System and method for using location identity to control access to digital information

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling access to digital information utilizes a location identity attribute that defines a specific geographic location. The location identity attribute is associated with the digital information such that the digital information can be accessed only at the specific geographic location. The location identity attribute further includes a location value and a proximity value. The location value corresponds to a location of an intended recipient appliance of the digital information, and may be further defined in terms of latitude, longitude and altitude dimensions. The location identity attribute is enforced by allowing access to the digital information only at the specific geographic location. As a first part of this enforcement process, the location of an appliance through which access to the digital information is sought is identified. The appliance location is then compared to the specific geographic location defined by the location identity attribute, and access to the digital information is allowed only if the appliance location falls within the specific geographic location. There are many ways to identify the location of the appliance, including: (1) resolving the appliance location from a street address for the appliance; (2) retrieving the appliance location from a file stored within the appliance; (3) recovering the appliance location from a GPS receiver embedded in the appliance; and (4) recovering the appliance location by triangulating RF signals received by the appliance.