimensional (3D) printing," assigned to eBay.
Abstract
Systems, methods and media for managing digital rights and pre-verification of structural integrity in three-dimensional (3D) printing are provided. In one example, a system comprises at least one module, executing on one or more computer processors, to receive a request from a user to print a 3D object by a 3D printer or printing service and receive a conditional authorization from an owner of digital rights in the 3D object to print the 3D object. The conditional authorization can include a printing specification or limitation. The at least one module pre-verifies, for structural integrity once printed by the 3D printer or printing service, a digital model on which the 3D object is based. In response to a received conditional authorization, the at least one module transmits instructions to the 3D printer or printing service to print the 3D object.
