Abstract: A memory device and method for content virtualization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of directories are created in the memory of the memory device, wherein each of the plurality of directories points to a same storage location of the digital content. In another embodiment, a first header for the digital content is stored in each of the different directories, wherein the first header comprises information about where to find the digital content in the memory. In yet another embodiment, the memory device comprises circuitry that receives an identification of a host device in communication with the memory device and reorganizes a directory structure of the memory in accordance with the identification of the host device, wherein the reorganization results in the digital content appearing to be located in a directory expected by the host device.

Abstract: A memory device and method for content virtualization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of directories are created in the memory of the memory device, wherein each of the plurality of directories points to a same storage location of the digital content. In another embodiment, a first header for the digital content is stored in each of the different directories, wherein the first header comprises information about where to find the digital content in the memory. In yet another embodiment, the memory device comprises circuitry that receives an identification of a host device in communication with the memory device and reorganizes a directory structure of the memory in accordance with the identification of the host device, wherein the reorganization results in the digital content appearing to be located in a directory expected by the host device.

Abstract: Methods for estimating playback time and handling a cumulative playback time permission are provided. In one embodiment, a file is streamed from a first device to a second device for playback. The amount of data of the file that was streamed to the second device is determined, and a playback time of the file is estimated using a time rate associated with the file and the determined amount of data of the file that was streamed to the second device. If the file is associated with a permission specifying an allowed cumulative playback time of the file, the estimated playback time can be accrued against the allowed cumulative playback time. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A method and system for content replication control are provided. In one embodiment, a content replication system receives a request to replicate content in a plurality of memory devices, wherein each memory device is associated with a respective unique identifier. For each of the plurality of memory devices, the content replication system sends a request to a transport encryption key server for a transport encryption key, the request including the unique identifier of the memory device. If the unique identifier of the memory device is authorized to receive the transport encryption key, the content replication system receives the transport encryption key and sends the transport encryption key to the memory device. The content replication system then receives encrypted content from a content server, wherein the encrypted content is encrypted with the transport encryption key. The content replication system then sends the encrypted content to the plurality of memory devices.

Abstract: Methods for estimating playback time and handling a cumulative playback time permission are provided. In one embodiment, a file is streamed from a first device to a second device for playback. The amount of data of the file that was streamed to the second device is determined, and a playback time of the file is estimated using a time rate associated with the file and the determined amount of data of the file that was streamed to the second device. If the file is associated with a permission specifying an allowed cumulative playback time of the file, the estimated playback time can be accrued against the allowed cumulative playback time. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a host device creates a super-distribution token by encrypting a content encryption key with a super-distribution key and stores the super-distribution token and encrypted content retrieved from a source storage device in a target storage device. In another embodiment, a host device provides a super-distribution token to a server, wherein the server is configured to generate an activation token from the super-distribution token, receive the activation token from the server, retrieve a content encryption key from the activation token, and decrypt encrypted content received from a storage device using the content encryption key retrieved from the activation token.

Abstract: A method for using time from a trusted host device is disclosed. In one embodiment, an application on a memory device receives a request to perform a time-based operation from an entity authenticated by the memory device, wherein the entity is running on a host device. The application selects time from the host device instead of time from a time module on the memory device to perform the time-based operation and uses the time from the host device to perform the time-based operation. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A storage device, host device, and method are provided for using a common digital rights management (DRM) module to enforce an association between content and a user interface application. In one embodiment, a storage device is provided with a DRM module that receives a request from a user interface application to play back content protected by DRM. The DRM module determines if the user interface application is authorized to play back the content and also if rights associated with the content are valid. If the DRM module determines both that the user interface application is authorized to play back the content and that the rights associated with the content are valid, the DRM module provides the content to a playback module for playback. In another embodiment, the DRM module is located in the host device. Other embodiments are possible, and each can be used alone or in combination.

