JP4629661B2 - How to make it possible to convert one digital rights management scheme into another - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of capability negotiation for digital rights management, and more particularly, supported digital rights in connection with electronic communication devices. It relates to a method for providing information about digital rights management features, a computer program product, computer program elements and computer data signals. Here, the electronic communication device, the method, the content providing device, the computer program, and the computer program element generate a copyright object to be provided to the electronic communication device and a system for managing digital copyright.

Description of Related Art In the field of telecommunications and computer communications, content tends to be downloaded. This content includes, for example, various types of media content such as music from different content providers. In this regard, the content needs to be used according to the conditions set by the content provider. In order to do this, the content is usually encrypted and provided with a copyright object that sets conditions for the use of the content. For example, it is possible to allow the user to play one piece of music within a fixed number of times or within a specific time limit.

  One environment in which this can be done is set up for mobile phone areas by OMA (Open Mobile Alliance). This OMA sets up a DRM (Digital Rights Management) scheme, OMA DRM, in order to handle such copyright objects. This scheme sets some supported characteristics that allow the user to download the content and use it on the device. The content is downloaded to this device under conditions set by the content provider.

  However, there are more existing schemes for other types of devices. For example, Sony memory sticks use another scheme called MagicGate.

  Also, it can be foreseen that a user of a device such as a mobile phone that is downloading content will want to move the content to another device for various reasons. To do this, the phone has a plug-in function to a memory stick that can transmit content, for example. Here, the memory stick can be used in another device. This may have a better function of playing content outside the phone. The memory stick may support another digital rights management scheme, and even the device to which the memory stick is attached may support the third scheme.

  To protect the interests of the content provider, it is necessary to convert the telephone scheme copyright object to a memory stick copyright object. However, this is not a simple task. Since these schemes may support different characteristics, there is a strong risk that copyright objects cannot be converted. This is because the first copyright object has certain characteristics that do not exist in the new copyright object scheme. This means that the content is fixed for use on the phone, which is a major drawback from the user's point of view.

  At the same time, it is not feasible to burden content providers with the task of keeping track of all of the various schemes. Here, this scheme can exist for various types of devices and properties, which support different schemes.

  Therefore, there is a need to be able to provide a method that allows content copyrights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without overloading the content provider. . By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a problem associated with enabling content rights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other management scheme without overburdening the content provider. To tackle the solution. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

  This problem provides a reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of several different digital rights management schemes for a communication device, and / or each of the lists. This is resolved by sending a reference to the list group or at least one of the list group to the content provider.

  That is, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method for providing information about supported digital rights management characteristics for an electronic communication device. This allows content rights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without undue burden on the content provider. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a method for providing information about supported digital rights management characteristics for an electronic communication device, the method comprising:
Providing a reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists;
Sending a reference to the list group of each scheme or at least one of the list group to a content provider,
One list in the list can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device.

  The second configuration of the present invention is in accordance with a method that includes the features of the first configuration, wherein each list enables automatic generation of copyright objects in accordance with the first digital copyright rights scheme. Provided in a format that does.

  A third configuration of the present invention is in accordance with a method including the features of the first configuration, wherein the step of providing a reference to the list group or at least one of the list group includes each digital work. Including providing a reference to or a list of lists of all digital rights management properties supported by the rights management scheme.

  A fourth configuration of the present invention is in accordance with a method including the features of the first configuration, wherein the step of providing a reference to the list group or at least one of the list group includes at least two Includes providing a reference to or a list of all digital rights management characteristics only, common in digital rights management schemes.

  A fifth configuration of the present invention is in accordance with a method including the features of the first configuration, further comprising the step of transmitting a request for content to a content provider, the request comprising the reference or the list Includes at least one of the groups.

  A sixth configuration of the present invention is in accordance with a method that includes the features of the fifth configuration, and for the requested content that includes only characteristics common to the at least two digital rights management schemes. Generating a copyright object according to one of the following: a content provider; and transmitting the copyright object to the electronic communication device.

