WO2008120872A1

WO2008120872A1 - Method of providing a encrypted multimedia file and a pre-play key to a mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2008120872A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/001110
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young-Woo Jung; Hyoung-Gi Min; Jin-Yang Yu; Sung-Soo Lee
Original assignee: Innobitz Inc
Priority date: 2007-03-29
Filing date: 2008-02-26
Publication date: 2008-10-09
Also published as: KR100749731B1

Abstract

A method of providing a multimedia file to a mobile terminal is disclosed. A method of providing an encrypted multimedia file and a pre-play key to a mobile terminal and then transmitting a license key corresponding to the multimedia file in case that purchase about the multimedia file is requested is displayed. The method includes (a) encrypting the multimedia file and storing the encrypted multimedia file, (b) receiving a multimedia file request message having multimedia file selection reference from a user terminal, (c) searching encrypted multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference, and (d) transmitting the searched multimedia file and a pre-play key corresponding to the searched multimedia file to the mobile terminal through the user terminal.

Description

METHOD OF PROVIDING AN ENCRYPTED MULTIMEDIA!. FILE AND A PRE-PLAY KEY TO A MOBILE TERMINAL

[ Technical Field ] Example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of providing a multimedia file to a mobile terminal, more particularly relates to a method of providing an encrypted multimedia file and a pre-play key to a mobile terminal and then transmitting a license key corresponding to the multimedia file in case that purchase about the multimedia file is requested.

[ Background Art ]

A mobile communication service has been increased by leaps and bounds in quantitative view and qualitative view, and so provides various multimedia contents as well as call service. Specially, young people think of a portable phone as a device for enjoying entertainment, and so supplementary service business using the personal portable terminal has been actively carried out.

People are much interested in music service field of these services. Now, new music related service such as bell sound, color ring, MP3 file download, introduction of new album, etc has been continuously developed and is offered. However, contents are manufactured as digital contents, and so the digital contents are illegally duplicated and circulated in online. That is, right of copyright person is infringed. Accordingly, copyright protection policy comes into effect through introduction of digital right management DRM solution. This DRM solution has been generally adopted so as to protect copyright of various media industries in the world.

A conventional method of purchasing and reproducing a multimedia file, e.g. sound source using the DRM technique in the mobile terminal will be described below.

A user transmits download request about desired sound source to a content providing server through the mobile terminal such as a hand phone, etc, and then pays download bill about the sound source.

The content providing server verifies whether or not bill about the request sound source is paid, encrypts the sound source, and transmits an encrypted sound source with restoration information to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal decrypts the encrypted sound source using the restoration information, and plays the decrypted sound source.

However, steps of connecting the mobile terminal to the content providing server, searching sound sources, listening in advance some of the searched sound sources, selecting the sound source to be purchased, paying the bill about the selected sound source and downloading the sound source are performed through data communicating. As a result, the problem exists in that much data call charge is required for performing the steps.

Accordingly, a conventional method described below is used so as not to pay much data call charge. The user connects to Internet network managed with fixed charge using a personal computer, etc, and searches multimedia files, e.g. sound sources.

Subsequently, the user hears in advance some of the searched sound sources, and selects sound source to be purchased.

Then, the user pays the bill about the sound source to be purchased, and downloads the sound source.

Subsequently, the user transmits the sound source downloaded in the personal computer to a portable terminal, etc, in which the sound source can be played, through an USB interface, etc.

Since the above method purchases the sound source using the Internet network managed with fixed charge and then provides the purchased sound source to the portable terminal, much data call charge is not paid.

However, the user does not purchase freely the multimedia file such as sound source, etc through the mobile terminal during his moving. In addition, a process of purchasing the multimedia file after connecting the personal computer, etc to the Internet network is not convenient for the user. That is, steps of turning on a computer, operating specific program, searching the multimedia files, selecting desired multimedia file, playing in advance the selected multimedia file, paying the bill about the multimedia file to be purchased, downloading the multimedia file, connecting the computer to the mobile terminal, and transmitting the multimedia file in the computer to the mobile terminal are performed, and so the above steps are not convenient for the user and a lot of time is spent.

Additionally, a time for playing in advance a multimedia file is required in steps of searching and purchasing in accordance with characteristics of multimedia content. Here, the above step of playing in advance is performed in specific space where the computer is built, and thus the above method does not proper to a device such as a portable phone-multimedia player, etc having excellent moving characteristic

Accordingly, a technique of purchasing conveniently multimedia file to and from anywhere and any time without paying expensive data call charge has been required.

[ Disclosure ]

[ Technical Problem ]

Accordingly, the present invention is provided to substantially obviate one 80 or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

Example embodiment of the present invention provides a system and a method of purchasing conveniently a multimedia file to and from anywhere and any time without paying expensive data call charge.

