ES2384927A1 - Anti-piracy system for the distribution, reproduction and transfer of content and method for operating same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-piracy system for the distribution, reproduction and transfer of content and to the method for operating same. According to the invention, audiovisual, textual, data or any other type of content, taken at the source thereof, is processed such that it can only be reproduced in reproduction systems authorised by the system and such that controlled copying is only allowed when actively requested by the owner, on a case by case basis. Consequently, content cannot be reproduced outside of the system or copied without the authorisation of the original owner or a designated person. Moreover, limits are placed on the time allocated, as well as on the number of times content can be reproduced, such that a copy cannot generate a new copy without the permission of the owner.

Description

ANTI-PIRACY SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTION, REPRODUCTION AND TRANSFER OF CONTENTS AND OPERATION PROCEDURE OF THE SAME

Sector of the invention The present invention relates to an anti-piracy system for the reproduction and transfer of all types of content, be it music, movies, games, data, e-books, etc ... The method covers the distribution of content from the creator of the content to the final consumer, with remarkable copy control and reproduction control. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous devices or means for the reproduction of contents are known. The initial systems, which we could call analog, such as vinyl records and tapes, were once the only means of spreading audio content. None of them have an impediment to copying, provided they have adequate means; just have a player, a recorder and a virgin medium,

., in addition each copy implies a slight reduction of the quality of the content. Later came the digital media (CO and OVO) that have the virtue of being able to incorporate audiovisual content and that allow copies while maintaining quality. Although anti-copying systems can be incorporated, all systems have been violated with relative ease, because they are available in the market: blank discs, recorders and programs that skip protections. Currently, in addition to physical media (CO and OVO), the Internet has appeared as a means of dissemination and storage, further complicating the protection of content. In the case of music, certain encodings, such as MP3 encoding, allow you to convert songs into files of manageable size easily copy bias and playable in many devices, indiscriminately and without any control. The MPEG4 is the same for audiovisual content. The appearance of legal download web pages has not stopped the deterioration of the content market, partly because the contents are manipulated from computers on ... which can modify the encoded files to skip any protection.

The main problem to be solved is that, once a copy of a content is made, that copy is completely out of the control of the original owner allowing infinite successive copies. In order to achieve its objectives, the system of the invention requires its own content reproduction device, a web server with multiple tasks and a smart card like support for the contents, all of them maintaining high security. As described below, the system is designed so that in no case these contents can be recorded on the hard drive of a computer or similar, thus avoiding fraudulent copies. Description of the invention The anti-piracy system for the distribution, reproduction and transfer of contents of the invention presents a new form of operation with all kinds of contents, on the basis of which the contents are handled securely avoiding illegal copies and controlling the rights Of reproduction. The system of the invention allows the loan of the contents, but under conditions controlled by legal permits and authorizations described below. For a better understanding of the invention, the user who buys the original digital content is called the first user and those users whom the first user authorizes so that they can enjoy the contents he acquired are called the authorized user / s. The elements of the system, necessary to maintain a high level of security in the distribution, reproduction and transfer of the contents, are the following:

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Content source: who generates the contents; Depending on the type of content, it will refer to the music recording studio, movie production, video game creators, publishers, and so on.

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Content Files: These are the files that store all the information that the content source wishes to market. These are encrypted files. Each of the files contains four parts: the content itself, a bit that indicates the type of output for the reproduction of the content (it will be a bit that indicates analog output or digital output), the dynamic keys that identify it and that vary each Once the file is executed for greater security and the accountants responsible for accounting for the rights or permissions that have been acquired for that content and that will be updated each time they are executed.

For the understanding of the invention, the system is developed with three counters in each file, knowing that both the number of counters and their properties can vary depending on what the content source wants. These three counters are as follows:

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Reproduction counter: number of times the acquired contents can be reproduced.

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Authorization counter: number of authorized users allowed, that is, the maximum number of people to whom the buyer or first user has the right to authorize to reproduce, in their own player, the acquired contents.