  The seventh configuration of the present invention is in accordance with a method including the features of the sixth configuration, and further comprises the step of retrieving the list group from the position indicated by the reference by the content provider.

  An eighth configuration of the present invention is in accordance with a method including the features of the sixth configuration, the step of receiving the copyright object in the electronic communication device, and the copyright object in the scheme Converting to an object according to another scheme.

  Another object of the present invention is an electronic communication that allows content rights to be converted by a content provider from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without undue burden on the content provider. It is to provide a method for generating a copyright object for provision to a device. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a method for generating a copyright object for provision to an electronic communication device. This method
A reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of the at least two digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists, is received from the electronic communication device. Steps,
Generating a copyright object according to one of the schemes that includes only characteristics common to all of the schemes;
One list in the list can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device.

  Another object of the present invention is to communicate with a content provider that allows content copyrights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without undue burden on the content provider. An electronic communication device is provided. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by an electronic communication device that communicates with a content provider. The electronic communication device is an electronic communication device for communicating with a content provider,
Configured to provide a reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists. A digital rights management control unit,
A transmission unit configured to transmit a reference to each list group of the scheme or at least one of the list groups to a content provider;
One of the lists can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device.

  The eleventh configuration of the present invention is in accordance with an electronic communication device that includes the features of the tenth configuration, and each list enables automatic generation of copyright objects in accordance with the first digital copyright rights scheme. Provided in format.

  A twelfth configuration of the present invention is based on an electronic communication device including the features of the tenth configuration, and when providing a reference to the list group or the list group, the digital rights management control unit is , Configured to provide a reference to, or a list of, lists of all digital rights management properties supported by each digital rights management scheme.

  A thirteenth configuration of the present invention is based on an electronic communication device including the characteristics of the tenth configuration, and when providing a reference to the list group or the list group, the digital rights management control unit , Configured to provide a reference to or a list of all digital rights management characteristics only common to at least two digital rights management schemes.

  A fourteenth configuration of the present invention is in accordance with an electronic communication device including the characteristics of the tenth configuration, wherein the digital rights management control unit sends a request for content to the content provider via the transmission unit. The request includes a reference to the list group or at least one of the list group.

  A fifteenth configuration of the present invention is in accordance with an electronic communication device that includes the features of the tenth configuration, further comprising a first fixed media content store associated with the first digital rights management scheme.

  A sixteenth configuration of the present invention is in accordance with an electronic communication device including the features of the fifteenth configuration, further comprising a removable media content storage associated with the second digital rights management scheme.

  A seventeenth configuration of the present invention is in accordance with an electronic communication device including the features of the tenth configuration, and the electronic communication device is a portable communication device.

  An eighteenth configuration of the present invention is in accordance with an electronic communication device including the features of the seventeenth configuration, and the electronic communication device is a mobile phone.

  Another object of the present invention is to manage digital rights that allow the conversion of content rights from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without overloading the content provider. It is to provide a system that does. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a system for managing digital rights. This system
An electronic communication device that communicates with the content provider;
A content providing device for providing media content to an electronic communication device;
The electronic communication device is
Configured to provide a reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists A digital rights management control unit,
A transmission unit configured to transmit a reference to each list group of the scheme or at least one of the list groups to a content provider;
One of the lists can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device;
The content providing device is:
Receive a reference to the list group or at least one of the list group and is configured to generate a copyright object according to one of the schemes that includes only characteristics common to all of the schemes .

  Another object of the present invention is an electronic communication device that allows content copyrights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without undue burden on the content providing device. On the other hand, it is to provide a content providing device that generates a copyright object. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

According to the twentieth configuration of the present invention, this object is achieved by a content providing device for generating a copyright object for an electronic communication device. The content providing device is
A reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists, is received from the electronic communication device And is configured to generate a copyright object according to one of the schemes that includes only characteristics common to all of the schemes,
One list in the list can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device.

  Another object of the present invention relates to an electronic communication device that allows content copyrights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without undue burden on the content provider. To provide a computer program for providing information about supported digital rights management characteristics. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

  According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a computer program for providing information about supported digital rights management characteristics for an electronic communication device comprising a computer-readable medium.