Another example embodiment of the present invention provides a system 85 and a method of searching a multimedia file, playing in advance desired multimedia file, and purchasing the multimedia file using a mobile terminal anywhere without paying expensive data call charge. [ Technical Solution ]

A method of providing a multimedia file to a first mobile terminal from a 90 multimedia file providing server according to one example embodiment of the present invention includes (a) encrypting the multimedia file and storing the encrypted multimedia file; (b) receiving a multimedia file request message having multimedia file selection reference from a user terminal; (c) searching encrypted multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference; and (d) 95 transmitting the searched multimedia file and a pre-play key corresponding to the searched multimedia file to the first mobile terminal through the user terminal. The method further includes (e) receiving a license key purchase message from the first mobile terminal; and (f) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message to the first mobile terminal.

100 The method further includes (e) receiving identification information of a second mobile terminal and a license key purchase message from the mobile terminal; and (f) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message to the second mobile terminal.

The method further includes (e) receiving a license key purchase message 105 from the user terminal; and (f) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message to the user terminal.

The license key has a whole section play key for decrypting whole section of the encrypted multimedia file and playing the decrypted multimedia file. The license key has a master key for decrypting every encrypted

110 multimedia file for a given period of time and playing the decrypted multimedia file. A method of providing a multimedia file to a mobile terminal from a user terminal according to another example embodiment of the present invention includes (a) receiving a multimedia file selection reference; (b) transmitting a multimedia file request message having the multimedia file selection reference to a multimedia file 115 providing server; (c) receiving an encrypted multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference and a pre-play key corresponding to the encrypted multimedia file from the multimedia file providing server; and (d) transmitting the received multimedia file and the pre-play key to the mobile terminal.

The step (a) is performed by the user terminal. 120 The step (a) is performed by the mobile terminal.

The multimedia file selection reference is updated on the basis of information transmitted from the multimedia file providing server.

The step (d) is performed by connecting the user terminal to the mobile terminal through at least one of USB interface, RS-232C cable, Bluetooth, IrDA, 125 wire/wireless modem and external memory.

A method of purchasing a multimedia file using a mobile terminal according to one example embodiment of the present invention includes (a) receiving a multimedia file selection reference; (b) receiving an encrypted multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference and a pre-play key 130 corresponding to the encrypted multimedia file from a user terminal; (c) transmitting a license key purchase message corresponding to the encrypted multimedia file to a multimedia file providing server; (d) receiving a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message from the multimedia file providing server; and (e) decrypting the encrypted multimedia file using the license key and playing the 135 decrypted multimedia file.

The step (c) includes (c-1) searching the received multimedia file; (c-2) decrypting the multimedia file using the pre-play key and playing the decrypted multimedia file in advance; and (c-3) selecting a specific multimedia file of the encrypted multimedia files, wherein a license key corresponding to the selected

140 multimedia file is to be purchased.

The step (e) includes decrypting the license key.

145 multimedia file for a given period of time and playing the decrypted multimedia file.

A method of presenting a multimedia file using a first mobile terminal according to one example embodiment of the present invention includes (a) receiving a multimedia file selection reference; (b) receiving an encrypted multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference and a pre-play key

150 corresponding to the encrypted multimedia file from a user terminal; (c) transmitting a license key purchase message corresponding to the encrypted multimedia file and identification information of a second mobile terminal to be presented to a multimedia file providing server; (d) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message to the second mobile terminal from the multimedia file

155 providing server; and (e) decrypting the encrypted multimedia file using the license key and playing the decrypted multimedia file in the second mobile terminal. A method of purchasing a multimedia file using a mobile terminal according to another example embodiment of the present invention includes (a) receiving a multimedia file selection reference; (b) receiving an encrypted

160 multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference and a pre-play key corresponding to the encrypted multimedia file from a user terminal; (c) reserving purchase about the encrypted multimedia file; (d) transmitting information concerning the reserved multimedia file to the user terminal from the mobile terminal, and transmitting a license key purchase message corresponding to the reserved

165 multimedia file to a multimedia file providing server; (e) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message to the user terminal from the multimedia file providing server, and providing the license key to the mobile terminal from the user terminal; and (f) decrypting the encrypted multimedia file using the license key and playing the decrypted multimedia file.

170 A recorded media read by a computer according to one example embodiment of the present invention includes program for performing the above step on the computer [ Advantageous Effects ]

A method of providing an encrypted multimedia file and a pre-play key of

175 the present invention provides multimedia files matched with selection reference inputted by a user to a mobile terminal through an Internet network managed with fixed charge, and so the user may search desired multimedia file and play in advance the searched multimedia file anywhere without paying expensive charge.

In addition, in case that the user wants to purchase specific multimedia file, 180 the multimedia file may be purchased through a mobile terminal anywhere without paying expensive call charge. [ Description of Drawings ]

Example embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail example embodiments of the present invention with reference 185 to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system of providing sound source according to one example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the sound source providing server according to one example embodiment of the present invention;

190 FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the user terminal according to one example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a screen by the automatic download agent according to one example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the mobile terminal according to one 195 example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a screen for searching of the sound source according to one example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a pre-heariαg screen according to one example embodiment of the present invention; and

200 FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process of providing the sound source and the license key according to one example embodiment of the present invention. [ Mode for Invention ]

Example embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely 205 representative for purposes of describing example embodiments of the present invention, however, example embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to example embodiments of the present invention set forth herein.