•

Timer: in case the content source wishes to limit the time of

any or all of the previous rights or permissions. As previously mentioned, more counters can be programmed in each file, for example an additional counter could be implemented that controls the levels of authorizations that can be made (that is, that a user authorized by the first user can in turn share the contents with a third party and so on to the level desired). These rights or permits condition various aspects of the product's commercialization, causing its market price to vary. For example, for an audio file, that is to say a song, the content source, in this case the music producer, may wish that it has no limit of reproductions, however, if it is a digital book, the publisher wishes only sell the right to two reproductions, varying the price depending on it. (Note: the above description is very brief and is done to imply the type of encryption that the encrypted files must carry, but the details of how this marketing will be carried out are part of the business method, which is not the object of this patent).

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Production server: is responsible for creating the content files and once encoded and encrypted send them to the card factory and the user web server.

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Card factory: this is where the encrypted content files that the production server sends to record them on a physical medium are received. This physical support is of the smart card type.

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Portable media player: it is exclusive to this system and the only means of reproducing and accessing the acquired contents, be it music, video, games,

e-books ... It will be uniquely registered to its owner. The portable media player has the following main features:

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Color touch screen

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Functional buttons, depending on the model, on the edges of the screen or on the sides

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USB port

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Infrared port

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Slot for inserting smart cards

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Radio communications of different types and possibilities, among others:

or GSM / UMTS, allow you to connect directly to the system server, while converting it into a telephone.

o Wi-fi, allows you to connect directly to the system server, with this link you get more speed and free communications where this service is.

o Bluetooth is aimed at communication between devices for the exchange of free content, such as movie trailers

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Analog audio output that allows you to connect any standardized listening device to the portable media player

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Digital audio output to which only the system's own digital listening devices can be connected. These devices work through an exchange of identification keys with the portable media player to validate their access and once they are identified, the content arrives in digital form for reproduction. This prevents the audio output from being used to make fraudulent copies. When the content source so determines and encodes it, the portable media player can only play that content using the digital output.

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Software: It has installed the own software necessary to operate, as well as some Internet browser.

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Internal memory or embedded motherboard: it has an internal memory or embedded motherboard that allows you to record content (the characteristics of the motherboard are explained below).

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Content cards: they are the physical support of the multimedia contents or data that have been elaborated in the card factory. They are cards of the type "smart card" or

smart card and replace traditional media type CD, OVO, BlueRay ... They are sold in stores or distribution channels selected for purchase by the first user. Content cards can only be played on the portable media players of the system.

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Motherboard: available in the form of a smart card such as content cards or embedded in the player, as its internal memory. Depending on the range of the player there will be more or less capacity. It is a rewritable memory. In the case of smart cards, they are purchased in authorized stores or distribution channels and are available with different capacity. At the time of its acquisition it is empty of content and only contains the keys that identify it. It is the only valid support for off-line reproduction of the contents acquired via the Internet. It also serves so that the first user can unify in a single card all the music purchased, avoiding having to carry a large number of content cards, in the event that he acquires the contents in this physical format instead of online. Like content cards, it is linked to a specific portable media player and can only be played on it.

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User web server: it is the bank that manages the system, that is, the place where the user stores the backup copy of their contents and manages their movements (for example, generates backup copies of the contents of each user, sells and promotes these same contents, transfers contents to both the motherboard and authorized users, ...).

Once the essential elements of the system have been described, its operation procedure will be described, detailing three aspects of its method of operation, such as: the distribution of anti-piracy content from the content source to the first user, the controlled reproduction of the contents and the secure transfer of the contents between the first user and authorized users. These three aspects are detailed below:

1. Distribution of anti-piracy content from the source of content to the first user is as follows: it is based on content coded in an open digital format that provides the source of content and that can be an audiovisual content, only audio, data, a file of text or any other type of information that you want to disseminate in a controlled manner. These contents are encrypted on the production server to incorporate security mechanisms and

rights that the content source wishes to attribute to them. Files with protected, encrypted and encrypted content, that is, secure content, are sent to the card factory and to the user's web server. In the card factory they are recorded on the content cards that are put on sale through the traditional distribution channels. They are uploaded to the user's web server for direct online sale. The first user can now acquire the secure contents in the way they want:

If you decide to buy directly from the store, then you acquire a content card. At the moment the content card is inserted into the player, the dynamic keys of said content card are processed by the player along with its own keys and updated on the card. In this way, card and player are associated so that, from that moment, said card can only be reproduced in said player, thus preventing the card from being lent from one person to another (avoiding what is currently happening with the COs, OVOs ...).