The computer readable medium comprises computer program code means,
The computer program code means includes
When the program is loaded into the electronic communication device, the electronic communication device
Providing a reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists; a list of each scheme Instructing transmission to a content provider of at least one of the reference to the group or the list group,
One list in the list can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device.

  Another object of the present invention relates to an electronic communication device that allows content copyrights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without undue burden on the content provider. To provide a computer program element for providing information about supported digital rights management characteristics. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

According to a twenty-second configuration of the present invention, this object is achieved by a computer program element for providing information about supported digital rights management characteristics for an electronic communication device. This computer program element
When the program element is loaded into the electronic communication device, the electronic communication device
Providing a reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists; a list of each scheme A computer program code means for performing instructions to send to a content provider at least one of a reference to a group or a list thereof;
One list in the list can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic communication device that allows content copyrights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without overloading the content provider. A computer program for generating a copyright object is provided. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

  According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, this object is achieved by a computer program for generating a copyright object for provision to an electronic communication device comprising a computer-readable medium.

The computer readable medium comprises computer program code means,
The computer program code means includes
When the program is loaded into a computer,
A reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists, is received from the electronic communication device To do,
Causing the computer to generate a copyright object according to one of the schemes that includes only characteristics common to all of the schemes;
One list in the list can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic communication device that allows content copyrights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without overloading the content provider. To provide a computer program element for generating a copyright object. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

According to a twenty-fourth configuration of the present invention, this object is achieved by a computer program element for generating a copyright object for provision to an electronic communication device. This computer program element
When the program element is loaded on the computer,
A reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists, is received from the electronic communication device To do,
Causing the computer to generate a copyright object according to one of the schemes that includes only characteristics common to all of the schemes;
One list in the list can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device.

  Another object of the present invention relates to an electronic communication device that allows content copyrights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme without undue burden on the content provider. Providing a computer data signal to provide information about supported digital rights management characteristics. By doing so, the user can have a higher degree of freedom to use the content and compensate that the interests of the content provider are protected.

According to a twenty-fifth configuration of the present invention, this object is achieved by a computer data signal for providing information about supported digital rights management characteristics for an electronic communication device. This computer data signal is
A reference to a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device, or at least one of the lists;
One list in the list can be remotely associated with the electronic communication device.

  The present invention has the following advantages. Allows content copyrights to be converted from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme. This gives the user additional content freedom for moving content between different devices. Content providers do not need to keep track of what characteristics support different schemes. This is because it is provided to the content provider. The content provider also confirms directly whether these characteristics are satisfied to protect their interests. The content provider also ensures the user that the characteristics selected for inclusion in the copyright object can be handled by the electronic communication device and other devices associated therewith. According to the second and eleventh aspects of the present invention, the list of contents is provided in a format that allows the copyright object to be automatically generated according to the first digital rights management scheme. Does not need to know about one or more schemes, while still allowing content to be provided to users who need to use the content in different schemes. Providing different lists for each scheme in accordance with the third and twelfth arrangements provides the content provider with whether the content is intended to be provided to the phone user and whether the content is another scheme. The ability to determine for itself how much it can be used in use on other devices, rather than a phone that has.

  As used herein, the term “comprising / comprising” is used to identify the presence of the function, integer value, step or component being described, but one or more other It should be emphasized that this does not exclude the presence or addition of functions, integer values, steps, components or groups thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A system according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. An electronic communication device in the form of a mobile phone 10 communicates with a content providing device 16 via a cellular network 14 having a base station 12. A server 17 is also connected to the network 14 and stores information about a DRM (Digital Rights Management) scheme supported by the mobile phone. The mobile phone 10 downloads content from the content providing device 16. This content can be in the form of various types of media files, for example, video, audio or still images according to various types of formats that can be handled by a mobile phone. When the user downloads this content, it is provided with a copyright object. This copyright object defines how the user can use the content with another. However, mobile phone users may want to transfer the downloaded content to another device that they own, but this is not easy to do. Because a copyright object is dedicated to the scheme used, and all others, unless all characteristics of the copyright object of the device scheme are supported by the copyright object of another device scheme This is because it cannot be converted into a copyright object related to the device.

