WO2006134547A2

WO2006134547A2 - Method and system for obtaining licenses for protected content data

Info

Publication number: WO2006134547A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/051872
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erwin Kragt; Franciscus L. A. J. Kamperman
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2005-06-17
Filing date: 2006-06-13
Publication date: 2006-12-21
Also published as: WO2006134547A3

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for a simplified and user friendly way of providing licenses for rendering content data via at least a rendering device in which use is made of a second communications channel where the content data is obtainable via a first communications channel, such as an internet connection. The advantage of the first communications channel is that a payment service device can be coupled to a payment system of the operator of a network providing the second communications channel. The result hereof is that a quick and simple means is provided for acquiring licenses immediately upon being confronted with licensed content data.

Description

Method and system for obtaining licenses for protected content data

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining access information for accessing protected content data by a rendering device, such as a play back device, for accessing and play back of protected content data. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for providing a content data access configuration data packet (license) from a content data access configurations issuing device to a rendering device. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for transferring data from a content rendering device to a content data access configurations issuing device by means of a communication device. The present invention further provides a computer program product storable on a data carrier for executing such methods. The present invention further provides a system for distributing access information for accessing protected content data.

Specifically, the present invention can be used for allowing a consumer electronics device which is capable of playing back protected content data to obtain a license for accessing, playing back and/or copying of the content data. In the state of the art, several copy protection techniques have been developed to prevent content from illegal copying.

Such copy protection can be used in consumer electronic devices such as DVD and super audio CD players. A form of content protection is called digital rights management (DRM).

Content data that is protected with DRM can only be rendered or played back when a license is obtained beforehand. Content data can be distributed with a 'built in' license or the rendering device will ask for a license before play back is started.

Rendering devices are available in many shapes or forms, such as devices for portable use, or stationary use for in the home. Such devices can obtain content data via e.g. the internet, radio or television broadcast systems and packaged data. It is anticipated that such distribution of content data will be increasing during the coming years. Also, content data which was distributed with a limited license which is e.g. exhausted over time or after copying will be omni present in the future.

Users of rendering devices will be confronted with content data for which they need to obtain a license. Obtaining a license requires a complex process of identification and payment which requires communication with a license issuer in order to obtain the correct license for the specific content data. In case the data have been provided on a data carrier, such as a DVD or Compact Disk, the user or rendering device needs to also identify the content data for which the license is sold. In any case, an infrastructure for executing a payment transaction needs to be available. Performing such a payment transaction by means of a credit card payment or a banking transaction is a cumbersome process which requires a cash or online transaction. Furthermore, a rendering device such as a consumer electronics device is not equipped to perform such a transaction.

In order to improve over the state of the art, the present invention provides a method for obtaining access information (34) for accessing protected content data (6) by a rendering device (11,14) for accessing and rendering of protected content data, comprising steps for: - receiving data pertaining to one or more content data access configurations for accessing the content data whereby the content data is obtainable from a content data supply device (3) by means of a first communication channel from a content provider or by means of a data carrier, such as a memory device, cd or dvd,

- selecting one of the content data access configurations by means of a user interface, - transmitting a data request (32,32', 32") pertaining to the selected content data access configuration to a content data access configurations issuing device (21) through a second communication channel,

- receiving a content data access configuration data packet (34,34', 34") comprising data for enabling access to the content data by the rendering device. An advantage of a method according to the present invention is that use is made of a second communication channel for transmitting the data request pertaining to the selected content data access configuration.

In a preferred embodiment, the step for transmitting the data request comprises sending payment data for enabling a payment by a payment service device (20). With such a method, the user can perform a process for acquiring a license instantly and without the hassle of the state of the art. The second communications channel can comprise a communications channel that is operated by a mobile phone network operator or a fixed line telephone operator (PSTN) which comprises means for identification and performing a payment transaction. According to the invention, the content data to be rendered is provided to the rendering device by means of either a first communications channel or a data carrier, such as a CD, DVD or memory device. The first communications channel can be an internet connection which can be accessed by the rendering device via e.g. a home network or directly. In case the content data is obtained by means of a data carrier, the data carrier can be a CD or DVD which can be loaded into the rendering device before play back.