If you decide to purchase online, it can only be carried out from the user's web server. It connects to it via the Internet (either by browsing the screen of the player itself or from a computer to which the player has been connected). If this is the first time you connect to the user web server, it invites you to register and open a user account. Once a user account is owned, the content to be acquired can be selected from the user web server. After making the payment, said content is hosted in the user's account. In order to reproduce the contents acquired online it is necessary to have them on a physical medium, that is, a motherboard is required, either smart card type or embedded in the player. If the motherboard is a smart card type and it is the first time it is used, the same thing happens with the content cards: when entering it in the player the keys are processed and updated, so that from that moment the motherboard is associated and player and can only be used with that particular player. If the motherboard is not the first time it is used, then when it is inserted into the player it reads the keys of the motherboard, recognizes it as associated with it, processes it and updates it for next identification (they are dynamic keys, to increase the security) and allows the loading of content in it. With this type of online purchase, the contents purchased are sent directly from the user's web server to the motherboard that is inside the player, and no intermediate copy can be made, even when

-.

connect to the Internet through a computer, since communication is done safely preventing other applications from capturing the transmitted information. To achieve that secure transmission, the information of the contents is directed directly from the web server to the encrypted motherboard through a VPN or Virtual Private Network - virtual private network - that is, a direct communication between the sender, in this case the web server and the receiver, that is, the motherboard. If someone eventually develops a program with which they are able to capture the information that is being sent, they will find that this information is encrypted so that this content can only be reproduced with the recipient motherboard.

2. Controlled reproduction: as explained above, the content files acquired by the first user are found or on the content card

or on the motherboard or on the user account of the user web server and can only be played using one of the cards and the exclusive portable media player of the invention. It does not require any internet connection. To reproduce a content, one of the cards (mother or contents) must be inserted into the corresponding slot of the player and use the appropriate analog or digital output system, depending on the encoding of the content file. After each reproduction that is carried out, the portable multimedia player will decrease the number of reproductions of the corresponding file by one, whether the file resides on a motherboard or if it resides on a content card.

3. Transfer of contents: the first user can assign reproduction rights to one or more users (called authorized users), if the contents that he acquired are encoded. To carry out this authorization, the first user connects to the user's web server, through their player or through a computer to which the player must be connected with the corresponding card inserted. Once it is connected, it enters your user account directly and the contents, both of the card and those of the user's web server backup, are synchronized and updated. The transfer of content can only be done by registered users. From there, select the content of the card from which you want to assign a reproduction right to the authorized user and order it to the user web server. The user web server automatically creates an encrypted file that contains: a copy of the content to be transferred, the bit of the output type, the counters encoded in the corresponding manner and the keys that allow you to connect with

The authorized user player. This file is deposited in the authorized user's account. Next, the content file belonging to the first user is recoded to update the counters of that content, both on the card and on the backup that resides on the user's web server. With this system the distribution, reproduction and transfer of contents between users is allowed in a safe way, avoiding fraudulent copies and p: rateria.

Description of the drawings

To complement the description and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, the present specification of a set of drawings is attached which, illustratively and not limitatively, represent: Figure 1 Anti-piracy system of the invention according to an embodiment preferential. Figure 2 Different views of the portable media player and a smart card type card The references in the figures represent:

(one)

Content Source

(2)

Production server

(3)

Card factory

(4)

User Web Server

(5)

Internet

(6)

Portable media player of the first user

(6 ')

Portable media player of an authorized user

(7)

First user content card

(7 ')

Content card of an authorized user

(8)

First user

(8 ')

Authorized User

(9)

Motherboard of the first user

(9 ')

Authorized user motherboard

(10)

Computer

(10 ')

Authorized User Computer

(eleven )

Headphones of the first user

(eleven ')

Authorized user headphones

(12)

Analog audio output

(13)

Digital audio output

(14)

Functional button

(fifteen)