  In order to enable such a conversion, the mobile phone includes the unit of FIG. The figure shows a block diagram of the relevant part of the mobile phone, from which reference is made. In other words, the mobile phone includes a transmission unit 18 that is configured to communicate with the network of FIG. The transmission unit 18 is connected to the digital copyright management control unit 22 and is also connected to the first fixed media content storage 24. The application unit 26 is connected to the media content store 24 to allow the device user to use the content, and this content has been downloaded to the first fixed media content store 24. The second removable media content storage 28 is connected to the first fixed media content storage 24. The first digital rights management scheme is associated with the mobile phone. Since the content is downloaded to the fixed media content store 24, the first scheme can appear to be associated with this store 24. The second digital rights management scheme is associated with the second removable media storage, which in this embodiment is a memory stick. The digital rights management control unit 22 is connected to both of these memories 24 and 28. It is understood that the mobile phone 10 includes many units for making and receiving calls and performing other functions not related to downloaded content in addition to the units described above. Should. However, since these are not relevant to the present invention, they will be omitted to facilitate understanding of the present invention. Although the various media content storage, application unit, communication unit and digital rights management unit are interconnected, the above configuration is merely illustrative of how the present invention can be implemented. It should be understood that the above-described configurations and functions can be changed and modified in various ways.

  FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of relevant parts of the content providing device 16 according to the present invention. This includes a communication unit 30, a content provision control unit 32 and a content storage 34. The content provision control unit 32 is connected to both the communication unit 30 and the content storage 30.

  As a function of this system, the function of a mobile phone will be described first. This function is described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 4 shows a first list 36 associated with the first DRM scheme that lists some characteristics (count, interval, date / time, ATRAC, MP3, AAC) in the scheme, A request signal 35 is shown for content that includes a second list 38 associated with a second DRM scheme that lists several characteristics (count, AAC). This is transmitted from the mobile phone 10 to the content provider. To simplify the understanding of the present invention, FIG. 4 shows a list sent in a request for content. In practice, this signal contains only a reference to the list, which is provided on the server 17. FIG. 4 also schematically illustrates a reply signal 39 that includes a portion of content 42 provided by a content provider, along with a copyright object 40, according to a scheme in which two characteristics are used. Here, the characteristic count is set to 10 and the coding used is ATRAC. The reply signal 39 is transmitted from the content provider 16 to the mobile phone 10. FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of the method according to the present invention, which is performed at the mobile phone 10 and the content provider.

  The method begins when a user requests to download several types of media content from a content provider, which owns the content providing device. Such a selection is made using a user input unit such as a keypad, which is read by the digital rights management control unit. Mobile phones know in advance what kind of digital rights management schemes are supported. That is, when the user requests to download some contents, the digital rights management control unit 22 knows in advance the scheme supported by the mobile phone in itself or via the second removable content storage 28. ing. An example of a list of schemes that the removable content store 28 supports is shown at 38 in FIG. Here, the list is illustrated as for the magic gate scheme and the characteristic “count”, which is used to indicate how many times the content can be played, and also the characteristic ATRAC (adaptive “Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding” indicates what kind of coding can be used for content when stored in the second storage 28. It should be noted that the types of properties supported are merely examples, and in fact, more can be supported by this scheme. However, the list here includes all of the properties supported by the storage 28, including one of the possible options. The digital rights control unit 22 also knows which scheme the mobile phone itself supports, which keeps track of the list for the first scheme 36 of the characteristics supported by the mobile phone. Illustrated here by the OMA DRM scheme, which is also illustrated in FIG. Here, this scheme supports property counting, which is similar to that described above. It also supports a characteristic interval, which is used to indicate what content can be played within a time interval (period), which is usually an interval excluding a fixed start date. Furthermore, it supports a date and time indicating which content can be reproduced within a fixed time period, and further supports a plurality of types of coding in which ATRAC, MP3, and AAC are supported. Here, list 36 includes all of the properties supported by the scheme including possible options, but only a few are shown in FIG. 4 to make it easier to understand the present invention. It should be noted that these files or lists do not show the details of the scheme, but merely the various properties that each scheme supports. These lists are provided in the form of syntax used in the copyright object provided in the first scheme. The advantage of this will be described later. If the first scheme is OMA DRM, this will provide these characteristics as parameter values used in the OMA copyright expression language vocabulary using parameters defined in UAProf (User Agent Proof). Means. In the present embodiment, these lists are provided as documents on the server 17, which are provided by the mobile phone manufacturer. The mobile phone provides or includes references or links in these lists on the server 17 using, for example, URLs. That is, the method begins at step 44 by providing a reference to a list of characteristics for all DRM schemes associated with the mobile phone.