Accordingly, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications 210 and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like numbers refer to 215 like elements throughout the description of the figures.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second

220 element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled

225 to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (i.e., "between" versus "directly between", "adjacent" versus "directly adjacent", etc.).

230 The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises", "comprising,", "includes" and/or "including", when used

235 herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of

240 ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

245 In the present embodiments, multimedia file includes sound source, moving picture, game, image, and text, etc. The moving picture has file format such as MPEG2, MPEG4, H.264, WMV, ASF, AVI, DIVX and XVID or codec, and includes every contents which move in a unit of a frame, and FLASH file, etc.

The sound source has a music file such as MP3, OGG, WAV, WMA and

250 AAC, etc and a bell sound file such as SMAF (Synthetic Music Mobile Application Format), SMF (Standard Midi File) and MP3 bell, etc.

In the present embodiments, pre-playing means pre-hearing in case that the multimedia file is sound source, and means pre- viewing some of moving picture in case that the multimedia file is the moving picture. In addition, the pre-playing

255 means pre-playing of some of a game in case that the multimedia file is the game, means pre-seeing in case that the multimedia file is a text, and means pre-viewing some of an image in case that the multimedia file is the image.

In the present embodiments, a license key includes a pre-hearing key for decrypting and playing pre-hearing section of sound source and a whole-hearing key 260 for decrypting and playing whole section of the sound source. In addition, it is desirable that the license key has a master key for playing every sound source for a given time and a bell sound key for converting the sound source into bell sound.

The license key in the present embodiments will be described on the basis of separable license key separated physically from contents for convenience of 265 description. However, the license key is not limited as the separable license key, and includes combination type license key combined physically with the contents.

In the present embodiments, a mobile terminal is a portable terminal for communicating with a sound source providing server and playing sound source, and includes for example a hand phone having an MP3 player, an MP3 player in which 270 wireless communication is performed, a PDA, a digital multimedia broadcasting

DMB, a navigation terminal, a game player, an ubiquitous robotic companion URC and an embedded device, etc.

In the present embodiments, a user terminal is a terminal for connecting to an Internet network managed with fixed charge and downloading sound source, and 275 has a personal computer, a laptop, a kiosk, a PDA, an ultra mobile PC UMPC, a tablet PC, etc. In the present embodiments, the user terminal is separated from the mobile terminal. However, the user terminal may not be separated from the mobile terminal. 280 Hereinafter, sound source is described as the multimedia file for convenience of description. However, the multimedia file is not limited as the sound source.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system of providing sound source according to one example embodiment of the present invention.

285 The system for providing the sound source of the present invention includes a sound source providing server 100, a user terminal 200, a mobile terminal 300 and a network 400.

The sound source providing server 100 encrypts sound source provided from a copyright person using a DRM technique, and then stores the encrypted sound 290 source with a license key for decrypting the encrypted sound source. Here, the license keys about each of sound sources may be the same. In another example embodiment, the license keys may be generated differently in accordance with device identifier or user identifier of the mobile terminal 300.

The sound source providing server 100 receives a sound source request 295 message from the user terminal 200 such as a personal computer PC, etc through the network 400. Here, the sound source request message has selection reference for sound source in accordance with the user' taste. The selection reference includes genre of sound source, age, time, artist, tenia music, public album, broadcasting chart and data capacity, etc.

300 The sound source providing server 100 searches sound sources matched with the selection reference, and transmits the searched sound sources and pre- hearing keys corresponding to the sound sources to the user terminal 200. As described above, the sound sources indicate encrypted sound sources.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, the sound source

305 providing server 100 analyzes automatically sound sources purchased by the user, searches sound sources corresponding to the user' music taste on the basis of the analyzed result, and transmits the searched sound sources to the user terminal 200. In addition, in case that the sound source providing server 100 receives a license key purchase request message from the mobile terminal 300 such as a

310 portable phone, etc having an MP3 player, the sound source providing server 100 verifies whether or not bill about a corresponding license key is paid or verifies device identifier, etc. of the mobile terminal 300, and then transmits a corresponding license key in accordance with the verified result.

It is desirable that the license key purchase request message has a sound

315 source identifier corresponding to sound source to be purchased, device identifier or user identifier of the mobile terminal 300 for transmitting the purchase request message.

In addition, it is desirable that the sound source providing server 100 encrypts the license key transmitted to the mobile terminal 300 so that the license key 320 can be used in only the mobile terminal 300. For example, a method of encrypting the license key using a public key of public key infrastructure and transmitting the encrypted license key to the mobile terminal 300 may be used.

Additionally, a method of combining and encrypting at least one of specific information of the mobile terminal 300 may be used. Here, the specific information 325 includes serial number, CPU number, MAC address, telephone number and ESN number, etc.

The user terminal 200 provides a screen on which the user inputs selection reference of the sound source, and stores the selection reference inputted through the screen.

330 In addition, the user terminal 200 transmits a sound source request message having the selection reference of the sound source to the sound source providing server 100 through the network 400, and downloads sound sources matched with the selection reference and pre-hearing keys corresponding to each of the sound sources.