USB port

(16)

Card slot

(17)

Infrared port Preferred embodiment of the invention In order to achieve a better understanding of the invention, the system of the invention and its method of operation are described below, according to a preferred embodiment. To make your understanding clearer, it will be described assuming that what you want to distribute is music and that the user who acquires such music (first user) wants to grant a reproduction permission to another user (authorized user). For this specific case, the system operation procedure would be as follows:

o The content source (1) or music producer in this case, records the content you want to distribute in a controlled manner and sends it to the production server

(2)

The audio content along with the features you want them to have for controlled distribution. The content source (1) wants the content file to be encoded with the following characteristics: exclusive reproduction by digital output, indefinite time to reproduce and authorize, number of reproductions allowed one hundred and the right to five authorizations.

o The production server (2) receives the audio content along with the characteristics desired by the content source (1) and creates a content file encoded for each song with the following information:

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Audio content (the song itself)

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digital output bit = 1

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dynamic keys that identify the content file

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timer = no limit

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Reproduction counter = 100

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authorization counter = 5

o Protected, encrypted and encrypted content is sent to the card factory

(3)

Yal user web server (4).

o In the card factory (3) it is recorded on the content cards (7) that are put on sale through the traditional distribution channels.

o On the user's web server (4) they are loaded for direct online sale.

o The first user (8) can now acquire the secure contents by the way he wishes: purchase of content card (7) in store or purchase online. Suppose

Who decides to buy directly at the store. In that case, the first user (8) acquires a content card (7) with the audio content. Insert said content card (7) into your portable media player (6) and the dynamic keys of said content card (7) are processed together with those of the player (6) so that both are associated and from that moment no other player (6 ') other than the player (6) of the first user can play it.

o Back up the acquired card: the first user (8) now wants to have a backup of the audio content on the user's web server (4) in case he loses the content card (7). For it:

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It connects to the user's web server (4) via the Internet, either by browsing the screen of the player itself (6) or from a computer (10) to which the player (6) has been connected.

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If this is the first time you connect to the user web server (4), it invites you to register and open a user account.

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Insert the content card (7) into the player (6).

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The user web server (4) automatically synchronizes the contents. In this case it detects that it is a new content card (7) and the user web server (4) generates a backup copy in the user account automatically. You already have a backup copy that resides in your user web server account (4).

o Store the audio content on the motherboard (9): the first user (8) wishes to store a song from his content card on his motherboard (9). The procedure is the next:

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Decide the number of permissions (reproductions, authorizations, ...) that you want to transfer to the motherboard (9) leaving the rest on the content card (7) and give the order to the user's web server (4). For example: 70 reproduction permits and 3 authorization permits for the motherboard (9), the rest (30 reproduction permits and 2 authorizations) remain on the content card (7)

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Insert the content card (7) into the player (6)

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The user web server (4) updates the permissions of this card leaving 30 reproductions and 2 authorizations.

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Remove the content card and insert the motherboard (9), previously registered, into the corresponding slot of the player (6).

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The user web server (4) loads the contents to be transferred with the corresponding permissions (70 reproduction permissions and 3 authorization permissions) on the motherboard (9). Content loading is done through a VPN (Virtual Private Network or virtual private network).

o At this time the first user (8) already has the audio content that he acquired in the store in all the media allowed by the system: content card (7), motherboard (9) and in his user web server account (4). In this way, you can reproduce the contents as follows:

introduction of the card you want to play (content card (7) or a motherboard (9)) in the player (6); at the moment the card is inserted, the dynamic keys of said card card are processed and updated by the player (6) so that both are associated and from that moment you can only play in said player (6); connection of the appropriate listening device (analog or digital, depending on how the file is encoded) to the audio output of the player (6); content reproduction; the portable media player (6) for each reproduction performed, Decrease by one the file permissions permissions counter corresponding and that resides on the card that is inserted in the player (6), either content (7) or mother (9)

o Content transfer: the first user (8) wants to make use of one of the five authorizations to which he is entitled and transfer rights to reproduce a song to an authorized user (8 '). The procedure to carry out this authorization is as follows:

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The first user (8) inserts the card from which he wishes to transfer the contents (in the example the content card (7)) into the player (6)

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It connects to the user web server (4) and as previously registered, it will enter your user account directly.