A content data access configuration is a specific license with a number of parameters. A license can be provided with parameters such as time, rendering device to be used, number of times the content data can be played and/or the number of times the content data can be copied. If one or more of such parameters is exhausted, then the license is considered to be (partially) expired. Several data access configurations (forms of license) can be provided to the user of the rendering device to choose from, in which case each form of license can have its own identification hash.

The content data access configurations can be provided to the rendering device by means of the first communication channel. This communication channel is in that case also used for providing the content data access configurations. In the other case, when the content data is provided by means of a data carrier or as a file, the information with respect to the content data access configurations can be provided as part of the information on the data carrier or in the file.

A preferred embodiment according to the present invention comprises steps for accessing the second communication channel by the rendering device by means of a hand held device comprising a communication means for communicating through the second communication channel and a data link that is linkable to the hand held device. An advantage of the use of a handheld device comprising a communication means for communicating through the second communication channel is that such handheld devices are omni present. Therefore, many users of rendering devices for accessing and play back of protected content data are also in the possession of such a handheld device, such as a mobile telephone or PDA. Preferably the data link between the rendering device and the handheld device is wireless, such as a near field, a bluetooth or an infrared connection. In this embodiment, the use of the combination of the rendering device and the handheld device is practical. A user that is using a rendering device wants to view some data content which requires a license. He is presented with one or more license options on the display device by the rendering device. He is also presented with several payment options including a payment option that can instantly be fulfilled using the second communication channel, in this embodiment via the handheld device. After entering a choice of acquiring the license via the second communications channel, a connection between the rendering device and the handheld device will be set up instantly. Making use of the identification of the handheld device and the payment system that is associated with the handheld device, the payment is effectuated and proof of such payment is forwarded from the payment service device to the license issuing device, which devices can be a unified device. According to the present invention it is also possible that a rendering device and communication device for communicating through the second communications channel together with an identification for payment through second communications channel are combined into one device. Such a device is preferably a mobile device. It is however also possible to provide a stationary consumer electronics device comprising both a content data rendering device and a communications device that can e.g. communicate through a mobile phone or PST network.

As more and more rendering devices can be connected into computer networks, it is preferable that the first communications channel makes use of an internet connection or other wide area network connection. It can be connected to such a wide area network or internet connection directly or via a local area network.

Preferably the second communication channel makes use of a wireless telecommunications network such as GSM, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS, etcetera. An abundance of such network protocols and systems are available throughout the world. Such networks are designated second, second and a half, third or above generations mobile communications networks. As was mentioned in the above, it is also possible to use fixed phone networks as these are often provided with payment systems as well. Furthermore, it is possible to use any other communications channel as the second communications channel though which a payment can be made by means of a payment service device in a substantially instant manner. A further aspect according to present invention provides a Method for providing a content data access configuration data packet from a content data access configurations issuing device to a rendering device in cooperation with a method as described in the above, comprising steps for:

- receiving information with respect to a chosen content data access configuration, a communications device identification of the device this information is originating from, and an identification of a second communication channel to be used for this transmission,

- sending a content data access configuration data packet comprising data for enabling access to the content data to the rendering device. This aspect of the invention is primarily directed at the side of the license issuing device providing license options that can instantly be accepted according to the present invention as is discussed in the above.

