Patent · US Expired

Encryption system with transaction coded decryption key

US5889860A · kind A · utility

155Cited by
27References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 8, 1996
Grant dateMar 30, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 8, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L69/329
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The encryption secured computer system (10) includes a server (12) that communicates with clients (14-20) across a public network (21) using a novel transaction coded decryption key technology that discourages wrongful redistribution of protected information such as digital musical scores, and allows for tracking of infringing activity. In one implementation, the server (12) distributes access software and partially encrypted musical scores to clients upon request. A client can sample the partially encrypted scores prior to consummating a transaction. When a score is selected, the client enters payment information and is assigned a password that is specific to the client and transaction. The password functions as a decryption key to enable use of the musical score by the client employing the access software. Any subsequent wrongful redistribution of the musical score together with the decryption password can be traced due to client identifying information encoded into the password.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.