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From there, select the content, in this case a song, with the number of reproductions you want to assign to the authorized user (8 '). For example: 20 views (of the 30 you have on the content card (7)).

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The audio contents of the first user are recoded by updating the counters (which will remain in 1 the authorization counter and 10 in the reproduction counter)

•

The user web server (4) automatically creates an encrypted file

5 for this song that contains: Audio content (the song) digital output bit = 1 dynamic keys that identify this content file timer = no limit

10 reproduction counter = 20 authorization counter = O

• This file is deposited by the user web server (4) in the authorized user account (8 '). The key to the whole invention and where lies the reason for the impossibility of

15 piracy is in the fact that the contents are not saved either on the computer (10, 10 ') or on your hard drive but, as stated above, go directly from the card corresponding to the user's web server ( 4) through a VPN (Virtual Private Network, virtual private network) and vice versa. Security is also reinforced by the fact that there is no generic card reader

20 valid for the reproduction of the contents, since only the system's own portable multimedia player can be used.

Claims (1)

 Claims 1) Anti-piracy system for distribution, reproduction and transfer of content between the source that generates the contents (whether audio, text, video, games, data ...) and the end user, so that fraudulent copies are avoided and unauthorized reproductions, characterized in that the system comprises the following elements:

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Content source (1): who generates the content; Depending on the type of content, it refers to the music recording studio, the film producer, the creators of video games, the publishers, and so on;

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Content files: they are encrypted; Each of the files comprises several parts: the content itself (audio, video, text ...), a bit that indicates the type of output for the reproduction of the content (it will be a bit that indicates analog output or digital output) , the dynamic keys that identify it and that vary each time the file is executed for greater security and the accountants responsible for accounting for the rights or permissions that have been acquired for that content;

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Production server (2): it is who creates, encodes and encrypts the content files and sends them to the card factory (3) and to the user's web server;

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Card factory (3): place where content files are recorded on a physical media such as smart card or smart card;

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Portable media player (6) exclusive to this system

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Content cards (7): they are cards of the "smart card" or smart card type, they are the physical support of the content files.

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Motherboard (9): it is a rewritable memory, available in the form of a smart card such as content cards (7) or embedded in the player (6) as its internal memory; there are more or less capacity; at the time of its acquisition it is empty of content and only contains the keys that identify it;

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User web server (4): this is the bank that manages the system, that is, the place where the user stores the backup copy of its contents and manages their movements.

2) Anti-piracy system for distribution, reproduction and transfer of content according to claim 1 characterized in that the number of counters varies from one content file to another, as decided by the content source (1). 3) Anti-piracy system for distribution, reproduction and transfer of contents according to claim 2 characterized in that each file comprises the following counters:

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Reproduction counter: number of times the acquired contents can be reproduced;

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Authorization counter: number of authorized users (8 ') allowed, that is, the maximum number of people to whom the buyer has the right to authorize to reproduce, in their own portable media player (6'), the contents acquired;

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timer: to limit the time of some or all of the previous rights or permissions.

4) Anti-piracy system for distribution, reproduction and transfer of content according to claim 1 characterized in that the portable multimedia player (6) has the following main characteristics:

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Color touch screen

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Functional buttons, depending on the model, on the edges of the screen or on the sides

•

USB port

•

Infrared port

•

Slot for inserting smart cards

•

Radio communications of different types

•

Analog audio output

•

Digital audio output

•

Software, both the own software necessary to operate, and some Internet browser

•

Internal memory or embedded motherboard

5) Anti-piracy system for distribution, reproduction and transfer of contents according to claim 4 characterized in that the radio communications of the portable multimedia player (6) comprise:

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GSM / UMTS;

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Wifi;

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Bluetooth

6) Operation procedure of the anti-piracy system described in the preceding claims comprising the distribution of anti-piracy content from the content source (1) to the first user (8), the making of a backup copy of the contents on the web server of user (4), the storage of the contents acquired on the motherboard (9), the controlled reproduction of said contents and the secure transfer of contents between users, where the distribution of anti-piracy content from the content source to the first user It comprises the following stages:

o It is based on content encoded in an open digital format that provides the content source;

or this content is encrypted on the production server to incorporate the security mechanisms and rights that the content source wishes to attribute;

or the file with the encrypted and encrypted content, is sent to the card factory and to the user's web server;

or in the card factory it is recorded on the content cards that are put on sale through the traditional distribution channels;

or the user web server is loaded for direct sale online.

