Edward Melvin Fitzgerald

US Patent:

7316033, Jan 1, 2008

Filed:

Dec 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/325243

Inventors:

Hank Risan - Santa Cruz CA, US
Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Music Public Broadcasting, Inc. - Santa Cruz CA

International Classification:

H04L 9/00
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

726 33, 705 57, 709231, 713165, 726 30

Abstract:

A method of preventing unauthorized recording of electronic media is described. The method is comprised of activating a compliance mechanism in response to receiving media content by a client system. The compliance mechanism is coupled to the client system. The media content presentation application is operable and coupled to the compliance mechanism. The method is further comprised of controlling a data output path of the client computer with the compliance mechanism. The method is further comprised of directing the media content via the data output path to a custom media device for selectively restricting output of the media content. The custom media device is coupled to the compliance mechanism and to the media content presentation application. The method is further comprised of preventing a recording application coupled to the client computer system from recording the media content file when recording violates usage restriction applicable to the media content.

US Patent:

7426637, Sep 16, 2008

Filed:

May 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/443929

Inventors:

Hank Risan - Santa Cruz CA, US
Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Music Public Broadcasting, Inc. - Santa Cruz CA

International Classification:

H04L 9/00
G06F 17/30
G06F 3/00
G06F 13/00
H04K 1/00

US Classification:

713165, 726 26, 380255, 705 57, 725 61, 725 87

Abstract:

A method for controlling media sharing among a plurality of nodes in a network. The present method is comprised of availing to the network an instance of media content for sharing among the plurality of nodes by a source node communicatively coupled to the network. The present method further includes decrypting the instance of media content from an encryption local to the source node. The present method further includes encrypting the instance of media content into an intermediate encryption. The present method further includes transferring the instance of media content to a node while the instance of media content is in the intermediate encryption. The node is associated with the network. The decrypting and the encrypting and the transferring are in response to receiving a request for the instance of media content from the node.

US Patent:

7570761, Aug 4, 2009

Filed:

Feb 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/772025

Inventors:

Hank Risan - Santa Cruz CA, US
Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Trimble Navigation Limited - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

H04N 7/167
H04K 1/00
H04L 9/00
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

380201, 726 30, 726 33, 713165, 705 57, 709231

Abstract:

A method and system for preventing unauthorized recording of media content in an iTunes™ environment. Embodiment of the method begins by activating a compliance mechanism in response to receiving media content at a client system. The media content is received from a content provider providing content in a format compatible with an iTunes™ media service. Also, the client system has a media content presentation application that is capable of handling the media content operable thereon and coupled to the compliance mechanism. The method continues by controlling a data output path carrying the media content of the client system with the compliance mechanism. Thereafter, the method directs the media content to a custom media device coupled that is coupled to the compliance mechanism via the data output path. In this way, the embodiment of the method is capable of selectively restricting output of the media content.

US Patent:

7578002, Aug 18, 2009

Filed:

Nov 25, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/304390

Inventors:

Hank Risan - Santa Cruz CA, US
Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Trimble Navigation Limited - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

H03M 1/66

US Classification:

726 32

Abstract:

A method of restricting client interaction of deliverable electronic media. In one embodiment, the method is comprised of detecting a media player application operable within a computer system. The media player application enables the computer system to present contents of a media file. The present method is further comprised of governing within said media player application a function that enables non-compliance with a usage restriction applicable to the media file. The present method is further comprised of controlling output of the media file. The controlling is performed by a compliance mechanism coupled to the computer system. The compliance mechanism is for enabling compliance with the usage restriction applicable to the media file.

US Patent:

7584353, Sep 1, 2009

Filed:

Sep 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/661047

Inventors:

Hank Risan - Santa Cruz CA, US
Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Trimble Navigation Limited - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

H04L 29/06

US Classification:

713164, 726 6

Abstract:

One embodiment of the invention is a method for providing media content while preventing its unauthorized distribution. The method includes transmitting from a client to an administrative node a request for delivery of an instance of media content (IMC); determining which content source (CS) of a plurality of CSs to provide delivery of the IMC, provided the client is authorized to receive the IMC; transmitting to the client an access key and a location of the IMC; transmitting from the client to the CS a second request and the access key; in response to receiving the second request and the access key, transferring the IMC from the CS to the client; transmitting from the client to the administrative node an indicator indicating a successful transfer of the IMC; and generating a transaction applicable to the client and associated with the transfer of the IMC to the client.

US Patent:

7721103, May 18, 2010

Filed:

Sep 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/235293

Inventors:

Hank Risan - Santa Cruz CA, US
Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Media Rights Technologies, Inc. - Santa Cruz CA

International Classification:

H04L 9/32
G06F 15/16

US Classification:

713176, 709217

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention enables global delivery of “on-demand” high fidelity media content to client computers via a network, such as, the Internet or a wide area network (WAN) while restricting unauthorized users from directly retrieving media content from its sources. The present embodiment includes a global media content delivery network that may include multiple “points of presence” which may be located throughout the world. Each point of presence may store a portion or the entirety of a media content library that may be provided to client devices. Each one of the points of presence may provide media content to client devices in their respective vicinity of the world. Once a client receives media, it is stored using hidden directories to prevent easy redistribution with other devices. An access key procedure and rate control restrictor may also be implemented to monitor and restrict suspicious media requests.

US Patent:

7802095, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Feb 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/772031

Inventors:

Hank Risan - Santa Cruz CA, US
Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Music Public Broadcasting, Inc. - Santa Cruz CA

International Classification:

H04L 9/32

US Classification:

713164, 726 26, 705 57

Abstract:

A method for preventing unauthorized recording of media content on a Macintosh operating system. The present method registers a compliance mechanism on a client system having the Macintosh operating system operating thereon. The compliance mechanism comprises a framework for validating the compliance mechanism on the client system, and a multimedia component opened by the framework. The present method uses the multimedia component for decrypting the media content on the client system. The present method also prevents decryption of the media content on the client system having the Macintosh operating system operating thereon if a portion of the compliance mechanism is invalidated.

US Patent:

7870385, Jan 11, 2011

Filed:

Feb 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/772026

Inventors:

Hank Risan - Santa Cruz CA, US
Edward Vincent Fitzgerald - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Music Public Broadcasting, Inc. - Santa Cruz CA

International Classification:

H04L 29/06
H04L 9/32
G06F 11/30
G06F 12/14
G06F 21/00

US Classification:

713165, 713173, 713175, 713189, 713193, 705 57

Abstract:

A method of controlling presentation of content on a media storage device is described. The method is comprised of verifying the presence of a media presentation mechanism and a usage compliance mechanism on a computer system operated by a recipient to whom the media storage device is distributed. The usage compliance mechanism includes a file system filter driver for controlling data reads associated with the computer readable media. The media presentation mechanism is communicatively coupled with the usage compliance mechanism. The present method further includes the file system driver performing a first decryption of the computer readable media. The present method further includes the media presentation mechanism performing a second decrypting of the computer readable media concurrent with presenting the computer readable media to the recipient.