Time based content management for disconnected devices

A computer-readable medium having a computer-executable component for restricting access to digital content, the computer-executable component comprising:

• a license enforcement component configured for integration with an electronic device that enables access to digital content and is not in communication with a reference time keeping device, wherein the license enforcement component is operative to:
• identify a first time at which a request for access to a digital content is made, the first time measured according to a time keeping device maintained by the electronic device;
• identify a time period during which the electronic device is permitted to access the digital content, the time period measured with respect to the reference time keeping device;
• obtain a time calibration value for the electronic device from a portable data transfer device that is capable of transferring information from the reference time keeping device and the electronic device;
• determine a second time representing the time at which the request was made with respect to the reference time keeping device by modifying the first time with the time calibration value;
• and
• permit the electronic device to access the digital content if the second time is within the identified time period.

A system for synchronization between electronic devices, comprising:

• a data store that stores time data;
• and
• a time calibration component in communication with the data store, the time calibration component operative to:
• in response to a time calibration request for a disconnected electronic device, retrieve a first reference time according to a reference time keeping device and store the first reference time in the data store;
• request a device time maintained by the disconnected electronic device, wherein the request is delivered by a portable data transfer device and is stored in the data store upon receipt;
• retrieve a second reference time according to the reference time keeping device and store the second reference time in the data store;
• and
• determine a time calibration value for the disconnected electronic device comprising a function of the stored first reference time, second reference time, and the device time.

A computer-implemented for synchronization, the method comprising:

• under control of one or more configured computer systems:
• retrieving a first reference time according to a reference time keeping device in response to a time calibration request for a disconnected electronic device;
• requesting a device time maintained by the disconnected electronic device, wherein the request is delivered by a portable data transfer device;
• retrieving a second reference time according to the reference time keeping device;
• and
• determining a time calibration value for the disconnected electronic device comprising a function of the first reference time, the second reference time, and the device time.