7) Operation procedure of the anti-piracy system according to claim 6 characterized in that the purchase of online content can only be carried out from the user web server and comprises the following steps: Connecting the portable media player to the user web server either directly from the player (6) or through the computer by connecting the player (6) to it, If this is the first time you connect to the user web server, it invites you to register and open a user account; selection from the user web server (4) of the content to be acquired and after making the payment, said content will be hosted in the user's account; the contents are sent directly from the user's web server to the motherboard that is inside the player, and no intermediate copy can be made; To achieve that security, the information of the contents are directed directly from the web server to the motherboard and are encrypted through a VPN or Virtual Private Network - virtual private network -. 8) Operation procedure of the anti-piracy system according to claim 6 characterized in that the procedure for backing up the content card (7) on the user web server (4) comprises the following steps: connection of the portable multimedia player (6 ) to the user's web server (4) via the Internet, either by browsing the screen of the player itself (6) or from a computer (10) to which the player (6) has been connected; if it is the first time you connect to the user web server (4), it invites you to register and open a user account, otherwise you will enter directly into your user account; introduction of the content card (7) into the player (6); The user web server (4) performs a synchronization of the contents and detects that it is a new content card (7) and automatically the user web server (4) generates a backup on the user account . 9) Operation procedure of the anti-piracy system according to claim 6 characterized in that the storage on the motherboard (9) of the contents residing in a content card (7) comprises the following steps: decide the number of permissions (reproductions, authorizations, ...) that you want to pass to the motherboard (9) leaving the rest on the content card (7) and give the order to the user's web server (4); insert the content card (7) into the player (6); the user web server (4) updates the permissions of the content card (7); remove the content card (7) and insert the motherboard (9) into the corresponding slot of the player (6); if the motherboard (9) is the first time it is used, when it is inserted into the player, the keys are processed and updated, so that from that moment the motherboard and player are associated and can only be used with that specific player; If the motherboard is not the first time it is used, then when it is inserted into the player it reads the keys of the motherboard, recognizes it as associated with it, processes it and updates it for next identification (they are dynamic keys, to increase the security); the user web server (4) loads the contents with the corresponding permissions on the motherboard (9) through a VPN (Virtual Private Network or virtual private network). 10) Operation procedure of the anti-piracy system according to claim 6 characterized in that the controlled reproduction of contents comprises the following steps: introduction of the card to be played (content card (7) or a motherboard (9)) in the player (6); at the time the card is inserted, the dynamic keys of said card are processed and updated by the player (6) so that both are associated and from that moment it can only be played back on said player (6); connection of the appropriate listening device (analog or digital, depending on how the file is encoded) to the audio output of the player (6); content reproduction; The portable media player (6) for each reproduction performed, decrements by one the reproduction permission counter of the corresponding file and which resides on the card that is inserted in the player (6), either the content one (7) or the mother (9) 11) Operation procedure of the anti-piracy system according to claim 6 characterized in that the secure transfer of contents between the first user (8) and an authorized user (8 '), comprises the following steps: the first user connects to the user's web server, through its player or through a computer to which the player must connect with the corresponding card inserted; once it is connected, it enters directly into your user account and the contents, both of the card and those of the user's web server backup, are synchronized and updated; from there, select the card content from which you want to assign a reproduction right to the authorized user and so order it to the user web server; The user web server automatically creates an encrypted file that contains: a copy of the content to be transferred, the bit of the output type, the counters encoded in the corresponding manner and the keys that allow it to connect to the player of the authorized user; This file is deposited by the user's web server in the authorized user's account; Then, the content file belonging to the first user is recoded to update the counters of that content, both on the card inserted into the player as in the backup that resides on the user's web server.