A further aspect according to the present invention provides a Method for transferring data from a content rendering device to a content data access configurations issuing device by means of a communication device comprising communication means for communicating through a second communication channel, comprising steps to be executed by the communications device for:

- receiving a data request pertaining to a selected content data access configuration through a data link from the rendering device, - relaying the request through the second communication channel to the content data access configurations issuing device,

- receiving a content data access configuration data packet comprising data for enabling access to the content data,

- transferring the content data access configuration data packet to the rendering device through the data link. This aspect of the invention is primarily directed at the side of the communication device comprising communication means for communicating through the second communications channel for performing the communication of accepting a form of license according to the present invention.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a computer program product storable on a data carrier comprising instructions for causing a processor to execute a method as described in the above.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a system for distributing access information for accessing protected content data, comprising:

- a rendering device for accessing and rendering protected content data, the rendering device being disposed for receiving data pertaining to one or more content data access configurations for accessing the content data obtainable from a content data supply device via a first data channel from a content provider or by means of a data carrier,

- selection means for selecting a content data access configuration,

- a content data access configurations issuing device for issuing content data access configuration packets through a second communication channel,

- a payment service device for processing data pertaining to payments with regard to content data access configurations, - a communication device being disposed for communicating through the second communication channel and connectable to the rendering device for sending and receiving data with regard to the content data access configurations.

Further advantages, details and features of the present invention will become apparent when reading the following description of preferred embodiments according to the present invention in which description reference is made to the annexed drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first preferred embodiment according to present invention;

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a second preferred embodiment according to present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a third preferred embodiment according to present invention;

Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a fourth preferred embodiment according to present invention;

Fig. 5 is a time transition diagram for the embodiment of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a time transition diagram for the embodiment of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a time transition diagram for the embodiment of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a time transition diagram for the embodiment of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is a flow diagram of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a flow diagram of a further preferred embodiment according to the invention; Fig. 11 is a flow diagram of a further preferred embodiment according to the invention; Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of a further preferred embodiment according to the invention.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in Fig. 1. A user 1 of a rendering device, such a play back device or a consumer electronics (CE) device 11 is using the device to enjoy content data such as music, a movie or a television program on a device 2 for enabling the rendering or the play back. The display device can comprise any kind of screen and can for example be a television set or a monitor. The CE device 11 can be any device comprising play back means for video or multi media content, such as a digital VCR, a DVD player, a DVD recorder, a hard disc recorder, etcetera. The device can also be equipped to connect to a network such as the internet or a local area network or a home network. The CE device can for this purpose also be equipped with wireless networking abilities such a WIFI.

The CE device 11 is capable of making a data link to a mobile phone 17 for sending and receiving data to this mobile phone 17. As will be described below, this data link will be used for making requests to a payment service provider that is preferably linked to an accounting system of the mobile network operator, for processing data transmissions with respect to payments and a choice of license. As the user 1 of the CE device 11 browses through available content to be rendered via the display of a TV set, and for a certain content item no license is available, the user is presented with an offer to buy a license. This offer is sent from the content data service device 3 for display in the screen 2 by means of the communication 25. For reasons of simplicity this is displayed as an arrow from device 3 directly to display device 2. Based on instructions that are displayed on the screen by means of e.g. a graphical user interface, the user selects the option of a certain license out of one or more licenses that are offered. On the screen, several methods for paying are shown, one of which is the method by paying with the mobile phone 17. Upon selecting this option, a data link is established between the mobile phone and the CE device. Preferably, both devices are equipped with a near field communication device. In order to achieve communication the mobile phone is held close to the CE device in order to establish the connection. When the connection is established, a payment request 31 is transferred over the data link to the mobile phone 17. The payment request comprises at least a device identifier 4 for identifying the CE device 11, a content identifier 8 for identifying the content and the desired license, as well as the amount 12 of the cost of the license. These data will be received by the mobile phone 17.

The mobile phone 17 comprises a mobile phone identification 18 and a software module 19 for executing the necessary steps for receiving and transmitting of the payment request 31. After the mobile device application 19 has received the payment request 31 , the application will form a payment request message 32 which will be sent to a payment service device 20 through the mobile communications network to which the mobile phone is connected.