  After providing the references to the two lists 36 and 38, in step S46, the digital rights management control unit 22 transmits the request signal 35 to the content providing device 16 using the transmission unit 18. This request is a reference to two lists 36 and 38 of properties supported by mobile phone 10 and removal store 28 and a request for a piece of content. This list is stored on the server 17 as clearly represented for use by the first scheme. Thereafter, at step 48, the content provider 16 receives a request for the content 35 at the communication unit 30. The communication unit 30 transmits the request to the content provision control unit 32. In step 49, the content providing control unit 32 searches the list group from the server 17 using the reference received from the mobile phone, and in step 50, creates or generates a copyright object 40 for the content. The copyright object is preferably provided in the form of an XML file. This copyright object is generated according to the first scheme, namely the mobile telephone scheme, and it contains only the properties supported by both schemes. These properties are listed using the syntax for copyright objects according to the first scheme, so it is easy for content providers to generate such copyright objects automatically. In the above simplified example, the copyright object 40 has only two characteristics and the first “count” is set to 10, ie the user is allowed to play the content 10 times. . In addition, it is permitted to reproduce the content with the set characteristic ATRAC. That is, the coding used is ATRAC. The content provision control unit 32 searches the content store 34 for the possibly encrypted content 40, otherwise it encrypts the content. In step S52, the content 42 and the content copyright 42 are transmitted from the content provider 16 to the mobile phone 10 by the reply signal 39 using the communication unit 30. Here, the content may be encrypted, and the mobile phone receives the decryption key in a number of suitable ways to make the content actually playable. In the present embodiment, such a decryption key is provided by the copyright object 40. In the embodiment described above, the content and copyright objects are provided with the mobile phone. However, these can also be provided separately.

  At step 54, the content 42 and the copyright object 40 are received by the transmission unit 18 of the mobile telephone 10 and stored in the storage 24 under the control of the digital rights management control unit 22. In this way, the application unit 26 can play the content.

  Here, it is assumed that the user wants to reproduce the content at some place, for example, on his own stereo. The user wants to move content to the removable storage 28. To do this, at step 56, the digital rights management control unit 22 converts the copyright object into a copyright object according to the scheme 38 supported by the removable storage 28. Thereafter, at step 58, the content and the new copyright object are sent to the removable storage 28, where they can be disconnected from the mobile phone and brought to, for example, stereo, video or computer. In this way, the user is free to move content from one device to another while compensating for the interests of the content provider.

  The various control units are preferably provided in the form of one or more processors associated with the program memory, which perform the various method steps according to the invention. The storage is preferably provided as a normal memory. The communication unit is preferably provided in the form of a normal communication circuit, for example an ASIC circuit.

  Program code for carrying out the present invention can also be provided on one or more data carriers, which performs the present invention when loaded into a mobile phone or content providing device. One type of one or more data carriers is a CD ROM disk 60 shown in FIG. This is just an example of one data carrier. Other types can be realized, for example, with a memory stick. The program code can also be downloaded from an external server to a mobile phone and / or content provider.

