Patent ID: 7000115

Claim:
A method for using verified information concerning a tangible object, comprising the steps of: accessing descriptor data associated with the tangible object, said descriptor data including an identity public key for transforming data according to a first public/private key encryption algorithm, attribute data containing information concerning said tangible object, and a digital signature; verifying that said digital signature matches said identity public key and said attribute data; performing a pair of complementary data transformations on source test data to produce resultant test data, said pair of complementary data transformations being performed by: (a) performing a first data transformation according to said first public/private key encryption algorithm using said identity public key, and (b) accessing a digital protection system physically attached to said tangible object to perform a second data transformation according to said first public/private key encryption algorithm using an identity private key in said digital protection system, said identity private key corresponding to said identity public key according to said first public/private key encryption algorithm, said second data transformation being complementary to said first data transformation, said digital protection system being a tangible device which receives input data, processes data, and produces output data independently of said tangible object; comparing said source test data with said resultant test data; and using said attribute data in a manner dependent on the results of said step of verifying that said digital signature matches said identity public key and said attribute data, and said step of comparing said source test data with said resultant test data.