Michael R Mcneil

US Patent:

6370629, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Oct 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/182342

Inventors:

Thomas Mark Hastings - Lexington MA
Michael E. McNeil - Felton CA
Todd S. Glassey - Scotts Valley CA
Gerald L. Willett - Malden MA

Assignee:

Datum, Inc. - Bedford MA

International Classification:

H04L 900

US Classification:

711163, 711153, 711164, 713189, 713193

Abstract:

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.