  The present invention has several advantages. It is to enable the conversion of content rights from one digital rights management scheme to at least one other scheme. This gives the user more freedom for content with respect to moving content between different devices. Content providers do not need to keep track of what characteristics support different schemes. This is because information about this is provided to the content provider. The content provider also directly confirms that these characteristics are sufficient to protect its interests. The content provider can also ensure to the user that the characteristics selected for inclusion in the copyright object can be handled by the electronic communication device and other devices associated therewith. Since two lists are provided with characteristics set according to the syntax used for the copyright object according to the first scheme, content providers can also provide content to users who need to use the content in different schemes. Without having to know about one or more schemes. Also, the use of syntax according to the first scheme allows the content provider to automatically create a copyright object. Providing a different list gives content providers the ability to decide for themselves whether the content is intended for mobile phone users and how much it will be used on another device other than the mobile phone. give.

There are several variations of the present invention. If the mobile phone can include additional information such as a DIF header, the mobile phone can download features and applications in the request sent at the content providing device. Here, the additional information can include information about additional features of the mobile phone. The mobile phone can also provide both or one of the lists to itself or send them directly to the content providing device. Also, the mobile phone or server can provide a list of properties that are only supported or commonly supported by both DRM schemes. This frees the content provider from the burden of checking what characteristics support both schemes, as well as the burden of checking whether there are any restrictions on the options for delivering content. In addition, for example, a list can be provided to a third device such as a video, stereo, or computer in which a memory stick is mounted. Information about the scheme for other devices may be received directly from the device, eg via Bluetooth ^™ . Such information can also be received from other devices, for example, the device manufacturer, and this is also true for removable storage. In general, the present invention is not limited to two lists, but can be applied to one or more lists, where the only limitation is the limited memory space of the mobile phone. The invention is further provided for a mobile phone. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention can be provided on several other types of devices such as communicators, electronic organizers, smartphones, palmtop computers, laptop computers or even PCs. Similarly, the communication network used need not be a cellular network and can be any suitable communication network. In other words, the present invention is limited only by the claims.

1 is a block diagram of a system according to the present invention including an electronic communication device and a content providing device according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic communication device according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of a content providing device according to the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows transmission of the request with respect to the content from an electronic communication device, and delivery of the requested content from a content provision device. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing information and receiving content for a supported digital rights management scheme in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a computer program product according to the invention in the form of a CD ROM disk.

Claims (22)