It is desirable that the above process of transmitting the sound source 335 requesting message to the sound source providing server 100 from the user terminal 200 and receiving searched sound sources and corresponding pre-hearing keys is performed through an Internet network managed with fixed charge. In this case, extra wireless communication charge is not paid.

Additionally, the user terminal 200 receives a sound source download

340 request from the mobile terminal 300 and transmits the sound sources and the pre- hearing keys provided from the sound source providing server 100 to the mobile terminal 300.

The above method of transmitting the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys to the mobile terminal 300 from the user terminal 200 may use a connection

345 method such as connection through USB interface, connection through RS-232C cable, connection through Bluetooth and IrDA (Infrared Data Association) technique, connection through wire/wireless modem and indirect connection through an external memory, etc. Here, the external memory has an USB memory, a T- flash memory, an MMC memory, a memory stick, a SD card and an external HDD, etc.

350 In the above description, the user terminal 200 downloads the sound sources matched with the selection reference and corresponding pre-hearing keys from the sound source providing server 100, and then transmits the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys to the mobile terminal 300 in case that the mobile terminal 300 requests download of the sound source. However, the mobile terminal 300 is

355 connected to the user terminal 200, and then may download directly the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys from the sound source providing server 100. That is, in case that the user connects the mobile terminal 300 to the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200 may sense automatically the connection, operate automatic download agent, receive the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys from

360 the sound source providing server 100 through the automatic download agent, and transmit the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys to the mobile terminal 300. Here, the user terminal 200 senses the connection of the mobile terminal 300 by using the device identifier or the user identifier of the mobile terminal 300.

The user searches the downloaded sound sources through the mobile

365 terminal 300, and pre-hears using the pre-hearing key. Then, the user transmits the purchase request message corresponding to desired sound source to the sound source providing server 100, and then receives the license key related to the desired sound source from the sound source providing server 100. As mentioned above, it is desirable that the purchase request message includes sound source identifier related

370 to the desired sound source and the device identifier or the user identifier of the mobile terminal 300.

The mobile terminal 300 decrypts the encrypted sound source using the received license key, and plays the decrypted sound source. Here, in case that the received license key is encrypted, a process of decrypting the encrypted license key

375 is required. For example, in case that the license key is encrypted by using a public key, the encrypted license key may be decrypted by using a private key. Wireless communication charge or data call charge may be imposed to the above process of requesting the license key to the sound source providing server 100 from the mobile terminal 300 and receiving the license key from the sound source

380 providing server 100. However, since data amount of the license key is very small than that of the sound source, the user may purchase desired sound source with inexpensive wireless communication charge.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, the user reserves purchase about desired sound source through the mobile terminal 300, connects

385 directly the mobile terminal 300 to the user terminal 200 or connects indirectly the mobile terminal 300 to the user terminal 200 through an external memory, etc, and then purchases the license key.

For example, in case of connecting directly or indirectly the mobile terminal 300 to the user terminal 200, the user terminal 200 senses the connection,

390 and operates an automatic download agent. Subsequently, the automatic download agent transmits the purchase request message about the reserved sound source to the sound source providing server 100, receives the license key related to the sound source from the sound source providing server 100, and then transmits the received license key to the mobile terminal 300. As a result, extra data call charge is not

395 imposed to the above process.

The network 400 includes leased line, LAN, QAN, VAN, intranet, private telephone network, public switched telephone network, and combination of the line, the networks and the intranet. In addition, the network 400 is all-inclusive data communication network for communicating smoothly the server 100 with the 400 terminals 200 and 300 shown in FIG. 1, and has wire internet, wireless internet and mobile wireless communication network.

Hereinafter, operation of the sound source providing server 100 according to one example embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawing FIG. 2. 405 FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the sound source providing server according to one example embodiment of the present invention.

The sound source providing server 100 of the present embodiment includes a DRM section 110, a sound source request receiving section 120, an automatic matching section 130, a sound source transmitting section 140, a license key request 410 receiving section 150, a license key transmitting section 160, a sound source DB

(database) 170 and a license key DB 180.

The DRM section 110 encrypts sound sources provided from copyright person using the DRM technique and stores the encrypted sound sources in the sound source DB 170. In addition, the DRM section 110 generates license keys for 415 decrypting the sound source and stores the generated license keys in the license key

DB 180. Here, it is desirable to encrypt each of the sound sources in a unit of a block, and the license key has a pre-hearing key and a whole section hearing key corresponding to the sound source.

It is desirable that the license key includes a master key for playing every

420 sound source for a given time and a bell sound key for converting each of the sound sources into corresponding bell sound. Additionally, it is desirable that the pre- hearing key is a key for decrypting at least one of high light, early part and latter part of the encrypted sound source.

The sound source request receiving section 120 receives the sound source

425 request message from the user terminal 200 through the network 400.

As mentioned above, the sound source request message has the sound source selection reference of the user, wherein the selection reference includes category preference having genre of the sound source, age, time, artist, tema music, public album and broadcasting chart, etc and data amount information, etc.

