Technology

Prism's US patent #6,516,416 provides the essential technology required to fuel the continued growth of electronic commerce: Multi-Factor Authentication and Server Control of Browser Functionality. The technology disclosed in the ‘416 patent describes fundamental Internet security and content protection technology used in many products today.  An in-depth search of the prior art indicated that many of the fundamental building blocks described in the Prism patent were routinely applied to private, secure networks but not to a public, unsecured network such as the Internet. In 1997, Prism applied the patented technology in the development of a software product used to securely distribute content over the Internet using subscription models. The technology contained in the ‘416 patent has many varied applications and has enjoyed widespread adoption since it was invented. Need the details? Get the in-depth documentation you need to review this technology.

Multi-Factor Authentication

The most basic form of computer security is the simple user name and password. This is known as one factor authentication (what you know). Multi-factor authentication combines what you know with what you have and who you are to provide a higher degree of security. Simply stated, Prism’s multi-factor authentication technology uses a “hardware key” with a unique embedded digital identifier, such as a digital certificate. This hardware key is then connected to a computer and used to authenticate both the device and its user to an Internet-based network.

Browser Control

Prism’s server control of browser functionality technology is used in browser based or “thin client” application software to control the functionality of a browser from a server. A popular example is enabling or disabling the toolbar or menubar on a browser. More specifically, Prism applied this technology in the area of Digital Rights Management (DRM). Digital Rights Management is a set of business models and technologies that enable companies to protect and profit from their text, image, music, or video content in today’s digital world. Prism’s application of this technology in the DRM area enables the server to enable/disable the back button, copy, cut, paste, save, save as, print, etc.

Where is Prism Technology Used?

Prism’s ‘416 technology has seen widespread adoption in wireless handsets, personal computers, game consoles, handheld devices, digital set-top boxes, cable modems, security software, authentication devices, application software and digital rights management software. In the future, Prism’s technology will find application in cameras, camcorders, portable audio players, printers, voice recorders, videoconferencing systems, and projectors.

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