Respect electronic communication devices, a method of providing information about digital rights management features supported,
At least one of the reference or the list set to the list groups of the digital rights management features supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes related to the electronic communication device, from said electronic communication device, the and steps providing the server connected via the electronic communication device and a network,
And content, a reference or request for its list groups to the list group, from the electronic communication device, the steps of transmitting to the content provider that is connected through the with the electronic communication device network,
Wherein with respect to the requested content includes only common characteristics in at least two different digital rights management schemes, the copyright object according one of the digital rights management scheme, the electrons from the content provider a steps of receiving a communication device,
Of the at least two different digital rights management schemes, a first digital rights management scheme is associated with the electronic communication device, and a second digital rights management scheme is a removable media content description of the electronic communication device. Associated with memory ,
One list of said list group on the server, and wherein the associated by the electronic communication devices and links. The method of claim 1, wherein each list in the list is provided in a format that enables automatic creation of copyright objects according to the first digital rights management scheme. The step of providing pre-SL, it comprises providing supported by each digital rights management scheme, a reference or a list set to the list groups of all digital rights management features from said electronic communication device to the server The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The step of providing pre-SL is to provide common to at least two digital rights management schemes, a reference or a list set to all digital rights management features only list group from the electronic communication device to the server The method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: The pair to the requested content includes only common characteristics with at least two digital rights management schemes, the copyright object according one of the digital rights management scheme, generated by the content provider The method according to claim 1, further comprising a step. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising retrieving the list from the server from the location indicated by the reference by the content provider. The electronic communication device, wherein the rights object, wherein the further comprising a steps of converting the rights object according to another digital rights management scheme of the digital rights management schemes claim 5 or 6. The method according to 6. By the content provider, a method for generating a copyright object to provide the electronic communication devices through a network,
Said content provider, and content, the request for reference or the list set to the list groups of the digital rights management features supported by each of the at least two digital rights management schemes related to the electronic communication device, said and steps of receiving from the electronic communication device,
The content provider generates the copyright object for the requested content according one of the digital rights management scheme including only common characteristic to all of the at least two digital rights management schemes step and-flops,
The content provider, the rights object, and a steps of transmitting to the electronic communication device,
Of the at least two different digital rights management schemes, a first digital rights management scheme is associated with the electronic communication device, and a second digital rights management scheme is a removable media content description of the electronic communication device. Associated with memory ,
One list in the list group is provided from the electronic communication device to a server connected to the electronic communication device via the network , and one list in the list group on the server is provided. to a method characterized in that it is associated with by the electronic communication devices and links. An electronic communication device for communicating with a content provider,
At least one of the reference or the list set to the list groups of the digital rights management features supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes related to the electronic communication device, the electronic communication device and a network a digital rights management control unit that is configured to provide to the server connected through,
Under the control of the digital rights management control unit, a request for a reference or its list groups to respective lists group content and the digital rights management scheme, and transmits to the content Pro by Da, the digital rights with respect to the requested content includes only common characteristics in management scheme, it is configured copyright object according one of the digital rights management scheme to work in order to receive from the content provider and a communication unit that are,
Of the at least two different digital rights management schemes, a first digital rights management scheme is associated with the electronic communication device, and a second digital rights management scheme is a removable media content description of the electronic communication device. Associated with memory ,
One list of said list group on the server, an electronic communication device, characterized in that associated with the electronic communication devices and links. 10. The electronic communication device of claim 9, wherein each list in the list group is provided in a format that enables automatic creation of a copyright object according to the first digital rights management scheme. When providing a reference or a list set to the list set to the server, the digital rights management control unit is supported by each digital rights management scheme, a list groups of all digital rights management features Reference or electronic communications device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that Ru Tei is configured to provide the list group to the server to. When providing a reference to the list group or its list group to the server, the digital rights management control unit is a list of only all digital rights management characteristics common to at least two digital rights management schemes. Reference or electronic communications device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that Ru Tei is configured to provide the list to the server to. Electronic communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising a first fixed media content Symbol 憶 associated with said first digital rights management scheme. Electronic communication device according to claim 13, further comprising the removable media content Symbol 憶. The electronic communication device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the electronic communication device is a portable communication device. The electronic communication device according to claim 15, wherein the electronic communication device is a mobile phone. A system for managing digital copyrights,
Electronic communications devices communicating via the content provider and the network,
The media content via the network to the electronic communication device and a content provider,
It said electronic communication devices is,
At least two different to digital rights list groups of the digital rights management features supported by each of the management scheme reference or at least one of the list group, wherein the said electronic communication device network associated with the electronic communication device a digital rights management control unit that is configured to provide to the server connected through,
Under the control of the digital rights management control unit, a request for a reference or its list groups to respective lists group content and the digital rights management scheme, and transmits to the content Pro by Da, the digital rights with respect to the requested content includes only common characteristics in management scheme, it is configured copyright object according one of the digital rights management scheme to work in order to receive from the content provider and a communication unit that are,
