The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 08, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 05, 2003
Thomas Anthony Stahl, Indianapolis, IN (US);
David Jay Duffield, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Eric Stephen Carlsgaard, Zionsville, IN (US);
Thomas Anthony Stahl, Indianapolis, IN (US);
David Jay Duffield, Indianapolis, IN (US);
Eric Stephen Carlsgaard, Zionsville, IN (US);
Thomas Licensing, Boulogne, FR;
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for controlling distribution of digital content from an device attached to a network to another device outside the network. The device receives a digital signal containing content, the digital signal having an authorization field indicative of a first transport mode authorizing the content for distribution outside the network, and of a second transport mode wherein the content is not authorized for transmission outside the network. The method comprises the steps of receiving location information of a router on the network for routing content to devices outside the network, receiving destination data indicative of location information associated with a destination device to which the device intends to distribute the content, determining whether the destination device is outside the network based on the router location information and the received destination data examining the authorization field and, inhibiting transmission of the content if the destination device is outside the network and the digital signal is in the inhibit mode.