Limited-use browser and security system
View Patent ↗A limited-use browser and related security system control access to content stored on a server computer linked to a network. The security system secures the content on the server and only permits it to be downloaded to a client computer running the limited-use browser or a general purpose browser executing an add-in security module providing the same functions as the limited-user browser. The limited-use browser or module secures the downloaded content on the client computer and displays it in a “view-only” mode. While the secured content is being displayed, menu selections, key combination, or pointing device commands initiated on the client computer that would modify the content or create a copy of another medium are either disabled as a default or monitored to determine if the action is permitted.
1. A computer implemented system, comprising:
a browser security module stored on a computer readable medium operatively coupled to a web browser configured to present content, the browser security module configures the web browser to disable non-ephemeral content transactions with respect to protected content; and
a payment module that verifies satisfaction of a request for compensation in connection with provision of the protected content by way of the web browser.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the non-ephemeral content transactions, disabled by the browser security module, includes at least one of: a save or archival transaction of all or a portion of the protected content, a copy or paste transaction of all or a portion of the protected content, a print transaction of all or a portion of the protected content, or a drag or move transaction of all or a portion of the protected content.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the payment module verifies satisfaction based upon receipt of a fee or receipt of a promise or obligation to pay the fee.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the fee is a one-time fee based on provision of all or a portion of the protected content, or based on provision of at least one of the browser security module, the payment module, or the web browser.
5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the fee is a subscription fee based on provision of all or a portion of the protected content, or based on provision of previous, subsequent, or updated protected content.
6. The system of claim 3 , wherein the fee is a per-session fee based on provision of all or a portion of the protected content requested during one or more communication sessions.
7. The system of claim 3 , wherein the fee is a per-access fee based on provision of a portion of the protected content.
8. The system of claim 3 , wherein the fee is an enablement fee based on re-enabling the web browser to support one or more non-ephemeral content transactions in connection with the protected content.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the browser security module facilitates transmission to a server that hosts the protected content of a disablement message that indicates one or more non-ephemeral content transactions associated with the web browser are disabled.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the payment module facilitates transmission to a server that hosts the protected content of a payment message that indicates the request for compensation is satisfied.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the browser security module instructs the web browser to enable one or more non-ephemeral content transactions based upon satisfaction of an enablement fee.
12. A network-accessible content server, comprising:
a communication module that receives a request propagated by a web browser for protected content maintained by the server;
a server security module that receives (1) a disablement message propagated by the web browser that indicates one or more non-ephemeral content transaction features are disabled for the web browser, and (2) a payment message that indicates a request for compensation is satisfied; and
the communication module transmits the protected content to the web browser.
13. The server of claim 12 , wherein the compensation indicated by the payment message relates to at least one of: a one-time fee, a subscription fee, a per-session fee, a per-access fee, or an enablement fee.
14. The server of claim 12 , wherein the server security module constructs an enablement message that indicates one or more non-ephemeral content transaction features associated with the web browser is permitted; and the communication module transmits the enablement message to the web browser.
15. The server of claim 14 , wherein the server security module constructs the enablement message based on satisfaction of an enablement fee indicated by the payment message.
16. A method, comprising:
presenting protected content with a computer-implemented browser application;
prohibiting non-transient output functions of the browser application relating to presentation, reproduction, or dissemination of the protected content;
presenting a request for remuneration for access or use of the protected content; and
confirming the request for remuneration is satisfied.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising confirming the request for remuneration is satisfied based on receipt of a fee or receipt of an agreement to pay the fee.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising presenting at least one of: a one-time remuneration request, a subscription-based remuneration request, a per-session remuneration request, a per-access remuneration request, or an enablement remuneration request.
19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising adapting the browser for re-enabling one or more previously prohibited non-transient output functions based on confirmation that an enablement remuneration request is satisfied.
20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising at least one of: propagating to a server maintaining or managing the protected content a disablement acknowledgment; or propagating to the server a payment acknowledgment.
21. A method, comprising:
obtaining a solicitation from a browser for retrieval of or access to protected content hosted by at least one network-accessible, computer-implemented data store;
receiving a disablement acknowledgment indicating one or more non-transient output functions associated with the browser are disabled;
receiving a payment acknowledgment indicating remuneration is confirmed; and
propagating the protected content to the browser.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising generating an enablement acknowledgment for indicating one or more non-transient output functions associated with the browser is to be re-enabled.
23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising generating the enablement acknowledgment based upon a payment acknowledgment associated with an enablement remuneration.
24. A system, comprising:
means for configuring a content viewer to disable non-ephemeral presentation or reproduction of protected material;
means for validating consideration for access to the protected material; and
means for securely providing the protected material to the content viewer.