Abstract: A method of controlled access to content, comprising joining an access sharing network, obtaining a content item from the access sharing network which requires access control data to enable playback, obtaining the access control data, determining from the access control data that a particular other device is authorized to play back the content item, and enabling playback of the content item in accordance with the access control data upon a positive determination that said other device is a member of said access sharing network. Preferably the access control data is used also during a predetermined period of time after making a determination that said other device has ceased to be a member of the access sharing network. Also a device (101) configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of allowing access to an authorized domain (100), the authorized domain (100) being managed by a domain manager (210), comprising a step in which a user authentication device (220), which user authentication device is linked to a foreign device (201), asserts to the domain manager that a local link (205) between the user authentication device and the foreign device is limited in distance, and a step in which the domain manager allows the foreign device to operate as a member of the authorized domain if the assertion is accepted as accurate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of processing rights relating to content, that can be communicated between devices. Typically, a Digital Rights Management (DRM) system imposes limitations of use and distribution, imposed by the service provider, content provider or distributor. The method of the invention renders it possible for a user who has received DRM rights to restrict the right further. The invention is more particularly related to the receipt of DRM rights to Authorized Domain Digital Rights Management (AD-DRM) systems and the introduction of user attributed rights in the form of further restrictions introduced to the received DRM rights. The invention further relates to a Rights Program Template (RPT) facilitating the introduction of such further restrictions in a user friendly way. Finally, the invention relates to a system supporting the method of the invention.

Abstract: A system (300), apparatus (200) and method (100) are provided to automatically play/suggest at least one audio accompaniment while a sequence of at least one digital image is being displayed such that the audio accompaniment matches the content of the particular sequence of images and matches any provided and/or generated image metadata. Search terms are derived from the images themselves as well as any metadata provided by the user and these search terms are then used to find audio accompaniment that either (1) contains these search terms or synonyms thereof in the image or associated text (e.g., song text) or (2) represents the sound normally associated with the images, such as rushing water sound for an image of a fast flowing brook. The invention accepts user input, locates appropriate audio accompaniment as search results and presents these results to the user either by playing the audio accompaniment while displaying the images or by suggesting a playlist to the user compiled from these results.

Abstract: Video clips (160) are selected for viewing or recording in a video system (160) based on songs that are selected for play in an audio system (110). A history (120) of audio selections is maintained, and based on this history (120), the system identifies ‘favorite’ songs. The system searches sources of video material for video clips (160) that are related to the favorite songs, and records the clips (160). When a favorite song is subsequently selected for play (410), the video system is configured to also play (440), or offer to play (430), the corresponding video clip (160). Optionally, the system is configured to store (390) the location of previously recorded video clips, such as the location of the clip in a user's video collection, or the URL of the clip in a computer network, such as the Internet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for transmitting content, selected by a user at a network device, from the network device to a target device, wherein the user has user account data stored at the network device identified by a user account ID, and wherein the user account data at least comprises a network address of the target device, in which the user ID is received from the user for referring to the user account data and, based thereon, the content is transmitted to the target device on the basis of the network address.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of allowing access to an authorized domain (100), the authorized domain (100) being managed by a domain manager (210), comprising a step in which a user authentication device (220), which user authentication device is linked to a foreign device (201), asserts to the domain manager that a local link (205) between the user authentication device and the foreign device is limited in distance, and a step in which the domain manager allows the foreign device to operate as a member of the authorized domain if the assertion is accepted as accurate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device (207) for providing a party (214) with a content item license (202). A basic idea of the present invention is to enable redistribution of, or giving away/gifting of, digital content items while satisfying DRM requirements. Hence, determining means in the form of e.g. a proximity verifier receives authentication data of a first party (213) wishing to give away or redistribute a content item (215). The proximity verifier also receives authentication data of a second party (214) to which the content item is to be transferred. Further, a license (202) associated with the content item and the first party is received at the proximity verifier (207) from the first party. The license may be associated with the first party and the content item by a first party identifier (203) and a content item identifier (204) comprised in the license. The proximity verifier determines whether the first party and the second party are in physical proximity to each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a system for evaluating proximity. A reference object is moved such that it enters at least two different proximity areas of two different proximity indicators, whereby proximity indications are generated. The time difference between the indications is measured. If the time difference is within predefined range it is ascertained that the reference object is within a well defined area. Thus, the fact that the speed of movement of a physical object is significantly limited is used for obtaining reliable proximity evaluations.

Abstract: A system (300), apparatus (200) and method (100) are provided to automatically play/suggest at least one audio accompaniment while a sequence of at least one digital image is being displayed such that the audio accompaniment matches the content of the particular sequence of images and matches any provided and/or generated image metadata. Search terms are derived from the images themselves as well as any metadata provided by the user and these search terms are then used to find audio accompaniment that either (1) contains these search terms or synonyms thereof in the image or associated text (e.g., song text) or (2) represents the sound normally associated with the images, such as rushing water sound for an image of a fast flowing brook. The invention accepts user input, locates appropriate audio accompaniment as search results and presents these results to the user either by playing the audio accompaniment while displaying the images or by suggesting a playlist to the user compiled from these results.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling to browse a plurality of stored images in which a plurality of the images (101) are displayed. Each image has at least one label (103) associated therewith. Each label comprises at least one attribute and an associated value. A representation of the label is provided. At least one attribute can be selected and at least a further one of the images having the same value as that of the selected attribute is retrieved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method of providing conditional access to a data content item for a number of users, where the data content item is associated with a digital right that provides a user the right to access the data content item a predetermined number of times. The data content item is arranged in a number of subparts and the digital right is arranged in a number of sub-rights (100), initially designated as available sub-rights (101), where each available sub-right (101) provides a user the right to access a subpart of the data content item. When a user is granted (new) access to a content item a number of available sub-rights (101) is reserved. In this way, it is ensured in a very simple way that if a user in a multi-user scenario pauses access (also for a prolonged time) to the data content item then there will be sub-rights available so that the content may be accessed at a later time even if another user of the group starts spending sub-rights immediately after.

Abstract: A method of controlled access to content, comprising joining an access sharing network, obtaining a content item from the access sharing network which requires access control data to enable playback, obtaining the access control data, determining from the access control data that a particular other device is authorized to play back the content item, and enabling playback of the content item in accordance with the access control data upon a positive determination that said other device is a member of said access sharing network. Preferably the access control data is used also during a predetermined period of time after making a determination that said other device has ceased to be a member of the access sharing network. Also a device (101) configured to carry out the method.

Abstract: A method of enabling interaction between a portable device (201) operated by a user and another device (202) comprising detecting that a distance between the portable device (201) and the other device (202) is suitable for the interaction, suggesting to the user that a virtual link can be established between the portable device (201) and the other device (202) for allowing the interaction, and upon receiving confirmation from the user, establishing the virtual link.

Abstract: Primary programs (P1, P2, . . . ) and commercials (=secondary programs C1, C2, . . . ) are transmitted alternately and, in the “normal mode” of a display system according to the invention, they are applied directly to a display (3). Tertiary programs (C1*, C2*, . . . ) with commercials are transmitted in parallel and expanded in time, i.e. with a small-bandwidth, and are continuously stored in a memory (4). When the user presses “pause” during the “normal mode”, the tertiary programs (commercials C1*, . . . ) that have been recorded until then will be shown, and the program (P3, . . . ) itself will be delayed, i.e. stored in a buffer (5). When the user resumes watching, he can start with the primary program (P3) where he left off and (some of the) the commercials (C3, C4, . . . ) broadcast at the end of the program will not be shown.