This payment request message 32 comprises the same data as the payments request 31 that was send from the CE device to the mobile phone. These data are the device identification 4 of the CE device 11, the content or license identification 8, as well as the amount 12. Moreover, the payment request message 32 contains the mobile phone identifier 18 of the mobile phone 17. It is also possible to provide a further user identification 13 which identifies the user of the mobile phone with the payment service device, e.g. based on a record of the mobile network operator with respect to this user. Based upon the data in the payment request message 32, the payment service device 20 will perform an operation, the result of which will be that the user of the mobile phone will be charged the cost of the license though this mobile network operator. When this operation is successful, the payment service device will provide a message 28 to a license issuing device 21. Furthermore, the payment service device 20 may issue a message 27 to the content service device 3. The message 28 may comprise the following data: an identification of the content, an identification of the CE device, an identification of the mobile device, an identification of the content as well as the amount of the license. Based on such information, the license issuing device 21 will create a license 34 on the fly and send a payment confirmation 33 comprising a text or multimedia content 22 indicating that the license has been paid for together with license information 23 to the mobile phone. This message may be an SMS or MMS message. This message may as well be an e-mail depending on the type of handheld device.

In order to use it, the license 34 will be transferred to the CE device 11. The license 34 contains data such as the device ID 4, the content ID 8 as well as a usage right 9. Upon receipt of the license by the CE device, the CE device will be able to open or access the content data for playing back thereof on the screen 2. In case the content data was available on a data carrier such as a DVD, the CE device will be able to start playing the data from the content carrier for displaying. In case the content data is not available at the CE device, it is possible that the content service device 3 will start pushing the content data 6 to the CE device upon or after receipt of the message 27. It is also possible that the content device 3 starts pushing the content data based upon the making of a license choice by the user anticipating the payment.

In case the data protection system that prevents the CE device from playing back the content data without a license makes use of a form of public key private key encryption, the public key of the CE device will be sent to the license issuer 21 by means of the messages 31, 32, 28. When the license issuer will assemble the license, it will make use of the public key of the CE device for assembling an encrypted license. Furthermore, the content service provider will be able to encrypt the protected content 6 before sending it to the specific CE device in an encrypted manner. As will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, in this case all the messages 31, 32, 28 and 27 will additionally comprise the public key of the CE device.

In case the CE device comprises a DRM component, this DRM component will be responsible for interpreting the license and will allow access to the content in line with the parameters of the license.

The figures 5-8 are sequence diagrams in which the sequence of transmissions over time is related to the embodiments of the respective figures 1-4. The transmissions of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 are represented in Fig. 5. Protected content data 6 is transmitted from a content service device 3 to the CE device 11. In this diagram, this transmission is represented by two broken arrows in different points in time. The reason for this is that the actual content data that is to be rendered may be present on the CE device before even the user knows that he wants it to be rendered. It is also possible that the content data is streamed to the CE device in real time after the license is obtained while the play back operation is performed. Another possibility for the timing of transmission of the content data service device is after the payment service device or in alternative embodiment (not shown) the license issuing device has confirmed the license by means of transmission 27.

A further communication from the content service device 3 to the CE device 11 is the communication of one or more license options by means of communication 25. This communication can be performed over e.g. the internet or such information can be comprised on a CD or DVD or other data carrier. After a user has selected a license option by means of the software application 5 of the CE device 11, the request for the license will be transmitted by means of the communication 31 to the mobile phone and the communication 32 from the mobile phone to the payment service provider. The payment service provider will communicate a positive result of a payment transaction performed by it to the license issuing device 21 by means of the communication 28. After the license issuing device has assembled the license, it will be communicated back to the CE device 11 via the mobile phone by means of communications 33 and 34 as described in the above.

An alternative embodiment of the system described in Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 2. Similar objects in different figures are indicated by means of the same reference numbers. The general concept of this embodiment is similar to that of Fig. 1. The main difference is that the license is requested by the first person 1 for the benefit of a second person 16 e.g. as a gift. Also in this embodiment, the license will be assigned to a CE device, in this case the CE device 14 of the second person 16. In order to achieve this, the first user has obtained the identification 7 of the CE device 14 of the second person 16 at an earlier stage. The information of the identification of the second CE device may be stored in either the CE device 11 of the first person 1 or the mobile phone 17 of the first person 1. In the shown example identification of the CE device of the person 16 is stored in the CE device of the first person. In the communications 31, 32, 34, instead of the identification 4 of the CE device 11, the identification 7 of the CE device of the second person is transmitted.