430 The automatic matching section 130 searches sound sources matched with genre, age, time, data amount, etc included in the selection reference from the sound source DB 170, and transmits the searched sound sources to the sound source transmitting section 140. As described above, the automatic matching section 130 may analyze automatically sound sources purchased by the user, search sound

435 sources in accordance with the user's music taste on the basis of the analyzed result, and transmit the searched sound sources to the sound source transmitting section 140. The sound source transmitting section 140 reads the searched sound sources from the sound source DB 170, reads the pre-hearing keys corresponding to the searched sound sources from the license key DB 180, and then transmits at one 440 time the read sound sources and pre-hearing keys to the user terminal 200.

The license key request receiving section 150 verifies payment about corresponding sound source in case that the license key request receiving section 150 receives a whole section hearing purchase request message about specific sound source from the mobile terminal 300. In case that the payment about the sound 445 source is verified, the license key request receiving section 150 transmits a whole section hearing key transmission requesting message to the license key transmitting section 160.

In addition, in case that the license key request receiving section 150 receives a bell sound purchase request message about specific sound source from the 450 mobile terminal 300, the license key request receiving section 150 verifies payment about corresponding bell sound key, and then transmits a bell sound key transmission requesting message to the license key transmitting section 160.

Moreover, in case that the license key request receiving section 150 receives a purchase request message about a mater key, for playing every sound 455 sources for a given time, from the mobile terminal 300, the license key request receiving section 150 verifies payment about the master key, and then transmits a master key transmission requesting message to the license key transmitting section

160.

In above description, the license key request receiving section 150 employs 460 a pre-paid method of verifying in advance whether or not bill about a specific license key is paid. However, the license key request receiving section 150 may employ a post-paid method.

It is desirable that the purchase request message includes sound identifier of sound source to be purchased and device identifier of the mobile terminal 300 such 465 as device name (model name), serial number or telephone number, etc for the purpose of processing charge about the sound source.

In case that the license key transmitting section 160 receives the transmission requesting message about the whole section hearing key, the bell sound key or the master key, the license key transmitting section 160 reads the whole 470 section hearing key, the bell sound key or the master key corresponding to the sound source, and transmits the read key to the mobile terminal 300. Here, it is desirable to encrypt the license key so that the license key is used in only corresponding mobile terminal 300 as described above.

The whole section hearing keys or the bell sound keys about every sound 475 source may be the same. However, the whole section hearing keys or the bell sound keys may be generated differently depending on the device identifier or the user identifier of the mobile terminal 300 requesting purchase of the sound source. In addition, it is desirable that the master key is generated depending on information concerning purchase period of time by the user and device identifier or user identifier

480 of the mobile terminal 300 requesting purchase of the sound source.

Hereinafter, operation of the user terminal 200 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the user terminal according to one example embodiment of the present invention.

485 The user terminal 200 of the present embodiment includes a synchronization sensing section 210, an agent operating section 220, a sound source requesting section 230, a sound source receiving section 240, a sound source transmitting section 250 and a selection reference DB 260.

In case that the user connects the mobile terminal 300 to the user terminal

490 200, the synchronization sensing section 210 senses the connection and transmits an agent operating message to the agent operating section 220.

A method of connecting the mobile terminal 300 to the user terminal 200 may use a connection method such as connection through an USB interface, connection through RS-232C cable, connection through Bluetooth and IrDA

495 technique, connection through wire/wireless modem and indirect connection through an external memory, etc. The agent operating section 220 operates an agent for automatic download of sound source in case that the agent operating message is received.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a screen by the automatic download agent 500 according to one example embodiment of the present invention.

The agent displays a selection reference inputting screen for selection of sound source in accordance with the user's taste on a display section of the user terminal 200.

As shown in FIG. 4, the selection reference includes preference in each of 505 categories, number of updated music and update period. Here, the preference in the category has music genre such as OST, ballad, POP, ROCK, age such as teenage, twenties, thirty-forties and fifties, broadcasting chart such as popular TOP 100, artist such as singer, composer and producer, tema music, public album, etc.

It is desirable that the number of the update music is properly selected in 510 accordance with storage capacity of the mobile terminal 300. Additionally, in case that the update period is set, it is desirable to download newest songs in accordance with the set period.

It is desirable to update the selection reference. For example, the selection reference may be updated by transmitting option items corresponding to the selection 515 reference to the agent from the sound source providing server 100.

In case that the user clicks "yes" button after inputting the selection reference of the sound source, the agent transmits the inputted selection reference to the sound source requesting section 230 and stores the inputted selection reference in the selection reference DB 260. 520 The agent may display the selection reference inputting screen whenever the mobile terminal 300 is connected to the user terminal 200, or display the selection reference inputting screen only when the mobile terminal 300 is connected to the user terminal 200 for the first time. In other words, in case that the user checks an option related to "present reference is automatically synchronized" as shown in FIG. 525 4, a pre-stored selection reference may be read from the selection reference DB 260 and be used as the selection reference.

In the above description, the selection reference of the sound source is inputted through the user terminal 200. However, the selection reference may be inputted through the mobile terminal 300. 530 The sound source requesting section 230 transmits the sound source requesting message having the selection reference to the sound source providing server 100.

