Datum, Inc.

Digital Delivery, Inc.

Thomas Mark Hastings

Todd S Glassey

Ronald J Subler

Gerald L Willett

Michael E McNeil

Access to stored information by a user is controlled by comparing an actual geographic position and/or an actual date/time with a geographic region and/or a date/time interval within which access to the stored information is authorized. The actual geographic position where the stored information is located, and the actual date/time can be determined, for example, based on signals received at a receiver supplying reliable position and time information, such as a GPS receiver. Access to the stored information is authorized if the actual geographic position and/or date/time falls within the authorized geographic region and/or date/time interval. The position and date/time information supplied by the receiver may be cryptographically signed and encrypted.

Controlling access to stored information based on geographical location and date and time

Hierarchically organized graphical representations of items and groups of the items of digital information which are available to be ordered by a user are displayed. The user interactively explores the representations and selects items or groups to be ordered, using a pointer. While the graphical representations are being displayed, a list of items or groups which have been selected for inclusion in an order is also displayed. Software is executed which automatically determines the configuration of the computer, and matches the configuration with the stored configuration information prior to the user placing an order. A user may automatically be given access to items in a later revision of the medium if the user had access to the items in an earlier revision.

Growing community of inventors

Lexington, MA, United States of America

Thomas Mark Hastings