Method and apparatus for controlling release of time sensitive information

A method for controlling release of access information that is used to decipher time sensitive information, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) establishing a random number for a specific future time;
• b) calculating a corresponding secret number for a point in time based on the random number, a one-way function, and the specific future time, wherein the point in time occurs, in time, prior to the specific future time;
• c) generating an encryption key based on the corresponding secret number;
• d) providing the encryption key when a request is received for the encryption key;
• and
• e) providing the corresponding secret key when the point in time has passed, wherein the access information is at least partially based on the corresponding random number.

A method for processing time sensitive information, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) from time to time, requesting an encryption key, wherein the encryption key is based on a random number corresponding to a specified point in time, wherein the random number is derived based on a specific random number that corresponds to a specific future time, and wherein the specified point in time occurs prior to the specified point in time;
• b) encrypting the time sensitive information based on the encryption key to produce encrypted time sensitive information;
• c) providing the encrypted time sensitive information to a recipient;
• d) from time to time, requesting the random number;
• e) receiving the random number when the specified point in time has passed;
• and
• f) generating a decryption key from the random number.

A method for controlling release of time sensitive information, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) establishing a specific random number that corresponds to a specific future
• b) calculating a plurality of secret numbers based on the specific random number, points in time, the specific future time, and a plurality of one-way functions, wherein the points in time occur, in time, prior to the specific future time;
• c) generating encryption keys based to the plurality of secret numbers;
• and
• d) releasing the encryption keys to encrypt data for distribution to facilitate a controlled release of time sensitive information.

A digital storage medium that stores programming instructions that, when read by a processing unit, causes the processing unit to control release of access information that is used to decipher time sensitive information, the digital storage medium comprising:

• first storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to establish a specific random number for a specific future time;
• second storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to calculate a corresponding secret number for a point in time based on the specific random number, a one-way function, and the specific future time, wherein the point in time occurs, in time, prior to the specific future time;
• third storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to generate an encryption key based on the corresponding secret number;
• fourth storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to provide the encryption key when a request is received for the encryption key;
• and
• fifth storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to release the corresponding secret number when the point in time has passed, wherein the access information is at least partially based on the corresponding random number.

A digital storage medium that stores programming instructions that, when read by a processing unit, causes the processing unit to control release of time sensitive information, the digital storage medium comprising:

• first storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to, from time to time, request an encryption key, wherein the encryption key is based on a random number corresponding to a specified point in time, wherein the random number is derived based on a specific random number that corresponds to a specific future time, and wherein the specified point in time occurs prior to the specific future time;
• second storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to encrypt the time sensitive information based on the encryption key to produce encrypted time sensitive information;
• third storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to provide the encrypted time sensitive information to a recipient;
• fourth storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to, from time to time, request the random number;
• fifth storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to receive the random number when the specified point in time has passed;
• and
• sixth storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to generate a decryption key from the random number.

A server comprising:

• a processing unit;
• and
• memory that stores programming instructions that, when read by a processing unit, causes the processing unit to control release of time sensitive information, the memory includes:
• first storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to establish a random number for a specific future time;
• second storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to calculate a corresponding secret number for a point in time based on the random number, a one-way function, and the specific future time, wherein the point in time occurs, in time, prior to the specific future time;
• third storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to generate an encryption key based on the corresponding secret number;
• fourth storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to release the encryption key when a request is received for the encryption key;
• and
• fifth storage means for storing programming instructions that, when read by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to release the corresponding secret number when the point in time has passed.