The sound source receiving section 240 receives sound sources matched automatically with the transmitted sound source message and pre-hearing keys 535 corresponding to the sound sources from the sound source providing server 100. The sound source transmitting section 250 transmits the received sound sources and the pre-hearing keys to the mobile terminal 300.

Hereinafter, operation of the mobile terminal 300 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to accompanying FIG. 5. 540 FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the mobile terminal according to one example embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 300 of the present embodiment includes a sound source receiving section 310, a sound source searching section 320, a pre-hearing playing section 330, a license key requesting section 340, a license key receiving 545 section 350, a whole section playing section 360, a bell sound converting section 370, a sound source DB 380 and a license key DB 390.

The sound source receiving section 310 is connected to the user terminal

200 through USB interface, RS-232C cable, Bluetooth, IrDA, wire/wireless modem, etc, downloads the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys from the sound source 550 providing server 100, and stores respectively the downloaded sound sources and the pre-hearing keys in the sound source DB 380 and the license key DB 390.

In the above description, the mobile terminal 300 receives the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys from the user terminal 200. However, the mobile terminal 300 may receive the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys from another 555 mobile terminal 300. In this case, the another mobile terminal 300 transmits the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys to the mobile terminal 300 through a communication technique such as IrDA, Bluetooth, etc, or provides indirectly the sound sources and the pre-hearing keys to the mobile terminal 300 through an external memory.

560 The sound source searing section 320 provides a screen for searching of sound sources stored in the sound source DB 380.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a screen for searching of the sound source according to one example embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, the user may search desired sound source through the 565 sound source searching section 320 included in the mobile terminal 300 anywhere during his moving.

The pre-hearing playing section 330 plays sound source selected by the sound source searching section 320 through a pre-hearing method. Particularly, the sound source selected by the sound source searching section 320 is read from the 570 sound source DB 380, and the pre-hearing key corresponding to the sound source is read from the license key DB 390. Then, the sound source is decrypted by using the read pre-hearing key and the decrypted sound source is played.

In case that the pre-hearing key is not existed due to communication error, etc, the pre-hearing key may be downloaded from the sound source providing server 575 100 without charge.

The license key requesting section 340 requests the license key purchase message to the sound source providing server 100 in case that the user selects purchase about the whole section hearing key, the bell sound key or the master key.

It is desirable that the license key requesting section 340 pays the bill about 580 desired license key through a wireless payment means before transmitting the license key purchase message to the sound source providing server 100. In another example embodiment of the present invention, the bill about the license key may be imposed later with a call charge in case that the mobile terminal 300 is e.g. a portable phone.

It is desirable that the license key purchase message has information 585 concerning a license key to be purchased and device name (model name), serial number or telephone number as the device identifier of the mobile terminal 300.

It is desirable that the license key purchase message includes sound identifier of the sound source in case of the whole section hearing key or the bell sound key, and has information concerning play time of the sound source, etc in case 590 of the master key.

The license key receiving section 350 receives the whole section hearing key, the bell sound key or the master key, and stores the keys in the license key DB 390.

The purchased sound source may be provided to his mobile terminal 300, 595 and be provided to another person's mobile terminal 300 as a gift. In this case, the mobile terminal 300 providing the gift transmits identification information of the mobile terminal 300 receiving the gift and the license key purchase message to the sound source providing server 100, and pays the bill about the sound source. Here, the identification information of the mobile terminal 300 may be for example

600 telephone number. Then, the mobile terminal 300 receiving the gift receives corresponding license key from the sound source providing server 100.

In case that the license key is encrypted, a decryption process should be performed. For example, in case that the license key is encrypted by using the public key, the encrypted license key is decrypted by using a secret public key. In

605 case that the license key is encrypted through a method of combining at least one of specific information of the mobile terminal 300, the encrypted license key is decrypted by using the specific information.

The whole section playing section 360 plays whole sections of sound source purchased through whole section hearing purchase. Particularly, the whole

610 section playing section 360 reads the purchased sound source to the sound source DB 380, reads a whole section hearing key corresponding to the sound source from the license key DB 390, decrypts the sound source using the read whole section hearing key, and plays the decrypted sound source.

In case that the user purchases the master key for playing some sound

615 sources for a given period of time, the whole section playing section 360 reads the master key from the license key DB 390, decrypts the encrypted sound source using the read master key, and plays the decrypted sound source. Here, in case that the given period of time is expired, the sound source is not decrypted by using the master key.

620 In a decryption rule, the master key prefers to the whole section hearing key.

Accordingly, in case that the master key is existed, the sound source is decrypted by using the master key. In case that the master key is not existed or is expired, it is searched whether or not a license key corresponding to content is existed.

The bell sound converting section 370 converts sound source purchased by

625 bell sound purchase into a bell sound. Particularly, the bell sound playing section 360 reads the purchased sound source from the sound source DB 380, reads a bell sound key corresponding to the sound source from the license key DB 390, and converts the sound source into the bell sound using the read bell sound key. Here, it is desirable that conversion of the bell sound is performed by an embedded program

630 included in the mobile terminal 300.

In the above description, only method of converting the sound source into the bell sound is described. However, a method of downloading encrypted sound source corresponding to the bell sound, pre-hearing the sound source and then purchasing directly the bell sound may be performed.