Of the at least two different digital rights management schemes, a first digital rights management scheme is associated with the electronic communication device, and a second digital rights management scheme is a removable media content description of the electronic communication device. Associated with memory ,
One list of said list group on the server is associated with the electronic communication devices and links,
The content provider
It said content, the reference or the request for the list group to the list group received from the electronic communication device,
According one of the digital rights management scheme including only common characteristic to all of the digital rights management schemes, to generate a rights object for the content,
A system configured to transmit the copyright object to the electronic communication device. A content providing device for generating rights objects for electronic communication devices connected via a network,
The content providing device is
Content and the reference or request for the list groups to the list groups of the digital rights management features supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes related to the electronic communication device, the electronic communication device Received from
Generating copyright object for the requested content according one of the digital rights management scheme including only common characteristic to all of the digital rights management schemes,
Configured to send the copyright object to the electronic communication device;
Of the at least two different digital rights management schemes, a first digital rights management scheme is associated with the electronic communication device, and a second digital rights management scheme is a removable media content description of the electronic communication device. Associated with memory ,
One list in the list group is provided from the electronic communication device to a server connected to the electronic communication device via the network, and one list in the list group on the server is provided. the content providing device, characterized in that associated with the electronic communication devices and links. Respect electronic communication device comprising a computer readable storage medium, a computer program for providing information about digital rights management features supported,
The computer readable storage medium has computer program code means,
The computer program code means, when the program is loaded into the electronic communication device,
At least one of the reference or the list set to the list groups of the digital rights management features supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes related to the electronic communication device, from said electronic communication device, the Providing to a server connected to an electronic communication device via a network ;
Content and the reference or request for the list groups to the list groups of the digital rights management schemes, Rukoto be sent to the content Pro by da connected through the with the electronic communication device network,
With respect to the requested content includes only common characteristic to all of the digital rights management scheme, perform receiving a copyright object according one of the digital rights management scheme from the content provider It is what
Of the at least two different digital rights management schemes, a first digital rights management scheme is associated with the electronic communication device, and a second digital rights management scheme is a removable media content description of the electronic communication device. Associated with memory ,
One list of said list group on the server, the computer program, characterized in that associated with the electronic communication devices and links. Respect electronic communication devices, a computer program for providing information about digital rights management features supported,
When the program is loaded into the electronic communication device, the electronic communication device
At least one of the reference or the list set to the list groups of the digital rights management features supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes related to the electronic communication device, the electronic communication device and a network be provided to a server connected through,
Content and the reference or request for the list groups to the list groups of the digital rights management schemes, Rukoto be sent to the content Pro by da connected via the electronic communication device and a network,
Run the relative content that is the request contains only common characteristic to all, receiving the copyright object according one of the digital rights management scheme from the content provider of the digital rights management schemes Computer program code means for causing
Of the at least two different digital rights management schemes, a first digital rights management scheme is associated with the electronic communication device, and a second digital rights management scheme is a removable media content description of the electronic communication device. Associated with memory ,
One list in the list group on the server is associated with the electronic communication device by a link . A computer program for generating a copyright object for provision to an electronic communication device with respect to a computer comprising a computer-readable storage medium,
The computer readable storage medium has computer program code means,
It said computer program code means, when said program is loaded into the computer, in the computer,
And content, the request for reference or the list set to the list groups of the digital rights management features supported by each of at least two different digital rights management schemes related to the electronic communication device, from the electronic communication device when receiving over the network, for said requested content according one of the digital rights management scheme including only common characteristic to all of the digital rights management schemes, generate copyright object And
Sending the copyright object to the electronic communication device;
Of the at least two different digital rights management schemes, a first digital rights management scheme is associated with the electronic communication device, and a second digital rights management scheme is a removable media content description of the electronic communication device. Associated with memory ,
One list in the list group is provided from the electronic communication device to a server connected to the electronic communication device via the network, and one list in the list group on the server is provided. a computer program, characterized in that associated with the electronic communication devices and links. A computer program for generating rights objects to be provided to the electronic communication devices,
When the program is loaded on the computer,
A reference to or a request for a list of digital rights management characteristics supported by each of the content and at least two different digital rights management schemes associated with the electronic communication device from the electronic communication device to the network when receiving via, for said requested content according one of the digital rights management scheme including only common characteristic to all of the digital rights management scheme to generate copyright object ,
Sending the copyright object to the electronic communication device;
Of the at least two different digital rights management schemes, a first digital rights management scheme is associated with the electronic communication device, and a second digital rights management scheme is a removable media content description of the electronic communication device. Associated with memory ,
One list in the list group is provided from the electronic communication device to a server connected to the electronic communication device via the network, and one list in the list group on the server is provided. a computer program, characterized in that associated with the electronic communication devices and links.

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