Otherwise, the process of acquiring the license of the embodiment of Fig. 2 is similar to the process of acquiring the license in Fig. 1 until the confirmation is received by the mobile phone 17 of the user 1. The communication 34, now with the identification 7 of the CE device 14 of the second user 16, is send to the mobile phone 42 of the user 16. This mobile phone 42 is similarly equipped with an identification 41 and a software application 43 as the mobile phone 17 is equipped with a mobile phone ID 18 and a mobile phone software application 19. The software application 43 will perform the sending of license message 34A to the CE device 14 of the second user 16. The communication 34A comprises the license. The CE device 14 of the user 16 is capable of playing back the content after receiving this license.

The sequence diagram that is shown in Fig. 6 shows the sequence of transmissions of the embodiment of Fig. 2. Compared with Fig. 5, an additional mobile device 42 is added. The communication 34 is sent from the mobile device 17 to the mobile device 42 in this embodiment. Thereafter, a further communication 34A is send from the mobile device 42 to the consumer electronics device 14 of the user 16.

Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment according to the present invention. The main difference with the first embodiment is that the license is to be coupled to a personal user identifier instead of a CE device 11. An advantage hereof is that the user can access and play back the content independently of the used play back device upon providing the identification. The identification of the user can be comprised in a token such as a smartcard. It is also possible to use e.g. the SIM card of a mobile phone as such a token. In such an embodiment, if the license is associated with the SIM card of the mobile phone the content data can be watched on any play back device upon establishing a link between the mobile phone and the play back device. This embodiment is different from the embodiment of Fig. 1 in that instead of the device identification 4, the user identification 27 is forwarded in the communications 31', 32', 33', 34'. In the communication 33', the user identification 27 is comprised in the license 34'. Fig. 4 shows a fourth embodiment according to the present invention. This embodiment is most similar to the embodiment of fig. 3. In this embodiment, a license is obtainable for use with an identifier for a second person that is being requested by the first person. The first person 1 is in the possession of data pertaining to the identification 38 of the second person. The first person chooses a license and decides to give the license to the second person in a way similar to the embodiment of Fig. 2. This ID 38 of the second person is sent as part of the messages 31",32",33" and 34". Also, the license issuing device may take into account data with respect to the ID 38 in assembling a suitable license. The license 34" is received by the mobile phone 42 of the second person, the software application 43 of the mobile phone being able to forward the license to the play back device 14 that is used by the second person to play back his gift. This may be done by using the SIM card of the mobile phone as identifier for the second person or by means of another token (not shown) as described in the above.

The communications of Fig 3 and 4 are also shown in Fig. 7 and 8 respectively, which are sequence diagrams of the communications. The comments with respect to the time sequences of Fig. 5 also apply to the figures 6, 7 and 8.

Fig. 9 shows a flow diagram of the workings of an embodiment according to the present invention comprising a method which extends across all devices in order to provide an overview. The method starts in step 60. In step 61, the content service device of a content provider securely sends content offers to the user. As is discussed in the above, such content offers can be comprised in content data which is transferred to a user on a data carrier. The software application of the play back device will display offers on the television screen upon which in step 62 the user will select one of the offers.