635 FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a pre-hearing screen according to one example embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the user may set pre-hearing section during playing a selected sound source through a pre-hearing method. For example, the user may perform pre-hearing by selecting desired section of "highlight", "early part" and 640 "latter part" after pushing "menu" button displayed on lower part of the screen.

Since the stored sound source is encrypted in a unit of a block, desired section of

"highlight", "early part" and "latter part" may be decrypted.

In addition, the user may purchase specific sound source during playing the sound source through the pre-hearing method as shown in FIG. 7. For example, the 645 user may request a whole section hearing key corresponding to the sound source to the sound source providing server 100 by selecting "music purchase" after pushing

"menu" button displayed on the lower part of the screen.

Furthermore, the user may purchase a bell sound during playing specific sound source through the pre-hearing method as shown in FIG. 7. For example, the 650 user may request a bell sound key corresponding to the sound source to the sound source providing server 100 by selecting "bell sound purchase" after pushing "menu" button displayed on the lower part of the screen.

In the above description, the user performs the pre-hearing section setting, the whole section hearing purchase or the bell sound purchase during playing the 655 selected sound source through the pre-hearing method. However, it is not limited as the above method. For example, the setting and the purchase may be performed on a sound source searching screen as shown in FIG. 6.

In brief, searching of the sound source and the pre-hearing may be performed through the mobile terminal 300 without paying extra data call charge 660 during the user's moving. In addition, only the license key is transmitted/received through a wireless communication, and so the sound source and the bell sound may be purchased with inexpensive call charge.

Hereinafter, a method of providing the sound source and the license key according to one example embodiment of the present invention will be described in 665 detail with reference to accompanying FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process of providing the sound source and the license key according to one example embodiment of the present invention.

In step S lO, the sound source providing server 100 encrypts sound source provided from copyright person by using the DRJVl technique, and generates a license 670 key for decrypting the sound source.

In step S20, the user connects the mobile terminal 300 to the user terminal 200 so as to update the sound source stored in the mobile terminal 300.

The user terminal 200 senses that the mobile terminal 300 is connected to the user terminal 200, and operates the automatic download agent in accordance with 675 the sensed result.

In step S30, the automatic download agent displays the selection reference inputting screen so that the user selects sound source in accordance with his taste, and the user inputs desired selection reference on the screen. Here, in case that pre- stored selection reference is existed, it is desirable that the pre-stored selection 680 reference is displayed.

In step S40, the user terminal 200 transmits the sound source request message having the sound source selection reference to the sound source providing server 100.

The sound source providing server 100 searches sound sources matched 685 with genre of desired sound source, age, time and data capacity, etc included in the selection reference in step S50, and transmits the searched sound sources and corresponding pre-hearing keys to the mobile terminal 300 through the user terminal 200 in step S60.

As described above, it is desirable to transmit the searched sound sources 690 and the pre-hearing keys to the user terminal 200 through an Internet network managed with fixed charge, and transmit the searched sound sources and the pre- hearing keys to the mobile terminal 300 from the user terminal 200 through USB interface, RS-232C cable, Bluetooth, IrDA, wire/wireless modem, etc.

In step S70, the user searches the sound sources transmitted to the mobile 695 terminal 300, and plays the desired sound source through the pre-hearing method. Here, the pre-hearing method may play desired section of highlight, early part and latter part as mentioned above.

In step S80, in case that the user wants to purchase specific sound source on the sound source searching screen or the pre-hearing screen of the mobile terminal 700 300, the mobile terminal 300 transmits the license key purchase message to the sound source providing server 100. Here, the license key purchase message may have the device identifier or the user identifier of the mobile terminal 300.

In step SlOO, the sound source providing server 100 verifies payment about corresponding license key or the device identifier, the user identifier in case that the 705 license key purchase message is received, and then transmits the license key to the mobile terminal 300.

In short, a wireless communication charge may be imposed to a process of requesting the license key to the sound source providing server 100 from the mobile terminal 300 and transmitting the license key to the mobile terminal 300. However, 710 since data amount of the license key is very smaller than that of the sound source, desired sound source may be purchased with inexpensive wireless communication charge.

In step SI lO, the mobile terminal 300 decrypts specific sound source using the license key transmitted from the sound source providing server 100, plays the 715 sound source through a whole section hearing method or converts the sound source into corresponding bell sound. In the above embodiments of the present invention, the sound source is described as an example of the multimedia file for convenience of description. However, the multimedia file is not limited as the sound source.

720 The present invention may be embodied as a recorded media including a command operated by a computer such as a program module. Here, the recorded media may be a certain media accessed by the computer, and includes volatile media, nonvolatile media, separable media and non-separable media.

In addition, the recorded media may have a computer storage media and a 725 communication media. Here, the computer storage media includes computer readable command, data structure, program module, a method of storing information, volatile media, nonvolatile media, separable media and non-separable media.

The communication media has computer readable command, data structure, program module, data of a modulated data signal such as carrier wave, other 730 transmission mechanism and information delivering media.

Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least 735 one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the 740 embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, 745 various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

750 [ CLAIMS ] [ Claim 1 ]

A method of providing a multimedia file to a first mobile terminal from a multimedia file providing server, the method comprising:

(a) encrypting the multimedia file and storing the encrypted multimedia file; 755 (b) receiving a multimedia file request message having a multimedia file selection reference from a user terminal;

(c) searching encrypted multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference; and

(d) transmitting the searched multimedia file and a pre-play key

760 corresponding to the searched multimedia file to the first mobile terminal through the user terminal.

[ Claim 2 ]

The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(e) receiving a license key purchase message from the first mobile 765 terminal; and

(f) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message to the first mobile terminal.

[ Claim 3 ]

The method of claim 1, further comprising: 770 (e) receiving identification information of a second mobile terminal and a license key purchase message from the first mobile terminal; and

(f) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message to the second mobile terminal.

[ Claim 4 ] 775 The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(e) receiving a license key purchase message from the user terminal; and

(f) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message to the user terminal.

[ Claim 5 ] 780 The method of one of claim 2 to claim 4, wherein the license key has a whole section play key for decrypting whole section of the encrypted multimedia file and playing the decrypted multimedia file. [ Claim 6 ]

The method of one of claim 2 to claim 4, wherein the license key has a 785 master key for decrypting every encrypted multimedia file for a given period of time and playing the decrypted multimedia file. [ Claim ? ]

A method of providing a multimedia file to a mobile terminal from a user terminal, the method comprising: 790 (a) receiving a multimedia file selection reference;

(b) transmitting a multimedia file request message having the multimedia file selection reference to a multimedia file providing server;

(c) receiving an encrypted multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference and a pre-play key corresponding to the encrypted multimedia

795 file from the multimedia file providing server; and

(d) transmitting the received multimedia file and the pre-play key to the mobile terminal.

[ Claim 8 ]

The method of claim 7, wherein the step (a) is performed by the user 800 terminal.

[ Claim 9 ]

The method of claim 7, wherein the step (a) is performed by the mobile terminal.

[ Claim 10 ]

805 The method of claim 7, wherein the multimedia file selection reference is updated on the basis of information transmitted from the multimedia file providing server.

[ Claim 11 ]

The method of claim 9, wherein the step (d) is performed by connecting the 810 user terminal to the mobile terminal through at least one of USB interface, RS-232C cable, Bluetooth, IrDA, wire/wireless modem and external memory.

[ Claim 12 ]

A method of purchasing a multimedia file using a mobile terminal, the method comprising: 815 (a) receiving a multimedia file selection reference;

(b) receiving an encrypted multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference and a pre-play key corresponding to the encrypted multimedia file from a user terminal;

(c) transmitting a license key purchase message corresponding to the 820 encrypted multimedia file to a multimedia file providing server;

(d) receiving a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message from the multimedia file providing server; and

(e) decrypting the encrypted multimedia file using the license key and playing the decrypted multimedia file.

825

[ Claim 13 ]

The method of claim 12, wherein the step (c) includes: (c-1) searching the received multimedia file;

(c-2) decrypting the multimedia file using the pre-play key and playing the decrypted multimedia file in advance; and 830 (c-3) selecting a specific multimedia file of the encrypted multimedia files, wherein a license key corresponding to the selected multimedia file is to be purchased.

[ Claim 14 ]

The method of claim 12, wherein the step (e) includes decrypting the 835 license key.

[ Claim 15 ]

The method of one of claim 12, wherein the license key has a whole section play key for decrypting whole section of the encrypted multimedia file and playing the decrypted multimedia file. 840

[ Claim 16 ]

The method of one of claim 12, wherein the license key has a master key for decrypting every encrypted multimedia file for a given period of time and playing the decrypted multimedia file.

[ Claim 17 ]

845 A method of presenting a multimedia file using a first mobile terminal, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a multimedia file selection reference;

(b) receiving an encrypted multimedia file matched with the multimedia file selection reference and a pre-play key corresponding to the encrypted multimedia 850 file from a user terminal;

(c) transmitting a license key purchase message corresponding to the encrypted multimedia file and identification information of a second mobile terminal to be presented to a multimedia file providing server;

(d) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase 855 message to the second mobile terminal from the multimedia file providing server; and

(e) decrypting the encrypted multimedia file using the license key and playing the decrypted multimedia file in the second mobile terminal.

[ Claim 18 ]

A method of purchasing a multimedia file using a mobile terminal, the 860 method comprising:

(a) receiving a multimedia file selection reference;

865 (c) reserving purchase about the encrypted multimedia file;

(d) transmitting information concerning the reserved multimedia file to the user terminal from the mobile terminal, and transmitting a license key purchase message corresponding to the reserved multimedia file to a multimedia file providing server; 870 (e) transmitting a license key corresponding to the license key purchase message to the user terminal from the multimedia file providing server, and providing the license key to the mobile terminal from the user terminal; and

(f) decrypting the encrypted multimedia file using the license key and playing the decrypted multimedia file. 875 [ Claim 19 ]

A recorded media read by a computer comprising: program for performing the step in one of claim 7 to claim 18 on the computer.