Patent ID: 7120254

Claim:
A system for controlling access to digital information, comprising: a first information processing device including a processor having suitable memory adapted to store software instructions operable to cause said processor to perform the functions of: retrieving a location identity attribute that identifies a specific geographic region, the location identity attribute comprising a location value that identifies a unique location within the geographic region and a proximity value that identifies an area that encompasses the unique location; deriving a shape parameter from the location identity attribute that maps all coordinates within the specific geographic region into a common value without identifying a location of the specific geographic region; generating an encryption key using the location identity attribute and the shape parameter as inputs; encrypting the digital information using the encryption key; sending the shape parameter and the encrypted digital information; and a second information processing device including a processor having suitable memory adapted to store software instructions operable to cause said processor to perform the functions of: receiving the shape parameter and the encrypted digital information; determining a current location of the second information processing device; generating a decryption key using the current location and the shape parameter as inputs, wherein the decryption key will match the encryption key if the current location is within the specific geographic region; and decrypting the digital information using the decryption key, wherein the digital information can only be decrypted if the decryption key matches the encryption key.