After the desired license has been chosen in step 62, the user selects to which device or to which person, i.e. token or smart card, the license has to be linked in step 63. In step 64, the user selects a payment method. In step 65 it is determined whether the payment method is a payment method that makes use of the second communication channel, preferably the mobile phone network or the public switched telephone network. If in step 65 is determined that the second communication channel is to be used, in step 66 the user is requested to link the mobile phone to the play back device in order to establish the second communication channel. After the link has been established between the play back device and the mobile phone, the payments request is securely sent to the mobile phone in step 67. Thereafter, in step 68, the payment request is securely sent to the payment service device in step 68. In step 69, the payment service device performs a check with regard to the credit of the user. In step 70, it is established whether the credit possibilities of the user are sufficient in order to pay for the license. If in step 70 it is determined that there is no sufficient credit, the method ends in step 71. If in step 70 it is established that the credit is sufficient, the method will proceed in step 74. If in step 65 it is established that the second communication channel is not to be used, in step 72 another payment method will be executed. In step 73 the payment service provider will charge a user account according to the other method. Thereafter the method proceeds in step 74.

In step 74, the payment service device triggers the content service device to release the content in case this is appropriate. This might be appropriate when the actual content data to be rendered is not in part or in whole in the position of the play back device. When e.g. the content is available on a data carrier, such a step 74 can be omitted. In step 75, the payment service device triggers the license issuing device to create a license. The license will comprise several parameters such as duration, number of play backs and/or number of copies etcetera.

In step 77, the mobile device will send the license to the consumer device via e.g. the mobile phone 17. For sending the license to the play back device it is however also possible to utilise an internet connection to the play back device if such connection is available. In step 78, the user is notified that a new license is available. When the license is sent to the mobile phone, such notification can be performed with the same message that is sent for transporting the license. Applicable methods for this are messages in a format such as SMS, MMS, e-mail etcetera. In case the license is sent to a CE device via the set internet connection, the notification may also be displayed on the television screen the CE device uses for displaying the content. After being notified of the issuance of the license, the user will start the content play back in step 79 where after the method ends in step 71.

In Fig. 10, a preferred embodiment according to the invention is shown of an embodiment of a method to be performed by the software application in an exemplary play back device which can be a number of consumer electronics devices. In step 18 the method is started. In step 81, the CE device 11 receives a communication with respect to a possible number of licenses each with different license parameters. These possibilities of choice will be displayed on the television screen for selection by the user. In step 82, the license option of choice is selected by means of the software application of the CE device. Thereafter, the CE device will transmit information with respect to the license of choice to the CE device for accessing of the second communication channel if the second communication channel is being accessed by an external hand held device.

In case the communication means for accessing the second communication channel are built in into the play back device, the play back device will transmit data pertaining to the license of choice as well as identification data with respect to the content and the playback device to the payment service device in step 84. In this case (when the communication means for accessing the second communication channel are built in into the play back device) these communication means will receive the license information from the license issuing device. In step 86, the play back device will receive the license information itself. In case the access means for accessing the second communication channel are built in into a handheld device, step 86 is the first step the play back device makes after step 83, in which case step 84 and 85 will be performed by the handheld device. In step 87, the play back device will play back the data content by means of the television screen. The method ends in step 88.

In Fig. 11, an embodiment according to the invention is shown for the method steps to be performed by the license issuing device. The method starts in step 90 where after in step 91 the license issuing device will receive a data packet pertaining to the identification of a user, a playback device and/or a mobile phone. In step 82, based on this information the license issuing device will assemble license data packet which will be send in step 93. the method ends in step 94.

In Fig. 12, an embodiment performing the steps of the handheld device is shown. The method starts in step 95 where after in step 96 the handheld device receives a communication from the playback device that a license is to be obtained. This communication comprises all the necessary data as is disclosed in the above. In step 97, this communication is related to the payment service device. This communication comprises the data received from the playback devices as well as identification data with respect to the mobile phone.

After some time, that is used by the payment service device and the license issuing device for performing the steps that need to be performed for issuing the license and processing the payment, the mobile phone receives a communication step 98 comprising the license. In step 99 this license is subsequently transferred via the data link to the playback device where after in step 100 the method ends. In embodiments in which audio data is played back by means of a suitable device, a display is not needed. It can however be desirable to envisage a display or use a display of a mobile device for displaying a user interface for use during the steps for choosing a license option.