Abstract: A method for improving accuracy of a time estimate used in digital rights management (DRM) license validation is disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device receives a request to validate a DRM license stored on the memory device, wherein the DRM license is associated with a time stamp update policy (TUP) that specifies when a new time stamp is needed. Before attempting to validate the DRM license, the memory device determines if a new time stamp is needed based on the TUP associated with the DRM license. If a new time stamp is needed, the memory device receives the new time stamp and then attempts to validate the DRM license using a time estimate based on the new time stamp. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A method for improving accuracy of a time estimate from a memory device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a memory device receives a time stamp and measures active time with respect to the received time stamp. The memory device determines accuracy of previously-measured active time and generates a time estimate using the measured active time, the accuracy of previously-measured active time, and the received time stamp. In another embodiment, measured active time is adjusted, with or without generating a time estimate. Other embodiments are disclosed, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A personal license server and methods for use thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, a personal license server is provided comprising a memory and circuitry operative to receive a digital rights management (DRM) license from a license server, store the DRM license in the memory, and provide the DRM license to a personal license server client, wherein the personal license server client receives the DRM license without communicating with the license server. In another embodiment, a personal license server client is provided that receives, from a license requester, a request for a digital rights management (DRM) license from a license server; in response to the request, communicates with a personal license server instead of the license server to receive the DRM license; and provides the DRM license to the license requester. Other embodiments are provided, and each of these embodiments can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Abstract: A method and system for activation of local content with legacy streaming systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage device stores encrypted content. The encrypted content can be preloaded or downloaded into the storage device. To consume the content, a host device using the storage device receives a stream of data from a network. The host device then derives a key from the received stream of data and decrypts the encrypted content using the key derived from the received stream of data. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A method and system for activation of local content with legacy streaming systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage device stores encrypted content. The encrypted content can be preloaded or downloaded into the storage device. To consume the content, a host device using the storage device receives a stream of data from a network. The host device then derives a key from the received stream of data and decrypts the encrypted content using the key derived from the received stream of data. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a storage device stores a content encryption key, content encrypted with the content encryption key, and a super-distribution key. To re-distribute the content, the storage device creates a super-distribution token by encrypting the content encryption key with the super-distribution key and provides the encrypted content and the super-distribution token to a host device for storage in a target storage device. To access the encrypted content on the target storage device, the target storage device provides the super-distribution token to a server via the host device. The server generates an activation token from the super-distribution token, wherein the activation token contains the content encryption key. The target storage device receives the activation token from the server via the host device, retrieves the content encryption key from the activation token, and decrypts the encrypted content using the retrieved content encryption key.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a host device creates a super-distribution token by encrypting a content encryption key with a super-distribution key and stores the super-distribution token and encrypted content retrieved from a source storage device in a target storage device. In another embodiment, a host device provides a super-distribution token to a server, wherein the server is configured to generate an activation token from the super-distribution token, receive the activation token from the server, retrieve a content encryption key from the activation token, and decrypt encrypted content received from a storage device using the content encryption key retrieved from the activation token.

Abstract: A storage device and method for dynamic content tracing are provided. In one embodiment, a storage device stores content having a plurality of sequences of data, each sequence of data having original data and at least one variation of the original data. The storage device receives an identifier of a host device and, for each sequence of data, selects either the original data or one of the at least one variation of the original data based on the identifier of the host device. The storage device then assembles a version of the content from the selections and provides the assembled version of the content to the host device. The assembled version of the content is unique to the host device and therefore can be used to trace the assembled version of the content back to the host device.

Abstract: A memory device and method for content virtualization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of directories are created in the memory of the memory device, wherein each of the plurality of directories points to a same storage location of the digital content. In another embodiment, a first header for the digital content is stored in each of the different directories, wherein the first header comprises information about where to find the digital content in the memory. In yet another embodiment, the memory device comprises circuitry that receives an identification of a host device in communication with the memory device and reorganizes a directory structure of the memory in accordance with the identification of the host device, wherein the reorganization results in the digital content appearing to be located in a directory expected by the host device.

Abstract: A method and system for content replication control are provided. In one embodiment, a content replication system receives a request to replicate content in a plurality of memory devices, wherein each memory device is associated with a respective unique identifier. For each of the plurality of memory devices, the content replication system sends a request to a transport encryption key server for a transport encryption key, the request including the unique identifier of the memory device. If the unique identifier of the memory device is authorized to receive the transport encryption key, the content replication system receives the transport encryption key and sends the transport encryption key to the memory device. The content replication system then receives encrypted content from a content server, wherein the encrypted content is encrypted with the transport encryption key. The content replication system then sends the encrypted content to the plurality of memory devices.

Abstract: A memory device and method for content virtualization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of directories are created in the memory of the memory device, wherein each of the plurality of directories points to a same storage location of the digital content. In another embodiment, a first header for the digital content is stored in each of the different directories, wherein the first header comprises information about where to find the digital content in the memory. In yet another embodiment, the memory device comprises circuitry that receives an identification of a host device in communication with the memory device and reorganizes a directory structure of the memory in accordance with the identification of the host device, wherein the reorganization results in the digital content appearing to be located in a directory expected by the host device.

Abstract: A memory device and method for content virtualization are disclosed. In one embodiment, a plurality of directories are created in the memory of the memory device, wherein each of the plurality of directories points to a same storage location of the digital content. In another embodiment, a first header for the digital content is stored in each of the different directories, wherein the first header comprises information about where to find the digital content in the memory. In yet another embodiment, the memory device comprises circuitry that receives an identification of a host device in communication with the memory device and reorganizes a directory structure of the memory in accordance with the identification of the host device, wherein the reorganization results in the digital content appearing to be located in a directory expected by the host device.