Abstract: A portable flash memory storage device such as a memory card can configure a host device upon insertion. The configuration may specify applications or other sequences of operations to be executed by the host upon insertion of the card. Files on the card may be associated with an appropriate application and then automatically opened with the appropriate application. A secure configuration may override a more freely modifiable configuration in certain embodiments.

Abstract: Method for utilizing digital content is provided. The method includes controlling a throughput rate for utilizing the digital content by an accessing system, wherein the throughput rate is associated with information related to the digital content stored as a file.

Abstract: A storage system is provided that includes a memory controller for controlling a throughput rate for utilizing digital content by an accessing system, wherein the throughput rate is associated with information related to the digital content stored as a file. Also, a system for utilizing digital content is provided. The system includes an accessing system for utilizing the digital content, wherein the digital content is released to the accessing system at a controlled throughput rate and the throughput rate is associated with information related to the digital content stored as a file.

Abstract: A secure flash memory card or flash drive protects user content from unauthorized duplication. However, even the protected user content can be moved from one flash card or drive to another by its rightful owner or licensee. Additionally, secure firmware applications that may be added to the flash card over time in order to add additional functionality to the card may also be moved, although many of them are device specific and also designed to only operate on one particular piece of hardware.

Abstract: A computing device is provided. The computing device comprises a processor. The processor is configured to select a configuration from multiple configurations when the computing device is coupled to a memory device. The processor is further configured to retrieve a configuration instruction associated with the configuration from the memory device. In addition, the processor is configured to launch a program application associated with the configuration instruction and transmit the configuration instruction to the program application.

Abstract: A method for launching a program application is provided. Here, configuration instructions are stored in a memory device and the configuration instructions are associated with multiple configurations. A configuration is selected from the multiple configurations when the memory device is coupled to a computing device. Thereafter, a configuration instruction associated with the configuration is retrieved from the memory device. The program application is launched and the configuration instruction is transmitted to the program application.

Abstract: A portable mass storage device is used to store large files such as digital pictures, movies and music. The mass storage device has firmware with security mechanisms that limit access to read write operations to ensure reliable operation of the device to prevent unwanted copying or storing of secure content such a copyrighted material. Although the security mechanisms generally limit access, the firmware is operable to work with a virtual machine and allows the virtual machine to access the secure content and work in conjunction with the firmware to read and write data to the mass storage memory, if the virtual machine is present. The virtual machine is either loaded but not activated at the time of manufacture, or is downloaded and activated post manufacture. Any royalty for the virtual machine is paid for only if and when the virtual machine is both present and activated in the device.

Abstract: A method for allowing multiple users to access preview content is disclosed. In one embodiment, a user is provided with preview content and is allowed to access the preview content even if another user's access to the preview content has expired. In another embodiment, a user is provided with content that he is not allowed to access but is allowed to access a preview version of the content by creating a license that specifies the user's access to the preview content, wherein the license is stored on a memory device that stores the preview content. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: Computer-readable media storing operational instructions for connecting to a network location associated with content is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network location associated with content is obtained, the content is accessed, and a connection is made to the network location at a time other than when access to the content expires. In another embodiment, a network location associated with content is obtained, wherein the network location provides an online service other than offering access rights to the content. The content is accessed, and a connection is made to the network location. In yet another embodiment, a network location is selected from a plurality of network locations associated with content, the content is accessed, and a connection is made to the selected network location. In another embodiment, a network location associated with content is obtained, a determination is made, based on at least one rule, whether to connect to the network location, and the content is accessed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor is configured to: transmit a request to a memory device to access content stored in the memory device; receive a session ticket; and access the content based on the session ticket. The session ticket includes a parameter used to decrypt the content and the session ticket is generated based on a number that is configured to change at a session.

Abstract: A method for accessing content is provided. In this method, information from a first memory device is retrieved. A parameter is generated based on the information and an account on a second memory device is accessed based on the parameter. The second memory device is configured to store the content and the account is associated with the content. The first and second memory devices are configured to be removably coupled to a computing device.

Abstract: A method for connecting to a network location associated with content is disclosed. In one embodiment, a network location associated with content is obtained, the content is accessed, and a connection is made to the network location at a time other than when access to the content expires. In another embodiment, a network location associated with content is obtained, wherein the network location provides an online service other than offering access rights to the content. The content is accessed, and a connection is made to the network location. In yet another embodiment, a network location is selected from a plurality of network locations associated with content, the content is accessed, and a connection is made to the selected network location. In another embodiment, a network location associated with content is obtained, a determination is made, based on at least one rule, whether to connect to the network location, and the content is accessed.

Abstract: A method for accessing content is provided. In this method, a first parameter associated with a license is retrieved. The license is associated with the content. A second parameter associated with the content also is retrieved. With the first and second parameters, a third parameter based on the first and second parameters is generated. The third parameter is configured for use in decrypting the content and the content can be accessed based on the third parameter.

Abstract: A method for allowing content protected by a first DRM system to be accessed by a second DRM system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a request is received from a host application for a license for content protected by a first DRM system, the first DRM system being different from the host application's DRM system. A license supported by the host application's DRM system is then generated from a license supported by the first DRM system. In another embodiment, a request is received to store content protected by a first DRM system. In response to the request, a portable license for the content is generated from a license supported by the first DRM system. Alternatively or additionally, a portable file format for the content is generated from a file format supported by the first DRM system. The request can come from a first computing platform, and the portable license and/or file format can be generated by a second computing platform.

Abstract: Computer-readable media storing operational instructions for allowing multiple users to access preview content is disclosed. In one embodiment, a user is provided with preview content and is allowed to access the preview content even if another user's access to the preview content has expired. In another embodiment, a user is provided with content that he is not allowed to access but is allowed to access a preview version of the content by creating a license that specifies the user's access to the preview content, wherein the license is stored on a memory device that stores the preview content. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A memory device is provided. The memory device includes a memory configured to store information. The memory device also includes a memory controller in communication with the memory. The memory controller is configured to encrypt the information to define a parameter and access an account on a second memory device based on the parameter to gain access to content. The content is stored in the second memory device and the memory device and the second memory device are configured to be removably coupled to a computing device.

Abstract: A system and computer-readable media storing operational instructions for allowing content protected by a first DRM system to be accessed by a second DRM system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a request is received from a host application for a license for content protected by a first DRM system, the first DRM system being different from the host application's DRM system. A license supported by the host application's DRM system is then generated from a license supported by the first DRM system. In another embodiment, a request is received to store content protected by a first DRM system. In response to the request, a portable license for the content is generated from a license supported by the first DRM system. Alternatively or additionally, a portable file format for the content is generated from a file format supported by the first DRM system. The request can come from a first computing platform, and the portable license and/or file format can be generated by a second computing platform.

Abstract: A method for accessing content stored on a memory device is provided. In this method, a request to access the content is transmitted and a session ticket is received. The session ticket includes a parameter used to decrypt the content and the session ticket is generated based on a variable that is configured to change at a session. The content may be accessed based on the session ticket.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The processor is configured to retrieve a first parameter associated with a license; retrieve a second parameter associated with the encrypted content; generate a third parameter based on the first and second parameters; and access the encrypted content based on the third parameter.

Abstract: A method for interfacing with a memory card is provided. In this method, a selection of a program instruction is provided and the program instruction associated with the selection is read from the memory card. The program instruction thereafter is executed. Systems and computing devices for interfacing with the memory card also are described.