The present invention is not restricted to the described embodiments. Features from one described embodiment may be applied in another embodiment. The requested rights are defined in the annexed claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Method for obtaining access information (34) for accessing protected content data (6) by a rendering device (11,14) for accessing and rendering of protected content data, comprising steps for:

- receiving data pertaining to one or more content data access configurations for accessing the content data whereby the content data is obtainable from a content data supply device (3) by means of a first communication channel from a content provider or by means of a data carrier, such as a memory device, cd or dvd,

- selecting one of the content data access configurations by means of a user interface,

- transmitting a data request (32,32',32") pertaining to the selected content data access configuration to a content data access configurations issuing device (21) through a second communication channel,

- receiving a content data access configuration data packet (34,34', 34") comprising data for enabling access to the content data by the rendering device.

2. Method according to claim 1 , in which the step for transmitting the data request comprises sending payment data for enabling a payment by a payment service device (20).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, comprising steps for accessing the second communication channel by the rendering device by means of a hand held device (17), such as a mobile phone or pda, comprising a communication means for communicating through the second communication channel and a data link that is linkable to the hand held device.

4. Method according to claim 3 in which the data link between the rendering device and the hand held device is wireless, such as a near field, a bluetooth or an infra-red connection.

5. Method according to claim 3 in which the data link comprises a wired connection, such as a USB connection.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims comprising steps for connecting through the first communication channel, in which the first channel comprises a wide area network connection such as an internet connection for connecting the rendering device to the content data storage device.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims in which the second communications channel makes use of a wireless telecommunications network, such as GSM, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS, etc.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims in which the payment service device is linked to a computer of a mobile phone network operator.

9. Method according to any of the preceding claims in which the content data configurations data packet is transmitted to the rendering device through the first channel.

10. Method according to claim 9 in which the display device is built in in the rendering device.

11. Method for providing a content data access configuration data packet from a content data access configurations issuing device (21) to a rendering device (11,14) in cooperation with a method according to one or more of the claims 1-10, comprising steps for:

- sending a content data access configuration data packet comprising data for enabling access to the content data to the rendering device.

12. Method according to claim 11 in which the step for receiving the information with respect to the chosen content data access configuration comprises steps for receiving information with respect to a valid payment thereof.

13. Method for transferring data from a content rendering device ( 11 , 14) to a content data access configurations issuing device (21) by means of a communication device (17) comprising communication means for communicating through a second communication channel, comprising steps to be executed by the communications device for:

- transferring the content data access configuration data packet to the rendering device through the data link.

14. Method according to claim 13 in which the step for receiving a data request pertaining to a selected data access configuration comprises steps for receiving payment data.

15. Method according to claim 19 in which the communication means are comprised in a hand held device comprising a data link that is linkable to the rendering device.

16. Computer program product storable on a data carrier comprising instructions for causing a processor to execute a method according to any of the preceding claims.

17. A system for distributing access information for accessing protected content data, comprising:

- a rendering device (11,14) for accessing and rendering protected content data, the rendering device being disposed for receiving data pertaining to one or more content data access configurations for accessing the content data obtainable from a content data supply device via a first data channel from a content provider or by means of a data carrier,

- selection means for selecting a content data access configuration,

- a content data access configurations issuing device (21) for issuing content data access configuration packets through a second communication channel,

- a payment service device (20) for processing data pertaining to payments with regard to content data access configurations,

- a communication device (17) being disposed for communicating through the second communication channel and connectable to the rendering device (11,14) for sending and receiving data with regard to the content data access configurations.

18. System according to claim 17 in which communication device for communicating through the second communication channel is comprised in a separate hand held device whereby the hand held device comprises a data link for establishing a data link with the rendering device.

19. System according to claim 17 or 18 in which the communication device for communicating through the second communication channel is comprised in the rendering device.

20. System according to claim 19 in which the data link is wireless, such as a near field, a bluetooth or infra-red connection.

21. System according to one or more of the claims 22-26 comprising a content service provider for downloading or streaming of content data to the rendering device.