System for dynamically encrypting content for secure internet commerce and providing embedded fulfillment software

Abstract

A data distribution system is provided which supplies customers with an executable for requested secured data files to provide the customer with fulfillment software, obviating the need for the customer to download fulfillment software prior to requesting secure data. The data distribution system is characterized by server technology which can dynamically encrypt secured data files just prior to a customer request to download the data file. A framework for building a universal data distribution infrastructure is provided which employs Requesters.

1 . A method of delivering encrypted content to a user computer via a communication network comprising the steps of:
 generating queries using said user computer to search for content via said communication network, said content being available from an information provider via a server and said communication network;   downloading a package from said information provider, said package comprising selected content retrieved from said server data repository and bundled in response to said queries and a unique package identifier assigned to said package and stored in said server data repository, at least a portion of said content being encrypted using a key in response to said queries;   selecting at least one content item provided in said package using said user computer;   generating a machine-dependent product code at said user computer, said product code comprising a unique identifier corresponding to said user computer; and   transmitting a request for said at least one content item and said product code to said information provider.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one content item is encrypted and further comprising the steps of:
 receiving a release code from said information provider to decrypt said at least one content item, said release code being generated using said product code and said key; and   decrypting said purchaseable item at said user computer using said release code.   
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said package comprises secure content previews of selected said content items from said server data repository, said selected content items being stored unencrypted at said data repository, said selecting step comprising the step of reviewing said previews, and further comprising the step of encrypting said at least one purchaseable item in response to said request. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said unique identifier is derived from a hardware device in said user computer. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said unique identifier is derived from a card number of a circuit board in said user computer. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said selected content items in said package comprise mixed digital media content having at least two of images, audio, video and software. 
     
     
         7 . A method of delivering encrypted content to a user computer via a communication network comprising the steps of:
 storing individual pieces of content in a server, each of said individual pieces comprising at least one of an image, audio, video and software;   receiving queries from a user computer searching for content via a communication network to obtain selected content comprising at least two selections from the stored said individual pieces of content;   retrieving said selected content from said server in response to said queries, said selected content comprising at least two of said individual pieces of content selected by the user;   encrypting each of the respective said individual pieces of content selected by the user with corresponding keys;   bundling the selected ones of said individual pieces of content in said selected content into a customized package;   generating and storing a unique package identifier for said package;   transmitting said package and said package identifier to said user computer for downloading; and   receiving a request from said user computer to decrypt a selected portion of said package, said request comprising a product code generated using said package identifier and a hardware identifier that is unique to said user computer.   
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising generating a release code for decrypting said selected portion using said key and said product code. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the release code is not generated on the server when the respective one of said individual pieces corresponding to said selected portion was encrypted but after the user has downloaded the respective one of said individual pieces and generated said product code.